Survival Guide: Battling Hot and Angry Holidays – Tips and Tricks for a Stress-Free Season
It’s jingle hell, my dudes. The holiday season is coming in hot with wounded pride, trauma triggers, flaccid feels, and misplaced aggression. From early December straight through to February, Mars, our big-D energy planet of will and desire, drive and rage, conflict and coitus, will be retrograding. The first part of this retrograde, which extends through Jan. 6, will take place in the perennial pick-me frontman sign of Leo.
Mars retrograde in Leo
The effects of Mars retrograde can be felt more acutely due to the integral role the planet plays in our daily routines and essential sense of power. If you’ve been feeling restless and reactive, stifled and stunted, the red planet’s retrograde may be partially to blame. The rest is probably your dad’s fault. However, it’s not all bad news. According to Sunaree Ko, a tarot and astrology expert at TarotCards.io, Mars retrograde in Leo is not just a pause in forward momentum but a deep call to examine the energy we pour into our ambitions, relationships, and creative endeavors.
What Is Mars retrograde and why does it matter?
Mars, named for the Roman god of war, oversees our ability to assert ourselves, push through, and push our agendas forward. When the planet stations retrograde, this power is compromised, affecting our confidence and competence. This can trigger a fight or flight response or lead to introspection that may feel like an existential crisis.
Emotional effects of Mars retrograde in Leo
During this transit, inner turmoil, heightened self-doubt, creative frustration, and emotional agitation may arise. It’s essential to remember that this challenging period is an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. Sunaree Ko suggests reflecting instead of reacting, revisiting your goals, tapping into quiet creativity, and practicing patience to navigate this retrograde effectively. This transit asks us to peel back the layers of who we think we are and reconnect with who we truly are, guiding us inward and, eventually, forward.
How to navigate this retrograde
While Mars retrograde can be challenging and triggering, it also presents an opportunity for growth. Reflect, do not react. Revisit your goals. Tap into quiet creativity. Practice patience. By February, you will have a clearer sense of where to direct your energy. Remember, this transit is not trying to hinder or hold us back but rather guide us inward and forward, offering a valuable personal audit before the new year begins.
Like organ donation and telling the truth, here’s to the hard road that leads to the green grass.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the star
– The 12 zodiac signs
– What are the astrology houses
– Here’s what each planet represents
– Sun, moon, and rising signs: Get to know your Big 3
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience.