Mars retrogrades in sidereal Cancer and Gemini in the winter of 2024-25. This transit brings challenges to the surface, offering opportunities to clear obstacles, though confronting the issues may require significant effort and self-reflection. During this time, we may experience heightened reactions to perceived threats, whether real or imagined. If not facing external conflicts, we may grapple with internal battles, reflecting larger global power struggles.
In 1977, on December 13, as Mars began its retrograde in sidereal Cancer, a plane carrying the University of Evansville basketball team crashed in dense fog shortly after takeoff, killing 29 people, including 14 team members.
A few days later, on December 18, a plane flying from Zurich to Madeira crashed into the sea during a landing attempt. Many of the 36 victims drowned, trapped inside the sinking aircraft.
A couple of weeks later, on January 1, 1978, an Air India flight crashed off the coast of Bombay, killing 213 people. Then, on February 11, a Pacific Western Airlines flight crashed in British Columbia, killing 44 of the 50 passengers on board.
This series of crashes occurred while Mars was retrograde, moving back from sidereal Cancer to Gemini.
These events are relevant now because Mars will retrograde in the same area of the zodiac at the same time of year. Mars will station retrograde in Cancer on December 6, 2024, return to Gemini by January 21, 2025, and station direct by February 24, 2025.
When a planet retrogrades, its significations are delayed. When it returns to a sign it has already left, unresolved issues may resurface, as details were missed. Mars’ return to Gemini could highlight technological issues related to travel and communication. The combination of Gemini (communications) and Cancer (water) during Mars retrograde could see more plane crashes related to weather conditions.
Mars will initially leave Gemini in October 2024 before returning in January 2025. In February 2025, it will station directly at 22 degrees, a significant degree for the U.S. president, which I will discuss later.
Here are some other historic Mars retrogrades in sidereal Gemini and Cancer:
December 20, 2009 - March 10, 2010 (Cancer)
November 15, 2007 - January 30, 2008 (Gemini)
January 2, 1995 - March 24, 1995 (Leo and Cancer)
November 29, 1992 - February 15, 1993 (Cancer and Gemini)
If you think back to these periods, you'll notice a correlation between the housing crash and economic challenges. Mars represents real estate, and its retrogrades tend to bring more extreme highs and lows. It also joined the south node Ketu in Cancer in 2008, a sore point economically. This time around, it's initially squaring Ketu before meeting it in June 2025. Whatever happens in the latter part of 2024 is likely to play out in more extreme ways in 2025.
Read an article I wrote about the economy and Mars-Ketu conjunctions here
A second assassination attempt on Donald Trump in September 2024 occurred as Mars was exactly square Ketu. We may see another attempt, which may be successful, as Mars joins Ketu in Leo (Trump's rising sign) in June 2025.
Other relevant events during previous Mars retrogrades were massive earthquakes and storms. Mars was retrograde in Cancer when one of the strongest recorded earthquakes in history took place in Chile in February 2010. My eyes cannot help but be drawn to the path of the October 2, 2024, eclipse through Chile, although there were other indications of more extreme seismic activity in 2010.
Japan is another one to watch, as many incidents occurred in this region during the previous Mars retrograde, which makes me think there's a link between Mars and Japan's destiny. The chart I use for Japan shows Mars and Pluto retrograde, with Pluto in Cancer, where Mars will be transiting.
We certainly cannot rule out the potential for bigger earth changes and economic shocks as Mars retrogrades in 2024 and 2025.
In 1977, on December 13, as Mars began its retrograde in sidereal Cancer, a plane carrying the University of Evansville basketball team crashed in dense fog shortly after takeoff, killing 29 people, including 14 team members.
A few days later, on December 18, a plane flying from Zurich to Madeira crashed into the sea during a landing attempt. Many of the 36 victims drowned, trapped inside the sinking aircraft.
A couple of weeks later, on January 1, 1978, an Air India flight crashed off the coast of Bombay, killing 213 people. Then, on February 11, a Pacific Western Airlines flight crashed in British Columbia, killing 44 of the 50 passengers on board.
