Mars, the raw force of will and drive, is often seen as the planet of aggression, action, and desire. In mythology, he is Ares, the god of war, whose presence ignites conflict and passion alike. Yet beyond its traditional associations with battle and conquest, Mars represents something deeper—the urge toward individuation, the fierce awareness that each of us is utterly unique, unlike anything or anyone else in existence. When we grasp this individuality, we uncover our true source of power and strength. Mars is the fire within, the energy that propels us to stand apart, to assert our presence, and to carve our own path in the world.

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However, this raw energy has been mishandled, perhaps more than any other planetary force. Throughout history, the power of Mars has been expressed through war, violence, and domination—the assertion of personal will as power over others. Rather than recognizing individuality as an intrinsic source of strength, we have often wielded it as a weapon, using difference to create division rather than self-realization. This misuse of Mars weakens rather than empowers, leading to destruction rather than true mastery.

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The balance to Mars is found in Jupiter, the planet of wisdom and expansion, which urges us to participate in community and the collective spirit. Individuation does not mean isolation—it means standing in one’s power while also recognizing the strength in unity. In the right context, Mars’ energy is amplified, not diminished, when joined with others who share a common purpose. True strength comes not from reckless assertion of the self against the world but from bringing one’s unique power into collaboration with others, multiplying its impact rather than scattering it in conflict. When Mars is understood in this way, it becomes not a force of destruction, but of self-actualization and purposeful action.