The Mars-Saturn planetary combination constitutes a notable energy pattern that will be a defining influence for a large part of 2016. Usually, Mars moves through a sign in 6 weeks. But, because Mars will be going through a retrograde period this year, it will be staying in Scorpio, not for 6 weeks, but rather for 7 months, until mid-September. While in Scorpio, Mars encounters its enemy, Saturn. Saturn has been in Scorpio since November 2014, and doesn’t leave until January 2017.
In Vedic Astrology, both Mars and Saturn are classified as “Natural Malefics,” i.e., planets that are capable of Doing Harm. Having two of the natural malefics together in one part of the zodiac for an extended period of time is, generally speaking, not a good thing.
Mars is the planet of Energy, of Action. Mars is the planet of Aggression and Combat. Mars is Hasty, and Impatient for Results. Scorpio is a sign with an instinct for acquiring Power, which it typically gets through forming Alliances. Scorpio has a talent for Secrets, and Underhanded Action. Being an emotional Water Sign, Scorpio is also Strongly Passionate. Mars in Scorpio creates an Emotional Mars, known for Strong Desires, Courage, Aggression, Recklessness, and an “ends-justifies-the-means” approach to dealing with problems.
What happens when Mars gets together with Saturn? Saturn is the planet of Responsibility and Burdens, Time and Delay, Restriction and Containment. Saturn is in many ways the opposite of Mars. Since these two planets’ energies are quite inimical, putting them together for an extended period of time produces a lot of Tension; a lot of Stress, which can at times explode into Violence. Mars with Saturn produces Focused Aggression: Pressurized, Uncompromising, even Ruthless.
Another astrological principle in operation is that by being in Scorpio, a sign ruled by Mars, Saturn’s energy is being transferred to Mars. This is the rule of Dispositorship, where a planet’s energy is expressed through the planetary ruler of the sign it occupies. Thus, Saturn’s energy is being assigned to Mars, essentially turning Mars into a Double Malefic.
All planets broadcast their energy through their Aspects. Since it is also carrying the energy of Saturn, the aspect of Mars is now especially deadly. Like all planets, Mars sends its energy across the zodiac to the other side, influencing the sign opposite, in this case, Taurus. Mars also puts out a full force “square” aspect to the sign 4 signs ahead of itself, in this case affecting Aquarius. Lastly, Mars has a special 8th house aspect, which will land on Gemini. These signs, and any planets within, will suffer due to being “under attack” by Mars during the 7 months Mars spends in Scorpio.
Is there any Good Use for this Energy Pattern?
Mars is Action; Saturn is Focus. Scorpio is a goal-oriented sign, strongly motivated by Desires. Mars + Saturn in Scorpio manifests as Concentrated, Determined Action: Purposeful; bent on Accomplishment. If you have a project that requires a period of Committed Effort, this would be the time to do it. The sector of your personal chart containing the Mars-Saturn conjunction tells you what in part of you life you should apply this energy.
| Aries Rising: | 8th House | Financial Arrangements, Changes,Regeneration & Rejuvenations | |
| Taurus Rising: | 7th House | Spouse, Relationships, Partnership, Clients, Distant Places | |
| Gemini Rising: | 6th House | Difficulties, Solving Problems, Health & Disease, Employment | |
| Cancer Rising: | 5th House | Romance, Lover, Child, Creative Project, Investments | |
| Leo Rising: | 4th House | Home, Property, Car, Domestic Life, Mother, Happiness, Comforts | |
| Virgo Rising: | 3rd House | Everyday Operations, Skills, Desires, Siblings, Neighbors | |
| Libra Rising: | 2nd House | Finances, Income, Materiality, Family, Values, Speaking, Food | |
| Scorpio Rising: | 1st House | Personal Projection, Appearance, Ego, Success, Personal Health | |
| Sagittarius Rising: | 12th House | Loss, Expense, Generosity, Subconscious, Meditation, Institutions | |
| Capricorn Rising: | 11th House | Goals, Rewards, Accomplishments,Friends, Associates, Group Actions | |
| Aquarius Rising: | 10th House | Career, Profession, Business Success, Community Actions, Reputation | |
| Pisces Rising: | 9th House | Higher Learning, Father, Guru, Beliefs, Long Distance Travel |
The general rule in Vedic Astrology is that a Natural Malefic planet, when retrograde, has even more potential to do harm. Starting in mid-April, Mars will begin a retrograde period. At the same time Saturn is also retrograde in Scorpio. Two retrograde natural malefics in one sector of the zodiac is especially problematic. Thus, the 11 weeks from mid-April to the end of June is a dangerous period.
