Mars Returns

When Mars makes its way back to the same point in the sky that it occupied at the moment of your birth, you’ve got yourself a Mars return, baby! Every two years, you and Mars sit down for a quick review of how you’ve been spending your energy and how you should spend that energy over the next two years.

Remember, this planet not only rules your literal temper, but it also indicates how you solve problems, the nature of your willpower, your self-discipline, and how you assert yourself. Looking at your Mars return chart can tell you whether the next cycle will be a time of constant power struggles or a time when everything seems to go your way. It can tell you which battles are worth fighting and which hills aren’t worth dying on.

Some people do whatever they can to avoid learning the lessons of Mars. We see so many unhealthy expressions of will and power all around us that we may turn away from our own power out of fear that we might wield it in a way that harms others or makes us unlikable. Some people lean on their inner fighter too much and walk around with a chip on their shoulder to mask a fearful or wounded heart. Neither of these paths honors the powerful and potentially productive influence of Mars.

On the occasion of your Mars return, pay attention to the house that this planet falls in. Whichever area of your life is impacted by that house will serve as your laboratory for the next two years. In this laboratory, you will practice using Mars’ energy in a responsible and self-respecting way. No need to puff up, no need to shrink down, take a deep breath and stand your ground.