If the Sun is your light, Mars is your engine. It tells you how you go after what you want and how you defend what is yours.
Mars by sign
Fire-sign Mars (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) acts first and explains later. Earth-sign Mars (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) is patient and strategic. Air-sign Mars (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) fights with words and ideas. Water-sign Mars (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) acts indirectly — moods become weapons.
Mars by house
The house of your Mars shows the arena. 1st house: the body. 6th: work and routines. 7th: partners. 10th: career. Conflict and ambition show up loudest there.
Mars retrograde
Roughly every two years Mars goes retrograde and you should not start fights, surgeries or major launches you cannot reverse. See our 2026 retrograde calendar.
Working with your Mars
Find your Mars in your natal chart. Give it the workout, the project or the cause it asks for — or it will turn inward as anger and burnout.
