For centuries, women were not allowed to assert themselves in the world, and carefully learned the role of supporter of their "men." Those who failed to respond in this manner were frequently shunned or punished, although there have always been women who defied convention! During this century particularly, women have broken out of their strictly "conventional" roles, and have been making their way in the world. Because of this, women have been successful at fulfilling more of their needs, and owning their own power more readily. As a result, a woman's relationship with the men in her life has also changed. Despite women's collective knowledge about the need to be whole persons, it is still sometimes easier to allow men (fathers, brothers, lovers and husbands) to "own" certain qualities. (They, in turn, prefer that women own certain qualities - like emotions!) But to become truly whole and functional, it is necessary to find and incorporate your inner masculine self into your sense of wholeness, instead of projecting that part of yourself onto others (most usually men) in your life.

Through the process of becoming at home with your ego, you gain a true sense of personal strength and power. To own this power, you must learn to acknowledge that it is okay to be recognized for who and what you are. Your Sun energy is the primary factor in the expression of ego needs. As a young girl, you may have seen your father through the filter of your Sun. His power of getting out into the world, and the manner by which he did it, have shaped your own sense of personal identity. And today, the Sun in your chart may symbolize significant men. But this energy is, in itself, the core of your spirit.

Since you're no stranger to the spotlight, you've probably had ample opportunities to express your assertiveness and personal strength. Your Leo Sun is a magnet for attention, and your actions and attitudes determine whether or not that attention is helpful or detrimental. You have the potential to radiate a powerful energy and may be an inspiration to those who need a stable source of confirmation that life is, indeed, okay. You can be intimidating to men who are unsure of themselves and may even take advantage of this; just try to remember your own insecurity when you first faced raw power! Taking on the challenge of leadership can be one of your most fulfilling experiences, although you can be quite domineering in some situations. If you've been giving away your power to the men in your life, you have probably attracted strong-willed individuals. But to become truly complete, you must learn to embrace and express your own individuality in a manner which opens your creativity and fills your heart.

Adding emphasis to your self-expression is your need to be recognized as a thoughtful or intelligent woman which is emphasized through the conjunction of your Sun and Mercury. The value you place upon learning, knowledge or information can be rather intense. You may also be under the impression that if you're smart enough, you'll get what you want from life. That may be true, but there are many levels of intelligence. One of those levels involves knowing when to stop talking and start listening, so remember that if you feel that you're not really being heard.

Your ability to assert yourself and pursue the fulfillment of your needs and desires is strengthened through the energy of your Sun in trine aspect to Mars. When you find yourself in situations which require you to take positions of leadership, you are quite capable of rising to the challenge. When you feel you need support, you can also reach out to others who will enjoy sharing the experience with you. Understanding that you are a strong woman and allowing yourself to test your strength in pursuit of your aims brings renewed vitality into your life.

Even when you are in a circumstance when you need to take charge or assert yourself, your gentility and compassion radiate through your actions and self-expression. Through the influence of your Sun in sextile aspect to Neptune, you have the capacity to accept yourself and others, and may be very open in your expression of faith in the principle of universal love. Embracing the masculine element of your psyche may be as simple as riding a bike - you just do it. Any other conflicts that you may have within yourself in this regard can be easily resolved through making an effort to integrate your spiritual and physical needs. You may over-idealize just a bit, so do remember that blind trust can be a problem.

You may be tempted to allow your life to be absorbed by the will and expectation of the men you love, from father to lover to husband. You may even have had an experience early in your life which tested your ability to survive. In truth, the conjunction between your Sun and Pluto indicates that you need to know what it is to express the charisma and intrigue which are the essence of your power as a woman. Men may be both fascinated and overwhelmed by your intensity, and you're likely to stir up a bit of controversy with anyone who is uncomfortable with their emotions, including their sexuality. As you fully integrate the essence of your will and drive with your need to create change, you can become an effective healer and powerful catalyst for growth.

Mars energy is assertive, aggressive and combative, and can be angry. These are not "feminine" qualities. In fact, women who possess and project these qualities from within themselves often get bad names, and are called "ball-busters," or other expletives, by the men who are dealing with them. But to become fully whole, you need to accept the manner in which you can utilize your Mars energy so that you are confident and strong with it, and so you can get into the world and make things happen for yourself!

You can be a bit sassy with Mars in Sagittarius and certainly have no trouble at all setting out on your adventures. Even as a little girl you were probably on the go, and now that you're a woman, you may have a restless energy which is only satisfied when you're on a quest. Your confidence and optimism may be radiant when you're in pursuit. You can become frustrated if you have to stay in one place too long.

Your ability to channel and focus your energy is amazing, and when you need to apply yourself to a task, you can achieve excellent results. Through the influence of Mars in sextile aspect to Saturn, you are capable of developing excellent self-discipline. A beneficial expression of your inner masculine psyche. You also can use positive restraint when necessary, allowing you to take advantage of the growth and maturity which occurs over time, instead of just opting for the thrill of the moment. The bottom line: you're good at being in charge. In fact, you really like it that way!

You are an exceptional visualizer: you've always known that if you can get a clear picture of what you want to do, you can probably do it. The energy of your Mars in sextile to Neptune helps you blend your ability to work from more than one level at a time. The effect you have on others can be purely mesmerizing. This magical quality can extend into your career, adding a gentility to your power and influence.

Your intrigue may be due to the influence of Mars trine Pluto, which stimulates your ability to blend your magnetism and charisma with action. You are a powerful woman, with the ability to direct your energy toward healing and transformational change. Men may be captivated by you, even when you're not doing anything out of the ordinary - for you. You can employ your sensuality to your advantage, and you know what turns people on.