At the end of June 2018, the planet of action, aggression, passion and war – Mars – goes retrograde. During this time there will be three full moons, two eclipses, Uranus enters retrograde motion and Mercury retrogrades and goes direct again! Rather eventful.

The Sun will move from 5° Cancer (directly opposite Saturn in Capricorn) to 4° Virgo so will be sextile (60°) from its original position by the time Mars stations direct. Our focus will be directed from the feeling realms, nostalgia and where we are coming from, to practical application,  tangible results, refining our craft and purification. This psychological journey asks us to get in touch with our raw skills and roots to apply ourselves.

Aquarius is ruled by Uranus and traditionally by Saturn. key words for Aquarius are: Progression, rebellion, individuality, friendships, imperfection, common purpose, shared goals.

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn. Key words for Capricorn are: tradition, respect, authority, hierarchy, parental approval, perfection, mastery.

Both traditionally ruled by Saturn, Aquarius has been assigned Uranus by modern rulership and what with Uranus having entered Taurus recently, it is likely we will see some Uranus in Taurus themes during this retrograde period as Mars backtracks over the degrees he was residing during Uranus’ ingress to Taurus back in May 2018. Things may start feeling stuck, fixed and slow as Mars begins his backward dance, before dipping into cardinal Capricorn where he is exalted by traditional astrological method and considered very high-functioning.

Mars Retrograde from Aquarius to Capricorn

Offers us:

  • a chance to go back over old feuds and process them using reason and logic
  • the understanding that there is no substitute for hard work
  • an opportunity to reevaluate and take serious steps toward future aspirations
  • a chance to revisit cut-corners and do things properly the second time
  • an opportunity to change ingrained habits and deal with our own ‘stuff’

Watch for:

  • backtracking on a decision you thought you were certain about
  • spontaneous and irrational actions, which are disruptive to your daily routine
  • seeing old enemies or flames in your life again
  • dealing with issues you thought were dead and buried
  • depleted energy levels or a lack of will power

Key Mars Retrograde Dates

June

  • 21st – Sun in Cancer
  • 28th – Full Moon 6° Capricorn 04:53 GMT
  • 30th – Sun quincunx Mars | Mercury square Uranus

July

  • 02nd – Mercury quincunx Saturn
  • 03rd – Sun quincunx Mars
  • 05th – Mercury opposite Mars
  • 07th – Moon–Mars–Jupiter T-square with Mercury opposite
  • 10th – Jupiter Direct
  • 13th – New Moon 20°41′ Cancer 02:48 GMT and Partial Solar Eclipse
  • 16th – Venus quincunx Mars
  • 20th – Venus bi-quintile Mars
  • 21st – Sun in Leo
  • 25th – Sun square Uranus
  • 26th – Sun quincunx Saturn | Mercury Stations
  • 27th – Full Moon 4°45′ Aquarius 20:20 GMT (Blood Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse) | Sun opposite Mars | Venus sesquiquadrate Mars
  • 28th – Mars semi-sextile Saturn

August

  • 02nd – Mars square Uranus
  • 07th – Uranus stations Retrograde
  • 08th – Venus trine Mars | Mars semi-square Neptune
  • 11th – New Moon 18°42′ Leo 09:58 GMT
  • 13th – Mars enters Capricorn
  • 19th – Mercury Stations
  • 21st – Sun quincunx Mars | Sun in Virgo
  • 25th – Sun trine Saturn | Sun trine Uranus
  • 26th – Full Moon 3°12′ Pisces 11:56 GMT
  • 27th – Mars Stations | Sun bi-quintile Mars

Mars’ journey from Aquarius to Capricorn, is a process of energetic backtracking, as we attempt to correct our course and be taken more seriously; we may struggle with hierarchy or our superiors. Understanding the importance of a chain of command will be highlighted as we go from having lots of ideas, to wanting to see tangible results for our input.

Aquarius is a rebellious placement for Mars and by the time he moves back into Capricorn he will be prepared to take on the efforts that are required of him and understand his place in the bigger picture.

During this time you can expect to feel lower motivation when implementing diets and physical activity. However, it is an excellent time to go back over a plan of action which works in theory, and set the wheels in motion to get it working in practice as well.

Intellect over Fists and Fury

With instigator Mars moving from airy Aquarius back to earthy Capricorn, there is a feeling of being in the realm of ideas and concept and having to go back and create a more solid plan of action and structure in order to implement plans. Mars is the masculine archetype, the young man and from Aquarius he is quirky, rebellious and analytical. He fights his battles with intellect rather than fists and fury.

When Mars is retrograde he is closer to the Earth than usual and is felt in a much stronger way. In the same way the heat from a match gets hotter the lower to your fingers it burns, Mars’ presence intensifies as it gets closer.

Being in touch with Mars at this time doesn’t mean you have to spew lava like a raging volcano; in it’s retrograde motion, Mars is internalized and retrospective. Past events that arise for you during this time will put you in touch with underlying issues and subconscious desires, and raise then to your conscious awareness.

That said, Mars may well be felt in a more prominent way – his presence could feel more pronounced and present than usual. Might we embody this penetrating essence or will it be imposed upon us? 

