The new Moon

The Moon and Sun are sextile Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, adding opportunity to the innovative aspects of the sign.

In the meantime Mars in Virgo stands out for two reasons:

• It is the singleton planet in a configuration where all the other planets and lights are contained in the other half of the chart, behind an out-of-sign opposition between Jupiter ( 01° Taurus 44′ ) and Saturn ( 29° Libra 28′ ). (NOTE: some astrologers require a singleton to be 60° from the nearest planet/light, some do not.)
• It is currently stationary retrograde, that is, it appears to be standing still in the sky. On the day after the new Moon it crosses the midpoint between direct and retrograde and is considered retrograde.

So...what does this mean? Mars being singleton sets it apart from the other planets and lights and makes it a focus/release for all energies of the others combined. It has shown this singleton position in relation to the other planets/lights at each new Moon since the November, 20ll.

Mars itself activates and energizes. Its position indicates factors coming to the fore. When there are difficult aspects to Mars, anger erupts, as well as self-centered attitudes.

Mars being in Virgo, let's look at the Astrodienst description of Virgo:

Virgo is a complex sign which takes some thinking about, because, although it is an earth sign, it is also mutable and has Mercury as its ruler. The constellation of Virgo is that of the original archetypal great goddess before she was split into the many different aspects of the feminine...

The Mercury ruler of Virgo describes the intelligent and analytical nature of this sign, but as an earth sign, this intelligence is used in a practical way, working with matter and substance in order to perfect and heal it. From this point of view, Virgo is concerned with the maintenance and perfection of the body, through diet, routine and healing practices. Equally, Virgo is the sign of all practical crafts devoted to creating something workable which is also useful, beautiful and refined. Virgo rules all rituals, and bringing to perfection the rituals of work and of the body are a feature of this sign. There is a strong mythic connection between the Mercury which rules Virgo and the god Thoth, the Egyptian Hermes, who taught all the practical skills and crafts to mankind, such as writing and medicine. Virgo is also the sign of the alchemist, whose task is to purify, refine and perfect base material.

Mars turning retrograde sends us back to what we've experienced recently concerning Martian issues. As Rob Tillett at Astrology.com puts it:

As a rule, retrograde planets presage a period of seemingly inevitable or fated events, which relate to their sphere of influence. The retrograde phase is when the planet concerned pushes itself into our consciousness, overshadowing the energies of the other planets and so affecting our personalities (each planet symbolizes and affects specific parts of our makeup). It presents us with a series of events over which we seem to have little or no control, relating especially to the sign in which the retrogradation occurs.

Continuing with Rob Tillett's analysis of retrograde Mars, but adding information about its being in Virgo--

Mars retro in Virgo generates a pervasively hypercritical, perfectionist mood, inclining those most affected toward obsession with minor points, minutiae and overblown trivialities, particularly with regard to healthcare, nutrition and the military. Worry and brooding over more or less trivial concerns will be prevalent. Anxieties particularly develop around the meaning and application of science, pharmaceuticals, chemistry and medicine. Because Mars in Virgo is usually quiet, original and resourceful—and keen to work with others over a wide range of activities—we can expect co-workers and supervisors to be critical toward others and easily dissatisfied with their work during the retro phase. This will be especially noticeable with regard to issues from the past where small but key errors have led to major problems in the present. People in positions of responsibility, trust, or authority will need to watch their backs. Subordinates, employees and organised hierarchical associations such as hospital staff, nurses, union labour and the military are likely to experience significant unrest.

Please be sure to read Rob's full article, "Mars Retrograde 2012." And thanks to you, Rob, for such fine information.