Mars is the call to action. Wherever Mars is situated in your natal chart, you take action. You may be physically active – it’s where you keep busy – or you may be emotionally active, or easily triggered. You get things done in the Mars house, as it’s the place where your energy finds an easy release. Unless Mars is compromised in your natal chart, your Mars house is where your efforts are focused. You assert yourself in the house of Mars; it’s also the location where you may be most aggressive – or experience aggression directed towards you. This is most likely to occur if your Mars energy is thwarted or frustrated.
The Mars house is the place where you demonstrate your leadership skills; you may be the head of the Mars ‘household’ – or behave in that way – hence this planet’s reputation for stepping up to a challenge, or stepping on people’s toes. You direct your energy towards achieving your goals in this house – and the Mars house may reveal your true aim in life. Things happen fast wherever Mars is situated in your natal chart, so expect a few hasty decisions, impulsive actions, rash moves or fiery exchanges. Mars symbolises masculine energy, so you may encounter male aggression – or find it easy to express the more ‘masculine’ parts of your character in the Mars house.
Mars Keywords
Action, Aggression, Anger, Assertiveness, Bravery, Competence, Competition, Courage, Drive, Energy, Fire, Force, Goals, Heat, Initiative, Iron, Steel, Knives, Blades, Blood, Libido, Lust, Lust for Life, Masculine, Young Men, Tradesmen, Sportsmen, Military, Physical Energy, Rage, Red, Sexuality, Sex Drive, Strength, Survival Instinct, Temper, Vigour, Violence, Willpower.
Mars in the First House
Mars is the natural ruler of the first house. so this placement produces an assertive character. You put your own interests first – and while this may make you self-centred at times, it also makes you natural leader – especially as your warm, vivacious personality makes you the centre of attention. You are fearless about going after what you want – and you are happy to take other people with you. You’re naturally independent, but you also make a good ‘team captain’ – as long as no-one disagrees with you. You are robust and good humoured – and you have a lot of energy to burn. You may be regarded as ‘hot-headed’ with this placement.
Showing initiative, being active (and sometimes hyperactive) are the classic indicators of Mars in the first house. And, as the signifier of sexual energy, it’s also a highly sexed placement. You take the initiative in sexual relationships, just as you do in most other situations in your life. You are a force to be reckoned with, and many with this placement may be considered ‘a force of nature’. So what annoys you? People and situations that get in your way, or impede your progress. People or situations that are slow, hesitant, indecisive, weak (in your eyes) or cruel and unjust. Heroes need a cause to fight for – and so do you.
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Mars in the Second House
Mars energy needs to be active and, in the second house, it’s a great creative force. The second house is associated with hard work, physical labour and steady application – so Mars here adds a dynamic energy or a sense of urgency to a sector that would otherwise be slow and steady. With Mars here, you pursue those things that reinforce your security – as the second house is a materially oriented place. Your energy is best deployed in pursuit of material gain – and many with this placement will direct their resources towards accruing cash. However, you may spend as fast as it saves; you may be rash or impulsive buyer.
One reason for this is you like to be ‘the first’ to possess certain material goods, or you like to prove your prowess by owning more than other people. Mars here is also exercised by ‘owning’ other people. You become annoyed when prevented from having what you want – though you also become angry when you’ve paid over the odds – or you feel you’ve been ‘owned’. The Mars drive in this house is directed towards ownership – and driving a hard bargain. This placement is useful for those who start or own their own businesses, as it gives you drive, application and diligence – and you have no issues with being ‘hands-on’.
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Mars in the Third House
Mars here is a less physical placement than some – but it’s no less assertive. Your energy demands an outlet wherever it’s found, and this house places the God of War in the house of communications and ideas. You are not short of words – and you direct them towards your chosen target with passion. You may be a vigorous debater, a fierce editor, have a sharp tongue or write with precision; however it manifests, your words will be ‘to the point’, as will your thought processes. This placement adds speed to your mental activities – few will complete a crossword as quickly as you. Mind games – of all kinds – are your superpower.
Direct in thought and speech, you can be cutting with those who test your patience – which is often in short supply. Impatience is legendary with this placement; you jump in mid-sentence, you dismiss opinions, you drive too fast and you’re quick to apportion blame. When angry, you fight verbally – and your propensity to ‘shoot with the lip’ may cause you problems in many situations – especially where a considered response is called for. However, you are a clear thinker and independently minded – and that can be an asset. You may inspire others with your words.
