The ability to act aggressively and with determination is necessary, not just for survival, but also for success in one's life aims. Mars symbolises the impulse to act in this way, but left to itself can wreak havoc. The pursuit of one's goals in life is mainly represented by the Sun, which is generally more positive, both in determining those goals and in finding the appropriate path. This is because the Sun is more reflective, can see the bigger picture, realising that one's own goals impinge on other people, and that success in one's own mission may be diminished if others are trampled upon on the way.

The assertion of Mars is needed, but can be very damaging as it has none of the reflective capacity of the Sun. Mars does not consider the needs of other people on the way. The aims of the Sun cannot be achieved by Mars alone, because there may be nobody left to benefit from the exercise of those aims - they have all be vanquished. Well, they may have been vanquished but for suicide bombers - a subtle kind of warfare Mars finds it very hard to handle!

Herakles, a mythical figure thought of as a hero by the Greeks, is a Mars-like figure. He blunders his way forward, accidentally killing people, or wounding friends, on the way. Mars in the horoscope can show where, in an unreflective moment, we can harm other people in the pursuit of our goals.

Another figure in Greek myth signifying Mars is Ares. Ares was created in rage by Hera parthenogenically after her husband Zeus had created the goddess Athena out of his head without a mother. Thus Ares has no father. He acted out of pure instinct without any spiritual or intellectual dimension, and was successful where blind bloodthirstiness and brutality were all that was required. Where intelligence and reflection were required, Athena was more successful.

Mars gets things done. He is not concerned to compare his path with those of others, nor necessarily even to dominate others, but just to get to his chosen destination. In order to relate he needs Venus (Aphrodite) to whom he is irresistibly drawn, and who can tame him through beauty and pleasure. A good relationship between Venus and Mars in the chart can show a good balance between assertion and compromise.

Rules -Aries and Scorpio
Day -Tuesday
Colors - Maroon, red and sea-green
Health - Mars rules the sex organs, bladder, muscular system, head, face, left ear, the sense of taste, blood poison, sexually transmitted diseases, hemorrhoids, burns, accidents, cuts, scalds, influenza, kidneys and inflammatory conditions.
The diameter of Mars is roughly 4200 miles and it is smaller to earth. The temperature of the planet is said to be very low. It is being doubted whether existence of human life is possible there .When viewed under a telescope, the Northern hemisphere appears as brown patches and the Southern parts as bluish-grey patches.
The cycle of Mars is similar to the Venus cycle, but rarely takes less than 6 weeks to travel through a sign and sometimes remaining for up to 6 months in one sign. The energy of Mars is vibrant and powerful and can easily override the energies of other planets especially in the case of men. Physical stamina, drive, aggression, and sexual needs all come under the ruler ship of Mars.
Mars rules physical energy and efforts. It describes the strength and direction of the physical force that drives your ego, fires your emotions, and encourages your mental endeavors and communicative skills. It describes male relationships and associations, risk-taking inclinations, and the physical challenges you are likely to encounter.
Mars has sudden, explosive and disruptive actions. It is the signification for brother, energy, courage, ambitions, desires and self-confidence. Practical nature, accidents, cuts wounds and operations are also ruled by Mars.