Hi Toni,  

I promise I will talk about how to handle Mars retrograde in your own life but before you read another word, take a moment and close your eyes. Envision plenty of water being distributed where it is needed and the winds calming to stillness before Monday in Los Angeles. There have been assessments of new winds coming in that could further the devastation. (at this writing there is 11% containment in the Palisades fire and 15% in the Eaton Fire). Send green light filled with unconditional love to any and all who need our support. Donate with the other green energy - MONEY to funds for the homeless from either fire. And finally, envision all those traumatized receiving help they need to reset their nervous systems.

If you are an acupuncturist, chi gong teacher, yoga nidra teacher, gentle yoga, or energy practicioner and can donate some time in your office or on zoom, please let people know you are available. Do what you can.

Now, I had warned my readers in my last newsletter that this Mars retrograde would be a clue to what is still to come when both Saturn and Neptune change signs into Mars ruled Aries this summer. We have had several incidences of Mars like incidences with firearms in the last month.

This Mars retrograde has moved from Leo into Cancer for another 6 weeks. It technically stations on February 24 but it doesn't really move forward until March 5th. When Mars in transit is retrograde in Cancer it can cause stagnation in the body. In medical astrology we sometimes see fluid build up. It also can bring up rage with family issues and triggers from childhood abandonment wounds.

Have you been feeling emotions more intensely since before Christmas? What is you relationship with anger? Mars retrograde in Cancer can slow things down from moving forward as quickly as you would like. Have you been more impatient lately? If you have the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars or Venus in Cancer, Aries, Libra or Capricorn, this transit may be bringing up some big stuff. If you can avoid it, wait until March for new projects to be launched or prepare to have them move more slowly for now.

The chart of Los Angeles is showing something for us all : although the Sun is in the sign of Virgo which rules craftsmanship and the writer ( a lot of that in the film industry), the moon ( the emotional drive) is in Aries, once again, ruled by Mars. Aries is the pioneer, the risk taker and the sign of new beginnings, and the history of the origins of Los Angeles is steeped in stories of 44 brave pioneers who came west and north on September 4.1781. They were of Native American, European, and African heritage. And that was just for starters. Venus was in conjunction with Neptune in Libra in the 12th house that rules movies and photography. No wonder the entertainment industry was birthed there more than 100 years later.

When it incorporated on April 4, 1850, the sun was in Aries as were five other planets so Mars plays a major role for Los Angeles! Mars was in Cancer as it is now again making squares to the Sun, Saturn, and Mercury. The energy of Cancer to focus on the family and the local community is in conflict with the push toward achievement

(the moon in this chart is in the sign of Capricorn that rules career and mission). The vibration of Los Angeles has been very driven and innovative.

The north node in a chart characterizes the spiritual path/ destiny of the holder of the chart. The north node was in Aries as well and it is making its nodal return right now. This indicates a new beginning. On April 4, 2025 exactly 75 years later since its incorporation date, Mars will make a supportive aspect to Uranus, the great awakener. There may be new information revealed about the origins of the fires or new practices put into place to deal with future prevention. Something ground breaking will come out of this catastrophic loss and perhaps a culture shift in values.

I struggle with writing this for fear that some would think I am glossing over the absolute pain and devastation of the people in Los Angeles. I am not. As someone who lived there for 30 years and have friends and clients who are homeless right now, my guts have been wrenched by this but I know that astrology often gives us context for understanding the why or the destiny (the transformation after the crisis I coined a "LifeQuake"). From the astrological point of view with the moon returning to Aries where it was in its inception 144 years ago on the day the fire broke out conjunct the north node in Aries is calling for a new birth for Los Angeles and a new destiny. The same is true for the place I have resided for the past 6 years - Asheville. Both are asking to birth a greater emphasis on community in the aftermath of the pandemic and the rise of social media that had us become more insular in our homes. (There is no record of Asheville's incorporation date other than sometime in 1797 so I could not analyze it after Hurricane Helene.)

