Mars retrograde in Leo: all in Fate’s timing
Mars retrograde in Leo horoscopes
We will have to contend with the ways in which we abandon ourselves exactly at the moment when we should stand up and be our authentic selves.
Our warrior, Mars, goes retrograde today, 6th of December, 2024. He will retrograde in the sign of Leo until he re-enters Cancer on the 6th of January, and eventually turns direct on February 23, 2025. When planets go retrograde, they appear to move backwards in the sky. It’s an illusion, we all know planets can’t travel backwards. But this motion is symbolic of a shift in the cosmic vibes. As Mars retrogrades, he will have a chance to revisit issues he has already seen through once. As such, retrogrades are a time for us to revisit, redesign, reimagine, and review certain aspects of our lives. All good dreams and plans have to be reevaluated at some point.
But humans refuse to slow down. We hate to accept that we do not have control over everything. When our plans are foiled, we act as if the world is ending. Even as a species, we think we’re unstoppable, meant for unfettered growth. We refuse to accept that the natural world has boundaries, that capitalism is unsustainable, and that sometimes the hand of Fate has its own timing. This is why we fall apart during retrogrades.
Leo and Icarus
Why are Leos like that? Because Leos are their own biggest cheerleader. Leos know their worth and hold themselves in esteem, regardless of what anybode else might think of them. They are warm, generous, and loyal. This is why the Sun is at home in Leo. We should all aspire to love and prioritize ourselves like Leos love themselves.
However, we cannot deny that the Sun also blinds. Self-love can always turn into self-aggrandizing, boasting, exaggerations. It can also turn selfish, cruel, and single-minded. As we chase our inner Leo, let’s remember the story of Icarus. Icarus, who flew too close to the Sun, fell from the sky, plunged to the sea, and drowned.
Mars and Leo are both hot and dry. While Mars is not at home in the sign of Leo, he knows what to do in hot and dry environments. It’s like when I leave my home in Miami to visit my partner’s family in Alabama. It’s not quite the same, but I can easily pack for the hot, humid Alabama summers. My Miami beach bathing suits work just as well for Alabama lake-side tanning. Similarly, when Mars is in Leo, he finds that his suitcase is full of tools he can use to do what he wants. He can chase, fight, and stand his ground. This is different when he’s in the sign of Cancer. Our warrior does not like being underwater, unable to take a step forward and forced to move sideways, skirting his enemies and fights, and oftentimes, hiding in his shell. But we’ll talk more about Mars in Cancer in January.
As Mars turns retrograde in Leo today, we begin a new journey. We revisit our capacity to express our anger in healthy ways. We will review our boundaries and the ways we keep ourselves safe. We will have to contend with the ways in which we abandon ourselves exactly at the moment when we should stand up and be our authentic selves. This retrograde, Mars has to rethink his approach and direction.
On December 7th, Venus will meet Pluto in Aquarius. Venus, the planet of love and relationships, will face a truth that will begin a plutonic transformation. A few days later, on December 12th, Venus in Aquarius will oppose our warrior, Mars. The conversation will inform Mars as he continues his retrograde journey in Leo.
Like I wrote, back in October. At his best, Mars is strategic. He dedicates himself to building and fighting for things that will stand the test of time. As our warrior retrogrades, he can no longer run towards his original target. He might have to change his target or revise his tactic. But there is always small, incremental progress to be made, even if it means taking a few steps backwards. Again, this December, don’t go tilting at windmills. Instead, ask yourself: Is it still worth your energy? Is it worth your fight? Will the test of time uphold the effort you’re currently exerting? Does it actually serve you? But most importantly, are you being true to yourself? If you’re not, then what needs to change?
Mars retrograde in Leo horoscopes
What does this mean for you? Astrology always depends on your natal chart and the very specific ways that these transits all talk to your natal placements. Remember, you can book a Natal Chart or a Cosmic Vibes reading with me if you want to dive deeper into your personal astrology.
Below, I’ll cover general horoscope for each sign. You can read the horoscope for both your sun and your rising sign. Read your rising sign to understand the themes in your life. Read your sun sign to understand your personal perspective.
Aries
Mars is your ruling planet, Aries. As such, this retrograde is deeply personal. Mars retrogrades in Leo, your 5th house of pleasure, romance, creativity, and children. Venus opposes Mars from your 11th house of community, friends, and wishes. Aries, how are you relating to the children in your life? What are you learning about their needs and who they are in society? How are you interacting with your creative pursuits and passion projects? How are you engaging with your romantic interests? How are you sharing your creativity and creations with your friends, lovers, and community? Are you being fair to others as you chase your pleasure? Is there something here that needs rebalancing? This December, fan the flame of your passions Aries. Your true loves will stand by you.
Taurus
Mars retrogrades in your inner realms of the 4th house of home, family, and ancestors. Venus, your ruling planet, opposes Mars from your 10th house of career and public debut. What is the tension between home and your professional life? What is the conflict between your private world and the way you move in public? This December, stoke the fires of your hearth, Taurus. Trust that you will get to the right place. What is meant for you is meant for you.
Gemini
Mars retrogrades in your 3rd house of siblings, cousins, personal rituals, local neighborhoods, communications, and short-distance travel. Venus opposes Mars from your 9th house of higher education, public institutions, publishing, and long-distance travel. Gemini, are you reconsidering going back to school? Do you have upcoming travel that requires additional planning? What tension exists between your beliefs, religious views, or life philosophies and your friends or family’s beliefs? This December, examine the truth a little closer, Gemini. What does that word mean to you? What does it mean to those you’re in community with? The truth will set you free, Gemini.
