Prior to writing about the 2012 Mars Retrograde transit through the sign of Virgo, I did a bit of research online. I figure that there is absolutely no reason to write a whole long article when there is great information already available. And there are several pieces that I will be referring you to at the end of this piece as well as referencing within. Let's start right off with the points I want you to be aware of first.
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| Mars Land Rover - Retro Style |
Recommendations
As always, Rob Tillett does a great job describing the whys and whats about Mars retrograde. If you need more information about just what it is, I recommend the "Astrology on the Web" site (
first link at the bottom of the piece). A significant key piece of information there is that when Mars IS transiting retrograde, it is passing closer to the Earth, generating more sparks than usual. Another important piece of information to remember, as pointed out in the article, is the fact that Mars "does not react well to being held back, or... (gasp!) going backwards!"
Lynn Koiner does a great job of explaining how Mars retrograde has a tendency of depleting our normal vitality. As she points out, when we try to initiate a new plan while Mars is retrograde, we end up losing out. While Mars retrograde is not like Mercury's retrograde of "redo" and "replenish," it is still very "reactive." Take the time to read Lynn's piece to get a better understanding of what to expect.
Wendy Guy at Evolving Door also has a great article about Mars retrograde. It has some awesome suggestions of how to work productively throughout the Mars retrograde transit.
One more article that I feel is worth a mention is Chad Woodward's piece on the Kosmic Mind Blog. While some of it will feel like a bit of a repeat of the first three articles that I have mentioned, it is chocked full of additional information that is very relevant. Besides, a bit of Mars retrograde repeat can't hurt anyone! It can only help to confirm the message about being diligent and cautious!
Perspective
This next short piece of information will also feel a lot like a repeat, and it is. But keep reading to the end of the paragraph, because you may just learn something extra. Remember that Mars is not really moving backward at all. It is an illusion based on the transit of Mars in relation to the Earth and Sun. This retrograde is from a Geocentric Earth perspective. When we look at the Heliocentric (Mars in relation to the Sun) we discover that the Mars' retrograde is gone, and Mars is transiting in a totally different sign (at least for a while). This is information that you won't find in the other articles. The Helio Mars transit can be used to help us coordinate our activities while the Geo Mars appears to be moving retrograde.
On
January 24, the Helio Mars will be in Leo and the Sun (Geo) from the Earth will be in Aquarius. It is believed that the Helio Mars in Leo adds an intensity to the Virgo retrograde Mars. There is a passion for correct protocol as well as being the first one with the right answer or, as the very least, not embarrassing ourselves with an incorrect reply. Responses from others tend to be forceful, causing us to feel uncomfortable or even fearful of what is to come. The Helio Mars transit in Leo will end on
February 1, 2012. Then, Helio Mars will transit in Virgo along with the Mars retrograde transit. This will make for a fairly easy ride until the
Sun moves into Pisces on March 20. Then, Watch Out! Health and psychological issues are likely to crop up. We may end up attracting rude or aggressive people into our lives. We simply may not have a realistic perspective of ourselves or our situations. Because of this, we are inclined to try to put off decisions until later. Unfortunately, that choice to postpone ends up, most likely, to be the wrong choice. Shortly before the Mars retrograde ends, the Helio Mars moves into Libra on
April 9, 2012. We are more prone to voicing our opinions hastily before realizing that we have just squashed an important opportunity or alienated an individual who may have been in a position to help. For the last five days of the retrograde, we can make use of the Helio Libra influence by being more inclusive of everyone and work within the team instead of "over" the team, for a sense of cohesiveness.
Health Matters
Mars retrograde in Virgo can have an overall impact on our health, particularly in regards to our intestines. We may feel a bit sluggish during this retrograde; healthy foods and exercise are important components to surviving this transit. Mars doesn't want us to take the "easy way" during the retrograde transit and we are more likely to suffer the consequences if we don't stay active.
Aspects in Retrograde
Additionally, we should look at the various transiting aspects that Mars will form during the duration of the retrograde transit. Starting with the beginning of the retrograde,
January 24, Mars and Mercury will be forming a trine. Mercury will still be in Capricorn. Mercury rules over the sign of Virgo. For the start of the retrograde, we are likely to feel quite optimistic. If we use this as a starting point to test out some new ideas, we should feel rather productive.