In Hinduism, Kali is the goddess of destruction and rebirth. First, she is ruthless and then she brings alchemy. Even if you are not living in southern California, it is a good idea to begin preparing for a sudden event that happens by having your most important documents on a flash drive and anything else that is critical and difficult to replace in a bag near the door of your home in case you have to leave suddenly. When Pluto, the astrological god of death and destruction went into Aquarius, the sign that rules humanity and community last year, the mandate was to come together as a global family. The world is reaching its arms out to Los Angeles right now as is the community itself. If you ascribe to Feng Shui, there are certain crystals you can place around your property for protection. A few people whose homes were saved when all around them had massive floods here in Asheville swear by this.

Further, with climate change as it is and Saturn and Neptune going into a long hard transit in May ruled by the god of fire Mars, life can change quickly. We are being quickened to develop good pivot skills. Be prepared and pay attention to the signs you are being called to a new life. The transpersonal planets going into fire and air require us to up level our resilience and adaptability. Wake up calls are meant to move you forward and if the message is to move residences, start exploring. Find your community. When I lost my home, my health, and all my possessions to mold twenty years ago in Santa Monica, I learned so much about what was truly valuable to me. It took me awhile but I eventually heeded the call to move to Northern California. When I was given a dream to leave there 8 years later, I moved to Asheville one month before the fires were requiring people in Mill Valley, just north of San Francisco to wear masks, and this was before the pandemic. Some may feel they cannot move from the area they have roots. And perhaps, it isn't about moving but more about changing something that you've outgrown in your life. A friend of mine who is a screen writer in Hollywood was feeling for months last year that she needed to move from her home of 45 years and didn't heed the call. After her evacuation, she became resolved that it was time for her to move. Again, this is not everyone's destiny who lost their home.

I am going to repeat some guidance from last month: Allow for a down grade in your energy, more rest, not more caffeine for the next 6 weeks no matter where you live. Again, like Mercury retros, go inward with that Mars drive. Mars rules surgery and that includes dental procedures and cosmetic surgery as well. If they are not emergencies, hold off until March. It also rules sharp objects and metals. Best not to purchase mechanical tools unless necessary. Mars rules how we physically and sexually move forward so statistically, it has been found that it is not the best time to buy a car or get involved romantically. Work with your frustration around things not going in the direction of your expectations or at the rate you expected. If breakdowns occur in your intimate relationships and you aren't getting resolution, see a couples therapist. Domestic violence goes up when this planet is in retro and when Mars finally goes direct, Venus will begin her retrograde in March into early April so there can be upheavals there. For single people reading this, perhaps look at your frustration tolerance or lack thereof.

Most importantly, refrain from fighting with others but work things out. Aggressive impulses may be rampant right now. Be nicer in traffic even if the other guy or gal is not. A few things to do under Mars in retrograde is to use the assertive drive of Mars to question your approach to dealing with conflict, how also do you take out your anger on yourself? When Mars is in "let me take care of you" Cancer in retro, it may bring suppression of feelings instead of processing them. Are you turning to sugar more? or alcohol? or the internet? This is a good time to use Mars to find where you are keeping old pain in your body and use tools involving the breath and radiant light to transmute them. Use the energy of Cancer to self nurture and self reflect.

Here are some herbal remedies to cool overheated adrenals which Mars rules: chamomile tea, ashwaganda, lavender essential oil, ginger, and licorice root. Licorice root helps with reducing irritability and nourishing the adrenals, ashwaganda can improve patience, whereas ginger, dandelion root, and burdock with grounding if you feel impulsive. And vitamin C is both cooling and a great support to the adrenals and immune system.

Practices that I find helpful for everyone are meditation, Chi Gong, and Yoga Nidra. Give yourself and the world a big gift by stepping up any practice that resets your nervous system this month.

I am extending my offer for my soul blueprint readings at 20% off. A lot of work goes into them in advance of our sessions so it is first come first serve to prepare for 2025. January is fully booked but I have a few spots left for February. I also have one spot left for ongoing coaching through 2025 LifeQuakes.

You cannot go to my website to schedule them as the original price remains $497. Please only go to drtoni@drtonigalardi.com to contact me.

Sending so much love to you from my heart to yours,

Dr Toni

drtoni@drtonigalardi.com

https://www.drtonigalardi.com

https://lifequake.com

BreastQuake.com