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Over the border, backwards fashion….Mars will station retrograde on June 26th at 9°13’ Aquarius (antiscion 20°47’ Scorpio), re-entering Capricorn on August 13th to station direct at 28°36’ Capricorn (antiscion 1°24’ Sagittarius) on August 27th. Both these signs are ruled by Saturn in traditional astrology.
When a planet enters retrograde motion it is unable to express its energy in a normal way. Mars regards our physical energy which, turned inwards in the Fixed Air sign of Aquarius, may give way to mental chaos and frustration. Our actions may seemingly backfire or go haywires making it completely useless to insist or become stubborn. Its retrograde motion in Capricorn is more suitable to the “slow and steady” and “cautious progress” attitude to any actions we need to plan for.
During the retrograde period Mars will also go OOB* from 8th July to 25th September on a southbound journey. So we might expect to witness some very irrational behaviour both during the retrograde and even more so due to its OOB status for much of this time. Mars has been running parallel in declination with Saturn for a couple of months now and will continue to do after he returns from his OOB period, Saturn rules both Capricorn and Aquarius so the influence over Mars is very marked in this period.
The Sabian symbol for the retrograde station at 10° Aquarius: “A man who had for a time become the embodiment of a popular ideal is made to realise that as person he is not this ideal.” Indicating the need to deal with human beings as persons rather than as screens upon which one projects one’s dream and ideal.
For its antiscion at 21° Scorpio: “Obeying his conscience, a soldier resists orders.” Indicating a readiness to face the results of a refusal to follow the authoritarian patterns of an aggressive society.
For the direct retrograde at 29° Capricorn: “A woman reading tea leaves.” Indicating the ability to see the signature of hidden meanings inn every occurrence drawing one’s attention.
For its antiscion at 2° Sagittarius: “An unexpected thunderstorm.” Indicating the need to develop the inner security which will enable us to meet unexpected crises.
Are you ready for the ride?
Have you ever kept track of Mars as it transits your natal chart? Obviously it doesn’t only pass through a certain sign and house but it also makes aspects to other planets and angles on its way. For example, conjunctions (in the same sign of Aquarius or Capricorn).oppositions (in the sign of Leo or Cancer), squares (in the signs of Taurus and Scorpio as well as Aries and Libra). Worthy of note are also the houses with Aries and Scorpio on the cusps.
Bibliography
*So, what does it mean for a planet to be OOB? When we cast an astrological chart we use a precise locality (birth place) on the earth and from this observation point we take note of the position of the planets in the sky at the time of birth and this enables us to calculate the angles that the planets form to the given locality. Another point of reference however is the celestial equator (which is the terrestrial equator elongated into space). When planets travel beyond 23°27’ either side of the celestial equator, be it North or South, they are referred to as “out of bounds”.
OOB planets can also be found in birth charts and special attention should be paid to them since they are considered “stronger”.
Rudhyar D. (1974) “An Astrological Mandala: the cycles of transformations and its 360 symbolic phases”. pp 204, 247, 248, 254 Vintage Books Edition, Random House Inc., New York, USA
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Image: “wrong direction” illustration found by google search 18th June 2018
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