✦ Pluto Astrology ✦

Mars retrograde · one period in 2027

Mars Retrograde 2027: Dates, Shadow & Meaning

Mars is retrograde once in 2027: January 10 to April 1 in Virgo and Leo.

Mars retrograde is a stretch when the planet of drive and action appears to move backward in the sky, running from January 10 to April 1. Astrologers read it as a time to pause and rethink how you use your effort. A good way to use it is to look twice at impulses before acting on them.

Dates in 2027

January 10, 2027 – April 1, 2027♍︎ ♌︎

81 days retrograde in Virgo, then Leo · shadow November 5, 2026 – June 7, 2027

STATIONS RETROGRADE · 10°25′ Virgo

Eastern
Jan 10, 8:01 AM EST
Central
Jan 10, 7:01 AM CST
Mountain
Jan 10, 6:01 AM MST
Pacific
Jan 10, 5:01 AM PST
UTC
Jan 10, 1:01 PM UTC

STATIONS DIRECT · 20°55′ Leo

Eastern
Apr 1, 10:10 AM EDT
Central
Apr 1, 9:10 AM CDT
Mountain
Apr 1, 8:10 AM MDT
Pacific
Apr 1, 7:10 AM PDT
UTC
Apr 1, 2:10 PM UTC
  • Pre-shadow begins November 5, 2026 at 20°55′ Leo; post-shadow ends June 7, 2027 at 10°25′ Virgo.
  • ♅ Uranus is also retrograde (September 10, 2026 – February 8, 2027).
  • ♃ Jupiter is also retrograde (December 12, 2026 – April 12, 2027).
  • ☿︎ Mercury is also retrograde (February 9, 2027 – March 3, 2027).
  • ◐ Annular solar eclipse in Aquarius on February 6, 2027.
  • ◐ Penumbral lunar eclipse in Virgo on February 20, 2027.

What it means

A retrograde is read as a time to review, revisit and redo the matters of a planet rather than launch them. For Mars, that means looking at drive, anger, physical energy and the decisions that cut one path from another. Over these 81 days, you may notice impulses that usually go straight into action asking for a second look first.

The pre-shadow begins on November 5, 2026 at 20°55′ Leo, the same degree where Mars later turns direct. It is often read as the time when themes first show. In fixed, fire-sign Leo, that may look like warm, generous and proud impulses to act, with a pull to follow feeling too quickly. Leo's typical excess is being led too easily by emotion, so this is a good stretch to notice where enthusiasm runs ahead of your plan.

The station on January 10, 2027 falls at 10°25′ Virgo, an earth sign linked with precision, analysis and self-criticism. Here the retrograde invites a review of methods and daily routines: where effort is scattered, and where criticism, especially of yourself, has grown sharper than useful. Virgo's shadow side is doubt and using a sharp intellect against others, which is worth watching in arguments.

Several other bodies are in play. Uranus is retrograde until February 8, 2027, and Jupiter runs retrograde from December 12, 2026 until April 12, 2027. Uranus is tied to sudden change and breaking routine, while Jupiter points to growth and excess, so you may find plans for change and expansion being rechecked alongside your drive. Mercury then turns retrograde from February 9 to March 3, 2027, which puts conversation and written work under review while Mars is already doing the same for action.

Two eclipses fall inside the period. An annular solar eclipse in Aquarius on February 6, 2027 brings in an air sign of reform and unconventional thinking, and a penumbral lunar eclipse in Virgo on February 20, 2027 returns to the sign of the station itself. You might treat these dates as prompts to reconsider causes you push for and the details you have been tending.

Mars turns direct on April 1, 2027 at 20°55′ Leo, and the post-shadow runs until June 7, 2027 at 10°25′ Virgo. Modern practice reads this as the time when matters are settled. Your rising sign sets which houses are involved, from the first and twelfth for Virgo rising to the sixth and fifth for Aries rising, so the themes of self, work, romance or rest may differ for you.

By rising sign

The whole-sign houses Mars retrogrades through in 2027, by period (station month), in order of the retrograde.

  • ♈︎

    Aries rising

    Jan: VI → V

    Your 6th house hosts the January 10 station at 10°25′ Virgo, so daily work and routines may be where a second look comes first. From February 21, when Mars moves into Leo, your 5th house takes over, and a romance or creative project is often read as ready for revision.

