While in the zodiac sign of Leo, Mars slows down, comes to a halt, and prepares for retrograde motion on December 20 until next year on March 10. With the shadow period, the complete retrograde cycle is October 18, 2009 to May 17, 2010. It's December now...What lessons have you learned since mid-October? With both Mars and Mercury retrograde as the New Year begins, learning from the actions of the past keeps from making similar mistakes or being disappointed by similar events/issues in the future (Mercury is retrograde beginning December 26 to January 15, 2010).

Mars is the planet of action. He represents our drives, motivation, aggression, and assertiveness. When Mars is retrograde, our energy level may be lower as our focus turn inward. Projects are stalled from initiating or newly begun projects may suffer delays from completion. Aggressions may initially be suppressed only for them to finally be impulsively expressed and with much greater intensity than if they were never held back to begin with. Those with natal Mars in a water sign may internalize anger or frustration more so than usual, which is not healthy as raw emotions unexpressed leads to stress levels increasing.

As with any other planet that becomes retrograde, this Mars retrograde period from December 20, 2009 to March 10, 2010 is best spent reviewing certain aspects of our lives, reflecting upon how we normally handle anger or frustrations -- do we blow up and move on? do we hold it in and let it fester?; re-examining what the motivations are behind our actions or decisions -- do we act because we're in control? or do we act because we need to react? do we typically initiate and are self-motivated? or do we take steps when we've had reassurance or feel supported?; and perhaps re-evaluating how we do things, how we make things happen -- do we plan then act? do we rush to act?

During this retrograde, Mars will retrace his steps from 20 degrees, all the way back to zero degree in Leo. Although we are all influenced by this retrograde, those with natal planets or house angles between these degrees in Leo or the other fixed signs (Aquarius, Taurus, Scorpio) may feel the effects more strongly.

Mars retrograde occurs approximately every other year for about two and a half months. Mars was last retrograde on November 2007 to January 2008.

As I wrote on the original Mars in Leo post, Virgo-Rising, although Leo rules my natal 12th house of the subconscious, much of Mars in Leo and this retrograde occurs in my natal 11th house of friendships. Mars will enter my natal 12th house late May 2010. As a Cancer-Sun, this retrograde slows down action in my solar 2nd house of income. Totally uncool since Saturn's move into Libra (rules my natal 2nd house) also brings challenges in the same area for me as a Virgo-Rising. So, that's a double ouch for me the start of 2010. I better re-budget the budget.

How will this Mars transit influence your chart? Look to the natal house/s ruled by Leo. Match the sign and degrees. Use the list of zodiac signs below to identify the Leo zodiac sign on your birth chart then click here for an explanation of Mars transiting those houses.


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For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and Rising signs below then click here for an explanation of Mars transiting those houses.

• Aries-Sun or Aries-Rising ~ 5th house
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 4th house
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 3rd house
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 2nd house
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 1st house
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 12th house
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 11th houses
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 10th house
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 9th house
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 8th house
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 7th house
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 6th house

Alternatively, you may cast your own birth chart for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required. Schedule a session or ask a question. Or cruise on over to the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum* to start or join a discussion.

Related articles:

• Transiting Mars in Natal Houses
• Mars in Leo ~ October 16, 2009 to June 7, 2010
• Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn ~ December 26, 2009 to January 15, 2010
• Mars Direct ~ March 10, 2010
  

*Learn more about the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum.

Z for Mars - Photo credit and copyright to Tunc Tezel, composite of images tracing the 2005-2006 Mars retrograde motion. Courtesy of Astronomy Picture of the Day.