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Mars in tarot

Rules Aries and Scorpio · 6 decan cards

drive · conflict · courage · cutting away

Mars is the warrior, and its trump is The Tower: lightning that breaks what was built on false ground. It rules Aries and Scorpio, open fire and hidden depth. With six decans it is the busiest planet in the minor cards, among them the Two of Wands' ambition, the Five of Cups' loss and the Nine of Swords' sleepless night. Where Mars touches a card, something is being fought for or cut away.

The cards Mars rules

The TowerMajor ArcanaThe Towersudden upheaval, revelation, a structure fallingTwo of WandsMars in AriesTwo of Wands21 Mar – 30 Marplanning, looking ahead, a bold choiceNine of SwordsMars in GeminiNine of Swords31 May – 9 Junanxiety, sleepless worry, dreadSeven of WandsMars in LeoSeven of Wands12 Aug – 21 Augstanding your ground, conviction, defending a positionFive of CupsMars in ScorpioFive of Cups23 Oct – 1 Novgrief, regret, lossThree of PentaclesMars in CapricornThree of Pentacles1 Jan – 10 Janskilled work, collaboration, craftsmanshipTen of CupsMars in PiscesTen of Cups11 Mar – 20 Marlasting happiness, family, harmony

In a reading

Martial cards bring energy, conflict and sudden change. They ask where force is needed and where it is only making noise.

Correspondences follow the Golden Dawn system the Rider–Waite–Smith deck was made within (tropical zodiac, dates approximate; they shift by a day in some years). Other traditions assign some cards differently. See the full table for all 78 cards.