MARS IN THE TWELVE SIGNS

It is hardly necessary to emphasize the importance of the
planet Mars in every horoscope. As lord of Aries, the first sign,
he is the essential ruler of the 1st house in every horoscope.
In everyone he represents the will to be oneself, the impulse
towards individuality; he stresses the I am I principle. And
because every one of us is like a little islet constantly threatened
with destruction by a surrounding ocean of other individuals,
and of circumstances of all sorts, which beat against our puny
defences ceaselessly, Mars is a planet of resistance, of defence,
and occasionally of counter-attack and aggression, probably
because he feels instinctively that attack is sometimes the best
method of defence.

As a planet of defence he ought properly to be styled a
benefic planet, and indeed there is much to be said for this
view. It will generally be allowed, I am sure, that a well placed
Mars is a very excellent horoscopic feature. So conditioned he
gives bodily strength and physical daring, he usually bestows
a sound nervous system and diminishes the liability to fears,
rational or irrational, to worry, foreboding and anxiety -
conditions of tile mind that often render life a misery to the
unfortunate sufferer, who will not, or thinks he cannot, take
up arms against them. Mars is not perhaps a happy planet in
the sense that Venus and Jupiter are happy, but it enjoys life
thoroughly in its own way and if it encounters many a struggle
on its way and often suffers from accidents and the Martian
types of illness, it does not take these things much to heart
and is ready, as soon as it is on its feet again, to renew the
combat.

It is true that an afflicted Mars can cause much mischief;
and often- that kind of mischief that the native is himself
directly the cause of. But any heavily afflicted planet can do
as much in its own way. It is associated physically with pain
and with fever. One can usually gauge, from the strength of
Mars, how much the native will suffer in the way of actual
physical pain; if he is configured with the benefics, this will
probably not be very much, but if Saturn or Uranus be in
contact with him, then there may be much to endure. However,
we are not now concerned to discuss the aspects of Mars.

In one sense Mars is not an interesting planet to discuss
from any point of view, for he is the reverse of subtle and his
action is commonly plain for all to see and easy for all to
understand. Nevertheless, interesting conditions may arise in
connection with his sign positions, and with him as with other
planets the sign position must be understood as underlying all
the activities of the planet by each and every contact and by
house.

Wherever he be, we may picture Mars as saying, '"Here am
I and I am I, and neither anyone else nor anything else" : the
tone in which he makes this affirmation of selfhood will depend
upon sign and aspect, and fundamentally upon sign.

We must not forget that Mars rules Scorpio as well as Aries,
or at any rate has great affinity with Scorpio. I suppose I must
admit the possibility that he may be now in process of relin-
quishing his rulership over Scorpio in favour of Pluto, though
that is not my own view. At any rate, the position of Mars
often indicates to some extent the manner of death.

MARS IN ARIES. This is obviously a position of great energy
and self-will, with the possibility of egotism; it inclines to
impetuous action in obedience to the instincts rather than the
reason. Hence it is a good position for those who have to act
on the spur of the moment, in emergencies, when the reason
would not be able to operate and the instincts are the appro-
priate faculties to employ.

Such a position might lead to cruelty. Thus we find it in the
case of the German mass murderer Kuerten, whose map was
published some time ago in the Quarterly. It is a configuration
that wants its own way; and if its propensities are evil, then it
may indeed pursue them through a stream of blood. It is
probable that children with this position ought to be given a
proper outlet for its energies and peculiar proclivities; for, if
you try to force Mars in Aries to live in what the Scots call a
"douce" life then it will probably break away violently and
harm itself and others.

Self-Will is probably the chief fault of this combination, and
it is necessary that the native should learn to listen to others,
remembering that after all even he may be wrong sometimes,
and making sure that he has chosen the right path and the
right methods before he embarks on them. For, having once
set forth, he will persist and nothing will turn him aside.

