Mars Retrograde 2024 begins on December 6 at 06° Leo and ends on February 23, 2025, at 17° Cancer.

Mars has the most disruptive retrograde phase of all planets. Normal activities become a struggle and drain your energy. Mars retrograde in 2024 is particularly challenging because it coincides with the most significant and difficult planetary aspect of 2024 and 2025, Jupiter square Saturn. Hardship, repression, and frustration could lead to loss of patience and violent protests.

The general meaning of Mars retrograde is followed by more detail about Mars retrograde in 2024. Information about Mars retrograde in the birth chart can be found at the end of this article.

Mars Retrograde Meaning

From Earth, Mars appears to move backward in the sky (retrograde motion) for about 80 days every two years. Mars is retrograde 9% of the time, which is very low compared to the other superior planets, which average about 38% and even Mercury at 19%. This rarity is one reason Mars is the most challenging planet when retrograde. We are not as accustomed to it as we are to other retrogrades.

The other reason is that Mars does not station retrograde trine the Sun like the other superior planets. Mars’s retrograde is more noticeable, eventful and disruptive than other retrogrades because it trines the Sun two weeks before reversing.

the excitement of potential just prior to its retrogression is often overinflated, resulting in the shocking ‘surprise factor’ and sudden withdrawal of direct energy… energy flow from Sun to Mars gives the illusion that everything is moving along quite well. The station can be quite an abrupt phenomenon, creating a cessation of interest, drive, energy and focus in what might have been an important project or relationship prior to that station. ^[1]

Mars signifies goal-directed energy, strength, self-assertion, ambitions, fighting spirit and passion. Mars retrograde redirects, represses, inhibits, internalizes and reverses these energies. Everything requires more effort, making you feel drained, ineffective, impotent, irritated or frustrated. You may become less competitive, confident or assertive. 

Mars rules ambitions, hostility, anger, pain, conflict, abuse, sex and sports. These areas are subject to fated events, repeating themes, karmic lessons, contemplation, change and rethinking. Suppressed anger, resentment or wounding may resurface.  Unresolved issues or old partners may reemerge and cause problems until you find closure. You may question the integrity or morality of your goals, desires, actions and behaviors.

Besides the retrograde and direct stations, the Sun’s opposition is the most critical part of the Mars retrograde journey. This halfway point in the cycle represents a turning point that exposes any remaining repressed or unresolved problems. Heightened conscious awareness allows for honest self-evaluation, relief from tension and a new direction forward.

Mars retrograde favors reacting more than taking direct action. War, rebellion, invasion and ceasefires often begin, end or are subject to reversals during the Mars retrograde cycle. For example, during the previous retrograde phase in 2022:

• Sept 03 – Mars entered the retrograde zone.
• Sept 30 –Russia annexed Kherson.
• Oct 17 – Sun trine Mars.
• Oct 30 – Mars stationed retrograde.
• Nov 11 – Ukrainian forces recaptured Kherson.

Mars Retrograde 2024

The chart for the Mars retrograde station above shows Venus and Pluto opposite Mars. The aspect orbs are too wide to have much impact, but they are applying so they will continue to strengthen until they become exact with Venus opposite Mars on December 12 and Mars opposite Pluto on January 3. Jupiter square Saturn is also applying toward its climax on December 14. These three aspects reinforce the challenging nature of Mars retrograde 2024. 

Venus opposite Mars increases sensitivity, physical desires and sexual frustration. Tension can be released safely through sport, exercise and creative work. However, tempers could boil over in a tense relationship because of selfishness or wandering eyes. Unbridled passions could lead to being attracted to someone you are incompatible with. Beware of the risk of aggression if dating.

Mars opposite Pluto brings an intense passion for achieving your strongest desires. You may go to great lengths to achieve victory in this competitive spirit. Marked achievements are possible if you can channel the aggressive and dominating urges constructively. But bullying and ruthlessness would result in strong resistance from powerful enemies. Beware of coercive tactics, threats, intimidation and violence.

Jupiter square Saturn indicates a spiritual crisis of confidence, doubt and uncertainty about our meaning in a world of increasing polarity, immorality, injustice and despair. It causes tension from a lack of opportunities, criticism or limiting circumstances. Your judgment may be impaired, you may lack initiative or become a slave to routine. Once-stable structures or long-held beliefs may break down, leaving you uncertain and unsure about your future.

