Mars is going to be in Gemini until March 2023! He will be retrograde from October 30 to January 12. Mars retrogrades can be difficult. Mars is a very personal planet, but these retrogrades have been historically significant in the US for the last few years. The last time Mars was retrograde was the Fall of 2020, during election time! At that time, Mars in Aries kept dancing around the final degree of Aries, never quite hitting 29°, which I described as the frustration of not being able to sexually climax. It finally “popped” in January of 2021…do you wanna guess the date? January 6th 2021, the Trump Insurrection! 29 degrees is sort of a crisis point in astrology. Mars in Aries at 29° is bound to be a fight of some kind, and holy shit was it ever!
Mars normally changes degree every 2 days. At his slowest pace, toward the beginning and end of retrograde, he spends about 8 or 9 days in a degree (going either forward or backward, then repeating another 9 days in the other direction). In 2020, Election day was November 3 and Mars was retrograde on day 5 of 16° Aries. The day after the election, Mars changed degrees to 15° Aries. Mars then stayed at 15° of for 21 days, going direct in the middle. My friend Greg Witham called this kind of planetary behavior “burning a hole”. That slow burn continued until it popped. Mars continued forward, slowly simmering until it reached boiling point on January 6th.
So that’s the kind of impact fiery Mars can have. Let’s not hope for another day of fuckery like that! We have a mid term election during Mars retrograde, this time with Mars in the Air Sign of Gemini. Air can fuel fire, so we will have to see what happens. Gemini rules communication, travel, transportation, and moving parts. Uh…Mail your ballots early and track them!!!!
The last time Mars was retrograde in Gemini was 2007/2008 when the credit industry was high on itself and the mortgage crisis was about to pop. Sounds a bit familiar, huh? Around that same time, Pluto entered Capricorn. Pluto leaves Capricorn (Thank Goddess!) for Aquarius (more on that soon) in March of 2023. A couple days later, Mars finally moves into Cancer! So I definitely think we are in for a big shift over the next few years. I mean, when aren’t we “in for a big” something?! Again, I’m so tired of living in extraordinary times. But regardless of my feelings, it is very hard to ignore these trends! So Mars in Gemini has been our escort for Pluto in Capricorn, leading us in, and seeing us out of these “extraordinary times”. Wow.
Mars moved in to 25° of Gemini last Friday October 21st. Mars will spend 19 days at 25°, going retrograde in the middle of that on October 30th. It will remain retrograde until January 12th!!
The critical midterm elections are on November 8th and Mars will change degree…the day after the election - again!! What’s with this crazy “the next day” vibe?!!
(Further adding to election day madness is another eclipse on November 8th in Taurus. That’s right, there will be an eclipse ON election day! The Universe is definitely having a say in the US elections of the last few years!! But more on that next week!) But first…
These mid term elections on November 8th are SO important. Regardless of how you vote (I really can’t imagine I have any real red readers here but love you if you are!), it is critical that you do vote. If you are a woman, particularly a woman of color, VOTE!
As for how Mars retrograde affects us personally (it is a personally planet and like it or not, politics are very personal), you should expect a slow down. Mental processes will slow down, the mail services will slow down, your computer may even slow down. This retrograde could also increase the likelihood of controversy, gossip, even scandal, as well as intellectual wars or words and rudeness. Mars in Gemini is not well filtered. So be slow to speak and be mindful of what you say and how you say it.
ARIES - Mars is your ruling planet, so the next few months you are likely to notice some significant energy. Since this Mars in Gemini transit will be camping out in your 3rd house of communication, you can expect to have old discussions or arguments come back up. Times where your temper has been misplaced or badly expressed will been on your mind. Where peace can be made, do it. Forgive yourself and commit lessons learned to memory. You are probably going to notice that your personal energy level is lower during Mars retrograde. Take this as a cue to downshift and slow down for the next few months. Re-examine what your current passions are (because we change over time), and go after them full speed in the Spring of 2023.
TAURUS - Mars will be hanging out in your 2nd house of earned income for quite awhile. If you haven't already been doing so, you can expect to find yourself looking over your budget and getting clear on what is what and why. If you have been spending too much or sacrificing too much, this retrograde is a good opportunity to introspect on why you do what you do with money. Mars, especially Mars retrograde, can feel sluggish mixed with your 2nd house dominion. Slow and steady is practical and contrary to Mars' impulsive nature. This is going to create anxiety and restlessness in you, so just go with the flow and be a good steward of your mental & physical health.
GEMINI - As a Gemini rising myself, I write this with trembling fingers...this Mars retrograde in our sign could...make our tempers shorter and our actions more impulsive. (Shit. shit shit shit! *breathing*) We are ok. Ok, we've got this. We might also have feelings of insecurity coming up, as well as recollections of times we didn't feel heard or believed. Since our Gemini energy levels might be much lower than usual (shit shit shit), we may as well just sit the fuck still and do some healing. That might include finally standing up for ourselves, or just doing some deep meditating. Mars will be chatty in this sign, so watch yourself for (excessive) shit talk.
CANCER - Mars will be in your closet for several months, and he's gonna smoke a few joints in there. That might make you feel some kinda way, but I assure you, no one is less thrilled than Mars. Mars in this deep, watery, secretive, religious, lonely house is going to feel quite suffocated. Mars wants to go for a run or go to the gym, not face his feelings. You might feel a little spacier during this transit. But this could also be a very transcendental experience where you feel connected to both your more primal nature and your spiritual potential. Embrace a hotter side of yourself.