MARS IN TAURUS. This would normally be supposed to be
an unfortunate emplacement for the native. It has certain
obvious dangers. For example, since the planet is here in the
2nd house from one of its signs and in the 7th from the other,
both money and partnerships may suffer. And indeed we
frequently find that this is so. Very often the native is indifferent
to money, or he may spend it recklessly; or earn freely and
lose his earnings. One must judge which will be the. probable
result from the general aspect of the horoscope. And as regards
marriage, there is often separation, as in Annie Besant's case
and that of Marconi, or none, as with Hitler.

As regards character, one might expect obstinacy from Mars
in Taurus, but it is "not the stubbornness of self-will of Mars-
Aries, nor is it so aggressive, nor has it the real strength of
that configuration, because of the essentially Venus nature of
Taurus.

In some respects it seems a good position, for many Mars-
Taurus people have been famous and popular.

It is a position of controversy.

MARS IN GEMINI. This seldom fails to bestow good and keen
mental powers, though they are more often polemic than not.
For example, writers who posssess this position rarely just
describe - they usually stand for a special point of view and
advocate it, or else attack others' opinions in their writings,
though by no means always wantonly or recklessly. Sometimes
their work involves criticism. There is a materialistic aspect to
the influence and a propensity to scepticism. Your Mars-Gemini
person is rarely what would be called a good "approver"; he
generally, finds it easier to find mistakes than to be helpfully
constructive. Sometimes there is even gloom and pessimism a
fate that often lies in wait for the over-destructive mind. It is
useless and even wrong to destroy anything unless one has
something better to offer in its place.

There is commonly a certain idealism in Mars-Gemini, but
its aims are direct and practical. It is a position that signifies
reform and readjustment.

There are of course various external conditions that commonly
accompany Mars in Gemini. For example, it is obviously likely
to occasion trouble through writings, correspondence, publica-
tions and so forth, and also sorrow through relatives, as in the
case of our present Queen, who lost a dearly loved brother in
the War. There may be risks in travelling and also trouble
with the senses, particularly the sight.

But as a general rule we shall find that sign position relates
in the main to temperament, and house position to external
affairs, although indeed to this rule there are plenty of
exceptions.

MARS IN CANCER. This is reputed to be a weak position, and,
I suppose, rather a cowardly one, but of this I find no evidence
in the cases before me. It is true that Cancer is a very sensitive
sign, but it also possesses great tenacity, and this is a quality
that goes quite well with the Mars principle. It seems to be a
position that often goes with a rather rebellious propensity,
and perhaps one might say with truth that it is an indiscreet
influence. The native appears often to give offence or to be
misunderstood and to incur disrepute and dislike, justly or
unjustly.

Perhaps one might say that it is a position that often leads
to the native "getting into hot water" about something; the
relations between the native and the public are apt not to run
very smoothly.

MARS IN LEO. Mars has much dignity in this fixed and fiery
sign. If we take the signs in the order of the bodies of the
solar system, omitting the earth, we shall see that Mars falls,
to Leo, and there seems to be something in this correlation.

Mars in Leo people seem as a rule to be physically and
emotionally vigorous (one must of course watch Saturn also,
and balance one against the other). They appear to enjoy life,
and one does not often hear of their "going under." One friend
of mine with this position (in the 10th) is never tired of saying
that "life is just one glorious adventure," and yet he has had
his share of troubles in the flesh! In fact the three people
among my acquaintance whom I should pick out as being
naturally happy, in a high-spirited way, all have Mars in
Leo - and also, by the way, Mercury - in good aspect to.
Venus.

Where this rule doesn't work one will usually find in the
remainder of the horoscope ample reason for the "failure of
current."

Strength of character is well marked in this position; it
yields the type of person who, without being stubborn, is
inflexible when necessary and cannot easily be put upon,
however good-natured he may be.

In fact the best of both the sign and planet is likely to
appear. Yes: one would like to be born with Mars in Leo!

One may call it a position symbolical of aristocracy.

