If the word “retrograde” immediately makes you worry that your life is about to be turned upside down, you’re not alone. This astrological event has a bad reputation for causing havoc. But in reality, all the planets in our solar system go retrograde on a regular basis, and Mars, the planet of activity and energy, goes retrograde for about two and a half months every few years. Given that Mars is the planet that influences how we achieve our most ambitious goals, we’re likely to feel Mars’ slowdown almost as much as the frequent backspins of Mercury, the planet of communication. And prepare for the impact.
To understand more about what Mars retrograde is really like, what you can expect during its astrological transit, and how to make the most of it, keep reading.
What exactly is Mars retrograde?
Mars retrograde is when Mars, the planet that governs action, energy, sexuality, motivation, anger, and passion, appears to be retreating from our position on Earth. The result is slowdowns, delays, and frustrations related to moving the ball forward, motivating yourself, and building momentum, especially in any area of your life where Mars Retrograde is affecting you this time. (more on this in a little more detail). As a result, you may find yourself feeling a little more lethargic than usual, having a harder time stepping on the gas on a passion project, or finding fulfillment in your relationship more difficult than usual. These are typical challenges posed by Mars retrograde, but Mars’ transit doesn’t just mean throwing a wrench in your best-laid plans. This astrological event, like all others, can bring about both bad and bright spots.
Notice that when any planet goes retrograde, its primary purpose is to prompt you to take a step back from your usual struggles. Instead, it’s more about thinking about Earth’s themes, such as how we express our anger, how we pursue our greatest desires, and how we motivate ourselves to achieve our goals. I encourage you to introspect. and address unresolved issues to reorient the Earth after its advance. And because of this effect, you’ll find that you’re even more diligent, motivated, and efficient now that you’ve taken the time to go back to square one.
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How often does Mars go retrograde?
Mars retrograde occurs every two years, specifically every 26 months, and lasts about two and a half months each time. There is also a pre-retrograde and post-retrograde lead-out period known as Mars’ retrograde shadow. Therefore, you may feel the effects of the solar transit before or after Mars actually occurs. Each shadow period before and after Mars retrograde is about two months.
While it may indeed sound quite daunting to know that the effects of Mars retrograde can last for months, there is no need to treat a shadow period the same as an actual retrograde, and it is generally Rest assured that this is the day when it will be most noticeable. This is the day when the planet of action becomes “stationary” or goes retrograde or direct.
How to make the most of Mars retrograde.
While many social media memes would have you believe that you have no choice but to surrender to chaos when Mars is retrograde, the truth is that you can actually take advantage of it. And the first step to that is to be prepared, just like choosing a cozy down jacket when winter temperatures are in the forecast. Here are some top pro tips.
Choose restorative activities over aggressive ones.
No one is saying you have to ditch your favorite vinyasa or HIIT class and opt for a sound bath instead, but making sure you’re not only conserving your energy but also having enough energy can help you get back on track on Mars. It’s easy to see that during retrograde you can grow your time to rest and recharge. Of course, this will vary from person to person, but you can always look for signs that Mars is retrograde and get tips on a recovery routine that you can check during your solar transit. For example, if your self-expressive fire sign Leo is retrograde, you might feel rejuvenated by rethinking how you let your creative voice shine.
Check out Mars retrograde horoscope.
You can read your own Mars retrograde horoscope by casting your birth chart or natal chart, or pulling it up if you already have one. Next, find out where Mars is retrograde or where it is currently. For example, from December 2024 to February 2025, Mars will be retrograde in Leo and Cancer. Specifically, from 6 degrees Leo to 17 degrees Cancer. Look for the exact degrees of these signs in your chart and note which houses they fall into. From there, you can get a sense of the areas of your life where you feel retrograde most.
A brief description of each house:
Your First Home: Be clear about how you pursue your passion projects and how your approach fits with your self-image and confidence. A second home of income: think about how you make money and your worth and value. Values are tied to your game plan. Third house of communication: Reevaluate how you connect with others and approach learning experiences and short-distance travel. 4th House of Family Life: Reflect on how you are channeling your energy and taking action on projects related to your home and inner life that you are working on with your loved ones. 5th House of Romance and Self-Expression: A more scattered and spontaneous approach to creative and heartfelt experiences. 6th House of Wellness: Get creative with your daily routine and strategies to enhance your daily health. 7th House of Partnerships: You can put dissatisfaction or inequity within your one-on-one bond under a microscope and reconfigure what no longer works, ultimately increasing harmony. 8th House of Intimacy: Reflect on your sex life, how you pursue and fulfill your desires, your comfort level in your close relationships, and the financial goals you share with loved ones. Ninth House of Adventure: Check your intuition and realize how you’ve taken leaps of faith, explored different philosophies, and made your wildest and biggest dreams come true. 10th House of Career: Explore your sense of authority, 11th House of Networking: Figure out exactly which collaborations with colleagues and friends are really worth your time and effort, and stay connected in the long run. Evaluate how you pursued it. 12th House of Spirituality: Reflect on how you have maintained your mental and emotional health and prioritize rest, daydreaming, and self-effort.
Prioritize mindfulness.
In astrology, Mars’ MO encourages you to tap into your inner fire and work hard to pursue your passions. But it’s pretty impossible to stay action-oriented and focused on the future 24/7, every year. Sometimes, taking your foot off the gas and idling for a bit is actually the most productive thing to do. That said, Mars Retrograde is designed to be in the moment, so you can reflect on your relationship with anger, frustration, aggression, sexuality, motivation, and experience greater self-awareness and growth. You can take it and walk away from that moment.
