-
MARS RETROGRADE IN GEMINI AND STILL OOB
“Belief can be manipulated. Only knowledge is dangerous.” Frank Herbert
On 30 October Mars will station to go retrograde at 25°36’ Gemini (antiscion 4°24’ Cancer) whilst still OOB (until 04/05/2023) and c// Pluto (until 05/11/2022).
Mars is in his own term at 25° Gemini but will soon slide backwards becoming once again peregrine, remaining OOB and retrograde.
Mars is known as the lesser malefic in traditional astrology and can be really wayward when he finds himself in positions like those cited above.
In the Air signs, and in Gemini in particular, he is crafty and scheming, planning all sorts of strategies about how to win his battles and I’d go so far as to describe the planet as “mentally unstable” in more ways than one.
A couple of excerpts from my article on Mars published in the latest edition of “OPA Career Astrologer”:
“Mars in Gemini can lend itself to glib remarks and extreme sarcasm when provoked; it gets angry over words (that is, over what people claim or state) and lashes back. How does that adage go? “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never break me?” With Mars in Gemini, you may think that one again.
What is unique about this year’s transit of Mars in Gemini is the length of the planet’s continuous stay in this sign. It will be in Gemini for 217 days, from August 20, 2022, to March 25, 2023! Compared to a more typical Mars stay of 40 days in a single zodiacal sign.
Since the start of the 20th century, Mars spent an equal amount of continuous time in Gemini (218 days) only once, between August 23, 1943, and March 28, 1944. During this transit, Mars stationed retrograde on October 27, 1943, at 22°13’ and then direct on January 8, 1944, at 4°52’ Gemini. Mars was also OOB from October 30, 1943, to May 6, 1944.”
Very few of us reading this might actually remember this period so I will spare you the usually “what was going on in your life then?” question.
When Mars goes retrograde its energies turn inwards and it may seem that our plans backfire or develop too slowly so it’s not the best time to initiate new activities since this might lead to frustration and irritation. However, this phase, as with all retrograde planets, is great for planning important projects or finishing matters that we have already started prior to the retrograde. It’s also a good time to take a rest, especially a mental rest due to the planet being in an Air sign, don’t let overthinking and overplanning get the better of you.
The Sabian symbol for the retrograde station at 26° Gemini: “Frost covered trees against winter skies.” Indicating the revelation of archetypal form and essential rhythm of existence.
For the antiscion at 5° Cancer: “At a railroad crossing an automobile is wrecked by a train.” Indicating the tragic results which are likely to occur when the individual’s will pits itself carelessly against the power of the collective will of society.
“Get out of your own way… stop the paralysis by analysis… decide what you want, create a simple plan, and get moving!” Steve Maraboli357
Bibliography
Rudhyar D. (1974) “An Astrological Mandala: the cycles of transformations and its 360 symbolic phases”. p 106 and 113, Vintage Books Edition, Random House Inc., New York, USA
https://opaastrology.org/publications/career-astrologer accessed 22/10/2022
Artwork: myskypie2022
Copyright: myskypie.com2022