Mars Saturn Aspects ~ Axe Wielders~ Darkstar Astrology

Mars Saturn aspects are astrology’s axe wielders. The title was chosen not because this aspect is particularly murderous, but because it is highly symbolic of the archetypal energy of this combination. Mars is a weapon and Saturn is a heavy metal. It takes strength to swing an axe, and you need to know exactly where to hit your target or it will make a big bloody mess.

The axe is an instrument used for beheading and is the best instrument for that purpose in the hands of a skilled executioner. Once that deadly stroke clunks down it does so with a certain inevitability. So the native who is born with Mars Saturn aspects has a powerful weapon and mostly uses it symbolically in its ambitious rise to the top.

Mars Sextile or Trine Saturn in the sky is superb for getting heavy work done. You could go out and literally chop logs in the yard but this a powerful mix for other types of work too. When Mars and Saturn meet you get both stamina and speed! Use this combination to steam roller over all your obstacles.

They will have no compunction about taking down any ‘heads’ who are in their way. Mars Saturn aspect natives needs to be their own boss. They are terrible at taking orders from others but are born leaders. Both Mars and Saturn have a cardinal, front-line energy and they are also both extremely independent planets, so of course, these folk will find it very hard to compromise or be diplomatic.

Heavy Metal

In my research I found an interesting amount of wielders of the axe in the guitarist sense. Heavy metal music has a Mars Saturn aspect energy so it is not surprising to see some, what you might label ‘metal’, musicians in the list below. There are a couple of ‘axe-wielding’ rock chicks too!

Mars sextile or trine Saturn will be surprisingly sexy since Saturn makes Mars sultry and brooding. (Check out the very long list of successful sextiles!) This is the femme fatale or the James Bond. (Interestingly there are two James Bond actors below). Put Mars and Saturn together and it becomes somewhat like Pluto.

I have noticed in clients with Mars conjunction Saturn in particular, that a satisfying sex life is extremely important to them, with some having polyamorous lifestyles if their primary partner is not obliging. On the other hand, these folk can be the total opposite and celibate.

It seems there is no in-between with Mars Saturn aspects. Sometimes they can swing from celibacy (Saturn) to promiscuity (Mars) or vice-versa in a single lifetime. No dimmer switch here! Sexual control and domination are the big themes.

Mars in hard aspect to Saturn in the sky is undoubtably one of the most difficult energies to deal with. What good can possibly come from the two malefics meeting in a harsh way? We have the potential for sex scandals, violence and a gangster vibe. Bada bing! The two planets find it hard to find common ground apart from the fact they are both baddies! So on this day, whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. For more evolved types they can use this combo to exorcise bad habits and demons from their life.

It’s A Scandal..

Sexual scandal can be a theme too, British call-girl Christine Keeler epitomizes this aspect managing to link sex with Russian spies and political scandal altogether. Her involvement with the Profumo affair brought down (axed!) the British Conservative government in the early 1960s. Her story was covered in the 1989 film “Scandal”.

This incident opened the doors for the sexual revolution and so-called “Swinging 60’s” in the UK. Blackmail using sex as a weapon is possible with Mars conjunct Saturn as is sexual abuse in the very worst cases. Mars conjunction, square or opposition in the sky is probably one of the most challenging energies to deal with. The two malefics in tough aspect, what could go right?

Endurance tests are common with this aspect and it can give the subject immense stamina. Often the life is filled with obstacles, which only seem to make them stronger. There can be a fear of being called a coward which means ironically these folk do all sorts of courageous and dare-devil acts just to prove they are not a chicken.

Of course Mars Saturn aspects will be highly competitive too since Saturn does so want to be the authority on everything. Possibly the father will have been an extremely hard worker and this can pressurise these subjects to match his success.

The biggest problem with this combination is when Saturn holds back Mars from venting its temper when they have a genuine grievance. Bottling up this energy can create a violent, volcanic reaction once the native cannot hold it in any longer and is tormented one too many times.

“It’s as if all the unexpressed hurts, angers and irritations get saved up. The person has controlled their temper for so long that when they do get mad they really let rip, though usually when it is safe to do so, perhaps in the presence of, or directed towards, seemingly weaker individuals that are unlikely to retaliate” [1]

Taming Wild Behaviour

Mars square Saturn or Mars opposite Saturn is most commonly associated with violence. The combination of the two malefics with the two most challenging aspects is never going to be a smooth ride. The natives are extremely competitive, especially with the opposition. Therefore sports are a good outlet for this aggressive, yet potentially disciplined energy.

Martial arts would also be a great expression of Mars Saturn aspects focused endurance. The harder aspects are challenging aspect for sure, but they also have great courage and stamina.

Those who work in the military will find Mars conjunction, square or opposite Saturn useful in building willpower and also, to some extent, the ability to rein in their more bestial impulses. The paradox of Mars/Saturn in hard aspect, is that once its tendency to explode is mastered, as it can be extremely transformational and purifying.

Mars Saturn aspects can give a person the ability to tame wild behaviour, because of their very authoritarian energy. Mars in aspect to Saturn has the power of a steam roller. It make take a while to get moving, but once active will flatten all opposition to a pulp. When it has to it, this aspect goes in hard and fast. Mars Saturn will then be ruthless and relentless until the bitter end.

“The Mars/Saturn person often finds it difficult to get angry, difficult to assert themselves, to go for what they want, without going too far. Like Mars/Pluto, Mars/Saturn can suffer great rage that they don’t know what to do with….once aroused Mars/Saturn can fly into the most terrific rages. It’s as if all the expressed hurts, angers and irritations get saved up.” [1]

In the end Mars Saturn aspects will erupt and only explode when they find it really safe to do so, like a controlled demolition. Sometimes they will deliberately target a weaker individual or group guaranteed to never hit back.

Volcanic Executions

It is very easy for Mars Saturn aspects to pick on a scapegoat to whom they can dump all their hangups onto. On the other hand, the native can put up with abuse for a very, very long time before they defend them self. Saturn delays retaliation, so it is often the case that it will be a very tiny straw that finally breaks the camel’s back. To observers, the colossal response of Mars Saturn’s revenge seems totally out of proportion to the provocation.

However, deeply hidden will be the teasing, undermining and vampiric behaviour from the provocateur that will have been going on for some years. It gets to the point that either the Mars Saturn aspect native commits suicide or lashes out spectacularly. Survival instincts kick in very strongly with this aspect and the results are never pretty.

Mars is also sex and passion, so Saturn here can suppress that too. The result is often very steamy, like the workings of a pressure cooker. Push Mars down with any force and of course it is going to be explosive the moment it releases itself. The natives will either super-sex-charged or celibate.

Sadomasochism was made for Mars Saturn aspects, as was the corset! If this aspect was a style of dress it would be Steam Punk, a kind of futuristic yet prim Victorian. At worst, in the most repressive cases, depression and anger becomes self-harm. Sometimes, the native experiences bullying as a child or even sexual abuse. Authority figures are both feared and admired. There can be great hero worship where the natives own sense of disempowerment is projected onto another who seems to have all the courage and ‘Alpha’ energy they themselves lack.

1. Aspects in Astrology. Sue Tompkins. p.202