Mars retrograde · 2030
Is Mars retrograde in 2030? No: here are the nearest dates
Is Mars retrograde in 2030? No, and this page explains why, lists the nearest retrogrades on either side, and says whether Mars is in a shadow period during the year.
There is no Mars retrograde in 2030: Mars is direct all year. The previous retrograde ended on May 5, 2029, and the next runs March 29 – June 13, 2031, from 21° Scorpio back to 4° Scorpio. Mars is retrograde only about every 26 months, so some calendar years pass without one.
Mars retrograde 2030: the short answer
No. Mars does not turn retrograde in 2030. Mars is not in a shadow period at any point in 2030: the previous shadow ended on July 9, 2029 and the next begins on January 25, 2031.
Why there is no Mars retrograde in 2030
Mars is retrograde about every 26 months, for 9 to 12 weeks: about 9% of the time. Because the cycle is longer than a year, the retrogrades do not land in every calendar year. The previous one ran February 14 – May 5, 2029 (Libra back into Virgo); the next one runs March 29 – June 13, 2031 (Scorpio). In between, Mars moves forward the whole time.
What a year without one means
In astrology Mars stands for drive, desire, anger and how you go after things. With no retrograde in 2030, there is no scheduled review of those themes: matters ruled by Mars tend to move forward at their ordinary pace. It does not make the year lucky or unlucky. The guides to the nearest retrogrades are Mars retrograde 2029 and Mars retrograde 2031; the meaning and the full how-to are in the Mars retrograde guide.
Mars retrograde dates around 2030
| Retrograde (UTC dates) | Stations retrograde at | Stations direct at | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 10 – Apr 1, 2027 | 10° Virgo | 20° Leo | 81 days |
| Feb 14 – May 5, 2029 | 13° Libra | 24° Virgo | 80 days |
| Mar 29 – Jun 13, 2031 | 21° Scorpio | 4° Scorpio | 76 days |
| May 26 – Aug 1, 2033 | 12° Capricorn | 29° Sagittarius | 66 days |
Computed from NASA JPL Horizons (geocentric positions in the tropical zodiac). Dates are UTC.
Mars retrograde 2030: questions
Is there a Mars retrograde in 2030?
No. Mars is direct for the whole of 2030. The previous retrograde ended on May 5, 2029 and the next begins on March 29, 2031.
When is the next Mars retrograde after 2030?
March 29 – June 13, 2031. Mars stations retrograde at 21°38′ Scorpio and direct at 4°26′ Scorpio.
Why is there no Mars retrograde in 2030?
Mars is retrograde about every 26 months, for 9 to 12 weeks. Since that cycle is longer than a year, some calendar years fall entirely between two retrogrades, and 2030 is one of them.
Is Mars in a shadow period in 2030?
Mars is not in a shadow period at any point in 2030: the previous shadow ended on July 9, 2029 and the next begins on January 25, 2031.
Sources
The checkable facts on this page come from these external sources. The astrological interpretation is our own.
- Horizons System (planetary ephemeris service) · NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryMars in 2030, computed from JPL Horizons positions: no retrograde in this year
- Mars: Facts · NASA ScienceA year on Mars lasts 687 Earth days
- What does it mean for Mercury to be in retrograde? · NASARetrograde motion is an apparent change in a planet's movement through the sky; the planet does not physically move backwards in its orbit
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AstraLink content is written by our editorial team, reviewed for astrological accuracy, and refreshed as the sky moves. Interpretations are for reflection and entertainment; they are not medical, legal or financial advice.