Winter Esoteric Column, Begin 2012

Warrior Mars Turns Retrograde

One of the less common planetary shifts occurs in early 2012 when masculine Mars turns retrograde. Most people are familiar with the more common Mercury retrograde cycle that occurs about three times each year, disrupting communications and transportation. Mars only turns retrograde approximately every two years. Only Venus turns retrograde less often (Mars is retrograde 9.5% of the time, compared to Mercury at 19.1% of the time, and Pluto is retrograde 44% of the time, per Neil Michelsen, Tables of Planetary Phenomena).

When any planet turns retrograde, you get to review and revise activities associated with that planet. You can get further information based upon the sign the planet is retrograde in. If you know your chart, then the house area of your chart that Mars is retrograde in will tell you what in your life is being reviewed and revised. For example, Mars retrograde in your 7th house as you revising your committed relationships (marriage, business partners, etc.). See the Free Astrology Primer for house meanings.

See a picture of Mars retrograde at http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100613.html

Mars normally travels through a sign every six weeks. Think of a warrior going to battle, then moving on to the next battle as soon as the previous one is complete. Because of Mars turning retrograde, it will take over seven months to go through Virgo. Mars entered Virgo on November 10, 2011and does not move into Libra until July 3, 2012. The actual retrograde period is January 23-April 13, 2012- 24 back to 3 degrees Virgo .

Mars represents taking action to manifest your needs and desires. It is assertive, ambitious, masculine and sexual. Virgo represents cleansing, purifying, simplifying your life, and clearing your physical or emotional closet of clutter. Virgo is efficient and productive. It represents natural healing and environmental methods. An extra large number of people will be dieting in the new year!

Between November 2011 and January 2012, Mars is in the shadow before turning retrograde. This time period gives you prophetic hints of that which is coming in early 2012. You can begin to prepare for coming changes so that it will be easier to make those changes. If you will be clearing your home of clutter, you can start saving boxes. If you will be upgrading your technology to be more efficient, you can start watching ads and product reviews to learn about costs and different product advantages.

During the retrograde cycle January 23-April 13, you will be implementing the plans. This can mean tearing your house apart so you can redo it in a clean and simple manner. It can be disruptive, but you will be better for it in the long term.

After the retrograde cycle (April 13 into June), you will be putting the final touches on the projects you chose. By July, you are ready to show the world.

Although it is not the most fun example to share with you, the 9-1-1 event demonstrates this cycle very graphically. Mars was retrograde for six month prior to 9-1-1 in Sagittarius. Sagittarius rules religions and foreign cultures. This is when the planning of the attack was being prepared, including learning to fly. After Mars ended its retrograde period, it moved into Capricorn (structure, grounding). The attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon took place after Mars left its retrograde shadow. Mars rules war and Capricorn rules buildings and government. So the 9-1-1 attack shows very clearly the astrology leading up to the event (and there was a whole lot more to this event, but that is another topic).

The key for you is to look at your life and decide where you have taken service to a sacrificial lamb level- then begin to assertively establish boundaries for change. Begin to release the clutter from your life. Consider the ambitions you would like to bring into the world, then take the preparatory steps to bring that about. Virgo advises you to make the process simple, efficient and productive.

I look in amusement at all the people spending hours on Facebook to market their services, and then they wonder why they are not manifesting their material world needs. I am not knocking Facebook because it is here to stay, but I am suggesting that Virgo efficiency suggests you decide the optimum amount of time and energy spent there, then limit yourself to only that amount of time. This frees you up to be productive in other areas of your life.

So prepare for some revamping of your activities and ambitions. Some of the things you have been doing in your life no longer hold your enthusiasm. Decide what needs to be released so you have more power to put into new enthusiasm.

\On a side note:

On February 15, 2012, Mars will be at Aphelion in its orbit, meaning that it is at its far point away from the Sun. There is some discussion amongst astrologers as to what that exactly means. Being far away, you get great perspective, but the planet is not so powerful since it is so far away. (Remember several years ago when Mars was at perihelion, its closest point? That is when the Mars hoax started going around the internet saying that Mars would be as big as the moon. Mars will be at its closest point again on Jan. 24, 2013)

Here is an article on the same topic of Mars retrograde:

It’s Time to do a Check-In with Your Ambition

Advance Preparation for 2012

The final two months of 2011 give you a preview of coming attractions in early 2012. Ambitious Mars provides one of its rare retrograde cycles next January through April. It is important to know about this rare cycle now that 2011 is winding down because the aggressive, masculine energy begins the process on November 10 th, 2011.

