Copyright 2005 Eileen Nauman
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The Native American saying, "We are all related," is applied to the Mars retrograde period as well. No planet acts alone, indeed, it connects energetically with the rest of the planets of our solar system. No planet acts alone and every planet is in some kind of mathematic aspect with the other planets most of the time whether we see this or realize it. Energy is unseen but the results of energy that is focused and manifested certainly shows up within us, around us, our lives and has an action/reaction to every living thing on this planet. We are not alone. We are connected. We are all bound together by a rainbow colored river of energy that flows through us--and everything else--whether animate or inanimate, organic or non-organic. We are tethered to Mother Earth and all her relations.

The sooner we realize this, the sooner we can take one planet going retrograde and put it into perspective within the context of our life here on this planet. Toward that end, Mars goes retrograde from October 1, 2005 through December 10, 2005. During this time we have other planets doing their 'dance' as well--certain to influence and modify Mar's backward actions and energy expression. It is SUCH a busy Fall and early Winter that it looks more like a traffic cop in the middle of a planetary traffic jam! And it is going to be busy--like ants bustling to and fro from the anthill. This Fall is SUCH a huge turn of the Cosmic Wheel that everyone is going to be affected. It's just a question of how much impact its going to have on your personal life. And this is a global change as well; not just you back yard. I liken the events of September, October, November and December like the Indonesian Earthquake that sent that Tsunami changing lives in so many countries shortly afterward. It is THAT kind of Autumn. So, forewarned is forearmed. If you don't like what is happening--wait a minute! It will change because of the planet's forward and back movement along with eclipses adding fuel to the fire.

A New Moon Eclipse takes place on October 3, 2005 at 10 Libra (Aries is the opposite sign who will get impacted). Eclipses shed light in dark places and Mars has just gone retrograde on October 1, 2005, so look for people, events, or groups, to be exposed to the world. For each of us on a personal level, some new awareness will be given to us but it is likely to vegetate in our subconscious (Mars is retrograde is the reason) until three months later, around January 3, 2006.

Speaking of eclipses (to ignore an eclipse is to invite peril... so you pay attention to them), we have a Full Moon eclipses at 24 Aries (Libra by opposite sign, will be equally impacted). At least it is happening in an 'open' period where there is no key planet going retrograde or direct; so that's the good news. As with any eclipse on a full moon, people may go out of control and 'lose it.' The full tide of our emotions is on display and an eclipse really sheds light on our wounds and where we have to do the work to heal up. A full moon always brings completion on something at some level; whether on a personal level, career or impersonal level. Things get fixed at this time. Physical manifestation abounds.
Let's see what else is going on during this pregnant period in our lives:

MERCURY GOES RETROGRADE November 14,2005 and DIRECT on December 4, 2005
Mercury goes retrograde three to four times a year for roughly, three weeks at a time. It will go retrograde at 10 Sagittarius and back up into Scorpio/Taurus until it reaches 24 Scorpio 45 minutes when it goes direct on December 4, 2005.

Mars, at the time when Mercury goes retrograde will be at 12 Taurus, so the impact of this for Taurus/Scorpio people will be less, thank goodness. However, it is still in this sign and opposite sign, so impact is there, anyway. It then becomes a moot point. The only question then is how MUCH impact and where will the 'fall out' or 'action' be?

You can find that out if you know your natal chart and look to see where Mars retrograde falls in the 12-house system. The house that Mars is retrograding through is where you will receive "suspended animation" for the duration. Where Mercury falls in whatever house, that is where there are going to be communication snafu's, misunderstandings, projections on you by others and vice-versa and assumptions--all of which can get us into plenty of hot water. The way around this is to THINK before you SPEAK. That will save the day every time. Saying, "I must think about this," or "Let me get back to you on this," will support and aid you not having foot-in-mouth disease which is always rampant with Mercury retrograde.

So, the moral of this story in the heavens is that Taurus and Scorpio sun sign people are going to be heavily affected by not only Mars retrograde, but Mercury as well. And anyone else who has planets in either of these signs is potentially impacted but then, it becomes a matter of degrees and orb of influence. Unless you're an astrologer, you won't figure this out and you need to get to a professional astrologer to sort all this out for you and explain in plain language what the focus of your life is going to be around and choices on how to deal with it in a healthy, positive way instead of knee-jerking and making bad decisions too quickly based upon faulty information, lies, deceit, illusions, fraud that will surround you at this period with Mercury retrograde.