A long-term problem with career, relationships, finances or destructive behaviors like addiction may reach a crisis point. Taking responsibility and fixing the problem may be painful, require isolation and cause frustration and uncertainty. However, hard work, determination and patience will bring new opportunities, positive change, spiritual growth, satisfaction and contentment.

Key Dates

• Oct 05, 2024 – Mars enters retrograde zone at 17♋00
• Nov 27, 2024 – Sun trine Mars at 05♌34
• Dec 06, 2024 – Mars stations retrograde at 06♌10
• Dec 24, 2024 – Sun quincunx Mars at 03♌53
• Jan 15, 2025 – Sun opposite Mars at 26♋12
• Feb 07, 2025 – Sun quincunx Mars at 18♋49
• Feb 23, 2025 – Mars stations direct at 17♋00
• Mar 08, 2025 – Sun trine Mars at 17♋52
• May 02, 2025 – Mars leaves retrograde zone at 06♌10

The Constellation

The star map below shows Mars retrograde in the Constellation of Cancer, not the Sign of Leo as in the chart above. When the Horoscope Signs were invented over 2000 years ago, they roughly matched the Constellations around the ecliptic. However, since then, the precession of the equinoxes has moved the Constellations about 30 degrees forward.

Mars does not align with any stars used in astrology. However, Mars retrograde in Cancer Constellation encourages materialism, authoritarianism and rebellion against restraint. People will become impatient, restless, quarrelsome, scheming, deceitful, destructive and poor losers. ^[2]

Summary

Mars retrograde 2024 seems especially dangerous because of the opposition to Venus and Pluto. It brings the risk of possessiveness, manipulation and abuse in relationships. One week before Mars stations retrograde, a woman I knew was raped. She froze in fear and could not fight back or even say no.

Mars’s retrograde will intensify the tension and frustration caused by Jupiter square Saturn. Lack of progress, financial hardship, repression, authoritarianism, hypocrisy, and the loss of confidence in the government’s ability to solve problems increase the risk of tempers boiling over, protests, violence and rebellion.

Particularly dramatic events with profound consequences are possible. The Israel-Lebanon truce took effect on November 27, 2024, the same day as the Sun trined Mars. Mars turning retrograde may reverse that. Martial law in South Korea on December 3 only lasted 5 hours. In addition to military matters, violence, crime, and punishment could make the news, and historic crimes could be solved.

Mars Retrograde Dates

• October 30, 2022, to January 12, 2023 – 25° to 8° Gemini
• Dec 6, 2024, to Feb 23, 2025 – 06° Leo to 17° Cancer
• January 10 to April 1, 2027 – 10° Virgo to 20° Leo

Mars Retrograde in Your Natal Chart

Mars retrograde in your birth chart suggests you find it difficult to express your sexuality, competitiveness or strength. Perhaps you struggle with being direct, courageous, or showing initiative. You tend to internalize these everyday, healthy expressions of Mars energy so that you hesitate, take action at the wrong time, or have psychological hangups about sexuality or gender.

This fear of taking decisive action and standing up for yourself stems from past life crises related to injury and pain. You may have fallen victim to a violent death, war crime or rape. Maybe you were victimized and abused because of your sexuality. It could even be the case that you lost your temper and severely hurt or killed someone.

There are endless possible scenarios of how Mars energy can turn destructive once your adrenaline kicks in and you act on primal instincts in survival mode. Whatever the case, whether victim or perpetrator, you come into this life with a deep understanding of the pain that results from Mars in a state of rage.

Therefore, It is understandable that you are somewhat cautious about taking risks or leaving yourself vulnerable. While young, painful past life experiences may be repeated, though not to the same extreme.

Mars retrograde in your natal chart subjects you to many fated events to bring you out of your shell and teach you how to express Mars energy safely. Aspects to Mars and any fixed star conjunctions will give more detail on handling Mars retrograde in your natal chart.

References

1. Retrograde Planets: Traversing the Inner Landscape, Erin Sullivan, 1992, p.452-461.
2. The Power of the Fixed Stars, Joseph E. Rigor, 1979, p.69, 335.