Back to basic : Mars

Maggiemay

When looking at an astrological canvas where Mars is found in the 5th house and hosted by none other than the sign of Cancer, I find myself in a quandary when it comes to suggesting the most suitable outlets in which Mars could express itself in a... : constructive way.

Cancer being a complex position for mars. I am wondering what is your take on the position itself? What's a guy to do if he has Mars in cancer?

I mean, other than the usual: ''passive aggressive'', ''contentious rapport with women'', ''learn how to cook'', ''patriotist'', ''lunatic's'' attributes; is there something more to Mars in cancer? Or is it a long and uncomfortable exile through and through for both, the planet and the hosting sign?

Would it be fair to say that this positioning of Mars could be an excellent place for the consummate ecologist? or a defender of children? perhaps even a counselor or psychologist? Or why not even? : A comedian?

I understand that a lot of the general understanding of Mars must be done in conjunction with its relating aspects to the rest of the chart, but when looking at that positioning alone: How do you understand it? Or do you not wander in that ''territory'' without the supporting contributing aspects?

I'd love to hear a different take on that difficult position.

Maggie

BigLuna

In addition to children and affairs, the 5th house is very creative. It also indicates sports. Flavor it with Cancer's attributes, and you may find someone who is interested in swimming or other water sports, as a coach to children maybe. Of course, the energy could be used personally with great abandon; for example, someone who is energized (instead of relaxed) by being near the water.

Relating to creativity, it might manifest as someone who passionately "creates" waterscapes, or uses a medium like water colors.

It could be as simple as someone who wants to have a lot of kids, a huge family.

It's important not to try to put it in a tight little box. Mars is a driving planet, so it's got to manifest in one way or another.

Aspecting planets will affect the placement.

Is this in your chart, or are you asking about someone else? If it's yours, how do you see it working for you?

Maggiemay

BigLuna said:
In addition to children and affairs, the 5th house is very creative. It also indicates sports. Flavor it with Cancer's attributes, and you may find someone who is interested in swimming or other water sports, as a coach to children maybe. Of course, the energy could be used personally with great abandon; for example, someone who is energized (instead of relaxed) by being near the water.

Relating to creativity, it might manifest as someone who passionately "creates" waterscapes, or uses a medium like water colors.

It could be as simple as someone who wants to have a lot of kids, a huge family.

It's important not to try to put it in a tight little box. Mars is a driving planet, so it's got to manifest in one way or another.

Aspecting planets will affect the placement.

Is this in your chart, or are you asking about someone else? If it's yours, how do you see it working for you?

I unfortunately have mars in cancer. But in this particular case I was inquiring for someone else: a man, who also happens to have mars in cancer also in his 5th house... however, his mars is square pluto...

Now, as far as I am concerned, mars in cancer makes me very ''motherly'' and very very 'protective' towards children.

I love the fun, innocent honesty and free spirit of children.

In my love life, I love to date men ('gentle'men, preferably , lol) who demonstrate a childlike spirit towards the world. (usually I find it hilarious).

I should notice that when I get hurt, I tend to sulk a little bit and it never last very long...not at all.. Also, I love to clean my house ( cancer = home) and being a ''stay at home'' mom would agree with me. Oddly enough, I find myself more ''awake'' at night than during the day yet I do not sustain fatigue very well unless I am doing something fun. That's for my personal Mars.

Now in regards to men who are naturally inclined to identify more with the Mars energy, I wonder what it feels like for them to have a martian energy in a femine passive sign such as cancer.

I was just wondering if they were any redeaming qualities to it. There's got to be! Maybe they can strive to be another Michael Phelps!! And I wouldn't be surprised if mars in cancer could produce a great football player (as he long as he'd consider his team as his family)

This guy at work (with the mars in cancer) comes across as moody and too sensitive for comfort. He gets on the defensive when there really is no need to. ( but then again, as I said his mars is in square aspect to pluto)

Personally, I don't appreciate having mars in cancer and I typically have never been very involved with cancer men or even cancer woman. ( Even though there is nothing wrong with being a cancer.)

It is interesting that you mentioned the ''water'' element as I would hardly even consider living in a place not surrounded by water or near water. I need water, water, water... ( yet I enjoy mountain climbing a lot...I find mountains to be sanctuaries...so go figure?!)

