For the week of December 6th thru the 13th, be sure to read your Rising Sign as well, and if you know it the house where Mars at 6º of Leo falls in your natal chart:

Aries

(5th House) Don’t be too surprised if you find it challenging to crawl out of bed these days. If you do manage to emerge, it’s all you can do to keep yourself from crawling back in. And it seems a shame, because there’s so much you want to do, so much that you were just starting to get into. And now you just don’t have the gumption. That’s what it can feel like when your ruling planet, Mars, stations for its retrograde. Do be warned that this lack of motivation could extend through much of the retrograde phase, which lasts until late February. Work with it. Pace yourself. Don’t push yourself beyond your limitations. During the retrograde phase of Mars you will want to conserve your energy. Initially as Mars entered Leo in early November, it has been motivating you to move in a certain direction. A direction that has a lot of potential, which could also allow you to better use your talents. In the mean time, use the retrograde phase to regroup and further consolidate any creative ideas before moving forward. Therefore: know your limits, do not try to push yourself or others beyond their endurance, step back and regroup. Take a page out of Neptune’s station on Saturday to be inspired to use your talents in a way that can be both meaningful and engaging. 

Taurus

(4th House) With Neptune floating about in the sign of Pisces these past 13 years, many a Taurus has probably found themselves seeking solace in the company of others who share similar ideals and hopes for the future. This could include joining a specific group with the intention of doing some sort of charitable service or good works. You are likely to see the results of these efforts as Neptune now moves through the last degrees of the sign. It can also be that you find inspiration through others that encourage you to embark on some sort of meaningful journey. The ideals that you have been aligning yourself with over these years will be helpful in navigating some of the more treacherous weather that is bound to arise moving forward. Mars stationing retrograde in the sign of Leo could be a tough one for Taurus. Especially those Taurus people born in the first 10 degrees of the sign. Mars here can be indicative of some sort of strife, an awareness of some sort of discord, or difficulties with someone you are close to. If you find anger arising, or you experience aggression from others, try to assess where this may be coming from. One way to use the retrograde phase of Mars is to shake of any old resentments you may have been holding on to. Exercise patience and understanding, even if you don’t understand where others may be coming from. The issue with Mars in Leo ultimately arises from not feeling entirely comfortable or at peace in the very place where you would most expect to: at home, in the homeland, or your personal space and environment. Rather than reacting to it in a knee jerk way, explore your options first. It may be that some changes will need to be called for in the long term, but you will want to make absolutely sure before committing. 

Gemini

(3rd House) With Mars stationing in Leo you could find yourself becoming quite impatient with other people’s vagueness, or noncommittal stance. Just know that provoking them into an argument in order to get a clear answer or decision will get you nowhere, and may even backfire. When Mars is retrograde, you will receive confirmation that anger is the poison you swallow when you have the intention of harming someone else. It will only come back to bite you in the end. In the mean time, find ways to agree to disagree, use an abundance of patience, and/or avoid situations that could be triggering. Do not engage others’ opinions or self-serving remarks. Also, realize, even if you manage to control your own mind and reactions, there will be others who are not going to be in control. Give them a wide berth, and lay low when necessary. What Mars can bring is a quick wit, and insights into where and when you might want to engage others in open debate in the future. Just not now. In the mean time, refrain from stirring up the hornet’s nest. Neptune is stirring up its own soup. For the past 13 years, Neptune has been asking Gemini to dream big. However, if you find that your dreams are not panning out as you might have hoped, check to see what you can change in your perspective that can bring you more in alignment with your ideals? Perhaps it is most important at these time to remember that ultimately what Neptune wants is not necessarily winning, fame or fortune (although that would be nice too), so much as greater meaning and purpose in your life. 

Cancer

(2nd House) Sometimes, when Mars is in Leo, there can be conflicts over money, or how money should or should not be spent. It may feel with the retrograde of Mars, that there could be issues about who controls what. Focus on those things that you do have control over, and let the rest go for now. More importantly focus in on those things that have been feeding your self-worth. And those that have not. See what changes you might make, either in your circumstances, or in your perspective to shift these in a more positive direction. You might want to take a page out of Neptune’s playbook as it stations direct this weekend. Neptune has been trying to show you, through experience, through deeper understanding, those activities that can and will bring greater meaning and purpose to your life. This could literally have to do with some sort of spiritual practice. Or it could be specific activities that allow you to connect with your own divine center. And this would be especially so, if you are feeling like your life has been upended recently. Neptune in Pisces has this tendency to lull you to further horizons. If that is the case, it may be just the remedy you are needing in order to be able to find yourself again. Neptune has been acting as your personal guidance system, bringing you precisely where you need to be. It may have felt at times like you were just aimlessly drifting. But in some way, now that Neptune is stationing direct, you are being asked to have faith that it has been drifting, but drifting towards something that will ultimately bring greater meaning to your life. 

