The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - March 2014
March continues the retrograde routine that has been with us since shortly before the New Year. This month, it’s Mars’ turn to turn around, an event that occurs on March 1. March retrogrades every two years and remains in that direction for approximately 10 weeks. It turns direct on May 19 and remains in Libra the entire time. In fact, Mars first entered Libra in December 2013 and doesn’t leave until late July 2014.
In Greek mythology Mars was the god of war. He was a primitive force whose focus was to survive at any cost. His was an intrinsic drive that could lead to uncontrollable rage and lust. The Romans softened him a little by making him the father of Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome. They associated him with agriculture and construction. However, he retained his characteristics of sexuality, anger and the drive to survive. Today we add qualities of courage, the entire range of human libido and the drive to achieve or manifest in the physical plane. Mars represents our physicality in almost any form. We can think of Mars as the drive wheel of the zodiac. Wherever we have Mars in our natal chart indicates where we feel impelled to express ourselves or to do something.
When Mars is retrograde by transit, this all changes. Our daily rhythms can get interrupted and we could feel frustrated in the house that Mars is transiting in our natal chart. We could lose our ambition and stop doing projects that are already underway. We could possibly feel confused about what we’re doing or be so disorganized that we waste time and energy trying to stay on track. One reason for this is that the longer Mars is retrograde, the lower our energy level tends to be. It’s important to be aware of the amount of energy we have and to limit our activity to fit that level. It may be less that normal and, no, this is not the aging process at work. It is simply a factor of Mars being retrograde. If we try to keep up our normal physical output we are using energy that really isn’t there. We can become depleted and have to pay it back later. In terms of physical health, Mars retrograde weakens the immune system. Acute illness could become more chronic if we don’t pay attention to our energy level. In addition, whatever we start while Mars is retrograde is unlikely to come to completion. So what is Mars retrograde good for and how can we use this transit constructively?
During this time we should be willing to change our perspective and expectations about timing of activities and events. This is a time to introspectively research our underlying motives that impel our actions. Note the house that Mars in transiting in your natal chart. That is where previously latent or unconscious parts of who we are could surface in consciousness. If Mars is also aspecting a natal planet or angle of our natal chart during its retrograde period, suppressed feelings of hostility or frustration could surface. These feelings may have been repressed because of the conflict or contention that they are likely to cause. This is a time to express them and deal with the consequences. One key word for Mars is authenticity.
Ultimately, this release could lead to the liberation of energy and a more constructive, and creative period in the area Mars is transiting once it goes direct. Thus, a peak of hostility could lead to a peak of productivity. Inspiration to begin new projects, including a change in direction, could follow.
During this period we may also feel uninspired, which could cause us to feel depressed. Strive to differentiate between depression and simple lack of interest. If it’s the latter, be willing to let go of a project or goal rather than pursuing it just because it’s underway. In either case, do some research to contemplate and strategize about things to do once Mars is direct. We could use this time to finish old projects that we haven’t dealt with in a long time. Cleaning out closets and storage units can be beneficial. One useful strategy we could employ during this period is striving to be patient. This is not a quality usually associated with Mars so developing it will take time and work. Another quality not considered Martian is balance. Yet, Mars is in Libra right now which is the sign of balance. So another point of contemplative focus could be striving to create more balance or fairness in the area (house) that Mars is transiting. Similarly, we could go within ourselves in order to mediate any conflict between our conscious will and our primal desires. This is a great time to get significant clarity about who we are and how to effectively and authentically own and define our physicality in all forms, including our sexuality.
This is a time to step back a bit from our lives in order to make significant progress later on.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: Since Mars is your ruling planet, this may be a difficult yet productive transit for you. Patience and thoughtfulness aren’t exactly Aries’ traits, yet working on developing them at this time could have important payoffs, especially in romantic relationships, later on. Support from friends and colleagues can help this process.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: This is a good time to turn your attention to professional matters. Being more accepting of others could enable you to feel more included. Working collaboratively can provide support for you creatively. Be open to new challenges and opportunities, but be patient when it comes to recognition.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: You may feel some blocks or encounter certain obstacles, especially on the job in early month. Confusion or lack of self-confidence could surface after that. Use that time for introspective contemplation. By the end of the month your mind and verbal skills should be firing on all cylinders.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: Two new Moons in the month for the second time this year remind you to take your time. Be selective and introspective in making decisions. Under normal circumstances this would be a good time for new beginnings, but with Mars retrograde be patient. Early month might bring unexpected support from others or some clear thinking on your part leading to productivity later on this year.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Some early month blahs could lead to slow but solid productivity in mid-month. Late month could bring some challenges from many different parts of your life. Use the stability of mid-month to realize where appropriate limits and boundaries lie. This could help minimize late month challenges.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: The full Moon in Virgo on the 16th could help you to be more emotionally self-aware. This could lead to being more confused by trying to intellectualize or analyze your feelings. In turn, however, this could lead to getting feelings that are normally unconscious or suppressed out in the open in ways that improve relationships from your point of view.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Sometimes anger can be a problem for you. You may hesitate to openly express it for fear causing others to dislike you. With Mars retrograde in Libra, this may be a time when old anger that has been suppressed for a while boils over. Although this may be uncomfortable, it could be healthy. It could enable you to clear the air with other people as well as find new ways of dealing with unpleasant feelings.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: You might find that your values and philosophies are challenged throughout the month. You might find yourself challenging others around the same issues. This is a time to see through blind spots. Let go of a dogmatic need to be right and open up to deeper understandings about the nature of life and your place in it.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Feelings of confidence and a readiness to get into new things could be available to you in early month. Remember, this is more a time of research and planning, however. The resulting differences could cause you to feel as if you’re just spinning your wheels, going nowhere. Alternatively, you could get pushy and demanding that others give the support and freedom you need to get things going. Patience is the key.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: This is a time to slow down and pay attention internally. Your analytical thinking is good, so use that skill to methodically work through a gnarly issue that has been bothering you for a while. Socially things might drag, but your confidence and inner clarity should be strong.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Two choices of action for you this month. One is to do what you want, with little or no planning. This could lead to getting confused, frustrated and over-extended. The other option is to slow down. Be selective and discerning about what you are doing, why and how. This second option won’t be outwardly productive necessarily, but it will save a lot of wasted time, energy and resources.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: The more time you give to introspection the clearer and more productive your communication will be. Your words could be so clear to others that you can afford to be humble in sharing your ideas. The more convinced you are of your clarity and rightness, and the more you come across as “being right”, the more resistance you are likely to encounter.
Rio Olesky has been a professional astrologer since 1976. He is the author of A Manual for the Modern Mystic and Astrology and Consciousness. He offers both private readings as well as classes for both beginning and intermediate students. To make an appointment for a reading or to find out more information about classes and lectures, call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.