All about Mars in Cancer or in the 4th house
Like a celestial sentry, Mars readies us to fight for what we hold dear. Here’s where you feel passionate, fired up and may have a surplus of energy.
Temper alert! You may find that your fuse is shorter when it comes to this area of life. Or you may run hot and cold. You’re willing to act instinctually instead of deliberately—and sometimes things get messy as a result.
Lusty Mars is the forthright companion to seductive Venus and can bring out the “cosmic caveperson” in us all. Raw desire is directed by Mars, and that includes everything from our sex drive to our professional pursuits. Where there’s smoke there’s fire, so why not build upon that heat? Daring, energetic Mars provides exothermic momentum for our most trailblazing missions.
Natal Mars or Mars Sign
Whatever zodiac sign and house Mars was orbiting through at your time of birth determines your “natal Mars” or “Mars sign.” More specifically, this will guide you in the following ways:
- Motivation: How driven you are to achieve and what lights your fire
- Lust: Your passionate instincts and erotic drive
- Leadership: Where you’ll readily jump in and take charge
- Fight: What gets you riled up and ready to throw down; how you do battle
- Initiative: How readily you’ll start a project, relationship, etc.
- Raw instincts: What makes you move into action without thinking twice
Mars is one of the inner planets, along with Venus and Mercury. Because of its closer proximity to the Sun, it moves through all twelve zodiac signs in 687 days, spending an average of 6-8 weeks in each zodiac sign.
What is my Mars sign?
Use our cosmic calculator to discover what zodiac sign and house Mars was in when you were born. To accurately determine the house, you will need to know your birth time.
What if the zodiac sign and house are different?
This is common! Read both the sign and house description below. Do these interpretations pull you in two different directions? That’s not unusual. We human beings have range. Astrology is an interpretive dance, a tool which provides a fascinating layer of self-discovery. Do some “astro mixology.” Reflect on how you can work with both energies to enhance your life.
Special positions of Mars
Retrograde
Mars turns retrograde once every two years for a span of approximately two and a half months. It’s not that unusual to be born with this planet in reverse. You may have to work harder to muscle through its lessons, but once you nail this planet’s energy, your additional effort may actually lead to a rock-solid mastery of working with Jupiter in your life.
Domicile: Aries
The planet’s home base, an easy flow if placed here in the chart
Detriment: Libra
Opposite sign of home base, may need to work harder to integrate the planet’s energy if placed here in the chart
Exalted: Capricorn
The planet’s most powerful position; indicates ease and added fortune with using the planet’s energy if placed here in the chart
Fall: Cancer
Opposite sign to the exalted position, can indicate struggles with utilizing the planet’s energy if placed here in the chart
Mars in Cancer or the 4th House
Home is where the HEAT is for those born with Mars in Cancer or the private, domestic 4th house.
Mars in Cancer in love
You’re at your sultriest behind closed doors, especially in your own, well-appointed home. You rule in the kitchen, the bedroom and everywhere in between—whether you’re whipping up a gourmet feast or whipping off layers of clothing, and then power cuddling after marathon lovemaking. No apologies for wanting to be held tightly—you literally NEED that. It’s kind of like being in a sensual Crab shell. Plus, that feeling of safety can be a huge turn on for you, and it doesn’t hurt that affectionate TLC releases the feel-good, bonding hormone oxytocin.
Once you trust someone with your tender emotions, you can’t get close enough! Nesting and building a family (if not with kids, with pets) is the goal. You may fall for a partner who woos you with home-cooked meals and nostalgic tales of their childhood and relatives.
Mars in Cancer can be moody
Warning: with aggro Mars in this emo water sign and house, you can be moodier than most, with a tendency to tear up at the drop of a dime. Mars is said to be “in fall” in the sign of Cancer, meaning this is one of the more challenging signs for the red planet to be housed in. It makes sense: Mars is fierce and flamboyant, while Cancer is nurturing and private and the 4th house is home to your deepest emotions. As such, Mars in Cancer might also have a prickly outer shell which belies your tender sensitivity.
Working from home might be best for your Mars in Cancer productivity, or in a smaller office where the staff has a family vibe. Conflict with coworkers (or even a cooler reception) can literally ruin your day. Learning not to take everything so personally can make it easier for you to function outside your own four walls. (Or at least finding techniques to give your emotions some private airtime before you respond and react!)
With warrior Mars in this family-focused place, you are fiercely protective of your loved ones. No one crosses your clan without feeling some serious retribution. A tense home life can be especially challenging for a young Mars in Cancer, and that 4th house needs foundational security. If your biological family didn’t provide a safe haven, you may spend your adult life remixing the past by creating a “chosen family,” and being the ultimate caretaker and homemaker for those you love.
