#HDhoroscope | Mars Rx | 10.30.2022 - 1.12.2023
Welcome to your Human Design Guide to #marsetrograde
In Astrology & in Human Design, Mars brings the energy of passion, desire, and action, and from October 30th until January 12th, the red planet is retrograde and is traveling back through the following three Human Design gates/Gene Keys:
10.30 - 11.19: Gate 12, the Gate of Caution
Mars kicks off this retrograde period by traveling back through Gate 12, the Gate of Caution, hopefully bringing a bit of proactive intentionality to this transit. The energy of Mars is normally fiery and impulsive, but with the red planet retrograde, this potentially brings a slower pace to our communication, allowing us the breath and space to consider our words before we deliver them. However, retrogrades also bring an energy of revision, so you might find yourself clarifying your thoughts, or apologizing for your delivery. During this transit, watch how you communicate with others, especially when experiencing your not-self themes (anger, bitterness, frustration, disappointment).
11.19 - 12.5: Gate 45, the Gate of the Gatherer
Next, Mars moves into Gate 45, the Gate of the Gatherer, also located in the Throat Center. Gate 45 governs our communication in situations where we wield power and influence, and urges us to educate before insisting on a specific plan of action. Remember: education goes both ways! As leader, it's imperative you educate yourself about the needs of those you're leading, and it's imperative you educate those you're leading as to what you're doing, how you're doing it, and why you're doing it that way. During this retrograde period, pay attention to how you build consensus, and be intentional about where you push forward and where you pause to ask for guidance and input.
12.5 - 12.21: Gate 35, the Gate of Change
Then, Mars moves into yet another Throat Center gate, Gate 35, the Gate of Change! If line 3 was a gate, it would be Gate 35. This gate is all about how we use experimentation as a tool for learning about ourselves and the world around us, urging us to use lived experience to truly, deeply understand. The energy of Mars can be a bit passionate and a bit impulsive, so this retrograde period is an invitation to slow down, revisit (and possibly revise) your relationship to play. Take your time and notice the people and experiences your authority is pulling you toward. This might be a great time to try something new for the pure joy of discovery.
12.21 - 1.12: Gate 16, the Gate of Skills
For the last stretch of this retrograde period, Mars moves into Gate 16, the Gate of Skills. Like Gate 35, Gate 16 is all about leveraging our experiences, but Gate 16 is driven by a need to master whatever it tries. As we step into the New Year, as many folks are creating resolutions and committing to adopting new habits, keep an eye on how your body processes failure or challenge when trying something new. Reminder: very few people are instantly good at something new the very first time they try it. Experiencing a learning curve is normal! Allow yourself to fail (and fail again if necessary) as you try on new habits and practices. This is the perfect time to practice generosity and patience with yourself, and to try to find the joy in the learning process.
How has Mars been treating you this retrograde? Let me know in the comments!
Sources:
Curry, Karen. Understanding Human Design. Hierophant Publishing, 2013.
Parkyn, Chetan. Human Design: Discover the Person You Were Born to Be. New World Library, 2009.
Rudd, Richard. The Gene Keys. Watkins, 2009.