Date Posted: January 31, 2009
Retrograde Mars (December 21 – March 10)
From the planetary influence standpoint, one of the major events during the winter of 2009/2010 is the retrograde Mars which, on average, occurs once every two years. On December 21, Mars became retrograde in the sidereal zodiac sign Cancer, and will stay retrograde till March 10 in Cancer. Astrologically speaking, what does the retrograde Mars mean? And what can we expect from the retrograde Mars?
In general, when a planet turns retrograde, the positive energy offered by that planet is expected to slowly diminish. In case of Mars, being a planet of total independence, high ego, and less maturity usually make things worse with incredible speed.
For those of you who have predominant Mars in their birth chart and if it’s influencing you through the current progressive chart, then you are very likely to experience a sudden setback in your professional as well as in other activities. You may have to repeat things over many times to get it right, or you may have to deal with unfortunate and totally unexpected circumstances, and in general, you may end up in having a very frustrating experience. In particular, mothers, people who are very sensitive and emotional, philanthropists and social workers, and like are likely to be more affected than others.
At a collective level, expect upheaval in political and religious worlds. Financial markets will become extremely volatile. Destruction of wealth due to natural calamities or man made accidents are also very likely. Other possibilities include a positive shift in spiritual world, outbreak of war or war like atmosphere in Afghanistan-Pakistan-India region.
Pluto-Uranus ninefold conjunction (Dec 6 – Feb 20)
At a collective level, the Pluto-Uranus ninefold conjunction could bring a unique change in the way the current US administration deals with other nations with respect to its war against terrorism agenda and other global issues, and also with domestic matters. There will be a transformation of political strategy that might become responsible for a change in the current political agenda, and foreign policy matters of the Obama administration as the planet Pluto with its tremendous energy has a power of irreversibly transforming the field of politics to a new level or setting with a new set of norms. Therefore it’s likely that the Obama administration could get a positive break despite serious issues in dealing with international matters.
On an individual level, if in your birth chart Pluto makes a square with Uranus, and if either of these planets is currently influencing your life via your current progressive chart, then you are very likely to be affected by this square. Depending on the houses these planets occupy in your birth chart, you are going to have a sudden and a totally new and very unpleasant experience in that particular field. Be ready to face this unwanted experience. Stay alert and try not to start a new venture that requires taking a risk. It’s like you are on a business trip or company assignment and you are immediately called off or caught in a situation that you find very difficult if not impossible to get out.
Pluto-Saturn Square (Jan 1 – Feb 13) and Pluto-Saturn ninefold square (Jan 26 – Feb 5)
If in your birth chart Pluto makes a square with Saturn, and if either of these planets is currently influencing your life via your current progressive chart, then you want to consider taking extra precaution in dealing with money matters, people at work, especially with your adversaries. In general, this is the time to stay low key and not be aggressive. Be cautious and alert as much as possible. Do not trust anybody during this period.
On a collective level, Russia is likely to face with some serious challenges and perhaps sudden changes. To some extent China is also going to have a similar experience.
Uranus-Saturn ninefold square (Jan 29 – Feb 6))
Saturn-Uranus ninefold square is unfavorable for you if you have such a square or opposition in your birth chart. In addition, if the planet Uranus or Saturn is affecting your life via your current progressive chart, then you might want to consider taking extra precautions in the areas which are affected by these planets as shown in your natal chart. You should avoid taking any kind of risk at any cost during this period. Such square or opposition can make things so miserable and difficult for you that most likely you are not going to forget them in your entire life. Staying low key is certainly the way to go. Avoid any new ventures and postpone the matters that you want to begin till this period is passed.
On a collective level, the United States of America, Russia or China may experience a social or political turmoil at home as well as tensions rising between them.
Saturn-Jupiter quincunx (Feb 1-7)
Jupiter-Saturn quincunx is going to be unfavorable for those who have Jupiter and Saturn are unfavorably placed in their natal charts. Frustration, loss of motivation, insecure feeling, loss of direction in life, general unhappiness are some of the symptoms of this quincunx. This is like a test period. A period that can be viewed a real positive opportunity from self discovery standpoint since it will require you to bring best out of you to deal with situations around you. If you have such quincunx in your birth chart, and if any one of these planets is presently influencing you through your current progressive cycle then you need to look at the things with a different attitude. The best thing to do is to stay the course of present action without making new commitment. Remember the time when you felt the life is not fair and not worth living, very unsure of yourself, and unhappy with family.. well, that’s how you going to feel this time.
On a collective level, religions around the world will find difficulty in carrying out their activities. More controversies are likely to occur to test traditional moral values, and in general, religious authorities will have difficulty in having people keep their faith.
Mars-Pluto Quincunx (Feb 9-13)
This five-day period is likely to be very frustrating for those who have Mars-Pluto opposition, quincunx, square, or conjunction in their natal charts. Typically this quincunx is very unfavorable from the point of view of facing situations that are beyond our control. Unexpected problems are likely to occur with astonishing speed and without any notice. For those who have such quincunx, opposition or conjunction in their birth chart, and if they have any one of these planets influencing them through the current progressive cycle need to be on guard. Stay very low key, do not make any new commitment, and avoid taking any sort of risk. Also, experiences like a sudden incident of fire, or an accident involving explosive material are very possible.
On the world scene, sudden outbreak of an undesirable happening, possibilities of both natural and man-made calamities are likely. The countries that are most likely to be affected during this period will be: the United States of America, Iraq, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Palestine and Israel.
Neptune-Saturn ninefold quincunx (Feb 21-27)
If you have Neptune-Saturn quincunx in your birth chart, and if your current planetary operating cycle is influenced by either of these planets then you are likely to experience a subtle but serious financial or social setback or an unpleasant secret will be revealed to you. If you are planning to take a long distance (overseas) trip during this period, be extra careful for nasty surprises, or even being stranded in places you never dream of. You may experience situations totally beyond your control.
On collective level, covert activities will be on rise. Possibilities of natural as well as man-made calamities are very likely during this period. Places like Russia and China are likely to experience political and social turmoil. Non-democratic countries are likely to see shift of power from one faction (or dictator) to another. Religious activities around the world will likely to appear more secretive than open.
Uranus-Rahu ninefold trine (Uranus-Ketu ninefold sextile) (Feb 21-27)
Uranus-Rahu trine is going to be very favorable for those who have lunar nodes favorably placed in their natal charts with respect to Uranus. If such placing is connected to the first house, second house, ninth house, tenth house, or eleventh house then expect monetary as well as power gains, promotions and improved prestige in professional and social fields. The ideas that you always wanted to pursue but somehow could never get started….now is the time to follow that dream. You will distinctly notice and feel the positive energy flowing through you during this period. It’s time to jump in and enjoy this period.
Pluto-Rahu ninefold trine (and Pluto-Ketu sextile) (Feb 26-Mar 6)
If through your current progressive chart influence of either Pluto or lunar node is active and if Pluto is favorably positioned with respect to lunar nodes in your natal chart expect a very favorable time. Such positive events will be related to the affairs signified by the houses these planets occupy or aspect. For example, if the seventh house is involved, expect a new and positive development in relationship area, or business partnership, or success in capturing the audience if you deal with masses. If eleventh house is involved it may financially prove to be a very rewarding period.
On a collective level, this is a good period for economy. This period is also good for progress in technical fields (new innovations and discoveries) and religious reconciliation.