Mars Retrograde in Aquarius and Capricorn 2018
Mars Retrograde in Aquarius and Capricorn 2018: June 26, 2018, to August 27th, 2018
NOTE – There are NO retrograde periods for Mars in the year 2019. The next Mars Retrograde is September 9, 2020, to November 13, 2020, in the sign of Aries.
On this Page:
- The significance of Mars Retrograde.
- Indicators in the charts of people especially sensitive to the Mars Retrograde cycle.
- How this Mars Retrograde cycle affects each sign of the zodiac.
Overview
“Mercury Retrograde” has certainly become a buzzword – or buzz phrase – these days. The Mars Retrograde cycle is lesser known, and it occurs less frequently than Mercury Retrograde, but it is certainly no less significant nevertheless.
What is Mars Retrograde? Occasionally, Mars appears to be moving backward in the sky. “Appears” is the key word here, because, technically speaking, no planet actually moves backward in their orbits around the Sun. In fact, they don’t even slow down. Retrograde-station-direct cycles are essentially illusions that result from our point of view from Earth, simply because the Earth is also orbiting the Sun at a different speed than the other planets. Mars is Retrograde approximately 58-81 days every 2+ years.
If Mars is retrograde in the natal chart, this is what the Karmic Insight report has to say about this position: “Asserting yourself vigorously and directly is complicated by the fact that you had a prior lifetime or lifetimes in which aggression was either misused (by you, or against you) and/or all personal initiative and self-will was insistently discouraged (perhaps due to a belief system that advocated passivity).
In any case, the message that was impressed upon you was that forceful action is wrong or dangerous. Thus, if you stand up for yourself, you now tend to hesitate, back down or even be plagued with fears of retaliation.”
Mars Retrograde in Aquarius and Capricorn 2018
Mars is Retrograde in Aquarius and Capricorn from June 26th to August 27th, 2018.
12 May 2018 1:52 pm 28 Capricorn 37′ Mars Enters Rx Zone
26 June 2018 04:41 pm 09 Aquarius 13 Rx Mars Stationary Retrograde
27 August 2018 10:19 am 28 Capricorn 37′ Mars Stationary Direct
08 October 2018 02:29 pm 09 Aquarius 13′ Mars Leaves Rx Zone
Details: 26 June 2018 Mars turns retrograde at 09 Aquarius 13 and is retrograde until 28 August 2018 at 28 Capricorn 37′.
Times are Eastern. Retrograde times are always approximate.
Mars is in its shadow from May 12th forward and then until October 8th, 2018.
When Mars is in its retrograde cycle, we are forced to re-assess our current projects, our approach to getting what we want, and our desire nature. Rather than directly assert our desires, we tend towards introspection. While Mars in direct motion is direct, straightforward, assertive, and aggressive, with Mars in retrograde motion, Mars energy is essentially turned inward–it’s internalized, intensified, personalized, and perhaps pressurized. We can be hesitant about taking action, second-guessing our instincts or our natural impulses rather than acting upon them. The way we react to situations under normal conditions doesn’t necessarily work for us now, or we don’t exactly trust our instincts.
When anger is internalized, there can be some rather negative byproducts, such as tension, resentment, depression, apathy, and even some paranoia. On the other hand, it can also be personalized and made more intimate. Our goal during a Mars retrograde period should not be, however, to simply sit on our impulses or to squelch our enthusiasm. Rather, it should be to better understand our impulses, our survival instincts, our anger, our sexuality, our inner courage, and the ways we go about getting what we want from life. The cosmos are asking us to look before we leap rather than throw ourselves into action, just for the time being.
In many ways, I think of Mars retrograde periods as similar to Mars transits through the twelfth house. It’s a time when hesitating is more likely than throwing ourselves into new endeavors. We might require more rest than usual. Some of us are more accident-prone or illness-prone, almost as if the cosmos are forcing us to slow down if we haven’t listened to our natural impulses to take a break. It’s time for regrouping, and this is important on both physical and emotional levels.
