On October 12th, 2023, Mars will have made its return to its own sign, Scorpio. Mars is a planet that gets a bad rap, even from some astrologers. Of course, we know that Mars should represent aggression and violence, but if that’s what it’s all about, why did the old studies of Michele Gauquelin find that Mars was prominent in the charts of surgeons as well as soldiers?

Mars is the planet that represents our survival instincts and our basic drives. It is the sign of your potency, or your ability to affect the world around you in ways that benefit you. Mars is like adrenaline – it can give us that extra boost of power when we need it, and it also works quietly by getting us up and going in the morning. 

But Mars can also get out of hand, and have you pushing the gas pedal too far and too fast for a run to the grocery store. Mars can be the anger that people cannot let go of, or the tunnel vision that enables some people to do what they want regardless of the consequences to others.

Yes, we all have Mars in our charts, and sometimes it may make us a bit more reckless than normal. It reveals itself through simple things like your cooking or your physical resilience but will also show your drive and your passion. The transits of Mars bring an extra boost of energy or courage, but can also bring disturbances and upsets, depending on the Solar house it is moving through. 

While Mars is in Scorpio from October 12th to November 24th, 2023, many of us may find that once we make up our mind to do a particular task and you set ourselves on the path, there is very little that can distract or dissuade us from completing our mission.

We are willing to work extremely hard to achieve our goals, and our focus, endurance, and stamina are incredible. The intensity of purpose demands respect and sometimes instills fear in others. We can overcome obstacles that would defeat most people. We will view these as opportunities to become stronger.

We will know that the best results are often not immediate, so we’re not attached to instant gratification, which gives us a great deal of patience and willingness to wait for the right moment. We are protective and suspicious, carefully guarding our work and our secrets, and at this time we will never reveal absolutely everything to anyone.

We will be extremely private and reserved. Oh -- and obsessive. Stubborn. Dogmatic. And don’t forget passionate! These qualities are part of what ensures success. During this time you will really want your efforts to count for something worthwhile.

The Solar houses are the Zodiac Signs, starting from your Sun-Sign, so let’s explore what the transit of Mars through the sign Scorpio means to you.

Mars in Scorpio for an Aries (Aries dates: March 20 – April 19)

Mars, when in Scorpio, is in the eighth Solar house of your chart, Aries, which represents money that comes from places other than your regular income. This can mean returns on investments, grants, insurance payouts, legacies and the like. It also has to do with financial obligations, such as taxes and bills. This is a time when you need to be careful with your cash. With Mars energy, you’ll tend to act too fast and go too far, Aries, so try to target your spending. You can expect money to flow out, so maybe if you focus on using it for something you really need you won’t be surprised by mislaid bills or overlooked financial obligations. Make a budget and stick to it for this transit.

Mars in Scorpio for a Taurus (Taurus dates: April 20 – May 20)

Think twice before you make any major decisions about your connections with others while Mars is transiting Scorpio, Taurus. It’s happening in your seventh Solar house of relationships and negotiations. Try to avoid serious bargaining about anything. At the same, Mars will favor you taking on just about challenge that comes your way. It’s time to tackle that hard job or engage in anything competitive. There’s a trick for working with this planet. In anything from playing chess to video games to competitive athletic events, Mars will favor you and will bring benefits, Taurus, as long as you have an opponent.

Mars in Scorpio for a Gemini (Gemini Dates: May 21 – June 20)

Mars is transiting your Solar sixth house of wellness, coworkers and employees. If you have to hire someone to do things around the home, Gemini, be very careful – they could make costly errors. At the workplace, coworkers are likely to fall into rumor mode, or someone you’re fond of might leave the job. On the health front, this is one of the best times to do things like visit the dentist for one of those painful cleanings, Gemini, because if you accept that, the worst-case scenarios Mars might come up with will be antidoted before they can manifest. Avoid dangerous or risky activities on the job and at home. This is a great time for aggressive spiritual practices like yoga.

Mars in Scorpio for a Cancer (Cancer dates: June 21 – July 21)

Cancer is Mars least favorite sign, but Scorpio is your fifth house of entertainment or enjoyment. Since it is the house of Mars, you can expect to have more fun now. Of course, Mars enjoys physical activity best, Cancer, and since this house also has romance as one of its meanings, it can turn that fun into a really hot time. Mars also enjoys any type of sport, so if you have the opportunity to play something do so. Exercise at home will work, as will trying new recipes or even throwing a party, as long as you are willing to keep things from getting too wild. 