There is no question when you put Mars WITH Mercury retrograde, things can get awfully messy. This is like going through peanut butter blind folded. You will get nowhere fast (Mars retrograde) and you cannot see clearly (Mercury retrograde). The way to negotiate this period, as I said before, is pay close attention to your hunches/gut instinct and be patient, say little and wait. You might also see this duo as clear water being muddied. And the only way you can see is to let the mud settle to the bottom and eventually, the water becomes clear once more and you can see what you're doing, what choices need to be made and how to proceed. Or, perhaps, you're up a creek without a paddle...

The good news is that these planets never collide degree-wise and that could be a debacle of the first order if they did. But they do not, so we dodged that bullet. Just remember, silence is the better part of valor. And asking more about what you see or hear is definitely in order--do NOT make ANY snap judgments during this period or it will turn out to bite you in the rear--guaranteed. People will also project what they don't want to own on you, as well, so may feel like a scape-goat or a whipping post or the 'mob' blames you for something you didn't do. Or, you may project on others with equally damaging results. Do NOT gossip during this time. Hold your own counsel and be careful who you speak with and what you say--again--it can come back to haunt you in the worst and most upsetting ways. Do not be mean to other people even if you have an adroit 'silver' tongue. Be compassionate and bite down on it--resist saying what you really want to say and practice diplomacy at all costs.

So often, when Mercury is retrograde, we just let fly what comes blurting out of our mouths--and oh! The hurt and damage it causes! With Mars retrograde, you may not know right away about something you said to some one during this fragile period. But it will be revealed either when Mercury goes direct on December 4, 2005 or when Mars goes direct on December 10, 2005.

NEPTUNE GOES DIRECT on October 27, 2005: Neptune going direct at 14 Aquarius (opposite sign: Leo) on October 27, 2005, while Mars is retrograde is somewhat like a fly being stuck on flypaper....you are the fly and you can see you're stuck. And that's about it. And you can't go anywhere because we are trapped by Mar's lack of energy, direction and focus. Neptune, who delights in such quasi-chaos, operates easily in a vacuum and creates illusion, delusion, lies, deceit, fraud and on the opposite end: spiritual enlightenment. The good news is with this illusionary planet going direct, liars are being 'outed' to the public, fraud being uncovered and TRUTH finally being revealed will occur on the above date. For example, the Katrina Disaster and FEMA's Brown's inept handling of it, will be on a roll of discovery by then. The truth will be found--eventually--but not without a lot of twists, turns and behind-the-scenes maneuvering (typical of Neptune).

Those who have purposely lied, hidden the truth, manipulated, folded and spindled it are going to be shown -- finally and the TRUTH will be revealed. Look for politicians and politics to do all the above and somewhere in all of this, there will be a grain of truth. It's easy to hide, lie, deceive, manipulate others under a Neptune retrograde, which has been that way since May 20,2005--a long time for those who would hoodwink the innocent and unsuspecting to do a lot of dirty work. But those who have--their payment is coming due. With a Mars retrograde at 18 Taurus when Neptune turns direct at 14 Aquarius, we have an square aspect in operation.

A square aspect is about choosing to make this a stumbling block or a building block In other words, this Mars-Neptune aspect is about as painful as it can get if you feel hemmed in and trapped. To use the higher vibration of this square would be to follow your intuition in the maze you find yourself in, have FAITH, and be guided by both. What is worrisome is that these two, when in disharmony as they are now, can foment an epidemic of global proportions. Mars rules inflammation and Neptune rules bacteria/virus. We presently have SARS/Chicken flu under ground, fomenting and continually changing their DNA. With Neptune going direct, I foresee the possibility of a DNA change in one of these two viruses that will make it easy to transmit to humans--and therein lie the seeds to an epidemic. With Neptune, however, it's never revealed or public knowledge. There may be a hint of it come to the surface on the day it goes direct if scientists are lucky. However, with Mars retrograde, the energy is still underground and not visible or verifiable. Only when Mars goes direct on December 10, 2005, will the potential pandemic get rolling.

Worse, as Mars continues to backslide, it will actually create a perfect square on November 7, 8 and 9, 2005 with Neptune at 14 degrees of Taurus and Aquarius, respectively. I would not air travel on these days because epidemics are carried country to country on airplanes and these days are rife with that possibility. Further, hazardous materials spills, oil tank farms blowing up, hurricanes wreaking new havoc on the USA, poisons or toxins being released by accident or by terrorists, are also in the cards. There isn't a more deadly combination than Mars/Neptune when they tangle in hard aspect with one another and this is one of those times. This is called "face the music" time and I don't mean that in a lighthearted way. Neptune rules water. Hurricanes are powered by water. If we get lucky, with Mars retrograde, the fuel for the storms (water temperature) will not be there and we'll miss more tragedy on the scale of Katrina.

