Planets in Style: The Armor on Mars's Rack
Mars's Style in Each of the Zodiac Signs
Planetary Permutations
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” goes the old proverb. The Chinese version translates as “Enter a village, follow the customs.” For the planets in astrology, the equivalent motto would be something like “When in Libra, act through Libran themes.”
The planets are always themselves and always do what they do, but they don’t always do it in the same style. As each planet transits through the Zodiac, it adapts its manner and focus to the ways of whatever sign it temporarily occupies. Whenever a planet changes signs, we might envision a figure reaching into its wardrobe and changing into a different outfit that’s appropriate to its new field of action.
While a planet occupies a sign, we may observe evidence of its influence in that field. There we may also encounter, or act personally as, agents of that planet. We always have a choice to channel or respond to the planet’s influence wisely or foolishly — that’s up to us.
In this series, we’ll look into each planet’s ‘wardrobe’ to see the style it adopts for each of its 12 regular Zodiacal visits.
What Mars Does
Astrological Mars is the archetype of the mighty Hunter or Warrior, powerful, brave, fast, boisterous, and ever ready to fight when necessary. Usually fond of weapons (or power tools) that make him even stronger, he’s motivated by his will for physical survival and his personal desires.
Exulting in power and speed, Mars is always on the move, either doing some activity he wants to do, or pursuing some desired object. Highly focused on his goal, he’s eager and impatient to attain it. All is well as long as Mars is moving toward his goal as he wishes. But he is easily angered, and any interruption or challenge to his progress can quickly provoke his fierce temper. He doesn’t usually hold a grudge; he just wants to keep moving.
Mars pushes us to:
Survive (food, clothing, shelter, reproduction)
Pursue the objects of our desires
Take bold risks on our own
Compete with rivals
Defend our territory
Mars is all about desire and fast action, but he’s unaware (or heedless) of any central guiding principle or ethic. His actions tend to be thoughtless and crude, but not necessarily malicious or destructive.
Usually Mars’s primitive energy is modulated by some other internal or external influence (law, religion, philosophy, spiritual insight, etc.) within a situation or overall personality. In cases where it’s not, Mars can fall easily into domineering behavior with frequent loud disputes and arguments. His unrestrained selfish actions can be ruthless, cunning, violent and cruel. The rampage of a destructive Mars never ends well for Mars, but can wreak much damage and suffering before it ends.
Imbalances of Martial energy can manifest in our bodies. Frustrations sometimes show up as fevers. A combination of preoccupation with a goal and obliviousness to other factors is conducive to recklessness and accidents, especially those involving fire, burns, or cuts. Illnesses and injuries of any kind are infrequent and unpredictable, but when they occur, one may notice in retrospect that they had something to do with a body part associated with the sign where transit Mars was at the time.
Mars always needs some outlet for his powerful energy. Channeled wisely, his energy can be very good and even life-saving. Mars doesn’t have to be unkind to others, but he does need freedom to do things in his own way and plenty of “elbow room”. With that and enough discipline, Mars can get a lot of heavy-duty constructive activity done in a short time.
See more about Mars at Pantheon of Colors: Red.
Mars in Transit (cycle is about 2 years = 2 months in each sign)
Mars is in a hurry to get or do something in whatever sign he’s transiting, and he stirs things up there as he marches or races through. Whether his actions do good or harm depends on the way we channel his energy.