This series of crashes occurred while Mars was retrograde, moving back from sidereal Cancer to Gemini.
These events are relevant now because Mars will retrograde in the same area of the zodiac at the same time of year. Mars will station retrograde in Cancer on December 6, 2024, return to Gemini by January 21, 2025, and station direct by February 24, 2025.
When a planet retrogrades, its significations are delayed. When it returns to a sign it has already left, unresolved issues may resurface, as details were missed. Mars’ return to Gemini could highlight technological issues related to travel and communication. The combination of Gemini (communications) and Cancer (water) during Mars retrograde could see more plane crashes related to weather conditions.
Mars will initially leave Gemini in October 2024 before returning in January 2025. In February 2025, it will station directly at 22 degrees, a significant degree for the U.S. president, which I will discuss later.
Here are some other historic Mars retrogrades in sidereal Gemini and Cancer:
December 20, 2009 - March 10, 2010 (Cancer)
November 15, 2007 - January 30, 2008 (Gemini)
January 2, 1995 - March 24, 1995 (Leo and Cancer)
November 29, 1992 - February 15, 1993 (Cancer and Gemini)
If you think back to these periods, you'll notice a correlation between the housing crash and economic challenges. Mars represents real estate, and its retrogrades tend to bring more extreme highs and lows. It also joined the south node Ketu in Cancer in 2008, a sore point economically. This time around, it's initially squaring Ketu before meeting it in June 2025. Whatever happens in the latter part of 2024 is likely to play out in more extreme ways in 2025.
Read an article I wrote about the economy and Mars-Ketu conjunctions here
A second assassination attempt on Donald Trump in September 2024 occurred as Mars was exactly square Ketu. We may see another attempt, which may be successful, as Mars joins Ketu in Leo (Trump's rising sign) in June 2025.
Other relevant events during previous Mars retrogrades were massive earthquakes and storms. Mars was retrograde in Cancer when one of the strongest recorded earthquakes in history took place in Chile in February 2010. My eyes cannot help but be drawn to the path of the October 2, 2024, eclipse through Chile, although there were other indications of more extreme seismic activity in 2010.
Japan is another one to watch, as many incidents occurred in this region during the previous Mars retrograde, which makes me think there's a link between Mars and Japan's destiny. The chart I use for Japan shows Mars and Pluto retrograde, with Pluto in Cancer, where Mars will be transiting.
We certainly cannot rule out the potential for bigger earth changes and economic shocks as Mars retrogrades in 2024 and 2025.
Image by Dall-E
Mars Depleted/Recuperating
Mars is debilitated in Cancer, where its energy is depleted. Yet its retrograde in Cancer suggests a time we can recuperate and build strength. The wind may not be at our backs to help us move forward, but we can take down the sails as we figure out our next move.
If we don't use the time to reset and re-route, mishaps and frustrations are more likely. While many refer to Mercury as representing malfunctions – the infamous Mercury retrograde! - Mars has a crucial role to play in things that malfunction.
When things don't work out the way we planned, we're more likely to create problems by attempting to continue on a blocked route. We may push when we should take a step back. Mars causes accidents when we keep pushing, even when all signs point to stopping.
Yet we cannot simply 'sit on this' retrograde and expect it to take care of itself. Mars in Cancer asks us to deal with our feelings, and one of those feelings may be anger.
“Anger is an energy.” – John Lydon (Sex Pistols)
Mars in Cancer shows issues around taking action, as it expresses a need to address how we feel. Problems begin when we don't do something we know we must, simply because we don't feel like it. On the other hand, we may overcompensate for the lack of motivation and overdo it. Retrograde planets seldom find a happy medium.
Whether we see an inordinate amount of plane crashes this time around, we may find it hard to get something off the ground as Mars appears to backtrack from our perspective. Remind yourself that it’s just a case of perspective; Mars isn’t actually moving backwards! If you experience delays and setbacks, be mindful of pushing harder in a particular direction and learn to pivot.
Mars may be more powerful when debilitated and retrograde in Cancer, as it behaves as if it were in the opposite sign, Capricorn, where it exalts. It strongly desires a better situation as it looks to its exaltation sign. This desire is especially powerful when retrograde, even if it's not as easily accessed or expressed.
