The placement of Mars in Cancer suggests a deep need for emotional security when it comes to pursuing your desires and taking action. Your desires revolve around finding emotional well-being, such as closeness with family and nurturing relationships. However, this need for security often leads to caution and self-limitation. The behavior and personality traits associated with Mars in Cancer stem from the emotional qualities of your desires and actions.
Unfortunately, the placement of Mars in Cancer can be problematic due to the natural square between Cancer and Mars-ruled Aries. Cancer, being a Cardinal Water sign, dampens the fiery energy of Mars, resulting in a slower and diffused force. The energy of Mars is encased within a wall of water, causing it to simmer rather than erupt.
Mars also represents the animus in the psyche. For males with Mars in Cancer, there may be a tendency to embody characteristics associated with Cancer to define their masculinity. Females, on the other hand, may be attracted to individuals who exhibit Cancer traits. This placement can create a conflict between the masculine energy of Mars and the feminine energy associated with Cancer. However, it also offers an opportunity to explore and integrate both masculine and feminine qualities.
Insecurities
With Mars in Cancer, your insecurities manifest when you hesitate to assert yourself for fear of provoking a threatening response. Paradoxically, your fear of the outside world has left you weak and vulnerable. Instead of expressing your own needs and desires, you tend to serve others complacently.
Mars in the 12th House
The placement of Mars in the 12th House is generally seen as challenging, especially for males. This is because the assertive nature of Mars contrasts with the introspective focus of the 12th House. The merging of these energies requires conscious effort and discipline. In a positive light, this placement suggests a desire for hidden knowledge or the transcendence of the ego through purposeful action.
Mars in the 12th House also signifies a tendency towards compassion and sensitivity. Your actions and desires may lean towards spirituality, and you may have a deep appreciation for the subtle arts, particularly music. However, without the necessary discipline, the dissolution and lack of boundaries associated with the 12th House can lead to negative tendencies such as deception, escapism, and self-destruction.
Insecurities
If you have Mars in the 12th House and inner insecurities, your fear stems from the unknown and the boundless nature of the 12th House. Without clear boundaries, it becomes difficult to impose discipline on your actions and desires, often leaving you paralyzed. The “unknown” that frightens you is the unconscious, which threatens to consume and destroy your conscious ego.
One defensive approach to these fears is to lead a conventional life, ignoring the unknown and avoiding dealing with it. However, this leaves you vulnerable to unexpected sorrows, illnesses, and deceptions as your subconscious tries to grab your attention. Another defense mechanism is to embrace the qualities associated with the 12th House, leading to a self-destructive path instead of a path of self-transcendence. This can manifest in addictive and destructive behaviors such as substance abuse, lying, and dependency, often hidden behind a facade.
Focus of Desires
As an individual with Mars in the 12th House, your desires tend to be inward and focused on immaterial or hidden aspects. You may have a spiritual longing or a desire to explore the depths of the unconscious. Material possessions hold little attraction for you; instead, you yearn for something universal. Your aims and motivations may be obscure or deceptive, reflecting the hidden and forbidden nature of your desires.
Article referenced from:
- Gargatholil, Depth Astrology: An Astrological Handbook – Volume 2: Planets in Signs
- Gargatholil, Depth Astrology: An Astrological Handbook – Volume 3: Planets in Houses
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