A detailed to-do list? Easy. A carefully considered strategy? Done. Making it all seem effortless and elegant? Duh. From June 17th to August 6th, Mars — the planet of assertion and drive — is moving through Virgo and scheming and organizing like there’s no tomorrow. In this diligent earth sign, Mars is the queen of thoughtful decisions, and it knows how to make any project more efficient and straightforward for everyone involved.

Virgo can get a bad rap for being uptight and controlling. But in this placement, Mars teaches us what the astro memes sometimes ignore: Thinking through a plan all the way to the very end is the key to getting the job done — and done well.

‍

Sweat the small stuff, but don’t get carried away

Virgo is a mutable sign, meaning it’s especially good at being flexible, adaptable, and responsive to the moment. When Mars is here, it reminds us that any quick fixes or sudden pivots we make should be anchored in reality and backed up by the facts. But it might be tempting to get extra fussy about the color-coding system on your shelves or the precise timeline of your daily agenda. During this transit, if you start to get wound up, that’s your cue to pause and take a break. When you loosen your grip on the outcomes, even just a little, it’s much easier to enjoy the fruits of your thorough labors.

‍

When Mars — the planet of action, aggression, and assertion — re-enters Leo from April 17th to June 17th, every setting becomes your center stage. Hunger for attention, adoration, and acclaim flares up when the planetary go-getter is in this fixed fire sign. If you find yourself covertly posing at the grocery store or suddenly posting a slew of new glamour shots, give yourself permission to bask in the ensuing applause. Being witnessed in the best possible light isn’t a frivolous thing to want; it’s a healing, transformative experience that we all deserve to enjoy.

But take a time-out from showboating if you notice your ego edging others out of the frame. Competitiveness can be used as fuel to give your all in a constructive way — or it can reflect and perpetuate a scarcity mindset. Resist the urge to raise your claws when someone else is getting their flowers. For the next couple of months, you’ll be more attuned to your vitality and prepared to broadcast your talents in a spirit of generosity. So celebrate your wins, no matter whose they are. It’ll make life more pleasurable for everyone.

‍

From January 6th to April 17th, Mars — the planet of action, vitality, and motivation — crawls back through emotionally protective Cancer. This cardinal water sign’s crustacean mascot offers clues to Cancer’s temperament: Its hard shell conceals a soft belly. When the warrior planet enters this moody sign, it becomes concerned with donning its favorite armor and shoring up its fortresses.

At its best, this placement is brave and direct about revealing — and fighting for — the truths in its heart. Courage and compassion go claw in claw. But at its worst, Mars in Cancer avoids vulnerability in favor of pouting, throwing tantrums, or getting passive-aggressive. If you find yourself stewing over resentments or irritations and then lashing out, practice identifying the genuine needs beneath the angst. Softening your defenses and gently tending to what hurts will, paradoxically, reconnect you to your power — and activate your ability to scuttle after your desires with greater confidence.