An Aquarius Mars Retrograde

June 26 – August 27

A vital event is about to take place between June and August, that of Mars Retrograde.  This is the first time in nearly 47 years that Mars has moved into retrograde motion in the astrological sign of Aquarius (not the constellation).  This process began when Mars ingressed (moved into) the sign of Aquarius on the same day Uranus ingressed into the sign of Taurus.  This is a rare synchronicity and one that is helping set the table for the Mars cycle over the next 2+ years.  Mars will reach a -2.8 magnitude (brighter than Jupiter) at its peak on the last week of July and it is almost as bright as it was in 2003, which was the brightest it had been in about 60,000 years.

Experience Mars in Astrology like Never Before , right here!

Mars Moving Backwards

Once every 2 years, the red planet Mars begins a process that, (aside from the Moon and Sun) appears to our eyes, moves backwards.  This, of course, is an astronomical illusion like that of 2 trains moving at different speeds with one on an inside track and one on the outside track.

In both astronomical and astrological circles, this “backward” moving motion is called retrograde.  Mars, like other planets, begins tracing back over sky territory it covered while moving forward.  From an astrological perspective, this creates an emphasis on a certain part of the sky, including the astrological sign Mars may be in.

Since the signs and constellations are different (astrology signs are seasonal and anchored to solstices and equinoxes) this area of a sky typically involves constellations with stark differences in quality, myth, etc., then that of the signs.  This backdrop of signs and constellations can be looked as a “skyscape” like that of a “landscape”.

In the case of Mars, this skyscape will include the constellation of the Goat-Fish, the sign of Aquarius and Capricorn as well as an area of the sky mostly devoid of visible stars.  It is the edge of the area known as the “watery” constellations.  All of those items mentioned provide meaning on some level for this Mars Retrograde period.

When the planet Mars goes retrograde (Rx) on June 26^th, it is a signal that its about a month away from moving into opposition with the Sun.  That opposition is known in astronomical language as “acronychal rise”, meaning a planet or star that rises when the Sun sets (all over the world)

Mars Rx also means a specific emphasis of the area of the sky Mars is tracing over back and forth.  Mars, is essentially highlighting this area as a focus for what it symbolizes in the Masculine Principle.   The skyscape mentioned earlier in combination with the sign of Aquarius and to a lesser extent, Capricorn, as well as the planet Uranus (in the sign of Taurus) are the focus of this Retrograde period and the next Mars Synodic Cycle that begins a month later on July 26^th.

Aquarius and Mars Rx

From an astrological, mythological and philosophical perspective, the masculine forces are being primed for rebirth into the archetypal expression of Aquarius.  This is the overriding tone or “overtone” of this next stage of the masculine principle.  Aquarius is an archetype best represented by the symbols of the scientist, inventor, the grand experimenter, the idea-revolutionary, the idealist, the eccentric wizard, the oddball, the avant-garde or leading-edge thinker and many others.

Aquarius is emphasized because of the many months that Mars spends in the sign, whereas in most other times Mars only spends 2 months in a particular sign.  This makes the period from when Mars first enters the sign of its overtone (or sometimes 2 signs are involved) to the time when it moves into the next sign of the zodiac very special or vital the evolving expression of the masculine.

Mars stationing retrograde and moving backwards is neither negative or positive.  That is a judgment from certain practices of astrology and one’s perception.  It is an intensification of the evolving masculine in each of our lives and more importantly, on a human collective level.

Both the light and shadow (the totality) of the masculine expression of Aquarius will be brought up.  Every archetype (or sign) has a light and shadow with Aquarius being no exception to this rule.  Some of the more prominent shadow qualities, especially in regards to the patriarchy, the roles of men in families and the lack of empathy.

Aquarius is naturally detached from the emotional complexities of human relationships to varying degrees.  The scientist, inventor, thinker, etc., tends to devote his/her mind TO the MIND.  Sometimes, at extreme levels, this can lead to a lack of care for themselves and others due to the focus on expanding their consciousness beyond the physical experience.  This may or may not involve digital technology, a desire to leave the physical body, and/or only see their cosmic vision and ignoring of any shadow derived from it.

