So, I have some unfortunate news, y’all—Mars Retrograde is here to bring a torrential downpour on your parade. Mars Retrograde doesn’t get enough press as Mercury Retrograde, but it’s objectively a real toughie of a transit. This time around, it’s taking place in its favorite sign, Aries, from September 9 until November 13 (but you’ll feel its effects up until the very end of December). The cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn are getting hit the hardest by this transit, but Leos and Sagittarians are having a much easier (but still difficult) time.
Mars is the planet of ego, motivation, aggression, and libido, and retrogrades are a time where things get turned upside-down. Basically, Mars Retrograde is a time when your sense of motivation, how energetic you feel, and your sex drive begin to slow down and behave weirdly. Yeah, yikes! Aries is the zodiac’s archetypal warrior, so when Mars is in Aries (like it is now) but not retrograde, you feel determined and ready for action. But when Mars begins moving backwards, that fiery drive and confidence evaporates. Mars, the God of War, feels like a total wimp right now, and so do you. Push on through, bb—it won’t last forever!
In fact, I’ve got a little Mars Retrograde timeline for you. From September 1 until September 13, Mars is in its first station—it’s slowing down in the sky and making you feel like total crap. From September 13 until November 3, Mars is properly retrograde, and you’re figuring out why all your motivation has disappeared and how to deal with your loss of energy. Finally, from November 3 until November 13, you’re likely to make changes to fix these issues. Mars stations direct on November 13, but you’re still cleaning up the mess until the post-retrograde shadow ends in late December.
TBH, this transit is going to be rough on everyone. But I would never throw all of this retrograde nightmare-fuel at you without letting you know how to get through it all! You just need to remember that your Martian side—your sense of independence, your motivation, your drive—is hardcore flopping right now, so starting new projects simply isn’t an option now. But if you and another person can work together on something, this can actually be a lucrative time for you! If you’re single, don’t start any new relationships—Mars Retrograde is a recipe for passive aggression and growing resentment, leading to you popping off over how loudly bae chews gum. Try to be upfront without being aggressive. Show others that you’re eager to compromise. Work hard, no matter how shitty and tired you feel, because the rewards will be well worth the wait.
Read your Sun/Rising sign horoscopes below:
Aries
Mars is your modern ruling planet, so usually when it’s hanging out in your sign, you have a damn good time! Unfortunately, this retrograde is gonna stir the pot. Your self-image, your personal goals, the way you consciously express yourself, and how you show your passion/motivation/aggression are all being called into question for the next two months. Why do you say/do the things you do? How do you apply yourself? What makes you feel motivated? Are you channeling your energy in productive, healthy ways, or have you just been a lazy POS lately? You might not feel like “you” for a while, Aries, but that’s because you’re learning who “you” actually are. Try to view this retrograde as an opportunity to reprioritize your goals and make (constructive) changes to how you express yourself.
Taurus
Every past project, relationship, and personal venture from the past two-ish years is being brought to your attention now, Taurus. Look at everything that you successfully completed—was your effort truly worth it, or were you wasting time doing something you’re not truly passionate about? Or maybe you’re feeling good about the work you’ve accomplished—but what about failed projects, or projects you just sort of dropped? Old almost-boos, former jobs, or work you started but never finished is coming up, so use this time to either cut cords or re-integrate them back into your life. And yeah, expect some exes in your DMs. If you ended things on bad terms, the beef is coming back up, but you can use this retrograde to find closure. But if you ended things on good terms, you might end up turning your ex-flame into your newest friend. Also, any “hidden enemies” in your life—shit talkers, fake friends, etc.—are also becoming more prominent. Use this time to squash the beef or kick ’em out of your life once and for all!
Gemini
You gotta kick some people to the curb, Gemini. Mars Retrograde is highlighting both old and new friends in your social circle. The good friends are going to be less…good, but if you decide they’re worth keeping around, you can get rid of any minor issues that might be putting a wedge between you. The crappy friends in your life are going to be waaaaaay more crappy now, sorry. Be direct, but not aggressive with these people. Tell them that if they still want to be in your crew, they have to get their act together. If they don’t, say “see ya, sucka!” and cut ’em loose. By the end of Mars Retrograde, your life will have tons of space for newer, better, more supportive friendships.
Cancer
Over the past two years, your motivation at work has sloooowly been diminishing, and now, you’re probably feeling worn TF out! Mars Retrograde highlights your frustration at your lack of career progress, and it’s reaching a high point. Why don’t you feel the same excitement at work that you used to? Maybe you’re on the wrong career path—use this time to start rewriting your resume. Maybe you love your job, but you’re not getting the upwards mobility you deserve—ask your manager for a check-in. Be confident, because Mars Retrograde is also highlighting a fear of recognition. Big achievements can lead to big rewards, sure, but they also make you feel like you have to keep up the work you’re doing because others have heightened expectations of you. But you can meet those expectations. You got this, Cancer!
