posted September 28, 2015 05:18 AM            

I chose to focus on Retrograde Mars in particular because it is not nearly as common as other retrograde placements (such as Mercury Rx). Venus Rx is also not as common but I feel Retrograde Mars is felt more directly / constantly (since Mars is your energy, ambition, sex drive, strength, desires,etc.). Mars ultimately determines how you survive (fight) in the world. So I feel it being retrograde in a natal chart is a pretty big deal. And well, I have this placement :-)

THE GOAL OF THIS THREAD:

I have searched (and failed...miserably) to find very much information on natal Retrograde Mars. Nearly all astrology sites only focus on the effects of a direct Mars placement. So I've decided to go to the source.

If you have a natal Retrograde Mars share the sign and house placement of your Retrograde Mars and describe your experience. How do you feel it affects your life (especially in the areas which Mars governs, such as aggression)? What do you like or dislike?

posted September 28, 2015 05:22 AM            

Retrograde Mars in Gemini in the 7th House
(opposite Ascendant and Sun, square Midheaven)

This placement often makes me feel as though I experience all of the things Mars rules (sex-drive, aggression, desire to succeed,etc) on a much stronger level than the average person....but internalized. It's almost as if those things were meant to live within me and can go horribly wrong when attempts at expression are made.

I feel those with a direct Mars tend to feel the presence of Mars arrive when in a Martian-related situation, express that Martian energy, and then move on (until that energy is needed again). My retrograde Mars on the other hand seems to have a constant presence within. I feel I should be feared (despite rarely ever being aggressive) because I think Martian things all the time. I feel like an extremely sexual being (despite being a virgin with very little experience with intimacy) because the sex-drive of Mars mingles with my day to day energy and rarely ever subsides. You get the idea. All of the energies that Mars governs are rarely expressed, so they build up and thus sort of lives within Retrograde Mars all the time. However, as unique as this all is it does not blend very well into a world where this is not the norm. A feeling of being ran-over or finishing last is common with a Retrograde Mars. It gets to a point where it's like, what good is feeling all of this energy if I suck at expressing it? Or at least expressing it in the commonly accepted / understood manner.

posted September 30, 2015 09:17 AM            

quote:

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It's almost as if those things were meant to live within me and can go horribly wrong when attempts at expression are made.

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Yes.

quote:

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For example, I find that with this placement I have difficulty expressing anger / aggression during conflict. In hindsight I would always wish I had been more assertive

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Hmm...I have difficulty expressing anger, too. Well, I don't even feel anger in a lot of situations where other people are getting angry.

I have a moon-Mars-Neptune t-square, with a Pisces moon at the apex. I think the apex planet prevails, so any time I get angry, regardless of how justified it was, I am more angry at myself than the other person.

posted September 30, 2015 09:26 AM            

Violence in the childhood home. Living with emotionally volatile and physically abusive parents was rather unpleasant. Well it wasn稚 just the childhood home. I grew up in a very hostile, aggressive environment, and that included my relatives, schools, neighbors...etc... I think that痴 why I知 very sensitive to busive/aggressive behaviours and vibes, especially the physical kind. And seeing it being carried out in front of my eyes sends me into a kind of tranquil fury.

I practice martial arts. Initially it was simple meant for health improvements. But eventually as I grew up it became a way for me to learn to exert control over chaos, still them, and turn them into something productive, or at least non-destructive.

Other than that, I think my mars functions ok. Anger comes in short bursts (the normal kind of anger, not the blinding while fury mentioned above). I express such things easily enough, but that's mostly because my aries moon is in its happy 3rd house - better-out-than-in is the best policy.

I知 assertive when I want to be. Taking action isn't an issue. The issue is to feel the need to do so. Lol when the desire strikes hard, I spring into action immediately.

In normal daily life, I知 not aggressive, not passive either. I知 quite chill though, most of the time I知 happy to be like que sera sera, and recline gracefully into my velvet cushions with a glass of sweet red in one hand and a sweet treat in the other.

posted September 30, 2015 12:10 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by confusedaseff:
I've noticed arrogance. Sometimes justifiable other times not but for all the Mars rx I know : arrogance. So so arrogant

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This is actually not the first time I've heard this. Some astrologers have reported Retrograde Mars making the person actually more aggressive and problematic. Not true for me (I don't think), but Aishwarya Rai has Mars Rx in Aries and she is a fire cracker and considered quite arrogant. Solange Knowles (Beyonce's sister) has Mars Rx is Cancer and is not known to be arrogant but definitely pretty aggressive, and well....the elevator thing lol.

posted September 30, 2015 12:40 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Faith:
Hmm...I have difficulty expressing anger, too. Well, I don't even feel anger in a lot of situations where other people are getting angry.

