Mars Retrograde in Virgo and Leo (January 10th – April 1st, 2027): Reconfiguration

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Mars is about to turn retrograde once again: January 10th to April 1st, 2027, the planet of action, conflict, desire, and men, is about to turn our lives upside down and lead to huge changes. What this means is discussed in this article (including personal advice)… so fasten your seatbelts, because this is not for the faint of heart.

Shortcuts: Dates, What is Mars Retrograde, Mars Retrograde in Virgo and Leo, The Overall Context, Personal Advice by Sign, Further Reading.

Dates:

Pre-shadow: September 28th, 2026.

Dates: January 10th – April 1st, 2027.

Mars Retrograde in Virgo: January 10th – February 21st.

Mars Retrograde in Leo: February 21st-April 1st.

Post-shadow: July 15th, 2027.

Explanation for astro-nerds: pre- and post-shadow are timeframes when we feel the energies build up before/gradually dissipate after the event is done. They’re not comparable in intensity with the actual event, but we may see the same themes pop up or resolve in the shadow periods that we engage in in the actual retrograde.

What is Mars Retrograde?

What is Mars?

Mars is the planet of action – the part of ourselves that’s capable of handling stress and even fighting for what we want. It signifies desires we have (including quite literally desire and sexual topics) as well as how we go about achieving them. It also signifies conflict and literally the men in our lives. Mars turns retrograde only once in 2 years, which is the rarest form of retrograde… and when it turns direction, it’s usually intense. Especially for Aries and Scorpio Sun and Risings, as well as for all men in general.

What is a Retrograde?

A retrograde takes place when a planet seemingly changes directions in the sky: instead of moving through the zodiac signs in their usual order, it moves backwards. Retrogrades are times in which the themes of a planet’s area of influence work differently than usually: in Mars’s case, this means that the way we fight for what we want, what we desire (or not), and the way we engage or disengage in conflict is especially highlighted and might work differently than usual.

A Note for Men:

This event actually impacts men a lot more than women, just as Venus retrogrades impact women much more than men (call it a quirk of astrology). This means that, if you are a man, you may feel this especially strongly. For all of us, regardless of our gender, this is a time to keep an eye on the men in our lives and be especially sensitive to the changes they’re going through, as they may affect us in some way. I’d also add that it’s a time to be especially kind to men (when that’s appropriate, of course), as the overall astrology is greatly impacting men – and this retrograde is amplifying the intensity even more. More on this in the next section.

Mars Retrograde in Virgo and Leo

Now, what exactly can we expect from this time as a red thread? Reconfiguration of what is not working – based on a very, very personal sense of what is right for you, what aligns with your principles, and the most authentic desires and deepest needs of your heart. This is a time of practical, not just mental, reconfiguration when analysis is needed to go ahead and become real action.

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The Overall Context

This Mars retrograde is the catalyst for the Big Boom of 2027, also known as the great changes and big events we’ll be experiencing in that year. While 2027 is likely more chill than 2025 and 2026 (not that that’s hard, am I rite), it still contains some intense astrology: all of which Mars kick-starts.

Saturn in Aries

We’re currently in a longer transit (read, astrological event) that started in May 2025 and ends in April 2028: Saturn, the planet of maturation, life-lessons, necessity, boundaries, and responsibility, is journeying through the sign concerning men, that’s directly affected by this retrograde. Long story short: this is its own event with articles I’ll again link at the end of the article. It also speaks (as one of its many themes) about the necessity of men stepping up in the collective, and on a personal level: our relationship to power, leadership, authority, and where we’re stepping up ourselves in that.

This is not a time to get the large committee to make a group decision, this is the time to have one leader who (hopefully) is advised by the committee and directs the group to make the best of everyone’s resources. The way this happens should be a wise and responsible handling of authority: but under Saturn in Aries, that is a learning curve, too.

