Planetary retrogrades and their Deeper Meaning
From an astronomical point of view, planetary retrogrades are optical illusions happening due to an apparent shift in the direction of that celestial body from our perspective on Earth. Astrology is based on the study of celestial bodies as seen from Earth, from a geocentric perspective: for this reason, retrogrades have a strong symbolic meaning.
In Astrology, planetary retrogrades are seen as opportunities for us to internalize our focus and deepen our reflection around our relationship with the energy of the planet involved. Rather than doing business as usual and moving along with the inertia, the invitation for us is to ask better questions before making decisions. Hence, retrogrades have the potential to accelerate our growth and support our deconditioning and individuation journeys.
Several celestial bodies are currently in apparent backward motion: besides Mars in Leo, Mercury in Sagittarius, Jupiter in Gemini, Uranus in Taurus, and Chiron in Aries are also retrograde, and Neptune in Pisces is going to station direct in a few hours, on December 7. This suggests that we are experiencing a strong pull to go inward, to move slowly, to prioritize being, feeling, and reflecting rather than doing, producing, and moving forward. The invitation for us is to spend more time contemplating why we make certain decisions and why we experience certain desires and not others.
Mars retrograde: Exploring the Nature of our Desires
Mars’ energy is sharp, direct, forward moving. A Yang, masculine planet, Mars is a go-getter, drawn to shape his own path and move in the direction of his impulses and desires. The ruler of Aries and also the traditional ruler of Scorpio, Mars in Astrology has to do with how we get what we want, how we initiate something, and how we assert ourselves. When retrograde, Mars’ energy is internalized and directed inwardly rather than outwardly, which can feel strange because of the very nature of this planet.
Mars goes retrograde roughly once every two years for a period of 58 to 81 days. This is a rare retrograde, one we are not so used to experiencing: for this reason, many of us can feel frustrated as if we were driving and the car in front of us suddenly slowed down for apparently no reason.
Mars retrograde is a time of reflection about the nature of our desires and our relationship to them. It is an opportunity to question why we act the way we do, why we make the decisions we make, why we feel certain urges and impulses, and why we relate to them in the way we do. This transit invites us to make sure we act deliberately and intentionally, rather than blindly follow our impulses and repeat habitual behaviors. Mars retrograde is an invitation to spend more time considering how we desire to invest our energy and life force, and how and in what direction we aspire to channel our will.
Mars retrograde in Leo: Understanding What Moves Us
Leo is the sign connected to the full expression of the Self. A Fixed, Fire sign, Leo rules over creativity, personal self-actualization, romance, and the pursuit of joy. Leo governs the heart, both literally and metaphorically, symbolizing courage, generosity, and the ability to lead with authenticity and passion.
In Leo, Mars’ retrograde transit is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of what truly moves us, motivates us, and makes us come alive. It is an opportunity to spend more time reflecting before taking action, spend more time questioning our desires, and spend more time trying to understand why we act, react, and respond the way we do.
This transit challenges us to ask ourselves how much of what we do is driven by a desire for personal significance, visibility, and external recognition and encourages us to make sure that what we do and create is also fulfilling for us on a Soul level and in service to something greater than our personal interests and our ego.