Therefore, keep a careful watch on the area of your life represented by the house where the Mars-Saturn transit is happening.
As for Mars-Sat conjunct, I have Mars exalted in my 10th house (Capricorn) and Saturn exalted (R) in the 7th (Libra). Do you think Mars with Saturn’s energy will be harmful. If so, how will it manifest?
Regards,
Planets in Kendra Houses (1, 4, 7, 10) are powerful for effects & events in life. Natural Malefics such as Mars and Saturn, will bring some difficult events, but still ensure success. Even so, much depends on how strong and well disposed the dispositors are (rulers of 10th & 7th: Saturn and Venus), i.e., with benefic aspects, in good navamsa positions, etc.
I have Mars in Scorpio in the 9th house of my chart (Pisces Ascendant). Will it be better or worse during this period.
If you have Mars in Scorpio in your birth chart, then the transit of Mars + Saturn is hitting your natal Mars this year. Mars transiting natal Mars powers up the natal position, for good or for bad. Much depends on the layout of the rest of the chart. Saturn’s influence will make the Mars action more serious, and with long-range effects. Therefore any actions should be contemplated carefully. Also, Mars retrograde, plus Saturn retrograde, will adversely affect any Actions you take during the time that the planets are in their retrograde phase.
Saturn is not in Scorpio, Saturn has been in the sign of Sagittarius since Mid 2015, also Mars is going back and forth between Sagittarius and Scorpio for most of 2016. Mars isn’t stationed in Scorpio for as long as you stated here.
If you go out into the night sky and look up at the Heavens you will find that Saturn is indeed in Scorpio until January 2017. Likewise with Mars, which entered Scorpio on February 20, 2016. Please note that Vedic Astrology uses the Sidereal Zodiac, the planets’ positions amongst the stars as visible to the naked eye. What you are referring to in your comment is Saturn’s position in the Western Astrologers’ Tropical Zodiac, a zodiac that begins (0 deg Aries) from wherever the Sun happens to be on the Vernal Equinox, a point which moves backwards relative to the stars due to the wobble of the Earth on its axis. Presently, the Tropical Zodiac is 24 degrees out of phase with the actual visible zodiac. For more information on this, please see the article on this website comparing Western and Vedic Astrology.
Similar to the query posted above by Vam, I have Saturn in Scorpio in the 9th house of my natal chart (Pisces Ascendant). Incidentally, the very first day Mars entered Saturn I had some unexpected turn of events (which eventually subsided- thankfully) . Overall, if you could share you view on how this is viewed as per vedic astrology please. Thanks
Saturn returning to its natal position intensifies the significations of Saturn in your life during the 2 -3 years of the transit. In the current situation, where Mars, the ruler of Scorpio, is also present, it is doubly intense. As for what happens? That can only be determined through a complete analysis of the birth chart, taking into consideration all of your natal planets, their strengths, the current Dasha sequence, etc. See the “Order a Reading”page for more information.
I have Mars + Saturn in 1st house nd sunshine Gemini please sombody can tell me meaning of tht combi.
Mars conjunct Saturn in a birth chart indicates a lot of intensity and focus on that part of the chart, as well as the other houses in kendra to the position. But, determining if this is a positive or negative placement requires evaluating the entire chart. If you are interested in getting an analysis of your chart, please see the “Order a Reading” page on this website.
