Mars Retrograde and the Sounding Bell

Energy builds in intense ways over recent days. Major winter storms sweep across Europe and North America. Transportation and logistical snafus give new meaning to "holiday travel". Biggest surf since 1969 appears in Hawaii. Sun spots 7 times larger than Earth appear on an awakening Sun. Blackberry users in North America hit with 2 days of outages, etc. Critical tension and metaphors abound as we begin the run-up to 2010 and beyond.

On the 20th of this month, Mars began its retrograde in the sign of Leo. This energy has been building since mid October when Mars entered the "retrograde window" at 0 Leo.

Energetically, Mars represents action and achievement. It's how you move your energy externally. Retrograde means "backward".  As with all retrogrades, Mars retrograde is an introspective period of discovery and integration; gathering new information and strategies for the post retrograde period.

Have a look at this short video to better understand how the movement of a Mars retrograde works from an observer's perspective on Earth.

The energy of Leo relates to the heart (think lion-hearted). This Mars retrograde focuses on heart intention and what you desire in the realm of achievement, success and progressive action. Retrograde symptoms in this realm include inaction, delays and false starts. For example, the aforementioned weather events have put quite an energetic stranglehold on those affected.

If you are following your heart's desire, this retrograde is a potent period for upping the vibration in your work through introspection, integration and initiation of new strategies. By contrast, if you are applying your energy to pursuits not resonating with your heart's desire, this retrograde cycle may prove difficult, non-productive and constrictive.

The timing for the Mars Retrograde:
Oct 16 - Passes 0 degrees Leo and enters the retrograde window or shadow - note 0 degrees Leo is one of the significant eclipse points triggered during the Solar eclipse this past July.
Dec 20 - Slows down at 20 degrees Leo and begins moving in reverse (retrograde) - intense phase begins
Jan 29 - Earth directly in between Mars and Sun (opposition), and the most intense point - throughout January, the strength of this retrograde will build, like a wave in the ocean.
Mar 10 - Mars returns to 0 Leo and begins to move direct once again - energy begins to ease
May 17 - Mars reaches 20 degrees Leo again, ending the retrograde cycle

As you can see, this retrograde is spread out over a 5 month period, with the most intense phase between December 20 and March 10. We suggest using this period to discover what now makes your heart sing; what you would like to create during the next 2 1/2 years in this Mars Leo cycle; and creative, passionate steps to take over the next 2 1/2 months to put that energy into motion come March.

Remember, there are a number of significant astrological cycles occurring in synchronicity or rapid succession in 2010. Mars retrograde represents the "sounding bell" for what is shaping up to be a very significant year for intense shifts and transformation in the consciousness.

Coming Blogs - Late December's Mercury Retrograde, New Year's Eve Eclipsed Full Moon (note: Blue Moon references have no basis in astrology); and January astro highlights.

Many blessings in this season of the building light
Aloha, Kathryn and Joseph