Star School Lesson 27: Mars in the Houses

In the next part of our Star School series, we’re looking at the planets through the houses.

In this lesson, we’ll look at the Mars in the houses in the natal chart.

Last month, we looked at Venus in the houses. This month, we’re looking at Mars.

A gentle reminder: Mars rules drive, ambition, aggression, passion, power, and sex. It’s primal, the masculine Yang to Venus’s sweet Yin. The houses represent different areas of your life. You can get an idea of how and where a person expresses their aggression and ambition by checking out the position of Mars in the houses of the natal chart. Where Mars sits shows where you exert your energy in order to reach your aspirations. Keep in mind that if Mars isn’t operating right here (ex: poor aspects), this shows where you go to war.

Mars in the 1st house: Mars in the 1st house creates a fiery, aggressive personality. Individuals with this placement can be quite exciting to be around. They are passionate to the max and full of energy. Where they are, the action is. Because the 1st house rules appearance, they may be powerfully built with a strong, muscular physique. They are not afraid to work hard and they are especially keen to get things started. When negatively aspected, Mars in the 1st can produce people who act before they think or who respond to situations with physical violence. It can also indicate people who are great at starting things but not so hot on finishing. Famous people with this placement: RuPaul, Winston Churchill, Marie Antoinette, Johnny Depp.

Mars in the 2nd house: Cue the Donna Summer music for this placement of Mars produces someone who works hard for their money. They are ambitious for money and material goods. Cash drives them. Often times, they will prefer to work on their own rather than work for a boss or company. Which means: it’s an excellent placement for entrepreneurship. Individuals with this placement can also be financially competitive and quite possessive when it comes to their personal property. Don’t touch their stuff or else you face their wrath! If afflicted, this can produce a person who will do whatever it takes to achieve their financial goals, even if that means resorting to dishonesty or thuggish criminal activity. Famous people with this placement: Freddie Mercury, Vladimir Putin, Elizabeth Taylor, Russell Brand.

Mars in the 3rd house: This placement of Mars indicates a sharp, quick mind. Individuals with Mars in the 3rd are often times brash communicators, able to assert their opinions aggressively. They don’t mince words. In fact, they can often be harsh. The “brutally honest” person is an example. This placement is ideal for people who work in careers where debate is part of their work. For example, attorneys or political commentators could be quite effective if this is where Mars hangs in their chart. On the downside, it can also indicate a person who jumps to conclusions and likes to bicker. Trouble with siblings, neighbors, travel, and communication are also ways this placement rolls when Mars is afflicted. Famous people with this placement: Miley Cyrus, Lana Del Rey, Marilyn Manson, Paul Newman.

Mars in the 4th house: Mars in the 4th house folks expend a lot of energy in the home. This is the old “rule the roost” vibe. They want to be the dominant force in the family, which can often lead to drama, especially if they are unable to regard the feelings of the other members of the household. While they can be protective of their kin, they can also be controlling. Conflicts with parents is typical. If afflicted, the energy is amplified and the family dynamics can be toxic and volatile. There can also be trouble with property. For example, the home could be destroyed by fire. Most people with this placement do better when they move out of the parental home. Famous people with this placement: Amy Winehouse, Prince, Jim Morrison, Ted Bundy.

Mars in the 5th house: This is a hot ’n sexy placement for Mars. Individuals with Mars in the 5th love to pursue romance and pleasure. They are not shy – in fact, they tend to be quite aggressive when interested in someone. They’ve got game, yo! The sexual nature is also strong, which means that they could be quick to hop in the sack. A bit of self-control can help them avoid making mistakes (aka the “coyote ugly” morning). This placement is excellent for teachers as long as the individual keeps their power in check. An afflicted Mars in the 5th could produce a jealous, sexually demanding person or promiscuous one that flits from one relationship to another impulsively. Sometimes this can indicate an unexpected pregnancy. Famous people with this placement: George Clooney, Pamela Anderson, Robert Redford, Charles Manson.

