Mars into Libra and you: The peacemaker/ the romanticist- the next 8 months

Mars entered Libra December 7, at 3:41 where it will remain until July 26, 2014. This is an exceptionally long period for Mars to remain in a sign, but it retrogrades March 2, 2014-May 20, 2014, and as it goes direct we will have to retrace some of our steps again and re-start or reconsider many of our options. Mars was last retrograde in the sign Virgo January 24, 2012-April 14, 2012. Mars retrogrades about once every 18 months ushering in a period of low energy, reconsideration of efforts and situations and slowdowns in projects-situations if not abandonment of situations permanently or for a time to be taken up later.

Mars in Libra is considered at its detriment which means its action can be considered negative, non-existent, misused or weakened. This may represent passive aggressive energy for some, and ideas may not go beyond the thought process, especially when the planet of action retrogrades.

Mars is ruled by Aries, and Libra is the opposite sign and this placement is not as active or action oriented as it would be in some other signs.

Libra is a people pleaser and Mars in this placement is concerned with balance, harmony, justice and avoiding unpleasantness, and some may be more focused than ever on finding or maintaining a relationship. Libra is represented by the scales of justice, and  this placement concerned with justice and fairness.

Mars rules men, sex, action and conflict and wars to name a few.

Libra is the natural ruler of the 7th house of courts, those we know to be enemies Libra rules marriage and committed relationships and in a general sense this is will be the focus of this Mars cycle. Does this mean nothing will happen, or everything will fall apart? No, but action may be delayed, not what we thought or reversed, especially during the retrograde Venus period December 21, 2013-January 31, 2014.

If you are born with Mars in Libra you are naturally in focus with the moods, feelings and ideas of those around you, determined to maintain harmony at all costs. Beauty, justice, relationships, love, romance and peace are forefront in your mind.  Some of those born with Mars in Libra include Abraham Lincoln, Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Edgar Allen Poe, Bill Gates, John Lennon, Roman Polanski, Dalai Lama XIV, Elvis Presley, Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Robert Plant, Michael Douglas, and Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela.

Mars goes stationary retrograde on March 2, 2014 at 27 degrees of Libra and this is often the most important period in the cycle when energy can reverse, decisions change, situations become stalled, or in this case relationships that are troubled may change course, entirely.

When Mars retrogrades expect new projects to stall or not move forward as expected, personal energy can be lower (Mars rules action), stress can become greater and manifest through health if bad enough, accidents can occur, anger flare, and most of all if this is aspecting an important point in your chart frustration can occur. As Mars is stationing, retrograde or direct, combative energy can occur.

New relationships begun under a Mars retrograde may never get off the ground or fizzle out when Mars goes direct in July: if you begin a love affair at this time, it may or may not work out in the end.

Mars stations for the second time to go direct May 20-June 1, 2014 at 9 degrees of Libra. This will be the second most critical period especially is it is aspecting something in your personal chart. Mars begins to move forward once again June 2, and will repeat the previous cycle. Situations will now move forward again and Mars moves into the next sign, Scorpio July 26, 2014.

Check the list below to see where Mars will retrograde in your chart. If you know your ascendant use that, otherwise go by Sun sign.

Aries-7th house-courts and law, marriage and committed partnerships.

Taurus-6th house-work and health

Gemini-5th house- children, love and relationships

Cancer-4th house- home, family and basic foundation

Leo-3rd house-trips, communication, neighbors, co-workers, an immediate family members

Virgo-2ond house-money, income

Libra-1st house-self and relationships with others

Scorpio-12th house-the subconscious mind, situations-things secret and hidden, hospitals, places of seclusion

Sagitarrius-11th house-organizations, friends and groups, hopes and wishes

Capricorn-10th house-priorities and career

Aquarius-9th house-education, medical situations, travel, outlook

Pisces-8th house-taxes, credit, joint finances with others, sex

At times Mars will aspect other planets and we will feel it's effect more than other times, especially if it is aspecting your personal chart. Keep this list of dates handy to know when to expect 'Mars action'.

December 25-26, 2013 Mars opposes Uranus at 8 degrees Aries/Capricorn This energy is volatile, changeable, potentially explosive, and you should expect the unexpected, especially if it is aspecting your natal chart. We will see volatility play out in the world with this transit. (see December blog) This re-occurs again on 6-25.

December 31, 2013-January 1, 2014 Mars squares Pluto at 11 degrees. This is volatile energy and the combination of Mars-Pluto is prone to arguments, sexual issues and rape, jealousy issues,  concerns with joint finances, and Pluto rules bullies and those with issues and propaganda to convince others of. This re-occurs 4-23 and 6-14.

January 2, 2014 Sun squares Mars This transit is prone toward energetic activities, ego conflicts, accidents and arguments. The Sun opposes Mars 4-8, and will square it again on 7-19.

January 8-9, 2014 Mars squares Jupiter at 15 degrees Libra-Capricorn. This is prone to situations getting blown out of proportion, lack of moderation, recklessness. Could involve relationship oriented issues or money. This will re-occur 4-22

January 16-18, 2014 Mars squares Venus at 18-17 degrees of Libra-Capricorn This transit generally involves trouble between the sexes, jealousy, 'lovers quarrels,' issues over money.

March 2-3, 2014 Mars squares Venus at 27 degrees Libra-Capricorn.

April 8,9, 2014 Mars squares the Sun at 19 degrees of Aries-Capricorn. See Sun square Mars above.

April 16, 2014 Mars opposes Mercury at 16, degrees Libra-Aries. This is prone to arguments, negative news, much debate and issues with vehicles, travel.

April 23-25, 2014-this is part of a grand cross involving Uranus, Pluto and Jupiter all at 13 degrees in the Cardinal signs of Aries, Capricorn, Cancer and Mars in Libra. We will see major events play out in the world, and if this is hitting a Cardinal planet in your chart from 10-16 degrees, you will see major events and changes play out in your life, depending on what is being aspected. This period could mark a major turning point in your life.

Mars opposes Venus May 11, 2014 at 11 degrees Aries. Attractions to the opposite sex, jealousies, desire for romantic fulfillment, events concerning money and partnerships.

June 8, 2014, Mars squares Pluto 11 degrees Aries-Capricorn. (see above)