Mars—the planet of passion, anger, and masculine energy—is known for bringing the most potent retrograde of all planets for two reasons.

1. The first one is that Mars goes retrograde the least—only once every two years, making it the least common planetary retrograde of all.

2. The second is that Mars is the most intense planet in the sky! Of all planets, Mars energy functions as a trigger, bringing action, heat, intensity, and fire.

When Mars goes retrograde, all zodiac signs feel it regardless of the sign Mars is going retrograde in. But since Mars is the planetary ruler of Aries and Scorpio, those who have their Sun, Moon, Rising, Venus, or Mars in any of those two signs will feel it the most. I am a double Scorpio & feel the retrogrades of Mars very intensely!

Mars Retrograde Effects

Since Mars is the planet that gets you out of bed, gets you what you want, as well as the ruler of sexual energy, when Mars goes retrograde, it’s very normal to feel:

• Fatigue.

• Low libido.

• Lack of motivation.

• Anger and frustration.

The Dos & Don’ts of Mars Retrograde

1. Do not begin new things, launch new projects, or take a relationship to the next level. If you have no other option, make sure you leave wiggle room for change, as you might not feel as passionate about the project or relationship once the retrograde is over.

2. Do not let anger get the best of you: Since retrogrades in general are connected to time, when Mars goes retrograde, anger from the past is bound to return. Unfinished business get a do-over, so you can see this as an opportunity to end things right with someone from your past.

3. Rethink the way you display your masculine energy: How is your Mars placed within your chart in terms of zodiac sign, astrological house, and aspect? Mars retrogrades are always a fantastic opportunity to either learn how to deal with your anger in the case that you' have a strong Mars—or try to revive your relationship with this planet in the case that you’re not harnessing it as you would like to.

4. Schedule more sleeping and rest time, as you will need it. This will be especially true if you’re someone who is constantly on the go.

Mars Retrograde in Cancer & Leo 2024-2025: Accelerated Collective Shifts

In 2024, Mars will go retrograde in two signs: Leo (from December 6, 2024 to January 5, 2025) and Cancer (from January 6 to February 23, 2024). If you have any planets between 1 and 11 degrees of the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius), you will feel the first part of the retrograde the most. If you have any planets between 12 and 29 degrees of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn), you will feel the second part of the retrograde the most.

The truth is that this retrograde of Mars looks intense due to the involvement of Pluto, the planet of collective change, as it makes its rare entrance into the sign of Aquarius. Pluto, the furthest planet from Earth rules entire epochs, initiating us into a brand new era that will develop over the next twenty years!

Mars Retrograde in Leo & the Great Conjunction

What feels most striking about this retrograde of Mars is that it will clash with Pluto during the time Pluto sits at 0 degrees of Aquarius. This is where the social planets (Jupiter and Saturn) met on December 21, 2020, which is known as the Great Conjunction, set to initiate us into a 200-year cycle of air energy, after 200 years of Earth energy. We are moving out of the materialistic ways of existence to move into an era of knowledge, learning, and intellectual advancement and stimulation. In short, this Mars retrograde is like no other, functioning as an actual portal between the old and decadent ways of relating to our environment and new ways of co-existing. Sticking to its role of initiator, Mars is going to push us to change into the future—but not without its usual intensity. On a personal level, you must sit down and take a serious look at the astrological house that holds 0 degrees of Aquarius—for you, all the imminent change is happening in that area of life. This is especially true if you have any planets around 0 degrees of fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) and even 0 degrees of Gemini and Libra. Either way, you're being pushed to change, which is easier for the latter.

Your Mars Retrograde Timeline

I have created the following timeline to help you plan your Mars retrograde journey ahead! If you’re a student of astrologer, you will also notice a lot of intense events in the news these days.

December 6: Mars goes retrograde @ 6 degrees of Leo

If you have any planets between 1 and 11 degrees of the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius), you will feel the first part of the retrograde the most. 

December 6: Venus enters Aquarius (beginning to activate retrograde Mars)

The things that come up right now, as a situation could be beginning, most likely involving relationships. Venus is scheduled to oppose Mars on December 12, which is a intense aspect when it comes to friendships or matters of the heart. But we could begin to see some themes emerge now. This is something a time to be careful with what you say whenever dealing with a sensitive situation as things could grab speed and reach intensity in just six days.

