“Cuffing season” starts early this year, thanks to the Mars in Libra transit from August 27 to October 12. Power to your partnerships, but don’t let the impatient red planet lock you into a serious situation before you’re truly ready!
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Talk about a paradox! Indie-spirited Mars is the planet of combat while Libra is the sign of partnership and harmony. When the red planet visits this zodiac sign (every 18 to 24 months) it brings out the peaceful warriors in us all, like (Libra Sun sign) Gandhi who changed the world through the art of passive resistance.
Synthesizing these two opposing forces ain’t easy. According to the astrological principle of essential dignities, Mars is in “detriment” in Libra, a weakened position since it sits opposite on the horoscope wheel from Aries, the sign that Mars rules.
What to expect during Mars in Libra
Here’s what we can all anticipate between August 27 and October 12, 2023, during the Mars in Libra transit.
Relationships become central focus. You may want to invest more energy into socializing, connecting with others, seeking companionship or partnership (in business, too).
You can feel torn. Mars in Libra seeks balance and harmony, as mentioned, but this can sometimes lead to indecisiveness. Twisting between options is normal during this transit, or have difficulty making confident decisions that you don’t second- (or third-) guess.
You want to keep the peace. The Mars in Libra transit supports peaceful resolutions to problems that arise. You may feel more diplomatic and inclined to seek compromises versus launching all-out wars when you face conflict. You have Libra here to thank for not letting the planet of aggression take over! Mars in Libra dislikes confrontations and favors a passive approach (note, not passive-aggressive!).
You want to look good doing, anything! Libra is the sign of beauty. The Mars in Libra transit can heighten your appreciation for all things beautiful: art, culture, clothing and your surroundings.
You’ll die on that mountain. Mars in Libra fuels a passion for fairness (Libra is the sign of the scales!) and social justice. During the Mars in Libra transit you may feel more driven to stand up for the rights of others and seek a fairer world. Get behind a worthy cause and there’ll be no stopping you!
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What the Mars in Libra transit can do for your love life
Coupled? The Mars in Libra transit adds a dash of spice, but it can also stir up passive-aggressive bickering, especially if one of you is pulling an unequal share of the load. It will take extra effort to keep your emotional equilibrium now. If it’s longevity you’re after, aim for a balanced view during the Mars in Libra transit, from August 27 to October 12.
Single? It’s almost too easy to romanticize when Mars blasts into Libra’s love-and-marriage zone every other year. The good news is you’re inclined to seek partners who value collaboration and partnership. Your taste is discerning. Since you’re attracted to people who appreciate the finer things, look for someone who shares your sense and sensibility.
Your Mars in Libra transit horoscope
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Your ruler, athletic Mars, wraps a seven-week visit to Virgo, your sixth house of health, on August 27. During this cycle, you may have amped up your exercise routine or nipped a bad habit in the bud. At the same time, you may have had lots of stressful details to manage. With the Mars in Libra transit in your relationship house until October 12, the next six and a half weeks are all about dynamic collaborations, both business and personal.
Warning: you could fall prey to the cuffing season pressure to pair up or rush relationships to the next level. Haste makes waste, Aries, so listen to your heart—not the cacophony of the comments section. Is it time to update your privacy policy?
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Energizer Mars wraps a seven-week visit to Virgo and your fifth house of love, creativity and fertility, on August 27. Since July 10, your love life has been a charged zone, both with drama and excitement. With the Mars in Libra transit in your health and fitness sign until October 12, it’s time to get hot and sweaty in a different way. Grab your yoga mat or head to a cardio class. Challenge yourself to break a bad habit. Get your life and your body in fierce fighting shape! And how about making that a buddy workout?
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
You can kick your feet up at Chateau Twin again! Stressful Mars has been stirring the pot in your domestic sector since July 10, making you restless and rather moody. Or maybe you haven’t had a minute to rest! You may have couch surfed, moved, or found yourself short on relaxation time.
Friction with a relative or a key female may have increased, as you motivated and irritated each other equally. But that may magically dissipate on August 27 when the lusty planet moves into Libra and your fifth house of romance until October 12. Prepare for a spicy, steamy fall season, which could include a pregnancy if that’s on your agenda (and even if it’s not, so consider yourself alerted). Courageous Mars makes you bold, so if you’re feeling an attraction, don’t keep it to yourself!
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Has your recent communication style left a trail of strained social ties? With feisty Mars in Virgo and your communication house since July 10, we wouldn’t be surprised if you stomped on a few pedicured toes. But hey, you may have broken through some shyness barriers, perhaps putting your creative work or writing on display. On August 27, this red-hot planet moves into Libra, putting his energizing focus on your domestic affairs. Until October 12, you could move unexpectedly, switch your décor from gothic punk to Midcentury modern, or even adopt a pet. Powerful women will be your key motivators so turn those projects into sister acts.
Leo (July 23-August 22)
Money and work have been supercharged for the last seven weeks, while energetic Mars was in your second house of finance. Your bills and budget could have been a source of stress, or you may have had a fast-paced, demanding assignment that kept you on edge. On August 27, Mars departs that zone and moves into Libra your communication house. Before October 12, exciting correspondences and collaborations could evolve into official partnerships. Your social life is also abuzz, and you could be fielding multiple parties in a night—no arguments from you on that!
