Mars
Is Mars
retrograde?
No. Mars is direct. The next Mars retrograde starts January 10, 2027 at 12:59 UTC in Virgo. On November 6, 2026, Mars is in pre-shadow. Next change: station retrograde on January 10, 2027 at 12:59 UTC, at 10°26′ Virgo.
Mars retrograde dates
| Cycle | Pre-shadow starts | Station retrograde | Opposition | Station direct | Post-shadow ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2024Leo → Cancer | Oct 5, 2024, 04:40 | Dec 6, 2024, 23:336°10′ Leo | Jan 16, 2025, 02:3926°13′ Cancer | Feb 24, 2025, 02:0017°01′ Cancer | May 2, 2025, 06:07 |
| January 2027Virgo → Leo | Nov 5, 2026, 15:34 | Jan 10, 2027, 12:5910°26′ Virgo | Feb 19, 2027, 15:510°46′ Virgo | Apr 1, 2027, 14:0820°56′ Leo | Jun 8, 2027, 01:58 |
| February 2029Libra → Virgo | Dec 10, 2028, 02:31 | Feb 14, 2029, 08:1613°55′ Libra | Mar 25, 2029, 07:494°57′ Libra | May 5, 2029, 19:0024°56′ Virgo | Jul 9, 2029, 04:02 |
All times UTC, to the minute. Next change in your time: Jan 10, 2027 · 12:59 UTC. Each cycle is named for the month of its retrograde station.
What is a Mars retrograde?
Mars turns retrograde about every 780 days, when Earth overtakes Mars on the inside track around the Sun. Seen from Earth, Mars slows, stops, and moves westward against the stars for 80 to 81 days. In the middle of each retrograde Mars is at opposition: opposite the Sun, up all night, and near its closest and brightest.
Retrograde is apparent motion caused by Earth's own orbit. It is astronomy timing, not a horoscope, and it does not depend on a birth chart. How the stations, shadow and opposition are timed.
Questions
Is Mars retrograde?
No. Mars is direct. The next Mars retrograde starts January 10, 2027 at 12:59 UTC in Virgo. This answer covers November 6, 2026, UTC.
When is the next Mars retrograde?
After November 6, 2026, the next Mars retrograde starts January 10, 2027 at 12:59 UTC, at 10°26′ Virgo and ends April 1, 2027 at 14:08 UTC, at 20°56′ Leo.
How long does Mars retrograde last?
In this calendar Mars is retrograde for 80 to 81 days, measured from station to station; for example from February 14, 2029 at 08:16 UTC to May 5, 2029 at 19:00 UTC.