Make Holiday Plans Now: The Extended Mars in Leo Transit Includes a Retrograde

Restore your roar! Assertive Mars blazes into fierce and fiery Leo for an extended stay, pumping up the amour and the glamour. But there’s a retrograde coming with this cycle you’ll need to prepare for. Here is your Mars in Leo transit horoscope.

Ready to see your name in lights? Express yourself boldly and wear your heart on your sleeve when Mars makes its grand entrance into Leo on Sunday, November 3, 2024, until January 6, 2025.  

Pursuing a passion could get you noticed. Saunter into the spotlight and share the magnetic parts of your personality. Heads up: Wardrobe, hair and makeup are needed during this chic transit. That said, true charisma can’t be faked. Warmth and contagious enthusiasm outshine any OOTD. Lead with your heart and accessorize from there.

The downside? Mars turns retrograde from December 6 through February 23, 2025 (in Leo until January 6, and then in Cancer until February 23). So get your festive looks together early AND work out ahead of time where everyone is spending the holidays, including New Year’s. 

If it sounds dramatic (hey, this is LEO we’re talking about), isn’t it better to take precautions that you know can minimize friction (and spotlight stealing!) during the festive season? Forewarned is forearmed while aggravator Mars overstays its welcome in fire sign Leo! During its transits, there really is no such thing as “too much” of anything (except maybe the drama you’re planning to avoid!).

Tempers and diva antics can flare (not just yours). If the vibe starts to shift from affable to argumentative, find the nearest exit of the cosmic coliseum. Cooldown breaks will be necessary when pride flares up—or if you feel ignored. (A Mars in Leo transit can make us all wayyy too thirsty for attention. Note that!) Or take your break with physical activity: a walk with a coworker, a bike ride with a friend, sex!

Mars in Leo turns up the heat

For lovers, this fierce connection can cause friction. Instead of fighting it out via text or making a scene during your sushi dinner date, take that feisty energy to the bedroom. Mars in Leo awakens lust-out-loud, sheet-tangling passion. (Did someone say make-up sex?)

The Mars in Leo transit pumps up passion, bringing boldness to the bedroom and beyond. Unleash your wild side and draw attention with a head-turning outfit or a show-stopping performance. And throw in a little performance art if you like. With everyone vying for the spotlight, standing out requires everyone to level up. 

Remember, we all feel the energy of a Mars in Leo transit, and everyone can’t be king. Instead of fighting for the kingdom crown, set your sights on your own throne. With lusty, go-getting Mars in the lion’s den, everyone needs a realm to reign over.

This isn’t about power-tripping and making the masses do your bidding. (Although Mars swagger is a real thing.) Lean in to the energy of magnanimous Leo and lead with your heart. Your noble empire could be anything from a global business venture to making advent calendars for your friends to organizing the holiday party to be on your turf. What matters is that you care for your creative “baby” fiercely as you bring it to life.

But wait, there’s more Mars in Leo 

After the Mars in Leo retrograde ends in February and the macho planet moves forward through Cancer, it returns once again to Leo, in April!

Red-hot Mars struts through Leo from April 18 to June 17, 2025, giving preview to a possible Hot Girl Summer repeat while also escalating drama and elevating luxury. In other words, life is going to feel like one giant talent show, with everyone vying for the trophy.

Make mental note of potential pitfalls during the November-January Mars in Leo transit so by spring, you’ll know where to avoid stepping your paws.

Your Mars in Leo transit horoscope

Mars is one of the inner planets, along with Venus and Mercury. Because of its closer proximity to the Sun, it moves through all 12 zodiac signs in 687 days, spending an average of 6-8 weeks in each. We all feel the effects of its transit through the signs.

Below are horoscopes for every zodiac sign for the Mars in Leo transit, from November 3 to January 6, 2025. You can read for your Sun sign or your rising sign (ascendant). Visit our Cosmic Calculators if you want to calculate your Rising sign or discover more about your personal astrology.

• ARIES
• TAURUS
• GEMINI
• CANCER
• LEO
• VIRGO
• LIBRA
• SCORPIO
• SAGITTARIUS
• CAPRICORN
• AQUARIUS
• PISCES
• MORE MARS

Aries (March 19-April 19) Mars in Leo transit horoscope

Your ruler, molten Mars, blasts into a new sign: Leo and your fun-loving, artistic fifth house, on November 3. Between now and January 6, you’ll have oodles of energy to make serious headway on a creative project. And since this house also rules amour, that red-hot Mars energy can turn a sultry exchange into explosive chemistry. Are you ready to take an existing bond to the next level? Initiate the action, bold Aries.

