Mars (Mangal) turns retrograde on 10 January 2027 at 6:24 pm IST at 16°11' Simha. It steps back into Karkat on 10 March, turns margi there on 1 April at 26°41', and re-enters Simha on 26 April. Karkat is Mars's sign of debilitation, and from 10 March to 26 April it shares that sign with an exalted Jupiter and with Ketu. For about fifteen weeks, plans that need Mars's speed run slower.
The dates
| Event | Date and time (IST) | Nepal time | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enters Simha | 12 Nov 2026, 8:18 pm | 8:33 pm | 0° Simha |
| Turns retrograde | 10 Jan 2027, 6:24 pm | 6:39 pm | 16°11' Simha, Purva Phalguni |
| Back into Karkat | 10 Mar 2027, 12:13 am | 12:28 am | 30° Karkat |
| Turns margi | 1 Apr 2027, 7:41 pm | 7:56 pm | 26°41' Karkat, Ashlesha |
| Enters Simha again | 26 Apr 2027, 11:47 am | 12:02 pm | 0° Simha |
| Enters Kanya | 5 Jul 2027, 4:34 am | 4:49 am | 0° Kanya |
Mars turns retrograde about once every 26 months. The last time it met Jupiter and Ketu exactly was in Simha in November 2026, covered in our Guru Mangal Yog 2026 article.
What this transit means
Mars rules energy, courage, property, siblings, surgery and conflict. In Simha, the Sun's sign and a friend's, it is confident and bold. Retrograde there, it turns that energy back on old plans: projects get restarted, disputes reopen and drive comes in bursts. In Karkat it is debilitated, at its weakest, so from 10 March anger can turn inward and action can feel blocked.
Karkat in spring 2027 is crowded. Jupiter is exalted there and Ketu sits there all year. Mars joins them from 10 March to 26 April, forming a Guru Mangal Yoga with a weak Mars and a strong Jupiter. Mars never catches up with either of them, since it turns direct at 26°41' while they sit near 23° to 25°. Mars aspects the 4th, 7th and 8th signs from itself, so from Karkat it looks at Tula, Makar and Kumbh.
Mangal Retrograde 2027 for all 12 rashis
Read your Moon sign. Mars favours the 3rd, 6th and 11th houses from the Moon, by the gochar phal rules.
| Moon sign | Simha (10 Jan to 10 Mar) | Karkat (10 Mar to 26 Apr) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesh | 5th | 4th | Challenging |
| Vrishabh | 4th | 3rd | Challenging until March, then good |
| Mithun | 3rd | 2nd | Good until 10 March, then challenging |
| Karkat | 2nd | 1st | Challenging |
| Simha | 1st | 12th | Challenging |
| Kanya | 12th | 11th | Challenging until March, then very good |
| Tula | 11th | 10th | Good until March, then it depends on your work |
| Vrishchik | 10th | 9th | Challenging |
| Dhanu | 9th | 8th | Challenging |
| Makar | 8th | 7th | Very challenging in the first months |
| Kumbh | 7th | 6th | Challenging until March, then very good |
| Meen | 6th | 5th | Good until 10 March, then challenging |
Mesh
Challenging. Mars rules your sign, and its retrograde in your 5th until 10 March can bring arguments over children, study plans or a romance that stalls. From 10 March it sits weak in your 4th: home repairs, a vehicle problem or tension in the family need patience.
Vrishabh
Challenging until March, then good. Mars backtracking in your 4th unsettles home and property plans. From 10 March it moves into your 3rd, one of its good houses, and your courage and drive return, even though Mars is weak in Karkat.
Mithun
Good until 10 March, then challenging. Mars in your 3rd keeps your effort high and helps with short trips and dealing with siblings. Once it steps back into your 2nd, watch your words and your spending, since family money talks can turn sharp.
Karkat
Challenging. Mars retrograde in your 2nd strains family talks and savings early in the year. From 10 March to 26 April it sits debilitated on your own Moon sign, beside Jupiter and Ketu, so temper and tiredness need watching, though Jupiter helps you keep perspective.
Simha
Challenging. Mars turns back on your own Moon sign on 10 January, so impatience, small injuries and clashes come more easily. From 10 March it moves into your 12th, where expenses, poor sleep and hidden opponents are the themes. Things settle after 26 April.
Kanya
Challenging until March, then very good. Mars in your 12th brings costs and sleepless nights in the first weeks. From 10 March it moves into your 11th, Mars's best house, and gains, help from friends and progress on goals return.
Tula
Good until March, then it depends on your work. Mars in your 11th supports income and ambition early in the year. From 10 March it steps back into your 10th, where pressure at work rises and a boss may push hard. Steady effort wins out.
Vrishchik
Challenging. Mars rules your sign, and its retrograde in your 10th slows career moves and can bring a clash with authority. From 10 March it sits in your 9th, where plans for travel, study or faith need patience and a father may need support.
Dhanu
Challenging. Mars in your 9th early in the year delays long journeys and legal matters. From 10 March to 26 April it is in your 8th, weak, so sudden costs, minor accidents and money tied up with others need care.
Makar
Very challenging in the first months. Mars backtracking in your 8th brings sudden events and stress over joint money. From 10 March it moves into your 7th, so friction with a partner or business associate is likely until it turns direct on 1 April and leaves on 26 April.
Kumbh
Challenging until March, then very good. Mars in your 7th tests partnerships early in the year. From 10 March it moves into your 6th, one of its best houses, and you beat rivals, clear debts and get health routines back on track.
Meen
Good until 10 March, then challenging. Mars in your 6th helps you win disputes and work hard. When it steps back into your 5th, children, study or a love affair may need more patience, and quick bets on markets are best avoided.
Why two people with the same Moon sign get different results
If Mars is strong in your birth chart, in Mesh, Vrishchik or Makar, a retrograde spell feels like a pause rather than a block. If it is weak, in Karkat, the spring weeks echo your natal pattern. People with Mangal Dosha often notice Mars transits more, since Mars already sits in a sensitive house for them. The dasha running in 2027 and Jupiter's aspect on the house Mars crosses matter as well.
What changes next
Mars goes on to Kanya on 5 July, Tula on 24 August, Vrishchik on 8 October, Dhanu on 18 November and Makar, its sign of exaltation, on 27 December 2027. The full list is in Grah Gochar 2027.