One Step at a Time, Slow and Steady

Interview: Karl Grossman talks about the relationship between nuclear energy and atomic bombs in a special edition of Planet Waves FM.

Mars is now moving in direct motion. It stationed direct Friday after being retrograde in Virgo since late January. Mars is the planet of volition; of motivation; of desire. When Mars is retrograde, all of these properties of the psyche go through a change. We’re now reorienting on Mars in direct motion, which is whispering ‘slow and steady’.

There are still a lot of planets to one side of the Sun. This chart is set for Mercury's ingress into Aries. Notice how close it is to Uranus, and thus the Uranus-Pluto square -- part of the cycle of revolutions.

When Mars stations direct, it only picks up speed slowly. For example, today it will move just .02 degrees. The suggestion here is that as you resume ‘normal’ Mars activity, get some of your new ideas going or repair what might have been damaged during the retrograde, try to proceed incrementally, taking small steps. The Virgo angle suggests that being methodical — that is, considering a method and sticking to it — will be beneficial.

Virgo is the sign of thinking things through, which you may have done plenty of. Here’s a question — what ideas did you have during the retrograde? What was Mars propelling out of the corners of your mind these weeks? How did you rearrange your logic, get tested or reconsider your journey?

Focus is being offered to the situation by something to push back off of — the Sun is currently opposite Saturn. This expands the message, suggesting that structure, containment of energy, a careful plan and moving in gradual increments is the best way to proceed. Sun-Saturn aspects call for discipline, not speed. If impatience is a feature of your personality, this will be more challenging. There will be rewards, however, in that getting smacked down by your circumstances is frustrating, while slow progress is satisfying if taken consciously and appreciated for what it is.

The pace of Mars quickens slightly every day. If it has a next destination, that would be arriving in Libra on July 3. Between now and then it’s going to cross the next 27 out of 30 Virgo degrees. (Mars is currently at 3+ Virgo.)

Mercury was also retrograde recently, and that process is still working itself out. You may recall that this last round of Mercury retrograde began in Aries, and drew back into Pisces. Since April 4, Mercury has been slowly moving forward in Pisces and Monday at 6:41 pm EDT, Mercury re-enters Aries. This first degree of Aries is known as the Aries Point, and Mercury will soon be there. That puts it onto the cardinal cross, where it will join forces with the 2012 aspect — the Uranus-Pluto square. This is the cycle that last went off in the mid-1960s, and always comes with a surge forward. With Mercury now involved, it’s time to be forward thinking and boldly creative.

Mercury will still be in the last degree of Pisces, which is a visionary degree, until that time this evening. This last degree of the whole zodiac is about envisioning your future self and growing into that vision. You might want to take to heart any ideas you have about that today.

Mercury is a messenger and often comes with a turn of events in the news. The Aries Point is the repeating station, the place where the world crashes into your living room; where global or national events have personal impact. We are seeing so much of that it’s getting difficult to keep track. There’s still a prevailing idea that either 1) none of this stuff really affects me or 2) I can’t do anything about it. You could call that the old way of looking at things.

The new way is looking for your point of involvement. That can start with observing events, applying some curiosity and seeking to understand them. Mercury over the next few days will gradually be drawn right into the Uranus-Pluto square, once again giving us a taste of what that’s about — about what it means to be living the most important year of your life, so far.

11 thoughts on “One Step at a Time, Slow and Steady”

  1. With four planets in Virgo, as well as Virgo ascendant, I knew this Mars rx was going to be a biggie for me. It really was about defining what I want to do, what’s holding me back and why. Everything kind of felt like a tornado – you could see all the bits of your life swirling around, but just couldn’t bring them all together – it was out of my reach and out of control. Now the tornado has stopped, and what I managed to grab onto is all that is left – clarity, and the way forward. Lots of past history has come up for healing, including rage and anger, with family, with myself, and with work, culminating with me in tears all day yesterday at work, after having it out with the boss. But the clearing out and clarity has been like the dawning of a new day. A new position has been advertised this morning. I would not have considered it before yesterday, as I wanted to honour the contract I signed and am loyal to my bosses. But now, I’m actually considering this new position, and it feels great and freeing already. It’s the same pay, but it’s a longer extendable contract with benefits of health insurance & dental for me and my family, school fees for my children, and the possibilty of travel in my work. I’m going to go against my patterns of old, (being loyal to the end) and apply for this new job. I have nothing to lose, but could gain greater security for my future. It’s time to be loyal to me!
    Peace to all,
    Sina

  2. On another front, I spent last night in the company of a group of mixed age women doing a most Pagan, feminine-energy kind of activity. The pussy-energy was almost overwhelming and felt so alien to me. It always has. I felt uncomfortable with it. Just too passive-feely. Which is funny because there is a side of me that IS passive feely but I typically don ‘t stay there very long. Instead, I seem to live in my Virgo, logical, rational, practical rising and Capricorn moon. This felt like watery, female energy (which is my Pisces sun but is definitely outweighed in my chart). I have lately been feeling more comfortable with women and female energy but not that much in one room being so female. :::shudders in memory:::: This wll take some getting used to.

