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Retrograde Mars in Taurus
(Crazy Matador in the Bull-Ring)
When Mars comes to Taurus, which is the 2nd sign of the zodiac, in the 2nd week of August 2022, it will start to slow down and spend more than usual time there. This is because it is scheduled to assume retrograde motion on 31st October 2022, after reaching the initial degrees of Gemini, which is the 3rd sign of the zodiac. From there, it will go back to Taurus in retrograde-motion and spend the next two-and-half months, (till-mid January 2023) first in retrograde motion and then another two months after that, (till mid-March 2023) in direct motion.
Mars in Taurus
|
Start Date |
End Date |
Motion |
No. of Days |
1 |
11th Aug 2022 |
15th Oct 2022 |
Direct |
65 |
2 |
14th Nov 2022 |
12th Jan 2023 |
Retrograde |
59 |
3 |
13th Jan 2023 |
12th Mar 2023 |
Direct |
58 |
This article aims to sensitize readers about the effects and implications of Mars’ long-stay in Taurus. To better understand what will be said in this article, we think the unschooled reader should know what the terms – ‘retrogression’and ‘long stay’ mean.
What is meant by Retrogression? What is retrograde motion?
Retrogression is the name given to the phenomenon, that gives the appearance that a planet in orbit is going backwards, when observed from the Earth.
Retrogression must be understood in two parts. Retrogression of inner planets, (those that lie towards the Sun) namely - Mercury & Venus, and Retrogression of outer planets (those that lie away from the Sun) namely - Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The Earth and its orbit separate these two groups. Since this article is about Mars’ retrogression, we will only talk about the retrogression of outer planets.
Planets revolve around the Sun in their orbits. An increase in the planet’s distance from the Sun also increases the length of its orbit and the time it takes to complete one revolution. Farther the planet, longer the orbit. Longer the orbit, the more time the planet takes to complete one revolution.
The Earth takes roughly 365 days to complete a 360 degree arc, (full-circle) around the Sun, whereas Mars takes about 687 days.
The Earth covers an arc of almost 30 degrees a month and Mars covers around 15.7 degrees in the same time. When Mars is about 60 degrees ahead of the Earth, it appears to slow-down. This is because the Earth, with its faster motion seems to catch-up with Mars’ position quickly.
When both planets (Earth & Mars) are at the same degrees from the Sun, or in other words – subtend the same angle when measured from the Sun, Mars appears to be stationary. And when, because of its shorter orbit, the Earth starts to gain degree-distance from Mars, it appears that Mars is going backwards. This appearance of Mars moving in reverse gear, is called retrogression.
It is similar to the visual that one gets when one is in a faster car and is trying to overtake a slower moving car. While catching-up, the slower car appears as if it is coming closer. When both cars are adjacent, it feels like the slower car is not moving. And when the faster car, gets ahead of the slower car, it seems as if the slower car has slowly started to go backwards.
‘Retrograde' is an English word, and is an imperfect translation of the Sanskrit word – 'Vakri' which literally means – odd or zig-zag or eccentric. Vakri is the word used by Vedic astrologers to imply retrogression of planets or retrograde planets. This is because, for some time before, during and after the retrogression period, if the exact relative positions of the Earth and the said retrograde planet (whether inner or outer), are identified at regular intervals of time and plotted geometrically on a graph, it will be notied that the retrograde planet, (when observed from the Earth’s position) appears to move in a zig-zag pattern.
What is meant by ‘long-stay’?
This is not a standard-term, used by astronomers or astrologers. It has been used here to describe the unusually long time that will be spent by Mars in Taurus. Usually, Mars spends about 45 days in every zodiac sign, but once in every two years, it slows down, becomes retrograde and spends roughly 6 months in one sign only. In 2022 and early 2023, Mars will spend a total of 182 days in Taurus. It usually repeats its long stay in a particular sign after roughly 30 years.
Now that the reader has understood the meaning of ‘retrogression’ and ‘long-stay’, let us get to the implications of Mars’ retrogression in Taurus.
Mars by nature is a malefic planet. In the hierarchy of planets, it is the commander-in-chief or a military man. It is courageous, energetic, carries weapons, sometimes wears a uniform and has friendly terms with the king. It is called the red planet and it signifies things and items that are red in colour – like blood and fire. It is destructive in nature and causes fires, explosions, blood-spilling and unnatural deaths. When it comes to any zodiac-sign, the sign has to bear the brunt of Mars’ basic nature. So, one can expect all significations of Taurus to suffer in some way or the other, during Mars’ sojourn in that sign.
Significations of Taurus – This sign is represented by a bull and signifies both, dairy-based and agri-based food and drink items. It also signifies accumulated wealth in all its forms, money, (bank-deposits, shares, commodities, currencies, bonds, crypto etc.) jewelry and valuables, even cosmetics.
As explained above, just before any outer planet assumes retrograde motion, it is much closer to the Earth than it is for rest of the year. This close proximity causes life on Earth to feel the impact of the planet’s presence quite strongly.
Question – Mars comes to Taurus, every two years. Why is 2022 special? Why write an article about it?
Answer – Yes, Mars comes to Taurus once in every two years, but in the normal course, it stays there for about 45 days only. This time it will spend almost 6 months there. This is the 1st reason for writing the article.