Pollution concerns, environmental spills and havoc can also occur. Gas prices can go through the roof ($5.00 a gallon) because Neptune rules oil and oil products, including gas/oil/propane. Look for high spikes in all the above as winter arrives much sooner than expected. With Mars retrograde it means the temperature is going down, not up. That means a short, cool Fall and an early, hard winter. Those who use fuel oil, propane or gas are going to find sticker shock prices. What is sad is the elderly, who are on fixed incomes, cannot afford fuel to keep them warm and they can die of exposure. If you have an elderly relative, call them and make SURE that they have enough fuel to keep warm--even if you have to pay the bill for it. It's better than dying from the cold.

November 7, 8 and 9th are also about individuals who are deluded; and they may act out on it. This is road rage, the person who gets pissed off because they were released from a job and goes into the company and kills as many people as he can or someone who allows their emotions to overwhelm them. "Going postal" applies here on a small and large scale; so be alert, drive carefully and prudently. Think before you speak.

Sadly, Election Day is on November 8th and what a messy pot of stew this is!! Look for some surprises as to who stays and go. The simmering anger of the American people toward the Bush administration may just out fat cat politicians who have been in office way too long and vote some fresh, new blood into Congress, instead. Remember, Neptune is going direct, so the Truth comes out and every vote counts--so be sure to VOTE!! If you don't like the way things are going (who does?) then vote the politicians out and get someone in there who isn't part of the system. The system is broken and needs serious fixing. Only the American public with their vote can do that.

And with a square, look for voting fraud, with people being turned away (the poor, those who do not have 'white' skin), intimidated and told they can't vote. There's going to be a lot of confusion over this voting. With Neptune in the mix, computers will fail, and votes may be lost. Let's hope they have a piece of paper for each computerized vote or things could turn ugly. Sleight of hand rules the day and voting fraud is a very real thing. Let's hope we have lots of observers at polling places to try and stop it before it stops.

The mentally challenged will become highly confused. They may need more help, support or care than normal during these times. Medication errors will abound, so be sure to check prescriptions before taking. Drug companies will be in the news, as well, as lawsuits (well deserved) move forward on pharmaceutical companies who are more than willing to allow people to be guinea pigs for their research while they scrape in billions of dollars. Neptune will expose them.

If you have to go to the hospital on November 7, 8 or 9th, you may well end up with more bacteria and virus than you went in with. Medical and surgical errors abound at this time. Wrong x-rays and lab results are given to the wrong person. Operating and removing the wrong organ or limb is very possible. Just be aware of this and hopefully you will have a friend or spouse who can oversee you like a hawk, observe, watch and ask a lot of questions. This is certainly a time period to get a second opinion. People are erroneously told they have cancer in a time like this--because of lab mix up--and they don't have cancer at all. So, again, a second opinion is a MUST right now if you must go into the hospital.

If you have to have surgery (and I do not recommend it on these three days unless life-threatening) the blood supply could well be tainted and you end up with more disease than before. Or, the wrong type of blood is given to you during surgery. Or, you have an allergic reaction to the anesthesia and may go into cardiac arrest on the operation table and have to be revived. It is NOT a pleasant time, medical and health wise, and thank goodness it is only three days. With Mars retrograde this can mean surgery but it is botched or the wrong organ/limb is removed. Mars rules surgery and surgeons are not at their best during a Mars retrograde. This is when serious mistakes happen. And if it does, with Neptune in the mix, the doctor and the hospital will try and cover up their culpability and you will have a tough time proving it--but persevere--because you will in the long run.

URANUS GOES DIRECT on November 16, 2005: As if this wasn't enough, Uranus suddenly shows up at this chaotic dance and goes direct at 6 degrees Pisces 51 minutes. Pisces and Virgo sun sign people are most affected by this. Or, those with planets in these signs and near this degree. Pisces people have been getting hammered since Uranus came into their sign several years ago. Pisces is like an oyster without a shell--and then it gets pulverized by lightning bolt Uranus. Needless to say, there's an awful lot of bruised, wounded Pisces people out there by now who are just reeling and spinning from pillar to post because Uranus is shaking them out and down without a second thought. Three days earlier, Mercury went retrograde, so this lurching back and forward from November 14, 15, 16 and 17th is like getting rear-ended by an out-of-control bulldozer coming down the hill and striking you.

