Mythologically known as the God of War, in astrology, Mars is the planet of energy, action, and desire. In modern astrology, Mars rules fiery Aries, while in traditional astrology, it also governs watery Scorpio. In our natal charts, Mars represents how we express anger, drive, and self-assertion—our instinctive impulse to act.
2026 Mars Retrograde Dates
No retrograde periods for Mars.
Mars Retrograde Meaning
Mars stations retrograde approximately every twenty-six months, with these periods lasting two to two-and-a-half months. During a retrograde, Mars appears to move backward in the sky, retracing anywhere from ten to twenty degrees over sixty to eighty days. Mars retrogrades are relatively rare—second only to Venus retrogrades in frequency—so Mars doesn’t go retrograde every year.
Mars embodies our drive and ability to take action. While we often think of Mars as a warrior planet focused solely on offense, a dignified Mars knows when to strike and when to hold back. It’s capable of both initiating and responding with strength and precision....
Psychologically, Mars is linked to individuation—the process of becoming who we truly are. When wounded or repressed, Mars energy can surface as aggression or manipulation, lashing out when it feels powerless. At its best, Mars is the survivalist within us, fighting for what we need to thrive. It rules over choleric emotions like anger, frustration, and determination.
While Mercury retrogrades get most of the attention, Mars retrogrades can be equally disruptive. In a world that demands constant productivity and online presence, Mars’ reversal can feel like a jarring slowdown. Life may seem to stall; progress that once felt smooth suddenly hits resistance.
Projects initiated under Mars retrograde often lose steam, and new romances may fizzle after an exciting start. Motivation fluctuates, passions cool, and forward momentum can feel blocked. Since Mars is linked to sharp instruments, it’s also wise to postpone elective procedures like tattoos, piercings, or even haircuts during this time....
On a deeper level, Mars retrograde highlights how society conditions us to suppress our assertiveness. From childhood, we’re often taught to avoid confrontation, to be polite instead of direct. Over time, that can leave us with repressed anger or uncertainty about how to stand up for ourselves.
During Mars retrograde, those buried emotions may erupt unexpectedly. These moments invite reflection, helping us rework old conflicts and realign our motivations. By the end of the retrograde, clarity returns—we see where we’ve been misdirecting our energy and how to move forward with renewed purpose.
Mars Retrograde in the Natal Chart
It is relatively common to have transpersonal planets like Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto retrograde in the natal chart since they spend nearly half the year retrograde. Mars, on the other hand, only spends about nine percent of its time retrograde, making natal Mars retrograde far less common. Further, and importantly, because Mars is a personal planet tasked with integral parts of our personality and psyche, the effects of Mars retrograde in the natal chart are far more profound.
Mars is a planet which galvanizes us into action. With Mars retrograde, however, there is often an inhibited sense of this energy. If Mars normally seeks conflict so it can feel the thrill of the challenge, and hopefully even victory, Mars retrograde shirks from the same, preferring to stay well away from the battlefield....
Libidinous energies may also be repressed, keeping us from expressing our sexual and physical needs. Keeping the more difficult emanations of Mars under wraps, particularly anger, may lead to outbursts of repressed rage, depression, and even Mars-like bodily responses such as fevers and rashes. Some Mars retrograde folks may find that while they flounder in moments which call for aggression, they excel in matters of passive-aggression and have a peculiar, roundabout way of achieving their desires.
Like Saturn retrograde, Mars retrograde in the natal chart may indicate issues with the father or father figures. While Saturn retrograde in the natal chart suggests an absentee father figure, leaving its bearer unable to generate self-worth and suitable boundaries, Mars retrograde manifests differently.
Natal Mars retrograde describes a father (or father figure) who may have been relatively listless or ineffectual in his ability to direct his will. Without a role model to demonstrate the appropriate journey from intention to action, Mars retrograde individuals may find difficulty in setting defined goals, preferring to hide behind nebulous, unspecific plans. At its most extreme, this may make us less able to stand up for ourselves or strike out in search of personal fulfillment.
Mars retrograde calendar dates
Dates based on Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Stations retrograde June 26, 2018, at 9°13' Aquarius
Stations direct August 27, 2018, at 28°36' Capricorn
Stations retrograde September 9, 2020, at 28°03' Aries
Stations direct November 13, 2020, at 15°13' Aries
Stations retrograde October 30, 2022, at 25°36' Gemini
Stations direct January 12, 2023, at 8°07' Gemini
Stations retrograde December 6, 2024, at 6°10' Leo
Stations direct February 23, 2025, at 17°00' Cancer
Stations retrograde January 10, 2027, at 10°25' Virgo
