starzology banner
Book your CONSULTATION
Book Your COACHING

Sign up to get STARZLIFE free astrology newsletter every Sunday.

Mars Retrograde

Mars Retrograde

by

Author: Alison Price   –   Published: November 2024

Mars Retrograde

During late 2024 and early 2025 the red planet, Mars, is having its retrograde cycle. Mars only retrogrades every second year or around every twenty-six months. This time, Mars will be retrograding across the sign cusp between Cancer and Leo. It will spend 23 weeks in Cancer, and it will spend 16 weeks in Leo in total. These two periods in the signs are broken into two parts. Bearing in mind that typically, Mars will spend six and a half weeks in each sign, but this is when it is moving fast and direct. What this all means is that for most of the time Mars dashes through a sign in around six to seven weeks, but during its retrograde phase, it spends almost four times as much time in one sign or another.

Superior Planet Retrogrades

Sun Aspects

All superior planets start their retrograde periods from around their trine aspect to the Sun. As the Sun moves through the zodiac, about one third of the year later, the retrograde period ends at around the second trine of the planet to the Sun. It is not just the two trines, but also the opposition to the Sun that happens during the retrograde period. All planets past the Earth are retrograde when in opposition to the Sun.

mars-retrograde-bi-wheel

Mars Retrograde Cycles

General

Each Mars retrograde period typically lasts about 60-80 days (roughly 2 to 2.5 months). The time between the start of one Mars retrograde and the next is, on average, 780 days or about 2 years and 50 days. The exact timing can vary slightly due to the elliptical nature of Mars’ orbit. Because of the regularity of planetary orbits, we can predict Mars retrograde periods far into the future and of course you can see this in your ephemeris. Mars takes about 15-17 years to make a complete retrograde cycle through all the signs.

Comparison Cycles

  • Mercury – every 4 months.
  • Venus – every 18 months.
  • Mars – every 26 months.
  • Outer planets – annually.

This relatively infrequent occurrence of Mars retrograde makes each instance super interesting for astrologers.

Mars Retrograde Visibility

Perihelion

Mars will be particularly bright during this period, as it retrogrades when it is closest to the Earth in its orbit. Mars will be prominently visible in the night sky in this position and you can see Mars, as it will be at its brightest and largest now. This means that now you can see Mars at night after the Sun has set and it is showing its face to us as a full-on disk which is great for photography.

mars

Mars Retrograde Themes

Reassessing Actions

This period encourages you to prompt introspection about your choices and behaviors. It’s viewed as a time to step back and evaluate whether current actions align with long-term goals and values.

Rerouting Drives

Mars is often associated with ambition and motivation. During retrograde, there may be a shift in what drives you, potentially leading to new directions in public or personal pursuits.

Reenergizing Projects

Stalled initiatives might gain new life during this time. It is an period to approach ongoing projects with fresh perspectives and renewed enthusiasm.

Recommitting to Actions

This theme suggests a stage of reaffirming commitments. After reassessment, you might find yourself more deeply invested in chosen paths or causes.

Reviewing Competitions

Mars is linked to competitiveness. The retrograde period might prompt a reevaluation of rivalries, competitive strategies, or your approach to challenges.

Releasing Anger

Mars is also associated with aggression and conflict. This time is often seen as a moment to address and let go of pent-up frustrations or resentments.

Replenishing Physical Energy

Given Mars’ association with vitality and physical energy, its retrograde period is sometimes viewed as a time to focus on rest, recovery and rebuilding strength.

Rewarding Winners

This could be interpreted as a time of recognition, where past efforts and achievements are acknowledged and celebrated.

Revising Strategies

It is a good time to reconsider your approach to problem-solving and any long-term planning.

Rekindling Passion

Mars is associated with passion and desire, so this can be seen as a time to reignite enthusiasm in various aspects of life.

Resolving Conflicts

This period is often be viewed as conducive to addressing long-standing disputes or misunderstandings.

Redefining Courage

It could be seen as a time to reassess what bravery means to you on a personal level and how you can embody it.

Revisiting Past Decisions

The retrograde period of Mars might prompt you to review significant choices you have made in areas associated with Mars, such as in your sex life or other relationship decisions.

mars-retrograde-2024

Retrograde Cycle Unfolding

Transits

Each retrograde cycle has the same parts but the planet and the signs the planet transits make all the difference. Let’s have a closer look at this years’ Mars retrograde period.

