The Retro-Zone: Part 2

Nothing moves quickly this week, so put aside expectations of immediate results and instead spend some time adjusting your personal pace to a slower, more deliberate and sometimes hesitant beat. Mars, the planet that symbolizes motion, is seemingly moving behind, instead of ahead, and it's the first of several planets to place us in the 2012 Retro-Zone. When astrologers say a planet is "retrograde" they mean that it appears to be moving backwards in the sky relative to Earth's orbital position around the Sun. And although we know retrograde motion is an illusion, the effects often feel all too real. Any planetary retrograde phase is about review, reflection, and reconsideration, and because Mars symbolizes action, many of us will be revisiting a wide variety of previous choices. Unfortunately, neither retrospection nor introspection is a Martian strong suit so don't be surprised if you're resistant to examining past decisions. The biggest problem is like to be frustration, yours and others', as daily life turns into an obstacle course of second-guessing and changing plans. Be sure to set your personal compass on "patience" - we're all going to need plenty of it to handle the Martian fall out.

Mars Retrograde began on January 23 and continues through April 14. (It actually goes direct close to midnight on April 13.) Approximately every two-plus-years, Mars goes retrograde for approximately two or three months. Mars symbolizes muscle in all its forms, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. For some, that translates into athletics and competition; for others, it's about heart; for even more, the presence of Mars is experienced as ambition and the need to succeed. From a spiritual perspective, Mars signifies self-actualization, and is best understood as the arms and legs of the ego. Mars is the principle that allows us to differentiate from others and to individuate. It takes Mars 687 Earth days to orbit around the Sun. Add in the time of its retrograde phase, and every two or so years each of us experiences a Mars Return, when it returns to the position it occupied at our moment of birth. The first Mars Return occurs when we're two years old; it's the astrological explanation for the terrible twos, when we start saying "no." And what we mean by that "no" is "I am not you."

During the next several months of Mars Retrograde, we're likely to hear a lot of "no's," particularly in the political arena, as more and more people regress to the terrible two's and tantrums replace statements of policy. But Mars Retrograde is also just as likely to inspire mature resistance, and its power is best demonstrated by the ability to take a stand. Given the multitude of injustices in the world that require a strong united "no", the next few months of Mars Retrograde could inspire an abundance of protests and demonstrations.

As the coming weeks unfold, merging your personal stride with the retrograde rhythm will take skill. And there's no need to hurry; we're only in the first week of a many month/many planet retrograde expedition, a celestial trek that's likely to require almost constant tweaking to find the right attitude, inside and out.

If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that, too.

Aries March 21-April 19 

Be aware that whatever you initiate during the retrograde is likely to require more care and attention than you're used to providing. Be willing to integrate patience at a deeper level, and you'll emerge successful.

Taurus April 20-May 20

In addition to a strong creative urges, you're also likely to experience deep romantic longings. Be prepared for old flames to rekindle contact, or a new infatuation to catch fire.

Gemini May 21-June 21

The retrograde also focuses on family issues, so be prepared for plenty of dynamic fluctuations as spouses, children, parents, siblings, and all variety of family members vie for your attention. As you handle their needs, try not to neglect your own.

Cancer June 22-July 22

You're likely to find yourself saying more than you want to but unable to stop yourself from blurting what you feel. While some of what's said is unnecessary, it's still an opportunity to refine your communication skills.

Leo July 23-August 22

Continue to pay close attention to your finances, and be determined to distinguish necessary expenses from extravagance. Take your time, and do not assume this sorting process is simple.

Virgo August 23-September 22

The secret of your success resides in your ability to step into a leadership position, and then to make whatever adjustments are necessary to perfect your role. Be willing to grow and you'll handle this phase with ease.

Libra September 23-October 22

You're likely to feel more than a little confined during Mars Retrograde, so be sure to be physical. Finding wholesome outlets to express pent-up energy will help you to maintain your mental health. 

