Retrogrades › Mars › 1990
Mars is retrograde once in 1990: Oct 20 – Jan 1 in Gemini and Taurus.
| Pre-shadow begins | Retrograde | Direct | Post-shadow ends | Signs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 26, 1990 | Oct 20, 1990, 3:24 PM ET | Jan 1, 1991, 7:53 AM ET | Mar 2, 1991 | 14°34′ ♊︎ Gemini → ♉︎ Taurus 27°45′ |
Oct 20, 1990 – Jan 1, 1991 · 73 days
Mars turns retrograde at 14°34′ Gemini on Oct 20, 1990, 3:24 PM ET (1990-10-20 19:24 UTC) and direct at 27°45′ Taurus on Jan 1, 1991, 7:53 AM ET (1991-01-01 12:53 UTC).
Astrologers link this retrograde to everyday communication, siblings and short trips, then money, possessions and comfort.
Shadow: Aug 26, 1990 – Mar 2, 1991.
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 1990 · Venus retrograde 1990 · Jupiter retrograde 1990 · Saturn retrograde 1990 · All planets now
Mars is retrograde once in 1990: Oct 20 – Jan 1 in Gemini and Taurus.
About 72 days in total during 1990; each retrograde lasts 73 days. Including the pre- and post-shadow, each cycle spans roughly 188 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.