Mars Enters Pre-shadow

October 7th, 2024

Mars is in Cancer and entered the pre-shadow on October the 7th 2024. You also want to note that Mars is in fall in the sign of cancer. Which is not a very good sign for Mars to be effective in.

Interpretation

As Mars enters the pre shadow, it sets the stage at the first pass of any planet or point from now on. As Mercury makes contact by aspect with planets in your chart, situations will unfold that will then be further explored on the other two passes during the retrograde cycle. Make sure you know exactly which planets Mars is going to contact in your chart and pay close attention to what unfolds on those days.

Mars enters Leo 1st time

November 5th, 2024

Mars will leave Cancer and enter Leo on November the 5th, 2024. The sign of The Lion fits better with Mars than Cancer did not only because it was in fall in Cancer, but because Leo is a fire sign and Mars rules the fire sign of Aries.

Interpretation

As Mars enters the sign Leo, things start to heat up. In general, you can anticipate higher levels of drama and sometimes loud and pushy behavior for most people. If you are a creative person, you are likely to make some wonderful work at this time.

Mars Stations Retrograde

December 6th, 2024

Mars’ retrograde period begins on December 6th as it stations retrograde at six degrees Leo. This is the main part of the retrograde period.

Interpretation

During December, Mars slows down as it reaches the station retrograde. This is the main turning point and indicates the start of the retrograde part of the cycle. Now Mars is going to retrace its steps which started back in October. This is the time when situations that did unfold when Mars was in the shadow return. More information is coming forward and you may have to make adjustments or reassess situations. You are likely to discover new things about situations that you were trying to get into motion. Mars will linger in orb of the station for about 12 days, so from December 1st to December 12th it is in orb of the station.

Station Orbs

Note: For all planets to be in orb of a station, either retrograde or direct, the planet must be within 0°10′ to the exact turning point. This means that the further out the planet is in the solar system, the longer the lingering, and what I like to call the, “loitering with intent” on one particular degree is. This is another reason why transiting outer planets have more oomph than personal planet transits.

Mars Enters Cancer Retrograde

January 6th, 2025

During January, Mars still retrograde, will pass from Leo into Cancer thus once more into the sign of its fall, The Crab.

Interpretation

Part of the way through Mars’ retrograde path it reverts back into Cancer. Here there is a shift of energy from boisterous and outgoing Leo back to a more receptive Cancer and the Martian activities are likely to be either withdrawn or held back in some way.

Mars Stations Direct

February 24th, 2025

During February, Mars will make its station direct at 17° Cancer. This means that it has transited back in Cancer from 29° all the way back to 17° before it stops, stations and reverses its movement. From this point on, Mars is moving direct, and the retrograde part of the cycle has actually finished. Again, Mars will linger in orb of the station for about 12 days so from between February 18th to March 1st it is in orb of the station.

Interpretation

Towards the end of February, Mars once more starts to slow down as it comes towards the station direct. Now Mars will start to move forward again as it makes the third pass to any of the aspects that it made earlier in the first direct and the second retrograde pass. Now as Mars comes through, the final outcomes of activities or events that were started during this retrograde period are likely to be finalized. As Mars makes its final and 3rd aspect, the activities and actions which were brought to life will be cemented and firmed up now. If you were wondering about taking a particular course of action, this will be the moment, when the final decision will be made.

Mars Enters Leo Direct 2nd time

April 18th, 2025

When we get to April, Mars will enter Leo for the second time as it continues to move direct.

Interpretation

Mars again enters Leo during mid-April and shakes off any passive feelings to create something colourful, exciting and new in Leo. Projects that you have given birth to will flourish now.

Mars Leaves the After Shadow

May 3rd, 2025

Finally, on May 3rd, 2025, Mars will leave the after-shadow of this retrograde periodand it’s all over bar the shouting.

Phew!

Who This Will Affect

Birthdays

This Mars retrograde period will affect anyone whose birthday is from July 10th to July 30th.

Conjunctions

This particular Mars retrograde period will affect anybody, by conjunction, who has planets or points between 17° Cancer and 6° Leo. With the conjunction, transiting Mars will energize the planet or point and galvanize it into action.

Oppositions

It will give a triple hit opposition to any person with planets or points between 17° Capricorn and 6° Aquarius. With the opposition, transiting Mars will generate outward challenges and competition with the planet or point.

Squares

It will give a triple hit square aspect to anyone with planets or points from 17° Aries to 6° Taurus or between 17° Libra and 6° Scorpio. With the square, transiting Mars will create inner tension or frustration with the planet or point.

