







1.3K Shares

Mars retrograde 2020 starts on September 9 at 28° Aries and ends on November 13 at 15° Aries.

Mars retrograde can generally be frustrating because it tends to hinder your self-expression and makes it harder to fulfill your passionate desires. Mars retrograde 2020 is even more frustrating than normal because of Mars square Saturn.

The delays and restrictions caused by Mars square Saturn will drag out because this aspect lasts for nearly two months. And with so many planets in retrograde motion at the moment, the world will appear to slow down.

More detail about Mars retrograde 2020 follows some general information at Mars retrograde in transit. Information about Mars retrograde in the natal chart can be found at the end of this article.

Mars Retrograde Transit

Mars retrograde in transit is a regular cycle occurring every 25 months, lasting 80 days, and spanning 13 degrees of the zodiac. It is the second rarest of the retrogrades after Venus, occurring only 9% of the time. Transiting Mars retrograde is a time for thinking before acting. Fated events and repeating themes will reinforce which of your strong desires need more background work before being acted upon.

Mars retrograde means that whatever area of sexuality or decisive action you are developing is so important that extra time is needed to take stock and make sure everything is in order before you continue. Fated events may occur that could be painful but are needed so you back off and don’t make a major mistake.

It is also possible that you have struggled with destructive Mars behaviors like anger, rage, violence, or sexual abuse. If so, the retrograde phase will bring fated events that force you to admit you have some anger management issues. This too could be a very painful experience for you.

By the time Mars stations direct, you should have come to terms with the relevant issues. This contemplative stage is over and you are ready to come out of your shell and confidently assert yourself and act on your desires.

Mars Retrograde 2020

Mars stations retrograde on Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at 28°08′ Aries. The chart below shows the only significant aspect is the square to Saturn. Mars square Saturn is applying (getting closer) and is exact on September 29, during the retrograde phase. It stays within a three-degree orb from August 15 to October 9.

Mars square Saturn brings delays, impatience, restrictions, frustration and inhibition. Your desires and needs may grow stronger, yet you may find it harder to express your passions and succeed. The harder you pursue your goals, the more resistance you are likely to face. Authority figures may restrict your ambitions. It may be that general circumstances prevent your progress.

The best approach now is a defensive one. Instead of starting new projects or hunting down your desires, it is better to concentrate on holding onto what you already have. This is a good time to sharpen knives and strengthen your defenses. Patience and plodding hard work will get you there.

Mars Retrograde Stars

Although Mars retrograde occurs in the Sign of Aries, the image below shows Mars within the Constellation of Pisces. Due to the precession of the equinoxes, the Sun Signs are almost a whole Sign out of alignment with the Constellations from which they were named over 2000 years ago.

You can also see that Mars aligns with Constellation Andromeda. Mars stations retrograde exactly conjunct fixed star Vertex, which is actually the Andromeda Galaxy.

27 ♈ 06 – η Piscium, Alpherg

28 ♈ 08 – M31, Vertex

28 ♈ 08 – Mars Retrograde

29 ♈ 28 – α Piscium Alrisha

Fixed star Vertex causes blindness, injuries to the eyes, sickness and a violent death. It is of the nature of Mars and the Moon (adventurous, perfidious, insolent, wanton, brutal, danger to eyes).1

If not well aspected, Vertex causes suffering from the “sickness of neurosis, psychosis or obsession”, deep within from the past, personal or collective.2

Constellation Andromeda is said to bestow purity of thought, virtue, honor and dignity upon its natives, but to cause battle with chimerical fears and a tendency to become easily discouraged. It gives love between husband and wife and reconciles adulterers.1

Saturn is conjunct fixed star Terebellum (26 ♑ 08) which gives fortune but with regret and disgrace. It is of the nature of Venus and Saturn (cunning, bad morals, mercenary, repulsive habits, perverted tastes, unfortunate love affairs, seduction).1

Six Retrograde Planets

Six planets are in retrograde motion for four days from September 9 to 12: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Once Jupiter stations direct on September 12, there remain five planets retrograde until September 29, when Saturn stations direct.

Five planets in retrograde motion happens only 4% of the time. Six planets in retrograde motion occurs only 0.7% of the time.

When five or more planets are retrograde at the same time the world appears to slow down. You may attract energy at some imperceptible level and it can feel like you are living in another dimension. You might feel like you’re from some other planet or other reality, so there is less inner uncertainty. You may experience feelings of isolation or of being different.

More than four planets in retrograde motion also make it more difficult for people to understand each other. It seems like there are more bad things happening in the world. More violence, psychological abuse, accidents, suicides, and death. Understanding and compassion seem to be lacking.

With the world slowing down, material events can act as blockages that allow you to develop internally and mature. This helps you you find reassurance within yourself.

Mars Direct 2020

Mars stations direct on Friday, November 13, 2020, at 15°13′ Aries [see chart]. Mars is no longer square Saturn. In fact, it makes no planetary aspects. But it is still in the fortunate Constellation of Andromeda, on the brightest star:

Fixed star Alpheratz (14 ♑ 35) gives independence, freedom, love, riches, honor, and a keen intellect.1 It also gives a harmonious nature which makes for popularity.3 Alpheratz is of the nature of Jupiter and Venus (contented, happy disposition, honorable, philosophical mind, legal or ecclesiastical preferment, help through women).1

Mars conjunct Alpheratz: Sharp mind, energetic, business success through own endeavors.1

Mars Retrograde Dates

June 26 to August 27, 2018 – 9° Aquarius to 28° Capricorn

September 9 to November 13, 2020 – 28° to 15° Aries

October 30, 2022, to January 12, 2023 – 25° to 8° Gemini

Natal Mars Retrograde Meaning

Mars retrograde natal suggests you find it difficult to express your sexuality, competitiveness or strength. Perhaps you struggle with being direct, courageous, or showing initiative. You tend to internalize these normal, healthy expressions of Mars energy so that you hesitate, take action at the wrong time, or have some psychological hangups about sexuality or gender.

Basically, this fear of taking strong action and standing up for yourself stems from some past life crises related to injury and pain. You may have fallen victim to a violent death, war crime or rape. Maybe you were victimized and abused because of your sexuality. It could even be the case that you lost your temper and severely hurt or killed someone.

There are endless possible scenarios of how Mars energy can turn destructive once your adrenaline kicks in and you act on primal instincts, in survival mode. Whatever the case, whether victim or perpetrator, you come into this life with a deep understanding of the pain that results from Mars in a state of rage.

It is understandable, therefore, that you are somewhat cautious about taking risks or leaving yourself in a vulnerable position. While young especially, painful past life experiences may be repeated, though not to the same extreme.

Mars retrograde in your natal chart subjects you to many fated events that are aimed at bringing you out of your shell and teaching you how to express Mars energy safely. Aspects to your Mars and any fixed star conjunctions will give more detail on how to handle Mars retrograde in your natal chart.

References

Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.26, 133, 213, 214. The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse, 1988, p.128. Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1971, p.2.