Leo

(1st House) Now that Neptune is direct again it’s going to be moving through the last degrees of Pisces. This could be something of a relief as you will see some of the more unsettling and uncertain aspects of your life finally reaching some sort of nebulous end. Kind of like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It could even have felt lately like some sort of spotlight has been shining on you, allowing you to show the world what you are capable of achieving. However, as Mars stations for its retrograde on Friday, you may find it advisable to take on a less public position. One of the issues with Mars retrograde in Leo is that it may be drawing the wrong sort of attention, without you even realizing it. Even if that is not your intention, people could be taking what you say and do the wrong way. Or resent the attention you are receiving. Rather than confronting others, it is wiser during these retrogrades to retreat for now, gather your forces, conserve your energy, and avoid over-sharing. Do plan, but don’t necessarily let everyone in on it. And you might not want to act on these plans until Mars is direct again in February, when you will be better equipped to do so. Go slow. Do not react. Pace yourself. Timing is everything. 

Virgo

(12th House) Mars in Leo is rarely a time of action for Virgo. This is when you may plan and plot from behind the scenes for a few months, preparing for the time of action which would normally follow. However, when Mars is retrograde, as it now will be until late February, some of those plans are needing to be put on hold. And if you were to create some sort of plan, you would probably want to keep it on the down low. Oftentimes, when Mars is in its retrograde stage, we will feel depleted, unmotivated. Go with it. Do not push yourself. At this time you are being asked to conserve your energy, and build up your strength for when you will need it later on. Mars can sometimes be a little disturbing when it is retrograde in Leo. It can disrupt your dreams, and over-stimulate your psyche. The past could even come back to haunt you in some ways. If that happens, confront those old ghosts, purge yourself of past resentments, and release yourself from any anger that you may have been harboring. Instead, lean into the Neptune station this weekend and make room for mental health retreats, meaningful moments of serenity, and to connect with those things and people in your life that bring true meaning and purpose. Over the next few months, you may purge some of the fair-weather and the not so genuine, in order to make room for those who truly feed your heart and soul.

Libra

(11th House) Ever since Neptune first entered the sign of Pisces some 13 years ago, Libra was tasked with cultivating a healthier and/or more spiritual life and lifestyle, which could translate (and probably has) in a myriad of ways. And getting the right balance by finding those particular daily activities and practices that will help to regulate your life has been key. Now that Neptune is making its direct station this weekend, you might want to think even further about the impact these everyday decisions have on your health, your well-being and your values. As Mars stations retrograde on Friday you might want to also think about how your relationships and associations have affected those decisions. Have you been sacrificing what is special and unique about yourself and your own expression so as to not draw too much attention to yourself? Have you been holding back your voice and your own personal self-expression just to fit in? Or have you been fighting everyone else’s fights instead of your own? As Mars enters its retrograde you could find yourself reassessing your relationships to certain groups and associations, backing out of the limelight, and perhaps even taking a break. This is about finding your truth and the lifestyle and activities that are most suited to you, and not dictated by other people’s expectations. 

Scorpio

(10th House) For years and years Scorpio has been asked to connect to their own inner muse. And although there might not seem to be a connection, as your ruling planet, Mars, stations for its retrograde phase on Friday, it’s asking you to reassess your current position in life. Is it as rewarding and remarkable as you might want it to be? Does it inspire you in some creative or meaningful way? It is not unusual to have second thoughts about what you do for a living when Mars stations retrograde in Leo. If you are in a public position, you may decide at this time to step out of the limelight for a bit. There is something to be said for not being public facing right now. Not with Mars all retrograde, who courts the wrong sort of attention at these times. And any way you may want to create time for other things besides work, asking yourself, what you really want to stand for, be seen as, be known for. It may be difficult to get anything started while Mars is retrograde. But in the mean time you will want to pay attention to that inner muse. And perhaps, just perhaps, not only pay attention, but to hear that still small voice of inspiration, the voice of the gods, allowing it to speak through you. You don’t need to be an artist to know what that feels like. It can be expressed through your work, through a hobby, through the heart, or through some other compelling experience. But you only need to experience it once in your lifetime to know what that actually is. 