When any planet turns retrograde, it gives you the illusion that it is moving backwards in the sky. During this cycle, you retreat from your world to review and revise your needs and ambitions. See a picture of Mars Retrograde at: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100613.html

Mars normally travels through a sign every six weeks. Think of a warrior going to battle, then quickly moving on to the next battle as soon as the current one is complete. Because Mars moves retrograde, it will take over seven months to go through Virgo. So, the big part of the cycle is from November 10 th through July 3, 2012, and the intense retrograde period is from January 23 rd through April 13 th.

Mars charges you to take action to manifest your needs and desires. It is assertive, ambitious, masculine and sexual. Virgo represents cleansing, purifying, simplifying your life, and clearing your physical or emotional closet of clutter. When Mars is moving forwards, it wants something and it takes it. When Mars moves backwards, you are either cleaning up old messes, or preparing the behind the scenes battle plan for future conquests.

In Virgo, Mars is telling you to become more efficient and productive. The warrior got tells you to let go of that which is no longer yours; separate the wheat from the chaff. Virgo also rules natural healing and improving your relationship with the environment.

Between November 2011 and January 2012, Mars is in the shadow before turning retrograde. This time period gives you prophetic hints of that which is coming in early 2012. You can begin to prepare for coming changes so that it will be easier to make those changes.

If you will be clearing your home of clutter, you can start saving boxes. If you will be upgrading your technology to be more efficient, you can start watching ads and product reviews to learn about costs and different product advantages. An abundance of people will start a diet under this purifying energy, so you can start to research the best diet for you as 2011 comes to a close.

During the actual retrograde cycle, January 23-April 13, you will be implementing the plans that you are just flirting with right now. Sometimes you have to tear certain aspects of your life apart to renovate them. Think of the example of painting the walls in your home. You must pull bookcases and other obstacles away from the walls, which then requires you to decide which items will be kept and/or released when the painting is complete.

After the retrograde cycle (April 13 –July 3), you will put the final touches on the projects you chose. By July, you are ready to show the world the results of your hard work.

Although it is not the most fun example to share with you, the 9-1-1 event demonstrates this cycle very graphically. Mars was retrograde for six month prior to 9-1-1 in Sagittarius. Sagittarius rules religions and foreign cultures. This is when the planning of the attack was being prepared, including learning to fly. After Mars ended its retrograde period, Mars moved into Capricorn (structure, grounding). The attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon took place after Mars left its retrograde shadow. Mars rules war and Capricorn rules buildings and government. So the 9-1-1 attack shows very clearly the astrology leading up to the event (and there was a whole lot more to this event, but that is another topic).

The key for you is to consider the ambitions you would like to bring into the world, and then take the preparatory steps to bring that about. Virgo advises you to make the process simple, efficient and productive. Virgo does not like to waste time. If you spend hours surfing the internet or your Facebook page, then you will not have as much productive time to actually produce.

Mars in Virgo wants to see results, so look at where you are spending your time and if it is helping you to manifest your needs and desires. Begin by doing research and making space in your life as 2011 comes to a close. From January to April 2012, it is time to start working on your plan-but do keep some wiggle room for shifting energies. This will help you readjust your plan as it is projected into the world from April-July. And after July..that is the time to yell “Geronimo” and kick your plans into high gear.

Mark Dodich has been an astrologer and intuitive consultant since 1980. He specializes in relocation astrology to help you find your power places on planet earth. Mark also specializes in Seven Ray Esoteric Astrology to help people who are consciously focused on spiritual service in this incarnation. Check out his free newsletter and free pdf downloads at www.astromark.us or call him at his home base in Oregon at 503-252-1558

Below is an article I wrote in early 2011. I edited out some off the items that do not apply in 2012, but the outer planet shifts that started in 2011 will all be fully into their new signs by February 2012. So the information below, although written in early 2011, continues to be valid in 2012 and for several years beyond.