Mars picks up more strength from December 6 as it stations retrograde until it returns to Gemini by January 21, 2025.
Despite the apparent strength, however, we must be mindful of our energy. Technically, Mars is not exalted. It's just that its desire is so strong that it may trick you into thinking it is. You don’t necessarily have more energy when you drink a cup of coffee - you just feel as if you do!
And just as with planes attempting to take off in more extreme weather, problems begin when we don’t consider our limitations. Mars’ strength is as much about when to hold back, a trait of its exaltation in the opposite Capricorn.
If you then skip a crucial step or ignore the warning signs, you're more likely to deplete already low reserves, feeling worse after you crash (pun intended).
Adding to the potential for more aviation disasters, along with a general sense of more extreme highs and lows, is Raahu’s aspect to Mars from Pisces. Raahu can push an already frustrated Mars into something it’s not prepared for.
Raahu in Pisces alone is an indicator of aviation disasters I wrote about in this article.
The upside of this is when you rise to the challenge and use any setbacks to motivate yourself. We don’t necessarily feel motivated before we begin a task. It’s a case of starting something and then feeling fired once we begin. Adding Raahu’s influence may be a case of ‘fake it till you make it’. Just make sure you follow all the safety steps.
Whatever you begin during Mars’ retrograde, accept that you're likely to experience a setback. This can do two things: 1) you feel less motivated when something doesn't work out right away; and 2), you push harder to make it happen, creating accidents and/or exhausting yourself when you overdo it.
This is not to suggest you accept whatever is happening, although it may be a case of allowing things to happen in their own good time. If you're mindful of the need to slow down, you can turn things around as you discover new approaches.
A retrograde Mars in Cancer can feel like a blessing and a curse. It can certainly allow one to go with the flow, but it may also mean a lot of meandering about and not getting anywhere.
Look to Aries and Scorpio to see what is impacted for you and to Cancer and Gemini to see where this has an impact (see For Each Sign below).
Accept at least some discouragement when things don't seem to go your way, but try something you hadn't considered before. Eventually, you'll get to where you need to be rather than where you initially thought you should be.
Patience, as always, is an absolute must during Mars' retrograde, especially in Cancer.
Those who were born during a Mars retrograde are likely to fare better. They have more experience in dealing with this kind of internalised energy and can find other outlets. But they, too, must be mindful of being triggered. Many of us will be.
Escalation and De-Escalation in Wars
Mars retrograde in Cancer is both good and bad news on the war front. It’s good because Mars, which represents the armed forces, is retreating. It’s bad because Mars retrograde in debilitation in Cancer is more powerful, yet also more frustrated and likely to lash out.
Mars deals in black-and-white thinking, so 'good' and 'bad' are appropriate. Everything is good for something, and an angry, frustrated Mars is good for fighting.
We're likely to see a general sense of angst, but we may also see troops pulling back for some reason, even if we also see impulsive reactions to perceived threats, whether or not they exist. Raahu's aspect and conjunction with Neptune in Pisces reflects the 'fog of war' that is possible, with Mars in Cancer uncertain about how to act.
The charts I have for Ukraine, Russia, Iran, and China are all strongly impacted by Mars' retrograde transit as it moves back through the 1st and 7th houses. This also occurs in the 10th house of Israel's chart, representing its leader.
Let’s hope the escalation doesn’t have to be too extreme before things are reconsidered.
Mars and the United States of America
Mars will begin its shadow phase in sidereal Gemini, where it was during the American Independence of 1776. Mars will eventually station at 22 degrees of sidereal Gemini by February 2025, at the exact degree of the Sun in the chart, the significator of the country's leader. Mars and Sun combinations tend to bring anger and violence.
Whoever is elected president of the U.S. will have to experience this wave of anger and frustration.
The sidereal chart for the U.S. has Scorpio rising, which is ruled by Mars. This places Mars in the 8th house of obstructions, delays, and scandals. Watch for events around the time Mars initially moves over this degree and enters its shadow phase, from October 4-5, as there may be triggers or events that set things up for later.