The 2nd reason is Mars’ zig-zig or eccentric movement, during this long stay in Taurus. This will result in aggressive, eccentric, destructive and unusual behaviour, most-likely by uniformed personnel. We want our readers and clients to know this in advance. Forewarned is forearmed.
The 3rd reason is –whenever there is an unusual transit in either Aries-Libra or Taurus-Scorpio axis, a new world-order begins to take shape. Numerous, unmistakable examples can be given from every century, to support this statement. Since this is an unusual transit in Taurus, it warrants careful examination.
The 4th reason is – Taurus happens to be the ascending sign in independent India’s horoscope. Any unusual transit in this sign will have significant implications for the world’s largest democracy. This is an important reason for writing this article.
The 5th reason is – after we posted our last article about Ukraine’s horoscope and the importance of muhurta selection, the feedback we received from some readers told us that we, as an astrology website are expected to give ‘predictions’ about future events, not ‘justification’ of past events. So, through this article, we are doing what is expected of us – predicting the future.
Previous Cycle
The last time Mars came to Taurus for a long stay, the year was 1990. Mars entered Taurus on 20th August 1990 and stayed there for seven (7) months – till 20th March 1991. During these seven months, Mars was retrograde from 20th of October 1990 till the first week of January in 1991.
India saw student protests related to implementation of reservation-related recommendations of the Mandal Commission, during this time. Those Indians in their 40s or older, will recall the events that transpired while the Mandal Commission protests were going on. There was fire, there was fighting, there was vandalism and some people even died. It wasn’t a pleasant sight.
Also, during this time, riots and police-action in Ayodhya during the 1st week of November 1990, caused the withdrawal of support for the central government, and the then Prime Minister of India – V.P. Singh had to face a ‘No Trust Vote’ in parliament. He resigned on 7th November 1990, after losing the vote 142-346.
Another significant impact of Mars’ previous long-stay in Taurus was felt in Europe. East and West Germany were reunited at that time. The official declaration of reunification came on 3rd October 1990, when Mars was almost stationary and about to begin its retrograde motion in Taurus.
So, we have given enough reasons why this transit of Mars is likely to be the cause of uncommon events which warrant special mention in history books, and so must be carefully evaluated and written about in advance.
Effects During This Cycle
Question 1– What will happen? What to expect?
Answer – Mars, as stated earlier, is destructive in nature, and when it comes to the abode of bulls (Taurus) and assumes retrograde (zig-zag /vakri) motion, it will act like a ‘crazy matador in the bull-ring’. Expect fighting, blood-shed, incidents of arson, explosions, loss of life and property. Rise in price of food items is likely. Extra security may be required around places that store food-grains and edible-items to prevent wastage and theft.
Rainfall after August may fall short of expectations.
Even at the stock-markets, the ‘matador’ will harass the ‘bulls’. Big sell-offs are likely. Fuel prices can soar.
Another likely impact of Mars’ position in Taurus will be concerted efforts by those in power, to curtail ‘freedom of speech’. Uniformed personnel might display some odd or eccentric behaviour to enforce government policy/guidelines on these matters.
Question 2– Where will it happen? Should one expect the above-mentioned results to manifest everywhere in the world?
Answer – Not everywhere. In our opinion, the ‘action-areas’ where the stated effects of Mars’ retrogression are most-likely to be felt are –
For India, this time, the problem seems more manageable, and is less likely to scale-up to levels of the kind seen in 1990, during the Mandal Commission protests. Yet, the issue is not trivial enough to be ignored completely. This is because Taurus is the ascending sign (Lagna), in independent India’s horoscope. The ascendant is the most important house of the horoscope, and it will host Mars for an unusually long time.
Mars has several roles in India’s horoscope, and after evaluating its likely performance in each role, it seems that this time, it will have an unseen, yet unmistakable negative impact. The effect will not be that apparent, but will definitely be felt by those representing or working in the areas governed by Taurus. Food & drink, agri-based businesses, savings, finance, currency, speech/voice-based media etc.
The picture painted by the administration about prevailing situations and conditions during the said time-period, is very likely to be different from the realities experienced by people on the ground. That is what will make the impact 'unseen'. Some effects like fall in currency value, dips in the stock-market, rise in inflation and shortage of food items are likely. The government will probably make a deliberate choice of taking ‘harsh’ decisions in the ‘interests of business’ and in the process, is likely to distance itself from previously made promises/alliances and old friends/sympathizers, in some way.
Since Mars will transit through nakshatras (constellations) of Kritika, Rohini and Mrigsira, the bulk of the impact is likely to be felt in Central India.
In short, when Mars spends about 6 months in Taurus, that too within a 7 month period, the world should expect odd / strange / unusual / eccentric actions or behaviour from armed personnel, who could also be uniformed soldiers. This odd behavior is expected to destroy, or cause a shortage of items associated with accumulated wealth, food, families and the opportunity to exercise the right to free speech.
And finally, lets talk about a country known for the sport of bull-fighting. Having mentioned ‘matadors’ and ‘bulls’ in this article, it wouldn’t be appropriate if we end it without including our opinion on whether this transit is going to affect Spain in any special way, or not.
For Spain, we want to say– mild effects of this transit will be felt definitely, but nothing special is likely to happen purely due to this transit. However, the government may find itself in a slightly difficult situation between 15th October and 15th November 2022, due to decisions made and actions taken, with the objective of making quick-money through changes in foreign policy.
JyotishWorks.com
23rd July, 2022