Following is an article published in New Connexions Journal in the Pacific NW.

The Divine Feminine Helps You Manifesting Your Dreams!

The real action begins February through April 2011 when three world-changing planets move into new signs. When energies that have not been on mother earth for 50, 84 and 165 years collide within weeks of each other, global and personal changes come on a deep and all encompassing level.

The most aggressive, rebellious change is explosive Uranus moving into Aries on March 11th (2011). Associated with earthquakes and inventions, Uranus has not been in Aries for 84 years, and will travel through the pioneering sign through 2018. There was a preview of this fiery energy last year with large fires in Russia, and the speedy inventions of new technology to cap the Gulf Oil spill.

You inner motivations drive you to try something new under this impatient energy. Many people will relocate, and this includes both individuals and mass migration. Not everyone will physically move, but everyone is pushed to develop new ways to live. Uranus provides the loud, and oftentimes, rude wake-up call telling you to cut your losses and leave your comfort zone- and it gives no guarantees of what you will find on the other end of your journey!

Previous manifestations of this 84 year energy include the beginnings of the revolutions brought by Mahatma Gandhi in India and Mao Tse Tung in China. Uranus in Aries brought massive earthquakes to New Zealand, numerous political assassinations, and even the violent St. Valentine’s Day massacre. It is common to see innovative inventions and great destruction when “we need change now” Aries is activated.

Do not get sucked into the vortex of fear that comes during destructive events. Fear comes up to the surface to be healed, not to be expanded. Uranus destroys outdated ideas to bring forth innovative ideals. Make a Post-It note that says “change is good.”

There is help to soften this erratic energy. Two gentle, feminine planetary shifts take place on February 9th, 2011 as wounded-healer Chiron and on April 4th, 2011 when spiritual Neptune enter mystical Pisces. Pisces helps you open to manifest your dreams or you stumble through the fog lost in illusions.

On the high side, you bring forth a higher feminine receptiveness and learn to act upon clear, intuitive messages. Or you can escape into fantasy, fooling yourself into thinking the next relationship or lottery ticket will solve all your problems. Pisces is the energy of the visionary and the space cadet.

As a famous healer in ancient Greece, half-human, half-horse Chiron represents the need to get on with your life regardless of how you have been wounded. Rather than getting lost in self-pity, the centaur helps you take half-steps towards your visionary goal.

In previous Chiron in Pisces cycles (1961-68, 1910-18), the world saw changes in immigration laws, oil drilling licenses in the North Sea, advances in the film industry, the women’s suffrage movement, and Martin Luther King winning the Nobel Peace prize. Similar issues such as new regulations for deep-sea drilling and new television technology are coming now.

There is a second Pisces influence that is more powerful due to the fact that it only comes around every 165 years. Neptune temporarily teases you with Pisces energy starting April 4th through early August 2011, tempting you with prophetic insights into new possibilities.

The integration of spirituality and spiritual healing into the mainstream world will take place while Neptune travels through Pisces fully from February 2012 through 2026. Healing with music or toning will become more popular. Dream therapists and hypnotherapists are highlighted in the years that come.

Visionary art and healing the oceans will be popular topics. Meditation and intuitive enhancement receive more publicity in the years ahead. In short, a softer and more feminine balance will come into existence in the world.

For now, you have a choice to make. Will you open to a new vision for your life and for the collective energy of the world, or will you walk through the world as if you are a dazed and confused space cadet?

You must trust the mystic within you to come out. Put away those fears that you will be burned at the stake. Although that still may happen, it is time to assert this more feminine power in your life. Practice trusting your inner knowing, because the external will become more confusing.

Remember not to judge the world based upon the melodrama you see in the media. A wonderful vision is being birthed; it’s just that softer energies come forth in a more subtle way.

Mark Dodich has been a professional astrologer and intuitive consultant since 1980. Join him and like-minded friends on a trip to Greece this spring to open to this intuitive energy. Mark’s specialties include Natal Astrology, Relocation Astrology Maps and Seven Ray Spiritual Purpose Astrology. Receive his free ASTROMARK newsletter and download a free Basic Astrology Primer at www.astromark.us, or call 503-252-1558