Mars is called Superiorum Infimus—the lowest of the three superior planets. To our sight he appears fiery-red, sparkling, and glowing. He completes his circuit through the zodiac in nearly two years. Mars is masculine, nocturnal, hot and dry in nature—fiery and choleric. He is known as the Lesser Malefic (not the worst of the planets, as some have falsely claimed without authority or reason). He is the author of strife, quarrels, controversies, and contentions.
Mars typically signifies a person of strong and able body, with large bones yet of middle stature. The visage is round, the complexion ruddy-brown, and the hair red or flaxen, often curly. The eyes are sharp and hazel, with a piercing quality; the countenance is confident, bold, and spirited. He denotes a lofty, undaunted soul—one that fears nothing.
When Mars is well dignified, he produces a native of prudent conduct in all matters. In war, none surpasses him. He is confident, bold, and resolute, claiming honor for himself. He yields obedience to no one willingly, and speaks freely of his own deeds. He scorns and derides all things in comparison to victory, yet in his own affairs he can be prudent and behave with excellence.
But when Mars is ill dignified, he produces a prattler without modesty or honesty, one who stirs up quarrels, a thief, perjurer, or disturber of the peace. Such a native is rash, treacherous, inhumane, and violent—an incendiary who fears not God, nor respects or honors man.
Mars represents conquerors, usurpers, tyrants, and princes who rule by force or oppression; generals, colonels, captains, and soldiers of every kind. He also governs physicians, apothecaries, surgeons, alchemists, gunners, sergeants, bailiffs, marshals, butchers, smiths, bakers, thieves, executioners, watchmakers, armorers, cutlers, barbers, cooks, and carpenters.
Herbs and Plants of Mars
The herbs and plants under Mars are: arsmart, asarabacca, barberries, sweet basil, bramble, briony, brooklime, butcher’s broom, broom, broom-rape, crowfoot, cuckoo-pint, cranebill, cotton thistle, flaxweed, furze bush, garlic, hawthorn, hops, masterwort, mustard, hedge-mustard, nadder, nettles, onions, pepperwort, blessed thistle (carduus benedictus), radish, horseradish, rhubarb, rapontic, bastard rhubarb, thistles of every kind, star thistle, woolly thistle, tobacco, treacle-mustard, mithridate-mustard, weld, and wormwood.
These plants, when rightly applied, serve the astrological physician in addressing diseases shown by Mars in the nativity.
Mars in Signs
Mars in the Houses of Saturn (Capricorn or Aquarius)
When Mars is in Capricorn or Aquarius, well disposed, fortunate, and strong, the native will be bold and magnanimous, inclined to chivalrous deeds. He will achieve whatever he undertakes, his fame will be exalted, and he will possess a commanding spirit. If his lineage permits, he may even become a king, and his renown will extend into distant lands. Yet he will also consume and waste not only his own goods but those of others. If he has elder brothers, they will die before him—or he may be the cause of their death—especially if the Lord of the Eighth house aspects his significator or is bodily joined to him.
Mars in the Houses of Jupiter (Sagittarius or Pisces)
If Mars is in Sagittarius or Pisces, strong, fortunate, and the significator of the nativity, the native will dwell among kings, nobles, and wealthy men, and will be dearly loved by them. They will place him over their affairs and appoint him to command their armies—particularly if Jupiter is also strong and fortunate, especially in Aries or Scorpio, and free from impediment.
Mars in His Own Houses (Aries or Scorpio)
When Mars is in Aries or Scorpio, he signifies one skilled in instruments of war (especially in a nocturnal nativity), in engines and engines of siege. He will be ingenious, quick-witted, and apt in geometry. But if it is a diurnal birth and Mars is oriental and not aspected by the benefics, he makes the native malicious, devilish, a backbiter and slanderer, delighting to injure others. Such a man will also be afflicted by secret and hidden diseases, such as catarrhs. If Mars is in Scorpio, the evils will be lessened.
Mars in the House of the Sun (Leo)
When Mars is in Leo, by day or night, the native will suffer many misfortunes, both to his person and substance. He will be afflicted with weak eyes—especially the right eye—and a poor stomach. He is destined for a sudden and untimely death, possibly by hanging or beheading, dying by the hands of men. This is especially certain if Mars is in the tenth house.
Mars in the Houses of Venus (Taurus or Libra)
If Mars is in Taurus or Libra, the native will be luxurious, a fornicator, and inclined to shameful and abominable acts. He will deceive women, and be deceived by them in return—betrothing under false pretenses, and through such behavior bringing upon himself great damage and disgrace. According to Albonly, if Mars is in Taurus, the native will be treacherous, false, boastful, and lecherous; if in Libra, he will suffer wounds in the private parts.
Mars in the Houses of Mercury (Gemini or Virgo)
If Mars is in Gemini or Virgo, it makes the native careless and carnal-minded, absorbed in worldly concerns. He will be crafty, deceitful, covetous, and willing to profit by theft or unlawful means. Yet if he applies himself to writing, he will be an excellent scribe, sharp in wit, skilled in languages, and able to interpret books of many tongues. He will be ingenious and surpass others in learning and science.
Mars in the House of the Moon (Cancer)
When Mars is in Cancer, the native will be fickle and inconstant, often changing his mind. Yet he will have profound judgment in the sciences and advance greatly in them. He may also be drawn toward the study of dark or forbidden arts. According to Alboaly, if he suffers a wound to his private parts, he will die suddenly. He will consume much of his mother’s goods, and she herself will endure long and grievous illnesses after his birth.
From the The Doctrine of Nativites and Horary Questions, JOHN GADBURY