So, these themes directly play into this Mars Retrograde, and Mars directly plays into these themes as well. The themes of what we are and aren’t responsible for, where we lead in our own lives, where we lead in other people’s lives, and where we need another person as our leader, are all amplified. The necessity for mature and responsible conflict, and even the way we handle our own wants and desires, as well. This latter part will be especially amplified once Mars Retrograde re-enters Leo on February 21st, 2027.

Another theme of Saturn in Aries has to do with the way we deal with/ignore the youth, our future. Mars ignites conflict, it shows us where the rubber hits the road and what’s left once we leave the realm of the theoretical behind and engage in our ideas on what life should be in practical ways. Mars shows us what’s not working – and, conversely, what is working. This is information we need to build on.

Neptune in Aries

Another planet in Aries is Neptune, the planetary significator of our spiritual awareness, intuition, compassion, vision for the future, creativity, and illusion/delusion/addiction (quite the list of topics, huh?). Mars – a planet that’s very hands-on – shows us and weeds out what is and isn’t real. Then, it helps us to do the same with our ego.

Neptune in Aries is its own event spanning from 2025 to 2039 and happening every 165 years. There are several articles on the subject you can find in this compilation that will also be linked at the end of the article for your convenience.

Whenever Mars and Neptune affect each other, we have both the potential for absolute forgiveness and the resolution of ongoing conflicts in our lives… and the potential for an escalation of conflicts based on illusion and delusion. The latter is something to be mindful of, though a third theme also exists: Neptune is about our spiritual principles, especially when it walks with Saturn. Mars is about us walking our talk, the actions we take. Under this Mars Retrograde, a huge theme will be whether we actually live by what we claim to believe.

A principle is only a principle if you’re willing to draw the short stick to keep the principle intact. Otherwise, it’s just a preference on a high horse.

Chiron in Aries

This Mars Retrograde also directly impacts another longer transit (2018-2027) that’s about to end a mere 13 days after this Mars retrograde ends: Chiron, the wounded healer, as it journeys through the sign of masculinity, leadership, the will, identity, and our desires. Mars Retrograde here shows us everything we learned about the ways we were wounded, and to help us heal before this event closes out once and for all on April 14th, 2027. Chiron takes more than five decades to come full circle – so this event will not return for a long while. It’s linked here or at the bottom of the article once again.

Eclipse Season

January-February

We hit off our Mars Retrograde at the beginning of Eclipse Season (aren’t you so glad to hear this?) In summary, eclipse season is the time when change is particularly prominent because developments for the highest good of our soul, and even destiny itself, are catalyzed. This brings an element of reconsideration and big change to our lives.

Change-Bringer

Square Uranus in Gemini

February-March

This Mars Retrograde impacts three major planetary players I mentioned already: Saturn’s 2 ½ year journey through Aries and Neptune’s 14-year journey through Aries (and Chiron's through Aries as well for 7 years). But there’s another major transit it activates: Uranus’s 7 ½ year stint in the sign of Gemini, sign of communication, polarization… and the quickest sign of the zodiac.

Come February, all the way to early March, Mars will activate the journey of the change-maker and revolutionizer to bring unexpected events, surprises, and cataclysmic revelations of knowledge/information we may not have had before. Our desires are revealed through conversations and strife, and big changes are sparked both inside ourselves and in our lives because of this. Conflict can escalate very quickly at this point (so keep an eye on that), and accidents are very likely.

This is not a time for extreme sports, especially not without getting anal about protection protocols and common sense. Risk-taking might take things too far. Traffic might also be a bigger deal than normal, especially in February when a Mercury Retrograde takes place (link coming soon). February 9th – 21st is the most intense for that potential: so drive safely.

Where the Ego Goes to Die

Mars, Jupiter, and South Node

February 21st – April.

Once Mars Retrograde re-enters its previous sign, Leo, the nature of the Retrograde changes: in part, because of the sign, but to a much larger extent because of the new planetary context. In summary: Mars flirts with the Node of release (South Node) of the Axis of Destiny, as well as the planet that magnifies everything it touches (Jupiter). All in the sign of our biggest gifts… and our egos. This is (part of) the Big Boom of 2027.

