Slow Down to Move Forward - Surviving Mars Rx (retrograde)

Who else is feeling tired and mentally drained right now? I cannot seem to get to bed fast enough every evening. Completing projects and goals feels more like trudging through mud than usual. I am insanely mentally drained. I am usually lightning fast being the full of Air that I am (4 planets in Gemini, a bubbly, quick minded Air sign). Imma take a beat to talk about something that may also be influencing you right now: Mars Retrograde.

Retrogrades are not the “end all be all” of astrological phenomena, and they really don’t need to take the heat for everything going wrong in our lives, however - there is a heightened influence that is really hard to ignore. Since Mars goes into Rx only every couple of years, I would say it’s unusually noticeable. Here is your “surviving Mars in Rx” guide. I hope you find it helpful.

Mars is the planet of willpower, action, motivation, drive (including sex), ambition, passion and energy. What we know about Retrogrades is that they tend to slooooowww everything down so we can clean up, tidy up, release, and directly deal with things that have been left undone in the areas that planet influences. Knowing what house of your astrological chart it is hitting right now is helpful, and you can reach out to an Astrologer to help you decipher how this is impacting you. Signs more directly “hit” by this are Gemini, Aries, Scorpio and Sagittarius. However, all signs are impacted, so let’s unpack what this means more specifically.

Projects and goals you have been percolating on deserve your attention during this time. If you are like me, and move full speed through life -I can tend to miss details when I force projects and don’t take the time to breathe through them. Retrograde periods afford the chance to slow down and catch any missed details, circle back, and get the ball rolling with whatever it is you have been up to in your mind (Mars Rx is in the sign of Gemini - which is ruled by the planet Mercury - the planet of the mind - AND generally deals with communications, thinking, philosophy, ideas, speaking, writing, relationships - and areas of life where you have had a difficult time pushing through). This is a time to sharpen and refine things you have been working on. Time to pull it all together with care, being more methodical. Whether career, household, community, or health - take a pause, and be more thorough. It’s sooooooo good for completing important things.

If you try to force anything right now, it may backfire. I have a to-do list a mile long, and usually I would muscle through, and get it done, opting for the sense of accomplishment, rather than quality. You can have your to-do’s, and consider not having it be your goal to get it done quickly. Afford yourself more time than usual. Take deep breaths, rest often, gather your mental energy and take baby steps. You are more likely to catch something if you move forward in this way.

Annoyance, anger and general feelings of irritation run high during this time period (I’m looking at YOU Scorpio lol). If you are noticing extra emotional triggers maybe pivot and decline opportunities you know are going to potentially place you in a compromised position energetically or emotionally. It’s ok to say NO at any time, but especially now, and especially when you are already feeling strained or overwhelmed. Hang with your favorite books or tv shows/soaps instead. Those of us who have tempers can learn from Mars a great deal how to better manage our own hair triggers. Things may feel less fun and exciting right now, and that’s cool. Every season is a season for a reason, especially retrograde periods. The growth is in honoring our own needs first and foremost.

DO’S:
1. Return to old passions you’ve lost touch with
2. Revisit situations around sex or conflict and clean them up.
3. Reunite with colleagues or lovers who share your vision. Heat it up!
4. Pick up projects you want to move forward with, revise, sharpen, shape.
5. RELAX. Srsly.
6. REST more.

DON’T’s: (you can do whatever you want, it’s your life! My assertions aren’t mandatory)
1. Make any MAJOR life decisions.
2. Start new things.
3. Push too hard, especially if feeling mentally drained, or burned out.
4. Let your emotions get the better of you esp. on social media. Never stop expressing yourself, just take care and be gentle with yourself and others.

As always - if you want more information or to know how this specifically impacts you, contact me to set up an astrology consultation. Much love and may the force be with you :-) Peace, Chanda