When Mars is retrograde, it reaches an opposition aspect to the Sun yet is closest to the Earth. This suggests that a completely new perspective on our desires, anger, and motivations is possible during this ten-week cycle, particularly as we are closer to these things, and also through the pitting of our desires against our wills. We can more clearly see the differences between what we feel we should do and what we want to do, and this can lead to greater insight into how we’re managing our lives.
Rather than choosing direct and healthy expressions or outlets for frustrations, we might resort to sneaky, indirect, or obtuse methods of going after what we want. If we push ahead impulsively, we run into problems, obstacles, and frustrations, however. The answer lies somewhere in between – slowing down, strategizing, and pacing ourselves.
Mars is courageous, competitive, assertive, defensive, dynamic, territorial, sexual, passionate, and self-centered. While Mars is retrograde, acting in these ways may not yield expected results. It’s not so much a bad time to take on new projects as it is a time when we may be less courageous and more anxious about doing new things. Slowing down makes sense. We shouldn’t panic if a new job, project, interview, or relationship happens during the Mars retrograde period, but we should probably adopt a wait-and-see attitude and take things slowly before locking something down since our perspective may change once Mars turns direct and our needs can seem considerably different.
There is definitely going to be a stronger focus on the past while Mars retrogrades, and this is a good thing to a certain point if we are taking a lesson from past experiences. However, it’s better not to put too much energy into rehashing those things that can’t–or shouldn’t–be changed.
There can be a stronger desire than usual to go back to “fix” old problems and especially disagreements. Returning to old relationships that didn’t end well or that otherwise broke down may not be the best idea, although it can be tempting, as the problems may seem easier to resolve or non-existent. However, after Mars’ direct turn, the frustrations can emerge once again. It’s, in fact, a very good time to look back at a relationship or endeavor from a new perspective – one that is less clouded by anger – but not so wise to make final decisions based on what we’re seeing or experiencing now.
Aggression and competitiveness are less overt during Mars retrograde. We may be rethinking old relationships or jobs that ended because of disagreements. While we may to some extent make peace during this period, it’s better to take things slowly, largely because the old problems and conditions may resume after Mars turns direct.
As well, until we really get into touch with our desires and goals, it’s better not to commit to something important, mainly because we could discover that the goalposts can change more than once going forward.
While Mars is retrograde in Aquarius (see the timetable below), there can be tremendous resistance if things are not going our way. Perhaps ironically, we can become very stuck as we resist situations that are preventing us from having our way or we can become quite stuck on certain ideas and ideals. We may be revisiting old friendships or we may be fixated on past connections that we feel were ideal.
There can be pronounced passive-aggressive behavior during this cycle, as it can be challenging to feel as if direct assertions can get us what we want, and this may be more prominent while Mars is retrograde in Capricorn. We can instigate problems or arguments in our search to find a balance. We might stew in anger. This is a time for really getting in touch with what we’ve been accepting on the surface of things, but that has been building inside as emotional slush. Mars retrograde in Capricorn can return us to previous jobs or work projects, traditions, and structures in our lives.
Aquarius and Capricorn rule friends, networking, electronics, humanitarianism, community, career, reputation, government, rules, and business, amongst other things. During Mars’ retrograde cycle, we may need to re-assess our approach to these matters. Circumstances are likely to be such that we feel forced to do so. We might feel some frustration or anxiety about our friendships, jobs, or life path goals. There can be hesitation, caution, and fear of taking risks about beginning or going forward with work plans and friendships, for example.
We may be revisiting or rehashing old friendship matters or we may be reconsidering or thinking about the past. This is an excellent period for seeing old problems in a new light. While it’s an excellent time for identifying problem areas in our relationships, watch for obsessing over these issues, which is a strong tendency with Mars retro.
We can experience lowered vitality and/or health issues, especially those associated with areas ruled by Aquarius and Capricorn (nervous system, legs, bones (including teeth), and skin). Accidents are a stronger possibility throughout the Mars retrograde period. We may be less direct when it comes to satisfying our sexual needs. When we can’t find outlets for expressing our desires and anger, there can be struggles with resentment or shame. Energy flow seems interrupted or unnatural and stop-and-go.
