The planet Mars turns retrograde once every two years, and can be a difficult transit. Mars retrograde brings blocked action; no matter how hard we try, life feels eternally put on hold. This particular retrograde has been dense because Mars has spent a considerable amount of time in the sign of Scorpio. Scorpios have a tendency to sit with pain and discomfort before making any big change, and Mars here has forced us to do the same. It seems we have all been at war with ourselves in many ways, internalizing conflicts that remain unresolved.
These past few weeks have seen our inner digging efforts intensify, so that we might get to the root of those clumsy knee jerk reactions. This is the part that is most uncomfortable, slowly pulling off the Band-Aid (or maybe ripping it off with a quickness) in order to see what triggers any hurt that lingers. This is not an exercise anybody would enjoy, but a necessary exercise, nonetheless. These are your wounds after all. You can’t blame others for blocks and insecurities that keep you from changing your own story. Only you can heal yourself.
As Mars stations direct this week, what comes next involves something new and radical: we will be invited to embrace those silly imperfections, integrating them into our entire being. I call this “The Art of Allowance” – once you have finished excavating those sore spots, take stock of what’s been revealed and allow it to just be. No fixing. No picking. No shaming. Imagine an Instagram of all your stuff – the bad, the harmful, the awful – and just allow it to be. Examine that polaroid and take a deep look at what you discovered. Pay attention to items that showed up more than once. Observe where it still stings. This is invaluable information that will determine how you proceed, once Mars is direct, and with more awareness as you work toward change. Gentleness and compassion will be required. These are laboring pains that will bring about your own rebirth.
As Mars gains traction, a grand finale will fully expose what festers at our core, giving it room to breathe - an instant relief. As this transit comes to a close, remember that the shift always comes; the bend is always within reach right before the breakthrough.
Check your horoscopes for the week ahead, which highlights the areas of life impacted by Mars Retrograde. Don’t forget to read for your Ascendant sign too.