Mars in the 6th house: This is the placement of the workaholic. Folks with 6th house Mars love to work and tend to have plenty of stamina. You will rarely find a lazy person with this placement. They have a good work ethic and often expect everyone to work as hard as they do. Woe be it to the person who works under this person and doesn’t live up to their standards! Routines are important to them and they will spend much time organizing and fretting over details. They can be harsh critics but don’t take kindly when someone criticizes them. If Mars is afflicted here, the natives can be prone to overwork or arguments with coworkers. The terrible boss who makes work hell for everyone else ala Devil Wears Prada would be an example of a poorly aspected Mars in the 6th. Famous people with this placement: JayZ, Julia Roberts, Clint Eastwood, Coco Chanel.

Mars in the 7th house: Mars in 7th house people are aggressive in partnerships, both romantic and business. They will actively pursue relationships and once in them, will be determined to make them work. In a romantic relationship, sex will be important. In business, compromise will be a must. Impulse needs to be avoided in the choice of partners or the individuals will learn some pretty big lessons. Look before you leap into any relationship should be their mantra. This placement of Mars can also produce excellent lawyers. If you need to hire one, check to see if they have Mars here. If Mars is afflicted, relationships can be full of drama and discord, which can cause the severing of ties.Famous people with this placement: Adolf Hitler, Barack Obama, Whitney Houston, Natalie Portman.

Mars in the 8th house: This is another placement that can bring on a strong sexual nature. Passion is paramount for these sensuous folks. They are intense so do know if you’re getting involved with one of these people, you’re gonna be exploring the erotic side like never before! They may be interested in tantra or sex magic as well as the occult. Mars in the 8th house people are extremely psychic – they can tune in quite easily. You can’t fool them for long! Sooner or later they see right through ya. There may be a lot of aggression around joint finances. If the Mars is poorly aspected, it can lead to issues around tax, sex, and inheritances. Famous people with this placement: Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, Courtney Love, Gary Oldman.

Mars in the 9th house: Here, Mars indicates an interest in travel and philosophy. The individual with this placement may travel widely in order to broaden their perspective. Foreign travel is especially of interest to them. Wanderlust will be strong and the desire to “see the world” may keep them on the road. They are also quite aggressive about promoting their own ideals. That preachy friend who goes on and on about politics or religion – that. If the chart is afflicted, they can become narrow-minded fanatics who try and push their beliefs on others. Think: cult leader. If you’re ever in a cult and your leader has this placement, don’t drink the damn Kool-Aid. Famous people with this placement: Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton, Madonna, Kendrick Lamar.

Mars in the 10th house: Individuals with Mars in the 10th work tirelessly towards their way to the top. They want status, which means they will be extremely ambitious and competitive. Power and fame drive them – and in some cases may produce a leader who does what they can to step into the top dog role. You will find many corporate executives and politicians with this placement. When well aspected, they will inspire others as they gain power. If poorly aspected, this can produce the individual who stop at nothing to achieve their goals, even if that means trampling over the rights of others. A fall from grace is possible if that is their method of operation. No one likes a bully. Famous people with this placement: Beyoncé, Kanye West, Andy Warhol, Rasputin.

Mars in the 11th house: Mars in the 11th house indicates individuals who place a lot of importance on friendships. They enjoy working in groups and are often effective leaders. Some of their friendships may be based on professional or political ambitions. They will be excellent networkers who seem to know everyone. Yet they will have few people in their inner circle. They prefer to keep that part rather exclusive. (Sometimes it’s because they are a bit paranoid.) If the Mars is afflicted, there can be treachery through friends or power struggles in groups. They could also attract friends that lead them astray or into dangerous situations. Great care must be taken in the choice of buddies. Famous people with this placement: Taylor Swift, Chris Brown, Oprah Winfrey, Mitt Romney.

Mars in the 12th house: Folks with Mars in the 12th house like to work in secret. Like the Wizard of Oz, they prefer to be behind the scenes, managing operations in order to avoid the scrutiny or opposition of others. They often have deep, dark secrets too. Sometimes these are of a sexual nature. The unconscious mind is strong and may influence their actions. It’s important for these people to be clear on what their motives are when engaging in a situation. If afflicted, this Mars can produce a person who has many secret enemies or who has trouble with honesty. In worse case scenarios, the individuals could be confined to prisons or institutions. In some cases, this could be due to political reasons (ex: a political prisoner or prisoner of war). Famous people with this placement: Donald Trump, David Bowie, Osama Bin Laden, Rose McGowan, Muammar al-Gaddafi.

Check out Kim Kardashian’s Mars. What is that telling you about her energy?