A Deeper Look at the Planets: Mars

A Deeper Look at the Planets: Mars


By Carmen Turner-Schott, MSW

The planet Mars is known as the “Red Planet” and is named after the Roman God of War because of its reddish color when observed from earth. The Greek God of War, Ares, is associated with Mars energy. He was known to have several love affairs and had a strong competitiveness that sometimes led to impulsivity.

In our astrology natal chart, Mars rules our desires, aggressive spirit, and drives. The position of Mars in the natal chart, shows the energy of ones competetive nature, goals, and the desire to achieve them. According to astrologer Bob Mulligan,” Mars is the planet of desires. It shows how you aim at your goals and how you power yourself towards goals. Mars represents your fundamental wants. The sign placement of mars shows the fundamental nature of your assertions. The house placement of mars shows the area of life you are most likely to focus on.”

Mars rules the signs Aries and Scorpio. Aries is a fire sign and Scorpio is ruled by water. Both these signs are driven, intense, emotional and passionate. The expression of Mars on the basic level is the same. Aries express themselves in a more outgoing, straight-forward way, while Scorpios are more secretive and observant before they open up. Both are intense and have a similar emotionally nature that is expressed in a subtly different way. The mars influence makes Aries and Scorpio excellent leaders, executives, athletes, decision-makers and competitive business-types. Both Aries and Scorpio have a strong need to exercise the body and are prone to anger and violent outbursts if they do not have a physical outlet for their intense energy. Both Aries and Scorpio vary significantly as far as overall personality traits, but the mars influence is present in both signs. Mars is the planet of sports and athletic ability. Many times, I find that professional athletes have mars conjunct (which means in close position to, eclipsing) their tenth house cusp of career. These individuals shine through showing their athletic mars energy in the public and being in the limelight. Talented writers often have mars in the third house of communication, which gives them a strong drive to express themselves with words. This can take many forms such as teaching, journalism, public speaking or writing behind the scenes.

The house that Mars is placed in our chart will show where we will have a strong emotionally, energetic pull and focus. Mars placed in the seventh house of marriage and partnerships will incline a person to communicate aggressively with their partner and this can cause friction and arguments in relationships. Someone who has Mars in the tenth house will focus strongly on career success and will always strive to achieve recognition. There is always the danger of experiencing conflict wherever Mars is located in the chart. The sign placement is an important indicator on how and what type of energy is expressed. For instance, a person with Mars in Gemini will be very restless, expressive, and communicative and have a strong need to teach or write. A person with Mars in Aries might be very strong-willed, dominant and assertive.

The planet Mars is one of the strongest planets in our natal chart and its presence usually makes itself felt at a deep level. The Sun, Moon, Pluto and Mars are the strongest planets in our chart in my opinion. Every astrologer has a different view of things, but from what I have experienced Mars is crucial in our personality and expression.