The Dance of Retrograde Inner Planets As 2025 Unfolds

Right now there’s a moment in the astrological picture when all the planets in our solar system are moving direct. Which means none of them appear to be going backwards a.k.a Retrograde and that means that there’s a window right now after all the assimilation of what’s been tackled in the retrograde phases of the “Inner” planets Mercury, Venus and Mars, since the end of 2024 and the first few months of this year, to start shifting into another gear…putting into action all that we’ve been reviewing about the past and what didn’t work, revisiting old projects or perhaps revising old attitudes to tackle problems in a different way.

Hopefully while the timing has felt wrong or like forward momentum has been thwarted or perhaps things have felt in a stalemate we’ve shifted some inner baggage, blockage or at least allowed some light through the cracks. In a simplified nutshell Mercury is communication, transport and logistics, Venus is relationships, worth, value and finances and Mars is action, drive and the assertion of will.

But…Mars, who went Retrograde in the first week of December last year, turning direct in February is only now back in the seat of the sign it was in when it went Retrograde all those months ago- Fire sign Leo-and that means Mars themes of how we all take action and express our inner Yang mode of operation, has needed reflection for some recalibration. This also means that the area of our birth chart where Mars has been hanging out over the last 6 months in this backwards and forwards journey has been very activated and Mars won’t clear that old ground until the beginning of May. Mars has also spent much of the time in Water sign Cancer- so feelings around family, security, home base, country and defending what you care deeply for, are themes that have been undergoing a shift individually and politically! Note: Mars’s shadow aspect as God of War.

Delays or obstacles invariably offer us an opportunity to step back and reassess courses of action but frustrated ego energies and inner Masculine shadow self can lead to a desire  to control or dominate ( we all have Masculine/Feminine aspects no matter what we identify with ) and the shadow expression might still be getting triggered due to Mars’s interaction with transformation agent Pluto, the planet named after the God of the Underworld.

And on another note we had a Libra Full Moon back on April 12th/13th   so Venusian themes around relationship dynamics, boundaries and commitments are interwoven here….and this Full Moon followed March's Eclipses when there was a big planetary parade in the signs of Pisces heading into Aries. Much may have come to a head at this recent Full Moon around what we wish to experience, what to leave behind and what to carry forward. Venus, the ruler of that Full Moon was next to Saturn too, a combo which supports realistic appraisal.

Back to the Mars Pluto oppositions. Cast your mind back to the first couple of days in November 2024  ( It seems so so long ago!) That was when we had the first Mars Pluto opposition.Mars was in the final degree -29°- of Cancer. Pluto was also at 29°, about to exit Capricorn for good after being in that sign since 2008. If you look at global events that link these times there's a summary of what's going on collectively. Mars deals with courage but also conflict while Pluto deals with purging and regeneration. The combination requires caution because of the potential for extreme reactivity.

 The second opposition was the first week of January in Leo/Aquarius which marked a significant new era in their interaction because it was the first time Mars will oppose Pluto in it’s new sign of Aquarius.  This is a big deal because Pluto will be in this sign until 2044.

Do you have planets or points in the first 3 degrees of Leo, Aquarius, Taurus or Scorpio? If you do, triggers that cause irritation or anger may be afoot so it’s wise to try and not react or take a few breaths before responding,  We’re now approaching the third and final opposition on 26th April so this could be a positive time for use of will, being conscious of dynamics we enter into, how we respond versus react, and solutions that create win/wins rather than I win/you lose.

Some questions I have been reflecting on personally, that may be helpful:

What have I assimilated from my experiences over the past 6 months around communication, relationships and taking action- and how can I apply what I've learnt?

Where in my life have I been feeling stuck, and where can I move forward with more clarity and responsibility?

Am I reacting from old patterns or responding from a place of conscious choice, especially in relationships where power dynamics can play out?