Mars Retrograde in Leo & Cancer 2024: Dates, Meaning, & Horoscopes

In 2024, Mars stations retrograde in Leo on December 6, and stations direct in Cancer on February 23, 2025.

Mars Retrograde in Leo & Cancer 2024: Pre & Post-Shadow Dates & Degrees

Mars enters the pre-retrograde shadow on October 4, 2024, at (17° 01′) Cancer.

Mars goes retrograde on December 6, 2024, at (6° 11′) Leo.

Mars stations direct on February 23, 2025, at (17° 01′) Cancer.

Mars leaves the post-retrograde zone on May 2, 2025, at (6° 11′) Leo.

Learn everything about planets in retrograde.

Mars Retrograde 2024 Meaning

When Mars is retrograde, it makes circumstances and life move at a slower pace. This means that we might feel as if we were pushing a rock upwards on the hill without seeing any movement. The energy can have an extreme effect on people, as they can lose their patience very quickly. Mars retrograde in Leo can make us extremely temperamental and dramatic, due to the theatrical and fiery nature of the sign.

As it moves backwards into Cancer, our emotions will be in flux and out of control. This is due to the fact that Mars isn’t happy in this water sign, since Cancer changes its moods with the moon. Since Mars rules action and ambition, we can expect to feel unmotivated, sluggish, and slow—as if we were running underwater. Therefore, it will make us feel lost in our passions, and unable to verbalize our sentiments. We will want to spend more time by ourselves and at home, than actually taking anything on.

Mars Retrograde 2024 Key Dates

• December 12: Mars retrograde opposes Venus. Since Mars is retrograde, it will create a very destructive energy that leads to gnarly fights. Know when to walk away from these situations. 

• January 2, 2025: Mars retrograde opposes Pluto, instigating arguments over control and jealousy. This will be, by far, the most intense aspect Mars performs during this retrograde.

• January 4, 2025: Mars retrograde aspects the Nodes of Destiny, adding pro to our step and energy to our vibe.

• January 12, 2025: Mars retrograde connects with Neptune, making us feel stuck and lacking direction. Don’t push projects or situations forward because it’ll be hard for them to gain traction.

• January 23, 2025: Mars retrograde opposes Mercury, leading to miscommunications. Listen before reacting. 

• January 23, 2025: Mars retrograde sextiles Uranus, pushing us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace our true selves.

• January 25, 2025: Mars retrograde trines Venus, heightening our passions and desires.

• February 3, 2025: Mars retrograde squares the centaur Chiron, opening up and healing old wounds.

• February 9, 2025: Mars retrograde connects with Saturn, limiting our ability to grow and evolve.

• February 23, 2025: Mars retrograde links up with Mercury, giving us an understanding of the past.

If you’re confused about an important person or situation, a live psychic reading can bring the clarity you need!

Mars Retrograde 2024 Effects

-Most intense for: The retrograde will be intense for Leo, Virgo, Pisces, and Aquarius. If the zodiac signs are not careful, this transit can have a very negative effect on relationships and careers. Therefore, they should move with ease and compassion. 

-Most challenging for: This retrograde will be extremely intense for the cardinal signs, which are Aries, Libra, Cancer, and Capricorn. The energy will hit close to home, allowing them to have difficulties in relationships, and an extremely hard time finding their footing. They will be extremely exhausted, which will lead to their frenetic energy. 

-Most beneficial for: This retrograde will be the most beneficial for Sagittarius, Gemini, Aquarius, and Scorpio. This zodiac signs will have the chance to reassess their daily activities, and also reestablish a good financial foundation. With the right help and incentive, they will be able to accomplish things and thrive at this time.

Your 2024 Horoscope has vital information about how to harness Mars’ powers!

Horoscopes for Mars Retrograde 2024

Aries 

Connecting to your inner child will heal a lot of the issues from your past. In order to do so, you should focus on a time in your childhood when there was trauma and emotional upsets. The more energy you give to dealing with your personal past and healing your heart, the easier it will be to forgive yourself (as well as others) and move forward with your life. Plus, you can honor your younger self by offering yourself a hug, compassion, understanding, and lots of love. 

