If you’ve been feeling a little off-kilter lately, you’re not alone. Right now, in late December 2025, Mars is retrograde in Cancer until mid-January 2026, and Uranus is also retrograde in Taurus until late January. But before you blame every delayed email or misplaced key on the cosmos, let’s get clear on what planetary retrograde actually means—and what it doesn’t.
What does retrograde actually mean?
A planet in retrograde isn’t moving backward through space. It’s an optical illusion caused by the relative speeds of Earth and the other planet as we orbit the Sun. Imagine you’re in a car overtaking another vehicle on the highway—for a moment, the other car appears to be moving backward. That’s retrograde.
Astrologically, retrograde periods are thought to signal a shift in the planet’s energy—from outward action to inward reflection. Mars, for example, usually governs drive, ambition, and forward momentum. When it’s retrograde, that energy turns inward. You might feel less motivated to start new projects, more inclined to revisit old ones, or notice friction in areas where Mars rules: conflict, desire, physical energy.
Uranus retrograde, on the other hand, invites us to reconsider innovation and freedom on a personal level. It’s less dramatic than Mars, but it can stir up a quiet restlessness or a desire to break free from routines that no longer serve you.
What retrograde doesn’t mean
Let’s debunk the doom. Retrograde does not mean:
- Your life will fall apart.
- You should hide under a blanket and avoid all decisions.
- Technology will spontaneously combust (that’s a Mercury retrograde myth, and even then, it’s overblown).
In reality, it’s is more about awareness than fear. Knowing the timing helps you plan smarter—not panic. A detailed breakdown of Mercury retrograde in 2026, including all four windows and practical checklists, can help you work with the energy rather than against it. - You’re cursed or cosmically punished.
Retrogrades are not cosmic stop signs. They’re invitations to pause, review, and recalibrate. Think of them as built-in reflection periods in the calendar, not disasters waiting to happen.
If you feel stuck: a quick checklist
Feeling sluggish, irritable, or like you’re spinning your wheels? Here’s a practical checklist to work with the retrograde energy instead of against it:
- Audit your energy. Where are you overcommitting? Mars retrograde in Cancer is asking you to protect your emotional and physical reserves.
- Revisit unfinished business. Old projects, conversations, or goals that stalled? Now’s the time to circle back.
- Check your boundaries. Cancer energy is all about home and emotional safety. Are you saying yes when you mean no?
- Notice patterns. Are the same frustrations cropping up again? Retrogrades often highlight what needs fixing.
- Rest without guilt. If your body is asking for downtime, listen. Mars retrograde is not the season for heroic sprints.
Best things to do during retrogrades
Retrogrades favor the prefix “re-“: review, repair, reflect, reconnect, revise. Here’s how to make the most of this period:
Review your goals. Pull out your planner or journal and assess what’s working. Are you chasing the right things, or are you running on autopilot?
Repair relationships. Mars in Cancer can surface old emotional wounds or family tensions. If there’s a conversation you’ve been avoiding, this is a good time to approach it with care.
Reconnect with your body. Gentle movement—yoga, walking, stretching—suits Mars retrograde better than intense competition or pushing through pain.
Revise your plans. Instead of launching something brand new, refine what’s already in motion. Edit the draft, tweak the strategy, polish the pitch.
Rest and restore. This is not lazy. It’s strategic. Retrograde periods are when the universe says, “Catch your breath.”
What to avoid (no panic decisions)
Retrogrades aren’t blackout periods, but they do come with a few cautions:
Avoid impulsive confrontations. Mars retrograde can make tempers flare, especially around home or family. If you’re angry, wait 24 hours before hitting send.
Don’t force progress. If a project keeps stalling, it might need rethinking, not more brute force. Pushing harder during Mars retrograde often leads to burnout or mistakes.
Hold off on major launches. Starting a business, launching a campaign, or making a big public debut? If possible, wait until Mars goes direct in mid-January. You’ll have more momentum.
Skip the comparison trap. Uranus retrograde can make you feel like everyone else is innovating while you’re stuck. Remember: what you see online is rarely the full story.
Don’t ignore red flags. If something feels off—a deal, a relationship, a commitment—trust that. Retrogrades often bring hidden issues to the surface.
The real takeaway
Planetary retrogrades aren’t cosmic punishments. They’re rhythms. Just as nature has seasons, astrology suggests our energy has cycles too. Right now, with Mars and Uranus retrograde, the invitation is clear: slow down, look inward, and tend to what’s already on your plate before adding more.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or like you’re moving through mud, you’re not broken. You’re in a retrograde. And that’s not a problem to fix—it’s a signal to listen to.
So take a breath. Review your priorities. Repair what’s frayed. And trust that when Mars goes direct in mid-January, you’ll have the clarity and energy to move forward with purpose.
Until then, be kind to yourself. The cosmos isn’t working against you. It’s just asking you to slow down long enough to remember where you’re really trying to go.