Dealing With a Retrograde Mars

If you spend any time listening to astrologers, you'll soon encounter the word 'retrograde'. This word means going backwards, and it refers to the backward-movement of the planets.

Now, from the Sun's point of view, the planets never go backwards. They go round and round in elliptical orbits, always in the same direction. Yet from a terrestrial angle, it appears that at certain stages in each planet's orbit, it comes to a standstill, then goes backwards for a period of weeks or months, and finally starts going forward again.

Astrologers believe that when a planet goes retrograde there are some very real effects, that are connected with its symbolism.

For example, when Mercury, the planet of communication, goes retrograde, messages can get lost and transport systems can let us down.

When Mars goes retrograde, we have to think in terms of energy, dynamism and assertion. It can be difficult to assert ourselves, and we should avoid taking major initiatives, especially in terms of competition and conflict.

This means that under a retrograde Mars we should avoid initiating lawsuits, or undertaking any form of hostile action.

Mars can also be about sports, and sporting activities taking place when Mars is retrograde can be disappointing or even dangerous.

At the same time Mars is the planet of male sexuality, and while Mars is retrograde a man's sexual performance could be below par, especially if he is sleeping with someone for the first time.

As far as time scale is concerned, Mars goes retrograde for about two and a half months, every two years.

So Mars went retrograde on November 15 2007 and it continued going retrograde until January 30 2008. The next time it went retrograde was December 20 2009 and it stays retrograde until March 10 2010. It goes retrograde again on January 23 or 24 2012, and this continues until April 13 or 14 of the same year.

While Mars is retrograde it's a good time to conserve our energy and to take a break from the arguments and conflicts of everyday life. We shouldn't feel that we have to be out in front, taking large-scale initiatives. Instead we should wait and watch. And then, when the retrograde period comes to an end, we'll be fresh and ready - and we'll have an excellent chance of being successful in our various endeavours.