your guide to mars retrograde: the body knows best ☄
Mars is doing the cha-cha-slide. what it means for you and your approach to life ✧
“Slide to the left, slide to the right, take it back now y’all…”
“ARGHHHHH!” I yell in frustration.
I woke up Sunday morning feeling like all the motivation was zapped from my body. I knew there were a bunch of things I needed to do — laundry, make coffee, meet my grand aunt for lunch — but I had zero inclination to do it.
Finally, I drag myself out of bed. I open the washing machine and waffle on the settings. Do I have time for a full wash? Is low or mid level water enough?
By the time I hit ‘start’, I had just 30 minutes left. I hurried into the kitchen.
When the timer beeped, I pull open the washing machine… and gaped in disbelief. Blue liquid stared back up at me innocently.
I’d run the entire load without detergent!!
Welcome to Mars retrograde, ft. Mercury retrograde.
When the two planets that govern our daily actions, habits and interactions slide backwards in the sky… chaos ensues.
At least, it does when you’re not mindful. Which I wasn’t.
How have the past few weeks been treating you, friends?
Mercury has been retrograde since November 25, so you might already be used to this energy. Mercury in Sagittarius is broad strokes, big picture, fly by the seat of its pants… Ruled by Jupiter, it’s usually lucky enough to get by. But now, with retrograde motion in the picture, it’s like a train going off the rails.
Not a cute picture.
Mars, our planet of action, passion and conflict, is also retrograde in Leo as of last Friday, Dec 6. But unlike Mercury Rx, Mars retrograde is rare, happening only once every two-ish years:
☄ Quick Mars Rx facts ☄
It will last until February 23, 2025, for a total of 2.5 months (!),
It will go all the way back into Cancer in Jan 2025, ending at 17º ♋︎,
It will oppose Pluto, Lord of the Underworld, at the start of January. (Happy New Year! 🤪)
When Mars opposes Pluto, we are confronted with the idea of power — how much of it we have, if it’s fair, what it says about us. In general, retrogrades are a time for deeper contemplation — and with the planet of action going backwards, it coincides with the current vibe of introspection, reflection, and looking back on the year.