What Does Mars Mean in Astrology? Here's What Your Mars Sign Means for Your Sex Life

Co-authored by Angel Eyedealism and Kira Jan

Last Updated: March 7, 2022 Fact Checked

The red planet Mars has a powerful meaning in astrology, and it might affect your life more than you think. Mars is the planet of action that’ll push you into gear and get things done. Its energetic rule governs our primal side and how we chase after our passions—from how we approach getting what we want in life to how we act between the sheets. If you’re ready to find out what Mars represents in astrology and what your Mars sign means, keep scrolling.

Section 1 of 5:

What does Mars represent in astrology?

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Mars symbolizes desire, drive, energy, and sexuality.^{[1]
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Angel Eyedealism
Astrologer & Performance Artist

Expert Interview. 8 December 2021.} This planet shares its name with the Roman god of war, so it’s all about aggression, survival, and animal instinct. On the positive side, Mars helps us take action and act assertively. On the negative side, Mars can lead us into impulsive behavior. Let’s put it this way—if you were a car, Mars would be the gas tank. Yes, it has explosive potential, but without it, you wouldn’t get very far.
- While Venus rules love, Mars rules sexual desire.
- While the Sun also rules energy and drive, Mars rules personal energy rather than creative energy.
- The astrological symbol for Mars is ♂, which is also the ancient symbol for iron in alchemy. Iron, in turn, is closely associated with blood as well as the red soil found on Mars.
- Mars is the natural ruler of the First House, which rules the ego.

Section 2 of 5:

What signs does Mars rule?

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Mars is the natural ruler of Aries and Scorpio.^{[2]
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Angel Eyedealism
Astrologer & Performance Artist

Expert Interview. 8 December 2021.} For fiery Aries, Mars’ influence brings out the most primal qualities of this sign—aggression, passion, and raw desire. For dark and mysterious Scorpio, Mars rules alongside the secretive celestial body Pluto.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Angel Eyedealism
Astrologer & Performance Artist

Expert Interview. 8 December 2021.} The combination of planetary influences makes Scorpio a sign of intense emotional depth and mystery.
- Aries is the god of war in Greek mythology.^{[4]
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Section 3 of 5:

How to Find Your Mars Sign

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Enter your birth date and time into an online calculator or chart.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Angel Eyedealism
Astrologer & Performance Artist

Expert Interview. 8 December 2021.} Your Mars sign simply refers to the zodiac sign Mars passed through at the time of your birth. You can search “Mars sign calculator,” for a quick, straightforward answer. Alternatively, you can search for an “astrology birth chart” if you’d like to see where all the planets were located when you were born. If you pick the chart method, simply look to see which zodiac sign Mars falls under in order to determine your Mars sign.
- For example, if Mars is located in the Aries section of your chart, you’d be a Mars in Aries.
- A birth chart is also called a "natal" chart.

Section 4 of 5:

How Your Mars Sign Affects Your Personality & Sex Life

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With Mars as the natural ruler in this fire sign, your temper and ability to jump into action both tend to run hot. People might describe you as impulsive or a total adrenaline junkie because you chase after anything new and you’re always down for friendly competition. In the bedroom, you prefer to skip foreplay and get straight into the action.
Taurus is a fixed earth sign, which means it’s slow and steady. With Mars positioned with the bull of the zodiac, you’ve got drive and stamina to take on anything—but you won’t be rushed.^{[6]
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Research source} As far as your sex life goes, you like to take your time and focus on savoring every moment of sensual pleasure.
People born with Mars in Gemini have a quick wit and a quick tongue. You’re the smooth talker and that one person who can fire up a crowd with a few good phrases. Since Gemini is a mutable (changeable) air sign, Mars’ energy can sometimes make you a bit scattered and listless. When it comes to your sex life, you crave novelty and change. More than anything though, you love dirty talk and talking about your fantasies.^{[7]
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Cancer is a highly emotional sign, and Mars’ influence might tend to push your sadness into anger. Because of the intense emotions in this placement, people with Mars in Cancer might struggle to find the right path and make a concrete decision. Wondering about your sex life? You’re always down for foreplay and deep emotional connection during sex, but you’re also up for fun things like shower sex, where you connect with your water sign nature.
This planetary placement screams power! Fiery Leo and energetic Mars combine to create bold, brash passion. You like to take charge and get after what you want, whether that’s in your personal or professional life. More than anything, you want to find your place to shine in the world and share your creative energy with those around you. In bed, you don’t mind being a little dominant and a little playful, and you love anything luxurious—think silky sheets.
This planetary placement in a word is “methodical.” You like taking action, but you need to do your research and due diligence first. You prefer plans over spontaneity, and you like to feel productive. In your sex life, you’re equally thoughtful. As Virgo is ruled by messenger planet Mercury, you’re all about active communication and making sure your partner’s having a good time, too.
For Libra, balance and diplomacy are key—but brash Mars can turn that upside down. With this planetary placement, you might find it hard to express how you really feel, especially when you’re upset. The powerful energy of Mars pulls you to let it all out, but the peace-loving nature of Libra is telling you to rein it all in. As for sex and desire, you like to keep things romantic and sweet rather than tear-your-clothes-off passionate and fiery.
Mars’ natural rule over Scorpio creates bold intensity. You cut through life like you’re a scalpel—with total control and sharp focus. Because of Scorpio’s under-the-surface style, if you’re angry at someone, you try and look like you’re not bothered. Instead of outright confrontation, you go for coy tactics and manipulation. In the bedroom, however, you’re into sweet sex and intense emotional bonding.
Sagittarius is the most adventurous sign, and when Mars is in Sagittarius, your life motto is “all or nothing.” You’re a jet-setter, a go-getter and if you get the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, you’ll pretty much automatically say “yes!” When you’re with a lover, you’re into trying new positions, experimenting with toys, and learning about what your partner likes. You even fantasize about vacation sex in exotic, beautiful places.^{[8]
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When Mars is set in this grounded earth sign, you’ve got energy and drive, but you take things one step at a time. You prefer to start out with a plan and break down big projects into smaller milestones. When you get mad, you’ve got a tendency to bottle it up and channel that anger into whatever you’re working on. As for sex, the earth sign influence might encourage you to explore different kinds of pleasure—from fetishes to toys. Since Cap is a power-hungry sign, you’re probably down to take a dominant role in power play.
Aquarius is the humanitarian sign, and Mars’ influence will lead you to think big in order to pursue future-oriented goals that can help out as many people as possible. As you get after your goals, you’ll tend to go for off-the-beaten-path approaches and you love eccentric solutions. When it comes to love, you prefer platonic relationships to romantic ones. That being said, you don’t mind casual sex until you find someone who gets your totally unique personality.
When Mars is set in this mutable sign, your thoughts and feelings could flow in any direction. You’re compassionate, gentle, and empathetic, so anger can make you feel conflicted, and it tends to arise from deep-seated hurt. Pisces’ compassionate nature continues into your sex life, where you’re a partner who aims to please, but equally loves engaging in pillow talk about spirituality and profound existential issues.

Section 5 of 5:

Your Mars Return

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About every 2 years, Mars returns to the same place it was when you were born. During the 2-3 days when Mars passes through its birth position on your natal chart, you can expect to deal with challenges and provocations. You might have to respond quickly to crises, confront enemies, and jump into unexpected competition. On the flip side, you’ll experience a new burst of fresh energy that you can use to channel into new goals.
- During your Mars return, use the planet’s energy to start a new project or come up with a list of tasks you’d like to accomplish in the next 2 years.