Mars

Mars represents the principle of assertion, desire, and directed energy. It's the engine of your chart — the planet that gets you out of bed, into the gym, or into an argument. Mars describes how you take initiative, handle conflict, and channel your passions. It rules Aries and traditionally co-rules Scorpio, linking raw courage with strategic intensity. In the natal chart, Mars reveals your fighting style: Mars in Libra fights with diplomacy and pointed questions, Mars in Aries fights head-on and fast. It governs sexual drive, competitive instinct, and the areas of life where you pour the most energy. Mars also rules sharp objects, heat, and adrenaline — anything that cuts, burns, or accelerates. Challenging Mars aspects can manifest as anger or impulsiveness, while harmonious ones channel drive into accomplishment. Mars retrogrades roughly every two years, turning that outward drive inward and creating frustration if you try to force action during a period meant for reassessment.