my progressed mars goes retrograde

[3rdhousenorth]

Anyone know what it means that my progressed mars, which went into Gemini for a few years (natally it's 27 taurus), is now retrograding back into Taurus. I know mars likes to go forward - and last year's transiting retrograde mars was difficult for many people, but now my progressed mars is going back into its own sign. Maybe it'll be more comfortable there? Even though it's retrograding? Any ideas?

3rdhousenorth

[Kim Falconer]

Thanks for the question!

It's interesting to watch the directional changes of progressions because they can be key times in our lives.

My Progressed Mars turned Rx when I was one year old and will not go direct for another 15 years...so much of my life! But it has stayed within a few degrees, going quite slow and always been in opposition to my natal Venus/Jupiter conjunction.

What I'm trying to show is that each case is very unique and I certainly wouldn't say it is 'bad' to have your P Mars retrograde.

How comfortable your Mars will be depends on what contacts it makes in the progressed chart and back to your natal. Will it change house soon as well? These are the key questions.

Have a look and let us know the approaching aspects (within a few degrees) and we can get a glimpse of how that might feel.

Realize also, you will be getting a progressed Mars return when it reaches your natal Mars. That’s invigorating!!!

Warmly,
Kim

[3rdhousenorth]

Thanks, Kim. Interesting. I checked my ephemeris and my Mars went retrograde at 2 Tau 32 when I was around 29 - stationing square to my Venus/Pluto conjunction at 2 Virgo 13/34. It retrograded backwards over that conjunction, also squaring Pallas at 1 Vir 38 and most recently squaring my Mercury at 0 Vir 19. So moving back into Taurus means that it's no longer squaring my stellium there (assuming Taurus-Virgo to be in compatible signs so therefore no longer actually square). That sounds a lot more comfortable to me!

Prog Mars won't make any other aspects in my natal or progressed chart for a long time (although I haven't looked at midpoints). I will get a progressed Mars return around 2014.

Slightly off-topic, I just realized that transiting Jupiter is conjunct my progressed Jupiter (has been going back and forth - guess I get another hit in August). Is that felt like a Jupiter return?

3rdhousenorth

[Kim Falconer]

I think your p Mars may well be more comfortable now!

As for T. Jupiter conjunct p. Jupiter (which would be fairly close to the natal? When was your last natal Jupiter return?) I think it really expands the p. Jupiter, like a return. You get a strong blast of vitality in the house (progressed and natal) where this event occurs. Are there any simultaneous aspects to the natal chart from P & T Jupiter?

Kim

[3rdhousenorth]

Oh, prog Jupiter is not so close to the natal! The natal is at 0 Sco 44 conjunct Neptune at 2 Sco 54) and prog Jupiter is at 10 Sco 35. My IC is 7 Sco 12. There are no simultaneous prog Jup and T Jup aspects.

I checked back - my Jupiter return was not a great time, and exactly when Jupiter hit my IC the guy I'd been seeing for 6 mos. broke up with me. Painful time. (Prog Venus was on my natal Jupiter when I met him, and T Neptune just hit my Dsc.) Honestly, I think I had worse times around my Jupiter transits in the past than any Saturn transits.

However, once Jupiter squared my Asc/Moon and sextiled my Sun life got very socially active! This pretty much continues as Jupiter retros. It will station at 8 Sco 58, about a degree or so away from my IC. Hope it's better this time around! Nothing much happening on the home front, but there is a lot of career activity as well as social.

[Kim Falconer]

3rd!

It must have been painful to break-up on the Jupiter Return...but realize that return 'lasts' for 12 years (NOT THE PAINFUL BIT!). What I mean is, a break-up then may well have 'cleared the way' for a future relationship that has the potential to be more authentic, more expansive and more loving...operant word is MORE!

Have a look at your Jupiter Return chart and see what if seems to be saying about you and relationships over the next 11 years or so. The progression does keep this area of your chart 'warmed up' and the link to the IC effects ALL the angles. The career and social trends sound like 10th and 7th houses to me.

It might be interesting to consider the Dwads here. It seems P. Jupiter is moving back from the Pisces Dwad (and Pisces Decan) to the Scorpio Dwad and Aquarius Decan--from mutable to fixed again. I imagine you'll be 'sticking fast' to your goals and aspirations!

Kim

[3rdhousenorth]

Thanks, Kim. I'm sure that's probably right that the Jupiter-related break-up helped clear the way for better. I saw that at the time, but it's still hard to keep in mind when going through it!

I did a Jupiter Return chart (10/29/05 6:52am) and the most significant thing I can see is Jupiter conjoined the Asc! Asc is 0.31 Sco and Jupiter is 0.44 Sco, with the Sun at 6.07 Sco. Saturn is square at 10.47 Leo at the MC, which is at 6.48 Leo. I've never done a Jupiter Return chart - I'll have to read up on it. But in general, the Jupiter on the Asc looks pretty good, doesn't it?

I'll also have to look into the dwads as I'm unfamiliar with them.

(I have all my angles getting hits - Neptune on my 7th, Jupiter on the IC, Saturn now square the MC and about to conjunct the Asc. Lots of changes going on in my life.)

3rdhousenorth

[Kim Falconer]

It is hard to 'think positive' in the midst of a painful break-up!

Though, Jupiter and the Sun rising in the return chart augers well for the next 12 years or so!

You can read my article on returns here: www.falconastrology.com/reading_returns.htm

Maybe move this topic to the RETURNS thread when you have further questions or comments!

Thanks,

Kim

[3rdhousenorth]

You're right - sorry, I got off topic! I'm still digesting this. Will move it to RETURNS if I have any more thoughts or questions.

3rdhousenorth