Mars - The Planet Of Action

Mars is the planet of action - plain and simple. The energy we put forth in the world is related to Mars. Our actions are very black-and-white. We are either doing this or doing that. Why we are doing them, what they mean, etc. is a different matter. But every action is clear. It is what is. This is the nature of Mars, to act toward a goal. Not to question it, (Mercury and Jupiter) and not to get distracted or stop to enjoy ourself along the way (the moon and Venus). No, once we set our mind do something there is a reason for it. "I have to go to the bathroom" - "I have to wash the car" - "I have to make love" - "I have to explode a large bomb in a public place", these are all examples of Mars. A clear and decisive action, oriented toward a goal, based on a need, a preference or principle. We have many ideas and feelings but take only one action at a time.

Mars does not not define our goals, he acts upon them. Generally it is the interplay between Mercury and Jupiter, illuminated by the Sun, that define our goals. When we use Mars to act, we are fine. When we use Mars to speak, we are in trouble because Mercury is the one who speaks best - Mercury likes to have fun, likes to tell jokes, likes to play, enjoys the interaction. Don't you enjoy talking to people like that? Mercury move sideways, Mars moves forward. When Mars is talking there is impatience, perhaps irritability, even anger or violence. "Who has time to talk, I'm busy".

It is black-and-white with Mars. Most conversations, ideas and people are not black-and-white. When Mars is defining our long-term goals we are in trouble. Jupiter is the best to determine our long-term goals - long term goals should be based on teachings, what we have learned, a larger vision. Mars is in the moment, impulsive. We only act in the moment, but our principles need to be based on more than our momentary needs. "You are either helping me reach the goal or in my way." This is Mars logic. It is very effective for getting things done, but not very effective for much else.

This black-and-white powerful nature of Mars aligned with a worthy cause is an unstoppable force. Mars is the most important planet for Hatha yoga. The courageous, simplistic approach to life is what eventually allows us to put into practice what we know is right, because in many ways life is very simple - it IS black-and-white. We are always faced with a choice to either honor what we know is right and do the right thing or slide on our principles and do what is easiest, or the most convenient for whatever reason. Usually the reason we slide is because it is harder to do the right thing, we have to suffer if we are to put into practice what we have learned.

For instance, we know it would be best for us to get up at 6 a.m. and do some meditation, breathing exercises, yoga to start our day. But, " boy this bed feels good and I did yoga three days ago", sound familiar? The same is true with food and other sensual choices. This is the interplay between Mars and Venus. A powerful Mars will get up out of bed early and do the right thing. Mars is willing to suffer for our principles. In fact Mars is willing to die for principles, that is why Mars is also related to warfare. Even when it comes to arguing, it is the same idea. It is much easier to make a nice and go with the flow. But Mars is where we draw the line - it is where we are willing to suffer and bring suffering upon others because of what we think is right. That is his job. Defining what we actually think is right is someone else's job, mainly Mercury and Jupiter. But based on the whatever we think is right, Mars will act.

The nature of each planet is to do one thing very well and everything else quite poorly. But that is OK, you only need to perfect one energy and that will open up every other one. What typically happens is people tend to overuse their stronger planets as a way to compensate for the weaker ones they are neglecting; rather than use each appropriate energy when necessary.