Retrogrades › Mars › 2012
Mars is retrograde once in 2012: Jan 23 – Apr 13 in Virgo.
| Pre-shadow begins | Retrograde | Direct | Post-shadow ends | Signs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 18, 2011 | Jan 23, 2012, 7:56 PM ET | Apr 13, 2012, 11:53 PM ET | Jun 19, 2012 | 23°06′ ♍︎ Virgo 3°41′ |
Jan 23, 2012 – Apr 13, 2012 · 81 days
Mars turns retrograde at 23°06′ Virgo on Jan 23, 2012, 7:56 PM ET (2012-01-24 00:56 UTC) and direct at 3°41′ Virgo on Apr 13, 2012, 11:53 PM ET (2012-04-14 03:53 UTC).
Astrologers link this retrograde to work routines, health and details.
Shadow: Nov 18, 2011 – Jun 19, 2012.
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 2012 · Venus retrograde 2012 · Jupiter retrograde 2012 · Saturn retrograde 2012 · All planets now
Mars is retrograde once in 2012: Jan 23 – Apr 13 in Virgo.
About 81 days in total during 2012; each retrograde lasts 81 days. Including the pre- and post-shadow, each cycle spans roughly 214 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.