Leo
You need a break, Leo. Even before Mars Retrograde hit, your energy was low, and now you’re feeling even more tired. You feel like your life’s becoming boring, and you’re desperate to break free. Well, I have some bad news—you can’t. Not right now, anyway. You’re being pushed to find out why you feel so bored. Is it because you don’t have any future plans and you’re just “going through the motions” of day-to-day life? Is it because you have no room to grow, either professionally or just in general? Discover the source behind why you feel like life is so bleh and figure out how to replace that part of your life with something new, exciting, and fascinating! Essentially, this retrograde is asking you to figure out why you can’t grow, discover what kind of person you want to develop into, and then find a way to bring your dreams to life.
Virgo
Two totally different areas of your life are being hit by Mars Retrograde—other people’s money and your sex life. Any outstanding debts you owe are making themselves very known, and you’re being pushed to repay them, quickly. People that owe you cash are causing even more drama by acting all weird when you bring up their debt, or maybe even straight-up ghosting you. Patience is a virtue, Virgo, so wait until after the retrograde ends to hit these people up, or you’ll only get into more financial trouble. As far as sex goes, your libido is extremely low, and it’s hard to feel ~chemistry~ with anyone. You want an amazing sex life, you just don’t know how to get there. This isn’t easy astro-weather, Virgo, and there’s no quick solution to the issues coming your way. Instead of channeling your Martian side—getting frustrated, impatient, or even explosive when these problems come up—try to be more like cooperative, cordial Venus. That way, you’ll minimize trouble and navigate this retrograde successfully. But yeah, it’ll really suck. Sorry, bb.
Libra
Mars Retrograde is pulling out aaaaalllllll of the drama out of your love life and laying it all on the table. Relationship issues are almost certainly going to be the central theme of the next two months, so any of your “b” relationships—your bestie, your boo, your business partners, or people you’re beefing with—are going to be challenging. Long-hidden feelings of anger, jealousy, or resentment are being highlighted, and you and your partner feel like you have got to hash it out. It’ll probs come out as a fight at first, unless you show a real eagerness to cooperate to get through these problems. Mars Retrograde is also asking you if your relationship is truly balanced, or if one person is putting in more of the work. You’re all about balance, Libra, so you totally got this—pinpoint the problems and work with your partner to solve them, even if that means breaking up.
Scorpio
Since Mars is your sign’s traditional planetary ruler, you’re really feeling this retrograde, Scorpio. For you, it’s all about health and wellness. First of all, Mars Retrograde can lead to clumsiness and stupid accidents, and in Aries (which rules the head/face), you might accidentally bump your head or have some type of minor athletic injury. Second, Mars Retrograde is pulling your attention towards how you’ve been spending your time/energy taking care of yourself—odds are, you haven’t been doing the best job. Review, revise, and recreate your self-care routine, and the yucky feelings you’re experiencing will start to go away. By the time the retrograde ends, you’ll have a new day-to-day routine that’s amazing for your mental and physical health.
Sagittarius
The fatigue, depression, and creative/emotional blockages you’re feeling can all be blamed on Mars Retrograde, and since the retrograde is so long, these icky feels are defs sticking around for a hot minute. (Sry!!!) Life in the bedroom might feel stale, or you might feel like you’re just losing interest in your S.O. Either you’re not feeling the same ~chemistry~ as you used to, or you’re just too worn out to even think about your love life. People change, Sagittarius, and right now, you’re going through a total transformation. The people/things you used to feel passion for are becoming less thrilling, because you’re simply not compatible anymore. Use this period of time to cut out the baggage in your life, whether it’s old, crappy friends or a toxic partner. By the end of this retrograde, you’ll have learned more about yourself, your desires, and how you can re-direct your energy into living a life that’s more true to who you are.
Capricorn
For the next two months, you can expect more drama at home and with the fam. Tension is high between you and your parents/your roommates/all of the above, and the tiniest inconvenience can lead to a major fight. Appliances at home can break down. You might find it hard to sleep at night. If you’re moving, lol, good luck!!! The big idea here is that your home isn’t feeling like a place you can “come home to” at the end of the day—because your roommates aren’t the best, your place doesn’t look very nice, or you have a lot of family drama going on. Use this time to squash beef with the people you live with, beautify your space, and make your life at home feel like it should feel—safe, comfortable, and stable.
Aquarius
So, one big Mars Retrograde issue for your sign is car trouble—you might hit a pothole because you’re been driving like a Martian (aggressive and distracted) and facing the consequences. On a totally different note, Mars Retrograde can make communication more difficult. You’re finding out that you have a bad habit of speaking at people instead of talking to them. You’re struggling with letting other people speak up about their ideas, feelings, interests, etc. because you’re too busy talking about you, your ideas, your feelings, etc. Learn to become an active listener over the next few months. You’ll find that you can say what you want to say, as long as you’re willing to have a conversation and listen to the other person, too.
Pisces
Slow down on the spending, Pisces! Mars Retrograde is in your chart’s zone of finances, stirring up a storm in your bank account. No, this doesn’t mean that all of a sudden you’re gonna go broke. This is simply a period where you’re meant to stop taking such a Martian attitude to your financial situation—spending recklessly, neglecting to budget, that sort of thing—and pause. You can easily survive this retrograde by simply spending less, saving when you can, and learning how to budget better (or at all). If you’re stuck and don’t know how to better manage your finances, you can ask a friend or family member for help. Commit to making smarter, safer, spending choices and you’ll find you have more cash in the long run.
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