Scorpio October 23-November 21

Groups play a large role during this retrograde, especially gatherings of people with similar sensibilities. Notice what's being reflected back to you about yourself.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21

There's actually no need to be confrontational - there's only the need to seize the moment and step into your power. Do your best to be polite, but don't hold back.

Capricorn December 22-January 19

Mars retrograde also stirs a desire to expand your personal philosophy and spiritual beliefs. Use this time to explore various traditions and to consider alternate as well as opposite points of view.

Aquarius January 20-February 18

The emphasis is on cooperation, particularly in relationships that involve strong egos. Rely on your egalitarian perspective and you'll find the right tone for shared endeavors.

Pisces February 19-March 20

The emphasis continues to be on relationship issues, with particular focus on reviewing previous patterns in order to discern what works and what doesn't. Be honest with yourself, but also be kind.

Ralfee Finn specializes in Transformational Astrology. For readings, call 1-888-937-9264, write P.O. Box 343, New York, NY 10025, visit AquariumAge.com, or e-mail Ralfee@AquariumAge.com">Ralfee@AquariumAge.com. Copyright © 2012 by Ralfee Finn

The Retro-Zone: Part 1

We're entering the Retro-Zone this week (and if this column came with sound effects, you'd hear the theme from The Twilight Zone or the sci-fi ringtone on the iPhone as you read along). On January 23, Mars begins a review that is the first in a series of planetary retrogrades that will last for nearly eight months. (I heard that "ouch.") As each of the inner planets - Mars, Mercury, and Venus - makes a retrospective journey, it won't even be a stretch to think of the coming months as an excursion into alternate dimensions of "sound, sight, and mind," as The Twilight Zone puts it. And because Mars, Mercury, and Venus drive the mechanics of regular routines, when their backward motion overlaps (as it does this year), daily life resembles a "land of shadow and substance," where the edges of "things and ideas" meet in the vast terrain of the imagination.

Frustration is the most obvious danger in the Retro-Zone, and even though we are only on the threshold, for the next several days, as Mars starts to slow down in preparation for its "turn-around," moods are apt to reflect the change of pace. Pay attention: For most of the next eight months, nothing is going to move forward smoothly, a condition that will easily fuel meltdowns at all levels of emotional and psychic intensity. Mars signifies self-assertion, and because anger and rage can be found on the negative side of the assertive spectrum, plenty of people are going to be steaming about a plethora of delays and detours. Patience is the obvious antidote, but finding patience and holding on to it will take extra effort.

Another likely dimension of Mars Retrograde is an exasperating focus on minutiae. Mars goes retrograde in Virgo, the Sign commonly known for its obsession with detail. And certainly during this retrograde we will all be looking at every little feature of every little thing (until we can't stand to look any longer). Please remember to be kind as you sweat the small stuff; most of us make mistakes, and what transforms those errors into lessons is the ability to groan and then to grow.

But don't discount Virgo as merely the Sign of the Fussbudgets. Virgo's deepest current is the recognition of an abiding interconnectedness. Pisces, Virgo's opposite and complementary Sign, always gets the kudos for its mystical urges, but Virgo is no less mystically inclined. Virgo is the Sign where we recognize the sacred in its particulars; it's the birthplace of ecology, where the interrelatedness of all forms of life is recognized and honored through service to all living beings. As part of its retrospective, Mars invites each of us to look at how we are connected. For some, that inquiry could translate into the need to establish new, stronger bonds. For others, old ties that no longer serve are likely to be severed.

At the core of Virgo lies the idea of an organic connection that unites all living beings, and as Mars lingers in Virgo for the next five and a half months, many hearts might be moved toward greater awareness of what unites us, as well as an increased desire to be of service to our fellow travelers.

If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that, too.

Aries March 21-April 19 

Mars, your Ruling Planet, invites you to fall in love with the details-all of them, even the ones you don't like. Tackle tasks you've previously resisted, and the retrograde will move you into a new level of discipline.

