Mars retrograde 2026: dates

Mars goes retrograde about every 26 months for roughly two months; with its shadows the whole process can stretch over half a year.

Mars describes action, courage, competition and anger. In the retrograde that energy turns inward: things slow down, and an old dispute or an unfinished goal can return.

The classic advice is to postpone new, risky ventures, strengthen the plans you already have and watch out for physical fatigue.