Mars in Leo
By Catherine Kenward
www.astrologess.com

Mars is the action planet, the planet that represents our desires, what we are driven to pursue and, also, how we assert ourselves. Along with Venus, its feminine counterpoint, the two make a balanced pair. In western mythology, Venus was the goddess of love and Mars, the god of war. Together they are like the flower and the bee, the flower attracts and the bee pursues its sweetness. Venus represents the flower and its power of attraction and display. Mars is the bee, busy in its pursuit of pollen.

Mars takes about two years to move through all the signs of the zodiac once, spending about six weeks in each sign. When Mars is in your sign, you feel more energized, assertive and confident. This is a time when you feel compelled to be more physically active. It is also a good time to PR yourself, letting the world know who you are and what you have to offer.

Once in each two-year cycle, Mars goes into retrograde (perceived backwards motion), spending much longer in one particular sign. This time around Mars is making its retrograde in the sign of Leo, the Lion. Instead of a mere six weeks, Mars will be in Leo for almost eight months so, Lions, get ready to roar. Mars entered Leo on October 16, 2009 and will be there until June 2010.

When Mars is in a sign, it affects not only those born under that sign but everyone's modus operandi takes on the flavor of that particular energy. Mars in Leo is creative, fun-loving, enthusiastic and competitive. Mars in Leo is not especially self-disciplined. Leo rules the heart and Mars in Leo needs to follow its heart and do what it loves, to express its natural talents and abilities. This way it can be very productive and make the most progress.

There is also another side to Mars in Leo. Leo is known for its pride and regal bearing. Negative Leo can be bossy and domineering, super-sensitive to imagined slights and disrespect. Among other things, Leo Mars is associated with the military and big business, and ostentatious displays of power and wealth. Like a big bird displaying its magnificent plumage, it is more interested in showing off for all the hens than in actually fighting.

So this is a time to be creative, to have fun and do what you love. Don't let your ego get in the way. Leo is at it's best when it shares its sunny nature, encouraging others to relax, enjoy and trust that each step is leading you right where you need to be.