Mars is an active force that represents our courage, power, and drive, but when retrograde, its usual forward momentum is dysregulated. Putting Mars in its debilitated sign of Cancer can bring about challenges wrapped with intense feeling and emotion. This disruption energy leads to frustration and conflict especially in the areas governed by Mars which are Aries and Scorpio houses. Aries represents the head on our physical body and is the masculine expression of Mars where we initiate and charge ahead in a forward motion. This momentum is opposed to Scorpio where Mars embodies a receptive feminine nature prone to internal fluctuating movements.
Mindfulness of how we assert ourselves and handle conflicts is important during Mars retrograde period. Emotions may run high, leading to impulsive reactions and misunderstandings. It is a time to practice patience, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness to navigate the challenges that may arise.
When Mars is in its debilitated placement, its fiery and assertive nature may struggle to express itself effectively. Cancer is an emotional sign, with sensitive, nurturing qualities, quite different from Mars' assertive and aggressive nature. This combination of water and fire can create inner tension and a sense of being out of sync with one's usual way of taking action.
Mars represents our focus and attention. When in retrograde, we can become easily distracted and emotionally triggered. Cancer's feminine nature embodies a receptive and nostalgic quality. This combination can enable a tendency to focus on the past rather than being in the present.
Overall, Mars retrograde in its debilitated sign of Cancer calls for a more reflective and introspective approach to handling conflicts and pursuing goals. It is a period for reassessing our actions, motivations, and desires, and finding healthier ways to channel Mars' energy in alignment with the nurturing and emotional qualities of Cancer.
Let's look at what this Mars Retrograde transit means for each ascendant based on where Cancer is in your chart.
Cancer Ascendant - 1st House of Self and Physical Body
Ruled by the Moon, Mars in the first house can bring a rollercoaster of energy bursts followed by complete exhaustion if you're headed towards burn out it may be a good time to apply the brakes. Mars fallen in your first house shows where you may be lacking the courage needed to stand up for yourself or you may react more defensively than usual. Use this energy to start a new physical routine or create an action plan that kick starts a new chapter in your life.
Gemini Ascendant - 2nd House of Family and Wealth
Ruled by Mercury, Mars in the second house will bring energy towards how you make money and can also create harsh speech. A weakened Mars in Cancer shows challenges with courage in your communications, ideas may come across as displaced, opinionated or too emotionally charged.
Taurus Ascendant - 3rd House of Effort and Siblings
Ruled by Venus, Mars in the third house brings strength and passion to your efforts and interests. Weakened by the emotional waters of Cancer, these effects are lessened but will also improve over time because the third house is an upachaya house.
Aries Ascendant - 4th House of Home and Mother
Ruled by Mars, Mars in the fourth house brings a protective fighting power into the home and connection to your mother. A fallen Mars in your house of private life will bring challenges to your emotional connections and may cause fights in the home.
Pisces Ascendant - 5th House of Creativity and Children
Ruled by Jupiter, Mars in the fifth house brings passion and drive to your creativity and heart's desire. This energy weakens when Mars is in his fallen position of Cancer, and it may be hard to focus on creative ventures during this time.
Aquarius Ascendant - 6th House of Health and Enemies
Ruled by Saturn - Mars in the sixth house of daily work and routines, gives a drive towards health and courage to defeat enemies. Being in a fallen state will lessen this effect to a degree, but because the 6th house is also an upachaya house, the courage of this weaker Mars will increase over time.
Capricorn Ascendant - 7th House of Relationships and Spouse
Ruled by Saturn, Mars in the seventh house will bring passion and energy into relationships and social agreements. Debilitated in Cancer, Mars can be emotionally charged and overprotective. Be careful not to pick fights because you insist on being right.
Sagittarius Ascendant - 8th House of Transformation and In-laws
Ruled by Jupiter, Mars in the eighth house brings abrupt change and unhappiness. Fallen in Cancer, Mars may feel overwhelmed or just apathetic from it all. As a dusthana house, the eighth house is challenging but through strife comes reward. You have the best chance to transform fears into faith. Use the destructive energy of Mars for good to rid yourself of attachments and beliefs that no longer serve you.
Scorpio Ascendant - 9th House of Higher Knowledge and Teachers
Ruled by Mars, Mars in the ninth house brings focus and courage to pursue higher knowledge. Debilitated in Cancer, Mars in this position shows how you must overcome fear of learning new things and not be so emotionally attached to your teachers, teachings, beliefs or ideologies. Use the power of Jupiter as the natural ruler of the 9th house, to expand how you take in knowledge and wisdom.
Libra Ascendant - 10th House of Career and Actions
Ruled by Venus, Mars in the tenth house will bring courage and drive to the actions you perform out in the world. Debilitated in Cancer, Mars brings emotional ambitions around how you present yourself in your career and professional world. Are your actions aligned with your core values and beliefs or are you acting out someone else's?
Virgo Ascendant - 11th house of Achievements and Success
Ruled by Mercury- Mars in the eleventh house produces achievement and gains. When Mars is debilitated in a social and psychological house, relationships and communication are greatly affected by the lack of focus and attention. In addition to material gains, the 11th house also indicates a gain of the consciousness or simply put, an awareness. Becoming aware and waking up to an idea that has been hidden in your subconscious can feel uncomfortable and can create defensiveness towards one's own understanding when the planet of our courage is debilitated and retrograde.
Leo Ascendant - 12th House of Spirituality and Expenses
Ruled by Sun, Mars in the twelfth house delivers courage and strength to let go of the things you have no control of. Debilitated in Cancer, Mars can stir up resentments and grudges that continue to hold you back. Use the destructive power of Mars to clear the path laden with attachments that only weigh down the mind as it tries to ascend towards a higher vibration.
Mars turns retrograde about every two years or so, and will turn retrograde December 6th, 2024 in Sidereal Cancer around the time this article was written.
