Station in Virgo · direct in Leo
Mars retrograde
January 2027.
Mars stations retrograde at 10°26′ Virgo on January 10, 2027 at 12:59 UTC and stations direct at 20°56′ Leo on April 1, 2027 at 14:08 UTC. Pre-shadow begins November 5, 2026 at 15:34 UTC, the opposition is February 19, 2027 at 15:51 UTC, at 0°46′ Virgo, and post-shadow ends June 8, 2027 at 01:58 UTC.
Dates below are UTC, to the minute.
Station dates
The five moments of the January 2027 Mars cycle. Mars stations retrograde in Virgo and direct in Leo, so the cycle is named for both signs. The retrograde lasts 81 days.
| Phase | UTC | Your time | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-shadow starts | Nov 5, 2026 · 15:34 | UTC only | — |
| Station retrograde | Jan 10, 2027 · 12:59 | UTC only | 10°26′ Virgo |
| Opposition (opposite the Sun) | Feb 19, 2027 · 15:51 | UTC only | 0°46′ Virgo |
| Station direct | Apr 1, 2027 · 14:08 | UTC only | 20°56′ Leo |
| Post-shadow ends | Jun 8, 2027 · 01:58 | 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°30′ of the zodiac: it stations retrograde at 10°26′ Virgo and backs up to 20°56′ Leo before it stations direct. On the way back it leaves Virgo and returns to Leo, so this retrograde touches two signs. Mars first reaches 20°56′ Leo on November 5, 2026, 66 days before the station, and clears 10°26′ Virgo again on June 8, 2027, 68 days after it turns direct: 215 days on these degrees in all. The opposition falls on day 41 of 81, at 0°46′ Virgo.
This is the first Mars retrograde station in Virgo in this calendar. No later one in Virgo is listed in this calendar.
What to do in each phase
| Phase | Dates | Traditional focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-shadow | Nov 5, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027 | Start physical or competitive projects now if they cannot wait. |
| Retrograde | Jan 10, 2027 – Apr 1, 2027 | Rework strategy, rest and repair; avoid forcing new fights. |
| Opposition | Feb 19, 2027 · 15:51 | Mars is at its closest and brightest, up all night. |
| Post-shadow | Apr 1, 2027 – Jun 8, 2027 | Act on the revised plan as momentum returns. |
Compared with the previous cycle
| December 2024 | This cycle | |
|---|---|---|
| Station retrograde | Dec 6, 2024 · 6°10′ Leo | Jan 10, 2027 · 10°26′ Virgo |
| Station direct | Feb 24, 2025 · 17°01′ Cancer | Apr 1, 2027 · 20°56′ Leo |
| Signs | Leo → Cancer | Virgo → Leo |
| Length | 80 days | 81 days |
| Retrograde arc | 19°09′ | 19°30′ |
Mars moves direct for 685 days between the two retrogrades. This one lasts 81 days, 1 day longer than the December 2024 cycle, and its retrograde station sits 34°16′ further along the zodiac than the previous one.
Other planets retrograde at the same time
Between January 10, 2027 at 12:59 UTC and April 1, 2027 at 14:08 UTC, 3 other planets are retrograde for at least part of the time:
- Mercury in Pisces and Aquarius, Feb 9, 2027 to Mar 3, 2027
- Jupiter in Leo, Dec 13, 2026 to Apr 13, 2027
- Uranus in Gemini, Sep 10, 2026 to Feb 8, 2027
Questions
When is Mars retrograde in January 2027?
Mars stations retrograde at 10°26′ Virgo on January 10, 2027 at 12:59 UTC and stations direct at 20°56′ Leo on April 1, 2027 at 14:08 UTC. Pre-shadow begins November 5, 2026 at 15:34 UTC, the opposition is February 19, 2027 at 15:51 UTC, at 0°46′ Virgo, and post-shadow ends June 8, 2027 at 01:58 UTC.
When does the January 2027 Mars retrograde end?
Mars stations direct on April 1, 2027 at 14:08 UTC, at 20°56′ Leo, and post-shadow ends June 8, 2027 at 01:58 UTC.
When is the Mars opposition in this retrograde?
The opposition is February 19, 2027 at 15:51 UTC, at 0°46′ Virgo.
How long is this Mars retrograde?
81 days from station to station in UTC calendar days, from January 10, 2027 at 12:59 UTC to April 1, 2027 at 14:08 UTC.
What sign is Mars retrograde in, January 2027?
Mars stations retrograde at 10°26′ Virgo on January 10, 2027 at 12:59 UTC and stations direct at 20°56′ Leo on April 1, 2027 at 14:08 UTC, so this retrograde covers Virgo and Leo.
When is the shadow of the January 2027 Mars retrograde?
Pre-shadow runs 66 days, from November 5, 2026 at 15:34 UTC to the retrograde station; post-shadow runs 68 days, from the direct station to June 8, 2027 at 01:58 UTC. With the shadow, the cycle spans 215 days.
How does this Mars retrograde compare with the previous one?
The previous one, December 2024, ran from December 6, 2024 at 23:33 UTC to February 24, 2025 at 02:00 UTC and lasted 80 days; this one lasts 81 days. Mars moves direct for 685 days in between.
Which other planets are retrograde during the January 2027 Mars retrograde?
Between January 10, 2027 at 12:59 UTC and April 1, 2027 at 14:08 UTC: Mercury in Pisces and Aquarius, Feb 9, 2027 to Mar 3, 2027, Jupiter in Leo, Dec 13, 2026 to Apr 13, 2027, and Uranus in Gemini, Sep 10, 2026 to Feb 8, 2027.
What should I do during this Mars retrograde?
From January 10, 2027 at 12:59 UTC to April 1, 2027 at 14:08 UTC: Rework strategy, rest and repair; avoid forcing new fights.
Every Mars retrograde · All planets 2027 · All planets today · Mercury today · Mercury calendar for iPhone