MARS IN VIRGO. This position does not seem as. favourable
as the one. of which we have just spoken, and the reason is
fairly obvious. For the precise, careful Virgo can scarcely afford
a suitable vehicle for the robust Mars vibration, and, as a result,
we seem to find a good many cases of people with this sign
position who have suffered some sort of downfall, or at any
rate have had a good deal of unpopularity, though the mental
abilities often are excellent. Naturally a great deal must depend
upon the house. occupied, and, still more, the aspects received.

There appear to be certain areas in the sign which tend to a
rather "Napoleonic" manifestation - self-will, ruthlessness, and
so forth. Napoleon himself apparently had Mars in Virgo, and
also Henry VIII and Northcliffe, who modelled himself on
Napoleon.

Whilst freely admitting that there are exceptions to every
rule, and in astrology usually plenty of them, we may say that
it seems as if Mars is rather sick in Virgo, and, like many sick
things, inclines to be somewhat fractious!

MARS IN LIBRA. This has been likened to a spearhead wrapped
in cotton wool; which means, I suppose, that the thrust of
Mars in this sign is usually somewhat ineffective and threatens
more than it achieves. Certainly it is not a malicious position,
or one that perseveres in its likes and dislikes; my own
experience is that it is apt to grumble at people, but never
really wishes them harm - its bark is worse than its bite. Like
Hamlet, they find the world and the times out of joint, but
they are not really as unhappy about it as they appear to be.
Sometimes the revolutionary aspect degenerates into a sort
of moodiness or discontent.

It has a turn for science and literature, rather than for the
physical life. It is not, by itself, good for marriage and nearly
a1ways tends to a diversity of interests. Thus, though affection
may remain, the partners are likely to lead individual lives of
their own. Yet it seems better for marriage than Saturn in
Libra, because it is not restrictive and possessive.

Mars-Libra people are often precise, cut and dried and to
the point, wasting no words in flowery periods and metaphors.

In some cases Mars-Libra seems to be uxorious, and men
with this position are sometimes "run" by their wives, and
sometimes pampered by them to an unmanly extent.

MARS IN SCORPIO. Here the negative aspect of the planet
comes into its own, and a good deal of daring, physical courage,
and muscular strength commonly appear.

Mars in Scorpio is indeed attracted to death and dying, but
it has little fear of them; and natives who have been very near
to passing away have told me that they felt, absolutely no
concern at all at their condition.

Scorpio may symbolize bodily death or what is called the
mystical death, which is a dying to things of this world unto
the life of the Spirit; thus we find Mars-Scorpio often enough
in the nativities of those who followed the mystical life and
"die daily."

MARS IN SAGITTARIUS. I remember that at a meeting of the
Lodge some years ago Dr. Dickenson was asked about Mars in
Sagittarius, and she replied briefly, "Oh, it ought to be
pole-axed!"

Now I think that even those who are opposed to capital
punishment will realize what was meant by that remark. For
Mars in this sign is a harum-scarum person in many cases,
and when this is not so and the physical energies are com-
paratively low, perhaps because of an uncongenial ascendant,
there is often a certain whimsicality and waywardness of spirit
that makes the native rather undependable and capricious, so
that one cannot tell what it will do or say next. For Sagittarius
is a liberty-loving sign, and it puts no restraint on Mars, but
allows this planet to act as it pleases - "and then some."

I know two men with Mars actually rising in this sign, and
both are - or were (for one is dead) - excitable, hail-fellow-
well-met people, who announced their presence, wherever it
might be, with much noise and gusty shouts and laughter.
The lack of restraint came out in the one in the form of a
liability to embarrassing remarks irrespective of who might be
present; in the case of the other the language is also free and
punctuated with interjections of a rather irreligious nature.
They like to shock; they think it is good for people, But with
all their faults they are very likeable, very generous, but apt
to fly off at tangents and forget one as soon as some other
interest appears. Whilst they are enthusiastic they are extremely
so; and whatever they are keen about, be it horses, car, dog.
wife, or what-not, is always the best of its kind that ever was.
and they entreat you to go and get one,like it. If you do so
and come back to report that you have taken their advice, you
will probably find that by this time the Mars-Sagittarian has
found a fresh love.