In matters associated with the sign through which Mars is transiting, we can expect (in ourselves and others):
Ambition
Impulsive emotional behavior
Impatience (or frustration & anger)
Self-assertion (or pushiness & aggression)
Fast action
Commotion — loud scenes of vigorous physical activity (construction or conflict)
The possibility of danger or violence
The passage of energetic Mars through a sign of the Zodiac usually brings disturbances — often noisy ones — into affairs associated with that sign. Where he’s expending his energy in some constructive activity, it’s basically okay and things are getting done fast. Where he has nothing to do or is interrupted, there is likely to be trouble. Mars is prepared to fight in the style of a typical campaign in whatever sign he occupies, as described below:
Mars in Aries: The Charge at Dawn
Fresh from his healing retreat in Pisces, Mars rises up in Aries fully charged with energy and eager to charge into a brand-new adventure. He’s as powerful and courageous as can be in this sign where he’s ruler. Wanna race or fight? He’ll welcome the challenge, and he’ll win. Dare him to face a danger? Watch him bound into it like a seasoned circus performer and land on his feet. Dare him to do the impossible, and watch him become the first to do it. Dare him to do anything — but don’t dare to get in his way, because he wants to do a lot of things, he needs to keep moving, and he has a mean temper (but he doesn’t stay angry for long).
While Mars is in Aries, we tend to be spirited, restless, and eager to burn off some energy. Fear of the unknown doesn’t deter us from an exciting challenge to be first at something. We’re inclined to try new activities and start new projects just to find out what we can do. We enjoy the exercise of pitting our courage and strength against that of others in competition, but we prefer the freedom of acting alone to the compromise required in cooperation.
What we like about a new project is the impulse and initiative to start it and the thrill of its beginning stages. As for the follow-through and completion, not so much. After a gung ho beginning, our enthusiasm can wane quickly. By the time Mars leaves Aries, we may have the beginnings of quite a few projects that we never will feel like finishing. We’ll probably let most of them go, but may settle on something that we somehow don’t want to stop doing. As Mars continues on through Taurus, we may well follow through on that one until we’ve actually completed it.
Mars in Taurus: The Tug of War
In Taurus, Mars wants to speed up production. A desire to be more prosperous and own more possessions motivates him to make things as quickly as possible. Whether by growing, breeding, construction, or manufacture by hand or machine, he struggles to produce durable things of quality, preferably of beauty as well, and to make money as fast as he can.
As long as they are getting concrete results, many people are now willing to persevere at quality production for long, grueling hours with great determination and patience. With most of their energy being expended in their efforts, peace generally prevails. People just want to be left to their growing or sewing or building, and they really don’t want to fight.
But Mars comes into Taurus with a warning: Any attempt now to take something away from another without permission is like a red flag to a bull. In this sign, Mars tends to be fiercely defensive of possessions and willing to fight with incredible tenacity to keep what he has rather than let go. His possessiveness can extend to matters of love and sex, which are other likely causes of fights at this time.
Mars in Gemini: The Street Fight
When in Gemini, Mars is impatient to know what’s going on, to get his messages through, and to arrive at wherever he’s going. His influence accelerates mental activity and stimulates restlessness, curiosity, and critical thinking.
During this transit, information can easily trigger action. A hint of news may send us immediately to the phone or online to research and share, or down the street to investigate a local event like an an aggressive reporter. We’re more opinionated than usual, and may welcome a lively debate. We could spend this time merrily speed-reading, speed-writing and speed-talking, and come out of it something of a walking encyclopedia.
Or we could get caught up in some of the regrettable hazards of this transit. The rush to make connections and frustration at any delays increase the likelihood of trouble on the street, on the phone, or wherever connections are being made. We’re wise to allow for the possibility of an accident or some sort of conflict in our path. Some of us may express irritability and argumentativeness in rude or sarcastic speech. A message arouses anger; a disagreement escalates into a “war of words”; a driver erupts into “road rage”. We can become over-stressed and be drawn into hostile exchanges and outbursts, or we can figure out how to complete our communication or errand via some alternate vehicle or route that’s less troublesome.
Mars in Cancer: The Family Feud
When in Cancer, the sign of childhood, Mars is uncharacteristically childlike. He wants to feel at ease among familiar people and surroundings, lulled in the comforting rhythm of his usual routines, simply doing whatever he’s used to doing. What he basically wants is security, with all needs and comforts satisfied and regulated by a trusted authority. And he’d better get it, or else.
