Let’s get turned on and fired up folks.
We’re talking about Mars, the planet of war and will, desire and drive, f-king and fighting, getting it on and getting it done.
When it comes to understanding how we express our sexuality and assert our power, we look to the placement of mighty Mars in our birth charts.
Mars is the jock strap planet of action and represents an essential point in the constellation of energies that determine relationship compatibility. Understanding Mars helps us understand how passion and power are held and released. Think: fight or flight. Active or passive. To jump or to wait.
Named for the god of war, Mars is our planet of will, getting it done and getting it on, if you will.
The planetary ruler of hot-headed Aries and intense AF Scorpio, Mars also rules blood and our sense of vitality.
Mars takes roughly two years to go around the Sun, spending about two months in each zodiac sign. Mars retrograde cycles are marked by a kind of inertia that calls us to reconsider desire and how we drive toward and are driven by it.
To find your Mars sign, you’ll need your birth chart. Use a generator like this one. The Mars symbol, pictured above, resembles a circle with a phallic arrow extending out of the top right quadrant.
Read about your Mars sign and find out what it means for you!
MARS IN ARIES
Mars in Aries is among the strongest placements for the red planet! Mars is the natural ruler of Aries, meaning it is at home or “domicile” in this zodiac sign.
People with this energy are unafraid to take action, but that boldness can border on recklessness. They tend to favor an act first, assess later approach.
Their tempers and libidos are easily ignited and run on high octane, though their proverbial fire dissipates quickly when given a proper outlet for release.
MARS IN TAURUS
Mars in Taurus is a unique place to have the red planet, as it is in a slightly weakened state known as “detriment.” These individuals take action and express their sex drive in a refined and practical way. People with this placement are slow, steady, and ultimately unstoppable in their approach.
Usually slow to anger, their patience is admirable. However, once frustrated, they will dig in their heels and become absolutely obstinate and adamant about what they want. In terms of sex, these individuals prioritize gradual sensuality over the quick hit of adrenaline. They prefer to take their time, live in the embodied moment, and choose consistency over casual dalliances.
Translation: missionary on the kitchen counter with a steady partner over doggy style in the airport bathroom with a stranger.
MARS IN GEMINI
Mars in Gemini is a highly intellectual and communicative placement for the planet. Individuals with this Mars sign are extremely focused on logic, discourse, connection and s–t talking.
When it comes to conflict, they will use their words as weapons. Quickly bored, people with this energy are highly social and prefer spontaneity over stasis. Natural hype men, these folks possess a true enthusiasm for the game of life.
When it comes to sex, Mars in Gemini thrives on dirty talk, sexting, taboo trysts, and explicit fantasies.
MARS IN CANCER
Mars in Cancer is a unique placement for our red planet to roam because it is in a weakened state known as its “fall.” That doesn’t mean it’s a negative place for it to exist — only that the planet must exhibit its energy in an unfamiliar way.
Those with this placement are often highly sensitive and easily activated, opting to react rather than respond to upset. Emotional connection is a top priority and they often express the need to be a caretaker or nurture those around them.
Regarding conflict, Mars in Cancer is prone to stew, deny, and employ passive-aggressive tactics rather than directly confront anyone or anything. Looking for the transcendent over the transactional, they require an emotional connection to be sexually satisfied.
MARS IN LEO
Mars in Leo is big-time child star energy — eager to express, entertain, and be celebrated for achievements both large and negligible. They are charismatic and driven and aim high both personally and professionally.
In conflict, these people can be quite fierce, unleashing ample roar and rage — especially if their ego has been activated. They hold onto grudges with Shakespearean flare. When it comes to sex, they are playful exhibitionists who demand sweeping romance and absolute decadence.
MARS IN VIRGO
Mars in Virgo grants someone a strong work ethic and a goal-oriented nature. They tend to be highly analytical and able to manage many projects and people at once. Excellent planners and organizers, they hold productivity and efficacy in holy light. Their style of communication and approach to sex is similarly restrained, favoring cool heads over hot blood.