Fathers with strong Aquarian tendencies are more likely to have trouble with connecting with their children and partners and while they may be physically present in the family, their minds are elsewhere.  My father was one such person who was rarely there on a consistent basis and had challenges connecting with their hearts to be emotionally/psychologically available.  He worked up to 6 days a week and focused on other things beyond family until it stared him in the face.  He did take vacations and trips with me, but I learned later in life that he could not change he is and that is his authentic expression within the structure of a family and society.

Aquarius has to do family differently than most other archetypes, in order for it to be healthy and authentic.  This means a greater freedom and independence for the archetype to think and to be colorful/eccentric.  While Aquarius doesn’t have a monopoly on these needs, it is critical to the health of the archetype.

This shadow of Aquarius has been enfolded, like all of the archetypes, into the idea of Western Culture, the limited role of men and women into specific categories and thereby limited our choices for who we can become.  Aquarius has been intentionally made to be an outcast, rebel and cultural fugitive.  It is with a sense of irony that Aquarius’ contributions to Western Culture has greatly helped our technological revolution which we enjoy today.  We idealize these free-thinkers but tend to exclude them when they don’t fit in an orderly box.

Aquarius can be an enigma in life and it is beneficial to not try hard to figure it out in the embodiment of a person.  Aquarius can also be challenged by connecting with nature and body on a physical level.  This can lead to scientific experiments or envisioning where the body and nature become a tool or looked at secondarily to the power of the mind and its energetic and material creations.

The light of Aquarius involves having the ability to see the larger or collective picture or framework with an eye that rarely involves step-by-step instructions.  Aquarius is the archetype, in my opinion, that is most closely associated with the concept of the “Akashic Records”, which is kind of an ethereal / cosmic grand library or ultimate encyclopedia of the totality of human experience, knowledge and beyond.

Aquarius has the understanding of how to breakthrough the mundaneness of reality into other ways to perceive life and the cosmos.  Gemini falls into the same category of mental prowess involving thinking “outside-the-box”.  But Gemini’s purpose is more about fun, networking, shape-shifting and being a contrarian whereas as Aquarius desires to be on the leading edge of consciousness for its own sake.  Wild and novel spiritual and philosophical paradigms can result, perhaps bringing in a much-needed freshness to stagnancy.

With Uranus in Taurus squaring Mars 3 times between May 16th and September 18^th, then in conjunction on February 12^th (in Aries), we have an opportunity are breakthroughs in being able to alchemize the physical, sensual and pleasurable senses of Taurus with the brilliance and otherworldly mental process of Aquarius.

Uranus in Taurus can juice-up the masculine and Aquarius that can bring the leading edge of science and masculine relationships to connect with the beauty of nature and the body itself.  Taurus is a highly physical or sensation-function sign/archetype.  The squaring of these planets will bring tension and a forcing of a choice in direction.

One other aspect of this Mars Retrograde loop is it’s connection to the South Node of the Moon.  Mars and the Moon will be conjunct 3 times between June and September of this year.  In the midst of that is the eclipse season with a total lunar eclipse in Aquarius on July 27th and only 1 day after Mars is opposite the Sun and less than 1 degree (but located a few degrees below the Moon) from the reddish-tinted Moon.  This is a very rare eclipse alignment that will be visible in Europe, Africa and Asia, but not the Americas.  The South Node of the Moon represents the origins and is tied to the lineage, so this intent could very well be about seeing the fullness of the Aquarius masculine patriarchal shadow so we can face it in the most conscious way.

Mars-South Node Conjunctions: June 7, July 20 and September 25  – between 7 and 4 degrees Aquarius

We have the power to choose that direction when it comes to these archetypes.  Is it escaping the body through only solar nourishment (like a breatharian) or realizing we are souls living in the flesh to experience the wide range of being human?  Or do we download our souls into a digital container to have a alternative form of immortality?  Or more in reality, do be balance the mind and body into a harmony with nature and consciousness knowing we can do both without sacrificing either one?!?

