As Mars moves out of Capricorn and into Aquarius, it’s a good time to reflect on what Mars energy really is. For instance, why is Mars exalted in Capricorn but not in Aquarius? Both are Saturn-ruled signs, after all. Wouldn’t Mars in Aquarius have all the steady gains of Capricorn, but a little bolder?
Well, not quite. Aquarius’s Saturn influence is less about slow achievement than it is about reform. Aquarius goes about creating new structures with new problems and novel solutions. While Mars, like most other planets, can be put to work here, it’s not his favorite place. And like usual, there’s no better place to look for explanation than in myth.
The feast was going perfectly. All the gods were singing, laughing, and filling themselves with nectar to their heart’s content. This was Hera’s moment, she knew. With all the divinity of the universe watching, she would ascend and take her place as Queen of Heaven. And the crown jewel of the feast was her brand new, sparkling golden throne, gifted by an anonymous admirer. At the same time, she would have Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and in Hera’s mind, hussy extraordinaire, married off to favorite son, Ares, god of war. This was the day of her triumph. She’d be queen, and that homewrecker would be safely bound and prevented from turning Zeus’s eye.
As she climbed the glittering marble stairs to her throne, she could feel the wheels of fate turning. Finally the world would be ordered as she saw fit. Finally all the strife would be worth it. Nothing was going to go wrong this time. She lowered herself onto her throne, smiling in satisfaction. But suddenly the room echoed with feral, outraged howl. As all the gods turned to look, they saw Hera, bound in place on her throne. She struggled mightily against the ties that held her wrists and ankles to the throne. She screamed and wailed. She cursed and threw her weight around like a toddler. All to no avail. She them shrieked for her husband, king of the gods, to get her free. Zeus, never one to get his hands dirty, turned to the other gods and proclaimed that whoever was able to free Hera from the throne would have Aphrodite’s hand in marriage. Hera, Ares, and Aphrodite all shouted in protest. But Zeus reminded them that Ares was the strongest of the gods, and assured them that he was sure to win anyway. So Ares, always game, stepped up to the throne.
He jerked at the ties with all his might, but they only grew tighter. He questioned Hera about who gave her the throne, hoping to find a motive and solve the problem that way. But of course, Hera has no idea who has gifted her this horrible, glistening trap. Ares then went about slowly pulling at each tie, seeing if he could make steady progress. But nothing worked. The more he tried, the tighter the bonds became. The rest of the gods looked upon him with scorn, and he knew he was not operating in his element. Ares had failed.
Finally, a new face stepped out of the crowd. This was Hephaestus, Hera’s first son, who had been cast out of Olympus due to a deformed leg. He had survived the fall and become a master smith. His keen intellect and finely-honed skills meant that he could forge anything, anything at all. Even, for example, a deceptively beautiful golden throne.
“Quite a pickle you’re in here. Need any help?” He smiled at his mother as she squirmed in fury. “I hear there might be a reward…?”
Hephaestus stepped to the throne and deftly activated the hidden mechanism. The ties retreated into their housing, and Hera was free. And Aphrodite had a new suitor to contend with. Ares and Aphrodite both were incensed, but Zeus merely shrugged. The rules had changed. There was a new order and Hephaestus was the victor. So much for might.
In this new world, Ares just couldn’t compete. If the throne had been an Aries problem, he could smashed his way through it. If it had been a Scorpio problem, he could have sussed out the motives and found the secret. If it had been a Capricorn problem, he could have patiently worked on each tie, freeing Hera one limb at a time. But this was an Aquarius problem. New rules, new mechanisms, new structures. New problems required new solutions and new heroes to carry them out. Sure, Ares could have figured it out eventually, but not before Hera lost her patience and burst his ear drums with her screams.
In the same way, there are many, many things that Mars is good at. Being a hero, getting revenge, and achieving greatness all come to mind. But navigating a new world order isn’t on the top of the list. Mars can absolutely be effective in Aquarius. Mars is a soldier and he will carry out his orders regardless. But if he had to pick, he’d rather be hustling in Capricorn’s house than forming a new government with Aquarius any day.
Do you have Mars in Aquarius? What about Capricorn? Tell us about it!
I’ve honestly never heard this story before. My Mars is in Capricorn and my North Node is in Aries, so Aries is something I have to learn.
I’ve never hear it either, and I love the distinctions of Mars-ness through the myth. To end with Mars fiddling with the mechanism is so totally Uranus. Natal Mars is in Leo(drama), Progressed Sun is in Aquarius. I have lots to learn about Aquarius and have depended upon Uranus to beam me out of tight spots all my life! This perspective adds something to chew on.
Same, friend. Are you going through your mars Pluto transit ? What’s it like?
I think the most mars in the 12th defense is to get a tattoo of the coronavirus molecule or design clothing with it on. Idk why
I know three Mars in Aquarius people. They are VERY rebellious! I love them!
Mars AND Saturn in Aquarius…11th house, no less. I guess the best way I can describe me is that I toe my own line!
Midara, what a story! : – ) Great to read! Thank you for writing this. Fascinating.
During this pandemic, I see both Tr Saturn and Tr Mars in Aquarius coming to our global rescue. These two planets will be “implementing the plan.”
also air mars “thinks” more, than “doing” which I saw mars Capricorn do. My father has Capricorn mars, and its weird but no one ever notices how much work he does when he was younger; he would completely overhaul the garden and backyard the amount that 4 workers would do, and no one really sees it, because when he puts his mind, he does so much around the house. Now that he’s old, it is harder for him to get around, and before he got diabetes and osteoporosis diagnosed, people thought he was being lazy as he got older but they don’t see that old age and sickness can do you in. But before that mars Capricorn is a trooper, a soldier, and he always found work no matter what. While I have known an Aquarius mars who had a hard time to find work for four years and stayed at home, but more because he got discouraged a lot. not because he didn’t want to work. anxiety and discouragement can do that. But that Mars Capricorn, just don’t quit. even if they are depressed. O_O the air mars just “thinks” too much. and that’s a detriment.
* I meant that no one really sees it because he did so much that it’s SOOO easy for people around him to take advantage of that. He makes it easy for everyone around him. because that mars is a soldier!!
I have Mars in Aquarius, in 11th house to top it off. 🙂
My mars isn’t strong, I would fight for my friends and for justice, but rarely for myself.
Me too, Ines! I am rebellious, though that’s probably my Aquarius.
Saturn in aquarius. Due for my return, yes
This really helped me to understand Aquarius in Mars. I have attracted a couple of them and this makes perfect sense. By any chance can you shed some light on Pisces in Venus?
Lyns, I wrote about Venus in Pisces a while back – here’s the link!
https://elsaelsa.com/astrology/venus-exalted-in-pisces-love-is-blind/