A guide to Mars in Gemini and Mars' retrograde

 

August 20^th, Mars enters Gemini where it will remain until March 25^th, 2023. This is an unusually long time for the planet that rules our action to spend in a sign but it will retrograde from October 30, 2022-January 12, 2023, and then it will repeat almost the entire Mars cycle that occurred in the fall all over again. Below are the most important dates to be aware of during Mars long cycle in this sign:

-Mars enters Gemini August 20^th, 2022

-Mars enters its retrograde ‘shadow’ period September 3^rd, 2022

-Mars turns retrograde October 30^th, 2022

-Mars is in mutual reception with Mercury October 29-November 17^th, 2022

-Mars squares Neptune October 11-15^th, November 19-22^nd, and March 15-18^th, 2023

-Mars stations to turn direct January 12, 2023

-Mars leaves its post retrograde ‘shadow’ March 15^th. 2023

-Mars leaves Gemini and enters Cancer March 25, 2023

 Mars rules our action, desire and energy and Gemini is the sign ruling communication. All forms of communication will become more important, more assertive and there is a good chance we will say exactly what is on our minds. Our minds as well as our communication with others will be on fire for the next 7 months and be our greatest asset as well as our biggest problem if we are not aware of the pitfalls. That said, with some understanding of how the sign works, it can be a time of excitement, bright ideas and an invigorating if not fun period of time.

 Gemini rules the third house of the zodiac which is concerned with short trips, immediate family members and co-workers as well as our neighborhood or the area where we reside. Gemini is a mutable Air sign. Air signs are intellectual as opposed to emotional and mutable signs are very changeable, so we can expect to view things from a more detached viewpoint and change our minds often. Mars-Gemini loves a fast paced environment with much coming and going so we can expect to be quite busy.

Gemini seldom moves in a straight line and likes to multi-task. People born with Mars in this sign may often do many things at once. They may drop one project to pick up another, because they know that in time they will come back around to it. Also, Gemini likes variety and since they don’t always operate in a linear fashion this is why they are sometimes considered ‘fickle,’ which most times can really be changeability due to new or different information.

Gemini is motivated by ideas and information, especially taking in information, and they frequently alter their course when new or better information comes to light. Gemini is not afraid of change and they typically welcome it since their minds grasp things so quickly.

The worst thing for a Gemini is to be bored. When bored with a task or project Gemini will have a hard time completing it, which can be a failing of Mars in this sign. The greatest challenge to Mars in Gemini will be staying on track and not getting too scattered with things that might not be completed if the pace picks up too much. Gemini is typically fun, entertaining, curious open minded and friendly. We can expect most of our action during this time to come in the form of ideas and information; everything begins with an idea after all.

Witty and clever ideas will attract you at this time, as will eclectic people and places. You will be more interested in making contacts and connections, and trying new ways of approaching things; even new and different people. Freedom may be a greater theme over these months, as Gemini likes variety and not being tied down.

Mars retrogrades October 30-January 12, 2023

Mars begins its retrograde at 25 degrees of Gemini and will retrograde all the way back to 8 degrees of Gemini when it will turn direct.

When Mars turns retrograde there is not an even expression of energy, and people can feel more tired than normal. Things may operate more through subtle forms of manipulation as opposed to open conflicts. Many people feel angry more often or lose their temper more quickly. Mars rules our energy and we may have to get more rest and pay more attention to our level of activity.

Sickness and accidents may occur, and we are often more accident prone but you should not expect to get sick, just take care of yourself and be careful. Some may experience more tension headaches as Mars rules the head, especially if you are prone to these.

As Mars begins its retrograde in Gemini, the sign of communication and speech, it will be important to remember it will be easier for people we communicate with to misunderstand what we are saying or misinterpret things. Mars retrograde is not like retrograde Mercury, but since it’s in Mercury’s sign, we could experience some of the same affects and should be aware of the way we communicate with others. If you don’t understand something; ask!

Any plans that are initiated under a retrograde Mars tend to not work out, and this typically includes new relationships. This actually extends to the collective, so anything that begins at this time including war, does not work out for those who start it.

Since Mars rules men, some men may seem to go backwards, especially when it comes to relationships. A very wise astrologer once told me, ‘when Mars goes retrograde women chase the men and when Venus goes retrograde men chase the women.’  Relationships can be affected by a retrograde Mars, along with our libido which may slow down as well.

As with any retrograde planet, issues from the past could surface or we may be faced with making corrections to our action or activities of some type.

Mars and Mercury in mutual reception

Mutual reception occurs in astrology when two planets fall in each other’s sign. Mars is in Gemini, ruled by Mercury and from October 29^th through November 17^th, Mercury will be in Mars’s sign which is Scorpio. This means these planets work well together and basically help each other along. This will help to keep things a little more level as we get used to the retrograde energy so this is a positive

Mars squares Neptune

Mars squares Neptune three times while in Gemini. The dates are October 11-15, 2022, November 19-23^rd, 2022, and March 14-17, 2023. We will however, feel this powerful energy both before and after these planets clash.  Pay attention to what happens in October as there could be reoccurring themes, especially if this hits something in your personal chart. The most significant of the three times this aspect is active will be November, as Mars is retrograde and has a more significant affect.

Mars-Neptune transits are confusing, draining and tiring. Sometimes unusual or strange things happen on a transit like this, and at worst it can be associated with confusion, lies, misunderstandings and deceptive tactics. It is important to be completely above board and honest with this aspect as otherwise it could come back to bite you in the future. Some may feel discouraged, even hopeless and question what they are doing. If this is the case, this energy will pass in a few days and things are typically not as bad as they appear with this aspect.

This transit can also be associated with chemicals, gasses, weapons, water, mold and poisonous substances as well as propaganda.

For some, this could represent a type of spiritual transit that could involve compassion for others or artistic ventures. Dreams could be quite vivid as well as intuition.

Mars turns direct January 12^th

The planet of actions turns direct January 12^th at 8 degrees of Gemini. When a planet turns direct it called the ‘stationary direct’ phase, as it is changing energy from retrograde to forward motion, but it takes a few days to do so. In this case Mars’ station occurs January 12-24^th, 2023. As Mars ‘stations direct’ expect the energy becomes magnified and very powerful, especially if something in your chart falls between 6-9 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces.

At the time of a planets’ station, things may change again, or seem to be more frustrating than usual, so while it will be quite positive that Mars turns direct we aren’t quite out of the woods just yet. Energy will normalize to a greater degree when Mars begins to move forward January 5^th. There is still a ‘shadow period’ where things are slowly returning to normal which will last until March 18^th.