The trouble is that with Mars among the family (or family-like situation), nobody feels at ease, including Mars. Normally free to act for himself as he wishes, Mars lacks that freedom in Cancer. Like those of a young child, his desires are somehow subordinate to the will of the authority in charge — a position that Mars abhors. As a result, nobody gets the steady, comfortable routine that everybody wants. There is often some sort of commotion going on in what may normally be a peaceful haven. People tend to be emotionally frustrated, oversensitive and moody. Anger suppressed long enough can cause psychological problems, stomach upsets & ulcers.
As always, Mars needs a constructive channel. Without one there is discord, as cranky family members quarrel with one another over incompatible ways of achieving comfort and safety. Dependent on authority for control, some try to induce authority to impose their personal idea of comfort and security on the whole family, and compete with others over that. Open warfare could take such childish forms as temper tantrums or food fights. A more constructive alternative would be some kind of home-improvement or repair project that requires lots of physical exertion from everyone.
Mars in Leo: The Glorious Tournament
In Leo, Mars views his field of action as a grand game, and his attitude resembles that of a strong, competitive player in a popular high-school sport. He wants to make a spectacular impression with his personal talents, for which he expects praise, recognition, and admiration. Exuberant and proud, he moves with a dramatic flourish that commands attention. In his gleaming golden armor, he fights with passion, persistence, and valor for the prize of thunderous applause.
This is a time when we can expect people to be more assertive than usual in displaying and winning recognition for their abilities in any field. Games and contests of all kinds are unusually exciting now, both for players and for spectators. All entertainment offerings tend to be spirited and lively, which should be great fun for everyone in their audiences.
How could Mars make trouble in Leo? By dishonorable behavior in a sign that calls for aspiration to Solar centering and honor. What should be healthy assertiveness and playful competition can degenerate into ruthless aggression and violence when, ethics unheeded, some take wrongful advantage of their popularity. Some people become arrogant and overbearing when Mars is in Leo, belittling and dominating others and believing themselves to be infallible. Eventually they lose both glory and fans, while lasting glory stays with energized performers who remain honorable.
Mars in Virgo: The Charge of the Workhorse Cavalry
Mars is into useful service now, so we’d better get busy, and whenever we see someone else working, we’d better stay out of the way. This can be great, because work is a constructive use of Mars’s excess energy. Great, that is, for solo work that calls for brawn and involves few details. In many other situations, it may not be so great.
The Virgo style being notoriously perfectionistic, we’re used to executing every detail of a task in that sign with skillful precision and accuracy, and having sufficient time to do so. Pressure from Mars in Virgo to work both perfectly and fast is conducive to nervousness and frustration that could interfere with performance. See it interfering hilariously in this illustrative clip from I Love Lucy:
Then there’s the likelihood of strong disagreements among people working together over the “correct” way to do things, which could only exacerbate the stress.
Much work may be done by hurrying multitaskers, but errors might degrade it, or there could be accidents and injuries, especially where hazardous tools are involved. Efficiency is best served now when tasks are simplified as much as possible, and each worker is free to use whatever method works best for him/her.
Mars in Libra: The Congeniality Campaign
In Libra, Mars will beat the living daylights out of anyone who isn’t friendly! — Well, not exactly, but that’s what he might feel like doing if he doesn’t get a positive response to his congenial overtures. Usually more of a “loner”, Mars has a strong urge to cooperative action when he’s in Libra.
Under this influence, many feel like initiating social activities to enjoy in the company of someone else who is equally energetic. This positive Mars transit can help to revitalize existing relationships and start enthusiastic new ones.
In Libra, moments of Martial anger are relatively unlikely, but possible when what’s supposed to be nice isn’t. Some may get forceful with their invitations and annoyed at rejection from others who don’t welcome them for whatever reason and resent their pushiness. In some cases, people intentionally seek and find a confrontation with a hostile opponent or enemy rather than congenial companionship. In existing partnerships, Mars in Libra may bring conflicts to the surface for airing. Instances of injustice tend to arouse strong anger in many, whether victim or witness. The hazards of militant friendliness are usually negligible as long as our attitudes about the rules of social conduct aren’t too rigid or extreme.
