Mars

Mars is the planet of energy and action. It describes how you assert yourself, go after what you want, compete, defend your boundaries and express anger. It is your drive, and it shows whether you tend to charge ahead, hold back or wait for the right moment.

Cycle and speed

Mars orbits the Sun in about two years, spending around eight weeks in each sign on average. Roughly every 26 months it turns retrograde for about two and a half months, a time that often favours revising plans rather than launching new ones.

Rulership

Mars rules Aries, where it is direct, competitive and impulsive. Traditionally it also rules Scorpio, where its force is controlled, strategic and intense; many modern astrologers give Scorpio to Pluto but keep Mars as a co-ruler. Mars is exalted in Capricorn, where energy is disciplined and aimed at long-term goals. It is traditionally weaker in Libra and Taurus (its detriment) and in Cancer (its fall), where the push to act meets the wish for harmony, steadiness or emotional safety.

When it is strong

A healthy Mars feels like courage and clean decisiveness. You can say no, start things, and stand up for yourself without needing to dominate. Energy flows into work, exercise or creative projects.

When it is stressed

Strain can look like irritability, impatience, bursts of anger, recklessness or, the quieter version, suppressed frustration that comes out sideways. Physical outlets, clear boundaries and naming what you want early often help.

How to read it in your chart

• Sign: your style of action. Mars in Taurus is slow and persistent; in Gemini it is quick and scattered across many things; in Leo it is bold and proud.
• House: where you put the most energy and where you are most likely to meet competition or conflict.
• Aspects: Saturn can brake it, Jupiter can expand it and Venus can soften it.

Read Mars with your Sun and Moon to see whether your actions, identity and feelings pull the same way.