Uranus, on the day it goes direct, makes aspects a square to Mercury (fouled up communication, bad news, making the best out of bad news), a trine to Jupiter (so it isn't going to all be bad news....silver linings here, thank goodness), and a sextile to Venus (guardian angel aspect to protect those poor, beaten up Pisces folks). If you feel like Life has beaten the hell out of you since August, 2005, then there will be some relief here as Uranus lurches and spins forward. A reprieve of sorts; some of the stress removed but certainly, not as much as you wished.

What makes this a particularly contentious time is there is a Full Moon at 23 Taurus on November 15, 2005 (Pacific Standard Time). Or, depending upon where you live on the globe, it could be November 16, 2005 the SAME day Uranus goes direct. Don't forget, Mars is retrograde in Taurus. So Taurus people are really going to feel the heat from this planet jerking forward. And of all the signs, Taurus the bull is the most fixed, the least likely to bend, be flexible or adaptable. The old adage that the oak tree broke in a storm because it didn't bend, applies here with all its ramifications. Taurus people REALLY need to get on with bending or this two-day period could rip their worlds apart and reorder it without their permission. Earthquakes are a big possibility here, as well; so look for some huge ones taking place on November 14, 15, 16 and 17th, 2005.

Mars is retrograde at 12 Taurus and it is in wide sextile aspect with Uranus (6 degrees), so a lot of the 'punch' that Uranus carries with him is going to be muted up to a degree. That's good news. People have been in shock for some months and Uranus is the cause of this situation. With Mars retrograde, it blunts the sledgehammer effects of recalcitrant Uranus and makes him sit in the corner and have a 'time-out!' About time! We can use some down time and rest.

SATURN RETROGRADE November 22, 2005 through April 6, 2006: Saturn is our Karma, just as Jupiter and Venus are various shades and levels of Grace and Dharma. The rings of Saturn are about boundaries; both our own and others. Saturn goes retrograde on November 22, 2005 (Mars is already retrograde and so is Mercury) at 11 Leo 19 minutes. This means those most affected, sun-sign wise are Leo's and Aquarian people. Those who have planets around this degree in either sign, are also highly impacted.
I don't think there's going to be a very celebratory Thanksgiving this year because Saturn goes retrograde two days before turkey day (November 24, 2005). It could be there are delays due to winter storms, airliners leaving passengers stranded like they did last Christmas, or other blockages so that many do not make it 'home' for this special day. At its worst, Saturn is about delays, blockages and stoppages. At its finest, it gives us rewards after we've worked our fingers to the bone.

Saturn makes an inconjunct to Uranus, who has belligerently sprang forward on November 16, 2005. It is a 5 degree orb, so again, this is blunted up to a point and that's another piece of good news. However, a Saturn-Uranus aspect like this can make people feel as if they are again, caught between a 'rock and a hard place' and no place to go but face what is being downloaded on them. A person's independence may be nipped in the bud, as well.
There is a nasty aspect between Mars retrograde at 5 Taurus and the Lord of Karma at 11 degrees of Leo. This is an active aspect and frustration is the keyword here. People are going to be impatient, irritable and angry. From November 5, 2005 through November 22nd, this anger is going to be simmering and boiling over from time to time. Road ragers will be out in force. And anger is going to carry the day for many. One hopes that people use anger management and utilize this energy in a pro-active way rather than in a destructive way. Unfortunately, not all grown ups are mature and some are little 8 years olds in adult bodies...and so this becomes a time of triggering rage for those types. Just don't be the focus of it if you can help it.

With Saturn AND Mars retrograde, look for the economy to tank and plunge. The stock market is not going to be happy in November at all. Gas prices, prices on all goods, are going to rise. For retailers who count on the holiday season, they are going to see people NOT spending money at all. People are hurting; they don't have the money they need and the Bush administration at this time, will come under fire as never before.

Saturn is about duty, responsibility, being mature and carrying the loads you said you would. As it goes retrograde, those loads on those who suffer silently and handle such stress and strain, will get some RELIEF, which is good. With Mars retrograde as well, they will receive a well earned respite.