But do it fast! On December 6, Mars flips into a two-and-a-half-month retrograde that could force you to backtrack and move at a more measured pace.

Aries horoscopes, read more!

Taurus (April 19-May 20) Mars in Leo transit horoscope

Casa Taurus is the happening spot starting November 3, when mobilizing Mars parades into Leo and activates your fourth house domestic corner until January 6. All of a sudden, those household projects you kept putting off seem more urgent. Declutter your space, pick up a heavy winter quilt, put up bookshelves.

But try not to take on more than you can handle during the Mars in Leo transit. The red planet also has a retrograde cycle that begins on December 6! Keep your distance (as much as possible) from triggering family members so you don’t wind up embroiled in a protracted conflict.

Taurus horoscopes, read more!

Gemini (May 20-June 20) Mars in Leo transit horoscope

You’ll be in your element starting November 3 as dynamic Mars promenades through Leo and your third house of communication and community for the first time in a year and a half. You’re a pro at “twinning,” and this superconnector cycle calls for you to band together with kindred spirits between now and January 6.

But don’t get too far out over your skis. On December 6, the red planet turns retrograde, backing up through Leo, then Cancer, until February 23. Also, since Mars can tempt you to get carried away, carefully vet any potential partners, whether you’re pairing off for fun, amour or business.

Gemini horoscopes, read more!

Cancer (June 20-July 22) Mars in Leo transit horoscope

Firecracker Mars departs your sign on November 3 after a whirlwind of a transit that may have worn you out these last couple of months. Although it’s been a wild ride, it may have been a bit intense and even unnerving. Now, as the red planet marches into Leo and your stabilizing second house until January 6, you can ground some of your recent genius ideas in reality. Since this is also your finance sector, if your bank balance has taken a hit after all that high flying, you can start to rebuild your cash reserves.

Important note: Mars spins retrograde from December 6 to February 23, backing up through Leo, then slipping into Cancer on January 6. Make a budget for the holidays and don’t overdo it on family plans. You need to preserve some energy for yourself in early 2025!

Cancer horoscopes, read more!

Leo (July 22-August 22) Mars in Leo transit horoscope

For the first time since spring 2023, go-getter Mars blazes a trail into Leo and revs up your first house of image and identity, November 3 until January 6. Channel that boundless energy toward something you’re legitimately passionate about. Over the coming weeks, you’ll make immense strides when you focus on personal growth development. Careful not to bite off more than you can chew with these missions. The red planet will turn retrograde on December 6, ramping up stress. Instead of adding complexity, simplify to amplify.

Leo horoscopes, read more!

Virgo (August 22-September 22) Mars in Leo transit horoscope

Motivating Mars darts into Leo, your twelfth house of rest and retreat, on November 3. Talk about a paradox! Until January 6, you could feel both wound up and worn out at once, especially when Mars slips into retrograde mode on December 6. Be careful not to expend too much energy during this healing cycle. You’ll be far more “productive” if you go within. There’s nothing particularly fun about unpacking emotional baggage, regressive patterns of behavior and outmoded situations—but Mars imbues you with the courage to face your demons.

Virgo horoscopes, read more!

Libra (September 23-October 22) Mars in Leo transit horoscope

You might treat networking like a part-time job starting November 3, when motivating Mars parades into Leo and fires up your eleventh house of groups and tech until January 6. Is your contact list getting a little stale? Sift through social media profiles to find more heavy hitters to add to your database. Are you hoping to make a lateral move? Once Mars turns retrograde on December 6, you’ll do better to reach out to peers, acquaintances and former colleagues who are familiar with all the ways you dazzle.

Libra horoscopes, read more!

Scorpio (October 22-November 21) Mars in Leo transit horoscope

Supersized goals start calling your name on November 3, Scorpio! Listen up because for the first time since spring 2023, your co-ruler, motivating Mars, blazes into your tenth house of success. Between now and January 6, shift your ambition into overdrive. This is your time to step up to the plate and claim your seat at the table. Ready for a professional pivot? Pursue job and client leads with gusto until December 6. After that, Mars will be retrograde for eleven weeks, marking a cautious period where you can make more progress behind the scenes than out in the wild.

Scorpio horoscopes, read more!

Sagittarius (November 21-December 21) Mars in Leo transit horoscope

For the first time since spring 2023, fiery Mars bolts into Leo on November 3, activating your worldly ninth house until January 6. Although you don’t need to travel in order to broaden your horizons, many Archers will make plans to do precisely that. This cycle is also favorable for getting advanced training, launching a publishing project (with AI, perhaps?) or green-lighting an entrepreneurial venture.