Sagittarius

(9th House) It is not unusual to find yourself at loggerheads with others over certain beliefs or outlooks when Mars is in Leo. This can sometimes be inspiring, and can lead to healthy debates that could prove to be illuminating. However, now that Mars is entering its retrograde phase which lasts through February 23rd, it’s one thing to be aware of different opinions and perspectives, but it may be another thing to engage in disagreements. In fact it might be a good idea to back off. Healthy debate can give clarity about where you stand on certain issues, and to be fully informed. What you don’t want is to be in a position in which you are unable to back up what you have to say. This Mars retrograde period is testing a number of us in different ways. But ultimately for you, it will be very much about standing for something, and being very clear with yourself, as to what is the right thing to do in any given circumstance. Sometimes these issues are not all that black and white, and this is something that we will all be working through over the next several months. But rather than confronting others, take a page out of Neptune’s playbook this month, which is asking you to focus in on your personal life. For that is where the magic will be found. Not so much in the outside world, or far away on a mountain somewhere. This is about creating your own internal sanctuary within your own mind. Ultimately your outer circumstances and your inner world can meet and support one another. But it begins by creating the sort of sacred space within your heart and home, where you can feel safe and supported, and also support those within your care. 

Capricorn

(8th House) The issues with Mars stationing retrograde in Leo this week could revolve around finances. Perhaps there are even outright disagreements. This can include what you spend on, how you spend it, and how it impacts others. It could also have to do with that troublesome mortgage, a loan, or perhaps trying to get that insurance claim to be paid up. Direct methods might not work, which can lead to looking for other means, which could prove to be much more complicated than anticipated. If at all possible, avoid engaging in caustic confrontations right now. If you can put it on the shelf for now, do so. Which could be difficult. Mars here has this magical ability to push all your buttons. If that does occur, release all the resentment, anger and frustration and send it down into the ground where it loses its power. Mars retrograde in Leo gives you the opportunity to purge any negative energy from your system. Shake off any tendrils of regret, anger or sorrow that is clinging on, and instead, take a page out of the Neptune direct station on Saturday by embracing serenity, understanding and patience. You don’t have to do anything special or magical to accomplish this feat. With Neptune stationing direct in Pisces, all you have to do to find Neptune, is to look for the spiritual in all of the mundane avenues of your life. Connect with others in your everyday life, stop to listen to your neighbor, listen to the whisper of the wind in the trees, and put your focus on the here and now. This may seem like a distraction. But actually this will help you to focus in on the really important things that you do have control over, and be able to let go of those that you don’t. 

Aquarius

(7th House) Mars galvanizing the opposite sign from yours is rarely fun. People can be down-right annoying when Mars is in Leo. The atmosphere is ripe with people trying to provoke you, or push your buttons. What makes it worse, is that now that Mars is entering its retrograde phase it will feel like your hands are tied. You either don’t have the energy, the will or the resources to fight the good fight. And this could prove to be fortuitous. When Mars is retrograde it sometimes helps to allow people to hang themselves by their own petard, while you back off, skillfully avoiding the confrontation. Instead, gather your allies and whatever resources and confirmation you will need for later, when Mars is direct again. Patience is truly a virtue right now. Take things slowly, avoid reacting, and step out of the line of fire. Rather, take a page from the direct station of Neptune, and focus in on your personal priorities, and how you can improve the quality of your life in meaningful ways. There is something of an adage here about focusing in on the things that you do have control over, and handing over the things that you don’t to the gods that be. Neptune is asking you, what are you willing to let go of in order to have a better life and lifestyle? These are probably things that you have been thinking about for quite some while. But now that Neptune stations for its direct phase this weekend, it could become that much more important.  

Pisces

(6th House) Mars retrograde can stop us in our tracks. But one of the biggest issues you could face with Mars now entering its retrograde phase usually has to do with procrastination. The laundry piles up, the papers are stacked hither and yon, and we have no patience for unpleasant tasks. This can extend into your work environment: not wanting to confront certain co-workers, avoiding certain tasks at work. It really doesn’t help that Mars retro can feel down right exhausting. Leo is a health sign for Pisces, so it could possibly point to a health issue that has you laid up for a bit. But it could also tune you into an issue that you had previously been ignoring. Mars retrograde in Leo will be relentless in letting you know if something is amiss. Not a good idea to push through it. Rather, handle your usual chores and responsibilities one at a time. Honor your limits. We are being asked to conserve our energy while Mars is retrograde. If you normally exercise, go with where you feel yourself called. Follow the behests of Neptune which stations direct on Saturday by slowing down and being present. Pay attention. Notice things. Remain present in order to fully appreciate what each moment brings. Begin by seeing more, hearing more and thereby feeling more.