posted March 07, 2003 03:50 AM            

General Features

Unaspected planets are just as important as aspected planets. Bu unaspected planets I mean planets that are not linked by major aspect with any other planet. Even if a planet has many minor aspects, I still treat it as unaspected for our present purposes, because a planet with no major aspect manifests itself in a very specific and unmistakable way, and the interpretation must allow for this.

So what exactly is implied when a planet is unaspected?
If a planet forms some aspect, you know that the psychic factors represented connect up with certain others. Numerous factors can be joined in this manner and they indicate a continual interplay in the horoscope. An unaspected planet does not share in any of this group activity but stands rather aloof; it is neither inhibited or stimulated by other planets, but acts in isolation. Because of the lack of contact with other factors, the native may have difficulty putting it in perspective. Recognising what the planet expresses is not particularly easy; the native may sense its potential but wonders how and when this could be exploited. By virtue of its detachment from the rest of the psyche, the energy of the planet exercises a mysterious fascination over the native, who feels impelled to find out more about it. He or she feels it’s effects all right, but is somewhat at a loss to account for the causes.

Accordingly there will be an inclination to emphasise the contents of any unaspected planet. The emphasis (which is generally totally unconscious) improves the planets “visibility” for the native; but it can create problems, because others already see the planets traits clearly enough and are likely to find the overcompensation annoying.

Unaspected Mars in your Chart
The agressive form of the self-preservation instinct, executive power or energy will tend to express in extremes, usually on the side of overcompensation. This can show itself in restlessness, the inability to sit still, trying to prove oneself, pouring a great deal of energy into endless activities, etc. Also there is likely to be a passion for sport.
The fierceness and determination of someone with an unaspected Mars can be very great. To see if there will be any unpleasant consequences, the rest of the chart must be examined. An unaspected Mars will not in itself produce dangerous situations. Nevertheless, a spirit of courage and daring can suddenly grip the individual unaware, and can incite the native to take very big risks.
As a planet symbolising passion and violence, Mars in its unaspected state can produce sudden tantrums and outbursts, or short but powerful internal explosions. An unaspected Mars is like a tightly wound spring which can fly open at any moment, but generally does not. What gives it its violence is the difficulty in adjusting the Martian energy to given situations.
Where sexuality is concerned, the native often has a tremendous urge to make conquests owing to the exaggerated need to prove him or herself. Sometimes several affairs are kept going simultaneously (altough this is not a hard fast rule). The possibilities for sexual expression when Mars is not aspected are quite considerable. However, the native trying to prove him or herself, may beg off at a vital moment, or else may be inflamed by someone who is sexually incompatible, and so on.
People with an unaspected Mars sometimes give unintentional offense by being caustic, tactless and blunt. Sometimes they shock their nearest and dearest. A woman with an unaspected Mars may not know what to expect of her man or the best way to handle him; sometimes she enjoys being very masterful.
Mars begins much and finishes little. Its energy is not steadily applied. Those who have unaspected Mars should restrain their enthusiasm and remember that while it is easy enough to start things it costs time and trouble to bring them to completion.

Retrogrades
In Astrology, a culture and the chart of an individual are significantly affected by the spin (or wobble) and movement of the planets. Most often, the planets (save for the Sun) rotate on their forward path. Then there's a brief period, called the stationary period, when the planets slow and appear to have stopped moving altogether.
Having a stationary planet in your chart is generally quite fortunate. Stationary planets emphasise the planetary influence, making you the epitome of that planet's attributes.
From our perspective here on Earth, planets appear to be spinning backwards after resting in a stationary position. This celestial phenomenon for astrologers means that the planet is in retrograde.
Planets in retrograde can have an inverse effect on the world, sometimes reversing situations and changing our feelings and regular activities. A planet's retrograde influence can tell of an individual or cultural passive aggression, an internalising of the surrounding environment and the skewing of emotional or physical communication.
Each planet has its own unique cycle of how many days it takes to orbit the Sun and its frequency and duration in retrograde. The planets closest to the Sun have a shorter cycle (for example, it only takes 88 days for Mercury to go full circle, whereas Neptune requires 165 years).
The effects of planets in retrograde vary depending on your own unique astrological chart, but the descriptions below reveal some of the more common attributes of planets in retrograde and their characteristics in general and for the individual.

Mars
Mars requires 687 days to travel one cycle around the Sun and, depending on the time of year, this planet is stationary for up to five days. Its retrograde period happens every two years and it stays in this state for two to two-and-a-half months.
Mars is the Planet of War, and in a retrograde period it causes anger and discord to turn internal. Passive aggression, inner angst, stress and anguish are all attributed to this planet in retrograde. Turning emotions inward rather than releasing them in a more healthy manner can cause anger and hatred to be misdirected. Like Don Quixote, you are battling demons you can't even see. Severe road rage and issues with internal wellness may be highlighted during this time. More balanced individuals aren't as affected by Mars in retrograde, but during its influence none of us are as saintly as we'd like to be.
If you have Mars in retrograde in your chart you may find that you have difficulty in asserting yourself. Timidity, lack of direction and other self-imposed emotional obstacles hold you back from realising your dreams. Often you rely on others to fight your battles; too often you feel you are being used as someone else's doormat. You may find others around you to be particularly aggressive during the period when Mars is in retrograde.