![]() ![]() No surprises then, that we later find ourselves with repressed Martial instincts, struggling to stand up for or assert ourselves when the occasion calls for it. Harsh words are tucked away in place of silent smiles, as we are coached to say nothing at all if we have nothing nice to say. From a very early age, we are taught to sublimate our primal, individual needs for the greater good of the community. Mars retrograde also touches upon something far more nuanced: the fact of the matter is that Mars is not always metabolized well in polite society. With Mars' connection to sharp instruments, appointments for haircuts, tattoos, and even acupuncture would be best left for a later date. The entire motivational landscape may seem to change overnight, upending projects and plans, and stifling our passions. Well-intended schemes fizzle out before our eyes, while alluring would-be lovers that got our hearts racing at the start of Mars retrograde peter out and lose their charge. Typically, any plans initiated under Mars retrograde go nowhere, slowly. When Mars is in retrograde we may instead find ourselves in turmoil, frustrated by the lack of forward movement. Many of us are conditioned to envision life as an escalator which ascends in a perfectly linear fashion to the next destination. As modern life trends ever closer to the need to be "on" (and online) 24/7, we've become quite attached to the driving spirit of Mars, whether we're conscious of that connection or not. While there's often much ado about Mercury and its retrogrades, Mars' backward travels can be just as unsettling. Mars is often associated with choleric emotions like anger and frustration. Mars is also our inner survivalist, battling the elements and opposition for the right to thrive. Mars may erupt into ruthless action when sufficiently traumatized, however, blindly striking forward with Machiavellian cunning. ![]() Psychologically, Mars is associated with the process of individuation, the gradual unfolding of selfhood that only seeks to please itself. While we may think of Mars as a warrior planet exclusively concerned with the offensive, in truth, Mars plays both sides of the battlefield equally well: a dignified Mars has more than enough chutzpah to strike as well as strike back, depending on the needs of the moment. Mars embodies our drive and ability to act. Mars retrogrades are only second to Venus retrogrades in their rarity. During these transits, Mars appears to move backward in the sky, recovering anywhere from ten to twenty degrees each retrograde over the course of sixty to eighty days. Mars stations retrograde every twenty-six months, with these retrogrades normally lasting between two to two-and-a-half months.
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