For much of my life, I was astro-curious. As a teen, I remember diligently reading my horoscope in Cosmopolitan magazine each month. Always looking up the zodiac signs of my crushes and trying to figure out if they were destined to be my Prince Charming. Always wondering what the stars might hold and if they would foretell anything magical for this otherwise-ordinary life of mine.
But, then, like most of my curiosities, I shelved it as I pursued my education and career. It wasn’t until relatively recently that I started rediscovering these rogue interests and making space for them.
So, it was a happy accident when my life started presenting me with opportunities to whet my astro-curious appetite in recent years. I have found it to be a very interesting and fruitful portal through which to examine myself, my life and our collective experience. Does whatever is coming up in the stars resonate with what I’m navigating or what’s going on in the world and, if so, how and why?
It has also been an invitation and a reminder to be present and also to remember that everything is temporary. This, too, shall pass. And, also, Enjoy it while it lasts. You’ve probably heard of Mercury Retrograde. It can be chaotic. Perhaps upending. But, it ends. And we keep moving on. (Side note, I loved learning about looking at this astral phenomenon as pulling focus on things that need to be reworked or revisited. In other words, something ultimately helpful versus some kind of planetary troublemaker.)
The sky can also remind us to focus, full stop. There is a full moon every four weeks. A new moon every four weeks. Meaning, every two weeks there’s a celestial reminder to release what isn’t serving us or set our intentions for what we want to call into the newly freed-up space.
(What?!)
And the signs they’re in, and the signs the planets and their retrogrades are in, all tell us more about the moment and what we may want to consider or examine.
(What?!)
Whether you “believe in it” or not, this is gold from a mindful living perspective. (Intentionality can be fun! We can stay open! We don’t have to be so serious all the time!)
So, I arrive at the upcoming Mars retrograde in Leo (occurring December 6, 2024 – January 6, 2025) from this stance.
A few years ago, I wouldn’t have known this was happening, let alone what any of this meant. But, as an English major and metaphor-exploration-enthusiast, I find this all super interesting. Entering a Mars retrograde in Leo – the warrior planet of power, courage, agency and action in the sign ruled by the sun and standing for leadership and purpose. Interestingly enough, there have been a lot of big moments in Leo this year that coincided with very pivotal times in my life and in leadership.
It’s led me to really ponder what leadership means to me – on the world stage, on my own smaller stages and everything in between – and how I want to be in the world.
I don’t have all the answers. Much is the case with my pondering. I often tend to get clues. Breadcrumbs. Leading me to the next right thing or another piece of the puzzle. The picture coming ever more into view over time.
And, some things are becoming more and more clear.
First, leadership is an opportunity available to anyone. To everyone. It is not dependent on our title or our position. It is not dependent on anyone else anointing us. Leadership is an energy. Leadership is how we show up. Leadership is getting in the arena. In many ways, it starts with self-leadership as the pinnacle of it all, with everything else flowing from there.
Second, leadership can be situational. Just because we’re leaders does not mean we must wear the heavy cloak of leadership at all times. And, it can be heavy. As with everything, our resources are limited and we must be thoughtful and selective about where and how we invest ourselves. What we say “yes” to. Some situations, projects, invitations, requests, etc. don’t or can’t warrant that investment. Maybe they’re out of alignment with our highest priorities. Or maybe we’re just out of golden eggs.
Third, what we are leading matters. Do we believe in the mission? Are we aligned with the purpose? Is the purpose aligned with the action? What do we want to create in the world? It may seem counterintuitive at times, but moving in alignment with our integrity is leadership.
Fourth, how we are leading matters too. Authenticity. Integrity. Vulnerability. Empathy. Humility. In recent years, we have seen that the so-called “soft skills” that are often associated with the feminine and have historically and systemically been misunderstood, devalued and demeaned are essential for leading in our modern world. Particularly in challenging times (and aren’t these modern times pretty consistently challenging??).
As I think about it, despite the challenge and complexity that can surround these things in the adulting world, they’re principles my son has been taught since preschool.
It’s interesting being a parent and a leader. Being a parent is a leadership role, first of all. In fact, it’s one we wear at all times. Not even just parents. We all have a responsibility – as elders, we are leaders for the next generation. Whether we like it or not, the next generation is watching and learning from us. So, it’s best to be mindful about how we are showing up and what we are imparting to them.
I try to be (however imperfectly). And, actually, it is a good self-coaching and accountability tool. Because, so often, the values and actions of the world and our modern systems pull (or push) us in a way that is contrary to what we would naturally impart to them. Or the world we hope to be a part of creating for them. And, of course, our hopes for the next generation often reveal our hopes for ourselves.
There is an everyday activism available to us all. The quiet r/evolution of embodying the values and lessons we impart to the next generation instead of those intrinsically encouraged by flawed systems, structures, agencies and organizations.
This moment feels like an invitation to us all. To explore our relationship with leadership. Power and agency. Courage and purpose.
What will we learn? What might be possible? Perhaps it’s written in the stars…