Mars in Cancer: Astrology & Planet Positions of Mars Retrograde
September 11th, 2007 at 2:36 pm (Planets and Signs in Astrology)
Mars will enter Cancer on September 29, 2007, which is not a positive planetary event. In Cancer, Mars is in the sign of its fall, and therefore is particularly malefic. The ancient astrologers specifically looked for times when Mars in Cancer conjoined Saturn, as both planets were then at their most malefic, and their conjunction could only bode ill.
Mars is going to be in Cancer for a long time this year, as it turns retrograde at 12° Cancer on November 15. This means that Mars will be moving very slowly through the rest of 2007, and will have to be dealt with cautiously during this entire time (and into 2008).
Electional Astrology with Mars in Cancer
If Mars rules anything important in your natal horoscope, it may be best to avoid making major moves while it is passing through Cancer, and ideally throughout the time of its retrogradation. For example, if Mars rules your second house of money, making major financial decisions during this time is rather more risky than we would like.
If you absolutely must act, try to find dates when Mars is aspecting benefic planets, or just throw your hands up and call a professional astrologer.
The same goes for Mars-related activities, such as sporting events, warfare, surgery in general, and anything physically invasive.
Mars in Cancer in the Natal Horoscope
Generally, Mars in Cancer will not be a force for good in the natal horoscope, due to its weak placement in that sign. If Mars happens to be conjunct an eminent fixed star, such as in the horoscope of Roger Federer, then its malefic nature is much diminished (though the tendency to shed tears upon winning tennis tournaments is not). However, in general, Mars in Cancer is going to be tough to deal with.
As a different, more difficult example of Mars in Cancer, we can look at the natal horoscope of British poet laureate Robert Southey, who, after a distinguished poetic career, lost his mind and thereafter died. While there is much more to be said about his horoscope, note the Mars in Cancer on the midheaven (ruling his 3rd house of writing, and indicating his prolific career, which led to about 55 books), sextile Mercury in Virgo. Mercury represents the rational mind, so we see his sanity afflicted by his urge for fast and furious (Cancer is a cardinal sign, and therefore moves very quickly) creative output.
—To find out the meaning of Mars in your horoscope, or to find the best time to act while Mars moves through Cancer, why not get an astrology reading?
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Linea said,
September 12th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Hi Nina! Phew, yes. Mars in Cancer. Electional charts. Not a good combo! I’ve already told more than one person who has come to me for a business or other electional chart to hold off till next year. The whole situation looks pretty tense and uncomfortable all the way into Jan. 2008 and Mars in Cancer is just the beginning of it.
Interesting, isn’t it, that Federer has Mars in Cancer. Your comment on the fixed star conjunct his Mars was interesting — that it tones down the debility. Funny cuz Federer looks SO cool on deck — but in his post-win interview he admitted that he’d been having upset stomach, nervousnes and sleeplessness for the several previous days.
He finally has a worthy opponent in Novak Djokovic. I checked out Djokovic’s chart (May 22 1987 Belgrade, Serbia, time unknown) and he also has Mars in the first degree of Cancer! As well as 0 deg. Gemini Sun. So he lost that match (the US Open finals) with transiting Saturn exactly square his Sun. Can’t help but wonder what will develop as transiting Pluto opposes his natal Mars in the coming 2 years. A whopping rivalry with Federer would be my guess!
Thanks for all your good work. Cross-posting now.
gryphonastrology said,
September 12th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Hi Linea!
Re Mars in Cancer in electional charts - not good. It’s probably sort of okayish if it doesn’t rule anything relevant to the situation, and we can stash it somewhere in the 12th house, but I sure don’t love it, either.
About Federer (I’m a big tennis fan, so if I’m not careful, I can go on at some length here
- he is very cool now, but he used to be very emotional on the court. I read his bio recently, and he used to throw temper tantrums on court all the time as a teenager. I guess now he’s better at controlling the urge.
Djokovic’s horoscope is interesting. To me, he is an example of a Mars in Cancer without major redeeming characteristics (unlike in Federer’s chart). He gets very emotional on court, throwing the racket, screaming, lots of emotion. It doesn’t help his game; in the final, he started to lose, then he started to lose his temper, and then he really flubbed a few points. I seriously thought he was going to cry (Federer still cries, but only when he wins).
Hope to see you on here again soon!
Nina
Linea said,
September 13th, 2007 at 8:56 am
Hi Again Nina
Say, would you mind doing a post on what happens when people have fixed stars prominent in their charts. I get this question a lot from folks who have, say, stuff at 26 Taurus and they’re all freaked out about Algol. What do you say to these folks?
Linea
Amy said,
September 15th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Dear Nina,
I happen to have Mars in Cancer in the 7th house.
Do you think it’s best if I completely ignore my love life this year? :/
Kind-of-lost,
Amy
Jenny Stevenson said,
September 26th, 2007 at 5:16 am
My natal mercury is in Cancer, so I guess Mars joining that
in my natal 10th House means I will be telling people how it is, I have a natal Mars and Uranus conjunction in Gemini at 26 degrees (9th House) opposition transiting Pluto in 3rd House - would it be a good idea not take any long distance air journeys - supposed to be going to Hong Kong in November - help please (Leo 8/8)
Niki said,
September 28th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
Hi Nina,
I love reading your articles and responses to other, what does it mean if:
In my lunar return chart Mars retrograde in the 7th house and my natal chart has Vebus in the 7th house Capricorn and Mars is in the third house in Libra.
Nicci
Gryphon Astrology Blog » Mars in Libra: August 19 – October 4, 2008 said,
August 12th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
[...] Mars in Cancer? Read about it [...]
Astronews » Blog Archive » Mars in Libra: August 19 – October 4, 2008 said,
August 17th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
[...] Mars in Cancer? Read about it [...]