Mars, the male counterpart to Venus, is the sign that begins the zodiac and also is very connected to our rising sign, so it is an important thing to know whether you are just learning astrology, are practicing advances astrology, or are somewhere in between. Did you also know that it is connected, in a special way, to what your soul wants to accomplish? It’s true!
Mars represents the lower octave of Pluto as well as the process of initiating new beginnings, and our instinctual response to life. It is one part of a whole archetype which also includes the 1st house in astrology and the zodiac sign of Aries.
Let me break it down for you:
Mars is a lower octave energy of Pluto, so it is connected to your soul’s desires.
In our birth charts, Pluto is the root of everything! So, when we look at all the other placements in a chart, we look at it through the lens of “how does this placement support the Pluto objective?”.
Mars is an exception in that we ask how it supports Pluto’s objective AND ALSO we must consider that it is a lower octave of Pluto.
Mars energy is considered to be a lower octave of Pluto because it is very instinctual (therefore less conscious), and tends to be warrior like.
While Pluto is an underground and intangible energy, the energy of Mars is very impulsive, quick moving, and connected to the body.
The way that Mars energy works is by responding in an instinctual way (relative to the house that it is in and aspects it is making), especially to new experiences.
So the connection between Mars and Pluto is that Pluto contains the desire that the soul has for this lifetime, whereas Mars acts out the necessary steps that need to take place in order for the soul to experience Pluto’s desire.
So you can think of Pluto as a type of conductor, directing the train of life, and Mars is the train itself- the vehicle that is in movement.
Mars energy is connected to the sign of Aries.
The constellation of Aries got its name from the Greek god Ares, the god of war. He is known for being fiery, full of passion (because it is a fire sign) impulsive and warrior like. Prone to anger and very physical in nature. This Ares energy is an initiator. Of battle and also of new directions, willing to fight anyone who would try to get in the way. Ares is also very independent.
The planet Mars is what we call in astrology the “dispositor” planet for the sign of Aries. This means that the Planet Mars takes action on the intentions of, and on behalf of the Aries sign.
Of course, being at war like Ares is not an especially “ideal” as far as character growth. We can look at this energy from a different perspective, however, to glean the wisdom that this energy carries.
Because the Mars energy is meant to initiate (note that it is at home in the very first sign of the natural zodiac), the anger that is often associated with the Mars and Aries archetype has to do with the anger that comes up when a new path is trying to be paved, and the person experiences some type of “block” to their agenda. The anger that comes up is an instinctual response to being thwarted in the intention of the Mars energy to initiate a new beginning.
In this way, the Mars and Aries energy can be best put to use by understanding the purpose of the energy. The purpose of the Mars and Aries energy is to initiate new beginnings. Now, the way that this Mars and/or Aries energy will be expressed in an astrology chart will depend on the following 3 placements:
1- the sign on the cusp of the first house
2- the house and sign of Mars
3- the house that Aries is in
The chart below will help you to decipher what your Mars sign represents for you. This expression of the Mars energy will be based on the house and sign that it is in. Of course, it’s always best to look at your chart as a whole (because you are a whole person!), instead of in pieces. Booking a reading with a professional astrologer is a great way to go about doing that!
Mars Energy By Sign and House
| House/ Sign that Mars is in | Where in your life Mars will show up |
| 1st house, Aries | Identity, physical body |
| 2nd house, Taurus | Values, money, belongings |
| 3rd house, Gemini | Communication, peers |
| 4th house, Cancer | Family, emotional roots |
| 5th house, Leo | Self expression, creativity, children |
| 6th house, Virgo | Day to day life, health, pets |
| 7th house, Libra | Close relationships |
| 8th house, Scorpio | Intimate relationships, sex drive, external finances, personal transformation |
| 9th house, Sagittarius | Religion, faith, connection to culture, study, travel |
| 10th house, Capricorn | Work, responsibilities |
| 11th house, Aquarius | Group connections, expressions of individuality |
| 12th house, Pisces | Spiritual connection, painful experiences |
Mars energy is associated with the 1st house in the natural zodiac.
The first house in the natural zodiac represents the beginning of Spring, and the initiation of a new cycle(s). This energy is very instinctual and connected to the body. It is the new beginning impulse.
During readings, I often explain this type of energy as an explorer going into a new island. Their ears are perked up and their eyes are noticing any new movements. Mars energy moves into action when there is a new experience, and the way that that explorer will respond to that new island and/ or approach their exploration of this new terrain is dependant on the specific sign that is in their first house.
You can also think of this first house energy as a baby being born. When a baby is born, they are purely instinctual. Upon leaving the womb, the very first thing that a baby does (after crying) is begin the breast crawl; that is moving towards the breast to take in their first nourishment. This movement is not premeditated and is not connected to forethought. They just cry, and then start moving. Instinctually. This is a great way to understand the 1st house energy that is correlated to Mars.
Another very important thing to note here is the vulnerability of that newborn infant. While they act instinctually, they are also now completely exposed to the world (instead of the safety of the womb that they were in previously).
There is a very real element of insecurity and vulnerability that is connected the Mars and 1st house energy. Because this is a “just starting out new” phase, whatever is being explored is brand new- meaning there is no prior experience to lean back on. Often, there are deep feelings of insecurity and even fear and timidity associated with the Mars and first house energy.
So, whatever sign is on the first house cusp and wherever Mars is, you can bet that there will be a type of inner hesitation in regards to venturing out.
So, an important part of understanding how that Mars energy plays out in a specific birth chart has to do with the sign that is ruling that first house. (The sign that is on the cusp of the first house, also known as the rising sign will tell you the “flavour” that the first house energy will express itself with.)
I’ve written a series on the rising sign, and why it matters a LOT here. You can also look up your specific rising sign at the links below!
Conclusion
Mars energy, in astrology, represents anger, initiating new beginnings, and the movement toward’s the soul’s desires.
So, when dealing with Mars energy it is important to be aware of the tendency that you will have in that area to want to plow ahead independently, the tendency that you will have towards anger if you are blocked, and your proneness to insecurity.
There is a famous verse in the Bible that says “there is nothing new under the sun”. While our souls have a profound comfort in that knowledge, well, often times our egos are not so secure in that truth.
Knowing and understanding your Mars triad (your Mars placement, first house sign, and house of Aries) will give you a good understanding of where it is that you will feel the discomfort of the new, and how you can best navigate it.
Wishing you love, courage, and breathtaking adventure as you journey.
Still climbing,
XX,
-Celeste
Related Reading:
What does Pluto mean in astrology?
Aries bad traits: The negative side of the Aries zodiac sign
Modalities in astrology: Are you cardinal, mutable or fixed?
Aja Celeste is a mom to 6 beautiful children and a twin mom! She is also creator and writer of That Zoi Life and a professionally trained Evolutionary Astrologer who has been doing astrology for 7 years. She is also a health care assistant, has a Bachelor of Ministry Degree, and is passionate about supporting people in conscious parenting. She also does Psychosomatics using Recall Healing.
Please contact her at [info@ThatZoiLife.com] if you would like to find out more about working with her.