Mars in Scorpio: The Duel to the Death
Here Mars is “dressed to kill”. It’s all or nothing with Mars in Scorpio — no neutrality, no frivolous games, no compromise. He can be intent on absolute truth, love and loyalty, or on jealous possessiveness and domination. His desire is tremendously intense, but he keeps his plans to himself. His anger is equally intense, and he can nurse a grudge like steam in a pressure cooker until it explodes in a rage. He executes his intentions with tremendous power, matchless courage, and relentless resourcefulness and thoroughness. If death is what it takes to get what he wants, he’ll fight fearlessly to the bitter end.
Mars’s transit through uncompromising Scorpio tends to bring out the best and the worst in people. We all feel our desires more intensely and may commit more seriously to their fulfillment now. Irrevocable deals may be made; exorbitant prices may be paid. We’ll do whatever we feel we have to do, and somehow we’ll probably get an urgent ordeal over with and find relief in the end. Depending on our situation and attitude to truth, the end may or may not turn out to be what we want it to be.
This can be a very difficult time for anyone. Some dogged struggles for gain must end in loss, however fiercely we may fight. The intense power of Mars in Scorpio is enough to produce an inner transformation, which we can experience paradoxically as both a sorrowful downfall and a treasure far more precious than whatever we set out to fight for.
Mars in Sagittarius: The Jubilant Crusade
Mars likes the excitement of travel and adventure in Sagittarius, and he’s fine with throwing his energy into improvement of the social order. He may be tactless, but he’s generally well meaning and ethical in this sign. He’s on a worldwide crusade now to find or spread peace, love, joy, optimism, and good will, often along with some belief system meant to inspire those experiences. Mars in Sagittarius may advocate for any positive philosophy, religion or tradition. His real mission is to stimulate enthusiasm for the long journey of spiritual development that leads each of us to an authentic personal philosophy of life.
Under Mars’s influence now, many people are actively engaged in quests to learn more about the world, and to clarify their beliefs. Some seek in institutions of higher learning; others seek in independent study. Still others seek to experience new perspectives firsthand through travel to faraway places with unfamiliar cultures. Those who have “been there and done that” are eager to share their understanding and the joys of its benefits. It’s generally a happy time, with people tending to be confident, encouraging, generous, and funny. The pace speeds up and popularity grows in places associated with higher learning, travel, and foreign cultures.
There isn’t much of a downside to Mars’s transit through Sagittarius, but what there is stems from people’s strong convictions about their particular beliefs. Some people can be aggressively self-righteous about them, and Mars now tends to bring those people out. Most people are respectful of others with whom they offer to share their perspectives. But among them are likely to be some political or religious fanatics who insist on being in our face and imposing their dogmas. Quarrels and fights over different ways of celebrating peace and love are absurd, of course, but such conflicts can happen more easily when Mars is in Sagittarius.
Mars in Capricorn: The Status War
In Capricorn Mars wants responsibility, authority, respect, and high status in his field. He pursues his goal with true military self-discipline. Wasting neither time nor energy, He fights his way steadily and patiently through whatever gauntlet of hoops and hurdles lie in his path to the top. On his way up, he respects his superiors and obeys orders without question. Having earned the requisite promotions and assumed his desired position, he expects the same unquestioning obedience and respect from those under his authority.
During this period, individuals tend to focus their energy on their ambitions for achievement and status in the public eye. They may either start a career in earnest, or accelerate and double down on their efforts to ascend the professional ladder. People without actual careers take the same ambitious attitude toward whatever responsibilities they have, working diligently now to carry out their duties properly and completely, if only for the satisfaction of self-respect. It’s a time when everyone has more of the energy needed to deal with important obligations and burdens that they don’t necessarily enjoy carrying.