Avoid pushing matters or throwing yourself into something entirely new. There is absolutely no reason to suspend your projects during a Mars retrograde period. Reworking and redefining current projects may be especially satisfying, and ultimately very rewarding.
Motives may be hard to discern for others’ actions. As we consider and reconsider our actions and initiatives, we can be more indecisive than usual. Sexual feelings may be stronger and more intense, but outward expression of sexuality may be less spontaneous than usual.
Mars is close to the South Node for most of June and July, and we can feel driven or impatient with closing an ongoing matter or problem and putting it behind us, or we can feel a little stuck emotionally on a matter that hasn’t been resolved now. Things are not moving forward at this time, and this is particularly emphasized with Mars retrograde. It’s hard to put our energies into the future when we’re so focused on, or stuck in, the past. This can be a time of wanting to rekindle old relationships perhaps as a means of avoiding moving on or beginning new friendships. It can also be a time of friction and stress in our relationships.
Any planet that is retrograde is an especially strong and dominant energy in our lives during the retrograde period. Because it is closest to the earth during the cycle, the energy of the planet, while dominant, is more challenging to harness in a controlled, conscious manner. This can lead to irrational behaviors and reactions, particularly since Mars rules action and initiative.
Wherever you find Mars transiting your chart during the retrograde period, you could be especially preoccupied with the affairs associated with that house and/or planet. Some of us experience a lessening of interest, initiative, and enthusiasm in these areas of life during the retrograde cycle, particularly as Mars begins to slow down. There is always a bit of a preamble and hangover for retrograde cycles, and these are likely to occur in the dates of the shadow. While Mars is “moving backward” (from June 26th to August 27th, 2018), there could be some backtracking in these areas, perhaps even some losses. It’s a period of review. Working on long-term projects can have better results than embarking on entirely new projects. In fact, this can be a very good time for making important edits to existing projects. Enthusiasm builds slowly but surely as Mars moves direct again (after August 27th).
Mars Retrograde: The dates:
- Mars turns retrograde at 09 Aquarius 13 on June 26th, 2018
- Mars re-enters Capricorn in retrograde motion on August 12, 2018
- Mars turns direct at 28 Capricorn 37′ on August 27th, 2018.
Shadow period: May 12 to June 26; August 27 to October 8.
Mars is retrograde in the sign of Aquarius from June 26th to August 12th.
Mars is retrograde in the sign of Capricorn from August 12 to 27.
People don’t say what they do, or do what they say!
Mars Retrograde through the Signs – June 26th to August 27th, 2018
Some people are more sensitive to Mars retrograde cycles than others. Mars-ruled Aries and Scorpio natives are likely to be particularly sensitive to the effects of Mars Retrograde in general. This applies to anyone who has a number of planets in either sign. Also, check to see where Aries and Scorpio are found in your natal chart. If Aries is on the third house cusp, for example, (which is often the case for Aquarius Ascendant natives) communication issues may be especially prominent themes now. If either of these signs is on the fifth house, then we can expect some stalling in the areas ruled by the fifth house–romance, creativity, and children, for example.
Aries and Aries Ascendant: All Mars retrograde cycles affect you on a highly personal level because Mars is your sign’s ruler. If you have an Aries Ascendant, Mars is your chart ruler, and Mars retrograde can also affect you on the physical plane as well as your personal presentation or image to others. You don’t assert yourself or state what it is that you want as directly as you normally do, and you could be withdrawn and introspective, pulling back from life a little as you figure out what it is that you truly want from it. Pushing yourself during this Mars retrograde cycle will only lead to frustrations and slowdowns. It’s time to review how you have been handling yourself in terms of self-assertion and expression of anger in general, and for considering making changes to your approach to getting what you want out of life.
Occurring in your solar eleventh house from June 26 to August 12, enthusiasm for generating business income, for working towards your higher goals and hopes, for group or community activities, and/or friendships may wane, perhaps due to some problems or setbacks in these areas of life. Some of you could be dealing with frustrations and buried anger with friends. Ambiguity in these areas of life may lead you to reassess your friendships, group endeavors and associations, or higher goals. There may be frustration with goals or dreams not manifesting soon enough, when in fact this retrograde period is strong for making important edits to your plans. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now.