December 9—December 15: Grand Fire Trine between Mercury retrograde, Mars retrograde, and the Lunar North Node of Destiny

This is my favorite part of the entire retrograde of Mars, and even the retrograde of Mercury, because remember since December 6, the retrograde of Mercury and the retro of Mars have been overlapping, bringing our attention to the past, so it's very possible that we're figuring or reconfiguring some situations or agreements. Some of these interactions with old friends or lovers could be intense at first and might be feeling like reopening an old wound, there is a possibility to find healing in the long run if perhaps not immediately. 

Since the lunar notes of destiny are involved, faded events could also be part of this configuration.

December 12: Venus opposition retrograde Mars 

Keep an eye on intense interactions within romantic relationships, business connections, as well as any transactions related to money. This is due to Venus being the planet of pleasure, relationships, and money. You might have to agree to disagree for now and leave the conversation open for a time during which there won't be so much tension in the air. The truth is that this is an aspect that could spell breakups, so unless you're completely sure that you do not wanna go there, move carefully

December 25: Scorpio moon forms a T-square with Mars retrograde and Pluto

This is an intense day with the waning Scorpio moon creating tension between Mars and Pluto. The release point is Taurus and Taurus is the sign of the body, this would be a really good time to pamper yourself and take naps. This is Christmas Day, so it might be a good time to avoid any sensitive conversations with family or friends.

January 1—January 2: Mars forms an opposition with Pluto in Aquarius

We begin the year on an intense note, as this is the climax, astrological aspect of this entire Mars retrograde. A lot of us could be feeling this aspect even in the last days of December, there will definitely be intense news worldwide, so it will be important to protect your energy. March's first opposed to Pluto on November 4, but this time Mars is retrograde, which means that the effects will be more potent. This is not a day to take risks, it is a day to practice awareness as you say hi to 2025. I would also say that this is not necessarily the greatest of energies to sad intentions, so the good news is that you have more time to think about what you truly want in the year ahead.

January 1—January 6: Mars forms positive aspects with Lunar Nodes of Destiny

Destiny is at play again, when a situation from the past could be required or even fixed with the right amount of patience. New people might be coming into our lives now, and most likely with a very specific reason that feels “meant to be.” However, remember that beginning a romance under Mars retrograde is not ideal for a long-term success.

January 6: Retrograde Mars enters Cancer 

If you have any planets between 12 and 29 degrees of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn), you will feel the second part of the retrograde the most. 

This is when the flavor of the retrograde of Mars drastically changes, so expect new themes to begin around this time. The focus shifts from the fixed signs to the cardinal signs. We're talking here about the planet of action and anger moving from fire to water, so the manifestations could be many. At its worst, fire and water can create a dramatic and steamy storm. At its best, it can bring access to feelings of compassion as you deal with the issues that this retrograde is bringing your way. 

January 12: Mars forms a trine with Neptune in Pisces

Another day during which we have access to the compassionate energy of the water element as Neptune in Pisces can bring healing as we allow ourselves to flow a little better. This is also a time to be thinking about the dreams that you would like to manifest not necessarily act on them, but no one is not gonna tell you to dream as the trine is a very positive aspect.

January 12—January 20: The Sun in Capricorn forms an opposition with Mars & is conjunct Pluto

The star of our solar system begins activating the Mars-Pluto opposition, bringing intensity to personal as well as collective events. Right now you might experience power struggles within important relationships, and perhaps also at work since the sun in Capricorn carries a career-oriented energy of responsibility authority. I would say that if you can avoid prior struggles, it is a day to observe more than act or react. 

January 25: Venus in Pisces forms a trine with Mars in Cancer

This is the most positive aspects of the entire Mars retrograde, when perhaps the relationship situations or dramas that you've been experiencing begin or could begin to move in a more compassionate direction. This would be a good time to approach a more serious conversation, as Pisces, the planet of pleasure and love, ace placed in its sign of exhalation; it's absolute favorite of all zodiac signs to be in. 

February 3: Mars forms a square with Chiron in Aries

This is a pretty intense day, as it brings a double Martian, masculine, to the table. We could feel this when it comes to dealing with family members, our partners, our roommates, or someone we interact at a very personal level. A conversation or an event that takes place now could reopen old wounds. If this comes up for you, it's definitely an energy to process your feelings and become aware of the reasons why you feel triggered, instead of overreacting. 

February 16: The moon in Libra forms a square with Mars

While the moon travels in Libra, we're very focused on our relationships, and the square that the moon forms with Mars requires us to just move through our interactions with awareness. After all, we're getting very close to the end of the retrograde, so this is one last push.

February 23: Mars goes direct in Cancer (@17 degrees) 

Today, Mars goes direct, but you should still be mindful of your movements moving slow slowly and not overreacting, our stations are very potent. 

With much love,

Narayana

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