♂ Mars

Projection, Energy, and “Manhood”

Mars is the god of war. Unsurprisingly, the planet Mars is Ruler of Aries (which is the Greek name for the same entity), and is very similar to the Sun Sign. Mars is the male counterpart to the feminine Venus, and represents male sexuality and the “ideal” of manhood, whatever it may be (as with womanhood, there are many different kinds). Traditionally, Mars has been associated with Western perceptions of the ideal man, particularly as the warrior.

Mars is then associated with the warrior, but not necessarily the warlike or conflicting aspects of the warrior; certainly, an excess of Mars’ energy can lead to this, but the principles most associated with Mars are the activity and projection of the warrior. By “projection,” I mean the ability of someone to assert himself, get his point across, get things done, and generally influence other people. Unlike the passive Yin/Femininity/Passivity of Venus, Mars is a Yang planet, associated with masculinity and activity. In the same vein of projection, Mars is associated with male sexuality – the desire to spread and “project” one’s seed outside oneself, into Venus, who can then nurture it and give it life.

Mars and Venus are intertwined, and both are needed in equal amounts for balance. Too much Mars leads to war and violence, and too much Venus leads to too little getting done and a lack of progress. Mars has a great deal of energy – certainly much more forceful than that of Venus – and restraining that energy and directing it towards a purpose is a skill that comes in handy, and one that Venus excels at.