After Mars’ long stay in Cancer, the red planet finally moves into the fiery sign of Leo today, where it will remain until [insert exact date]. While Mars doesn’t gain essential dignity in Leo overall, its shift out of watery Cancer comes as a relief—despite holding triplicity there, Mars is in its fall in Cancer, often “showing” its even more difficult side as the Lesser Malefic. In Cancer, silent and passive sign, Mars’ attack would be that obvious.
In Leo, especially in the final degrees where Mars gains dignity through Term and Face, Mars will finally know how to do martial things. Until then, it’s peregrine through most of the sign—lacking focus—so its martial energy can easily turn toward conflict and provocation rather than purposeful action.
One might wonder why Mars—a planet whose very essence is fiery—doesn’t function particularly well in Leo, a fire sign. At first glance, it seems like a natural fit. But Leo is a fixed sign, and Mars, being inherently cardinal and impulsive, tends to get “stuck” in that fixed quality—something that doesn’t suit its nature.
Additionally, in Leo, Mars is under the rulership of the Sun, another choleric planet. However, the Sun’s fire is mature and life-giving, whereas Mars burns hotter—more disruptive, more aggressive. So even though they share the same element, the environment of Leo doesn’t quite support Mars’ raw, urgent drive.
Until May 30, Mars remains peregrine in Leo—lacking strength and direction. This isn’t the best time to initiate Mars-related actions like asserting yourself, competing, or pushing forward, as the energy can easily scatter or turn into pointless conflict. With the martial energy unfocused, you’re more likely to misfire than hit your target. Don’t get fixed. Best to keep your fists and blades sheathed—you might end up hurting yourself.
After May 30, Mars starts to gain essential dignity, and by June 8, he reaches its Term and Face—the strongest it’ll get in Leo. That’s the time to put your drive into action: start a competitive sport, face a challenge head-on, or sharpen your tools—because then, Mars finally knows how to handle its martial power with precision.
Right after Mars enters Leo, we’ll see some intense aspects. Immediately upon his entry, the Sun forms a square with Mars. Since Mars is now ruled by the Sun and placed in Taurus—the sign of Mars’ detriment—this square represents a symbolic tension or aggression towards authority, and power. At the same time, Mars begins an opposition to Pluto, the malefic, fixed-object tied to Hades’ myth of sudden attacks and death. This makes the aggression not only sudden but also destructive.
The Classical Astrology 