From August 12-27, Mars is retrograde in your solar tenth house, and enthusiasm for career and public or professional matters may wane, perhaps due to some problems or setbacks in these areas of life. Ambiguities might have you second-guessing or reassessing your goals. You might feel less confident about pushing forward, or you could simply feel more cautious now. Some projects may stall. You may be feeling as if you are only going through the motions when it comes to your duties and responsibilities, temporarily lacking ambition, fire, or motivation. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now. Old projects or goals could use some attention for some of you. This portion of Mars retrograde emphasizes practical and work matters. How you organize your time is in question now.
Taurus and Taurus Ascendant: All Mars retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of your intuition and spiritual matters, because Mars rules these areas of your life. You may find that you are less able to rely on your intuition. Perhaps you’re picking up the wrong cues or reading too much into situations. Whatever the case may be, for the time being, you may not feel that your intuition is serving you well. Keep an eye out for deceptiveness and falseness in others. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating about your inner world now, or take this time to re-examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely. Private affairs and solitary work might need to be put on the back burner, or you could show less enthusiasm for them.
Occurring in your solar tenth house from June 26 to August 12, enthusiasm for career and public or professional matters may wane, perhaps due to some problems or setbacks in these areas of life. Ambiguities might have you second-guessing or reassessing your goals. You might feel less confident or you could simply feel more cautious now. Some projects may stall. You may be feeling as if you are only going through the motions when it comes to your duties and responsibilities, temporarily lacking ambition, fire, or motivation. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now. This Mars retrograde emphasizes practical and work matters. How you organize your time is in question now.
From August 12-27, Mars is retrograde in your solar ninth house, and enthusiasm for higher education, travel, your personal philosophy, or adventure, in general, may wane, perhaps due to some problems or setbacks in these areas of life. Some projects may stall, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself in adventurous ways. Your outlook on life in terms of the “bigger picture” could be more cautious, and you might find that you temporarily have less faith, or you are questioning the faith that has carried you to date. Legal or publishing matters can require a second look. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now. Your outlook and lust for life, for the time being, might not be as natural or spontaneous as it has been. Watch that you don’t focus too much on the frustrations of differing belief systems and opinions. Look for old studies, interests, and passions that may spark a new interest.
Gemini and Gemini Ascendant: All Mars retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of your friendships, group associations, networking, business income, and dreams/wishes because Mars rules these areas of your life in your solar chart. Challenges are possible now. Enthusiasm for generating business income, for group or community activities, and/or friendships may wane, perhaps due to some problems or setbacks in these areas of life. You may be temporarily confused about long-term goals.
Occurring in your solar ninth house from June 26 to August 12, enthusiasm for higher education, travel, your personal philosophy, or adventure in general may wane, perhaps due to some problems or setbacks in these areas of life. Some projects may stall, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself in adventurous ways. Your outlook on life in terms of the “bigger picture” could be more cautious, and you might find that you temporarily have less faith, or you are questioning the faith that has carried you to date. You may need to work further on your studies or a publishing project. A “back to the drawing board” situation can emerge now, but you have the chance to redo, refine, and perfect things now. Legal matters may need a second look. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now. Your outlook and lust for life, for the time being, might not be as natural or spontaneous as it has been. Look for new ways to revive old passions, studies, or interests.
From August 12-27, Mars is retrograde in your solar eighth house, and enthusiasm for intimate and sharing matters in general may wane, perhaps due to some problems or setbacks in these areas of life. Intimate matters may become more intense and complicated. Joint financial projects or initiatives may stall, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself in personal ways. A lover or yourself may especially intense or obsessive. Ambiguity with finances, particularly debts and shared money or resources, could dominate now, or financial affairs require a second look. An old relationship that ended poorly may occupy your thoughts, or an old lover may return. There can be magnification of fears and phobias, unexplored desires, and addictions now. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended. You could be exploring anger and assertion over deeply buried matters, and learning to better manage your life on an emotional level.
