Normally when Mars makes an aspect to a slower moving planet it lasts a few days and then is finished, but because of the retrograde, as well as Saturn’s motion slowing, to station direct on September 28th, the aspect lasts longer. Retrograde Mars will contact Eris once again during the first weekend in October, when Pluto also stations to direct motion.Īnother powerful aspect, one of the most pronounced effects of Mars in combination with outer planets, is the square aspect that happens the rest of the year between Mars and Saturn. Mars of course rules Aries and the Fire element. There were additional fires that took place during the few days surrounding the actual retrograde station of Mars, as well, with smoke blotting out the sunrise in the San Francisco Bay area on September 9th itself. It is interesting to note that when, on his way to the current month’s retrograde station, Mars precisely conjuncted this Eris position on August 17th, fires broke out all over Northern California. This factor is greatly enhancing both the Mars component and also the Eris square to these two powerhouse planets that in combination represent massive structural transformation.
Mars stationed – on the ninth – quite close to Eris, currently located at the 24-degree mark of Aries, thus a mere four degrees away, just as Eris was in tight square with Saturn- Pluto, their midpoint being 24 degrees of Capricorn. The first of these is non-traditional, in that a new planetary energy is involved. There are two strong aspects with retrograde Mars in the remaining months of 2020 that deserve attention. (To learn more about your own Mars signature in your birth chart you can read this article.) When Mars is retrograde we may experience a heightened awareness around our own relationship to our inner warrior nature, how we handle conflict, and – in a best case scenario – opportunity to find new and empowered ways of aligning our will and actions with our own sense of purpose and higher good in the world. Conversely it can also lend itself towards violence and aggression causing unhelpful divisiveness or separation. This energy as we experience and embody it can be utilized in multitude of ways, and when it’s expressed in a helpful way it can lend us focus to take action, to cut away that which is not essential. Mars’ energetic signature has a hot, sharp and piercing quality to it. Mars represents our will power, ability to take action, raw wildness, and inner masculine life force, and we will be examining these factors from the inside out. During this time we can expect to see all of Mars’ themes come to the fore in a thoughtful and introspective manner as we adjust our assertiveness. Mars Retrograde 2020: Embracing Sacred Volitionīy Leslie Benson for ASTROGRAPH Horoscopesįrom September 9th until November 13th Mars will be on a retrograde journey through his home sign from 28° to 15° of Aries.