The
end of January into the first few days of February, Mars and Venus will form an opposition while Venus transits through Pisces. Relationships and finances are likely to boil over with angry altercations possible. Although it will be difficult to do, we really will benefit by taking long walks, going to the gym or generally finding some way to clear our heads through exercise and possibly some soothing music to calm our jangled nerves.
On
February 21, Mercury will start forming an opposition to Mars for several days. Again, another good time to work out to relieve the stress. The thoughts we have in our heads are not likely to go well if we decide to verbalize them.
March 1, the Sun will oppose Mars for a few days. Another period of frustration, particularly with ourselves and our current situations.
Then, a nice reprieve for a few days starting
March 11, when Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Pluto form an Earth Grand Trine. If we choose to include Chiron in Pisces, we will see the Kite Aspect Pattern for a few days. This is the time to look for opportunities and productive shifts in perception. Again, think of this as a potential testing period to get our ideas in the works to see if they can actually survive beyond the test run. This is also a great period of time to get some of our medical concerns checked out.
The last significant aspect before Mars ends the retrograde transit will be a T-square.
April 5, Venus in Gemini will square Mars along with Neptune and Chiron in Pisces. That means that Mars has moved to the point of opposing Neptune and Chiron. If we are typically creative in nature, we are likely to feel wiped clean of our usual talents and artistic skills. The talents are not lost. We just need to slow down and ease out of this retrograde. The retrograde of Mars will station on
April 14, 2012.
Mars will be at its closest point to Earth the first week of March
(March 3 - 5) for this particular orbit around the Sun. Hopefully, I have given you some extra food for thought that can help you navigate through this Mars retrograde successfully.
Born with Mars in Virgo Retrograde?
I also want to recognize that small population of people who were born with a placement of Mars retrograde in Virgo. I have included a table with the Mars in Retrograde transits through Virgo from the past at the bottom of this article.
Those of you born with Mars in the Mutable Earth sign of Virgo; you tend to put significant energy into organizing your practical and tangible affairs. You are the ardent worker who finds your best success when working in an organized and systematic manner. Regardless of the economy or your fiscal situation, somehow you always manage to pay your bills and provide the basic necessities of life. Ambitious and even a bit arrogant, but in a behind the scenes fashion. Stubborn with the ability to detach your emotions from the outcomes. You may be demeaning or demanding of both yourself, and others. Check that behavior at the door when ever possible. It's neither necessary nor essential in finding success. You may be perceived as calculating, clever, ingenious and passionately determined. Where your downfall tends to rest is in the fine details. You have a habit of focusing too much attention on the minutia. You are considered to be a cool cucumber in the sex department. In reality, you love the exotic, erotic and mentally tantalizing facets of sex. The puritan version of the "virgin," you are not! You just have the ability to keep a tight reign over your rapturous emotions. You should avoid a tendency to worry or feel extreme guilt when the actions of others drive you into expressing anger and frustration. Let it go, and move on to the next situation. However, if it becomes a repeating pattern, then it's time to investigate the underlying root cause of the aggravations.
If you were born with Mars retrograde in Virgo, then you will quickly fall into a stride during this transit. It may almost feel uncomfortably "normal" for you. Hey, I bet you didn't expect that!
Just a Little More!
The average number of days that any Mars retrograde will last is 75 days. The shortest number of days of the Mars retrograde transit is while Mars retrogrades through Aquarius and/or Pisces, usually about 59 days while the longest transits in retrograde are while Mars retrogrades through Leo and/or Virgo, usually lasting about 80 days. So, yes, this Mars retrograde will be one of the longer of the transits.
If you are interested in learning which celebrities have Virgo Mars in retrograde, send me a quick email through the contact page on lunarliving.org I was surprised to learn how many athletes have a retrograde Virgo Mars!
| Time periods when Mars was retrograde in Virgo. |
| 1997~ March 8 - April 27 | 1965~ January 28 - April 19 | 1933~ January 20 - April 11 |
| 1995~ January 2 - 22 | 1950~ March 28 - May 3 |
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| 1980~ January 16 - Mar 11 | 1948~ January 8 - Feb 12 | 1918~ February 25 - April 25 |
| *Please note that some Mars in Virgo retrograde periods are considerably shorter than others. The short spans are the result of the retrograde initiating or regressing into a different sign (Libra or Leo, respectively). |
