The general meaning of Mars retrograde transit is followed by information about Mars retrograde in the birth chart.
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 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 a relatively low percentage compared to the other superior planets, which average about 38% and even Mercury at 19%. This rarity is one reason Mars is considered the most challenging planet when it is retrograde. We are not as accustomed to it as we are to other retrogrades.
The other reason is that Mars does not station retrograde in trine to the Sun, unlike 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, leaving you feeling drained, ineffective, impotent, irritated, or frustrated. You may become less competitive, confident or assertive.
Mars rules ambition, hostility, anger, pain, conflict, abuse, sex and sports. These areas are subject to fate, 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 midpoint in the cycle represents a turning point that exposes any remaining repressed or unresolved issues. Heightened conscious awareness enables 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 Natal
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, albeit 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.
So,what to do,? Stay calm,get under a stone.I do wish an advice,here…
Excerpt:We must access the terrifying primal presence within the wilderness of our psyche. The encounter is a kind of death. It is a confrontation against the truth that the ego is neither the sole occupant of our minds nor ultimately who we are. It is simply the role we currently play. As we navigate into the inner wilderness, the savagery found there is a valid part of us, and once set in service to a higher power, it becomes a fountain of potential and possibility.
https://leguiato.medium.com/the-green-lion-devouring-the-sun-cf963b695baa
Anthony I’m new to all of this, please explain if this time is all negative? Does this have any bearing on a specific sign?
I have Mars (and Pluto) ‘ruling’ my chart. My Mars is in Capricorn. I love to do and work. I’ll notice whether or not I have less motivation to ‘do,do,do’ now that Mars is retrograde.
To my mind (with Mercury in “detriment and fall”, this gives an opportunity for other personal planets to shine. – which is tough since I’ve got Venus squaring the nodes and some other fun stuff!
At least I get some traction with Saturn now (on my sun – almost exactly)- I’m guessing this will be a good time for editing and cleaning up loose energetic ends. With the Jupiter energizing Saturn, with it’s square – maybe my masterful self will be expanded. With Mars opposing Pluto 3 times – Passions will be focused on transformation and shedding what is superfluous.
Can’t get away from “deaths” which Pluto also is (along with the “death” tarot card). Deaths are about shedding what you no longer need for thriving.
What we focus on is “opposite” us. We can focus because we are attracted or repelled.
What we “are”, is conjunct and what we ~we are and take for granted.
What is “natural” is trining. I think of trines as the milieu. Sextile give opportunities – neither create. You need “harsh” aspects to do and create (like squares and semisquares and sesquiquadrates). We aren’t just vegetables, we are here to grow!
All is good stuff!
While “bad” things (repelling) may go on in the world – I’m focusing on my house, garden, and collective of humans! What you focus on you get more of!Lol, I’ve made this observation before.
I’ll support those creatures in my collective the best I can in any given moment- that we each are more strengthened and helpful to our communities.
Hi Jamie, thanks for this article.
I’m a Leo decan 3 struggling with this Mars phase … Been having heart issues the last 2 months out of the blue & ended up in emergency room last night.
Transit Retrograde mercury nearly conjunct sun transit Sagittarius. No idea what this means for me but seems significant.
Have had transit Uranus squatting on my natal moon for ages – nervous system regulation? Now retrograde.
Also been having hassle/anger with superiors at work while I’ve been off work sick since Friday 15th November & I’m back at work on 9th December. Hopefully moon on 15th December in Gemini on my ascendant will be a fresh start!? 🙏
Best wishes Helen
Hi Helen,
Energy changes where experiencing can cause one to experience a racing heart,then goes back to normal.
Me,myself,have been waking up in the early hours over the past month or so with a racing heart.
Have read others have been experiencing the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvrvzrMPlCg&list=PL-ePRKwSkXsg6rZiTBZjlI_sFo3mNBQVF&index=2
I forgot to say that your “Normal activities become a struggle and drain your energy” has basically summed up every day at the moment.
My natal mars is at 4.15 Cancer.