Again, my best way to relax and feel '' brand new'' in every way ( physically and psychologically) is to take a BATH. However, when it comes to exercising, I enjoy swimming for fun but do not consider that activity as a serious exercising routine.

So, here is my Mars biography!! lol

Thanks for your post,

Maggie

BigLuna

Maggiemay said:
I unfortunately have mars in cancer.

One of the things that discourages me in the study of astrology is when someone looks at a particular placement in a chart and sees it as bad or unfortunate. The condemning of it is the problem, not the placement itself. Nothing is wholly bad; nothing is wholly good. It is what it is. What matters is how someone chooses to use the energy, which will result in a negative or positive connotation.

If someone has told you (or you have read) that having Mars in Cancer is unfortunate, reconsider their abilities as a counselor. It invites victimization and dooms the person to feeling inferior. We are never at the mercy of the planets. We work them. Each one is a gift.

Sulking or brooding is not the result of only having Mars in Cancer, even with the Pluto square. I was taught that in order for something to be confirmed in a chart, we need to look to the "rule of three." Is there a repetitive pattern that emerges? For example, a chart heavy in water, other planets in Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces? Are the water houses heavy with planets? Strong Moon or Neptune placements? Other fire/water combinations?

If the Mars in Cancer symbolism upsets you in some way, the task is to discover why. I have a friend who says that we need to "turn our squares into trines." The idea of that would benefit us with any placement we see as not working to our advantage.

I have a tight Mercuy/Pluto conjunction, with other strong 3rd and 8th house placements. It took me a long time to "get it" that sometimes I just needed to keep my mouth shut. I do hope this is not one of those times.

Using words to heal is so much better than using them to tear folks down.

Minderwiz

Well Mars in Cancer is not an 'unfortunate' or even a weak placing for Mars and I don't know where you got the idea from, unless it is picked up from the sloppy modern thinking that Cancer is a Water sign and Mars is a 'firey' planet.

Mars is the ruler of Scorpio, a Water sign and it has dignity by triplicity in all Water signs - this is a level of dignity just below Rulership and exaltation. Depending where in Cancer Mars lies, it may have even more dignity still - in the first five degrees of Cancer Mars has as much dignity as the Moon, its ruler.

Mars represents the 'warrior' in you - the way in which you assert yourself, stand up for yourself and take up challenges.

Now a fifth House Mars indicates that fifth House activities are the easiest way for Mars' energy to be expressed. As has been said that includes sports, hobbies, pastimes and children. It also includes the movable property of your father or parents jointly.

Watery Mars is less impetuous, less directly aggressive than Mars in Aries but it tends to be more successful.

Bernice

BigLunas' post:
Very sensible approach to planetry contacts and zodiac placements - one that mirrors my own.

Minderwizs' post:
Yep. Agreed!

Maggiemay:
However some reading methods use planetary exultation & debilitation placements to gauge their strength. Personally, I might only consider this in a Horary Chart.... But much will depend on how you eventually decide to decipher a chart.

Bee

Maggiemay

Minderwiz said:
Well Mars in Cancer is not an 'unfortunate' or even a weak placing for Mars and I don't know where you got the idea from, unless it is picked up from the sloppy modern thinking that Cancer is a Water sign and Mars is a 'firey' planet.

Mars is the ruler of Scorpio, a Water sign and it has dignity by triplicity in all Water signs - this is a level of dignity just below Rulership and exaltation. Depending where in Cancer Mars lies, it may have even more dignity still - in the first five degrees of Cancer Mars has as much dignity as the Moon, its ruler.

Mars represents the 'warrior' in you - the way in which you assert yourself, stand up for yourself and take up challenges.

Now a fifth House Mars indicates that fifth House activities are the easiest way for Mars' energy to be expressed. As has been said that includes sports, hobbies, pastimes and children. It also includes the movable property of your father or parents jointly.

Watery Mars is less impetuous, less directly aggressive than Mars in Aries but it tends to be more successful.

mmhh...

I am very surprised at what you wrote. Pleasantly surprised!

I appreciate your input, Minderwiz.

Cheers!

Maggie

Maggiemay

BigLuna said:
If someone has told you (or you have read) that having Mars in Cancer is unfortunate, reconsider their abilities as a counselor. It invites victimization and dooms the person to feeling inferior. We are never at the mercy of the planets. We work them. Each one is a gift.

Most of my reading about Mars in cancer have been disconcerting to say the least...

