ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE ...

Mars will begin its transit through the romantic, playful, dramatic and pleasure seeking sign of Leo today, 9/18, at 9:51 PM EDT ... Leo, being a Fire sign, is very happy to have Mars, the planet of fire and drive, visting its "house" ... kind of a two for the price of one transit .... Mars in Leo is naturally dramatic and its actions alone often make a statement without a word being uttered ... having attention and admiration, and being in the limelight are doubly essential here .... energy can be asserted warmly, majestically, radiantly, or sometimes unfortunately extremely arrogantly ... the normal drive is towards having fun, enthusiasm, generosity, creativity, and having a zest for life ... this energy can be quite exciting yielding a strong sense of pride and a drive for recognition ... there is creativity abounding with a definite flair, and there is a heightened sense of vitality and just being alive ... ones identity here is tied in to being someone special and increasing self-esteem ... sometimes the urge to express oneself so boldly can lead to being pompous and very pushy, but it can also make one quite the magnetic personality ... sexual drive and physical energy is usually off the charts under this energy and they thrive in an atmosphere of attention ... receiving compliments especially makes one come alive ... many of us may find ourselves becoming more in touch with our inner child - go with it ... since Leo rules creative tendencies, those in the entertainment and artistic arenas usually become quite productive and have the potential to reach a new heightened expression of their work ... regardless of where we use this energy, you can bet while Mars is transiting through Leo there is absolutely going to be a driving passion about something or someone - or both !!!

The essence of Mars in Leo is getting through creating ... Shakespeare's words ring loud and true with this energy that indeed "All the World's a Stage" ... here we have a hot and fiery streak that definitely needs to find some form of creative, dramatic, or romantic outlet ... there is determination and confidence here and the first impression one gives here is most valuable to oneself ... there could develop an overly neurotic need for admiration, but there is also a demand for honor, dignity and abiltity worthy of respect ... personal power is greatly enhanced with this energy but one must be careful not to become overbearing and end up being feared rather than loved ... the desire nature is in overdrive here ... find what you truly have a passion for and go for it ... when ones sense of glory and achievement goes beyond ones petty, self-centered ego drives, the way in which one goes about becoming genuinely creative becomes a gift instead of a curse ... feeling insignificant, humiliation, losing control and small-mindedness are strongly disliked while taking pride in ones partner, excitement, respect, honesty and being center stage are what one strives for with this energy ... the energy of Mars in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: high-spirited, passionate, ardent lover, energetic, dignified, proud, heroic, enthusiastic, vital, speculative, exciting, self-assured, determined, strong-willed, leader, consistent desire, ambitious magnetic, fearless

NEGATIVE: melodramatic, possessive, jealous lover, coercive, pompous, self-righteous, vain, tyrant, offensive, brutal, wild gambler, overly-excited, feels infallible, quarrelsome, domineering, ego driven, overbearing, ruthless, conceited, arrogant

Leo born enjoy the extra burst of personal energy you are being given wile Mars moves through your birth sign  - as if you really need more fire energy driving you !!! ... for all of us, this could be an extremely creative and productive period but not without its challenges ... and if you are given to gambling and speculation, I would certainly advise great caution ... after all Leo ruling the 5th house includes gambling and speculation so be careful about being influenced by an excessive drive to take too many "risks" !!! ... Aries born will also certainly feel the effects of this energy as Mars is your ruling planet ... if you've had a natal chart done, then you'll get a good idea as to what area(s) of your life this energetic drive will most likely affect you ... Mars remains in Leo until November 10th which is roughly a little over 7 weeks and longer than its usual 6 week per sign transit speed ... but there is a reason which most of you have probably figured out by now ... Mars is beginning to slow down for its next RETROGRADE period which will begin in late January of next year ... Leo is the last full sign transit Mars will make before then as its transit through Virgo which begins on November 10th will not be complete until July 2012 - YIKES !!! ... for now though, we will all certainly be seeking admiration, applause and appreciation for something we do on some "stage" of our life ... and ... curtain  !!!