Motivation will be much higher now that we've moved past Mars' long retrograde out of Leo and into Cancer over the past 4 months (since the 6th of December, 2024). Mars' post-shadow period will officially end when Mars hits 6° Leo (on the 2nd of May).

When in Leo, Mars answers to the Sun. This Mars in Leo transit sees the Sun in Aries, exalted, on its 1st day; a burst of fiery energy. When the Sun moves into Taurus, it'll square Mars, slowing down our motivation — but that energy will build up again as the Sun enters Gemini.

This Mercury in Aries transit begins unusually slowly. We're starting off with unclear ideas via Neptune in the 1st week, then ironing out issues of post-retrograde Mercury and Mars in the 2nd week, then finally putting Mercury fully into action on its 3rd (final) week in Aries.

What's more, Mercury is in Aries answers to Mars: Mars is finishing up its transit in Cancer. It'll enter Leo in 2 days from now, on the 18th. Mars is still in its post-retrograde shadow period — which only ends on the 2nd of May (6° Leo), just 8 days before Mercury leaves Aries.

The moment Mercury enters Aries, it'll also make a conjunction with Neptune, which will muddy communication and make ideas feel vague and unclear. This is a suitable time for brainstorming and creating a dream, but it's not useful to implementing plans. Not a moment for impulse.