Mars retrograde + Mars - Pluto opposition
So, we have talked about retrograding planets here before. All of the planets appear to move in a retrograde fashion from our perspective here on earth. Retrogrades are a regular part of the planetary cycle, as we experience them.
You can find more on retrogrades by using the search bar or the tabs here on patreon.
Today, I am here to discuss one of the major themes of the upcoming 2024-2025 Mars retrograde that officially begins in December.
That major theme is...
The Mars - Pluto opposition
The Mars - Pluto opposition went exact yesterday, November 3rd, at 29° Cancer/Capricorn. But we have been feeling it for the last few weeks and we will continue to. So let's chat about it, how it can show up, and how to work with it.
Mars is the planet of war and passion and motivation and forward action. Pluto is the planet of destruction and shadows and transformation. (this is not an exhaustive list, by any means)
When these planets come into an opposition, an aspect reflecting tension and obstacles and division, it can be volatile. We can experience or witness power struggles, ego trips, or deep wounds that have people acting from their defense mechanisms, opposed to a grounded and centered place of presence and awareness. This can be an aspect that indicates violence, harm, aggression, power moves, scandal, or loud reactions.
There can also be a deep drive to achieve our desires. And it can be a drive that doesn't seem to care about, or be aware of, the harm caused in the wake of their actions toward that desire.
We will have this aspect playing out collectively through May 2025.
That is a long time for this transit to be active.
There will be three exact hits:
November 3rd 2024
January 3rd 2025
April 26th 2025
During this time, it's important to be aware of your own motivations. Mars rules our ego and our motivations. It is easy under this energy to lash out when our ego is wounded, it is more difficult to sit with your bruised ego and reflect. But that is the invitation we find under this energy.
Pluto rules over our survival and defense mechanisms. It is great to have survival mechanisms.. they keep us safe. But it is also of utmost importance that we recalibrate our survival mechanisms to properly reflect the time you live in now and the situation at hand.
During a Mars-Pluto opposition, there can be extreme anger where it isn't warranted (and also where it is warranted, so discernement is key). This is a signal that we are triggered on a deeper level and our survival mechanisms (or fight/flight/freeze/fawn/etc) have been activated.
When that happens, it's an invitation and opportunity to go deeper and reflect. What is coming up for you, what inner child or parts work is present, what is the motivation behind your actions or desires?
Anger is not inherently bad. Anger and rage get such a bad rap in our society. That probably has to do with the harm it can cause when projected outwardly and mixed with power - the toxic masculinity of it all (which can be present in all genders). Mars and Pluto bring rage and power together, and there is space there for harm to be caused. And I am sure we will continue to see that in the collective.
My hope though, is that in this space, we can find ways to use this opposition to work through some shadows (shadow work opportunity), to be with and listen to our rage and our pain, and to step into our power to reach for our desires in grounded and healthy ways.
During this transit and throughout the Mars retrograde cycle, there can be frustration around not being able to achieve your desires fast enough. There can be a pull toward old trauma and patterns... like the work you have been doing is for nothing because you will never get to the point that you desire. Stay open to the awarenesses, but try to remember that the Mars retrograde is literally about slowing down external progress. There are many reasons that this can happen, and Pluto likes to bring new awarenesses to light, so try to stay open and out of old patterns. It will be easy to slip back into those old patterns, so when you notice - redirect.
Your ego may need to take several seats during this retrograde cycle, so resource yourself around that as needed.
Okay so the info and dates for the Mars retrograde cycle:
Mars will be retrograding between 06° Leo and 17° Cancer
Mars entered Cancer on September 4th, 2024
October 4th it hit 17° Cancer, and it's pre-retrograde shadow began
November 3rd, after it's first exact opposition with Pluto, Mars entered Leo
December 6th Mars will station retrograde at 06° Leo
January 6th 2025 Mars will retrograde back into Cancer
February 23rd Mars will station direct at 17° Cancer
April 17th Mars will re-enter Leo
May 2nd Mars will leave the post-retrograde shadow phase
June 17th Mars finally leaves Leo and enters Virgo
We are solidly in the pre-retrograde shadow phase of this Mars retrograde cycle.
Mars just moved into Leo as I type this (11/03/24), and this is a relief for Mars. Mars much prefers the fire element of Leo to the water element of Cancer. However, it's important to keep in mind that the martial actions you take during this time, may be revisited as Mars retrogrades back over this spot of the sky/chart in the following months.
Mars is the ego, the body, our vehicles, our motivations, our drive toward desire, etc.
And then YOUR Mars is going to depend on your own specific natal chart.
For example:
MY Mars is in Taurus in the 5th house. So my Mars is very much about the sensory experiences of being in a body, being incarnate on a material plane of Earth, play, and creating passion projects that bring me joy and move me toward my desires in sustainable and pleasurable ways.
My Mars moves slowly, it's in the Fixed Earth sign-- and so it will struggle less with Cancer (which sextiles Taurus) and more with the Leo portion of this retrograde cycle. (Leo squares Taurus)
My Mars rules my 4th and 11th houses (the Aries and Scorpio houses). And so themes of those houses will be influenced by Mars' retrograde cycle. My 11th house holds my MC, and so those themes will also be affected.
And so on...
You can also consider Mars' dignity in your chart. Is the Malefic of sect, or does it naturally run extra hot in your chart/experience?
If you want to go deeper, you can take the aspects Mars will be hitting during the cycle into account -- for instance the Mars-Pluto opposition. The one that just occurred on 11/03 was at 29° Cancer/Capricorn. The other two will be in early degrees Leo/Aquarius. You can notice and reflect on where that falls in your chart.
You can also consider your own Mars retrograde cadence with your natal chart. What planets do you have between 17-29° and 00-06°? -- they will be having some kind of interaction with the Mars retrograde cycle. All of this (and more) will bring information around what this retrograde cycle will be reflecting in your experience.
You do not have to know what is coming ahead of time. You do not have to use any of this more technical information (or any of what's here). Just do your best.
I'll list a quick 'to-do list' for this Mars retrograde cycle for you below.
✨Be present.
✨Do your shadow work.
✨Stay in your body and with your process.
✨Know that 'it' may not happen in your time/ego check.
✨Reflect on how you are using or giving away your power.
✨Nurture your body and connect with Nature.
✨Hold + listen to + reflect on + honor your rage.
✨Travel to the underworld, cut toxic cords, do protection spells.
✨Be courageous in the face of fear.
✨Honor healthy connection and stand bravely in your truth.
✨Move your body in ways that feel good.
✨Assertion / Aggression.
✨Track your triggers.
✨Root chakra support.
✨Breathe.
If you want support or would like to schedule a Mars retrograde session or reading with me, you can comment or message or email me anytime!
We will breakdown this aspect, and others, together in the babespace - so be sure to catch me there to share your experiences, wisdom, questions, etc. && learn more with me - patreon.com/mmhealing
