Our Magical Solar System: Mars

 

Mars: The Red Planet 

Deities: Mars, Ares, Mangala, Nergal, Tyr, Sekhmet , Huitzilopochtli, Montu , Kali and Morrigan 

Colour: Red

Metal: Iron

Chakra: Root and Solar Plexus 

Element: Fire

Sign: Aries and Scorpio 

Number: 5 or 9

Incense: Myrrh, patchouli, cinnamon, black pepper, musk

Masculine, yang

Tarot:  Emperor (structure in action), The Tower (sudden breakthrough), Strength

Offering: Red candles, spicy foods, iron objects, or acts of courageous service

Crystal :

Garnet, bloodstone, ruby, red jasper, flint, red aventurine

Herbs:

Ginger, garlic, nettle, cayenne, mustard, wormwood, basil, dragonsblood

Uses in Magic:

•  Protection and Defense: Shields, reversal spells, warding against attack.

•  Courage and Victory: Sports/competition success, leadership, assertiveness.

•  Conflict and Binding: Hexing (ethically), breaking curses, or “war” against obstacles.

•  Vitality: Building physical strength, libido, or willpower.

•  Talismans: Created in Mars hour/day with iron or red materials, inscribed with Mars sigils or magic squares (5x5 square of Mars for potency). Check out the end of this article for how to make one!

Mars, the “red planet,” holds profound metaphysical and spiritual significance across astrology, planetary magic, alchemy, and esoteric traditions. 

It embodies raw, dynamic life force—the spark of action, will, and transformation. Unlike gentler planets, Mars represents the primal “yes” to existence: the drive to assert, protect, create, and conquer obstacles.

Its astrological glyph—a circle (spirit) with an arrow pointing outward and upward—symbolises the spear and shield of the warrior, or the directed flow of vital energy. This icon captures Mars’ essence: outward-directed force rooted in inner strength.

Mythological and Archetypal Roots

In Roman mythology, Mars (Greek Ares) is the god of war, but also agriculture, protection, and vitality—far more than mere aggression. He rules conflict as a path to victory and honor. In spiritual terms, Mars is the “inner warrior” or masculine (yang) principle: the instinct for survival, assertion, and passionate pursuit. Esoteric traditions link him to deities like the Norse Tyr (justice in battle), Morrigan (Celtic battle goddess), Kali (fierce transformation), or Huitzilopochtli (Aztec warrior sun).

Spiritually, Mars teaches that true power arises from channeling raw energy consciously rather than suppressing or unleashing it destructively. It bridges the root chakra (Muladhara—for physical survival and grounding) and solar plexus (Manipura—for personal will and empowerment). Some traditions associate it with the navel center, where fire ignites action.

Core Metaphysical and Spiritual Properties

•  Action and Willpower: Mars is the planet of doing. It fuels motivation, ambition, courage, and the drive to turn ideas into reality. Spiritually, it represents personal agency—the ability to assert your truth and manifest change. 

•  Energy and Vitality: Linked to physical stamina, blood, muscles, and life force (prana or chi). In Vedic astrology (as Mangal or Mangala), it governs karma yoga (action as spiritual practice), athleticism, and land/property as extensions of earthly power. It enhances health through disciplined effort. 

•  Passion and Sexuality: Mars rules desire, libido, and creative fire. It embodies the raw, procreative urge—sexual energy as a sacred force for union or self-empowerment.

•  Courage and Victory: It bestows the strength to face challenges, overcome enemies (internal or external), and achieve triumph. In magic, Mars energy supports protection, breaking obstacles, legal victories, or building confidence. 

•  Transformation Through Fire: Alchemically tied to iron (its metal) and the element of fire, Mars symbolizes forging the self in the heat of experience—refining will through trials. 

Balanced Mars inspires progress, resilience, and purposeful growth. Misaligned (e.g., retrograde or afflicted), it can manifest as anger, impulsivity, frustration, conflict, or burnout—lessons in redirecting energy constructively. 

Magical Correspondences

Planetary magick practitioners work with Mars (especially on Tuesdays, its sacred day) for rituals involving courage, defense, passion, or success.

Ritual Practices:

•  Light a red candle inscribed with the Mars symbol during a Tuesday Mars hour; meditate on the glyph while focusing intent.

•  Carry iron nails, bloodstone, or a Mars talisman for protection.

