Station in Leo · direct in Cancer
Mars retrograde
December 2024.
Mars stations retrograde at 6°10′ Leo on December 6, 2024 at 23:33 UTC and stations direct at 17°01′ Cancer on February 24, 2025 at 02:00 UTC. Pre-shadow begins October 5, 2024 at 04:40 UTC, the opposition is January 16, 2025 at 02:39 UTC, at 26°13′ Cancer, and post-shadow ends May 2, 2025 at 06:07 UTC.
Dates below are UTC, to the minute.
Station dates
The five moments of the December 2024 Mars cycle. Mars stations retrograde in Leo and direct in Cancer, so the cycle is named for both signs. The retrograde lasts 80 days.
| Phase | UTC | Your time | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-shadow starts | Oct 5, 2024 · 04:40 | UTC only | — |
| Station retrograde | Dec 6, 2024 · 23:33 | UTC only | 6°10′ Leo |
| Opposition (opposite the Sun) | Jan 16, 2025 · 02:39 | UTC only | 26°13′ Cancer |
| Station direct | Feb 24, 2025 · 02:00 | UTC only | 17°01′ Cancer |
| Post-shadow ends | May 2, 2025 · 06:07 | UTC only | — |
The opposition is the minute Mars stands opposite the Sun in ecliptic longitude, in the middle of the retrograde. Around it Mars rises at sunset and is up all night. How these are timed.
Signs and degrees
Mars retraces 19°09′ of the zodiac: it stations retrograde at 6°10′ Leo and backs up to 17°01′ Cancer before it stations direct. On the way back it leaves Leo and returns to Cancer, so this retrograde touches two signs. Mars first reaches 17°01′ Cancer on October 5, 2024, 62 days before the station, and clears 6°10′ Leo again on May 2, 2025, 67 days after it turns direct: 209 days on these degrees in all. The opposition falls on day 42 of 80, at 26°13′ Cancer.
This is the first Mars retrograde station in Leo in this calendar. No later one in Leo is listed in this calendar.
What to do in each phase
| Phase | Dates | Traditional focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-shadow | Oct 5, 2024 – Dec 6, 2024 | Start physical or competitive projects now if they cannot wait. |
| Retrograde | Dec 6, 2024 – Feb 24, 2025 | Rework strategy, rest and repair; avoid forcing new fights. |
| Opposition | Jan 16, 2025 · 02:39 | Mars is at its closest and brightest, up all night. |
| Post-shadow | Feb 24, 2025 – May 2, 2025 | Act on the revised plan as momentum returns. |
Other planets retrograde at the same time
Between December 6, 2024 at 23:33 UTC and February 24, 2025 at 02:00 UTC, 2 other planets are retrograde for at least part of the time:
Questions
When is Mars retrograde in December 2024?
Mars stations retrograde at 6°10′ Leo on December 6, 2024 at 23:33 UTC and stations direct at 17°01′ Cancer on February 24, 2025 at 02:00 UTC. Pre-shadow begins October 5, 2024 at 04:40 UTC, the opposition is January 16, 2025 at 02:39 UTC, at 26°13′ Cancer, and post-shadow ends May 2, 2025 at 06:07 UTC.
When does the December 2024 Mars retrograde end?
Mars stations direct on February 24, 2025 at 02:00 UTC, at 17°01′ Cancer, and post-shadow ends May 2, 2025 at 06:07 UTC.
When is the Mars opposition in this retrograde?
The opposition is January 16, 2025 at 02:39 UTC, at 26°13′ Cancer.
How long is this Mars retrograde?
80 days from station to station in UTC calendar days, from December 6, 2024 at 23:33 UTC to February 24, 2025 at 02:00 UTC.
What sign is Mars retrograde in, December 2024?
Mars stations retrograde at 6°10′ Leo on December 6, 2024 at 23:33 UTC and stations direct at 17°01′ Cancer on February 24, 2025 at 02:00 UTC, so this retrograde covers Leo and Cancer.
When is the shadow of the December 2024 Mars retrograde?
Pre-shadow runs 62 days, from October 5, 2024 at 04:40 UTC to the retrograde station; post-shadow runs 67 days, from the direct station to May 2, 2025 at 06:07 UTC. With the shadow, the cycle spans 209 days.
Which other planets are retrograde during the December 2024 Mars retrograde?
Between December 6, 2024 at 23:33 UTC and February 24, 2025 at 02:00 UTC: Jupiter in Gemini, Oct 9, 2024 to Feb 4, 2025 and Uranus in Taurus, Sep 1, 2024 to Jan 30, 2025.
What should I do during this Mars retrograde?
From December 6, 2024 at 23:33 UTC to February 24, 2025 at 02:00 UTC: Rework strategy, rest and repair; avoid forcing new fights.
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