My natal Mercury is at 4.04 Leo
Any advice appreciated 🙏
“When there is no separation between this and that, it is called the still-point of the Tao. And the still point in the center of the circle one can see the infinite in all things.” — Zhuangzi
https://medium.com/e2-lab/the-power-of-no-action-d9a1b16ecbaf
🙋🥰👍🤗
Natal mars rx in Pisces. Competition bores me. Unless working hard to meet the commitments I make counts. Mars rx is in trine with Venus and Saturn. I tend to be no confrontational for the most part in my life. Sometimes there is an elephant in the room and o will address it but the room clears and everyone walks away in silence. At least it’s quiet for the moment I guess . Am thinking about Pisces and escapism. Escaping the angry ones when confronted with irrational anger. It can be powerful in intensity. I have slipped away many times by any means possible to get away from it. Taxis in the middle of the night or even miles on foot in the darkness. In the workplace, it was safe, so I just ignored it till it walked away. The person(s) from which I escape never mention it and neither do I. I have also assisted others to safe harbor to escape it, sometimes hiding them from the threats. Sexuality quite the opposite. That was my sport for many years until it wasn’t. Amazing what a man would do to hurt me. Not good. Why anyone would want to control me like that I do not know.
Laughing at myself now. (The best part of astrology for me.). I always am aware of the escape route. I’m a safety kinda gal.
I like yr humor vic 🤗🙋
Ya know. It’s kinduv strange. I have a funky mars rx natal thing. But like anybody, I learned to deal with circumstances accordingly to survive. However, I found that I can’t deliberate much on mars rx now because it takes me back into the sordid journey. It is complex multi-layered tragic and epic. It should be written. Would make a great script, but the character dialogue is beyond me. I could write songs for the characters like musical style. That might work. I might be able to do it that way. It’s a story alright. It has to be a story book because nobody believes the truth of it.
I think you were right Jamie. About your friend. The rage beast is not digestible. Blind rage is incomprehensible. I think there are only two situations where I came close to death. Like I could have been killed.
It’s like I don’t know what anger feels like. It’s just a thing I avoid. How could I escape myself?
I know this rage and hate is self-destructive in the end.
Mars retrograde is on fixed star decapoda iota cancri which is a saturn-mercury ptolemy wrote. Only 4.0 mag bright.
Great info always! That is horrible what happened to Your friend 🙏
Jamie, so Assad was ousted? Prison doors flung open releasing many. Supposedly they have new regime ready to hit the ground running. Not real familiar with situation, it’s all so complicated over there with all the factions. Some think netanyahu’s moves led to this happening. The catalyst you named. Good or bad I don’t know. All I do know is there is way too much collateral damage going on.
Syria is a perfect example of Mars retrograde. So much yet to play out too.
No date of birth is available for Abu Mohammad al-Jolani.
Darn on birth date. Went back and read the writing on the Arab spring and Uranus Neptune square. First square same north node degree as now. All I could see without going off on tangents.
Seems like a surprise so difficult to know who the other players are. Sounds like things kind of disintegrated leaving an opening for it to happen. Like Putin and hezbillah war machine depleting? And aria was stockpiling Putin weapons. Jeesh, it’s a whole thing, the war games. I wonder what we are all fighting for or defending anyway?
I never equated it to natal mars rx before, but I had a learning curve when starting out in the world years ago. Learning not to take on too much. What may seem do-able is not always so. Spent miserable days struggling to meet commitments I should not have made.
Not just thinkin Putin’s over zealousness but also the incoming U.S. regime may be over estimating themselves.
On a practical note, any thoughts from anyone on whether mars rx is good to finally clean up an old mess. Go back and re-do? Any input more than welcome.
I know, silly question, from native rx mars, who’s had to reconcile her whole life. But this is practical reality thing.
Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.
~Rumi
https://www.healthpromoting.com/case-studies/testimonials/chick-lewis-expected-and-unexpected-benefits-water-only-fasting
During this Martian cycle, whoever throws the first stone looses the war! 👀
Excellent!
3 Breathing Techniques Guided By Sadhguru
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXioeBl70aY