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Mars in the Fourth House
Mars in the fourth house makes your home an energetic place to be. So, is the place you feel most active is behind closed doors? Not entirely, though you often tend to focus your efforts in the domestic sphere. It’s a great placement for passionate cooks and gardeners, DIY enthusiasts and for those who like to take the lead in family matters. Mars is assertive, so you may regard yourself as the head of the household, or the boss of the family – and arguments may occur if another family member is in competition for that role. You may belong to a family where assertiveness, temper displays or aggressive behaviour are a family traits.
You may encounter anger or violence in the home, but does that mean everyone with this placement endures family battles? With this placement, you may fight for your family – or for families in general – it’s a good placement for those who are involved in family advocacy or housing provision. Mars here may fight for more than family; the fourth house is associated with homes and homeland, so there may be a family history of military service. Your early home may even have been a military base. It’s often the placement of the patriot – attacks or criticism of your home, family or homeland make you see red.
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Mars in the Fifth House
If the fifth house is a playground; Mars here may be either the playground bully or kid who stands up against that kind of behaviour. The fifth house is where we learn to express ourself and build up self-confidence – and Mars here is a great asset in that regard. You embrace, pastimes, hobbies and activities with great enthusiasm. Active, passionate, engagement with the things you enjoy doing is essential for your personal development – team leadership skills can be attained and your energy given a positive direction, through activities such as sports and team games – though non-physical applications are just as beneficial.
Positive outlets stimulate your pursuit of pleasure – and that includes sexual pleasure. Mars here may be a ‘player’ where affairs of the heart are concerned. Your energy is often self-centred – and may be notably so in this house. There is a propensity to do what you want, when you want to do it, but frustration and impatience may cause of childish tantrums. You hate people who ‘rain on your parade’, or who behave in an unsporting manner. Overall, it’s a friendly, demonstrative and affectionate and sometimes child-like placement. You rarely lose that sense of fun, playfulness, excitement – or your zest for life.
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Mars in the Sixth House
The sixth house is a useful placement for Mars. It’s the house of work – and working things out – so Mars energy gives drive, enthusiasm – and a passion for detail. Mars here is analytical – you have a passion for knowing how things work – so it’s a great placement for those who need to know how anything is put together. Technicians of all kinds, skilled craftspeople, managers and strategists will benefit from Mars here. You are a hard worker – and you may have a passion for your job. However, it’s not the most relaxed of locations; it’s a demanding placement that makes you hard on yourself – and others.
While you benefit from energy and application, you lose your cool when people can’t keep up with you – or if they fail to make the same effort as you. You hate laziness, shoddy workmanship and bad organisation. Chaos, mess and untidiness drive you crazy – in your world, there are no excuses for such behaviour. You can be hyper-critical as you set high standards for yourself and others – it could be said that you set yourself – and others – up to fail by being too exacting. Critical as you are, you don’t handle criticism well when its directed at you. Your independent nature means you work better alone – and you may be self-employed.
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Mars in the Seventh House
Mars in the seventh house puts sexual energy in the house of relationships, so (as you would expect) this is a placement filled with passion and physical action. When positively expressed, this makes for a playful, enthusiastic lover, but it also makes you keen to join forces with an ‘other’ who may be significant to you in other ways to, such as business partner, sports partner, or any other situation that that takes two. You are an ‘active relater’, and this may manifest in your career, as your work may involve initiating contractual or legal relationships – and they are essential for business relationships.
It’s a dynamic, forceful and outgoing placement in that context, but it also shows there is an element of being rash or impulsive in your relationship formation. Mars here may be a sign of early commitment; you may commit at a young age or in haste – and you may repent at leisure. Mars here may be combustible in relationships. You or your partner may be ‘temperamental’ and you may (at worst) experience rage or even violence in a relationship. Your partner may trigger you – but in a good way. You may have a vigorous sexual relationship and, at best, the relationship should be active, positive and enthusiastic for it to work well.
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Mars in the Eighth House
Mars in the eighth house is a highly sexualised placement, but the passion associated with this placement may work out in other ways too. It’s an energy that’s well directed towards getting to the heart of any matter. You direct your energy towards things that are hidden; you are a natural researcher, detective or investigator and your ability to identify things that operate at a subconscious level makes you a natural psychologist. You have a passion for getting to the truth – and you will stop at nothing to prove a point. You are fearless and may pursue passions, interests or careers that others would shy away from.