Taurus April 20-May 20

The focus is on creativity as a positive outlet for the Mars Retrograde intensity. Allow yourself to expand and explore new creative venues, and you'll maintain your mental health.

Gemini May 21-June 21

Mars makes you moody, and some of your mood swings could motivate impulsive decisions. Remember: It isn't necessary to act on every idea. Sometimes it's best to let an idea rest until the urgency subsides.

Cancer June 22-July 22

Mars Retrograde makes spontaneous movement a bit self-conscious, so don't be surprised if you're feeling constrained. Turn your awareness into objective assessment, and you'll use this review to your benefit.

Leo July 23-August 22

Bring attention to your finances, particularly any money issues that are holding you hostage. Financial freedom isn't about having loads of cash; it's about a realistic perspective.

Virgo August 23-September 22

Mars Retrograde in your Sign has the power to transform your persona, especially if you are willing to go over every aspect of how you want to present yourself to the world. Remember: Confidence is magnetic.

Libra September 23-October 22

Use this time to review, reflect, and reconsider recent choices. Honor the inclination to wait and see, and you won't make any moves you might later regret.

Scorpio October 23-November 21

Mars Retrograde could feed a need to argue about everything, especially ideas related to freedom, personal and collective. Enjoy the debates, but don't allow them to disturb or disrupt your equilibrium.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21

Go over the details of all the plans and projects already in motion to see what needs improvement and attention. There's no reason to fear this process and every reason to embrace it.

Capricorn December 22-January 19

Mars stirs a longing for adventure, but traveling under this retrograde to distant locales could make you quite homesick. The only solution is to become an armchair traveler - the best of both worlds.

Aquarius January 20-February 18

Mars heightens your desire to succeed. Honor your ambition, but also remember to empower your followers by treating them with deference and respect.

Pisces February 19-March 20

Mars has you reviewing all sorts of relationships and relationship issues. Welcome this retrospective with the willingness to be candid with yourself and others about how you feel.

Ralfee Finn specializes in Transformational Astrology. For readings, call 1-888-937-9264, write P.O. Box 343, New York, NY 10025, visit AquariumAge.com, or e-mail Ralfee@AquariumAge.com. Copyright © 2012 by Ralfee Finn

So many predictions have been made about 2012, and so many of those prognostications seem so dire, I've been avoiding adding to the load. I often scan the news to see what's bubbled to the surface during the transition from one year to the next, and it's clear from recent headlines that we don't need astrologers to tell us that we're entering a pivotal year: 2012 is an election year in the United States, and many, if not most, of our elected officials still seem to be more interested in the power of the sound byte than the actual concerns of their constituents, a condition that tends to translate into false accusations and misinformation blaring so loudly and so constantly it's easy to mistake the noise of media manipulation for reality. It's also a condition that we have brought into being by our collective acceptance that sound bytes and staccato bits of information are the way to go - Twitter, anyone?

We also don't need astrologers to tell us that we are still in the financial soup. The economy may show signs of health, but no one is talking about the credit card debt that still leaves many people gasping for air, the commercial real estate situation, the plight of students, the foreclosure miasma that is still given lip service and has devastated so many lives, or the unemployment disaster that continues to destroy so many lives. Health care is not only still a problem, but has never been so clearly the emblem of a much bigger issue: Many of us have forgotten to care about each other, and the common sense that would allow that concern has fallen out of fashion. Where is the reality TV show that demonstrates the benefits of kindness and makes altruism glamorous? Whenever I see a commercial for The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, I wonder what was it that tipped the scale of value to such an extreme that the perfection of form has so completely supplanted the significance of substance.

