April 17 to June 29 Mars will be retrograde, which is a difficult time due to the change in the alignments of the Earth and Mars.
Mars is the planet of physical and psychological energy. It is strong,pioneering energy that makes for so much of our experience to initiate and begin to release the biological and mental powers of our body and personality. It is most commonly revered to as the “fight of flight” mechanism that is the deepest biological and psychological instincts we have. This instinct is, briefly, that response in determining whether we respond to a situation where we see ourselves as stronger than an other. In this situation and our response is to attack and defeat this “other.” If we perceive the “other” as stronger that we are and our response is the flee, to get out of the situation by retreat and running away. In it simplest expression – it is that consideration in a confrontation should we dig in for a battle we think we can win, or get way and avoid the situation.
Mars retrograde slows down and weakens this energy that intensifies and makes us act on the full potential of our physical and psychological nature. Our passions and life force is not as strong as we are use to. Worries seem larger and harder to contemplate and conceptualize. Some cases certain perspectives may even cause a type of depression. An astrologer’s phone starts to ring more as clients as well as people from this web site call up to ask what the hell is going on?
The first step in coping is to relax and realize that your are in a retrograde of Mars – the bio/psycho-energy field of the planet. With this perspective one can begin to make sense of why things see so emotionally difficult. Problem solving abilities seem slower, sluggish. We don’t feel our usual pep.
Romantic and sexual sensitivity may seem less exciting, less buoyant. There is a moodiness.
In my experience this is seen more often in the last couple of weeks of the retrograde.
To compare this to sailing, it is as if there is a great lull in the wind and everything slows down and even comes to rest at this time. But know that this is just a phase of the weather and soon the wind will return and your journey will find its normal pace.
It is a good time to review where we place our energy, as there will be a focus on the priorities of how we go about living our life, work, and relationships. Things that seem to be more draining may need to be cut off and this is a clear time to note that you either don’t need to spend your time with these individuals or in certain projects and adjust yourself and directions accordingly.