Courage, Cowardice, and the Lessons of the Cowardly Lion

Mars retrograde is that astrological phenomenon we like to hate. The planet of motion, power, and braveness seems to backtrack within the sky, turning our traditional “go, go, go” right into a hesitant “wait, what?” It’s such as you’re revving the engine of your life, solely to comprehend you’re caught in impartial. Irritating? Completely. However what if I advised you Mars retrograde isn’t right here to break your life—it’s right here that can assist you discover your braveness? Enter the Cowardly Lion.

If Dorothy’s furry companion from The Wizard of Oz and Gregory Maguire’s Depraved is only a faint reminiscence from childhood, let me refresh you. The Cowardly Lion is the quintessential metaphor for Mars retrograde. He’s robust, succesful, and effectively, a lion, however plagued with doubt, worry, and a contact of overthinking—sound acquainted? Whether or not it’s the intense, Technicolor model in The Wizard of Oz or the extra nuanced and brooding Brrr in Depraved, the Lion’s journey is all about reclaiming internal energy, even when all the things in life feels backward. So let’s dive in and discover Mars retrograde via the lens of our furry thinker.

What Is Mars Retrograde?

Mars, astrologically talking, guidelines how we act, assert ourselves, and deal with battle. It’s the planet of “get it finished,” your internal warrior able to struggle for what issues most. However when Mars goes retrograde, it’s as if that warrior decides to name a timeout. Your traditional confidence in motion would possibly waver, and power ranges might really feel as little as the Lion’s morale after being known as a coward. It’s a time when the exterior world of motion turns inward, asking you to replicate, recalibrate, and rethink your motivations.

In sensible phrases? Suppose delays, frustrations, and a way of spinning your wheels. However right here’s the catch—Mars retrograde isn’t a punishment. It’s an invite to have a look at what braveness actually means. And that is the place our Cowardly Lion is available in.

The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz

In The Wizard of Oz, the Cowardly Lion joins Dorothy, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow on their journey to see the Wizard. His aim? To achieve braveness. Appears easy, proper? Besides, like Mars retrograde, his journey is something however easy.

The Lion begins as a traditional Mars gone awry. He’s all bark (or roar) and no chew. He acts robust, however crumbles underneath strain, which is a trademark of Mars power turned inward. Throughout Mars retrograde, we frequently really feel an analogous disconnect between what we predict we needs to be doing and what we’re truly able to. The Lion’s worry is symbolic of how we face our personal insecurities throughout this transit.

However right here’s the twist: The Lion already has braveness. He doesn’t want the Wizard to offer him something exterior—he wants to comprehend it’s been inside him all alongside. That is Mars retrograde in a nutshell. It’s not about exterior victories, it’s about inner realignment. What are you afraid of? What’s holding you again? Mars retrograde forces you to confront these questions head-on, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Mars Retrograde Classes from The Wizard of Oz

1. Braveness Isn’t the Absence of Worry: The Cowardly Lion teaches us that worry is regular. Mars retrograde doesn’t ask us to be fearless—it asks us to behave regardless of our worry. Braveness is about exhibiting up, even whenever you’re shaking in your boots (or paws).
2. You Already Have What You Want: The Lion’s greatest discovery is that he doesn’t want exterior validation to be courageous. Equally, Mars retrograde reminds us that our energy isn’t about what we obtain—it’s about who we’re.
3. It’s Okay to Sluggish Down: The Lion’s journey wasn’t a dash. Neither is Mars retrograde. This era is about slowing down and reflecting on the place you’ve been and the place you wish to go. Typically, the bravest factor you are able to do is pause.

Brrr the Lion in Depraved: Mars Retrograde Goes Deeper

If The Wizard of Oz offers us the broad strokes of Mars retrograde, Depraved dives into its shadowy depths. In Gregory Maguire’s retelling, the Lion is now not a caricature of worry. He’s Brrr, a traumatized and deeply conflicted determine grappling with guilt, identification, and belonging. If the Cowardly Lion from Oz is Mars retrograde for inexperienced persons, Brrr is the superior course.

Brrr’s backstory reveals that he was current throughout a pivotal second in Elphaba’s (the Depraved Witch’s) life. As a cub, he witnesses injustice however fails to behave—a call that haunts him for the remainder of his life. Sound acquainted? Mars retrograde usually drags up previous regrets, forcing us to confront moments once we felt powerless or failed to claim ourselves.

Mars Retrograde Classes from Depraved

1. Confronting Guilt: Like Brrr, Mars retrograde makes us revisit previous actions—or inactions—that weigh on our conscience. It’s not about self-punishment, however about studying from these experiences and letting go of disgrace.
2. Discovering Your Voice: Brrr struggles with feeling like he doesn’t belong wherever, echoing Mars retrograde’s tendency to make us really feel disconnected from our traditional drive. His journey is about reclaiming his voice and realizing that belonging begins with self-acceptance.
3. Integration of Shadow: Jungian psychology tells us that the shadow represents the elements of ourselves we reject or deny. Brrr embodies this completely. Throughout Mars retrograde, we’re requested to combine our shadow—to embrace the fears and doubts we’d fairly ignore and switch them into sources of energy.

Mars Retrograde Survival Information: The Cowardly Lion Version

So, how do you navigate Mars retrograde with out feeling like a perpetually scared Lion? Listed here are just a few ideas impressed by our furry buddy:

1. Pause Earlier than You Roar: Mars retrograde isn’t the time for impulsive selections or fiery confrontations. Channel your internal Lion and take a breath earlier than performing.
2. Mirror on What Scares You: Worry exhibits us the place we have to develop. What’s making you hesitate? What’s the worst that might occur? Mars retrograde is the proper time to face these fears.
3. Redefine Braveness: Cease equating bravery with massive, daring strikes. Typically braveness is about setting boundaries, asking for assist, or just getting via the day.
4. Personal Your Journey: Whether or not you’re skipping down the Yellow Brick Street or wandering via Oz’s darker corners, belief that each step—nevertheless unsure—is taking you nearer to your true self.

Conclusion: Mars Retrograde Is Your Lion Second

Mars retrograde isn’t right here to break your plans or make you are feeling weak. Just like the Cowardly Lion, it’s right here to remind you that braveness isn’t about being fearless or excellent—it’s about exhibiting up, flaws and all. Whether or not you see your self within the whimsical Lion from The Wizard of Oz or the deeply conflicted Brrr from Depraved, the lesson is identical: bravery begins inside.

So, the subsequent time Mars retrograde rolls round, channel your internal Lion. Embrace the pause, face your fears, and keep in mind—you’ve had the braveness all alongside.

Mars goes retrograde on December 6, 2024 and stays in retrograde movement till February 23, 2025.

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