With Venus now direct and Mars in Aries from 29 June we can expect relationships to become more direct, less passive aggressive. Mars in its rulership is assertive and forthright. It helps us advocate for our own needs, hell, to fight for them if need be! After all Aries is the archetypal warrior and Mars is his ruler.

Unfortunately Mars in Aries doesn’t have as much inclination to advocate for the rights of others. He’s kind of self-centered that way. This means that in personal relationships we may experience a kind of battle ground with each person vying for their own agendas. On a more social level we may see support for the Black Lives Matter movement fall away as people get drawn back into their own personal dramas.

Mars will remain in Aries for much longer than usual, due to retrograde motion. Mars turns retrograde at 28 degrees Aries on 10 September and heads all the way back to 15 degrees Aries before turning direct on 14 November. This puts Mars in Aries until 7 January 2021, more than six months. Considering Mars was in Pisces for a little over six weeks this is really quite a long transit.

Major aspects from transiting Mars in Aires

During it’s long passage through Aries, Mars will form several significant aspects with other transiting planets, and in particular will form tense squares with Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. The transits most likely to create ripples in the world and in our lives are as follows:

Mars in Aries conjuncts Chiron on 14 July – Chiron will be retrograde during this period so this is likely to affect us more internally than externally. If your natal planets are triggered, you may be extra sensitive to perceived threats to your independence or freedom. A loose sextile to Mercury will help us all think and communicate rationally.

Mars in Aries squares Jupiter in Capricorn on 5 August, conjoining Black Moon Lilith three days later, before squaring Pluto on 14 August. This is the beginning of a series of squares to our three amigos in Capricorn and is likely to amplify social conflict and tension, particularly around outdated and inequitable social structures. COVID-19 is also likely to make a resurgence during this time. When Mars in Aries squares Saturn in Capricorn on 24 August there may be a feeling of hopelessness as if our efforts are all in vain.

After turning retrograde, Mars in Aries will make a second pass over Black Moon Lilith on 23 September. This one may well be a doozy as Aires will still be loosely square Saturn in Capricorn, and will also form a square to Mercury in Libra. The Moon will then activate the resulting t-square as it transits through Capricorn between 24 and 26 September. Emotions will be high and conflict is highly likely.

Mars in Aries squares Pluto in Capricorn for the second time on 26 December, but by now both Saturn and Jupiter have moved on in to Aquarius. Phew! However this transit will be active through the entire second week of December and is likely to bring volatility and angst. Merry Christmas everyone!

When Mars in Aries stimulates conflict, bear in mind that these periods of chaos and strife will be short-lived, and their function is to catalyse change. While we humans cling to the status quo, it’s important to remember that nothing is permanent and that we are in in a state of continuous evolution, both on a personal and a social level.

Mars in Aries helps those who have been short-changed in our society, and there are many, to stand up and say loudly and clearly, ‘Enough is enough! I will no longer be seen as less than, given less than, treated as less than.’ Whether in personal relationships or on the social level this will likely create some push back, but in the long-term greater equity will result. When Saturn moves on into Aquarius we can begin constructing a new future based on these important shifts in the social fabric.

Will Mars in Aries affect you?

Mars in Aries will affect you most strongly if you have planets or points in Aries, as these will be activated by Mars as he passes over them. You will also feel this energy strongly when Mars transits square or opposed to any natal planets or points you have in the other Cardinal signs (Cancer, Libra and Capricorn).

When transiting Mars in Aries activates your natal chart you may feel energised, but you may also feel frustrated or aggressive. It all depends on which planets are triggered. For example, Mars in Aries transiting square to you Saturn in Cancer might feel very frustrating, because you will experience the enthusiasm of Mars clashing against Saturn’s limiations. On the other hand, Mars conjoining natal Venus in Aries will likely increase your sex drive and relationships will feel more harmonious.

Where the action plays out depends on which house Mars in Aries is transiting through in your natal chart. For example, in my chart, Mars will pass first through my Tenth House of Career and will then move on to the Eleventh House of Social Networks.

That all sounds good, bearing in mind that during this period Mars will square my natal Sun, Moon, Venus conjunction in Capricorn – twice! I may feel quite agitated during this period and if I am wise I will consciously slow down and calm my already firey temperament.

The retrograde period will put a dampener on our energy, but overall Mars in Aries will bring increased motivation, initiative and self-confidence, especially if you have natal planets in Aries. You’re also likely to feel more energetic and to have more get up and go, but you’ll also be more inclined to take someone on if they get in your way!

How can we work with the energy of Mars in Aries?

Working actively with astrology is all about becoming conscious of the energies at play, both within and without. We are not at the mercy of these energies. We have free will and, to a large extent, our choices affect how they play out in our lives.

Those of us who are already abundant in the fiery gifts could find the energy of Mars in Aries a little intense. Keep a look out for sign of mania, aggression or arrogance. Be wary of over-exertion and taking on more than you can handle, especially when Mars forms challenging aspects to natal or transiting planets. August is likely to be the most difficult overall.

If you are already a person with a lot of fire in you, then consciously take time to re-balance the other elements in your being. This can help when things get overwhelming:

If Air is lacking in your birth chart set time aside for journaling, mind-mapping your ideas or a good conversation with a friend

If Earth is lacking in your birth chart ground yourself with a walk in nature, spend time with your favourite tree or do some yoga

If Water is lacking in your birth chart reconnect with your intuition through Tarot play, a long bath, swimming or meditation

To understand better how the way the elements play out in your life check out my article the four elements in you: practical tips to find balance.

Natal Mars in Aries

Whether male or female, Mars in Aires peeps tend to have a pretty strong dose of masculinity to their personality. This will be expressed more or less overtly depending on the House placement, and the aspects formed to other planets in your chart.

For example, a Mars in Aries in the Twelfth House with a square to Saturn, will be much more subdued than a Mars in Aries in the First House with a trine to Uranus! The chart must be read as a whole.

Those with natal Mars in Aries are generally pretty good at asserting themselves, setting boundaries and going after what they want in life. On the downside, they can sometimes be oblivious to the needs of others, particularly a partner, and can be perceived as selfish, rash and a little OTT.

Mars is generally very happy in Aries, where the powerful and primitive energy of this planet is played out through the archetype of the warrior and hunter. Those with Mars in Aries natally will likely excel at physical pursuits such as sports and martial arts and, unless stronger elements in the chart suggest otherwise, will be strong, robust and healthy.

If you want to better understand the impact of Mars in Aries in your life grab a copy of my free ebook, which explains exactly how to interpret your own natal chart and track the transits in your life.

Don’t yet have a natal chart? Get one for free at astro.com.

Are you feeling Mars in Aries?

Mars in Pisces was not a very uncomfortable energy and many people will have felt lethargic, lacking in motivation and pretty introverted over the past six weeks. Personally I’m already noticing a difference in my energy levels and libido since Mars moved into Aries. What about you?