June 20, 2016 note: Mars continues Retrograde until June 29, three days after Jupiter trines Pluto. Some energies won’t be released until Mars has gone forward a few days after the 29th.
Mars started the first of its three Retrograde phases on Feb 18! Mars type things started since then until the retrograde April 17 will be reviewed during his retrograde April 17 to June 29. The third phase starts June 29, when Mars directs – moves forward again, until the finish August 22. Mars moves about twice as slow as Mercury, taking 2 years to circle Earth, while Mercury goes with the Sun once a year. So the Mars Rx period is longer, will be 2 months, 12 days!
The first pass is new ground. The reverse period, the Retrograde, things are covered in reverse order, reviewed, changed. The third pass is when the answers fall into place, mature decisions are made, last chances for finetuning course corrections.
The retrograde will span from 8 Sagittarius to 23 Scorpio.
Sex & Love
In Scorpio a fervent time, powerfully potent. Scorpio will generally love you forever, but Mars is less patient. For your own goodness they will prod you to take better care of yourself, mend relationships with other. It can be an obsessive combination, and you may have to take serious measures to depart if they get mean. If a new, fresh love, it may rock your socks, be tantric fusion! Just be careful about starting your new intimacy during the retrograde period, especially if it is an affair on one or both of your parts. There are likely to be sad consequences. If you are single be super careful. If with your very own Honey, what a great time to try out some new experiences! If you break up during the Rx, you are likely to get back together, so if you are serious about it, wait until Mars goes direct, then if you still want to, make your move. Be gentle and kind as possible in all circumstances.
In Sagittarius a runaway adventure! A high % of love ’em and leave ’em, but sometimes so worth the hit and run! Take a vacation with your Sweetie, just don’t take your most valuable luggage during the retrograde. Things get lost, so valuables stay with you on the flight. This wonderful exploration could be to a meaningful sacred site, an altar, to see the oracle about your love life, or off to a school or a visit with a teacher. Don’t believe everything you see or hear, or promises made. Evolution is the always change, and trumps any human thinking. What we thought we wanted changes with the perspective of time and circumstance, and though at first we are a bit undone, in the long term things are better!
Health & Healing
In Scorpio This is one of Scorpio’s prime businesses. They are super therapists whether it is mind or body. They have powerful mojo. If you find the healer uses too much force or intimidation for you, stop the program. If you had a super healer it may be time to return for another round. Good healers always know more about you than you do. They have the intuition, skills, experience that can do the best for you. From midwife to Hospice, let these Beings be there for you. Scorpio specially has to do with our intestines and sexual organs. Less food that over taxes our system. Food and exercise that keeps our body at optimum. Take good care of yourself. It’s another way of loving others.
In Sagittarius Sometimes we forget to play. Our Spirit needs relief from serious concerns. Do some things you forgot you love to do. Literally get away. You and your body forget you had aches and pains. If you are about to publish, perhaps immersing yourself in your text or images will take your mind elsewhere. Or go see a healer that has inspired you or the good people you trust, possibly has helped you before. Try something new. Be with the Truth. If you have been procrastinating, in denial, get with a strong friend, talk about what you are scared of, make your plan, take it a step at a time, have your friend be with you to help you get started. We all need help at times. You would do it for them. Sag is hips, thighs, sciatic nerve. These are what let us propel us through our lives. Be ready to happily make adjustments to your exercise, physical therapy programs. Together we can do this.
Career & Business
In Scorpio Financial relics will be summarily dismissed and replaced – not without resistance, but it will happen! Mars likes things done directly, right at the heart of the matter, with the least fuss. Let go of excess procedures, lighten the load, save time and money. Try some new ventures and keep tabs on things yourself, delegate when you find someone capable and trustworthy. Check on security matters frequently during the retrograde. Get proper lighting and make backups. Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t get the job or make the contact or partnership you expected, or the pay you hoped for. A better choice or deal may be in the offing after the retrograde. If you must have a review during this period, negotiate another after the retrograde. (See your astrologer for good dates!)
In Sagittarius Travelers will change course several times, planners be ready for revisions! What you teach may true one day, new info the next! You might reprint old texts, but do better to wait on your new publishing, a better title, a better cover to come. Caution about religious organizations. The management may change or they aren’t as suited as first thought. Your company may decide to go back to meeting at a previous place. Selecting your courses or place of continuing education will be more sure later on. Keep your options as open as possible.
Mars Retrograde Timeline
Feb 18 Mars started Phase 1
Mar 5 Mars into Sagittarius
Mar 19 Sun into Aries, Mars’ sign. Into Taurus April 19.
Mar 21 Mercury into Aries, Mars’ sign. Into Taurus April 5. From Mar 22 until April 19 there will be 3 planets in Aries!
April 5 Venus into Aries, Mars’ sign. April 29 Taurus.
April 12 Venus in Aries trine Mars
April 17 Mars RETROGRADE 8 Sag to 23 Scorpio
April 28 Mercury RETROGRADE 23 to 14 Taurus DURING the Mars Rx! It’s a double retrograde!
May 9 2016 TRANSIT OF MERCURY Rx in Taurus, 7.5 hour ECLIPSE across the Sun, 8:12 AM Pacific at 19 Taurus 25! On the average, there are only 13 transits of Mercury each century. The last planetary Solar Eclipse we had was Venus Retrograde in Gemini June 5, 2012. The last Mercury eclipse was Nov 8, 2006 at 16 Scorpio. The May Mercury eclipses are about half as frequent as November transits, but are bigger because Mercury is Aphelion, farthest from the sun. They occur at Mercury’s South Node. See More & the Chart!