Jupiter in Leo (2026-2027) and the South Node in Leo (2026-2028) are their own astrological events. One is very much about our own inherent gifts and how we can give them to the world, the other’s focus is to release our attachment to outdated ideas about who we are, what we can/can not do, and attachment to being liked by others for all the wrong reasons. They’re both about establishing authenticity and embracing what makes us special. In the South Node’s case, this is in service of a far greater transformational process we’ll see play out in the latter half of 2027 when the North Node and Pluto join in Aquarius.

When Mars enters Leo, the South Node and Jupiter are in Leo as well – and right on top of each other. Mars’s signification of desire shows us what we actually and authentically want – and how we can get there. Its theme of handling stress, fighting for what we want, and handling conflict allows us to actually hold up against the pressures of the world to become who we really are.

But/and… together with Jupiter and the South Node, it’s also very much about a death of the ego: of our past sense of self, and our attachment to what we wished others saw in ourselves. This is in greater service to becoming who we truly are and owning ourselves authentically (and with maturity, thanks to Saturn). But it’s likely not comfortable. Our relationships will become our greatest mirror for this, and in many cases, the stage on which we learn these things.

What We Can Build On

Venus and Mercury Retrogrades 2026

Fortunately, this event is something we were prepared for – and we can go back in our memory to a time we already lived through to know how to handle this better.

October 2026, both Venus and Mercury turned direction in Scorpio (link coming soon): right until November 2026. This much shorter timeframe already helped us see some of the themes we’ll walk with: if you build on what you learned/experienced there, it can prove to be helpful for this time. Now, you might not know how to do that or what to even look for: but with time, that may emerge. And if not, feel free to book a reading with me here. The following Personal advice via sign may also help you here.

Personal Advice By Sign

This section works for your Sun and Rising Sign (ASC). The Rising Sign holds more impact than the Sun Sign. Please note that these are generalized predictions that don’t take your unique astrological blueprint into consideration, though that may of course modify the effect of this retrograde. Please book a reading with a skilled astrologer for a comprehensive and holistic view of how you’ll experience this event.

Shortcuts: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Further Reading.

Aries:

This astrological event starts out by revealing the conflicts and conflicting desires you hold in the areas of health, work, work environment, daily routines and minutiae, chores, and the ways you serve others. This is a time to mind your p’s and q’s when talking to your colleagues and subordinates, and to be especially kind to service people all around. Come February 21st, it shifts focus and highlights your house of joy, pleasure, hobbies, creativity, love life, fertility, and children (if applicable). This event might bring more creative energy to you or especially highlight your love life, especially if you’re attracted to men. Regardless, your sign is one of the most affected ones for this event.

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Taurus:

This event first impacts your love life, children (if applicable), fertility (if applicable), creativity, hobbies, and joy. This is an event that shows you quite literally who and what you desire, and especially impacts us when we are men/are attracted to men. Come February 21st, the theme shifts towards our home life, family, the past we have, and our private life. This may be a time when we’re more drawn towards our home and loved ones and have less energy to be out and about in the world, though the North Node in Aquarius helps somewhat with that effect.

Gemini:

This event impacts your home, roots, family of origin (especially mothers/mother figures), and private life – so nothing important, evidently. This is a time to learn what safe haven you desire and to build or defend it with whatever action is necessary. This is also a time when you might want to be more alone, as work-life balance is a major theme until February 21st. At that point, the theme shifts towards learning new things, using your voice, and communicating what you need, and your local life/siblings (if applicable).

Cancer:

This event first impacts your mind, the ways you express yourself and use your voice, the way you perceive the world, and your capacity to learn about it. Your local life, neighbors, equals, and siblings (if applicable) may also be highlighted at this time. Come February 21st, the focus shifts towards your self-esteem and the values you hold. At this time, you’ll see the values and self-confidence you have shift and evolve continuously, you’re also rewarded for walking your talk and quite literally putting your money where your mouth is, as a second theme of this event (after February) is your finances. Check Jupiter in Leo for more information here, as it highly affects you.