One catch: Mars will spin retrograde from December 6 to February 23, first in Leo and then Cancer. During this period, focus on attracting opportunities that are a natural fit instead of pursuing every lead that comes your way.

Sagittarius horoscopes, read more!

Capricorn (December 21-January 19) Mars in Leo transit horoscope

If your libido has been in hibernation lately, it’s about to awaken, thanks to the arrival of feisty Mars in Leo and your erotic eighth house on November 3. Your pulse will be racing between now and January 6, and you might want to set aside some nights for private time with bae or enjoying your own company. Single Goats could make it their mission to meet one…or two…or a few sexy prospects. But stay on-guard for obsession and jealousy. They could rear their not-so-pretty heads during this intense cycle, especially after Mars turns retrograde on December 6.

Capricorn horoscopes, read more!

Aquarius (January 19-February 18) Mars in Leo transit horoscope

Lusty Mars zings into Leo and your plus-one zone on November 3, turning up the heat on your seventh house of partnerships until January 6. Whether you’re single, spoken for or anything in between, your desire for human connection could reach a fever pitch. Stuck in a going-nowhere situationship? Fence-sitters should be handed their pink slips with a crystal-clear ultimatum. Coupled up? Arguments could be more frequent with combative Mars here. Pro tip: Try channeling this feisty vibe into something more erotic, especially after Mars turns retrograde on December 6.

Aquarius horoscopes, read more!

Pisces (February 18-March 20) Mars in Leo transit horoscope

Mobilizing Mars charges into Leo and your sixth house of wellness on November 3. Between now and January 6, plate up with plant-based foods and make exercise a regular part of your routine. Basically, Pisces, treat your body as you know you should: like the valuable vehicle transporting you through life. With the vital red planet here, you won’t be lacking motivation! Work demands could heat up simultaneously, making it all the more essential to burn off stress—and perhaps, go in search of a new professional path. That alert goes double once Mars turns retrograde on December 6.

Pisces horoscopes, read more!

Where will Mars be in 2024?

Mars is also the last of the personal inner planets—the planets before Jupiter which are closest to the Sun. The red planet hangs out in a zodiac sign for approximately 6-8 weeks, directing the global temperament and fighting style.

Lusty Mars is the forthright companion to seductive Venus and can bring out the “cosmic cave(wo)man” in us all. Our raw desire is on display during certain Mars cycles, while other zodiac signs provoke a more discreet style of pursuit.

Mars transits 2024:
• Mars in Capricorn, January 4-February 13
• Mars in Aquarius, February 13-March 22
• Mars in Pisces, March 22-April 30
• Mars in Aries, April 30-June 9
• Mars in Taurus, June 9-July 20
• Mars in Gemini, July 20-September 4
• Mars in Cancer, September 4-November 3 (you are here!)
• Mars in Leo, November 3-January 6, 2025

Want even more Mars?

Go beyond your Mars in Cancer transit horoscope: Do you know your Mars sign? Is Mars in Cancer a good placement in a birth chart? Calculate your birth chart and read your Mars sign meaning.

What signs will Mars visit in 2025?

Mars is also the last of the personal inner planets—the planets before Jupiter which are closest to the Sun. The red planet hangs out in a zodiac sign for approximately 6-8 weeks, directing the global temperament and fighting style.

Lusty Mars is the forthright companion to seductive Venus and can bring out the “cosmic cave(wo)man” in us all. Our raw desire is on display during certain Mars cycles, while other zodiac signs provoke a more discreet style of pursuit.

Mars transits 2025:
• Mars retrograde in Leo and Cancer (January 6 in Leo, then Cancer until February 23)
• Mars in Cancer (February 23-April 18)
• Mars in Leo (April 18-June 17)
• Mars in Virgo (June 17-August 6)
• Mars in Libra (August 6-September 22)
• Mars in Scorpio (September 22-November 4)
• Mars in Sagittarius (November 4-December 15)
• Mars in Capricorn (December 15-January 23, 2026)

Mars transits 2024:
• Mars in Capricorn, January 4-February 13
• Mars in Aquarius, February 13-March 22
• Mars in Pisces, March 22-April 30
• Mars in Aries, April 30-June 9
• Mars in Taurus, June 9-July 20
• Mars in Gemini, July 20-September 4
• Mars in Cancer, September 4-November 3
• Mars in Leo, November 3-January 6, 2025 (you are here!)

Want even more Mars?

Go beyond your Mars in Cancer transit horoscope: Do you know your Mars sign? Is Mars in Cancer a good placement in a birth chart? Calculate your birth chart and read your Mars sign meaning.

Feature art by Rosie Dienhart

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