In Roman mythology, Mars is the god of war. In astrology, Mars represents action, our motivation, aggression, self-assertion, passions, and sex drive. Also known as the "Red Planet" because of the planet's reddish color, Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. Transiting Mars visiting natal houses triggers where, in our life, action is imminent. Mars retrogrades approximately every 26 months.

How does Mars' transits influence us? Look to the natal house/s ruled by Aries and Scorpio (both zodiac signs are governed by the planet Mars) as well as the zodiac sign Mars is currently transiting to determine where Mars' transit might manifest in your life. Match the zodiac signs with the house cusps on your birth chart. Use the list of zodiac signs below to identify the zodiac signs Aries, Scorpio, and sign Mars is currently transiting on your birth chart.



If you don't have your birth chart, you may use your Sun and your Rising signs, if you know it.

For example, if you are a Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising and Mars is in Gemini. Begin with Pisces occupying the first house then move down the zodiac until you reach Gemini (Pisces-1st house; Aries-2nd House; Taurus-3rd House; Gemini-4th House). So, for those with a Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising, Mars in Gemini falls in fourth house. Scroll down to the Fourth House to find out the themes of that house and how/where in your life this transit might influence.* Follow the same steps to match the house ruled by Scorpio and zodiac sign Mars is currently transiting.

Alternatively, you may cast your own birth chart by clicking here (opens a new window) for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required. Schedule a session or request a quote for your Mars Return reading.

What significance do planets, signs, and houses have in astrology? Planets have the function, the job to do. The style/manner they will use get that job done is defined by the zodiac sign they occupy. Where in our life the job gets done is determined by the house the planet occupies/transits. So, when Mars (aggression) is in Aries (bold), he is more assertive than when he is in Cancer (sensitive). When traveling through the 10th house (professional life), he may bring his confidence and motivation in matters relating to our career. While in the 11th house (friendships), we may be more inclined to having our social calendar packed with activities. Having the foresight for what may be coming up or receiving confirmation on what may be happening now are ways astrology can be beneficial ... as above, so below.

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Transiting Mars in the First House ~ The first house is the house of the self, our self-image, our being, our potential. Mars transiting the first house bestows confidence in your actions, decisiveness in each step you take, assertiveness in your interactions, and boldness in your personality. This is a great time to get things done! No more procrastinating. No more excuses. Go boldly where you have been wanting to go. Do what you've dreamed of doing. Hold your head high and be counted. Your mojo is at its peak! The only thing to watch out for is Mars' negative traits -- temperamental, brash, brusque, hostile. So, be assertive, not aggressive. Be bold, but not a brute. Make your own path, but don't bulldoze your way into it. Be a boss, but not bossy.

Transiting Mars in the Second House ~ The second house represents our material possessions, income, value system, and self-worth. Finances, income, property value, or buying home furnishings may dominate decision-making, actions, and interactions. This is a great period to increase income -- seeking something supplemental or negotiating a raise or asking for a promotion or aggressively looking for a job. If times are lean, be mindful of money-related arguments. Depending on the sign Mars is transiting, watch out for overspending/impulse buying, tempers being incited quicker, stubbornness reaching new heights, or deeply buried anger finally exploding as it is expressed.

Transiting Mars in the Third House ~ The third house represents all manners of communication, commerce, writing, speaking, thinking, planning, and ideas. Mars' transit in the third house brings action and movement to our words and thoughts. Get those emails/letters written and sent. For writers, bloggers, and poets out there, there's no better cure for writer's block that shoving Mars in the house of thought and communication. The zodiac sign Mars is transiting determines the flow of creativity, brilliant ideas, breakthrough concepts, and perhaps the "tone" of the work produced. The third house also governs siblings (biological or otherwise), watch out for possible sibling rivalry creeping in during this transit. Arguments may be rooted at a deeper level than what the disagreement may be about, especially for those with already volatile sibling relationships. In the third house, Mars' choice of weapon are words and will battle through debates.

Transiting Mars in the Fourth House ~ Mars transiting through the fourth house might focus our energy, aggression, or self-assertion toward present or recurring issues involving the family, our home (buying/selling a house, moving, re-financing, re-decorating, remodeling, etc.), or our private life. Sons and daughters (child or adult) everywhere may find themselves asserting their will, worth, and presence toward parents during this transit. Family ties already on the rocks may find this period more frustrating, as tensions might not let up. A productive way to use this energy is to get things done around the house, especially projects that you may have been putting off for a while. Depending on the sign Mars is transiting, this could be a time where family ties can be strengthened by working together as one unit.

