Mars represents initiative, assertion, ambition and goals, how you go after what you want and use your energy. When the planet goes retrograde all these areas come under scrutiny so this period can be quite disruptive. (More on Mars here.) No matter how well organised you are, Mars retrograde can put an unexpected spanner in the works. You may experience a decrease in energy, loss of focus or ambition, frustration, disorganisation, and explosions of anger, not to mention the breakdown of equipment and machinery.

But no matter what happens, this is an opportunity to reassess your goals and how you use your energy so you can be more productive once the retrograde period is over. To make the most of this transit, get the Mars Retrograde Workbook which includes everything you need to know about these times. Get it here!

Note: this text is simplified from the Mars Retrograde Workbook:

Mars goes retrograde every two years and two months and the retrograde itself lasts about two months. But as with all retrogrades there’s a shadow period before the station retrograde and another after the station direct as the transit fades out.

With the Mars retrograde cycle, Mars trines the Sun about two weeks before the station retrograde, and then again after the station direct. This means that the retrograde can take you by surprise when the flowing energy of the trine suddenly implodes when Mars changes direction.

The Mars retrograde cycle can be broken down into five stages:

1. Sun trine Mars
2. Mars stations retrograde
3. Sun opposite Mars retrograde
4. Mars stations direct
5. Sun trine Mars

The peak often occurs when the Sun opposes Mars in the middle of the cycle, but this isn’t always the case. As with all transits in astrology, what happens depends on how you’ve been using your Mars energies before the retrograde period begins.

Check your horoscope to see where Mars will be transiting during the cycle because this is the area you’ll need to focus on. When Mars goes retrograde you might lose your sense of direction or personal power in that area. But when it goes direct, you’ll receive fresh inspiration and a new, more realistic goal to aim for.

Don’t be fooled by the trine just before the retrograde period begins. The easy energy of this transit can make you think things are going well, but then it can suddenly change when Mars stations retrograde.

When Mars goes retrograde there can be a sudden shift in the way you’re feeling. You might lose interest in what you were doing, your energy levels drop, or your motivation changes and shifts focus. This is a sign that your energy and drive have turned inward, so it’s time to slow down and assess your goals and motivations and how you use your energy.

This lack of energy and motivation could slow things down for the entire retrograde period, even stretching all the way to when Mars leaves his retrograde shadow long after the station direct. But this really depends on how out of touch you are with your deeper needs and how willing you are to change.

If you feel stuck or frustrated or your plans suddenly get disrupted it means Mars is asking you to shift your perspective. It’s an opportunity to learn about your habits and explore alternative ways of doing things. You can see how you make decisions and work towards your goals. You can also look at the goals themselves to make sure they’re still what you want to be doing.

This process will reach a peak when the Sun opposes Mars retrograde and brings clarity or a turning point that helps you to rethink your plans. If you’ve avoided making changes up until now, then this moment could be disruptive or explosive. Things will either blow up in your face or you’ll have a breakthrough.

This could also be the moment when sudden blockages happen that frustrate you until Mars goes direct. You may be forced to admit that what you’re doing isn’t working or that you need to change direction or try a different approach.

Pay attention to what comes up during the opposition because that’s what you need to work on. Be especially careful of projection because if you find yourself surrounded by enraged people it may be a sign that you’ve repressed your own feelings and need to get back in touch with them.

When Mars stations direct things won’t change immediately. You might feel tense, as if you’re holding your breath or waiting for something to change. Depending on what you’ve been doing, it may take until the Sun trines Mars again before your energy returns or your situation improves.

Between the station direct and Sun trine Mars is a good time to review what’s been going on and make a plan for your next move. You can research alternative solutions to the problems you’ve uncovered during the retrograde and get ready to change your approach when the time is right.

Mars Retrograde Advice

Use the two months of the retrograde period to assess your goals and ambitions and explore how you assert yourself and use your energy. In general, don’t start anything new while Mars is retrograde and don’t initiate anything important because it might not work out as you expect once Mars goes direct.

Also be careful of your health because the frustration can be very draining physically and psychologically. Stress can be hard on your body and illness could force you to slow down and take better care of yourself. This would also give you a chance to rethink how you use your energy and where your priorities should be.

Even if you don’t get ill, you can still improve the way you handle your energy. It’s a good time to be disciplined and exercise regularly – channel your stress and frustration into sorting yourself out and getting organised. If you have a tendency to kick off at the slightest provocation, now is the time to learn patience and to walk away from fights and count to ten before taking action.

Mars retrograde can uncover useful things too, not just rage and frustration! You may discover positive resources, skills and potentials that will help to get you moving in the right direction. By the time Mars goes direct, you could be brimming with greater motivation, achievable ambitions, and exciting possibilities for the future.

Get the Mars Retrograde Workbook for a comprehensive guide to making the most of this transit. It contains everything you need to know about Mars retrograde and includes printable worksheets to help you prepare. For more details, click on the image or follow this link to download your copy today!

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