My Chart

For myself, this Mars retrograde will crossover my Ascendant at 4° Leo for a 3-hit conjunction. I’m kind of looking forward to it as I’m hoping that transiting Mars is going to spur me into more activity in my exercise regime plan to tone, strengthen and energize my body.

Retrograde Extras

Articles

Here are a few more articles on retrograde planets.

mars-retrograde

Overview

Starzlife

Premium Astrology Newsletter

This piece originally appeared in our Starzlife premium astrology newsletter. As with every issue, subscribers received a complimentary PDF download related to this topic.

For those interested in receiving such in-depth articles directly upon release, we encourage you to join our Starzlife premium astrology newsletter.

Your subscription to Starzlife not only grants you access to exclusive content but also helps sustain our creative endeavors and operational costs.

⠀

Find out more about Starzlife here.

⠀

Sign up here

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

More Articles

If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.

 

Pluto Transits Change Lives

Pluto Transits Change Lives

Author: Alison Price   -   Published: November 2024 Pluto Transits Change Lives Often astrology jogs along with not much happening. Moons come and go, the Sun trots thorough the signs in a predictable manner and Mercury and Venus follow suit. But now and then big...

10 Job Seeking Tips when Mercury is Retrograde

10 Job Seeking Tips when Mercury is Retrograde

by

10 Job Seeking Tips When Mercury is Retrograde

You may have heard something about Mercury retrograde and wondered what it is and what is does, and what to do and what not to do, or you may have even thought, “So what?”

If you are interested in finding a job or growing your career, see what to do when Mercury is retrograde, so you can make the most of every moment.

 

Planetary Energy

To make the best use of planetary energy it is all about going with the flow and that means taking the meaning of the planet and noticing if it is holding up a “stop” or “go” sign.

One example of planetary energy that you can see is the Moon and the tides. The Moon pulls the waters of the Earth and creates two high tides and two low tides each day. As each day moves on the times for the tides constantly changes. But every day there will be two incoming tides and two outgoing tides.

It is at the incoming tide that you can yell “Surf’s up!” and trot down to the beach to practice your surfing. Well if you live on the coast and have a surf culture perhaps like in Hawaii, but you get the picture. You can only surf when the tide is coming in. There is no point in paddling out to hope to surf in if the tide is going out. Right?

 

About Mercury

Each year Mercury will be retrograde three times at around four-month intervals and for about three weeks each time. Each year the dates are different.

You can find the exact dates when Mercury will be retrograde for the next few years below. You can mark these dates in your calendar now and lock out this special time.

 

About Retrogrades

Apparent retrograde is the optical illusion of something going backward and in this case, it is the planet, Mercury. Imagine you are on a train and moving along at a fair pace then suddenly you come upon another train on the next track.

The other train is going slower than you are so your train overtakes it but the other train seems to be going backward. Both trains are driving forward but one seems to be going in reverse. That is the illusion of retrogradation.

That a planet is retrograde can be interpreted as a time to change the pace and adjust your approach to things. When a planet is not retrograde it is direct.

 

Mercury’s Upcoming Retrograde Periods

2024

During April 1st to 25th from 27° Aries to 15° Aries.

During August 5th to August 28th from 4° Virgo to 21° Leo.

During November 26th to December 15th from 22° Sagittarius to 6° Sagittarius.

Mercury Retrograde Element Focus

Mercury’s current retrograde signs are mainly the Fire signs (Sagittarius, Aries and Leo) for 2024.

Mercury Rules

Communication

Every planet rules different things in life. Mercury rules communication, writing, signing, meetings, learning, schools, trading, auctions, merchants, agents and middlemen.

 

Trade

In everyday life, this means all your shopping, buying and selling, texts, phone calls, emails and general chatting, as well as gossip, comes under Mercury’s influence.

 

Workplace

In the workplace, Mercury covers resumes, recruiters, interviews (by phone and in person). Mercury can influence your LinkedIn profile although Saturn has a lot to say about that as well.

 

Paperwork

Mercury also is concerned with paperwork and anything you sign, like a job offer. It is also concerned with the fine print which during a retrograde period is more of a focus and you should read it all.

 

Mercury Retrograde Sequence

There is a sequence in each retrograde cycle and five main parts:

 

  1. Mercury enters the pre-shadow period of about ten days before the actual retrograde starts.
  2. Mercury stations retrograde.
  3. The retrograde period itself, usually 3 weeks.
  4. Mercury stations direct.
  5. The after-shadow time of about a week and a half after Mercury has been retrograde.

