Mars goes retrograde every two years. Where the planet usually transits a sign in two months, these retrograde periods see the planet stuck in a sign, and therefore stuck in your chart, for much longer. In this instance, Mars will turn retrograde in Leo, but be stuck in Cancer for the most part. Here are the dates and degrees:
Mars will ingress into Cancer, the sign of it’s detriment, on September 4th, 2024. It will run through the sign, entering into Leo on November 3rd.
Mars will reach 6 degrees Leo, before turning retrograde on December 6th.
It will retrograde back into Cancer on January 6th, 2025, turning direct at 17 degrees on February 24th.
Finally, Mars will again leave Cancer for Leo on April 18th.
You’ll want to note the house in your chart where Mars will be detained. You can expect the corresponding area of life to be energized, for good or ill.
As much as I love Mars energy, when it backs up, it can be problematic. When it backs up in Cancer, any depressive tendency can be aggravated. If this describes you, please check these posts associated with Mars and depression. You want to have a plan as this will invariably be challenging
That aside, everyone will deal with a particular house(s) in their chart on fire for months. Again, I even a Mars-positive person like will eventually find it grating. It’s like a storm that just won’t move on.
Now you can channel this energy. That’s what I’ll do, but Mars is not happy in Cancer! We’re talking about emotional agitation, family fights and even attacks on the homeland.
We’re talkin’ viciously bad moods and anger that fails to dissipate.
As for positive expressions, try being the family hero. Take your security into you own hands? My husband has Mars in Cancer. Threaten his family and see what happens.
I know that makes people uncomfortable – well that’s Mars in Cancer. It’s wrecking your comfort, see?
Very few will enjoy this transit. Hey, I’m sorry but I’m not going to lie.
What house(s) in your chart will be affected by Mars’ long stay in Cancer?
I have Mars in Cancer, 10th house, 15*. It’s true that this transit will increase general sensitivity. In the collective, with the very active Pisces, transits well, maybe some hysteria will result, especially once we throw some Scorpio transits in (= a lot of water energy).
Mars in Cancer necessitates observing your emotions and not getting too attached to them, which is the initial tendency (think of ‘nostalgia’ or ‘sentimentality’, not far off from ‘wallowing’). That is, not being directly reactive to them and trying to stay neutral. Letting them come and go and not believing they are permanent, especially if you find yourself experiencing low vibration energies. The overwhelming benefit of this placement is strong intuition and connection to inner guidance through feelings. And also it bestows a strong will and can do attitude, but one that is aligned and attuned to intuition and the heart.
I have found the Gemini Mars transit with Jupiter very stimulating and refreshing but it’s not great for ‘knowing’ in a clear way, too much info inevitably muddies the water. So I think the Cancer Mars transit will balance well with Jupiter in Gemini, because you can access new info but use it intuitively to guide you forward. And during Rx it will necessitate learning to listen to guidance through emotions. Also, less doubt, as Gemini, like other air signs, with the dominance of the mental sphere can lead to overthinking and then conflictual thoughts, a bit of a spinning wheel. I think we need a bit of cardinal to make use of this productively. Cancer is very productive in a creative soul aligned way.
Lord help me, Mars will be in my 4th. This is extra emphasized because Mars is my chart ruler!
My husband has this in his chart. Mars in Pisces in the 4th, his chart coruler.
All I know is it’s going to be fun around here with Pluto back in Capricorn, my husband’s other coruler. Within 3 degrees of his Sun and crashing right back into my Rising-Jupiter opposition.
I pray for extra strength because I’m gonna need it…
@LisLioness Me too! The closest person to me that I live with has Mars in Cancer in the 8th and I have Mars/Neptune in Scorpio. I’ll pray for you if you pray for me!
I will!
Thank you! 😊
gosH 🫢😑
(((thaTs a load of anguish for you)))
i hope the energy gods help it all transpire safely & peacefully for you & 🙏
Hmmm 12th house opposing 5 planets in Capricorn including mars and squaring north node/chiron in Libra. Seems I need a plan as I always get antsy with things going through the 12th. Seems an interesting journey.
hmmm. fascinating.
i wonder if you can remember what past mars transits through your 12H have evented to
& now,
squaring Libra & NN is it to be turned into positive somehow… something solidified?
as for being ‘antsy,
with anything travelling thru your 12H’ opposing all those other energies.
i would think that’s a pretty gentle stoic description.!!! 😃🙌
Thanks for the nudge to reminisce! Turns out last time was a huge turning point for me. Left a long term relationship in the dust… for good. Got bangs.. ha! That sort of vibe but also lots of internal reflection. Definitely feels like a building block this go round.
ha. thats cool 😎
funnily enough in my previous reply, i actually deleted the word ‘thinking’ solidified & replaced with ‘something’.. but i definitely FeLT ThinkinG solidified… as in your analysis of something.. maybe with/from/through Chiron-ic learnings/HeaLings etc perhaPs. 🤔
🫠🙃
9th house…
Yikes. Cancer in first house. I do tend to let my emotions guide me. Now that I’m retired, I wake up in the morning and decide what I “feel” like doing that day. I tend to depression if I don’t have a schedule or a routine. Guess I better start thinking of something routine to do soon.
