Mars is not retrograde right now.
Measured at 2026-08-18 19:12 UTC. The next retrograde begins 2027-01-10 12:55 UTC, in 5 months, and runs for 81 days.
- Status now
- Direct
- Turns retrograde
- 2027-01-10 12:55 UTCnext station
- That retrograde lasts
- 81 daysstation to station
What retrograde is
Apparent motion, not a real reversal. Mars never stops or turns around in its orbit. It appears to slide backwards against the background stars when Earth overtakes it on the inside track — or when it overtakes Earth — the same illusion as a slower car appearing to move backwards as you pass it. Horoscorpio lists retrogrades when they occur and maps their live timing. What they mean is not ours to tell you.
That is the sky as it stands for everyone. Where it falls in your chart is a different question, and it needs your birth date, time and place.
Mars stations ahead
A station is the instant apparent motion passes through zero and reverses. These are located by scanning the ephemeris and bisected to the hour.
| Station | At (UTC) |
|---|---|
| Turns retrograde | 2027-01-10 12:55 UTC |
| Turns direct | 2027-04-01 14:03 UTC |
| Turns retrograde | 2029-02-14 08:03 UTC |
| Turns direct | 2029-05-05 19:06 UTC |
Questions
Is Mars retrograde right now?
No. As measured at 2026-08-18 19:12 UTC, Mars is in direct motion. The next retrograde begins on 2027-01-10 12:55 UTC.
When is Mars retrograde again?
Mars next turns retrograde on 2027-01-10 12:55 UTC, in 5 months. That retrograde runs for 81 days.
What does retrograde actually mean?
Retrograde is apparent motion, not a real reversal. Mars never stops or turns around in its orbit. It appears to move backwards against the background stars when Earth overtakes it on the inside track, or when it overtakes Earth — the same effect as a slower car appearing to slide backwards when you pass it. Horoscorpio lists retrogrades when they occur and maps their live timing.
Times are UTC and computed from ephemeris. Horoscorpio states positions and times; it is not prophecy, and it is not medical, financial or legal advice.