  • ♉︎

    Taurus rising

    Jan: V → IV

    Taurus rising meets the January 10 station at 10°25′ Virgo in the 5th house, which may bring second thoughts about a romance, a hobby or a creative project. After February 21, when Mars enters Leo, the 4th house points toward home and family matters that could use a slower review.

  • ♊︎

    Gemini rising

    Jan: IV → III

    The retrograde begins in your 4th house, and the penumbral lunar eclipse in Virgo on February 20 may stir questions about home, family or roots. Once Mars enters Leo on February 21, your 3rd house is involved, a good time to reread messages, especially with Mercury retrograde from February 9 to March 3.

  • ♋︎

    Cancer rising

    Jan: III → II

    Cancer rising has Mars in the 3rd house at the January 10 station, so letters, short trips and talks with siblings or neighbors may need a second pass. Mars then moves to your 2nd house on February 21, and the April 1 station at 20°55′ Leo could bring questions of what you value into focus.

  • ♌︎

    Leo rising

    Jan: II → I

    For Leo rising, the retrograde opens in the 2nd house, where the January 10 station may prompt a review of what you value. From February 21 it sits in your 1st house, and the April 1 station at 20°55′ Leo is often read as a cue to rethink how you start things.

  • ♍︎

    Virgo rising

    Jan: I → XII

    Virgo rising gets the January 10 station at 10°25′ Virgo in the 1st house, and the February 20 lunar eclipse in Virgo falls there too, so how you present yourself may get a second look. From February 21, your 12th house is a good place for rest and quiet.

  • ♎︎

    Libra rising

    Jan: XII → XI

    Mars sits in your 12th house at the January 10 station, which may favor solitude, rest and reviewing private matters before acting. After February 21, your 11th house brings friends, groups and hopes into view, and Mercury retrograde until March 3 may add second looks at shared plans.

  • ♏︎

    Scorpio rising

    Jan: XI → X

    Friends, groups and long-held hopes may be first to get a second look, since your 11th house holds Mars at the January 10 station. On February 21 Mars enters Leo and your 10th house, where career and public standing are often read as ready for review, notably around the April 1 station at 20°55′ Leo.

  • ♐︎

    Sagittarius rising

    Jan: X → IX

    Sagittarius rising begins in the 10th house, so career matters and reputation may call for a pause at the January 10 station. The shift on February 21 brings your 9th house into play, a good time to reconsider travel plans, studies or beliefs before the April 1 station.

  • ♑︎

    Capricorn rising

    Jan: IX → VIII

    Plans for travel, study or a belief you have held for a while may get a second look in your 9th house around the January 10 station. From February 21 the retrograde moves into your 8th house, where shared obligations and intimacy are often read as worth a careful, unhurried review.

  • ♒︎

    Aquarius rising

    Jan: VIII → VII

    The annular solar eclipse in Aquarius on February 6 falls while Mars is in your 8th house, which may stir themes of intimacy, shared resources or old fears for a closer look. Once Mars enters Leo on February 21, your 7th house puts one-to-one dealings and agreements under review.

  • ♓︎

    Pisces rising

    Jan: VII → VI

    With Pisces rising, Mars stations in your 7th house on January 10, so partnerships and one-to-one dealings may need a second conversation. By February 21 it moves into your 6th house, and the April 1 turn direct at 20°55′ Leo is a good time to adjust daily routines and work habits.

Questions

✦When is Mars retrograde in 2027?

January 10, 2027 to April 1, 2027 (Virgo and Leo).

✦When is the Mars retrograde shadow in 2027?

November 5, 2026 to June 7, 2027. The shadow is the stretch when Mars covers the degrees of the retrograde before and after it.

✦How long does Mars retrograde last in 2027?

Mars is retrograde for 81 days, from January 10, 2027 to April 1, 2027. Counting the shadow periods, the whole span runs from November 5, 2026 to June 7, 2027.

✦What should you avoid during Mars retrograde in 2027?

Astrology reads a retrograde as a time to review and redo rather than launch, so you may prefer to hold off on forceful new starts. It can be a good time to reconsider how you handle conflict and anger before you act on a big decision.

✦Which other planets are retrograde during Mars retrograde in 2027?

Jupiter is retrograde from December 12, 2026 to April 12, 2027, which covers the whole Mars retrograde. Uranus is retrograde until February 8, 2027, and Mercury is retrograde from February 9 to March 3, 2027.

By · Updated November 5, 2026 · Times calculated, not copied