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Hey Faith, now that you mention it I actually do think this is more of what I experience as well. The thing is, I grew up around family members who were VERY aggressive. My Aries rising sister have fought school principles and staff multiple times growing up (and she is still that way as a young adult). My Scorpio Rising / Mars in Gemini brother (direct) was basically avoided by everyone for fear of a violent explosion. I am also Scorpio Rising but he has Pisces sun (w/ Cancer Moon) and she has a Pisces moon (w/ Cancer Mars). So they aren't hindered by things like possible consequences because emotions tends to outweigh any such thought.

I feel in different circumstances I would not feel I was not aggressive enough, but in comparison to them I began to wonder why things that made them so angry did not evoke the same feeling in me. They would say stuff like "what's wrong with you? You should have punched them." The things I would brush off they would become irate for. I began to question my boundaries and high tolerance. I may have genuinely not been bothered by something, but I wondered if that was a defect. Especially since I saw how it only made people see me as a push over. Perhaps I should be angry but something wasn't functioning right.

posted September 30, 2015 01:14 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by DrewMann:
I have Rx mars opposite my sun and I have no problems what so ever being assertive or aggressive. I also have a short fuse.
I don't go looking for a fight, but I also wont run.

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What sign is it in? I have never backed down from a physical fight and am actually ashamed to have been in two pretty violent fights in the past year alone. Both with people bigger and stronger than me (lost one, won the other). My problem isn't running from physical fights. It's not being assertive enough in the first place to avoid being pushed to that point. For example, someone will say something extremely rude and I will just ignore it. This makes them continue (of course) and instead of snapping verbally (as they may expect) I haul off and attack them viciously without warning (only after repeated irritation of course). If I simply expressed my anger or irritation verbally like the average person this would all be avoided. Mars in Gemini usually fights with words. Mine is retrograde so I do the opposite. I did notice, however, that if ever I do speak I clearly have all the verbal skills of Gemini. I've been told my words are as sharp as knives.

posted September 30, 2015 02:09 PM            

editing....

posted September 30, 2015 02:13 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by 12muddy:
I grew up in a very hostile, aggressive environment, and that included my relatives, schools, neighbors...etc... I think that痴 why I知 very sensitive to busive/aggressive behaviours and vibes, especially the physical kind. And seeing it being carried out in front of my eyes sends me into a kind of tranquil fury.

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12Muddy I love anything in Taurus. You guys are just awesome, laid back people who only get mad if it makes sense (and it's a sight to see lol). The luxury thing is endearing as well. I have 5 planets in the 2nd house ^_^ . Ironic because I was just explaining to Faith that my environment was themed by aggression. My father was involved with violence on a social level and well known in his area. This made it difficult for anyone to help my Taurus mother when he became abusive (all the men in the area feared him). My mother of course did not tolerate it. No man defended her so she defended herself and left him with a rather odious permanent scar before leaving for good (sort of had to escape / runaway). She told me that once when he was trying to fight her I actually (at 2 or 3 yrs old) stood up and told him to leave her alone while my siblings were scared into silence.

That event has been a very important indicator in my life. It reminds me of how you said that you are not normally aggressive or anything but spring into action when necessary. In situations that people normally have guts for, I seem to be a weird passive / aloof or detached person. It is in situations that render the average person powerless that I suddenly have zero fear. It's been this way all along even with things outside of fighting. For example I am usually a bit uneasy talking to everyday people or ordering something but when talking to people in positions of power I almost feel superior to them and definitely well placed / comfortable. A friend and I walked into a pretty prestigious government building one time ( I was 18 ) and when we got out do you know what he asked me? He asked me how did I manage to have everyone in a Government building fawning over me as if I were the CEO when I could hardly speak to our simple peers with eye contact? It really puzzled him, and me too actually. I learned to swim butterfly stroke and backstroke before I could do simple moves which makes little sense lol. I actually think this may be a trait of Mars Retrograde. Do you find that things happen in reverse for you?

