November/December 2007 Cosmic
Warrior Mars Retreats for the Holidays

by Mark Dodich

Mark Dodich

It seems fitting that the closing of a numerological nine year of endings (2 + 0 + 0 + 7 = 9) simultaneously contains astrological energies of completion. November begins with the ending of the three-week Mercury retrograde cycle.

This re-visioning cycle took you to sensitive emotional depths while Mercury was in Scorpio, and then helped you create balance in your life while it was in harmonizing Libra. Now that Mercury is moving forward again, it is important to get yourself focused during early November.

Getting focused now is important because emotional activations are building up to realign the male and female balance as aggressive Mars prepares to turn retrograde.

The masculine, red planet appears to move backward in feminine Cancer from Nov. 15 to Jan. 30. Warriors do not like to retreat, and they especially do not like to do so in an emotional sign like Cancer. Be prepared to work with family dynamics, unresolved feelings from the past, ongoing challenges to the real estate market and the disease cancer.

Mars also impacts your relationships, be it romance, family or work mates. Consider how your values were changing when the other relationship planet, Venus, was in its rare, retrograde phase last July 27 to Sept. 8. All of this goes to say that the closing out of the 2007 calendar stimulates you to re-evaluate your relationships.

People from the past can come back into your life during this cycle, especially so since it is the holidays. Before you fall in love with an old high school sweetheart, look within to see if you are simply completing some aspect of your prior life before moving forward. Sentimental Cancer remembers that old feeling, and needs to feel it again before letting go.

A relationship or job (or the freedom you have in lack of romance or work) does not have to be going badly to release it. It may be that some currently unknown part of your soul mission is calling you to the next stage of your life path. The good thing about this Mars retrograde cycle is that it helps you prepare for the next ambitious step.

When transformer Pluto moves into Capricorn next January, you will be pleased that you took the often difficult steps to let go. Whether it is your personal or work world that is shifting under your feet, have faith that new frequencies are just around the corner.

You will see this shifting energy working in the world. The U.S. was born in the sign Cancer (July 4), and warrior Mars is moving backward in the sign of the crab. Behind the scenes planning to bring some of our military home, hidden news rising to the surface, and revised strategies and back room deals for the next election will be going on during this cycle.

If the games of the external world bring anger and frustration to the surface, be willing to look within to find the source of that anger. Begin this journey in your emotional body. Look at where you are not getting the nurturing you need. Consider where you feel unsafe in a complicated world.

Exercise, yoga, swimming and emotional healing techniques help at this time. Because Cancer rules the stomach and aspects of digestion, be extra careful of dietary habits during the upcoming holidays. Be kind to your heart and body.

With all of these endings and re-visioning going on, you may overlook subtle, incoming energies. Expansive Jupiter has been restless passing through adventurous Sagittarius since last Thanksgiving. On Dec. 18, rowdy Jupiter enters pragmatic Capricorn for the coming year. The New Year helps you bring your higher visions into worldly application under this energy, but you will need to build a solid foundation first.

At the same time, sensitive spiritual points called the nodes of the moon are ending their year and a half cycle in Pisces and Virgo. The time of blending your spiritual vision and mundane world together are shifting. The next year and a half brings the esoteric influence of Aquarius and Leo.

The incoming lesson is to open your heart, yet stay detached from the results. You must lead, and encourage others, to open to a new way. Aquarius helps you create win-win environments. With enough open hearts, perhaps the divisiveness of political differences will begin to work together for the common good.

For now, be patient and kind with your fellow human beings. Many who are unaware will react badly to the completions and beginnings that are highlighting emotions. Know that you are divinely directed to make space in your life for the next step of your spiritual path. 2008 is going to open you to a whole new set of possibilities.

Mark Dodich has been a professional astrologer and intuitive consultant since 1980. Mark's specialties include relocation astrology maps, seven ray spiritual purpose astrology, and he is leading a trip to Egypt in March 2008 as Pluto enters Capricorn (major transformations through 2024). A free astrology primer pdf can be downloaded at www.astromark.us. For a free copy of his ASTROMARK print newsletter, call 503-252-1558.