The Power of the Mars Return in Astrology

What does Mars represent in astrology?

In astrology, Mars represents conflict, action, drive, willpower, injury, sex, passion, motivation, and assertion. It’s the planet of fucking and fighting, yes. But inside of these base-level themes, at its best, Mars in astrology represents our vitality, our aliveness, the force inside of us that drives us forward. Mars describes what we need in order to feel energized. It is our hunger for life and the will to satiate the urge to be alive. Mars is the fire and flame inside of us that keeps us going.

It’s important that we each feed our inner Mars and give it what it needs to keep the fire burning. Looking at the sign and house that your Mars is in and any major aspects it makes provides insight into what you personally need in order to feel fully awake and alive and hungry for life.

What is a Mars return?

Every two-ish years, Mars returns to the sign it was in when you were born and this is your Mars return – a potent, electrifying biennial period of action, excitement, and movement; stress, overextension, and overwhelm; and major forward momentum.

When Mars returns to the sign it was in (and especially the exact degree it was at) on the day you were born, action, momentum, and vitality rise. There is more energy available to you, surrounding you, and flowing through you. This is often an invigorating transit that is worth looking forward to!

During a Mars return, there is so much excess energy swirling in our lives and bodies that it’s easier than usual to overdo it — overwhelm, lots and lots of stress, overextending oneself and burnout are big possibilities — so this is the time to practice moderating your energy level, too.