MARS IN CAPRICORN. Mars is of course exalted in Capricorn,
and this is usually explained as meaning that the more primitive
nature of the planet is controlled and regulated in the sign of
Saturn. Of the principles of sevenfold man, one may attribute
the sixth - the animal nature - to Mars, and the fifth-objective
mind-to Saturn, and so we may say that here the 6th is
placed in the hands of the 5th to be taught and mastered.

In any event, we find that this influence generally turns the
energies into mental channels. and we get statesmen, artists.
and, perhaps most of all natural scientists.

I have not noticed any special personal traits in people born
with this position, but there seems sometimes to be a certain
shyness or aloofness, or even a rather touchy "dignity." On
the whole perhaps it is not an influence that makes contact
with others very easily, there being a certain self-protective
attitude that views others with suspicion and is apt to cause
offence.

MARS IN AQUARIUS. We have here a very interesting position,
and one that, to my mind. is better than Mars in Capricorn.
I cannot say that 1 am very smitten with the value of the
so-called exaltations; they may be important in horary astro-
logy, but in natal astrology it is best, I believe, to take every
position on its own merits and. to recognize that everyone of
them is potentially good or bad, according to the use we make
of it and the general indications of the map. Here comes in
the use of astrology to help us to understand and use aright
the instruments given to us. In fact, we might from one point
of view define astrology as "the science of the tools of the
soul!"

Mars in Aquarius is often political, and when it is, -it often
verges. towards ruthlessness and totalitarianism, there being a
very stern side of Aquarius as well as a humane aspect. It
tends to be doctrinaire and to work scrupulously according to
some idea or ideal, not deviating by reason of any considerations
of humanity.

It is obviously enough a position that threatens trouble with
false and reckless friends.

It seems to me to indicate energy and character and to
produce persons with little about them that is vague or indeter-
minate; they "know their own minds" and have clear-cut
principles and conceptions. Thus they often go far and make
a name for themselves, working out everything "according to
plan," and not instinctively or in any haphazard way.

Aquarius is the fourth sign from Scorpio, and perhaps it is
for this reason that Mars therein is frequently engaged in
political or patriotic work.

It is a position of inflexibility.

MARS IN PISCES. Here we may say "last but not least" with
some probability of truth, for it is likely to be one of the
commonest positions for Mars among astrologers and those
interested in kindred subjects. I expect that among a hundred
astrologers at least fifty will have Mars in Pisces or in strong
aspect to Neptune.

Furthermore, it is a very medical position, one in which, we
might say, Mars becomes helpful and less egotistical than
anywhere else. We have gone right round the zodiac from
Aries, and now the planet is reaching the end of the course
and becoming wiser and more thoughtful.

It is also losing power, and therefore it is that the Mars
tissue-remedy, phosphate of iron, is so badly needed in Piscean
horoscopes - the charge has almost run down to zero!

Mars in Pisces is a kind-hearted Mars, unwilling to harm
anyone and anxious to assist all it can. It is not particularly
strong or energetic, but it is no longer in such a desperate
hurry to get on with its own affairs, or so positive about its
own rightness; it will stop and listen to others, both when
they proffer advice or ask for a helping hand.

Above all, it is fond of animals.

If it is not careful, it may be imposed upon, over-persuaded,
and perhaps exhausted physically and mentally by more
powerful natures.

Such things as gout, phlebitis, varicose veins, and corns and
bunions are all possibilities with Mars in Pisces, and it is
characteristic of it that the native will seldom like standing up.
Nor is it likely that he will stand up or stand out in a
figurative sense; it is a position that promises little worldly
success.

It appears to me as a position symbolic of rejection or
underestimation.

Sometimes the native deliberately turns his back on worldly
interests and successes in order to seek truth in unexpected
and unhonoured places, being, let us hope, well satisfied to do so.

Thus ends our circular tour, or Rundreise, as the Germans
would call it, round the zodiac with Mars