But that is ancient history, at least until Mars reenters Leo and opposes Pluto again. I am here to discuss what Mars is up to now. Traditional astrology maintains that Mars in Cancer is in its "fall," i.e., debilitated, even more so than Mars in the Venus signs of Libra or Taurus. This is because the sign of Cancer, though Cardinal (i.e., able to start things and lead), is ill suited to the nature of Mars. Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is indirect, sensitive, subtle, reflective, intuitive, and moody; none of those traits are associated with the go-getting, aggressive, straightforward MO of warlike Mars. Mars retrograde in any sign unfortunately indicates a period of time in which bullies prevail.
On 1/6 (a day that may or may not live on in infamy in the US), Mars slipped back into Cancer. On 1/15, Mars opposed the Sun in Capricorn (which manifested in the L.A. fires and the loss of Capricorn genius David Lynch), and on 1/23, just three days after Inauguration Day in the US, Mars sextiled Uranus in Taurus. A sextile presents as opportunity for revolution; unfortunately, in this case, the revolution is unfolding on the wrong side of history, and the Fourth Estate (the free press) has been bought, sold, and muzzled. It is worth mentioning that the United States of America is a Cancer Sun, as well as Elon Musk, the power behind King Trump (much as I hate to mention it, being a Cancer Sun myself). The Project 2025 architects and executors are feeding on our fear and suffering (as David Lynch put it, garmonbozia, which looks like the worst creamed corn imaginable). With Mars retrograde in the sign of its fall, the US is being attacked (Mars) from within (retrograde). I also tend to believe that any planet Retrograde must deal with its shadow side, although since the sign is Cancer, any confrontation is more like a moonwalk. Also on 1/23, Mars opposed Mercury, marking the beginning of the purge of federal employees, who were pressured to resign or simply fired via email, as well as Trump issuing executive order after executive order on acts designed to isolate the US from the rest of the world and not help a single non-billionaire American.
A fittingly grim metaphor for Mars Retrograde in Cancer is the avian flu that has rendered eggs, if you can even find them anymore, a luxury good. This is because the sign of Cancer rules eggs, and an afflicted Mars can lead to health issues (specifically fever, inflammation, and "attacks"). If this flu spreads to cows, look for the same thing to occur with dairy products (also Cancerian foods). And now that the US has been withdrawn from the WHO and the CDC now stands for Censored Denied Communication, we are flying blind and are vulnerable (Cancer again!) to infectious disease, including a new pandemic. But worry not: soon an anti-science, anti-vax ex-junkie with a worm in his brain will head the Health Dept. and we can all sleep better at night.
Today Mars trined Saturn in Pisces, with the Moon in Cancer heightening the intensity. A trine is the most harmonious aspect, since the two or more planets are of the same element (in this case, Water), but the planets involved in this trine are at odds with each other: if Mars is the motor, Saturn is the brakes. Saturn, which is structure, rules, discipline, and authority, also does not do so well in dreamy, escapist, boundary-free Pisces. I am just hoping that for a change, the news (or whatever sane-washing articles pass for the news) does not turn my stomach.
Speaking of which, if your stomach has been more sensitive than usual, you can thank Mars in Cancer. I happen to have this placement natally, and I have had more upset stomachs in the past month than in the past year.
I also really wish that project managers would read this so they can stop pushing untenable deadlines on their teams. The combination of winter sluggishness (yes, the days are lengthening, but it's been a cold, snowy winter for many of us) and Mars retrograde can really put a damper on one's energy levels. If there was any justice at all, we could all hibernate or take a break for the next two weeks, until Mars finally turns direct on 2/23. But that is simply not the gung-ho, powering-through American Way.
What about protesting in the streets? If you insist, but with Mars doing anything in Cancer, call your elected officials from the comfort of your home instead.
If I sound unpatriotric, I am not. I am upset, tired, and in mourning for what America has turned into, thanks to the fact that 1/3 of eligible citizens did not cast a vote and a plurality voted to reinstate (against their own self-interest) a twice-impeached failed-businessman personality-disordered felon for a variety of reasons ranging from low information (e.g., the promise of lower gas and grocery prices) to delusion (Trump has learned his lesson, doesn't roll with Project 2025, and will surround himself with good, smart people) to racism (not wanting a Black woman to be president) to wanting a strongman to Make America Even Crueler Again. We are now a third-rate Banana Republic that soon won't have a single ally left in this world, which will probably make certain other strongmen dictators very pleased indeed.
And this is really for another rant that around 11 people will read, but we in the US (and probably other increasingly right-wing countries as well) haven't seen anything yet. Once Neptune leaves Pisces and enters Aries this spring, the fun will really begin.