Cancer
Mars retrogrades in your 2nd house of personal resources and earned income. Venus opposes Mars from your 8th house of partner’s money, others resources, contracts, and inheritance. What is yours? What is not yours? How much are you contributing? How much is someone else putting in? What is the cost? This December, look at the details, Cancer. Pay attention to the give and take. Remember to be fair — to others and to yourself. Remember that equity is often more important than fairness, Cancer.
Leo
Mars retrogrades in your 1st house of self, body, personal will, and vitality. Venus opposes Mars from the 7th house of intimate relationships and others. Who are you, Leo? Who are you when you’re alone? Who are you when you’re in a relationship? How do you allow others to treat you? How do you show up for others? Most importantly, are you the type of person you want to be, Leo? This December, be prepared to stretch and grow, Leo. Sometimes that means leaving behind relationships that no longer serve us. Sometimes that means nurturing and growing new relationships. Sometimes that means adjusting who we are and how we act in relation to others. Love yourself, Leo, and love others the way you want to be loved — loudly and courageously.
Virgo
Mars retrogrades in your 12th house of the unknown, unseen, and self-undoing. Venus opposes Mars from your 6th house of labor, toil, service, and illness. Where are you self-sabotaging Virgo? What habits are no longer serving you? What difficult situations do you need to tend to, even though you might not want to do so? What challenges, health issues, or service require your attention? The difficult thing here Virgo, is both of these houses are what we call “dark houses”. It’s difficult for us to see these topics and their impact on our lives. This December, tease out your commitments, think about the service you lend, to the work you undertake. Get clear about the sacrifices you need to make, as well as the ones you need to abandon. Pay attention to your health, especially your mental health. Practice discernment, Virgo.
Libra
Mars retrogrades in your 11th house of community, friends, and wishes. Venus opposes Mars from your 5th house of pleasure, romance, creativity, and children. Venus is your ruling planet, Libra, and she loves the 5th house. What is she telling you about your creativity, passions, and pleasure? How are you showing up for your romantic relationships? Maybe Venus is talking to you about the children in your life and your role as a parent. What transformations is she ushering through with the help of Pluto? What tension is coming through from your community? This December, I want you to remember that your joy and pleasure don’t have to fit into the expectations of society. Follow your joy, Libra. The people who are meant for you will find you.
Scorpio
Mars retrogrades in your 10th house of career and public debut. Venus opposes Mars from your inner realms of the 4th house of home, family, and ancestors. Mars is your ruling planet, Scorpio, and he will be retrograding in the most public part of your chart. What is the tension in your professional life? What are you reconsidering about the way you move in public? How is this tied to the transformations that are underway in your home and private world? This December, I want you to do your best and have faith, Scorpio. It’s not always going to work. We don’t always have the opportunity to prioritize all the things we want to do. Trust that you will land in the places that are meant for you.
Sagittarius
Mars retrogrades in your 9th house of higher education, public institutions, publishing, and long-distance travel. Venus opposes Mars from your 3rd house of siblings, cousins, personal rituals, local neighborhoods, communications, and short-distance travel. What transformations are happening for you in your local environment? How are your relationships with your siblings changing? What tension exists between your beliefs, religious views, or life philosophies and your friends or family’s beliefs? You might find yourself with delays in travel or rethinking school. This December, I want you to have patience, Sagittarius. I know that’s easier said than done. Sometimes, that’s all we can do. But with a little bit of patience, it’s easier to make another plan. After a couple of deep breaths, we become better listeners. Consult your pillow, Sag. Everything is clearer after a good night’s sleep.
Capricorn
Mars retrogrades from your 8th house of partner’s money, others resources, contracts, and inheritance. Venus opposes Mars from your 2nd house of personal resources and earned income. Venus might bless your money this month, Capricorn. If she does, this might spark some tensions. As you mind your money and your resources, I want you to remember that you didn’t do this all alone. There were friends, family, partners, and lovers that supported and cheered you on along the way. As you rethink your obligations, finances, and debts, ask yourself if you are being fair to yourself and others. How much did you contribute? How much should you contribute? This December, remember to be just, Capricorn. Sometimes, you need to ask for more help. Sometimes, the world blesses you and you can give a little more. It is silly to suffer alone when there is help available to us. It is illogical to hoard wealth and resources because we are social creatures, Capricorn. The point of having plenty is to share it with those we love.
Aquarius
Mars retrogrades in your 7th house of intimate relationships and others. Venus opposes Mars from your 1st house of self, body, personal will, and vitality. How are you changing, Aquarius? How are you showing up for yourself? How do you show yourself self-love? How are you handling conflict in relationship? Is the conflict productive and healthy? If it’s not, it might be time to change the way you fight. For some of you, it might be time to leave behind unhealthy relationships. This December, I want you to welcome change, Aquarius. Sometimes we have to change. Sometimes our relationships have to change. Sometimes it’s both. Change is the only constant in life. Without it, it would be a boring world. Without it, you would never grow.
Pisces
Mars retrogrades in your 6th house of labor, toil, service, and illness. Venus opposes Mars from your 12th house of the unknown, unseen, and self-undoing. What no longer serves you and your dreams, Pisces? What toil, labor, and sacrifice is ready for you to set it down? The difficult thing here, Pisces, is that both of these houses are what we call “dark houses”. It’s difficult for us to see these topics and their impact on our lives. This December, I want you to find your light, Pisces. Your inspiration and joy are the only things that will keep you afloat when things get hard. Find your light, and hold onto it in the dark, Pisces.
