Mars: From a Mythological and Symbolic Perspective
As I’ve been on my astrology journey, one of the ways I’ve connected to the planets has been through their mythological and archetypal correspondences, accompanied by the symbolism astrologers use to describe what the planets signify.
With that in mind, this series of posts about the different parts of astrology, where I’ll cover the luminaries and each of the planets in our solar system (including Pluto), I’ll write about their mythology, archetypes, and some general symbolism, including my own observations.
In this post, I will focus on Mars.
[I will add to this post when I broaden my knowledge of myths, deepen my knowledge of the planets, and make new observations concerning them.]
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The Mythology of Mars
Ares
In Greek mythology, Ares (also known as Mars in Roman mythology) was the son of Zeus and Hera. He became the “god of war and, as such, was associated with the violence of war, bloodlust, panic, and the screams of the dying” (Giesecke 2020).
Edith Hamilton wrote that Homer called Ares “murderous, bloodstained, the incarnate curse of mortals; and, strangely, a coward, too, who bellows with pain and runs away when he is wounded. Yet he has a train of attendants on the battlefield which should inspire anyone with confidence” (Hamilton 1942). The Romans, however, according to Hamilton, liked Mars, the Roman equivalent of Ares “better than the Greeks liked Ares. He never was to them the mean whining deity of the Iliad, but magnificent in shining armor, redoubtable, invincible” (Hamilton 1942). She also notes that Ares is little more than a symbol of war. He is not a distinct personality, like Hermes or Hera or Apollo” (Hamilton 1942).
Interestingly, both Ares and Athena (daughter of Zeus and Metis) were associated with war. However, where Athena’s association lay in the intelligent art of war–like the strategy, planning, and tactics of war (her mother was a goddess of wisdom after all)–Ares’s associations were all forms of fighting, like battles and combat, as well as the violence, conquest, force, and aggression of it all.
He is also known for being Aphrodite’s lover and fathering, among others, Eros (known to the Romans as Cupid or Amor), which is an interesting combination of love and war, pleasure and pain, Venus and Mars, to create the god of love and sex.
The Symbolism of Mars
Fast Facts
Keywords: Physical energy, capacity for action, how we act, initiative, courage and daring, competition, survival, strength, anger, conflict, aggression, fighting spirit, vitality, sexual drive, sexuality
Domicile: Aries & Scorpio
Detriment: Libra & Taurus
Exaltation: Capricorn
Fall/Depression: Cancer
Energy: Yang
Anatomy: Head and face, adrenal glands, external reproductive organs, muscles
Number: 9
Day of the Week: Tuesday
Colors: Red
Metal: Iron
Stones: Garnet, ruby, and jasper
Plants: Cedar and holly
Joy in the 6th House of Bad Fortune
Mars spends approximately forty days in each sign
Symbolism
Mars is a malefic planet that’s connected to war, violence, conflict, anger, and fiery impulses. It can be both something you partake in yourself, something that’s done to you, or something you work with (i.e., you might funnel your anger into activism, you might have a tendency to get pulled into bar fights, or you might work with domestic violence victims, etc.).
Mars also has a sharpness and cutting quality to it, so it can manifest as scars on the body, or perhaps you work with sharp tools, like a surgeon or barber.
Mars is also associated with energy and vitality, as well as desire, courage, determination, taking action, and decisiveness. As I mentioned in the section about Ares above, his union with Aphrodite resulted in the birth of Eros, the god of love and sex. In other words, there’s a need for both the energies of Venus and Mars in romantic relationships where love, companionship, desire, passion, sex, etc., are part of the relationship. Venus is the love, companionship, pleasure, and sweetness, while Mars is the courage, willpower, and decisiveness to take the first step and keep the relationship going. It’s difficult for one to fully function without the other.
Mars also “inspires us to feats of courage and heroism, each in our own unique style. Bravery can be shown in many ways - physical, mental, emotional, intellectual [...] Under the auspices of Mars comes life’s pioneers, conquerors, entrepreneurs, adventurers, and sportsmen; but we should not forget that, in small ways, we each show these qualities daily in our lives. Courage comes in many different forms, and we are all capable of great strength.” (Taylor, 2018, p. 71).
Richard Tarnas summarizes Mars’s correspondences and archetype in the following way in Cosmos and Psyche:
“the principle of energetic force; the impulse and capacity to assert, to act and move energetically and forcefully, to have an impact, to press forward and against, to defend and offend, to act with sharpness and ardor; the tendency to experience aggressiveness, anger, conflict, harm, violence, forceful physical energy; to be combative, competitive, courageous, vigorous; Ares, the god of war.” (Tarnas, 2006, ch. 3).
Wherever Mars is in the chart, it “suggests where and how you might be prepared to ‘go the extra mile’ to succeed.” (Taylor, 2018, p. 71).
In other words, Mars’s position “indicates the nature and strength of the way we act: whether we address challenges or avoid them; whether we work with or around what a confront us in life; whether we displayed courage and confidence, or an inclination to dissemble; whether we respond quickly or slow slowly, with or without considering our options.” (Gillett, 2012, p. 37).
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Sources
Brennan, Chris. The Astrology Podcast, episode 318: “Mars in Astrology: Meaning Explained” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QavCb5e4QPA), 2021-09-09.
Fry, Stephen. Mythos. Michael Joseph (Penguin Random House), 2017.
Giesecke, Annette. Classical Mythology A to Z. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 2020 (ebook).
Gillett, Roy. The Secret Language of Astrology: The Illustrated Key to Unlocking the Secrets of the Stars. London: Watkins Media Limited, 2012.
Kent, April Elliott. The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology: Everything from zodiac signs to prediction, made easy and entertaining. San Diego, California: Two Moon Publishing, 2023.
Hamilton, Edith. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 1942 (ebook).
Parker, Julia & Derek Parker. Parkers’ Astrology: The definitive guide to using astrology in every aspect of your life. London: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2020.
Ryberg, Kira. “Essential Dignity and Debility in Astrology” (https://www.kiraryberg.com/blog/essential-dignity-and-debility-in-astrology).
Tarnas, Richard. Cosmos and Psyche: Intimations of a New World View. Viking Penguin, 2006.
Taylor, Carole. Astrology: Using the wisdom of the stars in your everyday life. London: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2018.
