Mars retrograde is always a fascinating time, and when you add the emotional landscape of Leo and Cancer to the mix, things get even more complex. Normally, Mars is all about moving forward—taking decisive action, pursuing our goals with ambition, and expressing assertiveness. However, during a retrograde period, Mars takes a step back. It’s not charging ahead as it usually does, and instead, it slows down or even comes to a halt in some areas of life. This can leave us feeling like our usual drive and energy are missing, almost as if we’re pressing pause on our ambitions. So read on and we will cover what it means with Mars retrograde in 2024-2025 and ways we can be navigating these Leo and Cancer energies.
Mars Retrograde in Cancer: Emotional Reflection
Mars Retrograde Cancer and Leo
The last time Mars was retrograde in Cancer was from November 15, 2007, to January 30, 2008. During that period, Mars retrograded from early degrees of Cancer back into Gemini before turning direct again. Mars retrograde in Cancer doesn't happen frequently, making it a significant event astrologically when it does. So take a look back to that time in your life see what your focus was then.
When Mars is in Cancer during a retrograde, the situation becomes even more sensitive. Cancer is a deeply emotional sign, connected to themes of emotional security, care-giving, and nurturing—whether that's toward others or ourselves. Instead of acting boldly and with the typical fire of Mars, we might find ourselves retreating inward, more protective of our feelings and cautious about how we express ourselves. It's not that we lack ambition during this time, but rather that the way we go after what we want is more about ensuring emotional safety first.
One key challenge during this Mars retrograde in Cancer is expressing anger or assertiveness. Cancer prefers to keep emotions close to the chest, so we might struggle to express how we’re really feeling, especially when it comes to difficult emotions like frustration, irritation, or anger. Mars retrograde in Cancer can create a lot of inner tension because while Mars wants action, Cancer wants comfort and security. This tug-of-war can make it hard to find an outlet for emotional expression, and the result may be passive-aggressive behavior, or we may feel like we’re bottling things up.
However, this retrograde offers a unique opportunity for reflection. Instead of charging ahead and potentially creating emotional wounds (ours or others'), we get the chance to slow down and consider where we need to ground ourselves emotionally. It’s a time to reassess how we take action in relation to our emotional needs. Are we being too protective, holding ourselves back from progress due to fear or insecurity? Or do we need to create better emotional boundaries before we can move forward with confidence?
Retrogrades are always a time of revisiting and reassessing, and with Mars retrograde in Cancer, it’s about reviewing our emotional motivations and how they influence the way we assert ourselves. It’s not about charging ahead, but about making sure we’re emotionally secure in the actions we’re preparing to take once Mars goes direct again. This period can be frustrating, but it also offers a deep, healing potential for anyone willing to reflect and reconnect with their inner emotional landscape.
Mars Retrograde in Leo: Boldness on Pause
Mars Retrograde Cancer and Leo
When Mars retrogrades in Leo, it’s a completely different vibe compared to Cancer. While Cancer deals with emotional security and nurturing, Leo is all about boldness, creativity, and self-expression. Leo loves to shine, to lead, and to take risks. So, when Mars—the planet of action, drive, and ambition—moves through Leo, there’s usually a sense of confidence, a natural spark that encourages us to step into the spotlight and show up as the best version of ourselves.
But when Mars goes retrograde in Leo, that fiery, outgoing energy takes a step back. Normally, Mars in Leo gives us the urge to chase after what we desire with passion and flair, but during a retrograde, we’re asked to pause and reflect on how we’re showing up. It’s less about immediate action and more about reexamining our personal leadership, creativity, and the risks we take. This can feel uncomfortable because Leo thrives on recognition and forward momentum, and the retrograde period may feel like a time where we’re not getting the usual attention or validation.
