We’re traveling through a peculiar planetary dimension for the next couple of weeks, and while it is not quite the Twilight Zone, where reality seems to slip away, we are in the Retro Zone, a dimension that distorts time—and sometimes space. Anticipate moments where time seems to stand still (even if that’s not possible) and count on it happening the most when you’re in the biggest hurry. Yet while some moments feel like an eternity, others evaporate at the speed of light, making it hard to luxuriate in what feels satisfying.
The astrological reason for this distortion is mostly due to Mars—it’s slowing down for the next couple of weeks as it prepares to go direct on May 19—only eleven days away. But even when Mars is finally moving forward, it won’t shift into it normal “full speed ahead” pace until the second week of June. But don’t get too excited just yet. Mercury goes retrograde on June 7 (more about that in future columns), keeping us in the Retro Zone until the middle of July. (Yes…I know; it’s a retrograde hell zone—but we knew going into 2014 that it would be a year of retro-activity.) So keep poppin’ those patience pills. And as always, try to be kind to those who will still insist on pushing the river.
For now, we are caught in a Martian thrall, and it’s a problem because while Mars is moving at a crawl, emotional bodies aren’t equipped to tolerate its snail pace, and that intolerance is sure to engender more than a few meltdowns—yours and others.’ Being patient, holding your tongue, allowing for mistakes, and trying to trust that the timing will be appropriate—all these issues are going to ride the surface of the Mars “turnaround”. But that’s not the crux of this Mars influence. Mars is retrograde in Libra, the Sign of relationships, which means partnership problems are the main event, and as this retrograde phase comes to an end, relationship issues are going to dominate daily life even more than they already have. (Oy.) Keep in mind that this includes all relationships, from the personal to the professional to the casual to the intimate, as well as family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, and, most importantly, your relationship with yourself.
Mars is the planet through which we take a stand for ourselves—it’s the arms and legs of the ego and it symbolizes how we move in and through the world. It entered Libra in December 2013, placing the emphasis not only on how we move in and out of relationships, but also how we stand in relationships. Mars began a retrograde phase, in Libra, on March 1 and as Mars retraced its path, we revisited relationship issues that might have been previously glossed over or we thought were long gone. Now as Mars starts to close that retrograde window—it goes direct on May 19—many of us are likely to receive a detailed inventory on just what needs to “move” even more in both attitude and application when it comes to relating to just about everything. (Yes…I know that is a broad and sweeping generalization, but I’m stickin’ with it, if just for a couple of weeks.) If you’re stuck in a bad marriage, friendship, or family interaction, this could be the moment to step back and look at your participation in the negativity. Remember the first rule of a harsh, judgmental charge on someone else’s behavior: You spot it—you got it. We can’t control another’s behavior, but we can witness how our reaction to that behavior is repetitive and then decide whether or not we want to shift into a more positive position. No matter what your relationship status, the coming weeks provide a plethora of opportunities to bring awareness to partnership patterns.
One of the best ways to handle the coming weeks is to be mindful about creating better balance in all your relationships. If you’re always the caregiver, make it a point to receive, and if you always receive…well…you know that old adage—so just start giving to those in need. Most importantly, realize that we are always in relationship to the world around us—the air we breathe, the food we eat, the ground we walk on are all parts of our shared universe. As are our fellow travelers, no matter how far apart our ideas and values may be.
If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that, too.
Aries March 21-April 19
Mars has been moving through your Solar House of relationships since December, a journey that has translated into one partnership challenge after another. Use these coming weeks to catalogue and analyze exactly what you’ve learned about who you want to be in a relationship. Then, focus on who you would like your significant other to be.
Taurus April 20-May 20
Mars has been transiting your Solar House of service for nearly six months, and it will continue that transit until mid-July. As part of this intensive, you’ve been taking a long look at not only how you serve, but also what service means to you. Continue this process by contemplating how your time and efforts are best spent, especially the piece of the puzzle that is about you being satisfied with a job well done.
Gemini May 21-June 21
Mars has been in your Solar House of risk since December, so it wouldn’t be surprising if you’ve found yourself in one precarious situation after another. In astrological terms, that means you might be taking a chance on love, children, gambling, and all sorts of creative endeavors. Continue to be bold, with the understanding that you are learning how to follow your spirit without hesitation.
Cancer June 22-July 22
Mars has been transiting your Solar House of the home, which is often thought of as the deepest part of the chart because it is both the earliest memories of childhood as well as where we take stock at the end of life’s journey. It’s an important sector, and Mars’ presence is likely to have stimulated a deep period of reflection. Allow this process to continue, even if it means looking at issues you’d rather ignore.
Leo July 23-August 22
Mars moved into your Solar House of communication in December 2013 and you haven’t stopped sharing your opinion ever since. Sometimes we don’t know if an idea is sound until we share it. Of course, it’s important to be objective, and not to get miffed if significant others don’t agree. Remember, the point of this transit is balance. Find it in yourself, first, and you might receive increased positive reception from your peers.
Virgo August 23-September 22
Mars has been all over your Solar House of resources and as a result you’ve been thinking about m-o-n-e-y. A lot. But as I often remind those with a concentration in this sector of the chart, resources aren’t only material. The secret of this transit is discovering that you are your own greatest resource, a value that cannot be measured by your bank balance or portfolio.
Libra September 23-October 22
Yes, Mars has spurned yet another chorus of The Relationship Blues. It’s been in your Solar House of individuation for way too long, and with Uranus in the opposing Solar House of partnership, you’ve been on an unrelenting exploration of how to be yourself in relation to some one who matters. You’re not making it up: It is as hard as you think it is to find solid ground. Here’s a hint: Rather than make your relationships what they “should” be, accept them—all of them—for what they are.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
Mars is transiting your Solar House of the unconscious. Hmmm…older astrological systems called it the sector of confinement—prisons, monasteries, and asylums—but modern astrologers tend to see what is unconscious in us as a form of confinement. From that perspective, Mars has been holding you captive, insisting that you at least try to make unconscious relationship patterns conscious. No small feat—by possible.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Mars is journeying through your Solar House of community, or where we share our gifts with the world. Its presence is making you quite social—maybe more than you would like to be, although that’s hard to imagine, given your gregarious nature. Yet on a deeper level, it’s making you more aware of just what it is that you want to share with others, and why. Consider this question and don’t stop at one answer.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
Mars is in your Solar House of career and recognition. Part of its journey is likely to have stimulated ambitions you were aware of, while another facet of this transit could have easily quelled a desire to be more visible in the work place. Spend a moment contemplating what your experience has been relative to work, and then try to identify areas in need of greater equilibrium.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
Mars has been in your Solar House of exploration, stimulating a desire to travel, both inside and out. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been on an actual physical adventure or a contemplative inward retreat. Whatever your choice, you’re being driven by the need to find new ground and new information. Use the rest of this journey to weave a fabric of greater awareness that you can share with others.
Pisces February 19-March 20
Mars is transiting your Solar House of transformation, a journey that simply translates into ch…ch…ch…changes. And there is more to come. So rather than resist this process, allow yourself to molt. It’s not required that you let go of everything that matters to you. What’s necessary is the willingness to identify problem areas and then, to find both an antidote and the discipline to integrate that remedy.
Ralfee Finn specializes in Transformational Astrology. For readings, call 1-888-937-9264, write P.O. Box 343, New York, NY 10025, visit AquariumAge.com, or e-mail ralfee@aquariumage.com.
Copyright © 2014 by Ralfee Finn