Cancer and Cancer Ascendant: All Mars retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of your career, professional life, ambition, public relations, and your reputation because Mars rules these areas of your life in your solar chart. Stalling, snags, challenges, or seeming setbacks might alert you to the need for re-organizing your energy and enthusiasm for these matters, for re-assessing goals, or for changing plans.
Occurring in your solar eighth house from June 26 to August 12, enthusiasm for intimate and sharing matters in general may wane, perhaps due to some problems or setbacks in these areas of life. Intimate matters may become more intense and complicated, and you may be looking to past relationships for resolution or closure. Joint financial projects or initiatives may stall, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself in personal ways. A lover or yourself may especially intense or obsessive. Ambiguity with finances, particularly debts and shared money or resources, could dominate now. Financial affairs may require a redo or second look. There can be a magnification of fears and phobias, unexplored desires, and addictions now. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended. You could be exploring anger and assertion over deeply buried matters, and learning to better manage your life on an emotional level.
From August 12-27, Mars is retrograde in your solar seventh house, and enthusiasm for a partnership or coming from a partner could appear to be waning. A partner could seem to be less direct or could be harder to reach. Partnering projects or initiatives, or negotiations, could stall, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself well in a one-to-one manner. Watch for pent-up anger and passive-aggressiveness with partnerships. A lover may be especially intense or obsessive, or you could experience this in your own behavior. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now. This cycle forces you to reorganize your energy with regards to people and partnerships. You could be re-assessing the ways in which you approach relationships, as well as what it is you want from your relationships. You are doing very important “work” that can benefit you greatly. You have the chance to reassess how you’ve been dealing with partners or potential partners, and you may be finding new and improved ways to get along. If you’re stimulating angry situations, you need to consider your role in the interaction. If you’re coming on too strong, look for ways to tone things down.
Leo and Leo Ascendant: All Mars retrograde cycles affect you in the areas of faith, wisdom, perspective, personal philosophy, higher education, travel, and adventure in general because Mars rules your solar ninth house. You could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself in adventurous ways. Your outlook on life in terms of the “bigger picture” could be a little more cautious, and you might find that you temporarily have less faith.
Occurring in your solar seventh house from June 26 to August 12, enthusiasm for a partnership or coming from a partner could appear to be waning. A partner could seem to be less direct or could be harder to reach. Partnering projects or initiatives, or negotiations, could stall, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself well in a one-to-one manner. Watch for pent-up anger and passive-aggressiveness with partnerships. A lover may be especially intense or obsessive, or you could experience this in your own behavior. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now. This cycle forces you to reorganize your energy with regards to people and partnerships. You could be re-assessing the ways in which you approach relationships, as well as what it is you want from your relationships. You are doing very important “work” that can benefit you greatly. You have the chance to reassess how you’ve been dealing with partners or potential partners, and you may be finding new and improved ways to get along. If you’re stimulating angry situations, you need to consider your role in the interaction. If you’re coming on too strong, you need to find ways to tone things down.
From August 12-27, Mars is retrograde in your solar sixth house, and enthusiasm for your work or health regimes, or for work projects and daily routines, could wane perhaps due to setbacks or stalling. Work itself could seem to be less straightforward or satisfying. New initiatives with these matters may appear less exciting, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself in these areas of life. For some, there can be much preoccupation with your health or work endeavors, and possibly frustration with daily routines. Watch for pent-up anger and passive-aggressiveness on the job. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now. This portion of the Mars retrograde cycle emphasizes practical and work matters. How you organize your time is in question now.
Virgo and Virgo Ascendant: All Mars retrograde cycles affect you in the areas of intimacy, sharing, and finances because Mars rules these areas of your solar chart. Intimate matters may become more intense and complicated. Joint financial projects or initiatives may stall, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself in personal ways. Anger management might be in order now, and it’s a strong period for reviewing how you have been asserting yourself with a partner. There can be frustrations with how you’ve been managing power in a partnership, and a drive to improve this situation. There may be a struggle with addictions at this time, or the magnification of fears and phobias that have been driving your behavior. The good news is that you have a chance to better manage them.
