Retrogrades › Mars › 1997
Mars is retrograde once in 1997: Feb 5 – Apr 27 in Libra and Virgo.
| Pre-shadow begins | Retrograde | Direct | Post-shadow ends | Signs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 1996 | Feb 5, 1997, 7:34 PM ET | Apr 27, 1997, 3:12 PM ET | Jul 1, 1997 | 5°55′ ♎︎ Libra → ♍︎ Virgo 16°44′ |
Feb 5, 1997 – Apr 27, 1997 · 81 days
Mars turns retrograde at 5°55′ Libra on Feb 5, 1997, 7:34 PM ET (1997-02-06 00:34 UTC) and direct at 16°44′ Virgo on Apr 27, 1997, 3:12 PM ET (1997-04-27 19:12 UTC).
Astrologers link this retrograde to partnerships, agreements and fairness, then work routines, health and details.
Shadow: Dec 1, 1996 – Jul 1, 1997.
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 1997 · Venus retrograde 1997 · Jupiter retrograde 1997 · Saturn retrograde 1997 · All planets now
Mars is retrograde once in 1997: Feb 5 – Apr 27 in Libra and Virgo.
About 81 days in total during 1997; each retrograde lasts 81 days. Including the pre- and post-shadow, each cycle spans roughly 213 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.