Mars Retrograde in 2024-2025: dates and tips about the period

Mars retrograde in 2024 promises to be one of the most sensitive astrological transits of the end of the year. This star, which astrologically corresponds to attitude, body, energy, and courage, also psychologically directly influences our way of acting and overcoming challenges. It is an invitation to slow down when it goes into retrograde, as it does between December 6th, 2024 and February 26th, 2025. It is a good time to reflect, review strategies and adjust how we use our vitality. More than a period of pause, its retrograde is always an opportunity to reconnect with your goals and redirect your energy.

What does Mars Retrograde mean?

Mars retrograde is an astrological phenomenon that occurs when, from Earth's perspective, Mars appears to be moving backward in the sky. The differences in orbital speeds between Earth and Mars around the Sun cause this illusion. Although it is not a real movement, this perception is significant in Astrology.

Mars governs our ability to make decisions, act assertively (or not) and pursue goals. When retrogradation occurs, these qualities undergo a "pause": it is usually time to review motivations, adjust strategies, and reevaluate how we use our energy in some areas of ​​life.

This transit occurs approximately every 26 months and lasts between 2 and 2.5 months. Because it is less frequent than those of planets such as Mercury or Venus, the impact of Mars's retrograde is usually more noticeable.

What can you expect from Mars Retrograde from December to February?

Between December 6th, 2024 and February 23rd, 2025, Mars will be in retrograde, transiting from 6° Leo to 17° Cancer. This period promises to bring a dynamic marked by moments of delays, emotional adjustments and revisions. In addition, Mars' opposition with Pluto in Aquarius will be one of the most impactful aspects of this transit, as it can potentially attract events and situations of significant impact, including more tense or belligerent ones.

Mars Retrograde in Leo (December 6th to January 6th):

Leo, a sign of the fire element, is associated with creativity, self-confidence and personal expression. During the retrograde, recognize how your ego may guide your impulses and reevaluate if necessary. Issues of pride, vanity or leadership conflicts may emerge, requiring patience and a more strategic approach.

Tensions with Pluto

While transiting Leo, Mars will form an opposition with Pluto, which has just entered the sign of Aquarius. This aspect can bring internal and external tensions to the surface, especially those related to power, control, and transformation dynamics. It may be a time to face deep fears or patterns that need to be broken. Pluto intensifies introspection and can reveal hidden truths on a personal and collective level. The geopolitical scenario and the points of contact between the current conflicts in the world can undergo significant correspondence during this opposition. On a personal level, it is essential to act cautiously, avoiding impulsive behavior or unnecessary confrontations.

Mars Retrograde in Cancer (from January 6th):

With Mars's return to Cancer, the tone of the transit becomes more emotional and reflective, a time when accumulating energy becomes more possible. This sign of the element water highlights the themes of care, protection, and emotional security. There may be a greater focus on family issues and adjustments in the home. However, the opposition to Pluto may still reverberate, bringing up emotional challenges related to past dynamics or family patterns that need healing.

This period can also intensify repressed feelings. It will be essential to find healthy ways to deal with frustrations, channeling them into creative or therapeutic activities without exploding all feelings that may be pent-up at once.

Mixed energy and learnings:

Combining the passage through Leo, the interference of the opposition to Pluto and the more emotional nature of Cancer, this transit of Mars suggests finding a balance between action and reaction. This period can be more sensitive and demanding, but it offers unique opportunities to revisit priorities and work on emotional intelligence.

It is important to remember that only some have experienced the Mars retrograde period similarly. The influences of this transit depend on which astrological houses Leo and Cancer occupy your Birth Chart and if there are planets in these areas that will interact directly with this passage of Mars during its retrograde. Therefore, the impact may vary. Find out more details by making your Free Birth Chart on Astrolink, following your daily Horoscope and making the most of this cycle.

Tips for dealing with this Mars Retrograde period

• Think before you act: Avoid acting on impulse, especially in conflict situations. Observe patterns and plan calmly before making important decisions;
• Review old goals: This is the ideal time to revisit everything set aside in recent times and evaluate what still makes sense. Minor adjustments to existing strategies can open up paths that were previously blocked;
• Prioritize self-care: Whenever Mars is retrograde, many people may experience a drop in energy, so taking care of your body and mind is essential. Invest in relaxing activities, outdoor walks or meditation. Taking short breaks in your daily routine can also help to renew your energy;
• Avoid unnecessary conflicts: Arguments can escalate quickly, especially with the opposition to Pluto. That feeling of being "on edge" can also happen, leading to abrupt emotional outbursts. Prefer to talk in a calmer moment or write down your feelings before expressing them verbally;
• Respect the natural rhythm: Don't try to force situations that seem stagnant. This phase invites us to accept that only some things must be resolved immediately. Trust the process and take the opportunity to plan your next steps.

Taking advantage of these practices helps turn the challenges of Mars retrograde into opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

How can each sign take advantage of Mars Retrograde?

