Mars: The Worldly Fire

Welcome to our exploration of Mars, the fiery and masculine planet that plays a pivotal role in shaping our personalities, career choices, and overall approach to life. In this blog, we delve into the astronomical characteristics, elemental associations, and astrological significance of Mars. From his retrograde cycles to his influence on our ambitions and energy levels, Mars offers a fascinating glimpse into the dynamic and energetic nature that drives us. Join us as we uncover the traits, professions, and ethical principles associated with Mars, and learn how this celestial general impacts our lives in profound ways. Whether Mars is strong or weak in your chart, understanding his influence can provide valuable insights into your personal journey and the challenges you may face. Let's embark on this cosmic adventure together and discover the fiery essence of Mars!

Astronomical Characteristics:

Mars is the first planet who orbits further from the Sun than the Earth. While the earth takes 364 days to

orbit the Sun, Mars completes one orbit on the Sun in 687 Earth days. Mars also has a retrograde cycle every 26 Earth months and stays retrograde for 58 to 81 Earth days. The infrequency of the retrogrades may be connected to Mars' quality to always forge ahead. This can also indicate that he can be inflexible. His retrograde cycle is an important point of study in Astrology as his energy is considered more intense when he is moving in a retrograde motion.  

Element: Fire

Mars, The Celestial General

Like the Sun, Mars is associated with the element of fire. While the Sun is a pure cosmic fire with no smoke, Mars is a terrestrial fire which manifests in various forms such as flames, embers, molten rock, lava, lightning, electricity, and even steam. Both fires generate heat which gives a clue to the impact fire has on the emotional level, indicating passion, anger and willingness to engage in conflict.  In our lives, fire gives the native a dynamic and energetic nature. Areas of the chart influenced by Mars as well as signs and houses ruled by Mars are frequently associated with areas of action, ambition, and the ability to achieve in the life of the native.

Gender: Masculine (Extroverted)

Mars is a masculine (extroverted) planet characterized by his tendency to feel the need to act first and think later. Often, he needs to speak in order to identify how he feels. When you meet him, you will note his bright, active, and outgoing nature. These individuals often appear powerful, commanding, and able to shoulder responsibility in areas related to the houses and signs that Mars rules and aspects. Mars is ready to take on challenges and even Karmic debts and will easily engage in a quick skirmish but he may not have the energy for a long campaign to root out deep-seated character traits, etc.

Guna: Tamas

The Guna indicates the primary motivation of the planet. Mars is a Tamasic planet, characterized by inertia, darkness, and a materialistic nature. Tamas resonates with the physical structure of the world. The Tamasic quality differentiates Mars’ inconstant fire compared to the Sun’s eternal sattvic fire. Tamasic fire can be characterized by violence, disreputable actions, anger, grudges, vendettas and the desire for real world impact and change. He seeks material results and values material rewards.

Personality Traits

It should be noted that Mars is characterized as the General in the celestial army, this indicates that he has a talent for strategy, leadership, and combat. The General is focused on real world results which often change the direction of the country. Mars must be versed in both defense and offense to carry out his slate of duties. In either case, he must deliver results to the King or the Board of Directors. His tamasic nature indicates that when things do not go well, he can fall prey to using adharmic (unjust) means, prejudice and develop lasting rivalry in order to "win at any cost". If Mars is aspected by benefic planets these tendencies can be mitigated.

Common Professions

In Jyotish literature, Mars is associated with professions that require physical strength, courage, strategic thinking, and leadership. Common professions influenced by Mars include the military, athletes and coaches, engineering, law enforcement, surgeons, EMTs and Emergency Room professionals, butchers, leadership roles in all areas, and other professions that demand physical strength and bravery.

These professions align with the dynamic and energetic nature of Mars, reflecting his influence on individuals who are action-oriented, ambitious, and driven to achieve their goals quickly. Mars endows individuals with qualities such as ambition, action, and energy, making them powerful and able to shoulder responsibility in areas related to the houses and signs that Mars rules.

These individuals are often seen in leadership roles and are unafraid of facing difficult situations. However, if Mars is weak or adversely placed, it can lead to anger, restlessness, and even violence.

Putting it all together

When Mars is well placed in the chart, the native is guided by the ethics of a noble warrior. Mars is capable of action and strategy and is conscious to limit collateral damage. Strong Mars will take time to clarify the goals and objectives before acting. He will develop multiple approaches to conflict including negotiation and non-violent communication as well as an escalating set of consequences to limit the long-term damage to their followers as well as those who oppose them. Mars will look for the middle path of ethical compromise.

Strong Mars will embrace:

• Honesty: The quality of being truthful, sincere, and free from deceit or fraud.

• Loyalty: A strong feeling of support, allegiance, and commitment to someone or something.

• Fidelity: Faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support.

• Honor: High respect, esteem, and adherence to ethical principles and moral integrity

• Integrity: Staying true to one's principles and moral values.

• Trustworthiness: Being reliable and deserving of trust.

• Respect: Treating others with dignity and consideration.

• Responsibility: Owning one's actions and commitments.

• Courage: Standing up for what is right, even in difficult circumstances.

• Self-discipline: Maintaining control over one's actions and impulses.

When Mars is in a weak sign and house and receives many malefic aspects, the native is prone to exhibit the negative energy associated with Mars in the areas of the chart where Mars has influence. He will act impulsively and not be able to follow-through until a situation is resolved. At the same time, once he has selected a path of action he is unlikely to take time to re-think the plan or alter the strategy.

Weak Mars may embrace:

• Dishonesty: The quality of being deceitful, insincere, and fraudulent.

• Disloyalty: A lack of support, allegiance, and commitment to someone or something.

• Infidelity: Unfaithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by a lack of loyalty and support.

• Dishonor: Low respect, esteem, and a lack of adherence to ethical principles and moral integrity.

• Lack of Integrity: Not staying true to one's principles and moral values.

• Disrespect: Treating others without dignity and consideration.

• Irresponsibility: Not owning one's actions and commitments.

• Lack of Compassion: Showing unkindness and a lack of understanding toward others.

• Cowardice: Not standing up for what is right, especially in difficult circumstances.

• Lack of Self-discipline: Failing to maintain control over one's actions and impulses.

Summary

Mars, being a fiery and masculine planet, imbues individuals with a strong sense of action, ambition, and energy. When Mars is strong in a person's chart, they are likely to be highly motivated and capable of achieving their goals. They may excel in professions that require physical strength, courage, and leadership, such as the military, sports, or leadership roles. These individuals often shine brightly and are successful in gaining worldly success which makes them influential.

On the other hand, when Mars is weak, individuals may struggle with achieving their goals and may lack the necessary energy and drive. They might find it challenging to connect to their talents and may not be as successful in their endeavors.

In everyday life, the influence of Mars can manifest in various ways. A strong Mars can lead to a dynamic and passionate personality, always ready to take on challenges and pursue ambitions. These individuals are often seen as leaders and are admired for their ability to achieve and inspire others. Conversely, a weak Mars may result in difficulties maintaining motivation and an inability to assess results and adjust future actions.

Overall, Mars plays a crucial role in shaping an individual's personality, career choices, and overall approach to life, making him an essential factor in astrological analysis.