Transiting Mars in the Fifth House ~ Ahhh, Mars in the fun house. Woo hoo! Self-expression, creative projects, love and romance, fun, playfulness, and children are all governed by the fifth house. If you've been too busy with work, obligations, life, Mars urges you now to MAKE time for enjoyment and pleasure. Stop and smell the roses. Romance may blossom into love. Play with your children. Take them to the zoo, show them how to play ball, or plan a group day trip with other parents and their children. For you artists and creative types out there, this is a great time to pour a lot of energy into creative projects. Great period for sports but for those who are naturally clumsy, be extra careful of injuries or falls.

Transiting Mars in the Sixth House ~ Mars is busy, busy, busy with busy work -- chores, daily routines, and meticulous tasks. The sixth house governs physical health, busy work, service, comfort in routines, and finding order in the details. This is a great time to start and establish an exercise routine. If you're not the gym type, find other interests that get you physically moving and burning calories. Intent, determination, and consistency are key to making this Mars transit work for you. The sixth house is also a service house and is ideal for activities like volunteering.

Transiting Mars in the Seventh House ~ Partnerships (business or otherwise), marriages, committed relationships, and known enemies are all governed by the seventh house. Mars transiting the seventh house may pose challenges in already problematic relationships. Arguments may be inevitable. The seventh house also rules "known enemies," and they may just make an appearance for a bout during this transit. Depending on the sign Mars is transiting, this period can be constructive (as cards are laid out on the table, opening up an avenue for discussion) or unproductive (if the parties involved cannot get past the anger to see objectively). A productive way to exert this Martian energy is to participate in group or partnered activities. Mars in air signs may bring a more social period for this house.

Transiting Mars in the Eighth House ~ Although the eighth house is multi-faceted and multi-layered, Mars' transit to this house generally manifests through the physical realm -- sex and shared resources/finances. Transiting Mars in the eighth house is impulsive and sexual desires may increase, as well as overspending. Be aware of your own intent and actions as possessiveness is a side effect of this transit. The eighth house also represents endings so, a dissolution of something or of some kind may also occur during this transit.

Transiting Mars in the Ninth House ~ Travel? Adventure? Adventure travel?! The ninth house governs personal growth (spiritual or otherwise) through higher education, experience, travel, and cultural influences. The urge to travel or maybe even relocate may arise during this period. Any desire for continuing or higher education may increase now. Debates/arguments over belief systems -- religious, spiritual, political -- may dominate conversations/discussions. The ninth house also represents legal matters and situations requiring legal attention or decisions may need to be dealt with now. If the ninth house is natally afflicted and/or transiting Mars form challenging alignments in this house, the outcome may not be favorable.

Transiting Mars in the Tenth House ~ Focus on professional pursuits and long-term goals might take center stage with this transit, as well as establishing or re-establishing your public reputation. This is a great time to make strides towards career goals, including a career change or launching new business projects. Mars is aggression as well as assertion so, be careful not to start any fights or be caught in conflict with authority figures.

Transiting Mars in the Eleventh House ~ This is a good, good time for some good times. Transit in the eleventh house bring the Martian energy in your friendships and associations. This is ideal for networking, making contacts (business or personal), meeting new types of friends/people, and social affairs, in general. If transiting Mars form unfavorable aspects in a chart, fighting with friends might be expected.

Transiting Mars in the Twelfth House ~ Mars takes a little rest here. Who needs to exert all that physical energy anyway? :) This the house of the subconscious, solitude, spiritual consciousness, secrets (ours and those kept from us), hidden enemies, and represents institutions like hospitals and prisons. A twelfth house transit is generally a difficult one, especially for someone who is not in tune with the spiritual plane. Secrets may be revealed, including enemies you didn't know you had. Things long forgotten or memories buried intentionally may surface and demand to be dealt with. Some "alone" time may be required now so we can reflect upon what it is we truly want and want to work towards. In a few weeks, Mars will enter your first house. All that's transpired and all that you've learned while he was in the twelfth house will get a chance to be expressed in your tangible world.