2007-08
Progressed Mars retrograde – the planet of war, internal strife and division – is likely to be serious because of its close proximity to the US Saturn, which rules the 8th House (mortality). This points to the beginning of an 87 year cycle of intense activity, with particular emphasis upon the military and armed forces. It could mark the rise of a dictatorship, with 2031-32 being especially dangerous. There is also considerable emphasis upon the 11th House (Congress and the states), which could suggest the elimination of the presidency in favor of collective leadership of some kind because of a national emergency. The 6th House emphasis (working class) suggests some kind of rebellion, civil war or warlike action, with heavy loss of life. This is the first retrograde action of progressed Mars since the beginning of US history. Previous contacts between progressed Mars and Saturn in 1812 brought a war with Britain, and in 1979 a warlike situation with Iran.