Leo:

This event starts out impacting your self-worth and values, asking you to act on what you actually believe is the right thing, and rewarding you where you live that. It might also bring up situations where you need to defend your values against someone/something else. There’s also an added emphasis on money and financial matters. Come February 21st, this event shifts its focus towards who you truly are inside, what it is you want, and where you do or do not feel desirable. You (and Virgos) are the most impacted by this event as it gives you the drive and energy towards living your lifepath.

Virgo:

This event first impacts your sense of self and the way you’d like your life-path to unfold: what you truly want out of life and how you see yourself (and appear to others) is a major part of the first half of this astrological event. Come February 21st, the theme changes to highlight your need for rest and for releasing control where you don’t have control to begin with. Aligning surrender with action based on your spiritual beliefs and authentic self is key here for making this event as easy on you as possible. You (and Leo) are the most impacted signs for this event.

Libra:

This event might temporarily impact the energy you have and may increase your need for rest up until February 21st. Until then, it may also bring up topics around striving for freedom from whatever binds you, initiating necessary endings, and navigating the areas of your life not quite under your control. Action and surrender are key things to balance here. Once February passes, the theme changes: your social circle, friend groups, and the people you move in groups with are highlighted, as are your long-term vision and your goals, and your dreams for the future. Learn what it is you truly want, then take action.

Scorpio:

This event impacts your social circle, specifically the groups you move in, the friends you have, and the people you collaborate with. It also reveals desires you have for your long-term future and the plans you have for the rest of your life. Once Mars changes signs on February 21st, its influence shifts to your work, career, mission, and public life – as well as to the authority figures and father (figures) you may have. Navigate conflict with responsibility, especially if it impacts your reputation. You’re one of the most impacted signs of this retrograde.

Sagittarius:

This event shows you what it is you want, are doing, and can do when it comes to your career, mission, and public life. This is a time to navigate complex situations at work when they come up and to get a healthy relationship to your own ambitions. As soon as Mars changes signs on February 21st, the focus shifts to redefining your beliefs and principles that you act on, your meaning of life, and the way you embody what it is you say you hold dear. Travel and adventure may be additional themes here, and so may in-laws (if applicable).

Capricorn:

This event highlights your beliefs and where you do or do not defend them, where you do or do not act according to them, and where you do or do not enter relationships with people of similar vs. contradicting beliefs. This is a time of adventure and travel, but also of real questions of what matters in life. Come February 21st, things get more serious: the actual truth is waiting to be found and revealed, and might require action (to find it, or once it’s known). Transformation, intimacy, shared resources, power, and intuition are all highlighted: Act on your gut instinct, not your heightened emotions.

Aquarius:

This event starts out highlighting the truths in your life, revealing what was hidden to you before, and highlighting realms of the taboo, power, intuition, intimacy, and shared resources (a.k.a., all the areas that make the rubber hit the road in intimate relationships). This is a transformative and intense time for you. Come February 21st, the focus then shifts to your one-on-one relationships and commitments: to people, or in life in general, though your relationships and social life are massively impacted. The people you desire, those you commit to, as well as men in general, all play an amplified role in your life right now. Pay attention and help them out when necessary. Build on the truths you learned January 2027 onward – or actually, October 2026 onward, to be precise.

Pisces:

This event starts out in your realm of one-on-one relationships, especially those with men and/or relationship with a component of desire. However, business relationships are also highlighted – and so is commitment. Make sure you’re communicating what it is you truly want… and to be honest when you don’t know. Come February 21st, the focus shifts to your work, work-life balance, health, daily chores, routines, and minutiae, and the ways you aid and serve others. This might be a time to set appropriate boundaries so you have the energy to truly serve those you care about the most.