Also, you say your anger now comes in short bursts. Is this after Martial Arts or has built up anger never been an issue? I let anger build to unhealthy levels before eventually doing something awful. I also can easily wait months or years before retaliating if I'm determined enough to repay you extra generously. Something that will scar for a long time (if not lifetime). I think it's great that Martial Arts has helped you. I actually always thought that learning a fighting style would be a great outlet and would improve a lot of things. My brother did MMA and recommended Aikido because I have the lean slender built of a ballerina that is quick / nimble but can only handle but so much weight. Aikido uses the opponents weight against them. Aikido seems great but I sort of like the mercilessness of Krav Maga.

posted September 30, 2015 02:27 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by DrewMann:
I am a virgo with pisces mars and a scorpio moon. My Rx mars opposes my sun and Jupiter and trines my moon.

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Oh, well that's why you are well off ^_^. You have a basically wise Mars in Pisces that understands your Scorpio emotions. Pisces Mars seems to understand what is worth fighting and what is worth walking away from with little regrets. Do you find this true? My Mars opposes my Sun, venus, and rising. I don't think it trines anything lol. I think it does conjunct my moon (which is actually problematic in certain ways). My ascendant in Scorpio isn't liked by anyone really and Mars opposing it makes it worse (since Mars co-rules Scorpio). People tend to feel I'm reserved, a little creepy (because of that reserve I think), and very hard to know. Some people accept this and leave it alone but it seems to really rub most the wrong way.

posted September 30, 2015 02:30 PM            

where is your mars RX located? ill give you an astro reading only concentrating on your MARS RX alone. What's the Sign and the House it is in?

posted September 30, 2015 02:37 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by angel4845:
@LittleBlackCat

where is your mars RX located? ill give you an astro reading only concentrating on your MARS RX alone. What's the Sign and the House it is in?

so i can explain how i have observed MARS RX and use your placement as a guide.

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Hi angel4845 ^_^

My Mars is in Gemini in the 7th house, 3ｰ18'00. It's in the same sign as my moon but in the opposite sign of my Venus / Sun. Thanks for joining the topic :-D

Sun Opposite Mars Orb 7ｰ42'

Mars Opposite AS Orb 9ｰ09'

Mars Square MC Orb 2ｰ40'

Mercury Inconjunction Mars Orb 1ｰ32

posted September 30, 2015 04:02 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by LittleBlackCat:
Hi angel4845 ^_^

My Mars is in Gemini in the 7th house, 3ｰ18'00. It's in the same sign as my moon but in the opposite sign of my Venus / Sun. Thanks for joining the topic :-D

Sun Opposite Mars Orb 7ｰ42'

Mars Opposite AS Orb 9ｰ09'

Mars Square MC Orb 2ｰ40'

Mercury Inconjunction Mars Orb 1ｰ32

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YAY awesome! so i actually did an interpretation for a similar person with mars in gemini RX. so let me just begin with a few things first about what exactly is retrograde motion? basically mars is originally behind the earth they both move about the same speed but when it retrogrades the earth moves behind mars and mars is exposed to the sun and the earth more directly and obviously mars does not move backwards it just appears that way to us.

when you were born mars was facing the sun and the earth more exposively then a person born with mars being direct (behind the earth and away from the sun). Your mars being exposed to the sun and the earth more is going to exhibit those mars traits TREMENDOUSLY. Why? because it gets between the sun and the earth and you have more of that solar energy of mars in your birth chart. That's why a lot of people with mars RX are going to be very MARZY and hold whatever sign it is in very PROMINENTELY in there life. I would choose a MARS RX any day then to have a Direct Mars cause a Direct Mars is weak compared to a person with MARS RX.

im going to copy and paste what i had written about mars in gemini RX here it is:

"Mars Retrograde in gemini - this is my interpretation and understanding of this. When mars is retrograde in gemini, the qualities of gemini that are in retrograde will be EXALTED and EXCELLENT more so then having a mars that is direct and since gemini is a masculine sign, in a masculine planetary placement such as "mars" and its retrograde this placement becomes very strong and useful.

now, when mars is retrograde in any sign if its afflicted then the use of this planet and energy, the individual handles with the people, society, and environment that's around them will make it very challenging towards these people and the environment they are in. These people will either be double trouble or they will be aggressive or selfish in some ways and possibly a bit more self centered when it comes to handling the sign and energy of this retrograde planet only when the more afflicted it is by the planets. the more afflicted the more drama or challenging conflicts this person creates to those he/she effects around them.