Beyond the battles that “come with the territory” of a normal professional career (or just life, for that matter) are others often caused by negative behaviors of the overly ambitious, which are more obvious now. The latter can be so absorbed with cold calculation for gain of money or power that they lose sight of human values. The worst lack ethics altogether, totally disregarding the rights of others, thinking nothing of using people, cheating competitors, or worse, all for the sake of their own status.
Mars in Aquarius: The Political Protest
In contrast with his military attitude in Capricorn, Mars fights tooth and nail in Aquarius in defiance of authority, which he considers to be generally backward and oppressive because it upholds an unacceptable status quo. Superiors? Why should anyone presume to be superior to others? Uniform? Mars’s attire here may be too outlandish to even identify! Obedience to protocol? Are you kidding? Any planet in Aquarius does things in its own peculiar way, but Mars there has absolutely no patience with arbitrarily imposed orthodoxy, and tends to strike back lightning-fast and hard when pressed to conform. He’s restless for social change wherever society seems to be too confining, and there’s no telling what tactics he might create in the interest of his current humanitarian cause.
This transit is most typically reflected in protest demonstrations, often associated with universities, where young people are exposed to new ideas and creative thinking can thrive. But the same spirit can rise up in any group, anywhere, in any form. People are opposed to something in their society’s structure, and they take action to make their objections clearly known to all. They really have to, because change can never happen unless enough of us are aware of a need for it.
In the best scenario, there’s a peaceful but clearly noticeable demonstration that alerts everyone to an unrecognized need for change, after which problems are addressed and resolved satisfactorily and things settle down. That’s how it should play out, and can play out among people with constructive attitudes. Mars can play an effective positive role in the process.
What could possibly go wrong? Well, we’re talking about Mars being in the picture, not Uranus or Mercury (thinkers who probably founded the cause in question and may or may not be present). Mars is enthusiastic and strong, but he’s not a thinker. In a sign without structure, his enthusiasm could easily mount to destructive extremes. He might interpret a goal of reform and improvement as a radical call to overthrow the entire established order. Notorious for premature action, Mars might move to discard all the old ways before being able to replace them with something better. In a group of resentful dissenters, Mars is potentially a dangerous “loose cannon” that might set off a violent riot. Hopefully cooler heads that Mars respects are keeping group energy channeled constructively.
Mars in Pisces: Operation Cuttlefish
As always, Mars wants something, but here in Pisces he can’t or won’t show himself. Maybe he’s recovering from a past battle and is not yet ready to return to open warfare. Maybe he’s been kidnapped. Maybe he’s on a spiritual retreat. Maybe he’s in a hospital swathed in bandages. Maybe he’s in the Zodiacal Witness Protection Program. Maybe he’s an arsonist or a violent criminal on the lam, hiding out and hoping that Saturn won’t find and arrest him. Maybe he’s already in prison. Or maybe he’s gone undercover as a secret operative in Operation Cuttlefish. We just don’t know.
We may wonder where our energy went, because we aren’t feeling our usual physical strength and self-confidence, and are more sensitive emotionally. We need extra quiet or solitude to regain our strength. We prefer to express any disagreements or resentments we might feel in subtle, indirect ways that don’t appear disagreeable, and to act in secret in order to avoid potential unpleasant confrontations.
The energy we’re missing is aggressive urges that we don’t want to feel now, being diverted to our unconscious mind and suppressed or repressed there. They tend to leak out nevertheless in indirect ways, such as psychosomatic or neurotic symptoms, or proneness to tears. Artistic or musical activities that let us express our feelings imaginatively are wonderful therapy for us now, because they give our stifled Martial energy a healthy outlet.
During this transit, we’re not up for any kind of fight, and don’t want anything to do with anger or aggression. But there’s action going on somewhere behind the scenes where we can’t see it, and our imagination may be working overtime. There are probably many clues to the truth in our visions and dreams. Although we’d be unwise to jump to conclusions, we may safely observe the clues and consider what they might imply. Who knows what fascinating intelligence we may gather over a couple of months undercover in Operation Cuttlefish!