 

Phew.

 

Before Mercury goes Retrograde

Before Mercury goes retrograde and is direct do the following:

  • Write your resume crafted for each specific job.
  • Compose targeted cover letters.
  • Apply for jobs via email and snail mail.
  • Call companies on the phone.
  • Reach out to your contact list and tell them you are looking for work.
  • Take the initiative to let your family, friends, and others know you are searching for a new job.
  • Start a short course on something you need in your job to build your marketable skills.
  • Join professional societies and attend Meetups in your field.
  • Create and develop your LinkedIn profile.
  • Accept initial interviews.
  • Sign job offers.

 

All of the above should be done when Mercury is not retrograde and preferably not in its shadow period.

job-seeking-tips-when-mercury-is-retrograde-diagram

Pin this to read later

Mercury Retrograde

When Mercury is retrograde do the following:

  • Revise your resume.
  • Refresh any cover letters.
  • Get your filing up to date of jobs for which you have already applied.
  • Write a list of companies and people with whom to follow up and contact them again.
  • Research current thinking in your industry.
  • Set up alerts for leads.
  • Schedule second interviews (phone and in person).
  • Review job offers.
  • Prepare your paperwork for jobs you plan to apply for after Mercury is retrograde as you wait for it to go direct.

 

Revisit projects

During Mercury retrograde periods you can follow up and work on things that you have already done when Mercury was direct.

 

Don’t start new things when Mercury is retrograde because if you do, they will most likely be reversed when Mercury goes direct.

Sometimes you have no choice because a job advert or interview comes up when Mercury is retrograde and you need a job so you have to go. In these instances be aware that the terms will change.

As Mercury goes direct after the retrograde period, and if you did apply for a job or had an interview during the retrograde time, you can expect to return again and again for further interviews, or the job itself is shelved, or the job is morphed into something else altogether.

 

When Mercury is retrograde, avoid starting new things because if you do, you will have to review them later as Mercury goes direct.

Recruiters

Companies usually act in good faith when they place an advert for an opening in their business. The effect of Mercury retrograde changes the terms or the agreement and thus they may no longer need the person that they were originally looking for when Mercury was retrograde.

This cuts both ways for people looking for work and recruiters. Companies and career consultants are better off only placing vacancy adverts when Mercury is direct and communications are clear.

If a recruiter seeks a candidate during the retrograde period they will have to spend three times as long emailing back and forth and interviewing people who cancel and can’t make it to the interview for whatever reason.

All of this time-consuming effort is due to the Mercury retrograde effect which impacts communications, trade and agency.

 

Read more >>> Mercury

Read more >>> What Each Sign wants in the Workplace

Read more >>> How to Find a Job With The Sun in Astrology

Author Bio

Alison Price: Astrology Coach

Alison wants to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor.

Learn more about Alison’s journey.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

More Articles

If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.

 

Mars in Libra – Walk softly but carry a big stick

Mars in Libra – Walk softly but carry a big stick

Mars in Libra Mars' Orbit Mars is the first of the superior planets as it is at a further distance from the Sun than the Earth.   Mars' Sign Rulership The red planet rules the signs Aries and Scorpio. Libra is the sign of its detriment (because it is opposite...

The Mercury Retrograde Cycle

The Mercury Retrograde Cycle

by

The Mercury Retrograde Cycle

Mercury has more retrograde cycles than the other planets. Mercury goes retrograde three times each year. This occurs roughly at four month intervals and usually coincides with the same element for three consecutive retrograde periods.

Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. It moves the fastest of all the planets. Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo.

All the planets except the Sun and Moon have retrograde periods every year. The exception is Mars which turns retrograde every two years. you can see that it affects many planets and that there is almost always one planet retrograde at any given time.

Mercury’s Upcoming Retrograde Periods

2023

During December 13th, 2023 to January 2nd, 2024 from 8° Capricorn to 22° Sagittarius.

2024

During April 1st to 25th from 27° Aries to 15° Aries.

During August 5th to August 28th from 4° Virgo to 21° Leo.

During November 26th to December 15th from 22° Sagittarius to 6° Sagittarius.

Mercury Retrograde Element Focus

Mercury’s current retrograde signs are mainly the Fire signs (Sagittarius, Aries and Leo) for 2024.

 

The Mercury Retrograde War Cry!

“Go back, go back, go back to the woods.

