About those retrogrades

The best way to deal with retrograde planets is to gather as much information as you can about them and then figure out how each particular planet’s apparent backward movement affects you via your Natal Chart.

[Side note: A reader wondered last week if you were standing on Mars, would it ever look like Earth itself was retrograde? Well, logically, there would be periods when it would seem Earth was retrograde too, else it would get so far ahead of Mars for example, in its orbit, as to be worthless in trying to determine its affects.]

Now that Mercury has assumed its regular forward motion, we still have Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto to deal with in a calm and proactive manner. Happily, if you wait to read this column until tomorrow, Saturday, October 8, Pluto will have resumed its forward motion in Capricorn once more (and we’ve examined those slings and arrows details in previous columns), so you can relax about that planet for a while.  

Shall we outline the effects of a retrograde Mars on the various Sun Signs?

Aries: March 21-April 19   

It’s always an odd feeling to have your ruling planet in retrograde motion; it’s almost as if you’ve had your anchor pull free and you’re drifting. Aries doesn’t like to drift. Aries wants to be in control at all times. But from October 30 to January 12, 2023, Mars will be retrograde in Gemini. Each Aries may have to yield the leadership role to someone else. It’s okay. The world won’t fall apart, and you may actually find you enjoy letting someone else handle the reins for once. (You don’t have to admit it to anyone.)

Taurus: April 20-May 20   

Retrograde Mars in Gemini may affect your finances, since Gemini is your Second House of money in most Taurus charts. Don’t buy something on a rash impulse and then try to get your money back without losing your temper – it ain’t gonna happen. Instead, look at October 30 to January 12 as a time to investigate. If you’ve been considering buying stocks, find out all you can about the chief financial officers of that particular company or companies. Information leads to better decisions.

Gemini: May 21-June 21  

Grit your teeth and keep your temper until January 12, or you may have to not only apologize, but find a lawyer and slug it out in court. So don’t go there. Walk away from arguments. Nourish your ego by reminding yourself of your past achievements and don’t let new acquaintances pose as ‘yes men.’ You don’t need them. (Your ego leads you into enough hot water.) Figure on major purchases about mid-January for best results.  

Cancer: June 22-July 22   

Egad. When, dear Moonchild, are you going to drop that memory of the snake who tried to break up you and your nearest and dearest many years ago? Let it go. Concentrate on making your relationship even stronger by finding common ground and enjoying each other’s company once again. Sign up for a class together or start planning a vacation to celebrate the taming of the pandemic. You can safely travel now if you’re very cautious – and what Moonchild isn’t?

Leo: July 23-August 22     

See if you can re-establish ties of friendship, common business interests, and catch up on all the family news for the next two months or so. Ask your cousin for pictures of the new baby, or find out when and where the family reunion is going to be held this next year. If you’ve gotten all the remodeling done and the new furniture placed just so, query whether everyone would like to come to your place. You’ll be the most popular sibling in the bunch.

Virgo: August 23-September 22  

This really isn’t the time to just up and quit that unsatisfactory job, Virgo. And your innate nit-picking won’t let you follow the latest trends and do only what your job description listed. Get a different perspective by checking out some totally offbeat jobs/careers and see if you can ‘shadow’ good friends while they’re doing something you may like as well. That two-week notice won’t hurt you as much as a negative whisper campaign could around the old water cooler.

Libra: September 23-October 22

Gemini represents your Ninth House, dear Libra, and that means long trips may now be on the agenda, whether for work or pleasure. Plan carefully and take only one suitcase in case you unexpectedly have to board another plane or even a bus or train to get to your original destination. That way you can travel lightly and not depend on any conveyance to get your fifth pair of socks to where you’re staying. Remember you can always buy things overseas and have them shipped home.

Scorpio: October 23-November 21        

If you’ve had major changes in your residence, your career, or health issues causing early retirement, these next few months are the time to gather all the paper trails you can think of so you’re not facing a large tax bill next year. Consider finding an Enrolled Agent rather than having Uncle Tounoose do your taxes again. You need to keep as much cash in your accounts as possible; the signs are ominous for another recession next year. Have several months of liquid assets if you can manage to do so.  

Sagittarius: November 22-December 21

Time to go back and first of all really listen to what your Significant Other (is that term still in use nowadays?) has been trying to discuss with you. If you don’t want to lose that special person in your life, put some of your projects on the back burner for a couple of months and work, really work on building a better, more equitable relationship. Sit down together, turn off the tv and your cells, and quietly find common ground. Ask what the other person wants, then share what you’d most like to do together.   

Capricorn: December 22-January 19

Your work affects your health and your health affects your work. It’s as simple as that. If you don’t want to suffer with the pains and odd injuries huge amounts of stress can deal to your body, then learn to practice relaxing. If you don’t want to deal with the vagaries of a tyrannical boss, then quietly start looking for another place in which you’ll feel appreciated. You must free yourself to be your best self, whether at work or play – although telling a Capricorn to go play is like trying to take a bone away from a mastiff.

Aquarius: January 20-February 18

Your kids may be much more in your life than they have been before now; Gemini is your Fifth House of children. But watch out for tempers flaring amongst the siblings as a retrograde Mars can set off arguments and shoving matches, depending upon their ages. Try to schedule time to have each child alone and only with you. Plan a trip to buy seeds and a kid-sized rake and shovel to show him or her how a garden starts. Take a city bus together instead of jumping in the car. Read a play out loud and act it out.  

Pisces: February 19-March 20

Careful – all those home repairs and needed renovations may literally arrive on your doorstep in the next two months. Remember you can find out how to do almost anything via the net; learn to change the washer in the faucet to stop that annoying drip. Get rid of clutter and enjoy the feeling of good chi flowing through your home. Get the roof repaired, set out a couple of fruit trees, find out what’s in those boxes that haven’t been unpacked from your last move. Go to your nearest park with your box lunch and enjoy.

‘Retrograde’ doesn’t mean folding your hands and waiting for the worst to happen. Move! – MZ

#MadameZombra