Occurring in your solar sixth house from June 26 to August 12, enthusiasm for your work or health regimes, or for work projects and daily routines, could wane perhaps due to setbacks or stalling. Work itself could seem to be less straightforward or satisfying. New initiatives with these matters may appear less exciting, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself in these areas of life. For some, there can be much preoccupation with your health or work endeavors, and possibly frustration with daily routines. Watch for pent-up anger and passive-aggressiveness on the job. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now. This portion of the Mars retrograde cycle emphasizes practical and work matters. How you organize your time is in question now.
From August 12-27, Mars is retrograde in your solar fifth house, and enthusiasm for a romance or creative project could wane perhaps due to setbacks or stalling. A relationship with a lover or a child could become more complicated or possibly exhausting. Desires can be hard to read for existing relationships – both yours and those of a lover. There can be a change of heart or you could be questioning what you’ve been pursuing in love, and a new approach becomes necessary. There could be waning interest in a hobby or a return to an old one. Some of you could be excessively preoccupied with a love relationship. New initiatives with fifth house matters may appear less exciting, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself in fifth house areas of life–creativity self-expression, recreation, children, and romance. Caution and perhaps anxiety or confusion begin to dominate. You might feel less confident or you could lack motivation now. Watch for pent-up anger, frustration, and passive-aggressiveness with a lover or with your children, if applicable. Refocusing, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now.
Libra and Libra Ascendant: All Mars retrograde cycles affect you in the areas of close partnering and negotiations because Mars rules these areas of your solar chart. Enthusiasm for a partnership or coming from a partner could be waning or not as clear. A partner could seem to be less direct or hard to reach. Partnering projects or initiatives, or negotiations, could stall, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself in a one-to-one manner. Watch for pent-up anger and passive-aggressiveness in your partnerships, and learn from experiences with these things.
Occurring in your solar fifth house from June 26 to August 12, enthusiasm for a romance or creative project could wane perhaps due to setbacks or stalling. A relationship with a lover or a child could become more complicated or possibly exhausting. Desires can be hard to read for existing relationships – both yours and those of a lover. There can be a change of heart or you could be questioning what you’ve been pursuing in love, and a new approach becomes necessary. There could be waning interest in a hobby or a return to an old one. Some of you could be excessively preoccupied with a love relationship. New initiatives with fifth house matters may appear less exciting, or you could find that you are less confident about expressing yourself in fifth house areas of life–creativity self-expression, recreation, children, and romance. Caution and perhaps anxiety or confusion begin to dominate. You might feel less confident or you could lack motivation now. Watch for pent-up anger, frustration, and passive-aggressiveness with a lover or with your children, if applicable. Refocusing, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now.
From August 12-27, Mars is retrograde in your solar fourth house and household projects may slow down or stall. Repairs may need to be done, or circumstances are such that living conditions seem unstable or in need of review. Perhaps the enthusiasm that you have been building for work around the house is lessening. You may have an increased desire to rule the roost, or feel that this position is no longer in your hands, and if this transit stimulates conflict or disputes, it is likely to be family-related–you may have arguments with them, about them, or on their behalf. You may get worked up about old problems or regarding emotional issues from the past that are resurfacing now. Refocusing, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now. It’s time to review how you have been handling your assertiveness on the home front and with family.
Scorpio and Scorpio Ascendant: All Mars retrograde cycles affect you in the areas of work, daily activities and routines, and/or health. Events might conspire to slow you down in these areas, forcing you to reassess how you’ve been managing this part of your life. Frustrations with your daily routine can be part of the picture now. Energy levels may seem low. Mars is your co-ruler, so you may be dealing with issues of image, personal presentation, and physical appearance or health as well.
Occurring in your fourth house from June 26 to August 12, household projects may slow down or stall. Repairs may need to be done, or circumstances are such that living conditions seem unstable or in need of review. Perhaps the enthusiasm that you have been building for work around the house is lessening. You may have an increased desire to rule the roost or feel that this position is no longer in your hands, and if this transit stimulates conflict or disputes, it is likely to be family-related–you may have arguments with them, about them, or on their behalf. You may get worked up about old problems or regarding emotional issues from the past that are resurfacing now. Refocusing, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now. It’s time to review how you have been handling your assertiveness on the home front and with family.