  3. I think I know what I want to do for my second calling. Now to figure out how to go about it. And to figure out whether or not I need more education and training or to just do it. If the former; that can be a detrimnent if it costs but if the latter, that would make things a bit easier.

  4. “I know what exactly is the next practical, concrete, step to go forward. But there is still a lot of fear, so this is calling and obliging me to controlled and measured proceeding.
    I had to start an action, though (this morning). Can’t go on with this pressure.”

    i hear you — same here.

  5. All I can say is THANK GOD/DESS the Mars Rx is OVER and Merc. too! I have never felt so trapped, stuck, restricted and frustrated in a longggggg time. The energy majorly shifted in a palpable way in my Virgo 6th house…..I am so thankful for some movement on major “work” fronts/day to day stuff I have to deal with…and am absolutely feeling my anger/voice bubble up.

    Someone ran a red light and almost hit me as I was crossing at a crosswalk with a “walk” signal and as she yelled at ME for being in her way yesterday…. I reacted by kicking her car door in (in a total moment of self-defense and anger) and felt a fierceness and power that has been M.I.A. lately. I had an out-of-body moment where I felt my strength surge.

    On a really positive note….as the Sun-Saturn opposition happened yesterday, I finally tackled a financial issue that has been plaguing me for weeks, after WORKING my ass off for 5 days prior- with discipline, focus, will power. I was seriously scared about how that day might have turned out, but somehow, someway, my faith was returned to me that the tide has indeed turned.

    !!!!

  6. “Mercury will still be in the last degree of Pisces until that time, which is a visionary degree. This last degree of the whole zodiacs is about envisioning your future self and growing into that vision. You might want to take to heart any ideas you have about that today.” -PW

    What ideas do I have about my future self?

    My future self is in relationship. I give and receive love. I communicate my values and desires clearly. I encourage my partner to do so as well.
    My future self trusts my heart and intuition. I am confident in my work and myself.
    My future self lives simply and enjoys travel and adventure.
    My future self appreciates.
    My future self acknowledges the fluctuations in emotions and does not attach, run after, repress or avoid.
    My future self lives sufficiently in my Brooklyn neighborhood in community with others.
    My future self is truthful with myself and others.
    My future self engages my intellect and uses the information gathered to nourish intuition and excel my practice in acupuncture and herbology.
    My future self works steadfast towards realizing my full potential.
    My future self does not judge harshly others and accepts them on their path.
    My future self builds bridges.
    My future self navigates uncharted seas.
    My future self enjoys success in practice.
    My future self takes care of my body and spirit.
    My future self treats all with respect and kindness.
    My future self dances flamenco.
    My future self does something of service to the community, global or local.

  7. The revelation that came under clarity last week, with incredible anger and frustration, was exactly what I needed to move myself forward. The new direction is radical, there’s no looking back.

  8. A lot came out this retrograde, which was a necessary time of introspection and change based on that. I have a stronger sense of the “me” I hide (from myself too!), and – thanks to some amazing ongoing transpersonal coaching work with a friend of mine – I had a revelation last week.

    I’m not settling any more. I’m pulling my energy in and starting, in a dear friend’s words, to “consolidate a more considered position”. Buzzing with energy and some anger. Not taking the crap I’ve taken – either from me or others. Starting relationship life alone, but not lonely, regathering, regrouping. 🙂

  9. slow and steady… slow and steady… patience… patience… one day at a time- let the events ahead forge the path slowly and strongly. Thank you 🙂

  10. “Mars is whispering slow and steady”. Yes it is. I feel good. Things are coming together. I know where I want to be, and what I want to be doing with my life. It’s like a sense of relief mixed with a deeply emotional gratitude.

    Cheers to you all, and a very Cohenesque “Hallelujah”…

  11. The revelations that came out during the period of Mars retrograde – especially in the last period – have been monumental.
    And ‘monumental’ is the anger I feel since it resumed direct motion (with perfect timing!).
    I have 3 planets in Virgo: Pluto, the Moon and Mars. (Plus, being it now at the very beginning of Virgo, it’s still near to my north node and Uranus at the end of Leo, but I don’t know if this counts).
    This amount of anger is difficult to handle. If I think of it as just ‘energy’ I can really feel its power.
    I know what exactly is the next practical, concrete, step to go forward. But there is still a lot of fear, so this is calling and obliging me to controlled and measured proceeding.
    I had to start an action, though (this morning). Can’t go on with this pressure.
    Thanks to PW for all the insights and support!

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