another important thing to also take notice is the HOUSE it is in......

anyways......the house it is in is definitely going to tell you a lot about your mars in retrograde so when your exalted mars in witty gemini in retrograde enters the" 7th house....you may desire someone who exhibits an intelectual understanding of relationships, comunincation, philosophy, has the facts straight, talkitive etc. everything you can think of gemini but in the influence of the 7th house. you may desire someone who has a strong sex drive; is a leader; aggressive; very dominant etc. You may be very direct when it comes to your relationships, you may know exactly the right words to say in your relationships, you may pay attention to a lot of detail in what the other says in relationships, or you may seek someone who remembers and pay attention to what you had said to them, you may desire someone who enjoys traveling, politics, an activist and knows the facts real well; you may enjoy arguments and debates and someone who can travel with you with the "perfect" partner you desire in the longrun, you may desire a partner who is confident, you may desire sexual activies that are in quanity rather then quality with your partnersBUT it all depends on the REST of your chart..........AGAIN i' am just focusing on ONE placement alone ignoring the what else is aspecting your mars RX.

your mars become more exposed to your personality and traits when it is RX.

looking at your mercury quincunx your mars RX in the 7th house this tells me that you may feel it is sometimes challenging when it comes to expression, communication, etc. you may feel at times that you are unable to manage your agression, anger, drive, and actions in the appropriate manner, you may feel confused about that, you may be one day very confident and exhibit your mars RX traits and the other day not so much and that's because your mars RX is challenged here BY mercury.....yet your mars RX is in gemini, gemini rules mercury. you may feel when you approach to 7th house suitors that it may come off to aggresively, or feel like you didnt say the right words or felt like you didnt quite express exactly how you intetively felt. Your mars RX is challenged by mercury here so i would look more into that and whatever your MARS RX is making a hard aspect especially the QUINCUNX. the expression of your mars rx becomes harder to manage and sometimes maybe even process in this case when it is making a square, quincunx and opposition.

in my experience with those that have mars RX, i found out that they EXHIBIT the mars traits VERY WELL better then someone with a direct mars HOWEVER; if its afflicted then there is a difference here.

posted September 30, 2015 04:57 PM            

I don't like to express anger, it takes a lot to make me mad, when I get mad I explode for a minute then it's gone and I nearly forget why I was mad. I can't hold a grudge.
I do feel like when I go after something or fight for it, I can't get it. I have to relax and let the universe bring stuff I need to me.

posted September 30, 2015 05:05 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Gabby:
I have rx Mars in gemini 9th house....nearly unaspected!
Mars gem@29.33
Uranus scorp@4.44
Mars only aspect is a 5 degree out of sign separating trine to Uranus....

I don't like to express anger, it takes a lot to make me mad, when I get mad I explode for a minute then it's gone and I nearly forget why I was mad. I can't hold a grudge.
I do feel like when I go after something or fight for it, I can't get it. I have to relax and let the universe bring stuff I need to me.

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so are you saying that your mars rx in gemini is poorly expressed? i could see how you would forget easily whe angry since mars in an air sign.

posted September 30, 2015 05:24 PM            

I knew Mars Rx only appeared to be going backwards but had no idea about it's exposure to the sun and the effects of that. I have heard a few times before that Mars Rx made you have more Martian qualities but I had also read (much more often) that it made you lack them (or at least the ability to express them). I always identified with this one much more . However, your explanation seems very logical and makes a lot of sense. If I understand correctly, my trouble with my Mars is based more on my specific Mars aspects. What you said about Mercury affecting my Mars really hit home. I am indeed very confident one day yet basically the opposite the next. Although this is changing as I age. I do in fact feel it is difficult to manage my Martian qualities in an appropriate way. Sometimes not communicated enough, other times communicated way too strongly, but rarely ever appropriately lol. My environment in relation to myself has been challenging my entire life. Scorpio Rising does not help this...at all.

