Retrogrades › Mars › 1973
Mars is retrograde once in 1973: Sep 19 – Nov 25 in Taurus and Aries.
| Pre-shadow begins | Retrograde | Direct | Post-shadow ends | Signs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2, 1973 | Sep 19, 1973, 7:24 PM ET | Nov 25, 1973, 7:10 PM ET | Jan 17, 1974 | 9°16′ ♉︎ Taurus → ♈︎ Aries 25°18′ |
Sep 19, 1973 – Nov 25, 1973 · 67 days
Mars turns retrograde at 9°16′ Taurus on Sep 19, 1973, 7:24 PM ET (1973-09-19 23:24 UTC) and direct at 25°18′ Aries on Nov 25, 1973, 7:10 PM ET (1973-11-26 00:10 UTC).
Astrologers link this retrograde to money, possessions and comfort, then impulsive decisions, independence and new starts.
Shadow: Aug 2, 1973 – Jan 17, 1974.
Mars rules drive, conflict and physical energy. Its retrograde, about every 26 months, is associated with stalled projects, frustration and old conflicts resurfacing — a time to rethink strategy rather than force progress.
Retrograde motion is an optical effect: Earth and Mars move at different speeds, so Mars appears to drift backward against the stars for a while. Our dates are station times — when the apparent motion reverses — calculated with Astronomy Engine; see the methodology.
Same year: Mercury retrograde 1973 · Jupiter retrograde 1973 · Saturn retrograde 1973 · All planets now
Mars is retrograde once in 1973: Sep 19 – Nov 25 in Taurus and Aries.
About 67 days in total during 1973; each retrograde lasts 67 days. Including the pre- and post-shadow, each cycle spans roughly 168 days.
The pre-shadow starts when Mars first reaches the degree where it will turn direct; the post-shadow ends when it passes the degree where it turned retrograde. The dates are in the table above.
Astrology is a symbolic and cultural tradition. The planetary positions on this site are calculated with astronomical accuracy; the interpretations describe what astrologers associate with them and are not scientifically validated predictions about personality, relationships or the future.