Mars will enter its pre-retrograde shadow this Thursday, November 5, 2026, when it reaches 20°56′ of Leo. This event marks the beginning of the zodiacal path the planet will repeat during its upcoming retrograde motion.
Although it is still progressing normally, astrology interprets this stage as an opportunity to reassess ambitions, conflicts, and impulsive decisions.
Mars also represents the archetype of the warrior. From an astrological perspective, this phase can emphasize defensive attitudes and ego conflicts. It's advisable to remain calm and act with clear objectives.
Mars, the god of war: What does his retrograde shadow mean?
In Roman mythology, Mars was the god of war, associated with courage, strength, and the defense of territory. In astrology, it represents initiative, the desire to achieve goals, physical energy, and the approach to confrontations.
His journey through Leo adds pride, creativity, leadership, and a need for recognition. The so-called pre-retrograde shadow begins when Mars reaches the degree it will return to before moving direct. This does not mean it is already in retrograde, but rather that it starts the first of three passes through the same area of the zodiac.
Mars will begin its retrograde on January 10, 2027, in Virgo, it will return to Leo on February 21, and will regain its direct motion on April 1. It will definitively exit the shadow zone on June 7.
The four signs most involved in this initial stage are Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, and Scorpio, due to their astrological relationship with Mars' transit through Leo. The general recommendation is to assess which goals are worth the effort and which conflicts only drain energy.
Mars is also the ruling planet of Aries, a sign in which Saturn, Neptune, and Chiron are in retrograde. Arians may experience a period of increased sensitivity.
Tips for Each Sign
Aries
Work: Since Mars rules your sign, take the opportunity to present a creative project with measurable goals. Health: Alternate intense exercise with recovery. Money: Determine how much you can invest in a hobby. Love: Avoid competing for someone's attention; express what you expect from the relationship.
Lucky number: 7 · Compatibility: Leo · Advice: Not all conquests require a display of strength.
Taurus
Work: Organize the responsibilities of a renovation or move before taking on new deadlines. Health: Avoid lifting heavy objects without assistance. Money: Request detailed quotes for home improvements. Love: Discuss the use of shared spaces without turning every disagreement into a territorial dispute.
Lucky number: 33 · Compatibility: Virgo · Advice: Defending your space also requires listening to the other.
Gemini
Work: Prepare the arguments for a presentation and eliminate details that may be distracting. Health: Rest your voice if you have had many meetings. Money: Compare phone and internet rates. Love: If a joke has caused discomfort, clarify your intention without downplaying how someone felt.
Lucky number: 21 · Compatibility: Libra · Advice: Intention matters, but so does how your words are received.
Cancer
Work: Gather data about your results before asking for an improvement in conditions. Health: Set aside time to eat without interruptions. Money: Set a limit for purchases related to your appearance. Love: Discuss each person's financial contributions without equating affection with money.
Lucky number: 44 · Compatibility: Pisces · Advice: Your work deserves recognition, but it needs concrete arguments.
Leo
Work: Mars in your sign invites you to reassess an ambition that requires too many sacrifices. Health: Honor your rest days between workouts. Money: Do not spend to maintain a façade of success. Love: Ask what your partner needs before making important decisions for both of you.
Lucky number: 9 · Compatibility: Aries · Advice: True leadership also knows how to change direction.
Virgo
Work: Prepare a realistic schedule for a task that will require several revisions. Health: Avoid going to bed thinking about work-related tasks. Money: Set aside an amount for professional training. Love: Explain why you need some time alone without implying that you want to distance yourself from the relationship.
Lucky number: 16 · Compatibility: Taurus · Advice: Proper planning now will make January's decisions easier.
Libra
Work: Clarify your responsibilities within a team before committing to a collective goal. Health: Limit social activities if you need to rest. Money: Calculate how much you will spend on a celebration. Love: Don’t accept an invitation out of obligation when you would rather spend time on your relationship.
Lucky number: 28 · Compatibility: Gemini · Advice: Belonging to a group does not mean you have to always say yes.
Scorpio
Work: Mars in your professional sector may increase competition; document your contributions without discrediting others. Health: Unplug after a demanding day. Money: Avoid spending aimed solely at projecting status. Love: Don't transfer work frustrations into conversations about personal matters.
Lucky number: 55 · Compatibility: Cancer · Advice: A good reputation is built on consistent results.
Sagittarius
Work: Research the requirements of a training program before enrolling. Health: Take breaks during long travels. Finance: Review the cancellation policies for a trip. Love: If you want to experience something new as a couple, check each other's preferences before booking anything.
Lucky number: 37 · Compatibility: Aries · Advice: Adventure works best when everyone knows the plan.
Capricorn
Work: Check who authorizes the use of shared resources in a project. Health: Avoid accumulating work hours without breaks. Money: Review the interest rates, terms, and guarantees of a financing plan. Love: Discuss intimacy and personal boundaries without assuming that both of you need exactly the same things.
Lucky number: 12 · Compatibility: Virgo · Advice: A serious commitment requires clear terms.
Aquarium
Work: A client may request changes that exceed the initial agreement; define the scope in writing. Health: Reserve moments without external obligations. Money: Calculate the cost of modifying a contract. Love: Avoid turning a difference in priorities into a debate about who has more freedom.
Lucky number: 63 · Compatibility: Libra · Advice: Independence and cooperation can coexist.
Pisces
Work: Spread out difficult tasks over several days to avoid errors due to exhaustion. Health: Check if your routine includes adequate breaks. Money: Ensure you are being paid correctly for extra hours. Love: Negotiate the division of household chores without waiting for fatigue to cause an argument.
Lucky number: 48 · Compatibility: Scorpio · Advice: Better organizing your efforts protects your personal time.
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