As we move into autumn, Mars is taking center stage in the sky.
Mars went retrograde on September 9 and remains in Aries until January 6, 2021. During this period Mars will also form a tense square to Saturn three times. What does this mean, and how can you work with the energy that arrives with these transits? Below is a clear, practical breakdown.
Mars governs action, impulse, physical energy, assertiveness, anger, and sexual drive. It represents a force that is competitive, reactive, dynamic, and focused on self-expression. When Mars moves direct, it often acts before conscious thought — impulsive and instinctual. That raw energy teaches us that each action produces a reaction.
Here we’ll explore Mars retrograde, Mars in Aries, and how these influences may shape the months ahead.
The Planet Mars and Retrograde
September 9 – November 13, 2020
When Mars is retrograde, the usual instinctual drive becomes subject to awareness and reflection. Instead of acting purely on impulse, desires and motivations are examined. For individuals who have Mars retrograde in their natal charts, this conscious orientation to desire means they tend to be more reflective about what they pursue. When the transiting planet turns retrograde the same reflective quality affects everyone, slowing impulsive moves and inviting scrutiny.
This inward turn can cause frustration because it interrupts the automatic flow of action. For example, Mars retrograde in Gemini might trigger repeated arguments or conflicts born from misaligned wills. The process forces a re-evaluation of motives: why do you want what you want, and does it support your growth?
As a result, Mars retrograde often functions as a period of pruning — clearing away pursuits that don’t support personal evolution. It helps you refine what you truly want and need, forming clearer, more purposeful desires. Mars then presses for the freedom to act on those refined aims.
Overall, Mars retrograde is typically a time of inner work and renewal: reassess your drives, eliminate what no longer serves, and prepare for more conscious, effective action once the retrograde ends.
Mars in Aries
Until January 6, 2021
Mars occupies Aries throughout this prolonged retrograde and beyond, which intensifies the theme of independence and assertive action. Mars in Aries resists anything that limits movement or freedom. It wants to pioneer, to try things immediately, and to follow its own path.
During a retrograde, however, that impulsive energy meets self-scrutiny. Impatience and aggression can rise if instinctive reactions are acted on without reflection. Instead, this period invites transformation: consider what truly matters, then stand up for those priorities with clarity rather than blind force.
Mars in Aries Square Saturn in Capricorn
During this Mars transit there are three squares to Saturn in Capricorn. The first occurred at the end of August, the second at the end of September, and the third will arrive in January. A Mars–Saturn square is a teacher: it asks us to direct energy more constructively and responsibly.
Mars in Aries wants to surge forward; Saturn’s influence is to slow, structure, and require work. When the two clash you may feel blocked, frustrated, or discouraged. Saturn’s lesson is that some goals require preparation, discipline, and patience. The work called for here is self-discovery: identify where your attention truly belongs, clarify what you are building, and accept responsibility for your choices.
This dynamic can also expose conflicts between societal expectations and your personal values. Feelings of inadequacy or unworthiness may surface as Mars keeps pushing while Saturn enforces limits. Be mindful that shame, guilt, or anger can be projected outward, creating friction in relationships. Use this time to plan and build a secure foundation rather than forcing immediate results.
How to Work with This Energy
Introspection and careful planning are especially valuable during these months. Use pen and paper and answer these questions honestly:
- What do I genuinely want to accomplish?
- What matters most to me?
- What do I want to create in my life?
- What kind of world do I want to live in?
- What inner impulses are arising?
- Where are these impulses coming from?
- What is the source of my anger?
- How can I express this energy constructively without harming myself or others?
This is a time to plan, strategize, visualize, and prepare to stand up for your values. Mars retrograde asks you to be conscious of your desires and choices: check that your actions align with your intentions, take responsibility for the outcomes you create, and shift from a defensive, reactive stance to a constructive one.
Practice mindful action. There is a new phase beginning after the retrograde ends on November 13, 2020, and further evolution when Mars exits Aries on January 6, 2021. Use this period to refine what you want and to build the discipline and foundation needed to achieve it.
Move with purpose and awareness. When Mars resumes forward motion, you’ll be better prepared to act in ways that are effective, responsible, and aligned with your deeper goals.