Your are a survivor in the deepest sense; you are good in crisis situations and may take the lead in dealing with them – but a criticism of you may be that you also pursue trouble; if something flares up and you’re around, you can’t help but be involved. You are goal-oriented and obsessive (even sexually so) and you are impulsive to the extent that your rash actions may cause you real physical danger. Your anger is often buried in this house; Mars here never forgets a slight and hold onto grudges. You may engage in acts of vengeance or vendetta; try to rise above that tendency as it will not serve you well.
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Mars in the Ninth House
This is an adventurous Mars, as Mars in the ninth house puts energy in to pushing boundaries further than they have been pushed before. You may be physically hyperactive and you often push yourself to the limit, as this Mars is indicative of the enthusiastic sportsperson. It’s also the Mars placement of the passionate traveller – especially to wild and dangerous places off the beaten track. This Mars rises to a challenge; that dynamic may be seen in intellectual pursuits. You have a thirst for knowledge. Higher education will feature in your life; you may be an effective teacher, or academic qualifications may be required for your career.
Mars is tempestuous – and this is a fiery placement. There is nothing like a good debate for getting you fired up – and your debates may escalate into full blown arguments. With Mars in the ninth house, you fight for your beliefs – and that includes political or religious beliefs. You may be an ‘activist’ or a ‘fire and brimstone’ preacher; either way, no-one will be in any doubt about your world-view. Your passions extend to ‘laws’ – and to the law. You are prone to enforcing rules and may be angered by those who challenge your view on such matters. However, you usually have a great sense of humour and a playful demeanour. Use it well.
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Mars in the Tenth House
Mars in the tenth house is the placement of the hard worker. This is the house of ambition and you are likely to be driven to achieve. You are great at focusing your energy towards specific objectives and you are likely to have significant leadership and managerial skills. You are decisive and determined, and you prefer to exert control. You are pro-active; if you want something, you go for it – and that’s especially in the context of your career. This is the placement of the ‘high achiever’, and you are fiercely competitive. Your career may be Mars related (engineering, military) or have a dynamic trajectory, regardless of your career choice.
This is a powerful Mars placement, but you will have to learn to deal with frustration. If your goals are blocked, or your ambitions thwarted, you will see red. You may develop an air of superiority – or display arrogance – attitudes likely to cause arguments or ill-feeling. And you will have ‘attitude’. Challenges to your authority trigger an angry response – and ‘authority’ in general may trigger you. Paradoxically, Mars here may fight against authority; you do not like to take orders, or be held to account. You are fiercely independent, so being your own boss may be a good career move.
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Mars in the Eleventh House
Mars in the eleventh house is a team player, a natural team captain and energetic networker. Your assertive energy is directed towards collective endeavour and his makes you a ‘social animal’ – in the widest sense. You enjoy the the company of other like-minded souls as it charges your batteries. Group activities motivate you; you’re outgoing and group oriented and you make alliances readily. You may use those alliances to further your goals – both personal and professional – and your goals may include those of a more altruistic nature. You believe in fighting for a cause – and you may be the one who starts the fight.
Mars is a fighter, and your fights may originate in your competitive nature. This is a friendly placement – you are active with your friends and are often the person who initiates social activities – but you may take offence if your friends fail to share your enthusiasms. This is a boisterous placement – and sometimes you go too far. This results in conflict with your friends and associates. Sometimes the supportive nature of this placement is countered by a confrontational side: you are driven to become leader of the pack and you may upset those who get close to you. You like to do things your way – and compromise may be difficult.
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Mars in the Twelfth House
Mars in the twelfth house can be a tricky placement. The God of War in the house of peace is always going to present challenges: Mars is direct, but the twelfth house is a place that makes it hard to assert ourself – it undermines aggression – so you may experience aggression coming towards you from external sources because Mars here has issues with anger and boundaries. You may experience feelings of weakness or issues with your motivation. The underlying problem is that The twelfth house blinds you to your own Mars potential – you have as much Mars energy as anyone – but you simply haven’t realised it – yet.
Mars here may be internalised, and you have a lot of fight in you – even if you have problems asserting yourself. You benefit from directing the fight towards overcoming the challenges of this placement; your motivation may be spiritual rather than physical, and you may fight on behalf of the underdog rather than yourself. It’s useful to direct your anger and frustration away from yourself, and into defending those who are unable to defend themselves. The twelfth house is a psychological house; overcoming your own issues -such as anxiety and overwhelming feelings – can give you great insight into the suffering of others.
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Further Reading
Mars in Astrology
Sara Shipman | Real Life Astrology: Planets Signs and Houses
Sara Shipman | Real Life Astrology: The Planets in Signs
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