Four Meanings of an 8th House Mars

Everyone is talking about Mars right now.

He's currently blazing a fiery trail through Gemini, retracing steps he made back in September during this current retrograde period.

If you want evidence of the power of his destructiveness, just look at what's going on with Twitter and Elon Musk.

Social media is about as Gemini as it can get, and Musk firing and angering Twitter staff within hours of arrival is about as Mars as it gets.

But this post isn't about what Mars is doing by transit. It's about where he's situated in the natal chart and what he can do to a life.

Out of all the placement questions that come my way, the 8th house (and the 12th) seems to come with an underlying trepidation.

With its association with the darker and more difficult aspects of life like debt and taxes, mental anguish, the occult, and even death, it's understandable when people whisper to me, "What does Mars in my 8th house mean?"

First things first, you're not doomed. No single planet or placement has that kind of power.

For some, that's enough reassurance to click off of this article. But if you really want to delve into the depths of this so-called "dark house," and what happens when Mars resides there, stick around.

Mars Means Impulsivity and Action

The 8th house is notoriously connected to debt. Mars has associations with quickness, impulse, instant gratification and desire. This can make for a difficult combination.

Those with Mars here should be wary about racking up credit card debt and loans, especially when it comes to impulsive purchases. 

Understanding that this could be a part of your hard wiring is half the battle.

Once you know that you have a tendency to swipe the credit card without giving it much thought, you can start to put mechanisms in place to help you be more deliberate.

If you're someone who has already accumulated a good share of debt, the good news is that Martial action will spur you toward paying it off and resolving it quickly, too.

Mars Means Intensity and Passion

The 8th house has connections to the deepest recesses of the psyche. The Greeks referred to this place as metakosmias, meaning the veil between the world.

It is in this house where the mental anguish that comes with loss arises. Death gets assigned here, too.

A person with Mars placed in the 8th may experience a level of intensity and passion around topics like grief, death and dying, and even occult matters like mediumship and spirits.

Tarot cards, astrology, past lives and other taboo spiritual practices may pique your interest. But it's never a passing fad. Mars has laser-like focus and an obsessive quality.

The psyche plays a role in the 8th, as well.

You may notice that your emotional reactions are quick and fiery. Emotionally intensity, outbursts of anger, and bouts of anxiety and depression are all Maritian qualities.

Mars Means Drive and Ambition

When using a technique called derived houses, the 8th house becomes associated with the financial resources of the marriage or life partner. 

This is where an astrologer will likely take a peek if a client is concerned about her husband losing his job and his income.

It's also where we look for financial resources held in common by the couple.

When Mars is in this house we can be certain that the partner is highly ambitious about their finances.

This could be someone who takes risks in the stock market or is proactive about building equity and wealth.

Independence is a keyword for Mars.

So his presence here could say that the marriage partner is the biggest breadwinner in the family, or that the partner keeps his or her finances separate.

Mars Means Cutting and Separation

The 8th house in modern astrology often gets the designation of the "house of transformation."

I, for one, believe the whole chart is a symbol of transformation — our lives are constantly changing in one way or another.

But the 8th house can deal with physical death as well as endings like divorce, separation and loss. Not to mention the grieving process that comes with these.

Mars here can symbolize a certain resilience and decisiveness in the face of change. You may confront these difficult moments with a warrior's mindset.

Mars doesn't back down, he doesn't shrink from difficulties, and he's oriented toward survival.

When confronted with the loss of a family member, breakups, or even a car repossession, Mars will lend a fighting spirit.

You likely possess an innate courageousness that people find admirable. And you find it easy to rebound from life's crises.

If you're interested in learning more about what Mars means in your natal chart, why not hop over to my Book a Consultation page and schedule a time with me. Together we can find out how Mars describes action, drive and impulse in your chart and help you time your life with astrology.