From an astrological perspective, there's no telling what's going to transpire this year because 2012 is a portal into several years of dynamic change, with Uranus, the planet of surprising plot twists leading the way, and Pluto, the symbol of change at the core, following just a hair's breadth behind. When these two planetary archetypes unite in any arrangement, we experience profound upheaval. Time may have chosen the protestor as the 2011 person of the year, but last year's turmoil was merely the tip of the collective iceberg. Yet as history evidences, the upheaval Uranus and Pluto symbolize is not necessarily negative; their interactions signify multidimensional revolutions that focus on issues of personal freedom as well as social justice.

So here are my predictions for 2012: "Social conscience" is its mantra. And while not everyone will be interested in chanting those words, one of this year's red threads is recognizing where and when personal interests and collective concerns meet. Be aware: This mantra is a call to evolution, and while it's not a new call, some of us will be feeling its necessity for the first time. Even experienced revolutionaries will need to take an inventory. There's no longer room for polarization and exclusion. The success of humanity's next dimensional leap depends on our ability to include the needs of all sentient beings. The only lasting revolution is evolution.

If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that, too.

Aries March 21-April 19 

Continue to put your best foot forward, and you will eventually arrive at your goals. Sounds simple, I know, but staying focused will require effort.

Taurus April 20-May 20

Allow your enthusiasm to gather momentum, and you'll inspire a supportive following. I'm not suggesting you start a cult, but I am advising you to enjoy the limelight.

Gemini May 21-June 21

Rather than resist the longing to belong, surrender to it. Pull up the covers, cook your favorite comfort food, and acknowledge your need for a genuine connection with those you love.

Cancer June 22-July 22

Conversations with significant others-spouses, friends, or colleagues-stimulate a fresh perspective on an old, persistent dilemma. Listen closely, and you'll hear the necessary information.

Leo July 23-August 22

Those opportunities for financial success continue, and so does your capacity for hard work. Just be careful not to push yourself so hard you end up overextended.

Virgo August 23-September 22

While it may not be easy to find the time to hear yourself think, if you make quiet time a priority, you'll be able to create a practical strategy for what's next.

Libra September 23-October 22

It's not that you can't make a decision: You're suffering from "monkey mind," and while you may feel it's hopeless to even try to tame your thoughts, meditation or mindfulness could provide a solution.

Scorpio October 23-November 21

Discussions with friends or professional associates have the potential to deliver insightful feedback that can be put to immediate use - but only if you're willing to put pride aside and listen objectively.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21

Opportunities for career building continue to abound, so there is no need to hurry through a decision-making process. Take your time and consider all your options.

Capricorn December 22-January 19

You are unusually loquacious because you have a lot to say. And while others might be unprepared for this shift in temperament, if you stay on subject, they will listen closely.

Aquarius January 20-February 18

Focus on the process rather than the product, and you'll stay aligned with your creative integrity. Remember: As the past creates the present, the present creates the future.

Pisces February 19-March 20

The truth of your heart will guide you through several difficult situations. So be clear about what matters most to you and allow that clarity to guide your choices.

Ralfee Finn specializes in Transformational Astrology. For readings, call 1-888-937-9264, write P.O. Box 343, New York, NY 10025, visit AquariumAge.com, or e-mail Ralfee@AquariumAge.com. Copyright © 2011 by Ralfee Finn

It's a "hit-the-ground-running" start to the New Year, and like birds gathering seed before a storm many of us are going to be collecting the threads of a variety of plans and projects. There's little more than two weeks left before we enter the retro-zone, an approximately seven-month period of seemingly endless retrogrades that will have most of us attending to the details of whatever we forget to take care of now. Even if you manage to jump the gun, you're still going to need to pace yourself for the next couple of weeks. There's no use showing up for what promises to be a strenuous period exhausted from the preparations. The good news is that there is plenty of positive planetary support for stamina and strength, as well as a strong spirit of cooperation. If you don't have anything that needs your attention, ride the current of the next couple of weeks by pitching in where help might be needed. For those anxious about getting everything done, there's nothing like a helping hand to soothe stress and lessen tension.