Ugh. That’s my loaded 7th house with Mercury Jupiter SN Venus and Uranus!
And Pluto backing up on my Chiron at the tail end of my 1st house.
I keep telling myself I’m home free Nov 19. At least a respite although Pluto squares my n Saturn in early Scorpio.
Tips welcome!
ohhh goodneSS!!
how my cancer1H is FeelinG for everyone’s transiTs!!!
but WoaH o_O
i think i will send my (((((hugs/earth blessings/prayers/wishes)))))
to you Kelly!
i would love to hear how you faired on the other side of it! _/\_
I have my natal Mercury and Mars conjunct in Cancer in my 10th house…. I’m in grad school to become an NP and just started my clinicals for the first time…. Interesting 🧐My Moon and Jupiter are in Aries though 😬 Hopefully I’ll just get the boost I need to make it through the hardest most role consuming mind numbing parts 😅
I would expect a boost as well. Might make you pushy as well… or just in control. 🙂
Congrats on advancing!
Thank you, Elsa! 💪🏻
Sounds good, Adrienne! I expect all will work out well! Good luck!
Thank you, Witchy! 🙌🏻👩🏻⚕️
***time consuming (Saturn and Neptune are transiting my 6th house…Neptune is square my Sun…. Fun times 😑)
Oh.. goody transit to my 8th house, square my mars in libra.
My Libra and Cap, also think “vomit”.
But it will be in my 7th, for the most part. Most likely I will work with more men, which is already happening. One yesterday and two, today.
In my 7th, and I’m nauseous, and dizzy. No accident then, A plan, Stan. Oh man. My husband’s Cancer sun, so Mars is probably gonna rock his sun.
Whew! Better reread this post!!
6th House and 7th will be affected. Okay a plan and intentions to set as this new moon rises tomorrow!
Me too. Affecting my 6th & 7th houses. I need to do exactly what you say…
6th house …. & I have a young cancer stellium to look after! Put energy into helping them through & fleeing my house where possible for a brisk walk?!!! attempt daily grind activities? try not to argue with open enemies?!! my ‘saved summer astro podcast list that I didn’t get time to watch’ is only going to get longer by the sounds of it!!!!! lol! Coupled with saturn still opposite my moon till Feb …. which I thought I was getting a handle on! Any advice welcome! lol!
ooof… ((((cancer stellium raising )))) definitely, activity might be the necessiTy to help ground you enough to connecT with your loving conscious parenTing side over the frustrating head-on-wall possibilities 😉
good lucK!!!!!!
Gosh, sounds like the summer hols on repeat! I’m tired! Lol! Tu for your wise words! Will try and keep thrm in mind!….was checking the ephemeris ….he’s got nothing at 17 deg …. mars hangs out there a while!!!!!! Heads up 17 deg-ers!
oh. weLL that’s somethin’ at leasT! 🤭
2nd house, will conjunct my natal mars/cancer conjunction.
Not sure what that will look like.
Mars will be in my 3rd house. I plan to focus on organizing anything and everything. Mars has lots of energy, so I’m going to try to channel it by moving around, organizing, repairing, cleaning, etc. my home, or whatever needs my attention. It will conjunct my Uranus 26 degrees and Jupiter 29 degrees in Cancer. Mars will square Moon 20 degrees and Neptune 26 degrees in Libra, trine the Sun 29 Scorpio and sextile Taurus ASC all at same time. 4th house is 1 degree Leo, so when Mars retrogrades it will go back over the 4th cusp and conjunct natal Jupiter and Uranus, plus the rest of the configs above. Yikes. My hubby is a 0 Sun in Cancer and very moody. Good thing Mars won’t retrograde back to his Sun. So, my plan is to keep myself moving around!
sounds smarT advice! thankyou! -as im taking on board your tips to manage / steer my 17yr audhd son with 3H Cancer. i was concerned we are going to get mouthy dramatics for months when hes at a crossroads of if we push to hard at the wrong time he could just go off his track for good…
thanks for shaRing!!!!
I have my natal Venus at 18deg in Cancer in my 8th house. I’m home with my child and husband is too busy working 2 jobs for rent. For years, my child is 10 now till Covid my parents insisted we come stay with or near them. It took me after Covid to realize this was heading to bad relations with husband and parents. Husband would rather work till 2am shifts than stay with/ near in-laws. Even with keeping up with expenses and my job search, house for me can be inheritance but cannot expect. My pending immigration papers filled by parents have progressed and next to be on sept3rd, but don’t know how much longer. My Jupiter and merc are in Leo at 13 and 15 degrees.
All. Winter. Long.
Chopping wood? Keeping the fire going? Baking pies? Finishing my memoir?
That sounds wholesome and fulfilling!
Proverbial cat among the pigeons!!
