Mars in astrology
Mars is in Leo today. Its next retrograde begins on 10 January 2027.
- Cycle
- About 687 days round the Sun
- Time in a sign
- Usually 6 to 7 weeks, longer around a retrograde
- Rules
- Aries, and Scorpio in the traditional scheme
- Turns retrograde
- Yes
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, the red planet. It circles the Sun in about 687 days, close to two years, and spends about six to seven weeks in a sign, longer around a retrograde.
In tradition Mars stands for energy, drive, assertion and conflict. The traditional keywords are courage, action, competition and anger, and it is the planet of starting things. It rules Aries and, in the traditional scheme, Scorpio. Mars turns retrograde about every 26 months and stays retrograde for roughly two months, so its retrograde is much rarer than Mercury's.
A retrograde of Mars is centred on its opposition to the Sun, when the Earth overtakes it. Astrologers who use retrogrades often read them as a time to revisit the planet's themes; that is a tradition of interpretation, not a measured effect.
Mars is red because of the iron oxide in its soil, and ancient observers linked that colour with fire and conflict, themes that stayed with the planet in tradition.
Mars through the signs
- Mars in Aries
- Mars in Aries, its own sign, is read as drive in its purest form: fast, direct and competitive, with anger that flares and clears quickly.
- Mars in Taurus
- Mars in Taurus is read as slow, steady force: hard to start and hard to stop, with patience as the weapon and a temper that is rare but memorable.
- Mars in Gemini
- Mars in Gemini is read as energy in the mind and the mouth: quick arguments, many projects at once, and a restlessness that needs variety.
- Mars in Cancer
- Mars in Cancer is read as indirect drive: action in defence of home and people, anger shown sideways, and great persistence once something is personal.
- Mars in Leo
- Mars in Leo is read as energy with pride: wholehearted effort, a flair for the dramatic, and anger when dignity is touched.
- Mars in Virgo
- Mars in Virgo is read as drive turned to craft: energy spent on getting it right, irritation at carelessness, and work as the favourite outlet.
- Mars in Libra
- Mars in Libra is read as drive that seeks agreement: energy for partnership and fairness, difficulty with open conflict, and anger that arrives late and polite.
- Mars in Scorpio
- Mars in Scorpio is read as controlled intensity: patience in pursuit, a strategic streak, and anger that runs cold rather than hot.
- Mars in Sagittarius
- Mars in Sagittarius is read as energy that needs a horizon: enthusiasm for the next thing, bluntness in a fight, and a dislike of pointless rules.
- Mars in Capricorn
- Mars in Capricorn is read as disciplined drive: effort paced over years, ambition with a plan, and anger expressed as cold efficiency.
- Mars in Aquarius
- Mars in Aquarius is read as drive for a cause: energy for ideas, friends and reform, with a contrary streak when told how to do it.
- Mars in Pisces
- Mars in Pisces is read as drive that comes and goes: energy that follows inspiration and mood, a dislike of direct confrontation, and strength in compassion.
Mars through the houses
- Mars in the first house
- Mars in the first house is read as energy in the body: a forceful presence, quick reactions, and a readiness to lead or to argue.
- Mars in the second house
- Mars in the second house is read as drive for security: energy spent on earning and building, and a fierce hold on what is one's own.
- Mars in the third house
- Mars in the third house is read as a quick tongue: sharp debate, fast decisions, and energy in writing, errands and the near world.
- Mars in the fourth house
- Mars in the fourth house is read as energy at home: a busy household, defence of family, and a temper that shows most in private.
- Mars in the fifth house
- Mars in the fifth house is read as drive for play: competitive sport, passionate romance, and creative energy that needs an outlet.
- Mars in the sixth house
- Mars in the sixth house is read as drive at work: energy for the daily task, impatience with inefficiency, and a body that needs to move.
- Mars in the seventh house
- Mars in the seventh house is read as energy in partnership: attraction to strong partners, open disagreement, and heat in close relationships.
- Mars in the eighth house
- Mars in the eighth house is read as intensity under the surface: drive in shared resources and intimacy, and strength in a crisis.
- Mars in the ninth house
- Mars in the ninth house is read as energy for the horizon: travel, study and belief pursued with force, and arguments about ideas.
- Mars in the tenth house
- Mars in the tenth house is read as ambition in action: drive for position and achievement, and a public manner that is direct.
- Mars in the eleventh house
- Mars in the eleventh house is read as energy for the group: drive in friendships, causes and teams, and a fighter for shared goals.
- Mars in the twelfth house
- Mars in the twelfth house is read as hidden drive: energy that works behind the scenes, anger kept private, and strength found in solitude.
Astrology is a tradition of interpretation. What is written here is traditional, offered for reflection and entertainment, not advice and not a prediction.