What happens is that our charisma and natural confidence may feel dimmed. We might start to question what truly drives us and whether we’ve been chasing certain goals out of a desire for external validation rather than true inner passion. Are we taking risks just to be seen, or are they aligned with what truly lights us up inside? Leo is all about the heart, so Mars retrograde here can force us to look at where our heart has been missing from our actions. It’s a time for recalibration—checking in on what fuels our personal power and leadership.
For example, you might find yourself rethinking a creative project that once excited you but now feels like it’s lost its spark. Or maybe you’ve been stepping into leadership roles but realize you’re not feeling as empowered as you’d like. Mars retrograde in Leo encourages us to ask, "Am I leading with authenticity? Am I pursuing what makes me feel alive, or am I doing this just to be admired?" These are questions that surface during this retrograde, asking us to realign our actions with our true desires.
It’s also a period for reconsidering the risks we take. Leo loves to be bold and take chances, but Mars retrograde can make us feel hesitant. Instead of charging forward, we might feel like we need to step back and reassess what risks are worth taking and which ones might be driven more by ego than heart-centered passion. This doesn’t mean you lose your fire—it’s just that the flame is being refined, helping you to focus on what truly matters.
Another thing to note is that Leo is tied to our sense of self-worth and pride, so Mars retrograde here can challenge us to confront where we’ve been too focused on external validation or approval. It’s a humbling time, but it also opens the door for deeper self-awareness. We’re given the chance to reconnect with our inner leader, to strengthen our sense of purpose, and to refine how we express our creative energy in the world.
Once Mars goes direct again, all the work we’ve done internally during the retrograde will pay off. We’ll emerge with a clearer understanding of what truly drives us, where we want to shine, and how we want to lead from a place of genuine passion and authenticity. While the retrograde period might feel like a time of retreat, it’s really a powerful time of realignment, preparing us to step back into the world with even more confidence and creative energy than before.
Mars Retrograde Dates and Planetary Transits
Mars opposite Pluto can bring power struggles to the surface. Pluto digs deep and exposes what’s hidden, so when Mars, the planet of action, faces off against Pluto, it's a clash between force and control. This could manifest as external conflicts or inner battles over how much power or control we’re exerting versus surrendering. It's intense but also transformative—teaching us how to let go of power plays that no longer serve us.
Mars is opposite Pluto on November 3, 2024, January 7, 2025, and April 17, 2025.
Mars trine Neptune is a much more harmonious energy. Neptune softens Mars' hard edges, blending our drive with imagination, compassion, and spirituality. During this aspect, we may feel inspired to take action in creative or healing pursuits. It’s a great time for anything artistic or altruistic, as our intuition and sense of flow are heightened.
Mars is trine Neptune on October 29th 2024, January 10 2025, and April 13 2025.
Mars sextile Uranus brings a burst of innovation and excitement. Uranus represents sudden changes, freedom, and rebellion, so this aspect adds a spontaneous, electrifying energy to our actions. We may feel the urge to break free from routines and take unexpected paths, often leading to breakthroughs or new, exciting opportunities.
Mars is sextile Uranus on October 24 2024, January 23 2025, and April 4 2025.
Mars Retrograde Timeline
Mars begins its journey at 17° of Cancer on October 5, 2024. It will move forward, then station retrograde, traveling backward into Leo, reaching 6° of Leo before turning direct. Afterward, Mars will move forward again, eventually returning to 17° of Cancer.
In total, this process takes about 30 weeks. Mars will finally return to 17° of Cancer on May 2, 2025.
In summary:
October 5, 2024: Mars is at 17° of Cancer moving forward.
December 6, 2024: Mars stations retrograde, moving backward.
February 23, 2025: Mars goes direct at 6° of Leo and moves forward again.
May 2, 2025: Mars returns to 17° of Cancer.
This whole cycle spans about 30 weeks from start to finish.
I know this is a lot to take in, and if you’d like help understanding how Mars retrogrades and its transits impact your life and chart, I’d love to support you! Feel free to reach out, and we can book a session together. You can also visit to schedule a time through my calendar. Here is the link.
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