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Articles IndexMaking Progress - Astrologically Your Personal Moon Cycles |
Retrograde Motion(from Latin for backward step) is a term you'll hear a lot in astrology. This is an optical illusion where a planet appears to move through the zodiac opposite its usual direction. It is indeed hurtling forward through space, but because the planets do not revolve around us, and we are also in motion, sometimes a planet appears to go backwards. In that process, it backs up over a certain degree range of the zodiac and ends up passing through that range 3 times: first forward, then backward, and lastly forward again. Thus you will sometimes see mentions of 3 related time frames for certain influences, and circumstances may be related around these times. Usually the second of the three occurrences is the toughest transition, where the planet's message is most strongly conveyed. A person might be born when certain planets are in the Retrograde phase. In such a case, the person tends to internalize the energies represented by the planet, or to look to himself for the expression of the planet's power rather than investing that power outside of himself. Planets are Retrograde when they are closest to the earth, so think of bringing the planet's meaning closer to you. The Retrograde period is usually a time of relearning lessons related to the planet in question, so sometimes it presents difficulties as part of that lesson-learning. In the continuing cycles of the planets' motions, Retrograde periods are a time to research, review and re-do, any re- word. Our culture likes to pretend that we can move forward in a linear progress, but nature tells us everything goes around in a circular spiral. So sometimes we have to circle around before we go forward again. That's what Retrogrades are good for. The slower-moving outer planets spend more time Retrograde than the quicker-moving inner planets. Even though Mercury's Retrograde periods are only 3 weeks at a time (3 times a year), we seem to feel them the most. Possibly that's because Mercury is in charge of all forms of communications, and those touch every area of our lives. Mercury is also associated with all means of local transport, so it's Retrograde times are when we are more likely to get delayed by traffic snarls (allow extra time) or need car repairs (try to anticipate with preventive maintenance). Allow extra time for everything, because you'll need to doublecheck your work. My 2009 On a Page shows when each of the planets is Retrograde and the degrees they back up over. To see if you have planets in that range, look at your natal chart and find the zodiac range of the Retrograde. To obtain your natal chart, find out your exact birth time and go to Alabe.com and click on "Free Chart" in the upper left-hand corner of their home page. You should be able to print your chart from there or save it to your computer. Once you have your birth chart, you can see what part of it any planet is Retrograding over by comparing the degrees of the Retrograde range to the houses of your chart. When I give a personal astrology reading, I discuss the influences of the Retrogrades on your life. The key Retrograde for the current period is one we don’t have every year:
Mars Retrograde 11/15/07 – 1/30/08
The red planet has an orbit of about two years and once during that period it shifts into reverse for about two-and-a-half months. This is longer than the Retrogrades of Mercury (three weeks) and Venus (40 days) but shorter than the other planets’ Retrogrades (4 to 4-1/2 months)
Mars Retrograde stops us in our tracks. It signals a time to re-do or change what we’re doing, return to past actions, or re-learn lessons concerning assertiveness, confidence and taking initiative on the positive side or on the negative side impatience, selfishness or anger (including anger at oneself). Since Mars rules surgery, this is an appropriate time for corrections or follow-ups to prior operations. Speed can causes problems, accident potential increases, along with the propensity for engine trouble. There can be difficulties in sports and this is a good time to protect yourself as best you can from pulled muscles.
Mars backtracks from 12 degrees of Cancer to 24 degrees of Gemini. Mars entered this degree range on 9/16, remaining there until 4/4/08. The actual Retrograde period is from 11/15 until 1/30/08. As Mars retrogrades between air sign Gemini and water sign Cancer, it walks the line between reason and emotion, letting us learn the merits of each approach. When Mars is in Gemini (8/7 - 9/28, again 12/31 - 3/4), we have nimble fingers and minds, we’re mechanically-minded, fluid in our movements, flexible, quick-thinking, and good with our hands or eye-hand coordination. We may be hasty in speech, and it’s a good time for debating. When it’s in Cancer (9/28 - 12/31, again 3/4 - 5/9), we’re very protective of family, we engage in activities oriented for the good of the family and/or the home, we’re busy in the kitchen, and have to be in the right mood to take action. As it shifts between these signs, it crosses the summer solstice degree. Like all the season beginning points, this is a degree that indicates far-reaching impact and often heralds important news.
Meanwhile, Pluto is in the neighborhood of the winter solstice degree (the topic for another newsletter), and Mars lines up directly across from it on 9/21, 1/2 and 3/7, by far the strongest connection Mars makes to another planet during its Retrograde process. This brings stress to a fevered pitch; we need an outlet for it in action. A difficult situation reaches a peak or a point of no return. It’s a good time to eliminate something (or someone) negative from your life. Anyone is subject to the possibility for a war of words. Be careful that anger doesn’t lead to destruction. Pluto portends endings and Mars of course represents war. If we’re lucky, this alignment could signal an end to fighting in at least some of the current conflicts.
©2007 Janet Booth for JanetsPlan-Its.com |