Is Your Mars In Scorpio? Here's What That Means For Life & Love, Plus How To Thrive

Nowadays, Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, but back in the Hellenistic astrology days, it was actually ruled by Mars. That said, Mars feels right at home in Scorpio, and it makes sense—Scorpio is the sign that rules sex, and Mars is definitely a passionate planet.

Then take Pluto, the planet of transformation and rebirth, and we start to get a clear picture on how having a Scorpio Mars results in intensity and unmatched depth.

As astrologer Desiree Roby Antila previously told mindbodygreen, folks with Mars in Scorpio are relentless, with an ability to get through, around, over, and under any obstacle. "They have a really strong drive, but again, they're fixed, so whenever Mars is in a fixed sign, it tends to make the person pretty stubborn," she notes.

This can look like having a hard time letting things go, holding grudges, being vengeful, etc., which is telltale Scorpio energy. They also have a tendency to push themselves to the point of burnout, which is something to watch out for.

And according to astrologer Molly Pennington, Ph.D., a Scorpio Mars placement will likely fly under the radar with an air of mystery. "People might just walk up to them not knowing that they're dealing with a Scorpion—and it's about to sting," she explains.

This is all part of the Scorpio Mars strategy of protecting and guarding itself against vulnerability. "They have this deep, emotional side, almost like wars of the heart that are deep down underneath it all," Pennington says, adding that those wars are often long-lasting, and they bring a "battlefield" mindset into all areas of their life.

If there's anything to understand about Scorpio Mars in relationships, it's that they don't mess around. As Pennington tells mindbodygreen, "Once they're on your side and committed, this will be the person that has your back," adding that, however, "It's going to take a long time to get there and they'll have to have completely vetted you to make sure you're safe."

Again, Mars in Scorpio makes for some guarded folks, so emotional safety and reliability is a must for them. "They don't give out much information, but they'll want a lot of information from you," Pennington notes.

And in terms of who they're attracted to, according to the AstroTwins, people with Mars in Scorpio can have a tough go at love before they find the one. As they previously wrote for mindbodygreen, "Scorpio is associated with the underworld, and you may be attracted to people with 'a past' or brooding, simmering qualities."

To that end, they note that it's important you don't get possessive and obsessive about the wrong person. "As a result, you may waste years pining for an unrequited attraction—often because you confused one night of mind-blowing sex for true love," they explain, adding, "After enough trial runs, you're likely to lock in a legendary love affair that will last a lifetime."

In order to find that legendary love, though, Mars in Scorpio will need to let down their walls a bit and lean into the emotional safety the right person can provide. Pennington says people with prominent water placements (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces) are a good fit for this placement, "so then you have your partner with somebody who's on your same wavelength in terms of the depth of emotion."

In astrology, the midheaven of your chart tends to speak more to what careers you're suited for—but Mars can help you identify the strengths you bring to the office.

According to Pennington, this Mars in Scorpio would be especially adept in a field that involves investigating, being aggressive, "battles" of some kind, or even death. As she explains, this is a Mars sign that not only knows how to strategize and see the long-term goal but reach it as well.

"Even if you look at sales, you have to be kind of aggressive, and Scorpios are so shrewd," she tells mindbodygreen, adding, "Scorpio Mars is going to have the ability to be aggressive when necessary—and precise—and some professions require that."

And according to the twins, this placement draws their drive from a deep well and has the ability to regenerate quickly. "Most people can't keep up with their productivity—and when they see a goal in their crosshairs, they'll work tirelessly to pursue it," they explain, adding to be mindful not to get too ruthless, stubborn, or manipulative in your quest.

Life is all about balance, and while Scorpio Mars folks do tend to be guarded and a bit mysterious, Pennington says it's important they find people or places where they feel safe enough to let their emotions out a bit.

As she explains, "They don't have to plot everything out, but it's going to be hard not to," adding that you can only contain your emotions for so long before you spring a leak. She likens Scorpio Mars to underground pipes that keep water contained and sometimes even freeze—but if your emotional waters are frozen, she notes, you can quickly feel stuck.