During periods of retrograde motion, we are invited to reevaluate our actions, strategies and priorities. However, the influences vary according to each person's astrological chart. Many people do not see anything significantly different daily, but specific astrological configurations are more likely to lead to more tense moments. Below, see how this season of Mars retrograde can impact your sun or rising sign.

Horoscope for the signs during the period of Mars Retrograde

Aries

Mars retrograde tends to be more challenging for Aries, but it's also an excellent opportunity to slow down and realign your goals. Frustrations or a sense of limited progress will likely arise during this period, but this shouldn't be a reason to act impulsively. Take advantage of this time to review strategies that no longer work and strengthen your emotional foundation before taking new steps. Pluto can intensify internal or external conflicts, calling for calm and maturity in your decisions. Use this time to focus on projects requiring careful planning and patience, ensuring consistent results aligned with your values.

Taurus

Taurus will feel this period as an invitation to reevaluate how you direct your energy between your desires and external demands. Beware of tensions, especially if imbalances in your routine or goals seem stuck. Pluto can highlight areas where adjustments are needed, but this also opens up space to reorganize plans practically and realistically. Avoid hasty decisions or emotional reactions. Prioritize actions that bring balance and use your natural ability to build more solid things, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.

Gemini

For Gemini, this period allows you to slow down and analyze how you have used your energy in projects and relationships. This phase favors reviewing plans that seem misaligned with your purposes or require creative adjustments. Pluto can bring tensions in social or professional interactions, testing your patience and ability to communicate clearly. Take advantage of this to explore new ideas but avoid unnecessary conflicts. This transit can renew your focus and help you prioritize what matters for the future.

Cancer

Mars invites Cancer to adjust your plans and reconnect with what matters. At the beginning of the transition, you may experience subtle changes in how you express your self-confidence. As Mars returns to your sign, Pluto may intensify emotional challenges, especially in family or personal dynamics. Use your intuition to make careful adjustments and strengthen your emotional foundation. Avoid holding onto resentments or letting frustrations build up. This is a powerful time to invest in initiatives that promote inner growth and balance.

Leo

For Leo, Mars brings an opportunity to reflect on how you express your leadership and seek recognition. This transit can reveal areas where your actions are not aligned with your values. Pluto can highlight tensions related to power or self-confidence, challenging you to find balance in the face of external expectations. As Mars moves into Cancer, avoid unnecessary drama and instead use your energy to plan and strengthen yourself internally. Good things will come from patience and authenticity.

Virgo

Virgo will find this time an opportunity to reorganize priorities and adjust goals that must be refined. This period calls for a careful analysis of your strategies, but Pluto may bring to the surface tensions related to collaborations or expectations that need to be reassessed. Take advantage of your analytical skills to identify improvements, whether in personal or professional plans. Avoid overworking yourself, and allow yourself to pause when necessary.

Libra

For Libra, if you feel that some projects need to progress as expected, see this as an opportunity to redefine priorities. Pluto can bring tensions to the surface in relationships or partnerships, asking you to seek harmony and avoid unnecessary confrontations. Take advantage of this period to make conscious decisions and obtain satisfactory results in the future.

Scorpio

Scorpio may experience Mars retrograde as a challenging period where efforts don't yield the expected results. Pluto may bring issues that need to be addressed directly to the surface. Instead of getting frustrated, use this time to understand your motivations and set goals better and more clearly. Your resilience is a great ally!

Sagittarius

For Sagittarius, Mars opens the door to reevaluating travel plans, studies, or long-term projects that seem stagnant. Pluto can reveal tensions in your worldview. Avoid making rash decisions or committing beyond what you can handle. Instead, focus on planning realistically for whatever you are interacting with.

Capricorn

Capricorn may perceive Mars retrograde as a time to reflect on their energy use in their ambitions and power dynamics. Issues related to authority and responsibilities may emerge, calling for more extraordinary patience and strategic adjustments. Pluto may intensify challenges in the professional environment or bring old patterns that need to be transformed to the surface. Use this time to slow down and review your approaches, seeking more collaborative solutions.

Aquarius

For Aquarius, Mars can be a time to review your relationships and goals involving collaboration. Pluto brings tensions to the surface that can challenge your independence. Old resentments or unresolved issues may surface, but this is the time to deal with them consciously. By building a stronger emotional foundation, you will strengthen your connections and your vision for the future.

Pisces

Pisces may perceive Mars as an invitation to revisit their goals and explore their creativity. Projects that seemed stagnant may require adjustments to better align with their values. Pluto may intensify reflections on self-reliance and the need to balance collaboration with their quest for recognition. This is a time to use intuition to guide and prioritize actions promoting emotional balance.

Upcoming Mars Retrograde Period

As we said before, Mars' retrograde movement is the rarest in the solar system, occurring every 26 months. Therefore, its next retrograde will only happen in 2027, starting on January 10th, in the sign of Virgo. In the next period, the star will return to Leo again and may connect events of the next 3 months from this date.

Furthermore, it is essential to understand that each transit in astrology impacts your Birth Chart in a unique and particular way. Therefore, to understand these influences in a personalized way, check out your Personalized Horoscope. You will have access to the daily influences there, considering all areas of your life.