Mercury and Mars Retrograde Winter 2009-2010
By Felissa Rose

Mercury Retrograde

For the last time in 2009 and the first time in 2010 Mercury will be retrograde. Starting on December 26, 2009 at 9:39 am EST and ending on January 15, 2010 at 11:53 am EST the retrograde begins in 21 degrees 45 minutes of Capricorn and ends at 5 degrees 35 minutes of Capricorn.

Mercury rules the comprehension and communication of thoughts and ideas. Capricorn is the sign of structure and Mercury’s retrograde in this sign can make it difficult to organize one’s plans and concepts. Business is governed by Capricorn so it could be slow going getting things in gear after the holidays. It’s a good period to take time off and get away from winter. One difficulty might be making travel connections as Mercury and Mars retrograde often portends delays through weather or mechanical troubles. Give yourself extra time and forget about deadlines. You’ll have a much better time unless you have to sleep in the airport.

Mercury will next be retrograde from April 18, 2010 until May 11, 2010.

Mars Retrograde

Mars, ruler of action and activity, will be going retrograde on December 20, 2009 at 8:27 am EST in 19 degrees 41 minutes in Leo. It goes direct on March 10, 2010 at 1:10 pm EDT at 0 degrees 17 minutes in Leo.

Retrograde energy tends to internalize and slow things down. Mars is not comfortable doing this and wants to take action and do it now. Thinking before acting would be a good model for a Mars retrograde period. It’s going to take longer to accomplish what one wants so use that extra time to cross the t’s and dot the I’s.

When Mars is retrograde the part of the body the sign it’s moving through tends to be stressed. Leo rules the heart, back and, along with Aquarius, the spine. Take it easy shoveling snow. You might not want to wait to see a chiropractor or body worker because you have to but because you want to. Treating yourself or someone to a massage would be a wonderful gift for somebody close or for yourself.

Internalizing Mars along with a slower pace can bring frustration and lead to anger. If it is not dealt with the heart can be affected either emotionally or physically. So don’t use a retrograde Mars as an excuse to stop exercising or even more importantly not communicate your feelings. If started while Mars is retrograde however, a new exercise regime is likely to be altered significantly or stopped after it goes direct.

Make your plans and figure out your strategy during this double retrograde period and be open to making alterations and initiating them when Mercury and Mars are both no longer retrograde.

Surgery and the instruments used for it are ruled by Mars. Elective surgery should be put off until the planet goes direct in motion. Non-essential medical testing related to the heart, back or spine should also be put off or if it has to be done recheck it when Mars goes direct in motion.

Mars rules construction, tools, physical energy and motion. Individuals are less likely to initiate action during a Mars retrograde period. It’s an unpropitious time for any type of building or remodeling. Those projects continuing through this period will proceed more slowly and need additional work when Mars is no longer retrograde.

Leo is the sign of love and romance. The pace of any relationship initiated during or before this period can be slower during the Mars retrograde and pick up steam once it goes direct.

Although it might seem like a long period of time Mars only goes retrograde every two years. The next one is from January 23, 2012 to April 13, 2012.

Copyright 2009-2010 Felissa Rose. All rights reserved.

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