From August 12-27, Mars is retrograde in your solar third house, and mental projects, courses, or studies could be less exciting or invigorating for the time being. Perhaps a project you have been working on and enthused about encounters some snags and you feel the urge to abandon it altogether. Some of you could be quite preoccupied with problems in these areas. Challenges with self-expression, pushing/selling your ideas, or with neighbors and siblings may occur now. Social interactions can be a little strained now, as you may feel the need to hold back or there is a lack of usual spontaneity in your communications. There can be frustration with daily routines. It’s time to rethink, revise, and reorganize your plans. Backtracking is a good idea. In fact, this is a strong time for making important edits of work already in progress.
Sagittarius and Sagittarius Ascendant: All Mars retrograde cycles affect you in the areas of creativity, children, recreation, entertainment, hobbies, and romance because Mars rules these areas of your solar chart. This can play out in a variety of ways, such as problems with a lover or child’s enthusiasm, for example, or a creative project encountering some setbacks, or possibly an event or circumstance that prevents you from enjoying hobbies or leisurely activities for the time being. This may be a period of review of a love affair.
Occurring in your solar third house from June 26th to August 12th, mental projects, courses, or studies could be less exciting or invigorating for the time being. Perhaps a project you have been working on and enthused about encounters some snags and you feel the urge to abandon it altogether. Some of you could be quite preoccupied with problems in these areas. Challenges with self-expression, pushing/selling your ideas, or with neighbors and siblings may occur now. Social interactions can be a little strained now, as you may feel the need to hold back or there is a lack of usual spontaneity in your communications. There can be frustration with daily routines. It’s time to rethink, revise, and reorganize your plans. Backtracking is a good idea. In fact, this is a strong time for making important edits of work already in progress.
From August 12-27, Mars is retrograde in your solar second house, and money-making endeavors are in focus. Perhaps a money-making idea you have been working on and were enthused about encounters some snags and you feel the urge to abandon it altogether. Caution and perhaps anxiety may be the overriding emotions now. Money and security matters are extremely important to you during this cycle, but they are not as straightforward as they have been. It’s time to rethink, revise, and reorganize your money and your plans. This period involves coming to a greater understanding of how the way you manage your resources impacts your confidence and your life.
Capricorn and Capricorn Ascendant: All Mars retrograde cycles affect you in the areas of home, family, security, and domestic activities because Mars rules these areas in your solar chart. This can play out in a variety of ways. For example, household projects may slow down or stall. You might be feeling more defensive during this period, or you might get worked up about old waves of anger or regarding emotional issues from the past that are resurfacing now. It’s a good time for examining how you have been expressing anger or asserting yourself with your family.
Occurring in your solar second house from June 26 to August 12, money-making endeavors are in focus. Perhaps a money-making idea you have been working on and were enthused about encounters some snags and you feel the urge to abandon it altogether. Caution and perhaps anxiety may be the overriding emotions now. Money and security matters are extremely important to you during this cycle, but they are not as straightforward as they have been. It’s time to rethink, revise, and reorganize your money and your plans. This period involves coming to a greater understanding of how the way you manage your resources impacts your confidence and your life.
From August 12-27, Mars is retrograde in your solar first house and your sign. How you assert yourself and how you go about going after what you want out of life are up for review now. Watch that you don’t allow unacknowledged or buried desires drive your behavior. This portion of the Mars retrograde cycle is very up close and personal! You might find that you are second-guessing yourself, and this is a natural process as you reassess how you have been going about meeting life and reacting/acting. It’s a good time for refining these things. Your personal initiatives and confidence are affected. Perhaps you are not as confident about your personal effectiveness and more cautious about sharing yourself with others. Personal initiatives might need to be put on the back burner, or you could show less enthusiasm for them. You could be a little tired and more accident-prone, so be sure to rest up. You are also examining the way anger has helped or impaired your life, and coming up with new ways to manage it. In the process, you can experience some real frustrations, but you are also getting in touch with your inner strength. The end result, ideally, is a much-improved you. It’s time to rethink, revise, and reorganize your plans. Backtracking is a good idea now.