Ron, though i am not a very keen follower of astrology, but as i lost my job and huge amounts of my hard earned saved money around exactly the time you have mentioned mid-April to June end.
Me, being a Scorpio, I have been looking for answers through Astrology, and came across your article topic and found your mention of the above periods surprisingly coinciding perfectly with my loss period. Though, i should have read your article before itself to be careful.
Is there a possibility that i could get back my money and a job in nearby future. I am in total loss due to my losses.
Thanks in anticipation and Kind regards – Kumar.
In order to make an accurate prediction it is necessary to look at many factors: all placements of the natal chart, the current dasha, sub-dashas, and transits, recent events in life, etc. This takes a lot of time. To use shortcuts only encourages an unreliable prediction. If you would like to order a reading, please see the Readings page of this website.
My son was born April 8th it sounds like just before Mars entered into Scorpio. But, I am also an Aries and very familiar with are stregnths. I am wondering if both Saturn and Mars being in retrograde for so long in Scorpio will strengthen my son. As in his Aries power and Mars power?
Only a complete assessment of all factors of the birth chart will give you a correct answer. Please see the Readings page of this website for ordering a reading.
Hi,
DOB: 20 Feb 1978, Time: 3.10 AM, Place: Mumbai, India. Rising: Sagittarius, Moon Sign: Cancer.
I have 2 questions:
1. In Mid April I have lost my mother. Was that predictable earlier?
2. Career is taking multiple turns with no directions. Would I be settled in India or abroad?
Thanks.
The assessment of your own chart may show that mother (or another relative) would be going through a difficult time, but death of a person is determined by their own natal chart.
I have scorpio in my first house (scorpio rising) and everything that you said about Saturn is true. Saturn is testing me and has asked me to change everything about me for my own good. I can feel it in everything I do. My personal appearance needs change for the good, my ego needs a boost – I am very low on self esteem (very very low). I’ve not had any success in my work for years. Glad that I have started to work on my health issues – I am taking good care of my health – thanks to Saturn. But I feel very lonely- I am in new city and I have no friends. It probably is the scorpio regeneration period for me. (I have sun in the 8th house too)
I am Pisces ascendent with aquarius moon 12th hs. In my 10th hs Mars +Rahu and 10th lord debilitated Jupiter is in 11 th hs with Sun+Venus +Mercury . Running Ketu ketu-ketu period from March 2016. Sudden events happened in company, didn’t know my own friends stabbed behind my back, told to quit Job suddenly. Please enlighten me by vedic astrology 😷😳
Generally the Ketu major period is a time of Change in one’s life. If there are negative transits impacting the chart simultaneously, the onset of Ketu is likely to be unpleasant. The 12th house is the house of Loss 7 Endings, so natal planets, or transiting planets, in the 12th house are like time-bombs waiting for activation.
where can i study more on this?
There are numerous books available on Vedic Astrology and interpreting charts. But I strongly suggest you read more than just one or two, since every author has their own prejudices when it comes to interpretation.
What does a person expect with Aries as ascendant, with Mars, and Saturn along with Venus in the sixth house, and Sun and Mercury in the eighth house of Scorpio ?
Only a full evaluation of the entire chart will give accurate predictions.
You have shared very important view and point.
Please keep on sharing such important inputs.
regards
Born on 10/03/1988 in Muzaffarpur bihar India at 4:45 am I am still struggling and figuring what will I do for living
If you would like to order a reading, please see the readings page of this website.
I felt I lost consciousness of my mind, my mind became super aggressive, i was in bipolar depression & never used to remember anything. My emotions freeze, no empathy, I started out-of-context things, This hampered my relationship with my spouse, My mind was really clogged during Saturn Transit
I want people to be aware of it so no body else gets separated from their loved ones. I miss my husband.
I did not know about my Saturn Transit & heavily impacted by not knowing about it.
As Scorpion, I am in third phase of Sade Sati & came to know about it by the end of last phase when one saw my horoscope, By that time, extensive damage as already happened on personal front.
Your life will be hell if you do not know about your Saturn Transit & destined to get malefic results.