Working with Mars Retrograde

How do we work with Mars Rx in our lives?  Every 2 years, Earth catches up with Mars, making the red planet look to our eyes as if it is going backwards.  I’ve talked about Mars Returns in the past and most of us will not be in a Mars Return cycle come July 26^th (we start the Mars Synodic Cycle when Mars and Sun are in Opposition in Shamanic Astrology).  But this once-every-2 years initiation is important to all of us.

First, I encourage everyone reading this to experience Mars for yourself by going outside and looking at the brightening red-orange planet.  Meditate on when the experience is like for you.  What are you feeling when you see it?  Write down your thoughts on it.

Nasa has a video of the Mars Close Approach here

Second, and astrologically, if you find that you have personal points (Moon, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Lunar Nodes, Venus, Mercury, Vesta, Ascendant-Descendant, Midheaven-Ic) in the first 10 degrees of Aquarius, Taurus, Leo or Scorpio, you will have at least a short-term cycle between May and September.  Mars is an actional-activator and tends to point to the more expressive qualities of the personal point/archetype on the astrology chart.  It’s akin to flipping a switch and pushing a button.  And if you find yourself in a Uranus cycle (initiation) then things could become really topsy-turvy during that period.

The Retrograde itself is nothing to fear or otherwise be anxious about.  In the case of Aquarius, Mars Retrograde can generally be more revolutionary, novel and eccentric in its mental expression.  The brightness of the planet to Earth also holds significance in that it is likely more greatly focused for the Aquarian expression.

The stars in the background, namely, the Goat-Fish Constellation (astronomers calls this Capriocornus) and the space between that constellation and the Archer lend their own qualities to the expression of this Mars Rx intent.  The Goat-Fish is part of the trifecta of constellations that reside with and in water.  It is a wedge-shaped constellation, Craig Crossen writes in the March, 2015 issue of Sky and Telescope, “So the stars of Capricornus were originally a boat with a goat’s head on the front, and apparently around 2100 BC the boat morphed into a goat-headed fish.” (pg 39).  The constellation was originally a boat that shifted into a Goat-Fish.

The Goat-Fish still symbolizes the transition of earth and water and therefore a gateway into the watery region of the night sky.  It is a crossroads of sorts, a decision point of direction and

applicable to what I have described above for Mars Retrograde.  There is also a period from about mid-July to late September that Mars is in relatively starless area between the Goat-Fish and Archer constellations.  In ancient times, (1500+ years ago), these spaces in the sky were honored and respected for their “emptiness” of stars, having their own meaning.

These dimly-lit areas of the sky symbolize infinite potential and seeds of cosmic creation itself.  It is a place of ultimate imagination where no constellations reside and the mind and spirit are free to create and play.

Prepare for some breakthroughs and novelty to emerge in unexpected places and thoughts.  The edge of consciousness may be pushed even more with creation itself seen in a new light, perhaps.  But this is not a time to ignore the physical and senses as they connect to our kin across the globe in all of Earth’s creatures.

When one looks up at Mars with an open mind and is free to imagine, there is a portal created to the stars, planets and beyond.  The qualities I’ve described concerning Aquarius, the constellations, Uranus, Mars, etcetera, are guidelines from which to tap into the sphere above us to help us navigate the life we are currently living.

Mars stations direct on August 27^th near the constellation of the Archer (which originated as just an archer and not a centaur – after all, there is already a centaur constellation called “Centaurus”) just inside the sign of Capricorn, perhaps signaling an intent for more constructive and practical ways to utilize the novelties and ideas within Aquarius.

Mars will move slowly at first, but then pick up steam by the end of the following month back in Aquarius.  This is an opportunity to progress forward with the new ideas that are generated from the time prior to and during the retrograde motion.  Uranus’ help, which itself will be retrograde between August 7^th and January 6^th, provide the necessary tools and events to help us all breakthrough as a collective to living more in tune with each other and the collective as a whole.

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You can deepen your experience and knowledge about the Mars cycle on a personal level here with myself and Daniel Giamario covering the entire Mars Synodic Cycle and how to utilize in your own life.