Wanting to Call in Sick on Monday: 4 Signs Who Need a Breather Most (Nov 2–8)

This article covers Nov 2–8, 2026 (Taiwan time). It's a light, fun look at daily astrology, not a prediction, so take it as it comes, and feel free to see yourself in it.

Why You Might Want a Day Off This Week

The alarm goes off for the third time on Monday morning, and you're still in bed wondering, "Would taking a day off be too obvious?" Quite a few people may be thinking the same thing this week. Mars is currently in Leo, and around Nov 5 it reaches 21° Leo, entering the shadow period before its retrograde, with the actual retrograde not starting until Jan 10, 2027. The shadow period isn't a bad thing. It's more like a heads-up: the progress that's been stuck, the little bits of frustration that have piled up, and the small signals from your body all tend to surface now to remind you.

Mars in Leo forms a square with Taurus and Scorpio and opposes Aquarius, and since Mars is also sitting in Leo itself, these 4 fixed signs are the most likely this week to wonder, "Why does nothing seem to move?" No need to worry. Each sign below comes with a breather tip for this week.

Leo: Holding Things Together Until Wednesday, Then Suddenly Wanting to Stay Home

Mars is right in your sign, so you may have been in "I'll do it, I can handle it" mode for days, taking on the jobs nobody else wants and working hard to keep the mood lively. Around Wednesday, your battery could suddenly hit empty.

How to catch your breath: This week, pick one thing you can hand off to someone else and let it go. If you live with family or roommates, keep half a day free of plans this weekend and turn off group chat notifications. If you usually live on your own, plan one dinner that's just for you, with no dressing up needed.

Taurus: One Plan Gets Disrupted and the Whole Day Feels Gloomy

What Taurus cares about most is a steady rhythm, yet this week you may run into last-minute schedule changes, late deliveries, or things you'd already agreed on needing to be renegotiated. You say "it's fine," but inside you've already taken note of it.

How to catch your breath: Split this week's tasks into two columns, "must finish" and "can wait until next week," and set the second column aside for now. If you've been eyeing a big purchase, such as an appliance or a new phone, add it to your list and budget for it first, then decide once you're feeling steadier. It'll be a better deal that way.

Scorpio: Scorpio Season Is Nearly Over and All Your Pent-Up Feelings Show Up at Once

With the last three weeks of Scorpio season ahead, you may still be processing everything that's happened this past month. This week Mars squares your sign, so your work or life goals may be asked to be refocused, and you're used to carrying everything on your own.

How to catch your breath: Find someone you trust and say just one honest sentence. You don't have to say it all at once. If there's no one suitable to talk to right now, jot down three lines before bed about what's on your mind most today, then close the notebook and let your brain clock out early.

Aquarius: Talking to Anyone Feels a Bit Stuck, and You'd Rather Not Reply to Messages

Mars is in your opposite sign, so other people's opinions are especially likely to clash with yours this week. One remark from a work partner, friend or family member might make you think, "Why does it have to be done your way?" and you end up deleting a message halfway through typing it.

How to catch your breath: When a message makes you want to push back, save it as a draft and look at it again an hour later. If you have a partner, agree that when an argument heats up you'll each cool down for ten minutes first. If you're single, take the effort you'd spend persuading others and put it into a small thing only you know about, like trying a new walking route.

3 Simple Tips Everyone Can Try This Week

• Don't overbook around Thursday (Nov 5), and leave a gap in your schedule for surprises.
• When a little frustration flares up, drink some water and take a walk before deciding whether to speak.
• If you're truly exhausted, it's fine to take a day off or leave work early. Resting is part of getting things done well.

Are you one of these 4 signs? Send this to a friend who also wants to call in sick on Mondays and see who makes it to Friday first.

Further Reading

For the full timeline from the Mars shadow period to the retrograde, check out Mars Enters Its Retrograde Shadow Period on Nov 5: 3 Things to Prepare Before Early 2027. To see who has the smoothest ride through all of November, we recommend November 2026 Horoscope Rankings. And if communication has been getting stuck lately, you might also read Mercury Retrograde Plus Venus Retrograde Until Nov 13: 4 Signs Most Likely to Realize "Oh, the Problem Is Me".