Mars also aspects the south node Ketu in Virgo at this time. This is significant, as Mars will eventually meet Ketu in Leo, the sign of leaders, by June 2025.
Whatever happens in October/November 2024 sets up more dramatic events for 2025 as a result.
July 4, 1776 at 17.10 LMT in Philadelphia, PA, USA
Mars Opposite Pluto
Mars in Cancer opposes Pluto in Capricorn on three occasions because of its retrograde. The first opposition occurs on November 3, right around the U.S. election, with Mars returning to oppose Pluto retrograde by January 1, 2025. This shows the potential power struggles in the U.S. pre- and post-election.
Mars will oppose Pluto one last time, once it has completed the whole retrograde cycle, by April 27, 2025, as it leaves its 'shadow phase', moving past the point at which it began to backtrack.
Whether in the U.S. or elsewhere, Mars' contention and intensity will not likely let up until after it moves into Leo, which won't occur until June 6, 2025. And even then, Mars meets with Ketu, providing more yet more explosive events through July 2025. This may be even more explosive due to the previous retrograde and debilitation.
The nine months between October 2024 and July 2025 are likely to bring up many Mars-related issues that will prove challenging to world leaders and world peace. Yet many of us will use these challenges to overcome issues in our lives. Pluto's opposition adds more complexity but also more potential for clearing blocks.
Mars represents more obvious issues that need solving, while Pluto represents things we may not be conscious of. In that case, the Mars-Pluto opposition can push the issues into our conscious awareness so we can see them for what they are and overcome them with some or a lot of effort.
Dig deep.
Mars Opposite Pluto
Mars in Cancer opposes Pluto in Capricorn on three occasions because of its retrograde. The first opposition occurs on November 3, right around the U.S. election, with Mars returning to oppose Pluto retrograde by January 1, 2025. This shows the potential power struggles in the U.S. pre- and post-election.
Mars will oppose Pluto one last time, once it has completed the whole retrograde cycle, by April 27, 2025, as it leaves its 'shadow phase', moving past the point at which it began to backtrack.
Whether in the U.S. or elsewhere, Mars' contention and intensity will not likely let up until after it moves into Leo, which won't occur until June 6, 2025. And even then, Mars meets with Ketu, providing more yet more explosive events through July 2025. This may be even more explosive due to the previous retrograde and debilitation.
The nine months between October 2024 and July 2025 are likely to bring up many Mars-related issues that will prove challenging to world leaders and world peace. Yet many of us will use these challenges to overcome issues in our lives. Pluto's opposition adds more complexity but also more potential for clearing blocks.
Mars represents more obvious issues that need solving, while Pluto represents things we may not be conscious of. In that case, the Mars-Pluto opposition can push the issues into our conscious awareness so we can see them for what they are and overcome them with some or a lot of effort.
Dig deep.
Image by Dall-E
For Each Sign
Not everyone will be impacted the same during Mars' retrograde. Aries- and Scorpio-dominant individuals are going to be impacted strongly, as are Gemini and Cancer. But we all have these signs somewhere and need to tread carefully through the issues they raise in these areas of our lives. If you're also in a Mars period (dashaa), paying heed is even more important.
Aries and Scorpio need to be mindful of their energy. Issues may crop up at home or work (Aries), while travelling, or communicating (Scorpio). Geminis need to be mindful of their work relationships and friendships, as well as any health issues that must be addressed once and for all, while Cancerians are more likely to benefit from a more creative approach, either dealing with their children, a love interest, or their career projections.
We're all going to be challenged in some way during Mars' retrograde, but we can look at the challenge as an opportunity for growth, no matter how long it takes to see the results.
Read below for your ascendant, Moon, and Sun sign. You could also add your Arudha Lagna (AL), your 'attained ascendant', which shows more tangible results based on the ascendant and its ruling planet. You could also include your dashaa planet's position for consideration.
