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Mars Characteristics/Traits
Mars is considered as a fiery and male planet in Vedic astrology. Looking at its characteristics/traits/significances; it represents physical strength, vitality, immunity, youth, aggression, energy, muscular strength, blood, courage, confidence, bravery, initiative, dominance, violence, competitive spirit, sex drive, straight-forwardness, anger, stubbornness, strong-headedness, warrior skills, sporting skills, brothers, friends, revolutions, reforms, arms, weapons, wars and a number of other things and people.
Mars rules Pitta (fire) element in body. Hence it controls the amount of energy or fire in body; though Sun and Ketu may also do the same. Natives who have weak/afflicted Mars in their horoscopes may suffer from health issues caused due to lack of fire element; as well as other issues. Poor digestion, laziness, lack of initiative, low confidence, lack of aggression, high/low blood pressure, physical weakness, underrated sexual performance and early arrival of old age are some of the problems that such natives may face.
On the other hand, if Mars is strong in a horoscope, the native may witness good results related to digestion, initiative, aggression, confidence, physical energy, sexual performance, muscular fitness and many other things. In case it is very strong; and Sun and/or Ketu are also strong; the native may suffer because of too much fire element. Such native may face problems like too much aggression, overconfidence, impulsiveness, being violent, being argumentative, acidity, muscle cramps, high blood pressure, sleep disorders and ulcers among other things.
Mars is considered as a strongly masculine planet; perhaps the strongest one. Hence male natives may benefit more from the energy of this planet than female natives. Along with physical strength, it represents mental strength. Though Mercury may bless a native with intellect; Mars may render him energy to engage in intellectual pursuits. Hence a combination of benefic Mars with different planets may bring various types of good results. Taking an example, a benefic combination of Mars and Mercury in a horoscope may bless the native with success through intellectual spheres. On the other hand, a combination of benefic Mars and benefic Moon, commonly known as Chandra Mangal Yoga may bless the native with success through creative spheres, among other things.
When strong benefic Mars rises in the first house of a horoscope; the native may be confident, competitive, courageous, brave, strong-headed, impulsive, sportive, youthful, energetic, masculine and dominant. Such placement is more beneficial for male natives than female natives. Female natives having such placement of this planet may witness significant reduction in feminine traits and they may become more masculine. One such female native may have masculine features as well as masculine type body; instead of having typical feminine body (curvaceous).
She may be aggressive, dominant, confident and courageous. Hence she may be more interested in professional pursuits and/or making name for herself; than in personal life. Though she may do well or very well in profession; she may face a number of problems related to personal life. The situation may be worst in case of marriage and relationship with children as these spheres may suffer the most. Female are naturally gifted to process emotions like love, care, affection and concern. Such placement may cause significant reduction in all these emotions as well as other likewise emotions. Hence she may struggle when it comes to form and maintain relationships.
A male native on the other hand, may handle such placement a lot better than female native. Hence he may achieve good or very good amount of professional success and he may also manage to do well in the sphere of relationships, though with some problems.
Natives under strong influence of Mars may practice as police officers, soldiers, army officers, naval officers, air force officers, fire fighters, various types of defence personnel, doctors, surgeons, engineers, sportsmen, athletes, gym trainers, body builders, martial art teachers, combat fighters, wrestlers, boxers, reformers, revolutionists, extremists, terrorists, contract killers and many other types of professionals.
Mars may be strong or very strong in Aries, Scorpio and Capricorn; depending on its nakshatra and navamsha placements within these signs. It may have significant strength or it may be strong in Leo and Sagittarius; depending on its nakshatra and navamsha placements within these signs. It may perform very well, well or poorly in Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra and Aquarius; depending on its nakshatra and navamsha placements within these signs. It may perform poorly or very poorly in Cancer; depending on its nakshatra and navamsha placements within these signs.
Taking an example, Mars may perform relatively well when placed in Capricorn navamsha of Ashlesha nakshatra within the sign of Cancer. However, it may perform very poorly when placed in Cancer navamsha of Punarvasu nakshatra within the sign of Cancer. Taking another example, Mars may be very strong when placed in Aries navamsha of Ashwini nakshatra within the sign of Aries whereas it may be strong but not very strong when placed in Cancer navamsha of Ashwini nakshatra within the sign of Aries.
Affliction to Mars from malefic planets may result in formation of various types of defects. Among them; Angarak Yoga is a prominent one. On the other hand, benefic and clean Mars may form good yogas in horoscope. Among them; Chandra Mangal Yoga and Ruchaka Yoga are prominent ones.
Himanshu Shangari