1st House- working diligently under the radar while simultaneously not trying to isolate myself. Feels like a compound exercise.
Realised it’s actually mainly my 5th! Maybe I will get some podcasts in! Lol! Anyone else feeling the mercury retro shadow?! 🤪
Cancer is my 10th house and I do not struggle with Mars in Cancer transits (if someone places their cancer mars into my 10th house via synastry, thats another thing and not so nice) My Scorpio Mars and Moon know how to handle that transit and use it. I think that it will be a mix of challenges – not just work wise but also generally how I am perceived in public spaces – and since I am not adverse to challenge, I might as well use what comes my way.
I have begun to re-think a lot of future plans re my work and how to show up in public, so it’s kinda fitting my agenda. Heads up, Cancer is cardinal, even if it sometimes seems to smooth and kind and emotionally caring. I understand why Mars there can be utterly confusing but for some reason I have several Cancer Suns who love me to bits an I don’t know why. I don’t feel that I can return the sympathy but they insist that I do, somehow.
Cancer is my 3rd house but my IC is 17°. As a Gemini Sun/Jupiter I look forward to the communication lessons, even if they are uncomfortable or challenging. I’m really interested to see how my IC fares, as I’m going through a significant change in my relationship status so I feel like my “home” may be up for debate.
as a fellow IC @17.
good luck with your ‘debates’ … i sure hope they go smoothly for all 🙌
Aww thank you so much @lunairy💖 Sending you all the best as well!!!
Yikes @lunairy I’ve gotta laugh … hadn’t read on b4 I posted, eak you have 17 deg….come for a brisk walk with me!!!!! Think it’s in the 2025 bit …I’ll call for you :0) my kids on the spectrum too xx
That’s my 11H. Maybe more connections with my interests?
ohhhh boi… i just clonked a moment ago, this is going to hit.
conjunct my saturn 1H cancer which at the sAme time is squaring my MC & IC 17degrees. which as i type i note my sun & mars hug 🫂 the ic either side.
i have NO IDEA how im going to contain myself.
& i dont usually openly say im concerned but this one does have me worried, my household & family structure relies on me keeping my sh1t together to ease the slurry of toxins from elsewhere
I need to learn to read ahead! I swear I’m experiencing mercury retro more now in the shadow tail end … you’ll keep your sh*t together cos you know you have to and are forearmed …. if any concelation the jupiter saturn square just twanged my iC and MC and aqu FM was near my AC and u got through better than I could have hoped … list it the last 2 days of summer … but felt I coped better than usual …. you are astro forewarned and forearmed ….we are lucky people with this knowledge ….wishing you luck still xx
… and i missed this! …….My mars and sun are close too …. channel the mars energy as pure energy…. try not to see it as angry energy but neutral energy that you need and can use to get through xx
yes, we are absoLuteLy luckY to have this knowLedge now!!
& our kids are better for us having it too.
though 25years ago would have been a tad more helpful 🫠😁
&
yes, i have been trying to tell myself to find the positive options [as if i was coaching someone else] of the mars in cancer hitting. esp while parenting 😉
I’ve actually been adding to a prep list in my head of ways to direct the energy into.
🤓
Lol re the 25yr ago! YES!!!! Loving your strategy,sounds like ur using virgo season 100% and are on it!!!! 🙌
In the 5th conjuncting Mercury (ruling Sun in Gem in the 4H) then into the 6th H. Romance and health/work ills? Having Mercury in Cancer already makes me somewhat moody but it looks like I may need some anger management techniques or work off the frustration at the gym. I’ll try to eat well and practice positive affirmations. Yikes!
oooch… hold your tongue ! 🫨😶🌫️
tho 6 months is a longtime 🤞🙌
🤭 & thanks for reminding me…. my husbands is 5H also… your words you wrote about managing your energy, i may copy on paper for the right/safe timing of gentle suggestion… to those persons i know ‘not so’ aware or personally responsible. 🙌✌️
4th house. As soon as it hit my IC, I had a miscarriage (very early pregnancy). I see the transit will be about navigating this sadness and trying to repress anger.
((((lsa))))
😥condolences 🙏🪷
10th house 29 gemini. I just realized my moms 2 degrees cancer mars and I are both effected. My sister is a cancer with with a 1st house moon. My Dad (cancer sun) has about a month to live and he’s comfortable with sedatives. Now the stresses begin. My mom’s been a horder. Dad can’t afford hospice in a facility ( 500 a day) A hospital bed, at home, is the next choice. Mom’s a Virgo with Scorpio rising and moon. I can forsee a difficult, uncomfortable squeeze when my sister and I travel to spend time with dad before he leaves his body. ” Don’t touch that !” happens. Mom’s had almost 60 years with dad and I expect working through life and death to be uncomfortable at best.
(((asqirl)))
emotionally hard times for you aLL 🙏
Thank you. I appreciate your comment. For the record ,Dad’s mars is in the 9th house (higher education), Moms mars in the 8th ( transformational), And my sister and I are both in the 10th house (work).
well the character of our arguments have shifted… for the better.