Mars in Scorpio for a Leo (Leo dates: July 22 – August 22)

Mars is the co-ruler of Scorpio, and empowered by this transit he’s likely to do something irritating as he travels through your fourth Solar house of home, family and property. But you can control what happens, Leo by doing any kind of needed repair or modification of your place. Or, you can throw a party, but make sure you have everything you need to clean up at hand. If you go to a shindig, Leo, volunteer to stay and help clean up. These gestures give Mars something to do so this planet doesn’t act at random. This is not a great time to expect quiet evenings at home but is terrific for a celebration.

Mars in Scorpio for a Virgo (Virgo dates: August 23 – September 22)

It happens that the third house is one of Mars’ favorite places to transit – he’ll support whatever you’re doing with powerful energies. And, Virgo,  he’ll be transiting your third Solar house while he’s in Scorpio, the house concerning communication, computers and other technology, as well as local travel and neighbors. It’s a good idea to make sure your devices, including your mobile phone, are up-to-date, and that you’re mentally prepared in case there are problems beyond your control. This transit should be enjoyable, Virgo, especially if you have lots of work to do and errands to run. Mars might have you whistling while you work.

Mars in Scorpio for a Libra (Libra dates: September 23 – October 22)

Mars can cause some disturbance – Scorpio is your Solar second house of money, assets and income. Usually, this is a time where money “burns a hole in your pocket,” Libra, so you might want to carry less cash. You also might run into situations when unexpected fees or charges drive you up a wall. At the same time, it’s likely you’ll work hard for some extra money and be rather successful. It’s a much better way to raise money than speculation of any type, Libra, no matter how confident you are. This is a time to focus inward and consider your relationship with the flow of abundance.

Mars in Scorpio for a Scorpio (Scorpio dates: October 23 – November 21)

Mars is returning home, which happens to be your sign, Scorpio. If there’s ever been a good time for you to start something new, it’s now. You’ll find that you have a strong desire to push forward, and your energy level will probably be off the chain during the time Mars is in your first Solar house. You need to be careful about being too quick to jump on opportunities, and try to avoid being too impulsive in your interactions. The more calculating you are before you release your energy in any direction, the better things will turn out. Make sure you have completed your pre-launch check before you start your countdown, make sure you have a Plan B at hand, and go for it.

Mars in Scorpio for a Sagittarius (Sagittarius dates: November 22 – December 20)

Keep yourself to yourself, Sagittarius. Mars is transiting your Solar 12th house, which makes this a time to enjoy fun and pleasure behind closed doors. If you’re involved in any speculative ventures, keep your plans close to your chest. Mars brings the energy of your Solar fifth house of fun and romance into the house of secrets during this transit and would be happy to help your fun result in losses. But, Sagittarius, Mars can also do powerful healing work, if you have blemishes removed, dental work, or regular deep-tissue massage work now. Making a positive use of pain will keep the angry red planet from finding some for you.

Mars in Scorpio for a Capricorn (Capricorn dates: December 21 – January 19)

Mars is one of your favorite planets, Capricorn, and it’s traveling through your Solar 11th house, where he’s really feeling his oats. Make some noise. Literally. Visit a drumming group or an event where a lot of people are yelling and cheering, and make sure you join in. Because a sign that’s more reserved than many others, Capricorn, it may be hard for you to think about screaming yourself hoarse, but it will work out better if you’re shouting at a band or a sports team than at friends and relatives. Even if you play music at a higher volume than normal, Mars will appreciate it, because he wants you to be heard by others. It’s a good strategy, especially if your friends are involved.

Mars in Scorpio for an Aquarius (Aquarius dates: January 20 – February 17)

Working hard to reach a specific goal is highly favored, Aquarius; Scorpio is in your Solar 10th house of career and reputation and so is Mars. It’s time to impress authority figures, friends and relatives. Getting a raise or increased profits is not a goal for this transit of Mars – it’s a side-effect. This powerful transit favors your public accomplishments, so do something that will be noticed. You should avoid antagonizing authority figures, parents and the like, no matter what kind of relationship you have with them. Even joking around in a sarcastic way could be misinterpreted now, Aquarius. 

Mars in Scorpio for a Pisces (Pisces dates: February 18 – March 19)

Mars is in his happy place while in Scorpio, your Solar ninth house. It’s the house of higher knowledge, philosophy and law and tends to throw its power toward aspiration. This is the best time for you to step up your meditation or any spiritual practices designed for self-improvement, Pisces. Mars also brings the energy of your house of income into Scorpio, so working with the Laws of Attraction can bring good results. It’s time to visualize and to put your heart into your goals and dreams. Picture yourself in the future reflecting on what you’ve achieved and bring this vision into the present, Pisces. There couldn’t be a more positive and healthy way to use the energy of this transit.