You also hit the nail on the head with who I desire to be with. I love anyone who speaks eloquently and efficiently. I am wooed by words used in an extensively informative or poetic manner (not baseless sweet nothings). Written or spoken, doesn't matter. Speak a lot or write a lot with the ability to hold my attention and I am hooked. Sharing an essay you wrote on some important topic works just as well hahaha. It's odd but I'm more turned on by weird intellectual games relating to sex than sexual acts themselves (ideally they must be blended). Guys that are somewhat aggressive or dominant definitely catch my attention, even the more silently dominant ones. The only thing a bit off was the quality versus quantity. Which is fine as you did say it would depend on the rest of my chart ^_^ . You see my Scorpio Rising and 8th house moon are probably responsible. I basically demand a quantity of quality so to speak lol and that is usually difficult. It's just that I really magnify what intimacy means for his soul and mine. I wouldn't ever want to turn back once we joined spirits like that so despite wanting a quantity of quality I would opt for quality (and very little quantity) if it meant a deeper experience.

posted September 30, 2015 05:40 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Gabby:
I have rx Mars in gemini 9th house....nearly unaspected!
Mars gem@29.33
Uranus scorp@4.44
Mars only aspect is a 5 degree out of sign separating trine to Uranus....

I don't like to express anger, it takes a lot to make me mad, when I get mad I explode for a minute then it's gone and I nearly forget why I was mad. I can't hold a grudge.
I do feel like when I go after something or fight for it, I can't get it. I have to relax and let the universe bring stuff I need to me.

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Same here Gabby, except for the explode for a minute then forget about it part. I feel I try and things don't work out but I hold terrible awful grudges :-(

but then my Mars is aspected quite a bit.

I somethimes think about letting go and letting the universe bring things to me. Sounds so nice but I always feel anxious, as if that's not an option and I absolutely have to work at it. Even simple things like grocery shopping lol. If I feel I'm suppose have certain items and I for some reason could not get them that day, I will even dream I am grocery shopping and buying said items until I do it smh. It's crazy lol.

posted September 30, 2015 05:49 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by PaulMcFly:
I have Mars RX conjunct Midheaven in Leo. I always feel an intense burning passion inside of me especially when I call it forth

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I love when people are able to experience things like that. It makes me feel like there is a deeper connection between internal and external existence going on with the person. I can identify with the feeling all too well but I don't seem to have the control that you do. It tends to emerge and feels like it is dominating my entire being and things in close vicinity but I can't get rid of it when I want or really summon it when I want. My Mars is square my Mideheaven so I guess there is not much harmony there. Do you have Scorpio Rising (it's common to have Midheaven in Leo here) or do you happen to have another rising sign? I ask because I am Scorpio Rising and I get the feeling things like this happen a lot (perhaps especially with Mars Rx).

posted September 30, 2015 05:54 PM              

quote:

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Originally posted by LittleBlackCat:
I love when people are able to experience things like that. It makes me feel like there is a deeper connection between internal and external existence going on with the person. I can identify with the feeling all too well but I don't seem to have the control that you do. It tends to emerge and feels like it is dominating my entire being and things in close vicinity but I can't get rid of it when I want or really summon it when I want. My Mars is square my Mideheaven so I guess there is not much harmony there. Do you have Scorpio Rising (it's common to have Midheaven in Leo here) or do you happen to have another rising sign? I ask because I am Scorpio Rising and I get the feeling things like this happen a lot (perhaps especially with Mars Rx).

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posted September 30, 2015 06:05 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by angel4845:
so are you saying that your mars rx in gemini is poorly expressed? i could see how you would forget easily whe angry since mars in an air sign.

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posted September 30, 2015 06:09 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by PaulMcFly:
Yes I am a scorpio rising! Wat up homie!!??? And my moon is opposite my Mars so it which probably contributes to this feeling. I still have trouble controlling it myself. But thankfully they're no stressful aspects to my Mars

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Lol, yep thought so ^_^
We tend to experience really ethereal and at times even turbulent experiences relating to passion, love, and emotions in general. Is your moon in Cancer? I always sort of envied Scorpio Rising people with midheaven in Leo (I have mine in Virgo...). I feel it sort of alters the text-book definition of Scorpio Rising as it relates to me. If Scorpio Rising is investigative and analytical I am EXTRA investigative analytical and very meticulous at planning things (as these are typical Virgo traits). However, the Leo flair is missing lol. We are a bit more shy and retiring than our Leo Midheaven counterparts.

Aside from the experience expressed regarding your midheaven, do you feel any other energies as a result of your Mars Rx? How do you find you relate to typical Martian things? Asserting yourself, going after goals, physical fights / temper, sex-drive, etc.