Mars in Leo in the 12Th House — Truly Divine

The placement of Mars in Leo indicates that you have a need to express yourself and be creative in and through your actions. This often manifests as your wanting your actions to be noticed or as a desire for attention, generally. Much of the behavior and many of the personality characteristics associated with Mars in Leo are a result of your proclivity to take action that will place you in the spotlight and strengthen your self-esteem and personality. 

The placement of Mars in Leo is generally harmonious. This is symbolized by the natural trine between Leo and Mars-ruled Aries. Leo is the Fixed Fire sign.  The fixed fire of Leo symbolically energizes and gives strength to the active Mars principle. The Mars energy is unhindered, with the only danger being that it becomes too powerful and dominant. 

Mars also symbolizes the animus in the psyche. Thus, if you are male with Mars in Leo, you are likely to model your masculinity in order to incorporate characteristics typically associated with Leo, which is a sign, which is generally associated with a masculine energy. If you are female, you are likely to be attracted to someone who projects or embodies Leo-associated traits. 

Insecurities

With Mars in Leo, being insecure in your selfhood, you need attention in order to validate your reality. Your ego subconsciously knows that it is not real, but if it is receiving attention, it can persist in the illusion of its reality. You are, therefore, obsessed with the need for recognition and attention. You never feel that you are getting enough attention for yourself. Having Mars in Leo, you continually attempt to monopolize the stage of life and call attention to yourself through outrageous, and even obnoxious, behavior. Alternatively, you may feel that all eyes are on you and you become timid about self-expression and assertive action lest your imperfect performance bring embarrassment or, worse, the dark secrets of your self are laid bare for all to see. Or, worse than that, you may perform and no one notices. 

Mars in the 12th House:

The Mars in the 12th House placement is most often seen as problematic or detrimental. This is especially true if you are male. This is because the active and assertive nature represented by Mars is opposite the passive and inward looking focus of the 12th House. The blending of the two energies must take place at a high level of consciousness and with care and discipline. In its more positive mode, this placement suggests a desire for hidden knowledge or for the dissolution or transcendence of the ego, with action taken to achieve these ends. 

Mars in the 12th House also indicates that you may have an impulse toward compassion and sensitivity. This may shape your actions and desires in a spiritual direction, but it may also result in you holding back your assertiveness out  of regard for others. You may also be attracted to the subtler arts, particularly to music. 

Dissolution and boundarilessness, which are associated with the 12th House may also produce negative tendencies without the discipline necessary to hold to a high spiritual path. Having Mars in the 12th House, deception, escapism and self-destruction may infuse your motivations and actions.