Mars – Basics

Mars is the planet of courage, ambition, the military, the police, masculinity, sports, violence, war, force, sex, and energy. Ruling the signs opposite of Venus, Mars truly is the polarity of her in his significations. In the house of his friends, his presence can represent that this is a person with active, athletic, militant, and/or masculine friends. In the house of siblings, he likely will indicate brothers. In the house of children, he will likely indicate a person who has sons or athletic/militant children. Mars is naturally malefic and causes damage to all who are unfortunate enough to get in his way. This energy however can be utilized and is not completely negative! Keep in mind when you do your own research about his significations that most texts will be harsher than reality. It is very easy to focus on the negative part of his aspect to other planets. I will attempt to responsibly cover this below in the Aspects section of the page.

His Sanskrit name is Kuja. He is the natural karaka (ruler) of siblings (excluding the eldest). When interpreting a chart for siblings, Mars must be considered.

Mars, most importantly, represents a person's energy, how active a person is! If Mars is well placed, say aspected by Jupiter… it indicates the person will have an abundance of energy, be active and athletic, and likely always traveling throughout town. In the opposite situation, where he is aspected by Saturn, the person will likely be very reserved with his energy and become exhausted from his journeys about his neighborhood.

And in contrast to Venus who represents young women in our lives, Mars represents young men. Where the Sun represents the more paternal men or authority figures above you, Mars represents your male peers and as you age, younger men.

Mars matures in the 28th year (ages 27-28) and should reach full strength in your life at that time. Mars’s day is Tuesday, probably the most energetic day of the week for most people. His direction is South. His metal is Copper, and his gemstone is Red Coral; wear these two to heighten or magnify his effects in your life. But be cautious of contact with these materials if he has a negative impact in your chart. If in doubt, ask a Vedic Astrologer!

Mars functions well in Upachaya, meaning “Growing”, Houses (3rd, 6th, 10th and 11th). We’ll cover more of that in later releases covering The Houses – Basics. And he functions best in the 10th house, where he gains Dik Bala (Directional Strength). He also, not by coincidence, is Exalted in the 10th sign, Capricorn.

Significations of Mars

In the section below we are going to discuss how Mars manifests in your life.

Mangala Dosha (Mars Affliction) – a Unique Rule

Also called Kuja Dosha, this is an astrological condition that negatively impacts the native's married life. Essentially, a person with this astrological affliction is best matched with a person who also has Mangal Dosha. That is the astrological remedy; but oddly enough, two people with Mangal Dasha rarely come together in marriage on their own. Like there's just no spark! Most often, like a moth to the flame, the afflicted person will find themselves infatuated with the wrong person. If the afflicted person is married to a person without Mangal Dosha, the afflicted person is likely to be victimized in the marriage.

It is considered best practice in India to match couples according to their birth charts; and make no mistake, they look for Mars Affliction every time! It is this very condition that leads to countless divorces in the West, and it is my hope that readers with this affliction head this advice. If you feel infatuated with a potential partner, proceed with caution!

For the readers that do not have Mangal Dosha, I advise you to watch out for it as well. Don't unwittingly become the “bad guy” in the relationship. But we all have our karma to work through!

Mars Affliction applies when:

• Mars is positioned in the 1st House (Except when in Aries).
• Mars is positioned in the 4th House (Except when in Scorpio).
• Mars is positioned in the 7th House (Except when in Capricorn/Pisces).
• Mars is positioned in the 8th House (Except when in Cancer).
• Mars is positioned in the 12th House (Except when in Sagittarius).

Aspects

In the section below, we will demonstrate how Mars aspects the other planets. His aspect is Malefic and will cause harm when in aspect to personal points in the chart. Mars will add energy (force, intensity) wherever he touches and the nature of that energy is best interpreted separately. Please follow me… if Mars is placed in the sign of  Capricorn, he is Exalted and will use constructive, practical energy to achieve his goals. This is considered the best 'worldly' placement for Mars. More on his Exalted placement below, but his aspect to Cancer (7th House and Sign from Capricorn) is quite the opposite. It is energy tied to feelings often manifesting in deep emotional anguish. Remember, Astrology (read life) is balanced! Always look to the polarity for balance.

7th House Aspect

Mars aspects the house opposite from him.

In the example above, Mars is positioned in the 11th House and the Sign of Leo. He aspects the 5th House and the Sign of Aquarius. The 5th House will be covered in detail at a later date. Check the Release Schedule! But this provides energy to the 5th House! It is likely to manifest as a tense but sharp mind. The person is likely to enjoy sports, politics, and strategy/tactics.

1st House Apsect

Mars aspects the house in which he resides.

Just as above, Mars is in the 11th House and the sign of Leo. Here, he is fortunately positioned with the Lord of Leo, the Sun. But unfortunately for the native, Mars is too close to the Sun and combust. Mars aspects the Sun by just short of 7 degrees. Its malefic energy has manifested in the natives life as a very tense relationship with the eldest sibling and rebelliousness throughout life.

4th House Aspect

Mars aspects the 4th House from himself.

In the example above, Mars aspects the 4th sign/house from himself, in this case Scorpio and the 2nd House. This aspect is especially tight, less than a single degree apart. And while this has created a strong ability to actualize his efforts, it created a childhood home-life with scarcity and tension. The Mars energy in Scorpio is strong however and creates earning power over time.

8th House Aspect

Mars aspects the 8th House from himself.

In the example above, Mars aspect to the 8th House from himself, the 6th House and the sign of Pisces where Rahu (the North Node). While researching this aspect, you might find it referred to as the “kill aspect”, as some astrologers consider this its most harmful aspect. While I do not agree with this assessment, I do recommend that you evaluate this energy/placement on your own and come to a conclusion without my bias. In the natives life, this manifested as a competitive nature with a lot of energy spent on winning wherever possible. This energy is only intensified with Rahu who creates an insatiable desire to win. Malefic energy in the 6th House, however, is welcome and Pisces accepts all guests. So Mars also provides the native with a robust health and victories over enemies… Sounds intense, I know! But to this person, “enemies” is the right word! If you find it doesn't make sense for you, think instead of besting competitors.

Rulership and Placement Disposition

Mars's Relationship to the Zodiac

What was covered…