On September 4th, Mars enters Cancer, kicking off one of the most significant astrological transits of 2024 (and into 2025, yikes). Mars is going to retrograde through part of Leo and Cancer later this year. Mars appears to slow down before stationing retrograde, which means it’s going to spend A LOT of time in Cancer—more than FIVE MONTHS. For reference, Mars usually spends about six weeks in a sign. Mars retrograde once every couple years, so this isn’t an uncommon occurrence, but it is infrequent and long enough to be significant.
Mars retrograde in Cancer can show up a number of ways. Consider that Mars is the planet of action, will, and aggression. Mars retrograde may inhibit our ability to accomplish our goals, making our efforts feel subdued or like we’re trudging through mud. Alternatively, Mars in retrograde could turn our Martian energy inwards—perhaps allowing us to reflect on our aggression or our will to succeed, or perhaps turning our pointed spear of wrath on ourselves.
It’s important, too, to consider that much of this Mars transit it taking place in Cancer. Mars traditionally rules Aries and Scorpio and is exalted in Capricorn. It is a planet that likes to succeed, especially for personal gain, and it finds the resources it needs in these signs toward that end. Cancer, however, is about the family. It is about nourishing others. It is about caretaking. In Cancer, Mars takes on a different role. It feels more like the momma bear. The advocate. The protector. Instead of viewing Mars as debilitated in Cancer, can we instead meditate on being fiercely compassionate and protective?
In the Orphic Hymn to Ares (Mars), Orpheus beseeches the god of war to turn away from his love of carnage and strife, and instead submit to the wiles of Aphrodite, party with Dionysus, or give up his weapons and till the land with Demeter. Likewise, we can, during this transit, beseech Mars to set aside his bloodlust in favor of a more Cancerian expression of his attributes.
(Shout out to the brilliant Kristin Mathis, a Classicist, poet, and educator who is currently doing her own fabulous translations of the Orphic Hymns over on her Substack at @mysteriamundi. Check her out!)
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