Mars Conjunct Venus in Scorpio: The Maverick Mars. Dublin astrologer.

Mars has two traditional home signs, or domiciles, Aries and Scorpio, but they express themselves differently.

Mars in Aries is cardinal fire: direct, impulsive, competitive and quick to act. Mars in Scorpio is fixed water: passionate, focused, persistent and extraordinarily difficult to move once its mind is made up.

A planet in domicile is powerful, but that doesn't necessarily make it easy, depending on what aspects are influencing it!

I was looking at a loved ones birth chart recently (he's a teenager) and was struck by Mars at 12°28′ Scorpio, conjunct Venus at 12°46′ Scorpio. An exceptionally tight conjunction, with an orb of just 0°18′!

Mars is in its home sign, while Venus is in classically "detriment". But, here, I don't necessarily regard Venus in Scorpio as unfortunate. Scorpio is a passionate sign, traditionally ruled by Mars, and here Venus is closely associated with a powerful, dignified Mars. The aspect of Venus that holds desire/passion is well suited to Scorpio's natural intensity.

Caroline, Dublin Astrologer. Masculine and Feminine Polarity with Mars placement.

There is an interesting masculine/feminine connection in this chart.

Mars is traditionally a masculine planet, yet Scorpio is a feminine, receptive water sign. Meanwhile, the Sun occupies masculine Libra, ruled by Venus, a feminine planet.

Scorpio is receptive by polarity, but Mars in Scorpio can be formidable. Unlike the more outwardly assertive Mars in Aries, its strength may be expressed through concentration, endurance and an extraordinary capacity to hold its ground.

In general, this young person is an intriguing, compelling mix of masculine and feminine energy.

Venus conjunct Mars in the 11th house.

Venus and Mars occupy the 11th house, traditionally known as the Good Spirit, the house of extended social networks, friends and culture.

In this example, the young person is charming, affectionate and loyal to friends, with a lovely tender sensitivity. Yet, beneath that gentle exterior is an iron will.

He is passionate and intensely focused when something captures his interest, capable of enormous persistence and resilience. But he cannot easily be pushed into doing something he doesn't want to do!

Mars in domicile in Scorpio doesn't necessarily seek difficulty or confrontation, but does have a very strong sense of its own direction. Original thinking that can tip into rebellion is a core component of this Mars: Unlike Aries's more straightforward impulsivity, Scorpio can choose a less transparent, or more unique and convoluted way to achieve what it desires. Scorpio-Mars is happy to march to the beat of its own drum. Hence, this can be a rebel Mars, but not without cause.

Is there potential for moderation held within this chart?

Mars Square to the Moon in Leo.

Mars also squares the Moon at 7°56′ Leo, with an orb of 4°32′. I tend to disregard orbs of over 3' orb, but since Mars is already in such close conjunction to Venus, it is worth a second glance.

The Leo Moon is generous, warm and affectionate, but can also be proud and demanding. Both Leo and Scorpio are fixed signs, so again, this square introduces tension between emotional needs and personal will. Frustration can produce a strong reaction, particularly when autonomy is challenged.

In other words, yes, he can be a right little fire cracker!

Interestingly, though, the Moon also sextiles exalted Saturn in Libra, with an almost exact orb of 0°06′. There is a giant pen ring around that!

This Saturn offers a potentially stabilising influence, suggesting the capacity to develop emotional discipline and recover composure after frustration.

That is the moderation or discipline and objectivity his Mars needs. With time (he is still young), his Mars will mature as Saturn's long-term lessons are integrated. Saturn is wagging his wise-man finger at his rebellious spirit! Slow down, count to 10...

Strength Is Not the Same as Flexibility.

What also interests me about this chart is the relationship between personal desire and consideration for others.

Venus seeks connection, pleasure and harmony in relation to others, while Mars asserts Self. Here, Venus is in Mars's domicile and the two planets are almost exactly conjunct.

There is considerable capacity for affection and loyalty, but also a powerful insistence on doing things one's own way in a social or friendship group.

A strong Mars may already possess courage, persistence and determination. The challenge may be learning when to exercise that will and when to yield.

Essential dignity tells us something about a planet's strength and ability to act according to its nature. However, other planets in close aspect to a dignified planet, can really alter its nature. Every birth chart is unique.

In this case, Venus and Mars conjunct in Scorpio offers up a planet in dignity and another in detriment, but their tight aspect by conjunction works to produce passion, tenacity and a strong will that, when properly directed and moderated by Saturn's exacting limits, can produce potentially great results!

Dublin Astrologer, for birth chart and relationship Astrology Readings.

Caroline McElwee, Dublin astrologer - offering birth chart readings and relationship readings.