LEO - During Mars' time in Gemini (now through March!), you will probably start to see or feel like your tribe, team, BFF or work twin are a little out of sync or just "off". A misunderstanding, if it hasn't already come into play, is not unlikely during these months. Everyone needs to get on the same page, but to do that, everyone has to feel heard. Tempers could be very unpredictable in this placement. Might be a good time to look at your hopes and dreams checklist and see if it needs to be updated. If it is on the list because of someone else's opinions, dig into that. Don't expect to feel super motivated or productive, just try to keep things level.
VIRGO - Mars will be living in your 10th house of career for quite a few months. Mars retrograde in this position could have you feeling less motivated about advancement, achievement, and authority. You may become frustrated and feel like your hard work isn’t getting you anywhere. That isn’t true. Take this period of time as an invitation to re-examine your passions for your career, and see if your fire might burn brighter someplace different
LIBRA - Your beliefs about some things have definitely changed over the last couple of years. Mars in your 9th house is bound to make you philosophical and introspective. Give yourself the grace and space to examine what your beliefs currently are and if they still line up with your life. This is a time for you to brainstorm and research rather than charge ahead with your hair on fire. When direct in the 9th house, Mars is likely to be revved up about travel and education. While it is in retrograde, planning wins over execution.
SCORPIO - Mars in the 8th house is...woo! It could be hachacha. Maybe too much. Respect other people's boundaries and re-examine your own. You would be wise to learn a technique to control your impulses. Make a list of pros and cons. Go for a jog. Take a shower...whatever keeps you from charging into a financial plan, scheme, or sexual encounter without enough information. Trust and intimacy are themes of this placement, so this period of time could benefit already close relationships. Make sure to keep the communication flowing, and check in with your internal dialogues as well.
SAGITTARIUS - This placement could cause competition or confrontation with your spouse or partner (including business partners). Watch your temper and patience level, and hold yourself accountable for how you communicate. defensiveness and back and forth drama could ensue if you are not behaving consciously. Utilize this period of time to work on conflict resolution, or get counseling if that feels right. Delays and frustration are built in to this Mars retrograde, so keep your plans with your partner loose. Practice being the best team mate you can be during this time, and be forgiving of mistakes on the part of all parties.
CAPRICORN - This placement rules your work environment and routine. If you work in a job sector that is Gemini-ruled (communication, travel, publishing etc.), you may feel this most directly. Something you've probably already had your eye on is your day to day routine. Something may feel out of whack or just isn't working for you. Do you need to get up earlier? Do you need more unscheduled time in your day? Guess what else is ruled by the 6th house...health. Yep. It's time you got it together and got your tests or scans or appointments lined up. It might be time for a new doctor. Watch yourself for feeling like things "have to" get done and anxiety around who what and where. That anxiety and frustration means you're pushing forward prematurely.
AQUARIUS - If you feel burned out or creatively stuck, this transit could help. The trick is being able to pull from your internal well of genius, rather than depending on the world at large to inspire you. Dig deep. When a topic or issue comes to mind that is interesting, put it on a list and do some exploration. Issues with your own children (and sometimes other people's) are likely to come up during this time. Try not to get locked in a battle of wills (or arguments online) with teenagers, or people of other generations. This house also rules romance, so it could slow down or feel like it is backing off. It could also deepen a bit if you use that internal fire to your advantage.
PISCES - Frustrations around your home of origin, current house, or family issues are likely over the next few months. Whatever comes up is going to hang around for awhile so don't feel rushed to resolve everything instantly. If you've been hiding or embracing denial about some frustration in regards to your home life, give yourself a safe space to process your true feelings. If you need to release some anger, try listening to some loud and aggressive music. I do this when I am driving, but if that doesn't feel safe to you, do it at home when you're alone and just have a rage rave. Then take a bubble bath. Lather, rinse, repeat. The resolution/solution will present itself when it is ready.
SUN - Scorpio
MERCURY --> Scorpio
VENUS - Scorpio
MARS - Gemini (Rx)
JUPITER --> Pisces (Rx)
SATURN - Aquarius (recently direct)
URANUS - Taurus (Rx)
NEPTUNE - Pisces (Rx)
PLUTO - Capricorn (recently direct)
CHIRON - Aries (Rx)
CHARIKLO - Aquarius
N. NODE - Taurus
CERES - Leo
PALLAS - Cancer
JUNO - Pisces (recently direct)
VESTA - Aquarius
LILITH - Cancer
ERIS - Aries (Rx)
SIRIUS- Cancer (fixed)
Monday 24 October
Mercury square Lilith
New Moon Solar Eclipse in Scorpio 3:49AM PT - Tie up emotional loose ends
Vesta sextile Eris
Mercury quincunx
Wednesday 26 October
Mercury opposite Eris
Mercury trine Vesta
Mercury trine Mars
Thursday 27 October 2022
Mercury square Pluto
Sun square Chariklo
Jupiter enters Pisces (retrograde)
Mercury sextile Galactic Center
Friday 28 October
NO PANTS - 2 fridays in a row!
Saturday 29 October
Venus trine Juno
Mercury quincunx Jupiter
Mercury enters Scorpio (direct)
Mars quincunx Pluto
Sunday 30 October
Mars turns retrograde 6:25 am PT
Mercury trine Chaos
Chiron quincunx Ceres
Monday 31 October
Sun trine Juno
Ceres trine N Node