Mars only goes retrograde every other year, but when that happens it can be disorienting and disturbing. How can we best use this time to our advantage.

On October 1^st, Mars went retrograde in Taurus, where it will travel from 24 to 8 degrees Taurus before it shifts to forward motion on December 9. 

For over 2 months, the normal “go-for-it” planet is complacent and reflective instead. Now Mars isn’t particularly happy in Taurus in the first place, as Taurus normally likes stability and the status quo. If change is desired, Taurus carefully undertakes it with planning and precision.

Therefore, those with Sun in Taurus may not mind this slow down in initiative, as they may welcome the rest period more than other signs. Aries Sun signs, however, with Mars as ruler, may be feeling like the wind has gone out of their sails. Mars is the traditional ruler of Scorpio, the opposite sign from Taurus. Scorpios could discover old relationship resentments or just old relationships strangely reappearing to be renewed.

Actually, just about anyone may feel their energy level is running at a lower-voltage lately, if they have planets between 8 – 24 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius.

That said…how can we maximize this cycle? First, it helps to understand that if you may not be particularly motivated and actively pursuing goals. That’s okay and as it should be. Second, give yourself a break…literally! Take time to reflect on all the achievements you’ve made in the last 2 years (since Mars last went retrograde). This is also a wonderful time of visioning and planning for what might be launched in 2006. 

As I have said before, life needs both active and passive times, like breathing out and breathing in. Between now and the New Year, the cosmos has presented you with time to reflect, reevaluate and strategically plan the future.

And if you don’t believe Mars, then maybe you’ll believe Mercury. That rascal is doing its thrice yearly reversal starting November 14 and continuing until December 3. Mercury messes with communications, travel, and mechanical devices like computers.

If communications become garbled and you have only low-voltage energy, you might ask, what good is November? The answer: reflection, creative visioning, enjoyment of the moment and what is. Now that’s not so back is it?  How about a hot bubble bath!