Wheel of Light Astrology by Rio Olesky - June 2018
Mars is the archetype of physical energy. It can represent sports, working out, anger and sexuality. In the natal chart is can indicate the general energy level that one has. Mars also represents new beginnings; the desire to initiate projects, activities or relationships. This month Mars will turn retrograde and remain in that direction until August 27. When Mars is retrograde its regular activity is altered. Our physical energy level declines gradually over that period. We often lose interest or drive when attempting to start something new. In fact, when one initiates a conflict when Mars is retrograde they usually lose. This could pertain to a personal relationship or a conflict between nations.
When a planet turns retrograde it’s a time to pause, reflect, review and if necessary revise how we are dealing with the nature of its energy. For example, Mars retrograde is a good time to contemplate ways in which we deal with anger and sexuality. Are we appropriate in getting angry for real reasons, or are we projecting the cause of our frustration on others? Are we misplacing our anger and dumping on someone other than who we are really angry at? Anger can be a powerful emotion that can trigger actions that would otherwise not take place. During the Mars retrograde we have a tendency to stuff our anger. Anger imploded can be a root cause of depression. It’s also easier to beat ourselves up rather than confronting someone else who may be the reason we’re angry in the first place. We could also be guilty of passive-aggressive behavior at this time. Not only does that not release our real feelings, but we could be creating another problem by trying to be indirect rather than just putting the emotion out there directly.
Similarly, with regard to sexuality, are we in touch with makes us feel loved and valued in that area or are we more focused on satisfying our partner? Once we get in touch with our needs, we can alter our behaviors so that we can experience this part of life as something beautiful and fulfilling rather than a chore or something to feel guilty about.
Since this is not a good time for new beginnings, what are some other ways to use Mars productively at this time? In general this is a good time to finish projects that are incomplete. Or, we might focus on that type of situation only to realize that in fact we are done. It may be incomplete, but we no longer have the drive or interest to finish. Sometimes we can use the energy of this period to clean up parts of our environmnet that are messy or disorganized. This could be the kitchen, basement, garage, storage unit or studio. Mars can represent cutting, so this is a good time to cut things out of our life that clutter up our space.
This is also a good time to research and contemplate new beginnings that can take place after Mars turns direct. It’s also important to remember the “shadow period” of a retrograde planet. We might have started feeling the influence of Mars retrograde as early as mid-May and as long as late September. So don’t simply time an event for the day Mars turns direct as the requisite energy and drive will not be there yet.
On the collective level there are some interesting things to contemplate about Mars retrograde. In the short term, we should be concerned about our President who is surrounding himself with advisors who prioritize conflict to diplomacy. If we strike first, it will not turn out well for us. In the long term, it’s important to remember that progressed Mars in the chart of the United States turned retrograde in 2006 and will remain in that direction for about 75 years. When Mars turns retrograde, some were theorizing that this would make our country more peaceful. No longer would we strive to be the police force of world, enforcing our will on other nations. In fact, we would be become leader in a movement for world peace and an end to all war. The reality has not been so desirable. In the past 12 years we have wars taking place openly in many countries and covertly in many more. Rather than being an instrument of peace it’s as if our government has doubled down on aggression. What’s even more concerning, however, is that we have increased violence against our own people. This has taken the form of private citizens committing mass murder on a previously unprecedented scale. It has also seen local police forces acting more as an invading army against the populace and less like protectors of the people. Whether this is more people being killed for no reason or local police forces being given military equipment.
This is a good time for all of us to contemplate our own relationship to violence. With an election coming up in a few months, we can use the Mars retrograde period to contemplate and dialogue on a public, collective level about what our values and priorities are with regard to the use of force as a nation versus other nations, as well as against our own people. Most of the time Mars is retrograde it will be in Aquarius, the sign of unprecedented, inspired, revolutionary change. Let’s use this opportunity to make significant changes in both our consciousness and our behavior in the area of physical drive and force.