Take a good look at your Mars.
Our interactions with others are as different as we are—different relationships, different styles. If you’re looking for insight as to why you respond to others in the ways that you do, there are several factors you can examine in your astrological chart. if you want to take a good look at how you act on your aggressive instincts, you need to look at your Mars. This personal planet is the trigger that sets off your reactions (heated or not) to people in oftentimes stressful situations.
Mars and Your Reactive Style
The fiery red planet in our charts makes its mark on us at the moment of our birth; Mars governs our reactions. Mars is connected to your drive (sex drive included!), how you respond to people and events, how you react when interrogated.
Your ability to speak up and out can have both positive and negative impacts on your relationships. Some of us are naturally aggressive, or more straight-forward. These are the people who put themselves out there and speak their minds. Others wish they were a little more outspoken, or that their voice would be heard a bit more.
When interrogated, some of us do quite a good job with witty comebacks and a calm demeanor. This type manages to stay calm, cool, and collected, even in the most heated conversation. On the other end of the spectrum, some peoples’ aggressions operate in a less satisfying—and more heated—way. If you fall into this category, you could benefit from exploring how your reactive side works, and how to tame your Mars.
Diving in, and seeing how Mars is operating in your chart, can be an insightful exercise. Perhaps you react too quickly, neglecting to think about things before taking action. Or maybe you do react, but just not quickly enough to get your desired results. Alternatively, you could be the type that sits quietly when interrogated, letting your anger stir and build dangerously inside.
By looking at the house your Mars is living in, as well as the combinations he makes to other planets, you can gain some key insight as to how that thing you do is operating. Mars’ energy can be amplified or restricted by the planets touching him through the various aspects. For example, Saturn can slow him down or challenge him, sometimes in particularly difficult ways. Uranus can make him act crazy in a sporadic way. Venus can sugar-coat his aggression. And Jupiter can make him want to accomplish BIG things.
You can also explore the sign your Mars is living in. Note that there are pros and cons to every placement.
Mars in Fire
Mars is a fiery planet after all, so Mars works well (for the most part) in Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius because these signs put themselves out there and have a lot of Mars-type verve and spunk. The element of fire is all about action. If Mars is living in it well, then he’s always going to have a quick reaction, if prompted. A fiery Mars can sometimes act a little too aggressively; this can be both a positive and a challenge. Perhaps you’re quick with a comeback, but it may come out a little too rough around the edges and irk the person with whom you’re interacting.
Mars in Water
Here, Mars can skew Water signs’ vivacious energy into a pool of emotions. Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are known to get caught up in their feelings. Unfortunately, mixing our emotions with our aggressions can get dangerous. If you have Mars in one of the watery trio, or know somebody with him living in the water element … watch out! These types will nearly always get their emotions mixed up in how they react. An emotional reaction can sometimes be the most severe—and in the case of a Scorpio, Mars could likely feel the Scorpio’s sting in a painful way!
Mars in Earth
These determined individuals (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn) rarely put up a fuss … unless you start messing with their methodical ways. If you disrupt their system, they might get stirred to the point of calling you out on it—even if it takes some time to draw them out. Don’t be fooled by their seeming passivity though, particularly in the case of Mars in Capricorn, which packs a powerful punch. Under no circumstance should you mess with their need to stay in control! The Earth signs’ determination will prompt them to get ahead, even if it may take them longer than other signs … yes Mars in Taurus, I’m talking to you!
Mars in Air
There can be a ton of verve and get-up and go if Mars is operating in this element. However, the action of this Mars type operates on a more intellectual level. The Air signs (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius) can have an interesting effect on our aggressive side—thinking fighters who pause before reacting. This can be beneficial for the thinker; however, it can heat up the person at the other end of the conversation, who waits impatiently for a response.
Libra will likely weigh the pros and cons of everything and Gemini shoots a million different thoughts out at any given moment. An Aquarian Mars holds up a sign that says, “I fight for the people.” He’s the one that is always prompted to react for a worthwhile cause. His type of action is an independent one—perhaps even radical at times.
Manning Up To Your Mars
Wherever you find your Mars, it’s an interesting exercise to really take a look at your aggressive side. Examining a partners’ Mars can be revelatory as well; comparing your reactive sides can explain a lot about how you act—and react—within your relationship. The insight comes when we see our Mars and acknowledge the reasons behind the actions we take.
No matter what we do, our planet of aggression and action will always live in the same place. But how we choose to wield his power is up to us. Looking at where Mars is can help you get better in tune with your reactions—and help you make the most out of your relationships.
How does Mars impact your relationships? Let us know in comments below.
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