Retrogrades › Mars › 2009
Mars is retrograde once in 2009: Dec 20 – Mar 10 in Leo.
| Pre-shadow begins | Retrograde | Direct | Post-shadow ends | Signs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 2009 | Dec 20, 2009, 8:28 AM ET | Mar 10, 2010, 12:13 PM ET | May 17, 2010 | 19°42′ ♌︎ Leo 0°18′ |
Dec 20, 2009 – Mar 10, 2010 · 80 days
Mars turns retrograde at 19°42′ Leo on Dec 20, 2009, 8:28 AM ET (2009-12-20 13:28 UTC) and direct at 0°18′ Leo on Mar 10, 2010, 12:13 PM ET (2010-03-10 17:13 UTC).
Astrologers link this retrograde to creativity, romance and self-expression.
Shadow: Oct 17, 2009 – May 17, 2010.
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 2009 · Venus retrograde 2009 · Jupiter retrograde 2009 · Saturn retrograde 2009 · All planets now
Mars is retrograde once in 2009: Dec 20 – Mar 10 in Leo.
About 11 days in total during 2009; each retrograde lasts 80 days. Including the pre- and post-shadow, each cycle spans roughly 212 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.