Virgo (August 23-September 22)
Sexy, energetic Mars has been in your sign since July 10, a seven-week visit that’s brought out your assertiveness, charisma and life-force energy. On August 27, Mars leaves Virgo and moves into Libra, heating up your work and money house. This summer, you’ve become more fiercely sensual and outspoken, and it suits you. Maybe it’s time to take that new attitude on the road—for a raise, a promotion or a brand-new gig, during the Mars in Libra transit. You have until October 12, so get ready to work it on your own behalf!
Libra (September 23-October 22)
Energizer Mars has been languishing in Virgo and your sleepy twelfth house since July 10. While you may have done deep emotional and spiritual work, it’s also been a confusing chapter where the road ahead was unclear. Being productive may have been a challenge—escaping the grind? Not so much. Mars enters Libra on August 27, flipping on the lights, rebooting your system, and pulling your inner butterfly out of that dark cocoon.
You host the red-hot planet through October 12, promising to make spirits (yours in particular) bright for the early part of the fall season. You’re the life of every party but you’ll be equally obsessed with your own passions. No apologies for being self-focused: You only get the red planet on your team every two years so milk it!
Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
Since July 10, Mars has been in Virgo and your eleventh house of group activity. Collaborating felt like herding cats at some points, then insanely inspiring at other times. On August 27, Mars slips off to Libra and naps in your restful twelfth house until October 12. Dial it down, conserve your energy and focus on emotional healing, spirituality and closure.
And when you ARE awake, how about starting a meditation practice or getting back into your yoga routine? Quieting your mind will help you attract what you want. Or maybe just take some disco naps?
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
Thanks to the past seven weeks of motivator Mars in Virgo and your tenth house of success and prestige, you probably have plenty of people ready to catch you though! And that number increases exponentially starting August 27 when Mars leaves Virgo for Libra and tours your house of teamwork and technology until October 12. During the Mars in Libra transit, you’ll join forces with some all-star players. With the red planet beaming into your tech sector, it’s a great time to launch a sexy new online venture. The eleventh house rules social justice, too. Connect with a cause and champion it! But DO make sure there’s whitespace on the calendar to dream and dawdle too.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
You’ve loosened up considerably in the past seven weeks, and it suits you, Capricorn! Thank go-getter Mars who has been romping through Virgo and your jovial, adventurous ninth house since July 10. But after all that traveling and buzzing around, aren’t you ready to settle into more of a groove? On August 27, Mars enters Libra and your steady tenth house of long-term plans.
Set your sights on success during the Mars in Libra transit, even an exciting new career or promotion. Not like we have to twist your arm!
Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Since July 10, energetic (and stressful) Mars has been plummeting through Virgo and your esoteric, introspective eighth house. You may have disappeared from the public, preferring your own company or that of a VERY select few. But at the end of the day, you’re one of those people who needs people. Emerge and reconnect on August 27 as Mars floats on to fellow air sign Libra and your worldly, optimistic ninth house.
Mars will be in this globe-trotting sign until October 12. Book your tickets for an early fall getaway or two…and make sure it’s somewhere adventurous, rather than obligatory.
Pisces (February 19-March 20)
Relationships have been exciting, intense and even extra-spicy for the past seven weeks. For other Pisces, they’ve been dramatic and even argumentative. Intense Mars has been in Virgo, your partnership sign, since July 10, accelerating the pace. On August 27, Mars moves into Libra, your intimate eighth house.
A steamy chapter of your private life begins and you may feel a stronger urge to put a ring on it. You may also have the opportunity to score a big deal or earn a large chunk of cash at once. A joint venture, real estate purchase/sale, pregnancy or engagement is possible. But while you fixate on “The One” during the Mars in Libra transit, make sure your world stays wide open and full of options.
Where will Mars be for the rest of 2023?
When the Mars in Libra transit ends on October 12, it will enter:
• Scorpio until November 24
• Sagittarius from November 24 to January 4, 2024
Mars is the last of the personal inner planets—the planets before Jupiter which are closest to the Sun. The red planet hangs out in a zodiac sign for approximately 6-8 weeks, directing the global temperament and fighting style. Lusty Mars is the forthright companion to seductive Venus and can bring out the “cosmic cave(wo)man” in us all. Our raw desire is on display during certain Mars cycles, while other zodiac signs provoke a more discreet style of pursuit.
You can read about other recent Mars transit 2023 cycles:
• Mars in Virgo transit
• Mars in Leo transit
• Mars in Cancer transit
• Mars in Gemini transit (plus the retrograde, which occurs every two years)
Want even more Mars?
Do you know your Mars sign? Is Mars in Libra a good placement in a birth chart? Calculate your birth chart here and read your Mars sign meaning here!
What zodiac sign is your relationship?
What zodiac sign is your relationship?
Learn the secrets of the composite (blended) chart in SuperCouple, a cosmic care and feeding manual for any relationship. Written by The AstroTwins, astrologers and matchmakers for Amazon Prime Video's Cosmic Love.
