Mars Remediation in Astrology: Boost Drive, Courage & Personal Power
This post was originally published October 6, 2020 in my now defunct website (yolandasastrology) and has sine been revised and updated .
🔥 Mars in Astrology: Action, Desire, and the Power to Conquer Your Fears
In traditional astrology, Mars is often categorized as a “malefic” or “challenging” planet. While Mars can stir conflict or danger, labelling planets as simply “good” or “evil” misses the point. Every planet, like every human, has both constructive and destructive qualities.
Mars represents action, drive, and courage—the energy that allows you to shine your true essence, confront fears, and manifest your Sun’s vision in the world.
Mars and the Self: Desire, Ego, and Action
Mars is the principle of directed energy and assertive action. Mars’ glyph (♂) symbolizes both desire and virility, often seen as a shield and lance or an arrow emerging from the circle of matter—a reminder that your purpose is to express your Sun’s energy fully.
Mars also represents ego and individuality. Spiritual traditions sometimes advise dissolving the “I,” but the truth is that Divine Mystery experiences life through your unique sense of self. Mars helps you discover your “Real I”—the authentic Self untainted by societal expectations or false beliefs.
Cynthia Bourgeault explains in The Eye of the Heart:
“It is by venturing out, learning the skills, developing the agency, and taking the risk that will eventually deliver the ‘Real I’ as its imaginal fruit. A person who is rich in essence but has not developed a strong vehicle for its expression in the world is, in Gurdjieff’s terms, a ‘stupid saint’.”
In other words, it takes courage—Mars energy—to give yourself fully to what wants to express through you.
Mars in Mythology
Mars, the Roman god of war and agriculture, is sometimes confused with Ares, the Greek god of war. Mars, however, was honoured as “Mars Pater”, Rome’s divine ancestor and protector. He went to war to restore peace and also oversaw the preservation of fertility and agriculture.
Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome, were believed to be fathered by Mars. Romans prayed to Mars for protection, fertility, and successful harvests. The month of March and the zodiac sign Aries are named in his honour.
Mars is, as Dylan Thomas wrote, “the force that through the green fuse drives the flower”—the energy to move outward, grow, and create.
Mars in Astrology: Action, Desire, and Drive
In astrology, Mars governs:
🔥 Action and initiative
🔥 Desire and sexual energy
🔥 Courage and assertiveness
🔥 Personal drive and ambition
Mars in Zodiac Signs
Aries (home): Mars is most assertive here, representing ego, impulse, and individuality.
Scorpio (home): Mars thrives in transformation, regeneration, and deep desire.
Taurus and Libra (weakened): Mars’ energy is slowed by deliberation, aesthetics, and personal values.
Capricorn (exalted): Mars’ drive is channelled strategically, creating constructive and long-term results.
Cancer (fall): Emotional sensitivity can hamper Mars’ effectiveness.
Understanding Mars in your chart helps you recognize how you pursue desires, overcome fears, and assert your will in the world.
Key Takeaways
Mars is not “evil”. He is the energy of action, courage, and self-expression.
Mars represents the drive to manifest your Sun’s purpose and confront personal fears.
Mars’ placement in your chart shows how and where you take action, from bold Aries impulses to strategic Capricorn planning.
Embrace Mars to cultivate courage, vitality, and personal agency.
Mars’ glyph
🔥 Mars Remediation in Astrology: How to Boost Drive, Courage, and Personal Power
Remediation in astrology is the practice of correcting or improving planetary conditions in your natal chart so you can fully benefit from a planet’s energy. Mars remediation, in particular, helps you harness courage, drive, and assertiveness, while mitigating challenges like timidity, passivity, or misplaced anger.
The first planet I remediated was Mars in 2019. I was excited but a little nervous because the last time Mars was my Time Lord, I had achieved one of my top life goals; however, I also experienced interference from a jealous competitor.
If your natal Mars is in Taurus, Libra, or Cancer, you may especially benefit from a remediation practice. As someone with Mars in Cancer, I can attest that before remediation, my Mars energy was timid and ineffective. I often relied on passive-aggressive tactics, but after practicing remediation, I became more comfortable expressing my desires and navigating social situations with confidence.
Clients with Mars in Aquarius become steadier, while clients with Mars in Taurus learn to act on time rather than procrastinate. Overall, Mars remediation helps people make effective use of their time, energy, and drive.
Signs You May Need Mars Remediation
Consider beginning a Mars remediation practice if you identify with any of the following:
Low drive, energy, or libido
Difficulty honouring your desires
Lack of motivation or direction
Struggles with anger or rage
Engaging in heartless or ruthless relationships
Mars energy can also manifest physically. You may notice:
-Headaches or migraines
-Inflammation or skin eruptions
-Blood disorders or circulation issues
- Redness, fever, or eye problems
If Mars is your Time Lord, remediation is strongly recommended. Time Lords are identified using Annual Profections, an astrological predictive technique dating back to the 2nd century BCE. It identifies the general theme or tone of your year, and I incorporate this method when doing Solar Return readings.
Preparing for Mars Remediation
Important: Do not begin a Mars remediation practice while Mars is retrograde.
Day: Mars rules Tuesdays
Colors: Red and yellow (wear red clothing, a red hat, or a yellow garment)
Duration: Repeat for a minimum of 5 consecutive Tuesdays
Mars Remediation Ritual Steps
Light a Candle
Use a red or yellow candle during Mars hour: the first hour after sunrise and the eighth hour on Tuesdays (use an app to find Mars hour in your time zone).
Optionally, engrave the Mars glyph ♂ on the candle.
Burn Incense
Use woodsy scents like Myrrh or Dragon’s Blood.
Recite or Write a Mantra
Orphic Hymn for Mars (translation by Apostolos N. Athanassakis) or
Mantra:
Om Mangalaya Namaha“Mang” means happiness, welfare, and bliss
“Mangala” refers to anything auspicious
Rig Veda also refers to Mars as Angaraka, “the flaming one”
Add the bija seed word
SHREEMfor abundance and personal power:Recite or write:
OM SHREEM MANGALAYA NAMAHARepeat 108 times
Make a Donation
Donate $5–$25 to organizations supporting refugees, veterans, or soldiers with PTSD
If funds are unavailable, offer your presence, flame, and incense as a symbolic contribution
Daily Mars Energy Practices
Since Mars is hot and dry, it’s important to cool off and balance its energy. Consider:
Drinking water regularly
Drinking green tea
Meditating near a river or stream
Practicing yoga, Tai Chi, or meditation
Spending time in nature barefoot to connect with the earth
Key Takeaways
Mars remediation strengthens courage, drive, and assertiveness
Helps you honor desires, improve motivation, and manage anger
Works best when Mars is direct and rituals are repeated consistently
Supports both spiritual and physiological balance
Sources & Recommended Reading & Listening
https://romanpagan.wordpress.com/mars/
https://pantheon.org/articles/m/mars.html
Bourgeault, Cynthia, Eye of the Heart.
Sedgewick, Icy. Meet Mars, the Roman God of War and Agriculture
McAdam. Yolanda. Mars, The Life Coach (Astro.com)
Watch or listen to me talk about Mars Retrograde with Melissa LaFara here.
Cosmic Guidance Coaching
Guidance based on your natal chart, current planetary transits, and personal goals. You will receive…
Insights into your life purpose
Guidance to overcome your challenges.
Assistance in defining and accomplishing your goals.
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