Aries
As Mars transits Cancer, you may feel unsettled or irritable. Be mindful of how you communicate as Mars re-enters Gemini. Avoid saying things you’ll regret. Use the time wisely, as Mars in Gemini helps make improvements in your communication, with Mars in Cancer pushing you out of your comfort zone. This can benefit your career, but don't neglect any issues at home or take any work struggles home with you.
Taurus
Mars in Gemini encourages you to speak your mind, but when it moves into Cancer, consider whether being right is more important than being happy. The second trip of Mars through Gemini may bring complex family and financial issues to reconsider. Think carefully before speaking or acting, and Mars’ return to Cancer will help clarify what needs to be said and done. Though it may be challenging to listen to someone, including your partner, there's something important for you to hear.
Gemini
Mars’ transit through your sign may bring up issues you’ll need to revisit later, possibly related to health, work, or relationships. When Mars moves into Cancer, tensions in family relationships may arise, but it offers an opportunity to say what must be said. As Mars returns to Gemini, you'll have the chance to resolve these problems with a fresh approach.
Cancer
Mars in Gemini may stir things up, but you'll feel more energised when it enters your sign. However, be cautious during Mars’ retrograde as it may lead to overexertion. After its return to Gemini, take time to reflect on any relationship tensions. By the time Mars returns to Cancer, you’ll feel more confident in your decisions and the next logical step forward.
Leo
Mars in Gemini might cause some conflicts, particularly with family and finances. Be patient with these, as they are in the process of being worked out. Once Mars enters Cancer, uncertainty may increase, and you'll need to let go of things that no longer serve you. When Mars returns to Gemini, reevaluate your goals, and by its second transit through Cancer, you'll be ready to move on from the past.
Virgo
Mars in Gemini energizes you, but emotions may drive your actions once it moves into Cancer. Be mindful of communication, especially during Mars’ retrograde. When Mars returns to Gemini, you’ll need to reassess earlier decisions, particularly at work, home, and in your relationships. By its return to Cancer, you’ll have a clearer sense of what needs to be done in all of the above.
Libra
Mars in Gemini is a good time for planning, but be prepared to revisit the details. When Mars moves into Cancer, you may focus on balancing work and home life, perhaps because of a struggle between the two. Mars’ retrograde may disrupt that balance for a while, but you'll adjust your plans as it returns to Gemini. By its final move into Cancer, you’ll have a better handle on achieving the balance you crave.
Scorpio
Mars in Gemini may create tension in relationships and around jointly held resources and values, but once it moves into Cancer, opportunities for travel or study may arise that take you away for a while. During Mars’ retrograde, be cautious of overcommitting and overstretching. As Mars returns to Gemini, be mindful of how you interact with others, especially your family, partners, and in-laws. Its return to Cancer will bring deeper understanding, more opportunities for travel and study, and one last hurdle to overcome.
Sagittarius
Mars in Gemini could spark conflicts in relationships, and more complex issues may emerge when it moves into Cancer. Friendships may help ease tensions but avoid worsening matters when Mars returns to Gemini. By the time Mars returns to Cancer after it has stationed direct, you’ll have a clearer sense of what matters most to you, and others.
Capricorn
Mars in Gemini helps you tackle tasks, but relationships may feel tense when it moves to Cancer, whether at home or work. The tension between Mars and Pluto could lead to more passion but it may just express itself as power struggles. As Mars returns to Gemini, you'll better understand everyone’s needs. Once it moves forward and returns to Cancer, you can find resolution and balance in both personal and professional relationships.
Aquarius
Mars in Gemini is a creative period, but be prepared to revisit plans for your future and those of any children. As Mars enters Cancer, you’ll commit to seeing things through, even if you feel uncertain during its retrograde. When Mars returns to Gemini, reassess your projects and find better ways of expressing yourself. As it returns to Cancer, you’ll be ready to complete what you started and do what is necessary.
Pisces
Mars in Gemini may cause friction in relationships, at home and at work. As it moves into Cancer, changes may impact your plans, particularly with children or family members. Keep an open mind and resolve issues once Mars returns to Gemini. By its final move into Cancer, you’ll be ready to balance your needs with others’ wishes, allowing everyone to move forward with an action plan.
Om Tat Sat