Taurus 

Issues with your family might come to a head at this moment in time, resulting from miscommunications and stubbornness. Try to understand them clearly before jumping to assumptions. The more energy you spend in finding an effective way to discuss matters with your brood, the easier it will be to improve upon these matters. The first step is to be open to having deep and hard conversations that will improve dynamics. Being open to what they have to say will allow them to listen to you as a result. 

Gemini 

Oftentimes, you are the one who is perpetuating the gossip. However, you are the victim of the rumor mill this time around with a false testimony being spread about you by people you once trusted. It is hard for you to know who you can rely on. The good news is that he will begin to see people for who they are and you won’t be fooled by them again. By the end of the retrograde, their ill-willed intentions will be revealed. 

Cancer 

Your confidence is always a delicate sentiment. However, you’re beginning to feel as though it’s waffling more than ever. Try to surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself and don’t take too much to heart when others try to tear you down. The bottom line is that you should feel wonderful about your amazing self. Practicing daily affirmations will help you boost your self-esteem and make you feel like the radiant being that you are at all times. 

Leo 

You may feel as though you are sacrificing yourself at times, but remember you are saving your energy to create something beautiful and magical. Although you often wear your heart on your sleeve, you might find it easier to keep your heartfelt sentiments silenced — which won’t be beneficial to anyone. Allow yourself to speak up and be heard by sending those you care about a sweet message to show that you are interested in pursuing a future. Do not lose your voice.

Virgo 

You’re not wanting to invest your time in frivolous matters. Instead, you are opting to connect in a one-on-one manner. This means disconnecting from the world at large and only focusing on things and people that are important to you. What you’ll come to realize is that you don’t have the patience or energy to deal with others who don’t have the space to offer you anything more than the minimum. You’re ravenous for a true connection and won’t settle for anything less.

Libra 

You are relying on the help of other people too much to take initiative and to make your visions a reality. Yes, your dreams can take flight with the assistance of those you trust, but you don’t need to give up your power completely. Make sure you have a say in matters and have a voice before giving up total control. Finding a balance and compromise with those you’re working with is key, as it’ll allow you to have your voice and opinion be heard.

Scorpio 

When problems at work get in the way of making things happen at a fast pace, you might begin to sweat the small stuff. The retrograde might have you contemplating and focusing on things that are irrelevant to the big picture, which is why you should take a step back to focus on the larger scope of matters. The more you look forward and onward, the better you’ll feel about the stagnant pace of these current circumstances and how you can mend your looming professional matters. 

Sagittarius 

If you are looking for ways to take care of ongoing financial situations, you should consider enlisting the help of a trusted advisor, who can help you consolidate your debt and give you a financial plan to take care of such matters. Having someone advocate for you who’s in your corner wanting to defend you, will allow you to handle your circumstances without distraction. This will make you deal with finding the best way you can manage your financial situation as you move forward.

Capricorn 

You are usually able to create boundaries in relationships. However, this retrograde is pushing you to test limits with others and to not have strong barriers with people who want to submerge themselves into your life. It will be hard to say “no” at this moment in time, which will have complicated results from the lack of clarity in partnerships. It’s important to maintain expectations of how others should act (including yourself). Then, you can avoid a lot of these issues.

Aquarius 

The interpersonal relationships in their life could use a little TLC. It’s not that you don’t care about them, it’s just that you aren’t willing to put the effort into them at this juncture. Instead, you are focusing on your own needs and not those of others or any partnerships at this moment. Give yourself time to reflect and decide how much love and time you have to give. You’ll find that the retrograde will help in assessing your own feelings and ability to connect with those you love. 

Pisces 

It’s easy to form a crush on somebody when you don’t know them on a true and real level. The retrograde will allow you to connect with the person that you adore and see who they really are. You might get a cosmic wake-up call that pushes you to accept their flaws and love them unconditionally — regardless of minor things you’d change in their personality given the chance. You’ll come to realize that no one is perfect (not even you)—so who are you to judge?