Mars Retrograde, January 23, 2012 Through April 13, 2012

Mars is the planet of energy, power, and assertion, and now that it is in retrograde motion (beginning Monday, January 23, 2012, it will be retrograde until April 13, 2012) we will spend the next few months examining our personal energy, how we are spending it and whether we have too much or not enough. Because Mars is in Virgo during its retrograde motion, this time will also be spent paying rapt attention to detail, with the analytic Virgo energy adding an element of meticulousness to our reflection. Mars also goes retrograde the same day as the New Moon in Aquarius,

Retrograde periods don’t have to be scary (as I’ve often extolled about periods of Mercury retrograde); instead, while things have a tendency to get muddled with other retrograde planets (with Mercury, for example, the ruler of communication, things in that arena tend to go haywire), Mars retrograde is a time of heightened internal reflection. You may find yourself searching for personal innovation and rediscovering your inner child—even if that means being a little rebellious at times. Retrograde periods are time to break out the “re:” regeneration, renewal, reflection….you get the point. Add “re” to the beginning of a word, and you have a way of positively using a period of planetary retrograde motion.