•  Burn dragon’s blood incense or nettle in defensive workings.

•  Physical acts (martial arts, exercise) as offerings to embody the energy.

•  Invoke deities like Mars/Ares, Kartikeya, or Tyr alongside.

Working with Mars Spiritually

To align with Mars energy:

•  Meditate on its red glow or glyph during a Tuesday Mars hour.

•  Engage in physical movement (exercise, martial arts) as devotion.

•  Journal intentions for bold action while holding a red crystal.

•  In Vedic remedies, practices like Mangal mantras or donating red items honor its lessons without amplifying malefic effects.

Cautions: Mars is malefic when unbalanced—workings can backfire as anger, accidents, or conflict. Grounding, moderation, and ethical intent are essential. In hermetic and Solomonic traditions, proper timing (planetary hours) and purification enhance efficacy.

Ultimately, Mars reminds us that the universe rewards the courageous spirit. Its energy is not inherently destructive—it is the forge where raw potential becomes purposeful power, guiding us toward authentic self-expression and victory in life’s battles. Whether viewed through Western astrology, Vedic jyotish, or hermetic magic, Mars calls us to act with heart, honor our instincts, and wield our will wisely.

Create a Mars talisman

Mars talismans in planetary magic are objects charged with the potent, fiery energy of Mars (Mangal/Kuja) to amplify courage, protection, victory, strength, willpower, and the ability to overcome obstacles or enemies. They draw from traditions like the Picatrix ( as shown below) Cornelius Agrippa’s Three Books of Occult Philosophy, the Key of Solomon, and related grimoires. These talismans act as “batteries” or focal points for Martial virtues when created under precise astrological elections. 

Core Principles and Timing

Traditional construction requires an electional astrology chart where Mars is strong and unafflicted:

•  Mars in its signs of rulership (Aries or Scorpio), exaltation (Capricorn), or a favourable house (especially angular).

•  Mars rising or culminating (near the Ascendant or Midheaven).

•  Not combust (too close to the Sun) or retrograde.

•  Supported by a swift, well-aspected Moon (not void of course).

Best times: Tuesday (Mars’ day) during a Mars planetary hour (there are typically 3–4 per day/night). Use planetary hour tables for precision. 

The talisman is created, inscribed, and consecrated in that window—often fumigated with Martial incenses (dragon’s blood, myrrh, pepper, cinnamon, or tobacco) while invoking Martial spirits, angels (e.g., Graphiel as Intelligence, or Kamael/Samael as archangel), or deities like Mars/Ares, Kartikeya, or Hanuman.

Materials and Forms

•  Metals: Iron or steel (primary); sometimes red brass or alloys. Pure iron can be challenging to work with, so steel or iron filings in other bases are common.

•  Stones/Gems: Bloodstone, garnet, ruby, red jasper, diamond (per some Picatrix recipes), or red coral.

•  Other: Engraved on rings, medals, pendants, plates, swords, or even paper/parchment for temporary use. Worn as jewelry, carried, or placed in a home/vehicle. 

Key Designs and Inscriptions

The most iconic element is the Magic Square (Kamea) of Mars—a 5x5 grid with numbers 1–25 where each row, column, and diagonal sums to 65 (the total sum is 325). Lines drawn through the numbers in sequence create the sigil of Mars’ Intelligence (Graphiel).

Common Inscriptions (from Agrippa and Picatrix):

•  Sigils/seals of Mars, its Intelligence (Graphiel), and Spirit (Barzabel).

•  Images: A crowned warrior with sword and shield; a man riding a lion holding a sword and severed head; an armed soldier with lance.

•  Names of Martial angels or spirits (e.g., Samael, Graphiel).

•  Verses or barbarous names for potency in war, victory, or protection.

Construction Steps (Simplified Traditional Approach)

1.  Calculate and select the election time.

2.  Prepare the material (cleanse and engrave/inscribe during the hour).

3.  Fumigate with appropriate incense and invoke (e.g., “Om Kram Kreem Kroum Sah Bhaumaya Namah” or Solomonic conjurations).

4.  Charge by exposure to Martial forces (visualisation, blood-red candles, or battlefield symbolism).

5.  Seal and carry/wear with intent; periodically “feed” with incense or blood (symbolic).

You may use paper versions, jewellery, or digital aids for accessibility, but traditional sources emphasize precise timing and materia.