The holidays are coming hot and furious this year – how to combat wounded pride, trauma, aggression, more

It’s sound hell, my boys.

The holiday season is coming hot with wounded pride, trauma triggers, weak feelings and misplaced aggression.

From early December right through to February, Mars – our great energetic planet of will and desire, drive and anger, conflict and coitus – will be retrograde.

The first part of this retrograde, which lasts until January 6, will take place in the permanent sign of Leo.

Mars retrograde in Leo

Because the spheres that Mars rules are so integral to our daily routines and core sense of power, we experience the effects of the planet’s retrograde more acutely.

If you’ve been feeling anxious and reactive, suffocated and stuck, the red planet’s retrograde may be partly to blame.

The rest is probably your father’s fault.

It’s not easy, but it’s not all bad.

like Sunaree Ko, tarot and astrology expert at TarotCards.io, tells The Post, “Mars retrograde in Leo is not just a pause in the moment ahead; it’s a profound call to examine the energy we pour into our ambitions, relationships, and creative endeavors.

“While it can feel frustrating, it’s ultimately a gift of self-discovery.

What is Mars retrograde and why does it matter?

Mars is named for the god of war and oversees our ability to assert ourselves, push and advance our agendas.

When planetary stations turn retrograde, this power is compromised, and so is our confidence and competence. This transit can trigger a fight-or-flight response or a heavy dose of introspection that can spiral into an existential crisis—just a little yuletide despair to add to your December.

“When Mars retrogrades in Leo, a sign associated with faith, creativity and leadership, it activates something deeply personal. Leo is about how we shine in the world,” Ko said. “When Mars retrogrades here, it challenges us to ask: Am I following what really lights me up, or am I just going through the motions? This transit stirs concern because it is pushes us to face this question.â€

The emotional effects of Mars retrograde in Leo

Ko said that the emo effects of this transit can appear as follows:

Internal disturbances

“Many people feel a conflict between their need to move forward and the pull to slow down and reflect. This creates anxiety, but really the universe is telling you to stop and recalibrate.

Increased self-doubt

Leo’s natural boldness can feel muted under this transit: a lion without a mane, a boss without a top hat or balls, if you will. “You may find yourself second-guessing your talent or feeling uncertain about the direction you’re going,” Ko added.

Creative frustration

Leo thrives on expression, but retrograde Mars can put a damper on the flow.

Ko asserts, “It’s not about losing your creativity” it’s about finding new ways to channel it that are more connected to who you are now.

Remember, sometimes the fields must be barren before the good can bloom again. Say nice things about yourself in the mirror. Muses don’t like complainers.

Emotional agitation

Old wounds or unresolved longings can bubble up during this time, perhaps especially if/when you find yourself in the company of relatives who try.

“This is not happening to overwhelm you,” she says. “It’s a chance to heal and let go of what no longer serves you.”

Resist the urge to revert to the version of yourself that played out in the toxic family dynamic. Even in the half-spear, Leo bows to no one. Keep your head up, cut your losses and remember that you are worthy of true love and true respect.

If you don’t feel any of these things from your family of origin, now is the time to become Simba and start your own cursed lion pride from the various spare parts and true hearts of your chosen friends.

How to navigate this retrograde

While Mars retrograde can feel challenging and stimulating, Ko emphasized that it is also an opportunity for growth.

Here are her tips for working with this energy:

• Reflect, don’t react: “If you feel anxious or frustrated, try not to act impulsively. Instead, ask yourself what those feelings are trying to reveal.â€
• Review your goals: “Use this time to assess whether your ambitions are still aligned with your passions. If something doesn’t feel right, trust that instinct.â€
• Tap into quiet creativity: “You don’t have to create for an audience now. Experiment with journaling, painting, or any other medium that allows you to express yourself freely.â€
• Practice patience: “This is a time to trust the process. By February, you will have a clearer sense of where to direct your energy.â€

Ko ensures that Mars retrograde isn’t trying to hold us back or hold us back, but instead lead us inward and, ultimately, forward – an ideal kind of personal audit before we start the new year.

“This transit asks us to peel back the layers of who we think we are and reconnect with who we really are. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.â€

Like organ donation and telling the truth, here is the hard road that leads to greener grass.

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Astrology 101: Your Guide to the Star

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Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and reports irreverently on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience.