01/12/2023
Mars has been retrograde since October and on Jan 12 it finishes its backwards spin and re-emerges getting really ready to move forward.
Mars in Astrology is our inner courage, passion and drive. It’s the generative life force that propels us forward towards our goals. Wherever there is movement of Mars, it reflects a shift in the way we relate to, embody and express our impulses. It shapes the way we go after our desires, take action, experience anger and fire and work with ambition.
If we bring together an archetype like Mars, which is about action taking, forward movement, self-discipline and drive - And we ask it to go underground, to slow down, to reflect instead of act, rest instead of race and question instead of do (which is what happens during a retrograde) we can begin to see the discomfort that Mars has been experiencing.
We begin to see the depth of trust that has been asked of each of us - as we were invited to go against the constant movement, productivity, speed and action that we are taught creates our worth. And instead lean into a slower pace into the uncertainty of our path ahead, into questioning where our drive comes from and if our desires have been authentic. These have been invitations from Mars in retrograde.
As it comes to an end, we get the opportunity to integrate the greater insights that we have discovered through that questioning, through that uncertainty and we get to begin moving forward once again.
While the planets within astrology show us WHAT is happening in our cosmos, the zodiac sign shows us HOW it is happening.
Where Mars usually spends around 45 days in each sign, it is in Gemini for seven months, first having entered the air sign in Aug 2022, so it’s been working with this energy for a while now.
We aren’t new to the insights, wisdom or invitations of Mars in Gemini and we still have a couple more months to deepen into its lessons before it moves into Cancer in March.
Gemini, ruled by Mercury, is our mind. It is communications, information, learning and mental processing. It is variety and movement and is not fixed in any one way of being or seeing the world. Rather it shifts and changes, moves and takes on many identities without attaching itself too deeply to any. As the passion and drive of Mars teams up with the curiosity and inquisitiveness of Gemini, we are taken by the hand and lead into a deep thirst for learning, for absorbing information and sharing through conversation. We are gifted with the drive and sharpness of the mind, of decision making, planning and logic and linear thinking.
While in retrograde, we may have been invited to explore the expression of anger through conversation, through logic or questioning the purpose of this emotion. We may have worked in boundary setting, engaging in difficult (yet necessary) conversations, our belief systems or the alignment of our words with our actions. And we may have been reflecting on our self definition and the certainty of our path ahead.
As this retrograde comes to an end and Mars steps forward, we are gifted with the mental power to start moving forward as well and we get to move forward with the insights gained from this time of reflection. All of the pieces that were up in the air during the retrograde begin to come together and make sense. We have the opportunity to rebuild our sense of self, clarity of desires and motivations, stronger boundaries and clear expression.
We are each invited to ground into our sense of self, reignite our drive and passions and forge a new, healthy and aligned relationship with action and with expression. This transit can feel as if our inner fires have been reignited and there is excitement once again to propel us into this new year.
As Mercury finishes it's retrograde next week, the sense that the doors are opening and all the lights are green only deepens!
~Written by Girl and Her Moon
