What can I say?  I was REALLY feeling the Mars retrograde energies.  My cats and parrots weren’t helping much either, as they were all laying around taking naps for most of the afternoon.  They really know how to set a sleepy vibe.  Did I mention too that we had a surprise rain in the middle of all of this?  (Nothing like a summer rainstorm to lull you away from your work.)   Motivation was very slow in coming to me.  I didn’t exactly feel “down”.  But I certainly didn’t feel UP either!

          Today is better, as I seem to have given myself permission to lean into it and just move with the energies.  In fact, I decided this morning that with all these retrogrades happening right now, it is as good of a time as any to go ahead and take a summer stay-cation and get myself recharged and rested up.  (Sure, I’ll still work a little on the staycation, but mostly in the background and doing solo preparatory tasks—no readings, classes or formal meetings for the next week or so.)  This is my way of cutting myself a little slack—something that I feel is very much needed at this time of Mars retrograde, when energies, vitality, and motivation tend to run lower than normal.

          For with all these retrogrades happening at once (and especially with Mars, the planet of action & momentum in retrograde), it seems to be the time to get your Zen on and relax a little.  Just like my friend Smokey is doing here in the photo below, he is who is master of the Zen art of relaxing and going with the flow.

 The Path is Not Straight or Clear Right Now

 (So be patient and yield to the flow)

          What about YOU?  Did you feel it?  Did you feel a little bit more sluggish or slow moving than usual on last Tuesday when Mars went retrograde?  Did your motivation to get stuff done seem lower than usual?  Or perhaps you are feeling it TODAY, after the Mars retrograde has had some time to officially be in effect.  Mars may not go retrograde as often as Mercury, but its effects can be just as powerful!  In fact, some may say even MORE powerful.

          Mars represents the cosmic path of ACTION and chasing after it and getting it done.  (Whatever it is.)  Mars seeks the most direct and effective route to achieving what one desires.  But when Mars is in retrograde, the correct path of action is not so easily discernable, and there may be dangers along the way.  (Not the least of which is losing your cool and throwing a tantrum or rushing ahead carelessly or sloppily.) 

          Mars retrograde tends to increase the SHADOW side of Mars.  Which means we might find ourselves more easily becoming impatient, angry, tempermental, aggressive or even demanding.  (Think inner child—or inner brat, depending on how you want to look at it.)  Or we could go the opposite way, and find ourselves stalking off and passive-aggressively sulking in the corner. 

Somewhere between these two extremes, there is a healthy balance point that allows the feelings to come up and be released without laying total waste to your relationships, reputation and life.

 WHAT TO EXPECT (during Mars retrograde)

 -Lowered vitality or energy, possibly increased sluggishness

 -Lack of motivation or steam--except when it comes to things that REALLY bring you pleasure (smile)

 -Stuff just takes LONGER to get done

 -Increased detours, delays, obstacles, construction & re-construction

 -Buried anger & tempers suddenly erupting unexpectedly

 -Increased sense of dissatisfaction, frustration or restlessness—feeling that something just MUST be done to make improvement, but not knowing what that is

 -Not everyone will be on board with “your” agenda (unless it is an agenda that is really more about our, we or us)

 -Temper tantrums and outbursts backfire during this time—and the one who is the aggressor or overly pushy usually LOSES during Mars retrograde

       The people who have the most frustrations during Mars retrograde are usually the Type A “real go-getters”.  You know, the ones who just love and love to “get things done” and keep the momentum rolling along, moving from one new thing to the next.  Wait a moment.  Did I just basically describe our entire modern society?  You bet I did!  Thank Goddess for Mars (and Mercury) retrogrades, as they remind us to slow down and smell the roses every so often.

        This period of Mars retrograde is NOT so good for charging ahead excitedly into new projects or completely new experiences, as Mars is the planet of physical energy, and energy, motivation and vitality will most likely be lower than normal during this time.  This doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything at all for the next 9 weeks or so.  It simply means that it would be best to PRIORITIZE right now and whenever possible, stick to those projects and plans that were set into motion before June 26^th.  (Or at the very least, those projects & plans that you were already thinking about doing before that date.)

         Still, if you could lay low for a while, and cut yourself plenty of slack, that would be best.  Overall, now is not a time for pushing yourself too hard or trying to “make” things happen.  Instead, it is a time for leaning in closer to your soul and resting in your higher self for a little while.  As I said before, it is a great time for getting your Zen on. (smile)

         There is so much more I could say on this subject, and probably a whole lot more that would be of good use to you.  However, since I am about ready to start my Mars retrograde get replenished-staycation, I have to end this here for now.  But if you do want to know more about how you can best navigate this transit, let me refer you to the article on my website about Mars retrograde.  It’s been a couple of years since I’ve updated this particular article, but the guidance still stands as good. If you are interested in learning more, here is where you go:  http://www.cynthiakillion.com/marsretrograde1.html

         Enjoy!

 Bright Blessings,