Joy Archer Takes Aim at Astrology
Mars, The Red Planet Of Action, Desire And Energy

Mars is the first planet outside of the orbit of our planet Earth. Mars is found 
in everyone’s chart. Mars is the “I act” principle. It symbolizes the kind of 
action we take to express our Sun Sign qualities, some productive and some 
counterproductive, depending on sign placement and aspects. Mars can be in 
twelve different signs and twelve different houses. It can receive six different 
aspects from nine other planets. These six major aspects are conjunction, 
opposition, trine, square, sextile, and quincunx - some happy and some not so 
happy! It can also aspect the Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven, IC, or the Moon 
Nodes. Mars can also be retrograde in the natal chart which indicates a lack of 
energy and drive available to the native. Their ability to overcome infection 
will also be hampered with a Mars retrograde. 

Mars is considered a “personal” planet. Mars describes how you would express 
your sexual desires or how you may “sex” someone. This sexual behavior is also 
modified by your Sun, Moon and Venus. When it is in close aspect with the three 
outer planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, there is a major altering of your 
sexual drive and behavior. If the aspects to Mars are harsh, it gives temper, 
destructiveness, and aggressive behavior. When Mars is well aspected (trines 
and sextiles) it gives courage, initiative and much energy of a positive, 
creative nature. When Mars is afflicted by transit or progression in your natal 
chart you should learn to channel that excess energy wisely. It is wise to write 
the letter and then sleep on it when anger is involved. When you are upset with 
your spouse or boss, walk or jog around the block but please don’t drive two 
tons of steel! Chopping wood, cleaning the house, or vacuuming the carpets are 
great ways to work off the excess energy. You also get good ideas, because you 
are on auto pilot while your muscles move and siphon off energy that otherwise 
may do harm to you or others. Mars and Uranus are the two planets of impulse and 
unbalance. The areas of your life that they rule will be in need of restriction 
and thoughtful direction. 

The only person you should strive to control is yourself. In this dimension 
people are mainly controlled by what they desire and what they believe. The 
condition and placement of Mars in you chart will tell any good astrologer what 
you desire. But if the person is sentient, their desires will change over their 
lifetime due the progression of their Mars in their natal chart. 

People who visit the emergency room regularly due to accidents are bad tempered 
or holding much anger inside themselves. When you control your temper and use 
the energy that it releases for some positive activity there will be no more 
accidents. Arthritis is a physical disease in the body that reveals anger held 
in the emotions of a person. They feel that they don’t have enough love, power, 
or possessions. They often can’t let go of possessions, power, or people. This 
is a misuse of the Mars principle.

When Mars is conjunct Venus the person needs to learn the lesson of the difference 
between love and lust. Love wants to give, lust only wants to get. This person 
will also attract moderate wealth in this life time. If they can hold on to it, 
it will be described by other aspects to this conjunction. Aspects in the natal 
chart that indicate much wealth are the conjunctions of Mars with Jupiter and 
Neptune.

According to Isabel Hickey, Mars is representative of the animal soul in a 
person. Mars stimulates the senses and the passions. It is indicative of the 
animus (masculine) in the person. Mars is lust for power or lust in a sensual 
sense. It is the planet of war. So one who is in “warrior” mode this life will 
have a dominate Mars in their chart. Mars can bring injury through knives and 
gunshots. Mars is also an indication of theft if in harsh aspect to Mercury. 
When Mars is conjoined with Neptune in transit there are usually accidents or 
fires at sea involving shipping. If you have Mars in your fourth house in your 
natal chart, please be sure you keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and 
know how to quickly exit your house.

If your Mars is square your moon, you will use your energy to pursue things that 
do not satisfy your emotions. You will also have a very “short fuse”. You need 
to learn the wisdom of thinking it but not saying it! You may excel in sports 
but accidents will often shorten any career you may have in sports.

A lady with her Mars in Aries will be known as a “ballsy lady”. She will be 
daring and may leap a few times before she looks. Mars is a masculine, dynamic 
power. If it is too strong in a feminine chart it gives difficulties with too 
much masculinity and a domineering element which is unattractive.  

The interaction between Mars (action) and Saturn (restriction) is always of 
importance in the natal chart in regard to future accomplishment in the physical 
world. Mars is anger but everyone who becomes angry must look behind the anger 
and they will actually discover a hidden fear (Saturn). Saturn is the planet of 
fear. Do you fear being alone, losing your job, losing your friends, losing your 
money, or losing your health? The interaction of Mars and Saturn and their house 
and sign placement with tell me what you fear.

There are entire books written about the Red Planet. The first one I read was by 
Alan Leo. This article is just a tiny sip of what could be said about Mars. Hope 
you enjoyed it and it will spur further inquire. Your questions, comments (pro 
and con) are always welcomed via e-mail. I will be traveling between June 8 to 
June 20, so if my response is not within 48 hours (my aim) please be 
understanding and patient. Thanks!

Remember in the advanced soul Mars is often well aspected and the native express 
their Mars with strength and courage. They are not crude or combative but use 
their energy to advance the human race. They have moved past the immediate 
demands of the ego and see themselves as part of a much larger whole. 

Joy’s Parting Shot: Men come very late to wine and philosophy because they are 
too fond of whiskey and action.