May 22 Mercury DIRECT
May 22 The same day Mercury Directs, goes forward, Mars is at the Rx midpoint; Mars is always opposite the Sun at its Rx midpoint! This time the Sun is in Mercury’s sign Gemini at 1 Gemini/Sagittarius 47! Mars and Sun, two fiery planets will be facing off. The Sun is Light and rules the Heart, the sense of our core Self. Mars is Fire personified, lives for action! It is the candle flame of ignition when we need inspiration. It quickens our reaction time, is a spontaneous and cleverly innovative problem solver! It is the Seed of Spring, the Initiator, Leader! If you happen to be in the flock-of-lambs dept, not to worry, you will become a fine ram or ewe!
May 27 Mars Rx back into Scorpio
June 18 Mars Rx inconjunct Uranus – 23 SC 51 Rx. Disturbances in the valence through July 13!
June 29 MARS DIRECT at 23 Scorpio 3.9!
July 13 Mars direct inconjunct Uranus – 24 SC 25
Aug 2 Mars Sagittarius
Aug 10 Mercury starts Retrograde Phase 1 in Virgo
Aug 22 Mars 3rd phase finishes at 8 Sag, Sun into Virgo
Aug 30, eight days later, Mercury retrogrades in Virgo
23 DEGREES
Though Mercury starts its Retrograde at 23 Taurus, and Mars goes Direct (forward) at the opposite point, 23 Scorpio, they are never in opposition while both are retrograde due to the differences in their timing. But that 23 degree point becomes a sensitive point, since the degree positions when planets turn Retrograde or Direct, called a Station, are held for many days in the sky.
Feb 18 Mars already crossed 23 Scorpio
Apr 28 Mercury Rx at 23 Taurus
June 7 Mercury completes the Rx cycle at 23 Taurus
Jun 29 Mars Direct at 23 Scorpio
Passing it back and forth, who’s across the table, crossfire, differences, independence, separation, negotiation, complementary efforts, exciting joint advocacy, cooperation, will all be part of our considerations. Mercury is mind and communications. Mars is action inspired by Mercury’s inspired quick thinking – even in Taurus, or perhaps especially in Taurus, because Taurus has ruminated on matters, coming up with amazing common sense solutions, worthy of Mars’ actions! A retrograde in Taurus releases long held consciousness. Sensing and trusting fundamental value, Mars doesn’t hesitate to inaugurate a powerful trial in Scorpio, a cautious yet astute sign, to see if further sharing/teaching is feasible in Sagittarius.
More than concurrent retrogrades, the profound 7.5 hour TRANSIT OF MERCURY Rx Eclipse across the Sun, Mercury Direct at the Mars Rx midpoint opposite Sun in Gemini – Mercury’s sign, and the 23 degree connections, these two Retrogrades are powerful and specially linked.
Enjoy your hunt, the Quest, the depths and the heights, meeting new people!
See Double Retrograde! Mercury & Mars Rx Together!
Please, always remember these planetary combinations are what’s happening in the world. Check with your astrologer to see how they do, or don’t, activate your personal chart! May it go well with you….
thanks for this; always an interesting read!
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Hi, Beverly, good to hear from you! This Mars Rx is more intricate, laced with Mercury Rx!
Hugs and stay dry!
Cerena
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I did have a breakup during this Rx on April 17th – just as the mercury rx shadow period started and as the mars rx started…
The “In scorpio” says we are likely to get back together, but we broke up when it was 8 degrees Sag – so this doesn’t apply to me right? (about getting back together?)
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Cat, I’m so sorry to hear this. The breakup occurred when Mars was in Station retrograde, a stand still, stay as it is, kind of thing. Mercury was in Taurus, a fixed sign, indicating stay as it is. Venus in Aries trined Saturn, perhaps Karmic, but was squaring Pluto in Capricorn, Saturn’s sign, perhaps long standing problems, sudden courage to break away, the Karmic debt paid if there was one. There are many other aspects as well, and, also, how they are connected with your birth chart. Mars will again be at the break up degree Aug 21. Give yourself a hug from me, and we’ll hope for the best at that time.
Retrograde in any sign can indicate a return of the matters of that sign…. If the breakup was a matter of how that Mars degree and sign activated the romance part of your chart, then it could apply to your situation. If it was a matter of other factors activating your chart at that time, then Mars could be a secondary factor or not a factor at all. Best to see an experienced astrologer. Even then, of course, there is always the other person’s chart as well. You can see it’s complicated. Start with basic compatibility, then work with both of your transits and progressions. It is not uncommon that one person can love another very much and that not happen for the other person at all, just a passing experience. Sometimes, even, one loves from afar while the other is oblivious.
It never hurts to get some good counseling with a wise life experienced person, consult with a spiritual guide person, religious or otherwise, that you trust. And trust your own instincts, no denial if you can help it! Good luck and lots of love ~
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there are other things that came along mid-june – they seemed like signs from spirit guides that could only pertain to him… interesting, still waiting for those to unfold.
What significance does Aug 21 have?
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Cat, it’s when Mars will again be at the break up degree. It can bring up the matter for reconsideration. Or since it is Mars, there may be an event close to or on that day that brings it to mind. Mars usually has effect for a good 5 days or more, so the time leading up to the 21st you will likely be processing more about where you have come to about the break up.
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