Mars Retrograde
December 6, 2024 to February 24, 2025
Action planet Mars turns retrograde this week and will be on go slow for the next 80 days – it’s an unusually long Mars retrograde phase. Mars is the planet which rules passion and anger, drive and ambition. The red planet is God of war in mythology and represents speed, courage and ferocity.
As Mars switches direction, it does so in fire sign Leo. Be wary of burn out and notice where in life you’re hitting your head against a brick wall. Mars retrograde can be a time to practise patience, learn to walk before you run and take the pace slow.
Plus, Mars isn’t the only faster-moving planet that’s currently retrograde as communication planet Mercury is on go slow until December 15. It’s a double whammy of retrograde action.
Retrograde Mars
When Mars is retrograde, it’s said to be weakened and not strong. Traditionally, it’s a time to take a step back, rework your strategy and gather your troops or support ready to go on the attack once again when Mars powers forward.
Mars retrograde often impacts the star signs Aries and Scorpio the most. This is because they are Mars’ two signs of rulership. Themes often play out around feeling powerless, lacking control, strength or stamina. This time around, Mars retrograde may impact Leo and Cancer too.
Mars retrograde is often a time when you can’t get ahead as fast as you would like. You have to learn patience, sometimes the hard way, and it’s wise to take good care of your physical health. Leo rules the heart and Mars rules the head. It’s not the best time to be headstrong, impetuous or foolhardy.
Data & Dates
This is an intriguing retrograde phase for Mars because it’s not only in one star sign. Mars turns retrograde in fire sign Leo and moves back into water sign Cancer at the beginning of next year. Here’s the pattern:
- Mars enters Cancer – September 4, 2024
- Mars enters Leo – November 4, 2024
- Mars turns retrograde [6 Leo 10] – December 6, 2024
- Mars re-enters Cancer – January 6, 2025
- Mars turns direct [17 Cancer 01] – February 24, 2025
- Mars enters Leo – April 18, 2025
- Mars leaves Leo – June 17, 2025
Mars retrograde in Leo could be a positive phase for turning inwards, getting creative and working on your masterpiece. You might be making a baby or dive deep into a love affair. Perhaps, you’re taking a sabbatical from work and you’re keen to play and have fun.
Mars retrograde in Cancer could be a good time to get in touch with long-lost family. You might enjoy a staycation or decide to renovate your home.
It may be helpful to look back to what’s happened in the past when Mars was retrograde. Here are the previous dates and star signs:
- October 30, 2022 to March 25, 2023 – Mars turned retrograde and direct in Gemini
- September 9, 2020 to November 13, 2020 – Mars turned retrograde and direct in Aries
- June 26, 2018 to August 27, 2018 – Mars turned retrograde in Aquarius and direct in Capricorn
- April 17, 2016 to June 29, 2016 – Mars turned retrograde in Sagittarius and direct in Scorpio
Mars In Retreat
Check out where Mars is going to be in retreat in your horoscope and pay close attention. It’s important to choose your battles wisely over the next few months and not waste your precious time or energy.
If you keep falling out with the same person, how can you do things differently or is it wise to step back? Try to avoid a competitive situation if it’s not healthy for you.
In astrology, Mars is the soldier or worker. In retreat, Mars takes a step back, gets his/her tools ready for doing battle once again, reworks his/her strategy or goes on strike. Yet, don’t give up on what you’re trying to do or achieve. It might be a case of finding new ways to make things happen.
Keep active, try different tactics and have plans B, C & D up your sleeve. Be willing to accept failure, learn from your mistakes and don’t run blindly in the wrong direction. Keep stopping, check your progress and notice when you need to readjust your ideas.
Finally, if you have big plans afoot or this is a major period of preparation for you, aim to be ready to launch a new project next spring (or winter if you’re down under). Mars is back up to speed at the end of February 2025 and is gearing up for action once again mid-April 2025.
What Does It Mean For You?
Here are the areas of your life where Mars is most active, where you might be ‘at war’ or where frustration kicks in. Read both your Sun sign and your Ascendant sign:
- Sagittarius: Travel, study religion; Sex and finances
- Capricorn: Sex and finances; Relationships, your one-to-ones
- Aquarius: Relationships, your one-to-ones; work and health
- Pisces: Work and health; Creativity, children, love affairs
- Aries: Creativity, children, love affairs; Home and family
- Taurus: Home and family; Communication, neighbours, siblings
- Gemini: Communication, neighbours, siblings; Money and values
- Cancer: Money and values; Personal goals, image, body
- Leo: Personal goals, image, body; Retreat, sacrifice
- Virgo: Retreat, sacrifice; Friends and group activities
- Libra: Friends and group activities: Career and vocation
- Scorpio: Career and vocation; Travel, study, religion
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