You haven’t, you haven’t, you haven’t the goods. 

You haven’t the spirit, you haven’t the jazz… 

You haven’t the moves that Mercury has!”

Pop Culture and Mercury Retrograde

As the details of Mercury retrograde permeate through to the general public the words, “Mercury retrograde” become a catch phrase and is diluted down into basic, and often most inflammatory words. You will hear things like, “don’t buy computers, cars or phones when Mercury is retrograde.”

Well yes, certainly those things can be said, but astrologers know there is a more subtle effect to the apparent reversal of direction for the innermost planet.

Your Natal Mercury Condition

As with all astrology good forecasting and interpretation for yourself hinges on your own chart. If you have a well-placed and robust Mercury you will withstand the influence of Mercury retrograde (or any retrograde depending on the planet) and still be standing as other folds under their weaker Mercury placements.

A broad generality is like saying, “All cars reverse (or back-up) badly” when really it is more that, “some drivers can’t reverse very well.”

You know yourself that you are better at some things than others and certainly you will do some things way better than anyone else. So saying we all suffer the same way when Mercury is retrograde is simplistic.

If you have Mercury retrograde in your birth chart you will withstand the negative effects of any Mercury retrograde period now and in the future.

How Retrogrades Affect Your Chart

Whichever house in your natal chart this retrograde occurs will be the area of life that is affected.

For example, if this Mercury retrograde period occurs in your fourth house then you will revisit family and home issues and you will need to go back and attend to them as drains, leaks and plumbing come to mind.

If Mercury retrogrades in your seventh house, your marriage will need further discussions and conversations and yes it will be about dragging up past issues (like affairs) to be once aired again as these things just won’t stay buried.

 

The Illusion of Aparrent Retrograde Motion

Retrograde motion is the apparent backwards movement of a planet.

The analogy I use when I’m teaching a class is that when you are on a train moving forwards then another train pulls alongside going at the same speed, if the second train slows down it appears to be going backwards, although it is still moving forwards albeit slower than your train.

This is an optical illusion and clearly demonstrates planetary apparent retrograde motion.

 

 

Read more >>>  Mercury retrograde and Job seeking.

Author Bio

Alison Price: Astrology Coach

Alison wants to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor.

Learn more about Alison’s journey.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

More Articles

If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.

 

Starzology Astrology Podcast

Starzology Astrology Podcast

Join us for calm astrology themed fireside chats. We have conversations around transits, ingresses, retrogrades and lunations on the Starzology Astrology Podcast.

How to Interpret a Retrograde Sun

How to Interpret a Retrograde Sun

by

Retrograde Sun

Introduction

Everything you wanted to know about a retrograde Sun, but were too afraid to ask

There really are only two responses to the title of this piece. Ok, maybe more than two, but the essence of each will be the same as they are just variations on a theme.

The first response is “I have to learn about this new feature in astrology” and the second reaction is “What’s she banging on about now?”

 

Part 1: If you don’t know about retrograde Suns

Read this part if you have a retrograde Sun in your chart, if it is in a member of your family’s nativity, if it has cropped up in a friend’s horoscope or if you wish to learn how to interpret one.

 

  • Decide if it is a daytime or nighttime birth
  • Check for converse progressions
  • Realize that astrology has many confusing details
  • Calculate the chart with Regiomontanus house cusps
  • Book in for the class “Astronomy for Astrologers”
  • Make sure to discuss this interesting phenomena at you next astrology meeting

Part 2: If you do know all about retrograde Suns

Read this part if you know about retrograde Suns or if you have come across them before. Here are some thoughts on how to proceed.

  • A little knowledge is a dangerous thing
  • Choose your mentors wisely
  • Always be on the lookout for a sense of humor
  • Know that not all those reading this have your powers
  • Get behind the “All practitioners must get certified” regime
  • Go outside, stand in the Sun and smile

Remember everyone sees the world through the lens of their own chart. What one person sees is often different to how you view things.

Who is correct?

Sometimes it is not easy to tell.

Let astrology inspire you.

 

Author Bio

Alison Price: Astrology Coach

Alison wants to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor.

Learn more about Alison’s journey.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

More Articles

If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.

 

Self-care for Astrologers

Self-care for Astrologers

Author: Alison Price   -   Published: December 2024 Self-Care for Astrologers Personal Well-being Why self-care is Crucial This week I want to talk about some self-care topics that relate directly to astrologers. As a practicing astrologer, you are like a conduit,...