We live in a society that insists on moving forward. We expect to come up with solutions, power through problems, and escape tight fixes in the eleventh hour. These are signs of ingenuity, perseverance, and keeping your cool under pressure. Normally, this would work if Mars were moving forward in the sky. Unfortunately, Mars turned retrograde in Leo on December 6th—robbing you of your gumption and drive—and on January 6th, Mars will retrograde back into Cancer. This could signal a return to a relationship you know isn't good, accepting a job eerily similar to the one you just left, or repeating a behavior pattern you resolved never to repeat again. Contrary to popular opinion, progress is rarely forward-moving; oftentimes, you have to go back to where you came from. Maybe it's because dysfunction is familiar, or maybe it's because we can't escape the burden of something until we're truly tired of carrying it. Whatever the case, this backward movement isn't a sign of defeat. It's about summoning the strength and gathering the resources to break with the past, become self-sufficient, and finally make your own way.