DECEMBER 2005: The Grinch Stole Christmas-- Needless to say, there's a lot of people out there who have been severely beat up by all these planets. The sun signs indicated are the ones who take the brunt of this Cosmic Earthquake in the Fall, as I refer to it.
Holiday spending is kaput. There is no huge money being put out on barely anything except essentials--like paying for fuel oil to keep your home heated. That will be the Christmas gift you give to your family or your elderly relatives. I believe this Christmas is going to be a 'poor' one in some sense but can be very rich in a spiritual and heart centered area, instead. Christmas isn't about buying the biggest, most expensive gift for loved ones. Rather, it is a hug, an "I love you" or something you made for someone, instead.
The Economy is down the drain. There's just too many planets retrograde, especially Mars and Saturn. Mercury goes direct on December 4, 2005, so we'll be seeing all kinds of sales on merchandise as the horror of the non-buying season sets in for sure on retailers. Mars goes direct on December 10th, and you're going to see people feel a little more like spending and they will--but they are going to be prudent and cautious because Saturn is retrograde. They will buy perhaps one thing (and not horribly expensive, either), that will be a gift that 'keeps on giving.' Gems and jewelry will suffer badly, as will luxury items (including gas-guzzling US cars) because Venus, the planet of beautiful things, spending largess, is slowing down the first three weeks of December and finally goes retrograde on December 24, 2005. Talk about a Christmas Eve bummer!

Also, a pandemic can raise its head as Mars goes direct on December 10th and if it does, you know that public places are going to be ghost towns and people will stay home. That will put a fatal blow into retailers fourth quarter for sure. And, as Mercury goes direct on December 4th, the flu virus (or SARS) could take a trip on an airplane because this planet rules traveling of any type, and it will spread quietly between the unsuspecting passengers and erupt when Mars goes direct on December 10th. By then, it will be too late, the cat out of the bag and never to be put in.

If a pandemic does occur, then the Venus retrograde on Christmas would be appropriate. After all, who is going to get on a plane or any crowded public conveyance with the threat of getting a killer flu? Not many, I don't think.

So, it may end up being a quiet Christmas with close friends or no one but close family. For a long time, Christmas has become a dollar driven thing and that's ashamed. I can remember, as a child of nine, very poor, going out on a cold, wintry day in Oregon and searching for the red berries on a dead Asparagus plant. I would hunt along the river bank for the red berries, to gather enough to string them on some thread. Why? Because my family could not afford a Christmas tree. We brought in a big, dried weed from our back pasture and sat it in a pot with soil. Then, we all went out to Nature to find beautiful, natural things to decorate our 'tree.'

My mother popped popcorn and we had bowls of it to string the white, fluffy stuff on thread. The red berries I had painstakingly gathered on that cold, crisp gray winter day, yielded out a bright red string to set off the white of the popcorn. Us kids then got out our crayons and paper and scissors. We made paper stars, colored them different colors and put a hole in one of the points and threaded them. Looping our stars around our 'tree', it became very beautiful and we were all so proud of it.

My father had killed a deer and we had venison that night. We sat around our 'tree' grateful for the deer giving its life so that we could live. We thanked the giant weed that was now our tree, for being so strong and big. Grateful for the wild Asparagus that always grew on the damp banks, the red berries reminded us that Nature is always bountiful with us. Each of the children had their colored stars on the 'tree.' I still remember that night, the wood fire glowing, the warmth in the room and the five of us. My father recounted stories about Christmas and the real meaning of it, the heart and spirit of it. My mother had made two pumpkin pies from the pumpkins from our massive garden. She had asked us kids to take one over to our next door neighbor, who was elderly, and give it to her as a gift. We loved doing that. The look on the old woman's face was a gift in itself.

Getting dessert was a treat. After our deer meat, we had a slice of warm pumpkin pie, and thanked the spirit of that squash for giving us its life. As the clouds cleared away to reveal the sparkling depths of a starry universe wheeling above our house in Ontario, Oregon, our breaths white as we looked up in awe, we knew what Christmas was really all about.
And so, I hope, that Christmas this year, will be like that for everyone: a sense of gratefulness for what you have with one another. An understanding that we are connected to everything and everyone on this Earth. A thankfulness for any food we might have and share. Humbleness in understanding we aren't the kings/queens of this Earth, but simply part of an amazing and intricate web of life that we should entrust ourselves too. And perhaps, most importantly, to walk through life with the child who sees only through her or his heart. For in the childlike innocence love can take root and inoculate us completely against all the chaos and keep us centered and whole.

These months are about this. It is about having faith. Please read my article, Initiation, to have a better understanding of what I'm saying. Oh yes, think about the old, the frail, the sick, the poor this Holiday season. Think of ways to let them know they are loved and cared for. Take up a neighborhood collection for someone who can't afford heating fuel. THAT is the real Christmas we should be celebrating.

PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | QUESTION AND ANSWERS