When frustrated, they are highly critical and can exhibit a punishing perfectionist streak that is most detrimental when applied inward. People with this placement can be very service-oriented, eager to aid others and please. When it comes to sex, they are often slower to interact and prefer a sensual unfolding over a short fit of passion.
MARS IN LIBRA
Mars in Libra is a unique area for our red planet as its fiery energy is in detriment,” meaning that Mars’s direct and effectual tactless nature is expressed more passively. People with this Mars placement tend to favor harmony, peace, equanimity, and justice over personal victory. They are passionate about partnerships and tend to have a key person they’re working with, partnered to, or otherwise aligned with.
In conflict, these people lean hard on gentle manipulation and passive-aggressive tendencies and struggle to acknowledge or articulate difficult feelings. When it comes to sex, they like it light-hearted and sweet and prefer to be led rather than lead.
MARS IN SCORPIO
Mars in Scorpio is a powerful placement for our red planet because Mars is the ancient ruler of Scorpio, meaning the jock planet it right at home in the deep swamp of this fixed water sign. Mars in Scorpio lends a cunning and intense nature. Regarding desire, they take no prisoners and know no bounds.
These individuals are power-hungry with extremely high libidos. Their perseverance sets them apart personally and professionally. Scorpio is an extreme placement for Mars, and in conflict, these natives view people as enemies or allies with little room for nuance. When it comes to sex, these individuals are all-or-nothing and crave intimacy and the union of mind, soul, and body.
MARS IN SAGITTARIUS
Mars in Sagittarius people are natural sojourners. Born hungry for experience, they are innately averse to cages, real or relational. They have a “go big or go home” mentality and become bored and agitated if they are in the same physical or mental place for too long. Their restlessness translates to ceaseless seeking of new ideas, opportunities, and people.
When it comes to conflict, these individuals can be aggressive and impulsive — especially if they feel constrained. As for sex, they are passionate and spontaneous and crave the new and novel.
MARS IN CAPRICORN
Mars in Capricorn is a very powerful place for the red planet, as Mars is “exalted” in this zodiac sign. This means that the ambitious, strategic, and driven energies of Mars can be harnessed to ultimate effect. Mars in Cap folks tend to be hardworking and keep an eye on the long game.
When it comes to conflict, they are cunning and practical, understanding that drama and outrage are wasteful unless they serve the agenda of victory. Sexually speaking, this is a Mars sign with a considerable carnal appetite that requires consistent, athletic sex and guaranteed gains.
MARS IN AQUARIUS
Mars in Aquarius folk have a quirky and eccentric air. Highly idealistic, they put a considerable amount of energy into individual goals and the elevation of group dynamics.
Progressive and communicative, they can be quite contrarian, deliberately opposing the narrative of mainstream philosophy in favor of going against the grain. Aquarius is a fixed sign, and these natives are notoriously inflexible.
Mars in Aquarius lives for a rousing debate and will rally others to their cause. When it comes to sex, they favor experimental interactions and can be open to more unique connections and unconventional romantic relationships.
MARS IN PISCES
Mars in Pisces lends people keen intuition and a sensitive nature. This ilk tends to be more fluid, and they trust their intuition over their intellect when pursuing goals or sex. They also tend to be quite creative and romantic people, eager to express themselves and find connection with a diverse pool (pun intended) of people.
They can be profoundly receptive and know how to heal others. In conflict, these individuals do not face or express anger directly, choosing to suppress rather than acknowledge or process their pain. That unresolved energy can transmute into anxiety or despair. Sex is medicine to the Mars in Pisces native, and they may view the act itself as a means to escape and their partners as the tools for transcendence.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the star
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.
Kyle Thomas is a globally recognized pop culture astrologer who has been featured in “Access Hollywood,” E! Entertainment, NBC & ABC television, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Hulu, Bustle, Elite Daily, Marie Claire and more. He is known for his cosmic guidance for celebrities, business executives and prominent influencers. His work harnesses the power of the stars in regards to entertainment lifestyle and trends affecting people worldwide. For more information, visit KyleThomasAstrology.com.
