Retrogrades › Mars › 1977
Mars is retrograde once in 1977: Dec 12 – Mar 2 in Leo and Cancer.
| Pre-shadow begins | Retrograde | Direct | Post-shadow ends | Signs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 1977 | Dec 12, 1977, 2:13 PM ET | Mar 2, 1978, 4:58 AM ET | May 8, 1978 | 11°34′ ♌︎ Leo → ♋︎ Cancer 22°17′ |
Dec 12, 1977 – Mar 2, 1978 · 80 days
Mars turns retrograde at 11°34′ Leo on Dec 12, 1977, 2:13 PM ET (1977-12-12 19:13 UTC) and direct at 22°17′ Cancer on Mar 2, 1978, 4:58 AM ET (1978-03-02 09:58 UTC).
Astrologers link this retrograde to creativity, romance and self-expression, then home, family and old memories.
Shadow: Oct 10, 1977 – May 8, 1978.
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 1977 · Venus retrograde 1977 · Jupiter retrograde 1977 · Saturn retrograde 1977 · All planets now
Mars is retrograde once in 1977: Dec 12 – Mar 2 in Leo and Cancer.
About 19 days in total during 1977; each retrograde lasts 80 days. Including the pre- and post-shadow, each cycle spans roughly 211 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.