Cancel the holidays? Mars Retrograde: December 6th, 2024, to February 23rd, 2025

With the holiday season behind us, I can’t help but look ahead to what lies in store for 2024.

Did you know that in 2024, Mars will undergo a retrograde motion?

It will begin in the fiery sign of Leo on December 6th, 2024, and conclude in the watery sign of Cancer on February 23rd, 2025.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, your holiday season may be seriously disrupted, potentially leading to delays or even cancellations.

During a retrograde, such as a Mars retrograde, one can expect to encounter delays and obstacles along the way.

Furthermore, this holiday season, Mars is retrograde in Cancer, known for its strong connections to domesticity and sentimentality—a family-oriented sign.

Leo, the other sign in question, thoroughly enjoys embracing fun and celebrations (unless their moon is in Capricorn or Virgo).

And you know what happens in the months of December, January, and February?

Irrespective of one’s beliefs or traditions, the months of December and January are a time for coming together with loved ones and rejoicing.

Like (just to name a few):

• Thanksgiving
• Hanukkah
• Christmas
• New Years
• Valentines Day

February is a time when love is in the air, especially with Valentine’s Day falling on the 14th of the month.

However, in 2025, Mars in Cancer finds itself in a less than ideal position.

Does this mean we should call off our holidays?

Well, one thing is for sure: this is not the time to take on tasks connected to your domestic life or to try and take action to sort out your emotions.

Navigating Chaos from December to February

Instead, allow someone else to handle the cooking, set up the tree, make a reservation at a restaurant, and coordinate the day with friends and family.

Sure, you might face accusations of selfishness or be frustrated with their efforts, but honestly, who cares if that’s the only consequence of this transit.

However, you may find yourself going back to the Leo and Cancerian themes, but you should instead take time away to re-evaluate your next steps forward.

Mars retrogrades mark a time not to start something new or try to fix things, but of non-action.

Use the retrograde to review what is going on in your life connected to the signs themes.

Cancer themes have to do with:

• Nurturing yourself and others, be it in terms of setting healthy boundaries, your self-care routine, your diet, and nutrition.
• Cancer is also concerned with home and family, from everything to decorations to wanting to resolve family disputes.

Leo themes have to do with:

• Being creative and self-expressing. Therefore, use this period to reflect on how you can be creative with the resources you already have.
• Similarly, how can you be romantic without losing yourself or being dramatic if things don’t pan out as planned.

Side note: Mars in Cancer: A Complete Washout!

Mars doesn’t dislike Cancer, but it doesn’t function in its typical manner. 

When Mars is in Cancer, events unfold in unconventional and unexpected ways, departing from the typical Martian themes of action, impulsiveness, and adventure. 

It’s passive rather than direct. 

Activity occurs, but is the least aggressive. 

For example:

Instead of hiking to the top of a mountain like everyone else, Mars in Cancer is like using a hot air balloon. 

Actually, more so, instead of roughing it out in the outdoors and sleeping in a tent at a festive Mars in Cancer experiences a few nights at a hotel or is at the festival for another reason than what it was intended for. 

This may occur not because the person wants to sleep in a hotel over a tent or take a balloon ride, but because of necessity, like a crisis, or an accident, etc. 

As a result, Mars, in Cancer, can manifest as experiencing judgment, social awkwardness, or self-consciousness.

There is a feeling of disconnection from one’s surroundings, and one struggles with feelings of inadequacy. 

Thus, what should be a Martian environment becomes a complete washout! 

However, one’s time and resources are often used in unique ways that align with the individual’s circumstances, rather than simply following the herd.