Spent from the relentless emotional whiplash? You’re not alone. One day you’re driven by deep feelings, the next you’re exhausted by them—and even when you wanted to take action, something held you back.

That “something” was probably (partly) Mars in Cancer.

Mars, the planet that rules action, motivation, and how we assert ourselves, has spent the past several weeks answering to the Moon. If that sounds like a recipe for mood-driven chaos—yep, that’s exactly how it felt. We’ve been slaves to the Moon’s cycle, pushed and pulled by emotions, with very little consistency in how or when to move forward.

But that’s changing now.

Mars move into Leo (April 18th – June 17th, 2025) and the shift is going to be dramatic—but clarifying. Bring in more fire!

Why This Change Feels Big

Mars in Cancer was like trying to sprint through waist-deep water: slow, effortful, and emotionally reactive. You might’ve found yourself saying yes when you meant no, acting out of guilt or protectiveness, getting stuck in emotional loops instead of taking action, or just being more generally reactive than usual.

Now, Mars in Leo shows up with presence. It knows what it wants – and it’s not afraid to go get it.

One of my favorite quotes about Mars comes from Donna Van Toen in The Mars Book:

“Mars shows your ability to assert yourself as an individual. Its energy says, ‘I want to act in a specific way, along specific lines, to get specific results, and I’ll fight any interference in whatever way I can.’”

That’s Mars in Leo energy: direct, self-assured, and ready to shine.

What Mars in Leo Is Here to Teach Us

Leo is a fixed fire sign. That means it’s not just about bursts of action—it’s about sustained, passionate focus. It’s a great time to:

• Step into leadership (especially if you’ve been quietly waiting for a turn)
• Own your creative voice
• Build confidence by doing, not just thinking about it
• Let yourself be seen without shrinking

Reminder – being visible is not the same as being self-absorbed. Recognize your own power and use it with intention.

The Past Life Vibe (According to Donna Van Toen)

If you’re into the deeper layers of astrology, Van Toen’s sign descriptions are worth reflecting on. She describes Mars in Cancer as someone who came back with unfinished emotional business – complaints left unresolved, needs unmet, actions never taken.

Mars in Leo, on the other hand, carries the sense of someone who’s done the prep work and is finally ready to step forward. The urge now is to lead, to create, and to live bigger. There’s a risk of self-centeredness, sure – but the soul push is toward expression, not ego.

Whether you believe in reincarnation or not, the energy is clear: stop hiding, stop hesitating. Say what you need to say. Build what you need to build. Perform if you want to perform.

What to Watch For

Not all Leo fire is helpful fire. Be mindful of:

• Needing applause to validate your effort
• Acting from ego instead of heart
• Competing for attention instead of collaborating
• Getting stuck in pride when vulnerability would actually move you forward

✨ A Second Chance: Mars Retracing Its Steps

From April 17 to May 4, Mars in Leo isn’t just blazing new trails – it’s actually retracing some old ones. During this window, it moves through the degrees it first covered between November 4, 2024 – January 6, 2025 – right before and during its retrograde.

Think of this as a do-over.

If something stalled out during that time – especially around your energy, drive, work, or conflict—it might come back into focus now. But instead of the fog or frustration of the retrograde period, you’ve got fresh fire and clearer insight. Mars is no longer tangled up in emotional reactivity (hello, Cancer) – it’s ready to act with heart and purpose.

This short shadow phase is your opportunity to revisit, revise, resurrect, or finally do the thing that’s been simmering on the back burner.

Final Thoughts

After weeks of being emotionally tossed around, Mars in Leo brings direction. And with Mars retracing its retrograde steps until May 4, this isn’t just forward momentum—it’s a second chance.

If something fizzled out between November and early January, this is your window to revive it. You’ve got more clarity now, more courage, and a whole lot more fire behind you.

Use it. Take the leap. Say the thing. Show up for yourself in a way you couldn’t—or wouldn’t—before.

This is your moment to move with purpose and let it show. You don’t need to apologize for wanting more, or for finally feeling lit up about something again.

Just don’t let the spark go to waste.

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