Retrogrades › Mars › 1978
Mars does not begin a new retrograde in 1978.
| 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 1978 · Venus retrograde 1978 · Jupiter retrograde 1978 · Saturn retrograde 1978 · All planets now
Mars does not begin a new retrograde in 1978. The year also opens with the retrograde that began on Dec 12, 1977, ending Mar 2, 1978.
About 60 days in total during 1978. Including the pre- and post-shadow, each cycle spans roughly — 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.