Poison Arrow

The early part of the retrograde process may see a few poison arrows being deployed as Jupiter – ruler of Sagittarius, the archer – is aiming his bow from Scorpio, and the deep uncharted depths of the psyche. The arrows could be more like torpedoes from a submarine rather than being sniped from higher ground and it might feel as though no matter what you do, you are being attacked from a source that you can’t quite pinpoint.

An opposition from Venus with Jupiter being the area of output creates a deeper commitment to the bigger picture. Echoed by the Moon in Sagittarius at the time of Mars’ retrograde motion, it is worth considering this to be a process of focus, value and faith. Whether it is believing in our leaders, putting us in touch with our Gods or believing in our own creative abilities, this could be a very revealing time. Challenges in our relationships may also be highlighted at this time, commitments and obligations may weigh heavily on us but we could feel ready to get involved rather than resisting.

On June 28th, the Full Moon at 6° Capricorn in conjunction with Saturn highlights a matter which demands to be taken seriously. Consulting with someone with experience or a respected professional in order to clarify your situation will reflect your true feelings about how to approach your situation.

Rocking the Foundations

An energetic and dynamic t-square is formed from the 7th July which questions the future and our existing foundations. A recent conversation – be it harsh words or a healthy debate – causes a sudden process of deep self-assessment highlighting future needs and past changes leading up to this moment.

Instigated is an honest and fresh perspective, looking at the necessary steps driving us from focusing solely on what we were convinced was the only direction, to following a deeper and more specialized path, adding ‘more strings to the bow’. From the 10th of July the wheels of change begin to turn and you might have to step out of your comfort zone. The resistance to change may feel present but not as pronounced as it previously was; an element of optimism helps the process along.

Mars is retrograding back towards another square with Uranus which gets me thinking about the Hawaiian volcano Kīlauea which is still spewing lava since it became active back in May. The total Lunar Eclipse and Full Moon on the July 13th, could indicate another eruption.

Piton de la Fournaise

However, as the eclipse occurs over Mauritius, Reunion and Madagascar  it is possible a volcano from that part of the world could erupt, or at least become active again. Perhaps Trou aux Cerfs will become active after lying dormant for so long? Or maybe Piton de la Fournaise will erupt again – the most recent case of this being July 2017.

The 22nd July presents a tremendous opportunity to get in touch with previous hurt and learn to heal from it. Subconscious patterns of pain, inherited from family patterns and previous generations could be offered a chance to heal. A maternal figure may offer insight which enables emotional independence, or you will decide to break away from familial expectations to pursue your true joy in life.

With the Sun entering Leo on the same day, this is a fiery and dynamic combination which is likely to get the heart aiming his arrow before the head is engaged. Keep this in mind as spontaneous actions could hinder future progress.

From 29th July to the 19th August Mars will be in a challenging aspect to Neptune. Think of the times you’ve tried to run through water. You still move, though you are met with huge resistance. Now imagine this scenario, but instead you are trying to run backward.

Things may become confused, indirect or energetically draining; Focus may be dispersed, you could find yourself lacking clarity and feeling victimised. If you have feelings for someone, it might be a time where you become intoxicated though you know it isn’t the right time to act on your emotions. Your will-power may feel difficult to engage, blurred and vague. The upside to this transit is that it could lend to a sympathetic and charitable edge and greater creative output. Hunker down and enjoy some movies and popcorn if this transit feels tough to navigate. Stationing direct this aspect to Mars will continue coloring Mars’ modus operandi right into his direct motion.

Karmic Connections

With Mars in conjunction with the point of eclipse, it certainly feels as though this is a necessary point where we can draw on our previous experience and intellect in order to develop ourselves. People we meet at this time will play a pivotal role on our journey, or we may create a situation which changes our course of action unintentionally.

When Mars moves back into the late degrees of Capricorn on the 13th of August, he finds a strategy worthy of his time and effort. Controlled when angry, this is the highest functioning position of Mars with the ability to exercise great self-control. Having said that, Mars in Capricorn can still rage, but you might have to push him to the top of a mountain before he erupts!

There will be a shift in what is deemed as possible. It is still a time of planning until Mars goes direct, but accompanied by the Sun in Virgo, the bigger picture will be visible and a plan of action will be forming as long as there is an element of flexibility.

The grand-trine from both Uranus and Saturn (rulers of Aquarius and Capricorn) to the Sun in Virgo at the end of this process indicates an acceptance of the necessity to change, alongside the willingness to carry out your plan of action.

Mars Retrograde in the signs

  • Aries – Groups, friendships and shared goals to personal goals, respect and reputation
  • Taurus – Career and public image to the looking for meaning in the bigger picture
  • Gemini – Philosophy and education to commitments and shared wealth
  • Cancer – Contracts and joint enterprises to relationships, lovers and other people
  • Leo – Partnerships, relationships and other people to colleagues and the daily grind
  • Virgo – Work, routine and lifestyle to pleasure-seeking, romance and fun
  • Libra – Hobbies, passions and children to home, heritage and family
  • Scorpio – Roots, the past and unconscious to local neighborhood, study and communication
  • Sagittarius – Travel, languages and local resources to money, possessions and worth
  • Capricorn – Values, quality and comfort to image, aims and personal space
  • Aquarius – General outlook and immediate environment to transcending the self and connecting to humanity
  • Pisces – Transitions, recuperation and the dream realm to friendships, groups and shared ideals