The source of strength this week is a Mars/Sun trine, a vital, vigorous configuration that supports ambition, determination, courage, and intentional activity. Even if you are not inclined toward competition, this is the astrological partnership that's sure to make you want to win. Mars symbolizes action, and is believed to rule the muscular system. The Sun represents our essential vitality, and when the Sun and Mars work together, we experience surges of physical power. Put this dynamism to work by applying it to all those areas in your life that could use a nudge. Especially put your body in motion: Run. Walk. Hike. Stretch. Swim. Just move, and make the most of it, because by the 20th, when Mars prepares for its retrograde phase, very little is going to move easily.

Mars goes retrograde on January 23, in Virgo, at 23 degrees, and stays retrograde until April 13, when it goes direct, also in Virgo, at 3 degrees. Mars thrives on forward movement, and when it seems to be lagging behind, as it does during a retrograde, we experience all sorts of Martian challenges, challenges that range from mildly impatient frustration to absolutely unbearable frustration. (Not kidding.) And because Mars represents the warrior, as the retrograde seems to stall plans and projects, many of us could feel inclined to up the ante by getting angry in all sorts of situations where we feel stuck, blocked, or impeded in our process. But don't misunderstand. While Mars Retrograde might bring out the devil in some of us, Mars Retrograde is not the devil. And while Mars may not like retracing its past, we can certainly benefit from the review.

During the next several weeks, utilize the positive planetary support of the Sun/Mars trine to stay focused on all the things in your life that are related to movement - cars, trucks, buses, bikes, shoes, skates, skate boards, and schedules of every denomination. Push, but not to the brink of exhaustion. Most importantly, start practicing patience for yourself and your fellow travelers.

If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that, too.

Aries March 21-April 19 

Soften your critical eye through the lens of compassion - not everyone has the same potential for bravery in the face of adversity. And remember to be thoughtful as well as kind.

Taurus April 20-May 20

Be confident in your creativity, and you'll find the self-assurance to concretize your vision into the appropriate form or format. The value of your certainty will enhance the process as well as the product.

Gemini May 21-June 21

The inclination to act on impulse persists, especially when it comes to issues of security. Have at it, but try not to mistake instant gratification for enduring satisfaction.

Cancer June 22-July 22

Take a deep breath, and indulge your need to be everywhere at once. Even a determined effort to stay still, could not keep you from multitasking at a level that most mortals could not achieve.

Leo July 23-August 22

There is a wide window of opportunity for you to make tangible financial gains, especially if you're willing to work as hard as you are capable of working.

Virgo August 23-September 22

You're in the leadership role, a position that requires you to lead with your head as well as your heart. It doesn't seem that this will be a problem, as long as you listen closely to your followers.

Libra September 23-October 22

Reflect on how you want to arrange your home, and whether the focus in on where you live or how you live, what's important is the capacity to inhabit your choices without hesitation or self-doubt.

Scorpio October 23-November 21

The question of how to remain independent even when you're a part of a team is worthy of your attention. Think about you can establish and maintain that kind of balance.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21

Harness your ambition, and aim it at all the goals you want to accomplish. You may not be able to finish every project, but you'll gather a powerful momentum that nothing can stop.

Capricorn December 22-January 19

You can try and convince others to accept your point of view, or you can simply allow for differences of opinion. Sounds like a no-brainer, because it is.

Aquarius January 20-February 18

Part of the problem is that what you want to say is not exactly what others want to hear. I'm not suggesting you hold back, but I am advising you to continue to think before you speak.

Pisces February 19-March 20

Relationship challenges offer the possibility of profound personal growth, but only if you are willing to speak your truth as you simultaneously listen to the truth of others.

Ralfee Finn specializes in Transformational Astrology. For readings, call 1-888-937-9264, write P.O. Box 343, New York, NY 10025, visit AquariumAge.com, or e-mail Ralfee@AquariumAge.com. Copyright © 2011 by Ralfee Finn