Aquarius and Aquarius Ascendant: All Mars retrograde cycles affect you in the areas of communication, siblings, neighbors, acquaintances, and transportation. Communication or transportation might take a hit somehow, making it harder to get from point A to point B, for example, or involving missed meetings, delays and red tape, challenges with studies, or mechanical breakdowns. There can be frustration with self-expression or impatience with social niceties.
Occurring in your solar first house and your sign from June 26 to August 12, this Mars retrograde cycle is very up close and personal! The ways that your survival instincts have served you to date may not seem to be as effective, or you might be feeling cautious and withdrawn overall now. You might find that you are second-guessing yourself, and this is a natural process as you reassess how you have been going about meeting life and reacting/acting. It’s a good time for refining these things. Your personal initiatives and confidence are affected. Perhaps you are not as confident about your personal effectiveness and more cautious about sharing yourself with others. Personal initiatives might need to be put on the back burner, or you could show less enthusiasm for them. You could be a little tired and more accident-prone, so be sure to rest up. You are also examining the way anger has helped or impaired your life, and coming up with new ways to manage it. In the process, you can experience some real frustrations, but you are also getting in touch with your inner strength. The end result, ideally, is a much-improved you. It’s time to rethink, revise, and reorganize your plans. Backtracking is a good idea now. How you assert yourself and how you go about going after what you want out of life are up for review now. Watch that you don’t allow unacknowledged or buried desires drive your behavior.
From August 12-27, Mars is retrograde in your solar twelfth house, and your spirituality, private life, gut instincts, and intuition are affected. Perhaps you are not as confident about your inner eye or hunches. Private affairs and solitary work might need to be put on the back burner, or you could show less enthusiasm for them. Trusting your gut instincts may become an issue. Vague fears and anxieties need to be dealt with. Obsession with private matters or concerns about the past could be part of the picture. Your desire nature can be rather complicated now, and it can be difficult to find direct routes to satisfaction. Old resentments, hurts, and angers can resurface. There can be lowered vitality, likely due to emotional frustrations and exasperation. It’s time to rethink, revise, and reorganize your plans. Backtracking is a good idea now. This is a time for learning about how your mental health impacts your life.
Pisces and Pisces Ascendant: All Mars retrograde cycles affect you in the areas of personal finances, income, possessions, comfort, and values. These areas might be ambiguous now, or cause for concern and anxiety for the time being. Reassessing these matters becomes necessary. This is a good time for taking a hard look at your budget. It’s also a time for understanding how the management of your personal resources impacts your confidence in general.
Occurring in your solar twelfth house from June 26 to August 12, your spirituality, private life, gut instincts, and intuition are affected. Perhaps you are not as confident about your inner eye or hunches. Private affairs and solitary work might need to be put on the back burner, or you could show less enthusiasm for them. Trusting your gut instincts may become an issue. Vague fears and anxieties need to be dealt with. Obsession with private matters or concerns about the past could be part of the picture. Your desire nature can be rather complicated now, and it can be difficult to find direct routes to satisfaction. Old resentments, hurts, and angers can resurface. There can be lowered vitality, likely due to emotional frustrations and exasperation. It’s time to rethink, revise, and reorganize your plans. Backtracking is a good idea now. This is a time for learning about how your mental health impacts your life.
From August 12-27, Mars is retrograde in your solar eleventh house, and enthusiasm for generating business income, for working towards your higher goals and hopes, for group or community activities, and/or friendships may wane, perhaps due to some problems or setbacks in these areas of life. Some of you could be dealing with frustrations and buried anger with friends. Ambiguity in these areas of life may lead you to reassess your friendships, group endeavors and associations, or higher goals. There may be frustration with goals or dreams not manifesting soon enough, when in fact this retrograde period is strong for making important edits to your plans. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now. Certain projects may need further attention before pushing forward with them.
See also: Mars Retrograde Dates & Signs
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