By Let’s face it: Winter tends to take a toll on your motivation, passion and inner drive anyway, but it certainly hasn’t helped that Mars, the planet of action, energy, sex drive and anger, has been retrograde since December 6. Kicking off its backspin in the fixed fire sign Leo, the go-getter planet moved back into cardinal water sign Cancer on January 6, making it tougher to be assertive, express your desires and go to bat for your fiercest ambitions, especially when it came to Cancerian themes like family, home life and your sense of security. Thankfully, on Sunday, February 23, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, the “Red Planet” finally ended its months-long retrograde, making it easier to tap into your inner fire and drive.
Here, all you need to know to make the most of Mars going direct in Cancer.
What is Mars direct in Cancer and when did it begin?
Beginning Sunday, February 23 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT — right around when the Sunday scaries were peaking! — Mars went direct (also known as moving ahead or not retrograde) in Cancer. It will then retrace its path through the mid to late degrees of the cardinal water sign before it moves into dynamic, charismatic fixed fire sign Leo on Friday, April 18 at 12:21 a.m. ET/Thursday, April 17 at 9:21 p.m. PT.
It bears noting that Mars was direct in these same degrees of Cancer back in October and early November — specifically, October 4 to November 2. That said, think back on any challenges, thrilling experiences, lessons and bold moves you made back then. You’ll be charting similar terrain, albeit with a little more wisdom now, thanks to the retrograde’s push to reflect on what fires you up and how you can more effectively assert yourself and pursue your ambitions moving forward.
What Mars direct in Cancer means for your sign
Here, how Mars direct in Cancer from February 23 to April 17, 2025, will affect you, based on your sign. (Be sure to read your rising sign, if you know it. If you don’t, you can find it in your birth chart or by using this CafeAstrology calculator.)
Aries
With your ruling planet finally moving forward, you’ll enjoy a surge of go-getter energy you’ve been missing since December 6. And you’ll feel it especially in terms of being able to get the ball rolling on projects and endeavors related to your home and family, given that Mars will be moving forward in your home zone. Think back on what you’ve learned over the last seven weeks in terms of how to best express any underlying anger, resentment or tension, and you’ll find it’s even easier to get in sync with loved ones.
Taurus
While Mars moved back through your communication zone, you’ve been spread too thin with your social calendar full of commitments that may or may not have happened and lots of buzzy conversation and short-distance travel plans that may or may not have played out as you anticipated. Now, as the action planet ends its retrograde, you’ll feel like you can finally get a grip on your busy schedule and see some forward movement with opportunities to learn, connect with others and tackle errands around town. And the silver lining of the last seven weeks is that now, you can take it all on while feeling more focused and grounded.
Gemini
Mars’ retrograde activated your money and self-worth zone and nudged you to think about how you’ve been pouring your energy and passion into income-bolstering endeavors. Ideally, you’ve come away from this period with clarity around how you want to bring your skills to the table and what you deserve for your hard work. As Mars moves forward here, you can hit the gas on projects that truly resonate with you, and in turn, you’ll find that the rewards you gain from your efforts will align even better with what you deserve.
Cancer
Mars moved back through your sign and self-image sector since January 6, making it tougher to feel motivated to pursue your personal goals let alone build momentum on passion projects. If you’ve been feeling stuck, you’re far from alone, but you’ll definitely feel the tide turn once Mars moves forward here. The retrograde allowed you to pinpoint the ambitious intentions you want to set and get after without delay, and now you can hit the gas with more confidence and focus. And as you push forward, you’ll be laying the groundwork for financial gains in the coming weeks.
Leo
Mars’ retrograde kicked off in your sign but then activated your spirituality zone from January 6 on, taking a toll on your energy and requiring you to reassess your self-care game plan. Now, as it moves forward in this sector, you have a better sense of how to fit rest and recharging into your routine and you might also feel more motivated to make room for it, because you’ve been reminded of just how integral it is to nurturing your spiritual and mental well-being. As Mars moves forward, you’ll be happy to see that you’re even more connected to your inner voice. Be sure to tune into it as you move slowly but surely toward late spring’s thrilling new chapter.
Virgo
Mars’ backspin fell in your networking and long-term wishes zone, nudging you to reflect on how you’ve been serving a part of your community and contributing to collaborative endeavors. You’ve been asking yourself questions like: What can I do to feel more connected within my platonic bonds? How have I been contributing to the end result of a group effort? Might it be time for me to pull back a bit in order to let others pull their own weight? As Mars moves forward here, you’ll have a better sense of how you want to exert your energy within your social circle and with colleagues. In turn, you’ll find it’s easier to align with people who are on the same page.
Libra
If it feels like you’ve been trying to run against the tide in order to make strides professionally, that’s because Mars’ retrograde happened in your career zone. You’ve been challenged to think about your relationship to authority and how you want to go about making your mark publicly. Now, as Mars moves forward here, you’ll feel like you finally have the wind in your sails to make your boldest dreams a reality. Take the bull by the horns and go for that promotion, pitch that ambitious proposal or pitch a new role. Higher-ups will appreciate your focus and enthusiasm.
Scorpio
Because Mars is one of the planets that co-rules your sign, you’ve felt its retrograde more than other signs. Its retrograde in your adventure and higher learning zone might have spurred you to muse about how you manage restlessness, address wanderlust, turn into your gut and take leaps of faith — or not. Think back on lessons you’ve learned around these themes as Mars moves forward here, and you’ll be better equipped to expand your horizons in the coming weeks. That could look like diving into an opportunity to hone new skills, work with a mentor or plan a thrilling long-distance trip.
Sagittarius
You’ve been exploring what you need to feel more secure within your closest bonds and getting more honest with yourself about the strides you’ve taken (or not) to fulfill your desires as Mars moved back through your intimacy zone. Now, as Mars moves forward here, you can take decisive action to ensure your needs are met. You have the green light to have a powerful heart-to-heart with a significant other or to talk through financial aspirations with a family member. Because this is the sector that oversees sex, you’ll also find it’s easier to pursue your steamiest fantasies and feel satisfied between the sheets.
Capricorn
Go-getter Mars’ retrograde through Cancer affected your partnership zone, which might’ve led to repressing anger and having a tougher time expressing your needs within one-on-one relationships, whether with a partner, relative, friend or colleague. At the same time, it was a chance for you to explore how you manage difficult feelings and mediate conflict within these bonds, and as Mars moves forward, you can try a new approach to getting on the same page with others. You could find that a renewed perspective and revived energy makes it possible to make applause-worthy strides on shared goals.
Aquarius
If you’ve been feeling sluggish and unproductive, it’s no surprise, because Mars moved back through your daily routine and health zone, making it tougher for you to tackle all those daily to-dos, including that workout you had the best intentions about fitting into your hectic schedule. Thankfully, as Mars moves forward here, you’ll enjoy a surge of go-getter energy you can pour into your wellness plan as well as everyday chores and errands that have been put on the back burner. Just be sure to think back on the last seven weeks and take note of any lessons around how you can streamline your efforts to feel as balanced as you do productive.
Pisces
Over the past seven weeks, you probably felt like it was harder to tap into your artistic impulses and revel in spontaneous plans with loved ones as a result of Mars’ backspin falling in your romance and self-expression zone. You were driven to think about how you’re fitting fun, pleasure and creativity into your life, and now, as the go-getter planet moves forward, you’re more motivated than ever to listen to and follow your heart. You’ll feel more confident that soaking up heartfelt moments with your nearest and dearest — and being more playful in general — will fuel not only your joy but your ability to hit your most ambitious goals.