BigLuna said:
Sulking or brooding is not the result of only having Mars in Cancer, even with the Pluto square.

I don't have the pluto square on my Mars ( my colleague does) - which I would tend to think that he would not be the type to ''sulk'' with such an aspect...

Now, I was saying that *I* tend to sulk when I am hurt... by that I meant that my mood gets somewhat affected and I become out of sync' for a little while... But it's no big deal b/c I have a rather sound and solid mercury...

But I understand what you are trying to say. I agree.

BigLuna said:
I was taught that in order for something to be confirmed in a chart, we need to look to the "rule of three." Is there a repetitive pattern that emerges? For example, a chart heavy in water, other planets in Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces? Are the water houses heavy with planets? Strong Moon or Neptune placements? Other fire/water combinations?

Very good point.

BigLuna said:
If the Mars in Cancer symbolism upsets you in some way, the task is to discover why. I have a friend who says that we need to "turn our squares into trines." The idea of that would benefit us with any placement we see as not working to our advantage.

Well, it's like for everything else : I read a lot about Mars in Cancer and retained the 'worse' that was said about it b/c frankly it shocked me.

In one article, the astrologer compared Mars in cancer to Commodus in the movie ' Gladiator' with adjectives such as : cowardice, conniving, tempermental, deceitful,treacherous ect...

My father has Mars in Scorpio ; and frankly he is a long shot from being a coward. That being said, I wouldn't want to ''attrack'' a lover or children that would have the above mentionned character traits...and least of all : myself!

That is why I have been... well...I'll just go ahead and say it : I have been ashamed of having Mars in cancer. No one else in my family has this
placement. Though, I am reconsidering my position since exposing the issue to you guys..

Yet, it might be enlightening for me to mention that my parents did not get along so well and divorced. It has been many many years since their separation, everyone has happily moved on and yet I still find myself crying about it sometimes even if I am a grown woman. (I bear a profound sadness about it.)

BigLuna said:
I have a friend who says that we need to "turn our squares into trines." The idea of that would benefit us with any placement we see as not working to our advantage.

That is definitely something that I would like to discuss further as I find it most essential in regards to self-discovery thru astrology... (in another thread I guess)

BigLuna said:
I have a tight Mercuy/Pluto conjunction, with other strong 3rd and 8th house placements. It took me a long time to "get it" that sometimes I just needed to keep my mouth shut. I do hope this is not one of those times. Using words to heal is so much better than using them to tear folks down.

You're sweet! No concern here...we're cool...lol

Thank you for your post,

Maggie

Maggiemay

Bernice said:
Maggiemay:
However some reading methods use planetary exultation & debilitation placements to gauge their strength. Personally, I might only consider this in a Horary Chart.... But much will depend on how you eventually decide to decipher a chart.

Bee

Interesting.

Thank you Bee,

Maggie

Minderwiz

Perhaps one of the reasons why you have picked up negative impressions of Mars in Cancer is that many modern writers do not use the traditional essential dignities, or if they do, only pay attention to rulerships, and perhaps exaltations and less possibly their opposites fall and detriment

That's why they come to a conclusion that Mars in Cancer is a mixture of Fire and Water, and must therefore not work out well. I do use the traditional essential dignities, because they allow me to shade the interpretation, rather than coming out with stock paragraphs.

One of the key things you need to realise is that natal charts show 'promise' not a detailed road map of what will happen, still less a guarantee of success or failure. The natal chart shows the hand that you've been dealt, how you play it is very much up to you - fortunes have been made at poker on lousy hands and many people with limited talents have made the best of them to reach the top levels of society. This is what BigLuna is trying to get you to realise with the point of converting squares into trines.

Incidentally, please realise that squares and oppositions are the drivers of life. They're the things that get people out of their armchairs and into action. So don't be afraid of them. Trines and sextiles keep people in their armchairs waiting for goodies to be showered on them (and of course it never happens, except in a small minority of cases).

A final point - again BigLuna makes an excellent point about the rule of three. Whilst I don't take it too literally, I DO look for corroborating evidence. If there's no supporting evidence elsewhere in the chart I'm extremely loathe to rest an interpretation on one aspect or relationship. Only if it is extremely strong will I give it any weight and even then I'll look for anything which would inhibit or restrict the aspect playing out in a significant way.

In general don't place weight on anything which is not underlined by evidence elsewhere and the more corroboration the better.