Mars, the planet of war and sexual desire, will station retrograde in the constellation Gemini on October 30 and will not station direct again until January 12, 2023. This fiery planet only goes retrograde once every two years, so this retrograde packs a big punch!
Some of you will feel the sting of Mars more deeply than others, so find your rising sign on the list below to see if your relationship will survive the rough and tumble Mars retrograde!
Aries rising
Aries be careful with the words you use during this Mars retrograde because fights can get dirty. That’s not to say this retrograde will cause your relationship to implode, but if you don’t think before you speak, you’ll have a few extra messes to clean up.
Instead, use this retrograde period to reflect on and clarify what you need to see in your relationship to strengthen your bond.
Taurus rising
Taurus, you’ll likely feel extra clingy during this Mars retrograde, as the red planet will be in your second house. Romantic love can be very healing and do a lot for our self-confidence, but during this time you need extra love and reassurance.
Instead of putting all that weight on your romantic partner, remember that love comes from many sources in your life, so plan dates with family, friends and yourself, as well as your loved one!
Gemini rising
Gemini with Mars moving backward through your first house, you’ll feel restless, for example if you’ve had too much coffee and want to curl up in a ball on the floor instead of being productive.
This can obviously affect romantic relationships, but it is certainly not a death sentence. Try planning fun activities and dates for you and your partner to do this winter to combat boredom and spice up your relationship.
Cancer is rising
It will be harder to set boundaries and ask for what you need while Mars is retrograde in your 12th house, Cancer. While this may be frustrating for you, it is also an opportunity to figure out what your real goals are for this relationship.
Make sure you spend time alone to search your psyche and discover your own motives. If this is how you and your partner are meant to be, you will weather this storm with no problem!
Leo rising
Romantic relationships won’t be the cause of any problems during this Mars retrograde, but you should be careful about how you approach your platonic relationships, Leo.
Silly arguments and disagreements within your friend group will likely bring out some deep-seated tension that has been boiling beneath the surface for too long, but it’s better to address the conflict than let it fester!
Virgo rising
With Mars retrograde in your 10th house, the conflicts in your life are much more likely to arise from work and authority figures.
Your romantic relationship, Virgo, should be good during this transit, as long as your partner sympathizes with your frustrations, and as long as your partner is not the obstacle preventing your success at this time.
Libra rises
Mars is retrograde in your 9th house, which is generally a very fortunate place for transits, even one as ominous as this! In any case, this is not the time to travel and broaden your horizons, Libra.
Instead, focus on facts and what is solid and already known in your relationship, because after this retrograde period you can expect a lot of passionate and exciting growth in this area of your life.
Scorpio rising
For the Scorpio rising, this Mars retrograde will hit especially hard, as Mars is the ruling planet of your chart and transits your 8th house of emotional attachments. What this means for you is that you will feel undervalued, stagnant, and possibly even trapped in your relationships.
Be sure to discuss matters with your partner if you are unhappy with the state of the relationship. If your relationship is meant to last, it will, but if it isn’t a good fit for you, this retrograde will make that clear.
Sagittarius rising
In short, yes, this Mars retrograde is coming for your romantic relationships! For you, Mars will be in your 7th house, which deals with serious relationships. Mars isn’t here to ruin a good thing, but this planet is likely to instill a temporary fear of commitment in you.
Sagittarius if you suffer from cold feet, ask yourself why. You will want to find out if your fears are justified or if you are holding on to past hurts instead of moving forward in a loving relationship.
Capricorn Rising
Take it easy during this transition, because burnout is on the horizon if you forget to take care of your physical and emotional body. This shouldn’t have too much of an impact on most romantic relationships, but it’s important to be clear with your partner about the shared chores and routines you do.
You’re going to need some help around the house, Capricorn, or at least a lower expectation of how much you can get done in a day/week.
Aquarius rising
If you’ve had an affair or are in a relationship with someone, you’ll probably find that your interest in that person has dropped since Mars has stationed retrograde, Aquarius.
Mars is in your 5th house of sex and dating, so even though it’s retrograde, you may find that you simply don’t have the energy to give to casual dating. Tell your loved one(s) that you are going into hibernation mode and that you will see them in the new year!
Pisces rising
Pisces If you and your romantic partner are living together, this will be a challenging time. You are more likely to get angry over the smallest things, making life at home a lot more tense than usual.
I suggest you choose your battles wisely (think: “what is the end goal of this argument?”). And if you plan to move in together soon, it’s better to do it in the new year so you can avoid this anxious energy at home!
