In both mythology and astrology, Mars is spoken of as having more brawn than brain. Descriptions of Mars include being brutish, uncouth, un-mannered, one-dimensional, unintelligent, bellicose, belligerent, and impulsive. In esoteric astrology, Mars is given the same wide and evolving range of expression as the other planets. Not all of the planets rule in the three levels of esoteric rulership, but Mars does. This illustrates that there is much more to Mars than brawn and being impulsive. Mars rules Aries and Scorpio traditionally, Scorpio esoterically, and Sagittarius hierarchically.

Yet before Mars can offer its higher attributes, the native must be capable of expressing them. A spiritual and energetic maturing of Mars’ qualities needs to be already demonstrating in one’s life. What is the wisdom related to Mars? What is its type of selflessness? How can its enthusiasm or confidence be used to further one’s spiritual path or the well-being of others?

Mars in a ruling position or dignified by house is pointing to a capacity previously developed and now inherent and available within the native. The same is so for any other planet. The placement of the planet in the chart is a directive to live that planet’s qualities in an esteemed manner. For example, if one has Mars in Aries, the traditional or exoteric rulership, then Mars is in a royal role. The chart is encouraging the person to live the qualities and attributes of Mars wisely and well.

Whether Mars is in rulership on any level or not, the fullness of Mars’ spectrum of Being is available. One simply has to desire to express the attributes explained below and have some capacity to bring them forward. The teaching on the three levels of rulership given by Master DK and offered here help one understand how to mature Mars’ expression in one’s life. If one  Mars (or any other planet) is in a ruling position or dignified by house, one’s inner Presence and guidance is pointing to that planet as a life-long focus of refinement and wider demonstration. We are to take note.

On the common turn of the spiral – and thus applying to everyone at every stage of the Path, Mars expresses as vitality, enthusiasm, emphasis, intensity, vibrancy, and personal will. Mars gets things going. It is the blood of life, is heat, vigor, strength, and sheer capacity. Capacity for what? Look at the sign, the house, and what Mars is in relation with to determine that.

Mars is masculine energy, regardless of one’s gender. The list of expressions given in the previous paragraph as well as synonyms and derivatives of them are represented by Mars.

• Vitality is strength, stamina, physical power, useable energy plus how one uses energy, strength, force, and drive within the physical life.
• Masculine energy is yang energy: dynamic, emittive, forceful and energetic. Mars is these demonstrations of and within oneself, of others, and of life.
• As such, Mars expresses as enthusiasm, excitability (the arising of a penis or of emotions and reactions perfectly express the arising, excitable Mars’ energy).
• Hence, Mars is passion, rushing, movement, inspiration, motivation, and aspiration.
• All of these are intense. Mars is also the ways in which the native will feel intensity, express that intensity, and act out or live from that intensity. These will be indicated by the geometries in one’s horoscope. Mars intensifies anything it touches in the chart.
• A dignified Mars is a point of intensity demonstrating through the native as passion, rushing, movement, violence, conviction, inspiration, motivation, and/or aspiration. Intensity is vibrant, often thrilling, but can be combustible or explosive. Explosiveness lived as excitability or spontaneity, such as a quick temper or rage, or as being courageous and undaunted, are determined by how one is living personal will: inclusive of altruistic, with wisdom and thoughtfulness, or from self-importance.

Mars on the second level of rulership (esoteric and related to the Soul) points to how one lives one’s strength of character, is aware of one having strength of character, as well as one’s life as a demonstration of integrity and authenticity. On this level, all of the nouns, verbs, and adjectives that are manifestations of Mars are to be lived as expressions of clarity and truth. Mars cuts and, on the esoteric and Soul level of expression, it cuts through falsity. Mars’ intensity is experienced in the stripping away of the layers of ego. Imagery such as Archangel Michael with his sword, or Manjushri with the flaming sword of Wisdom, or Christ overturning the tables in the Temple portray this intensity as well as  battle within oneself and one’s reality. In this role, quite often, Mars shocks the native to truth as well as provides the inner strength, power, and perseverance to engage lasting change

The personal will becomes the focus of the sword and clarity of the higher nature. The capacity  to live one’s will, one’s choices, and one’s decisions from a higher or more spiritually real view go with this level of Mars.

One’s passion, convictions, that which inspires one, and that which one is internally willing to engage are used to further the Path and the betterment or benefit of others. Justice, fairness, ethics, or working with youths are examples of vocations that use soul-Mars. These also provide the power to get things done, the motivation to see things through, as well as the steadfastness,  diligence, and self-sacrifice necessary to live from truth and integrity.

The warmth of the blood and vitality of common Mars now illustrate a life of brotherhood/sisterhood and equanimity. Doing so often requires standing up, standing for, sometimes standing out, or simply taking a stand. That stand, its integrity and simplicity, can be done quietly through living a principled life as well as through decisions and actions that support the same. Mars on this level is leads by example.

One can imagine hierarchical Mars indicated in the chart of the child who would become the Buddha. Sages looking at the celestial signs told his sovereign father, “When this child is a man, he will either rule the world or will rule himself and thus be a great world Teacher.” Ruling, leadership, the ability to conquer inner sources of hostility , and to express the nobility of the highest principles is indicated in Mars hierarchically ruling Sagittarius. Mars has used the sword of clarity and insight to a definite end: a life expressing integrity and authenticity through the highest use of one’s will and directedness. Mars has the intention to bring forward Presence. Presence, by nature, is indomitable (Mars) and is diamond clear. Presence is also bold, even fearless.

Mars is the scalpel of precision used on our thoughts as well as the pick ax that cuts the deep roots of self. Mars on the high turn represents one’s engagement of LIFE as the Life impulse itself. It represents the ascent of Sagittarius up the mountain of self-made reality through self-cherished thoughts and concepts. In this way, the animal-like nature and habits of Mars (horse bottom half of Sagittarius) are tamed, trained, and conquered.

Mars is raw. Ultimately, it heralds naked Awareness, and its heat displays as the flames of rigpa. But, first we express and experience Mars as does a horse: we rear up, as does a sprout: our projections shoot out, as does a moth to a flame: attracted to that which does not serve one’s life.

Vibrancy is Mars. As human beings, we mistake lesser experiences as vibrant. We also err  unwisely with unnecessary things thinking them vital. Yet, these make us weak. Mars in one’s chart describes what weakens the native and the flame that the moth-native consistently flies into. The chart points out what we rear up about as well as run away from. But, the horoscope also displays one’s Path of Truth and Light. Mars is its messenger.

Mars in one’s chart is no more or less significant than the other planets. However, its range of expression from cruel and violent, through self-focused, to strength of convictions and the courage to see those convictions through, is the foundation of a human being. Therefore, Mars can provide benefit to self and others or be lived as a detriment. Understanding Mars psychologically is to understand oneself. Expanding Mars’ expression is to better oneself. Using Mars as the Light of Integrity is to mature oneself.