Mars is the planet of war, passion, and desire. It rules our actions and reactions. Mars starts a retrograde phase this month on the 9th that will last until November 13. This retrograde phase happens in Aries, the sign ruled by Mars. Retrograde phases in Mars usually make us either overreact or not react at all. It is rare for Mars to be retrograde in Aries: the last time was in 1988, and the next time will be in 2067. Unlike 1988, this retrograde phase starts with a square to stoic and responsible Saturn at the end of September. Some advice for this transit: look at where Aries is in your chart—there is important work to be done there, because change is coming. Be thoughtful about your reactions. Are you screaming? Do you want to be? Be careful not to exhaust yourself. Overextension is a part of this planetary shift—take rest breaks.
On the 11th, Jupiter goes direct in Capricorn, where it will stay until December. With this direct motion, there is less confusion and more direct action. Watch your own life and the world at large. Where do you see the truth coming to light and freedom from irresponsible power becoming a practice? The sun spends most of this month in Virgo, the sign of organization and cleaning. I know, we all organized that one drawer when quarantine started. This is a time to straighten up that drawer again, make an appointment for a physical (if that’s possible), and clean up the shaky boundaries in your relationships. If it’s not healthy, it has to go. On the 22nd, the sun enters Libra, where it illuminates fairness, equality, and beauty.
On the 29th, Saturn goes direct in Capricorn, which is the beginning of the end of this planet’s three-year transit in Capricorn, which will be totally done in December. Saturn rules responsibility and infrastructural integrity, and as we ramp up to election season, it is important that you watch these powers carefully. Saturn in direct motion will knock down the things that need it, but that may mean some serious social shifts. Buckle up: there will be a lot of dynamic, pressurized energy beginning this month and going through the end of the year.
ARIES
On the 9th of this month, your ruling planet, Mars, starts a retrograde phase in your sign that will last until November. This is a rare opportunity to slow down and think about what you want to do, then make a plan. Mars’ energy makes you impatient and headstrong, so with its backward motion, you will have time to really sit with your plans and choose wisely. This retrograde motion also creates a quick temper: be especially careful in your reactions around the 28th through the end of this month.
TAURUS
On the 11th, Jupiter (the planet of abundance) goes direct in your house of adventure. Jupiter has been in a trine to your sign for the entirety of this year, but its forward motion will give you a lot of momentum. This is especially true if you want to change your environment, learn something new, or align your life more closely to your philosophies. You want the world to be a more just place? How are you enacting those ideologies?
GEMINI
On the 9th, Mars goes into a retrograde phase in your house of friendship. It will stay in this space until the end of the year. During its retrograde phase, you may feel a disconnect between you and your community, and feel unclear about your role in the bigger picture. One way to get around these feelings is to get more involved—if there is a cause that you want to organize for or a group that you want to join, consider a leadership position. Most of the insecurity you are feeling is totally in your head.
CANCER
On the 11th, Jupiter goes into a direct motion in opposition to your sign. It has been in opposition to your sign for the entire year, but in a direct motion, it brings a lot of great opportunities for growth. If you want new or different work, it may seem to appear out of nowhere. This is also a good time to meet someone new, win a scratch-off, or find really good deals. On the 30th of this month, Saturn also goes direct in opposition to your sign, pressuring you to make healthier decisions. Get on track.
LEO
On the 9th, Mars goes into a retrograde phase in a trine to your sign. This retrograde motion may take the wind out of your sails at first—but remember, it’s for the best. It makes us slow down enough to really consider what we want to be doing with our time and energy, and as we unlock those truths, gives us the patience to change. On the 6th, Venus enters your sign, bringing love into your life. This is a good time for falling in love with the world around you.
VIRGO
On the 11th of this month, Jupiter goes direct in a trine to your sign. If you have been feeling like you keep hitting a wall, expect a big, energetic boost. If you want to breathe new life into work, family, love, or even pick up projects that you had to pause in the spring due to this retrograde phase, now is a good time to do so. The sun is in your sign until the 22nd, illuminating where you are and the path to where you want to be. Take time this month to inventory what you have, what you’ve lost, and what you want.
LIBRA
Mars is in opposition to your sign for the rest of this year. On the 9th it goes retrograde, slowing down the aggressive energy of this transit. There has been a sense of spinning your wheels since the end of June, but this backward motion of Mars creates an opportunity to figure out what you actually want to do. Think about the thing you’re upset about, obsessed with, or frustrated by, and think about what you can do to change it. Moving in the right direction takes a lot of courage, so any celebration of progress should be measured in millimeters.
SCORPIO
On the 9th of this month, Mars goes retrograde in your house of health and work. This is kind of a tough placement for Mars retrograde because it usually means you will have discomfort and discord in your home, work, and health. Be patient. Go see a doctor. Pay attention to your body when you use it—you could be clumsier than usual. Change is coming to these parts of your life: so without big drama, what do you need to change?
SAGITTARIUS
The retrograde motion of Mars this month rules your sign from the 9th on. It lands in your house of ego and pride, and humbles you a bit in your spaces of mastery. As the age-old saying goes, “check yourself before you wreck yourself.” Take a moment to understand where you could learn more—even if you are already the expert. The universe may humble you in ways that are straight up annoying, so be patient and don’t take it personally if you get a flat tire.
CAPRICORN
On the 11th, Jupiter goes direct in your sign, where it will stay for most of the rest of the year. This is a positive change of motion—there are a lot of new opportunities coming your way. Some things may even feel too good to be true because of how stressful this year has been for you, Capricorn—but this planet’s direct phase gets the universe on your side. If you have important work to do, getting into the groove of it will be a lot easier when Saturn goes direct on the 30th in your sign. Take a day or two this month between the 11th and 30th to have fun. You’ve earned it.
AQUARIUS
Mars is the planet of war, and it is firing up your house of communication this month. It is retrograde in a position in your chart that infuriates you with truth. There is plenty for an Aquarius to be upset by. In your micro world, make sure not to scream at your people for how you feel about the macro world. Your voice in necessary change is crucial—find your podium, whether it’s at a family meal, shouting into a microphone, or tweeting the truth. Say what you need to say.
PISCES
Mars is retrograde in your house of value this month starting on the 9th. There is a tendency with this placement to be really hard on yourself because you want change to be happening faster. Slow down. Think of reasons to love where you are, where you’ve come from, and where you are going. On the 11th, Jupiter goes direct in your house of friendship. This is a perfect time for a socially distant gathering. You benefit greatly from having your people as close as possible this month.
@iamastrology | illustration Kallie Tiffau