Mars is more or less, the toddler of the zodiac. It wants what it wants. This planet has primal, immediate reflexes to act - like flinching when you hear a glass break. Mars prefers to assert itself openly and directly, it cuts to the chase and moves things forward - and yet tomorrow, it goes retrograde. Instead of thrusting out into life, it’s heat will dash inwards - making our impulses less overt and more psychological.

The days leading up to Mars retrograde can feel like an energy suck, though once it gains momentum backwards, it has the same voltage as a full moon opposite the Sun. Bright red in the sky and retrograde - martial energy will be pervasively messy this Winter. Our impulses may feel short-circuited by a complex inner-processing, we might sense what we should be doing, but the struggle to act on it will feel less accessible. This energy has been subtly present since Mars entered its shadow period Oct 5th. Projects, ideas or events that have occurred (or wanted to) since then, may need to be revisited and re-worked. Mars retrograde is not inherently bad, it’s methods are just more chaotic than the cult of mainstream productivity culture. The more you allow yourself to let go of control, make mistakes, pivot and be non-linear in your progress, the more tolerable it will be. Rushing forward isn't the only way to get to where you are going...

This may be exciting for some of us, an opportunity to approach the past from a different angle. For others, delays and set-backs may make things extra frustrating. A concentration of inner-tension may build in the nervous system, and so its always a good time to make sure you’re taking care of your body. Eat cooling foods, breathe into belly, hum, go for a walk, dart into the woods, sweat. Road rage and fussiness may be imminent, especially around Jan 2nd when Mars is opposite Pluto, a combo that can create power struggles, paranoia and leave us easily offended. Try to refrain from getting into unnecessary conflicts. If anything, Mars retrograde is a good for figuring out what’s worth fighting for. 

Some element of this retrograde seems to be about how we handle the high-sensation of our successes and failures. Ambitious Mars reverses in Leo Dec 6th, and bops into Cancer Jan 6th. Mars makes totally different stylistic choices in these signs. Mars in Leo has courage to shine, it loves to triumph and win. Mars in Cancer wants to clam up and be safe, winning only comes after several mistakes and diversions, Mars in Cancer at first loves to lose. We may make bold ego-declarations while Mars is restlessly fierce in Leo, only to be confronted by a bout of agitated shyness once it re-enters the Cancer realm. 

What's the deal with Mars in Cancer ?

 Mars wants to assert itself and ask for things directly, but the Cancer crab does it sideways, circumventing desires by safety-testing everything. Requests from Mars in Cancer can seem eerily subliminal or passive-aggressive. Cancer is ruled by the Moon, the realm of our irrational feelings, making Mars feel more out of control here. Cancer has everything to do with attachment, care and belonging - which is soooo embarrassing for the combative animal instincts of Mars. Mars stays hyper-vigilant here, defending against it own emotional vulnerability. This mismatch can create a lot of silly conundrums, wherein attachment needs are withheld until they curdle into resentments, boiling over into emotional anger. People who have this placement nataly (as I do !) will spend much of their life learning how to assert themselves effectively, maintain their self-esteem and keep going with what satisfies them, even when it’s awkward or unpopular. Once Mars in Cancer decides that it's safe to follow an impulse, it is a creative force of nature. 

Overall, try to give this retrograde some space to play out, it will be a process. With Mars cutting its metal against Pluto, the urge to make a dramatic decision may be compulsively strong, yet premature. Retrogrades ask us to re-consider, re-do and re-collect evidence of previous choices from the past. Take your time to reconsider outworn methods of asserting yourself and find new determination for how you want to act differently in the future. Clearer decisions may culminate after Mars moves forward Feb 23rd, 2025, but do what you got to do along the way. If you have to make a mess, make a mess - life is not linear, it weaves.

Important Rx dates:

MARS shadow – OCT 5, 2024

Opposite PLUTO IN CAP – NOV 2, 2024

Stations RX DEC 6, 2024 at 6º LEO

Opposite PLUTO IN AQUA > JAN 2, 2025

Enters CANCER > JAN 6, 2025

HALFWAY POINT > JAN 15,2025

Stations Direct FEB 23, 2025 at 17º CANCER

Opposite PLUTO IN AQUA – April 26, 2025

OUT of SHADOW – MAY 3, 2025