Mars goes direct – June 29.
There is nothing as surly as Mars on a leash and this is exactly what retrograde motion does with a planet. It gives it a 'time-out' to think about things - like consequences of actions, a biggie for re-actionary Mars!
This 6-week period (Apr 17 – Jun 29) found Mars first in Sagittarius, a high energy, high expectation sign at the very time the universe presented us with TWO (May 21 and June 20) full moons in Sagittarius. The last time that happened was June 1997 so there was a looping effect going on if you were alive back then. We have an opportunity to redo something or take a road not taken, or take the road we are on, but up our game to a universal level.
In the wake of the two moon event, everyone has a heads up about future goals and the logic, faith, and everyday activity that visions call for if we expect to bring them down to earth. Given this is a 19-20 year cycle, the question might be where do you want to be in 2035?
And where was Mars while the TWO full moons shone bright? Retrograde. The first moon found it in Sagittarius, this was a 'whoa, little doggy' scenario. Don't go off half cocked! By the time of the second full Sagittarian moon, Mars had moon walked back into Scorpio (May 28) - moody, dark, intense and a tad bit touchy about personal stuff.
Have you indulged in a few weeks of pity-partys about how you've been done wrong by him, her, them, God, the Universe? You did your best and it turned out bad. Think I'll take my ball home, suck my thumb and eat some worms. Cranky, cranky but totally Scorpio on a bad day and Mars, the old ruler of Scorpio, considers it a bad day when forced to retreat in a retrograde.
No one noticed your snit. We were in the midst of our own pity-party with no interest in yours. And, let me remind you that during this period, we were all out in the world together trying to get along! (As we say in Poulsbo, Little Norway, uff da!)
Mars goes direct on Tuesday, June 29, still in Scorpio but doesn't return to the crossroads where it turned back until August 28. Mars helps us move forward after a period of introspection, but remember Mars is intensely personal, MY wants, MY desires. We're clearer about the direction we want to go. Maybe we came to realize there are other people involved in our goals as either helpers or hindrances. We have reviewed our strategies and recognized course corrections but we are still walking a path we walked recently. In fact we walked it two times: once forward and once in retrograde motion.
This is our third trip along this path. Pay attention to indicators nudging you in one direction or another. Look for people with similar goals. Keep your goal in mind but try getting there without burning the fields, raping and pillaging friends, family or society doing it your way.
August 3rd Mars moves out of the swampy, emotional lands of Scorpio and into optimistic Sagittarius. By the 28th, you 'll recognize the crossroads where you were when things lost momentum or stopped all together on April 17th.
From there, it's a new highway. Remember no matter what your dream is, look for the High Way of accomplishing it.
The other point of interest is that Mars joins a Grand Trine in Water with Neptune and Chiron in Pisces and the Sun, Mercury and Venus, plus Moon (July 4) in Cancer. Water = Feelings. Lots of water = lots of feelings! This could be a log jam with so many planets involved but they are water and are working to break up old pile ups of bad patterns. Let go and find the flow. Wash yourself clean, clear and free.
To top it off, electrical Uranus, the planet of sudden change, chaos and rampant individuality is in a stress angle to Mars, too, through mid-July. It looks like a mine-field! Everyone is emotional and sensitive. Try a little tenderness with yourself and others. Egotistical antics like spouting off emotional words and flaying arms are likely to set off unwanted results.
A great image to contemplate is of soldiers ( Mars) helping (Cancer) after a terrible earthquake or hurricane (Uranus). Focus on strength and kindness with a mission of care.
Astrology as a Power Tool
Life happens over time and astrology does too – unless some universal pattern is culminating on one of your major planets or patterns, it's easy to miss subtle course corrections. Astrological lessons can string out over months with planets taking turns adding their wisdoms as further aspects to the theme of current life lessons. That's why a simple change of direction (retrograde to direct) doesn't necessarily rock your world.
To read 'Mars goes direct today', or 'the moon is in Cancer' is general knowledge but not specific to you and your chart. An astrological reading applies the general knowledge to the specific – YOU! Then you have a power tool that you can work to focus on the outcomes you want.
I'd love to look at your chart and have a conversation about your hopes and dreams. I can read for you in my studio or by phone. Either way, you receive an MP3 recording of our time together. Let's get together, yeah, yeah, yeah! Call me or send an e-mail.