Generators of Power - Mars in Leo & Sun in Scorpio

Leo and Scorpio. It feels like they couldn’t be more different. Whenever we think about things being in a difficult relationship, astrologically, these two are in square aspect, we assume that all they can do is just escalate the conflict and further worsen whatever issue they‘re both involved in. Is it the only way we can think about these two?
 
Leo and Scorpio are both solid signs expressing most intensely the nature of the season they represent. Whenever these two come together, we´re dealing with light and dark dynamics, we’re dealing with contrasting themes of what’s visible versus what’s hidden.

They have no exaltation ruler which, in my opinion, grants them with further notion of sovereignty over the area they rule. They are places of concentrated power. They are about dominance and authenticity though their expression are quite different.

They are both bestial signs represented by 4 footed animals – a Lion and a Scorpion. They are both deadly.
But even the most lethal beasts have their weak spots.

Leo’s greatest fear is shadow - becoming invisible and insignificant. Scorpio fears the light - having its secrets revealed.
They are both terrified of losing control.
 
Leo is a scorching Sun in the height of the summer. Masculine force that radiates outwards from the center illuminating everything around. It’s right in your face, you can’t unsee it. Leo is a power generator that provides stable heat and energy that runs the world as we know it. It is an external force that expands, excites, and lights up everything around. Leo carries out its will by exercising its authority and asserting its superiority over others.
 
Scorpio is a dark Sun hanging low on the horizon concealed by the autumn fog. Feminine force that pulls things in and once they’re locked in, they’re meant to stay as anyone can visit Hades in the underworld but no one can leave the place. Scorpio is a power generator that concentrates its power within. No one can imagine its potency until it forcefully comes out. It is an internal force that contracts, dejects, and overshadows everything around. Scorpio carries out its will by controlling its environment and persevering through challenges.
 
November has started with a powerful New Moon in the sign of Scorpio while its ruler, Mars was culminating in Cancer opposite Pluto in Capricorn. A few days later, Mars entered Leo. This Moon cycle carries the promise of seed planted in Scorpio part of our chart. We’ve been pulled down to face the mucky parts of our lives that are too painful for us to deal with.

How much longer do we let ourselves be controlled by our fears?
How far do we go to sustain our seeming power over the situation?
 
Scorpio’s power is about control. Scorpio's principle rather destroy itself than let go of control. It’s like Lord Voldemort who, to become immortal, splits his soul into 7 pieces by committing several horrible atrocities. For years, he has chosen mere survival without a physical body to maintain his power. Scorpio magic is dark magic.
 
With Mars in Leo and Sun in Scorpio, we are forced to have an honest look at what we’ve repressed in order to stay safe. We might be connecting to our family heritage, patterns that we carry on from our paternal lineage.

What needs to be released? What must be put in motion, pushed forward, and expressed? Mars in Leo asks us where we need to loosen our grip in order to allow our identity to shine through. Mars in Leo asks us to move away from Scorpionic silence and let out a mighty roar.
 
Scorpio stuff has a long history in our lives. It is a secret that is always present. We know it´s there, it´s not going anywhere. We assume we have things under control even though it has control over us: „Just hold (onto) it,“ whispers Scorpio.
 
Fear thrives in darkness and unless we confront it, it will control us forever. It’s like boggarts in Harry Potter, shapeless creatures that reside in the darkness of Professor Lupin’s cupboard. No one knows what exactly comes out when the cupboard is opened, the form is up to the person’s worst fear.

We actively shape our fears, we bring them alive, and as long as we feed them, they stay with us.
 
All this time, we live with a hidden threat, not realizing we´re sinking deeper by staying in the situation and keeping the status quo. It´s already too late when Scorpios realize they are the prey instead of the predator. It seems impossible to get out, mud is too thick and slimy. Scorpionic experiences are deeply painful. We know the situation we´re staying in is hurting us but despite that, we´re staying in the known discomfort rather than stepping in the unknown territory. 
When Scorpios are loosening grip on their secrets, it feels like committing suicide. It takes a long time for Scorpio to find the courage to deal with the chaos that arises once they release what they possessed for so long, once they let go.
 
This is where Leo becomes Scorpio´s ally. 
Mars in Leo can lift us up, boost our confidence, and force us to finally move ahead with our life: „Just go, push forward, and don´t look back.“ This Scorpio-Leo exchange is our chance to turn our dark subconscious threats into conscious insights through bold actions.
 
Given the upcoming Mars retrograde, this will be a process that takes a while but now is the time to initiate, to take that first step. We might not be able to cast our „Riddikulus„ spell yet, to completely disarm our fears but there is a determination to open that cupboard and confront what´s inside.
 
Mars in Leo is a great ally when we feel weak and broken by pain but we must not forget that Mars in Leo is a beast in itself. Mars represents anger and conflict. Anger often comes out when we feel like we don´t have things under control, when we feel powerless, and anxious about our actions, and when we fear we will be judged.
 
We have to remember that healing takes time. We have to keep in mind that we can’t fix things that have years of history in one go. Confronting our fears makes us feel both vulnerable and empowered.

When we´re in a space where we´re leaving a point of weakness and going towards a more healthy expression, we often overcompensate. In these circumstances, Mars in Leo tends to have a narcissistic streak. We´ve been suffering quietly for so long, neglecting our needs and dismissing our feelings. Now is the time to do ME - I learned my lesson, I know what to do and no one can stop me from pursuing my goals. When something gets in the way of this newly inflamed mission, Mars in Leo goes into a tantrum mode - I don´t care how that comes out, just get it all out, everyone around needs to feel my rage.

Once the fire subsides, you can see the damage. Regret takes over but at the same time, Leos feels like they have to hold their position. Stepping down from the pedestal feels like failure.  
  
This is where Scorpio becomes Leo´s ally. Just pause, go within, take an honest look at yourself, and confront the uncomfortable feelings. A leader won´t lose his position if he´s willing to admit mistakes and take responsibility for his own actions. A leader´s strength is not winning at all costs but being able to admit defeat and learn from it.
 
If you´d like to watch this Mars journey unfolding in your life, mark these days in your calendar:

December 6, 2024 – Mars in Leo is stationing retrograde.

April 18, 2025 – Mars ingresses back into Leo (after spending some time in the sign of Cancer) and immediately opposes Pluto.

May 12, 2025 – Full Moon in Scorpio with its ruler Mars in Leo. At this time, watch for big fireworks, insights, and resolutions coming through as the Sun is conjoining Uranus at the same time… 
 
….watch this gripping story till the end and let me know how it goes.

Keep hope alive, keep dreaming.
Petra