Symbol: ♂
Cycle: 1.88 years
Exaltation: Capricorn
Exile: Taurus, Libra
Fall: Cancer
The fourth planet of the solar system, Mars, also known as the “red planet”, was named after the Roman god of war. In terms of influence, it is related to the Sun and Jupiter. Basically, Mars symbolizes centrifugal force, that is, energy that moves outward. In other words, Mars represents the principle of accumulation and one-way release of energy.
As it essentially represents the urge for activity and action, on the body it represents muscles, the strain of which moves the body to activity, while the level of strength and energy each individual possesses depends on their development and firmness. As such, Mars symbolizes the male sex organ, which is actually a muscle and generally represents masculinity and the male gender in general, as well as the male urge to compete, prove and self-affirm in both sexes.
So, this planet primarily symbolizes passions, desires, force, diligence, boldness, courage, unrest, competitive spirit. Under its influence, we are compelled to always strive for something, to be engaged in some type of activity, to compete, work, to build something.
Mars essentially represents animal instincts and drives, which is why it has strong dignities in the animal signs, Aries, Scorpio and Capricorn. Therefore, it is logical that it is weakest in signs of the air element and signs of mutable quality, which have in common that they are scattered, fickle and intellectual, that is, mental signs. Because the main purpose of his influence is to move the body to activity, in the world of abstract thoughts and ideas it is completely on foreign soil and neither it is needed by that world nor it by him. That’s why “when war comes, the smartest run away first”. Simply, prudence and thoughtfulness have a negative effect on the manifestation of courage and boldness, because thinking creates uncertainty, which then leads to hesitation that paralyzes the will, as a result of which action, that is, execution, is impossible.
The reason why Mars is considered malefic is that this planet symbolizes feelings of anger, rage, fury and wrath, and therefore a tendency towards aggression, violence, hostility, antagonism and a desire to fight, inflict pain, injuries and even kill. Therefore, the position of Mars in the sign and house can show who and what causes anger and rage in us, how we behave in those situations, with whom we argue and fight, but also, on the other hand, where and in what situations we provoke and annoy others and who can be aggressive and hostile towards us.
The position in sign and house and aspects that Mars forms with other planets in any chart are extremely important, especially for males, because the strength and integration of Mars directly influence the level of strength, courage, sharpness and initiative, or in other words, the level of masculinity that a person can express. In general, little can be achieved in life, regardless of gender, if the function represented by this planet is hindered and blocked.
Various meanings:
- energy, force, activity, ferocity, striving, self-affirmation.
- sex drive, passion, lust, desire, excitement, intensity, adrenaline, testosterone, steroids.
- competition, sport, exercise, training, demonstration of strength, stamina, martial arts, athletes, players.
- symbolizes everything that has a straight, sharp, pointed shape and that is intended to pierce, penetrate – knife, sword, bullet, needle, nail.
- head, forehead, nose, muscles.
- anger, rage, wrath, argument, hostility, violence, confrontation, antagonism, strife, bickering, fight, shouting, brawl, provocation.
- attack, onslaught, offensive, aggression, war, march, weapons, armory.
- hit, stab, bite, scratch, shoot, injure, wound, kill.
- front, barracks, stadium, arena, gym, shooting range.
- police, army, police and army stations, soldiers, operatives, agents, surgery, surgeons.
- beginning, first, embryo, initiative, pioneering ventures.
- construction, masonry, production, manufacture, factory, foundry, forge, hammersmith, metals, metallurgy, mechanical engineering.
- diligence, boldness, courage, assertiveness, breakthrough, execution.
- work, workers, action, movement, enterprise, entrepreneurs.
- meat, meat chopper, saw, butcher, butchery, slaughterhouse.
- craft, tools, tool kit, hammer, ax, scissors, screwdriver, pliers, drill…
