Retrogrades are when a planet appears to go ‘backwards’ from the point of view of Earth – famous for reversals or events not completing as planned. In 2012 have our regular outer planet retrogrades and Mercury 3 times as usual, but in 2012, Venus and Mars also retrograde! They do every other year, and it’s their turn, right now, Mars!
- Mars Retrograde
Chinese New Year Day, Jan 23 to April 14 Mars retrogrades 23 Virgo to 3 Virgo. During that time, Mercury retrogrades Mar 12 to April 4, from 6 Aries back to 23 Pisces! So we have a double inner planet retrograde! Mar 3, during the Mars retrograde, Mars makes its opposition Sun at 13 Pisces/Virgo, and is closest to Earth in its 2 year orbit. Mars would usually be 2 months in a sign, but with this retrograde, Mars entered Virgo Nov10, 2011, stays in Virgo 7 months until entering Libra July 3!
Mars is not a back seat planet! But when retrograde either will go limp, or leap back! It may be surprisingly shy, or because it is reviewing and more sure the second time around, come back with more strength than anticipated! It could be unexpectedly patient, willing to rework a project, or frustrated and stomps off, or without even thinking about it, twice as fast, leaving you in the dust! Virgo is not noted for its athleticism, though they often love walking outdoors. Dutiful, yes, but not necessarily robust. So this may be just the juice it needs to get going after all.
Cars, mechanical items, the fast track, new, in front and center, leadership, sports, hot sex in a moment, are all Mars talents! Virgo is the sign of taking care of things, maintenance, organizing, accounting for cost of time and materials per returns on your investment. Percentages count. They are a precursor of a sort, to Libra’s fair balance formulas! Virgo concerns tenants and pets. Be gentle, or get it up if you have been neglecting things. Time to clean house, wash the car, do some trials on new health regimes, push through minutiae, exercise with religion, but in general it’s not a time for elective surgeries! If you decide to, choose a veteran health professional with an impeccable record. Put in that new garden, make plans to redo the office. But only do what you can pay for happily if it has to be redone! And don’t do things you can’t take back, like first time sex! Get receipts and know your returns policy – this aspect is almost 3 months long. If you are doing any kind of remodeling, have all parties date and sign off on changes. This can be a precision aspect, work it well!
Mars in Virgo goes well with other Earth signs, Taurus and Capricorn. One lumbers, the other hesitates, so this will be encouraging as details of progress fall into place. This Mars will challenge the other mutable signs, Gemini/Sagittarius, and Pisces. Gemini would like to chat about it first, Virgo just wants to work. Sag says where could we go? Virgo says just do it. Pisces doesn’t necessarily want to work at all, at least not hard, but Virgo is a steadfast worker, last at the office. Cautions to the Mutable signs (Gemini/Sagittarius and Virgo/Pisces), Mars can overdo, and be too quick on the trigger! Cancer will be glad the housework is getting done, and Scorpio will see that the job pays off. Blessed be.
[...] 23, 2012 See also Mars Retrograde in Virgo, since it is Stationary today, at a still point, focusing and holding power, turning [...]