Interpreting Mars: A Comprehensive View

Edited by Gemma

Mars is the 4th planet in our solar system and was named after the Roman god of war, because of his red colour and the fact this reminded people of blood back in the early days. Mars is also famously known as ‘The Red Planet’, while many other cultures and civilisations have named him for similar reasons. As an example, the Egyptians called him ‘Her Desher’, which means, ‘The Red One’. Mars is red because there are an abundance of iron minerals on the planet’s surface, which oxidise to form the red hues of rust.

Mars is like no other planet when it comes to astrological interpretation, because he has an ability to supercharge all he contacts with extra energy and passion. He is known to astrologers as the ‘lesser malefic’ (Saturn is our ‘greater malefic’ planet). Mars is malefic because, although he is a planet of great energy, this energy is untamed and it generally follows that any planet he touches will be inflamed with his raw fuel of heat.

Mars represents anger and irritation, so he can also be associated with uncontrolled temper outbursts. This isn’t to say that Mars can’t be expressed through positively controlled avenues as a planet of passion and drive, yet for this to manifest through a natal chart he usually would need to be in a favourable position astrologically, with some favourable contacts from other planets. Alternatively, the native would have a high level of consciousness and so will have developed the means to deal with their Mars placement.

There are many ways to interpret Mars astrologically, including interpreting his meaning in the natal chart. Here, I will provide an outline of some of the different ways we can look at and interpret Mars. Planetary interpretations are nearly always a two-way street, with the planet touching something else astrologically and vice-versa. Read on to find out more.

Mars in Your Natal Chart

Mars in your natal chart represents your actions, what spurs them, your energy levels and how you control and direct your energy on a day to day basis. Energy begins in its raw form with Mars, but can be modified or directed. For example, with a Saturn trine to Mars a person will likely have a strong sense of control, because the trine is a facilitating aspect and Saturn is the planet of discipline. With a square to Mercury, the person may speak a lot, even at inappropriate times, because mercury is our communication and the square is a tension aspect.

Mars in the signs will show a person’s anger and sexual preferences. For example, a Mars in Scorpio native may remain cool on the surface while keeping their anger hidden from view and they may find themselves attracted to highly emotionally intellectual types.

Planets aspecting Mars in the Natal Chart

When planets aspect Mars in a natal chart like in the above example with the Saturn trine, Mars’ energy focus and direction will be affected hence the native’s energy too. A Neptune square to Mars might result in lowered focus and drive, as an alternative example.

If we look at Mars and Neptune as a two-way street, Mars will gleam Neptune with friction through his square aspect, which could likely result in some hidden anger or confusion about life’s direction.

Mars in the Houses

When Mars falls into a person’s house within their natal chart, both the house and Mars will likely be affected. For example, Mars in a person’s seventh house might mean they are prone to arguments with their spouse or partner. Also, their Mars (and passions) might be strongly directed towards one to one relationships and other people throughout their life, even with Venus in an independent sign such as Aquarius.

Mars in Contact With the angles

When Mars is in a close contact position with one of the four main angles of the natal chart, he is strengthened in both power and affect. This is because the angles of the natal chart have a way of strengthening the energies of any planets that are in close contact, due to the angles being such sensitive points. If Mars conjoins the MC, a native might well be known for being an angry person or a bully if Mars is afflicted too. On the other hand, if Mars is strong and in a good position in the zodiac and with other planets, this person could be an athlete or someone who is famous for being strong and enduring in other ways.

Mars via Transit

As Mars follows his orbit and transits through the natal chart’s houses, he will most often bring some form of upset or another to the qualities of that house, especially if Mars is afflicted in the natal chart. For example, as is moving through a native’s third house, this would not be a great time for them to buy a car, because cars fall into the third house. During transits, there is no two-way affect between Mars and a native’s house, because Mars is moving ahead as opposed to playing a role as a structural component within the natal chart in question at this time.

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