Skyscript Astrology Forum

How do you interpret a planet that is in its fall, but still essentially dignified? Mars in Cancer is one of the most mind-baffling placements I encounter. Venus in Virgo by day poses the same problem.

With Mars in Cancer I think of a person who is hung up with the past and has domestic or family problems (Mars in fall) but who at the same time is blessed with financial resources and means, together with a fair social circle (Mars in triplicity).

A planet that is essentially dignified usually has a reason or mission for being there.

A woman signified by Venus in Scorpio was sent to hospital and in the midst of crises - but in capacity as a nurse. She brought relief to those who were in detriment and trouble.

But back to Mars in Cancer - I often observe that anything extra-ordinary is shown by the planets rulership/disposition by exaltation. So Mars in Cancer shows some extra-ordinary trouble relating to the house that has Capricorn on the cusp. However, when resolving questions that require perfection, or when Mars assists in leading to an answer, then the planets essential dignity by triplicity is far more obvious.

Please feel welcome to share your experiences or ideas!

Well, first of all, before I give my methaphor, I would say that we have to be careful about methaphors 8^D

Then, I would clarify that I don?t use the system of Lilly: so much points to terms, triplicity, exaltation, and add up, so I see rulership, exaltation and the minor dignities as qualitative different things.

So, I would compare mars in cancer to a person who has lack of concentration or focus in his energies; who is prone to feel frustration and anger against others, as he is the warrior who stay home for fear; he is prone to take this anger in others because he is so frustrated, is everyone?s elses fault.

Remind that I am speaking in metaphors... I am not saying that people with mars in cancer are that way

Mars can put up a good defense in Cancer - true, and protection is the way it needs to go. But the planet is infected and troubled in Cancer. Which beneficial effects are gained by its triplicity and how does detriment intermix with dignitiy. I would love some more opinions on this matter.

I don?t think they intermix... dignity gives power, and the fall gives corruption of nature

I use Dorothean triplicity rulers.

When I see a planet in detriment or fall but having also the dignity of triplicity, I understand this as "that planet's best performance can be as much as the power of a planet having the honor of triplicity". So a Mars in Cancer for example in a chart and in its (the chart's) own context means a number of things. He remains to mean the same things when the planet is in detriment or in his triplicity.But the performance of the planet is open to vary from detriment or fall (corresponding to its worst level of performance) to triplicity (corresponding to the planet's best performance possible).

Regards,

Sigma

Yuzuru says:

I don?t think they intermix... dignity gives power, and the fall gives corruption of nature

If you think Scorpio - and then put Mars in Cancer - do you think this is like a mafia? Corrupt, but the family will look out for you?

Or look at it another way, Mars in Cancer is like the yeast you use for baking and brewing, or the culture that turns milk to yoghurt?

Well, Mars in Cancer is not totally helpless in my opinion.

First, people that I know with it will never, never, never, never, ever be directly agressive (or will be very rarely). If others are agressive with then, they cry, or stay with a lot of anger building up inside. The nature of the planet is corrupt as pointed.

Now, the Triplicity of Mars exists to cool it off (as much as that of Saturn exists to heat it up). Mars surely is cool enough in Cancer, so much that people with it only gets revenge or take advantage doing things in a hidden or sweet talking fashion, never showing true intentions, without any dignity and open sincerity, lacking courage as much as can be. Now, they do release their agressive traits, but not in an open way, and eventually get it their own way (wolf in sheep's disguise). If it has to be open, they cry and do not fight back, then awaits and try to find a work around. But that's my experience, and I wonder if anyone corroborates that.

So the way I see it, the fall grants the corruption of it and the triplicity restores some of it's agressive characteristics through an acceptable way to the corruption it is in. Like building a house in a wasteland.

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm glad you raised this topic, Andrew - it caught my eye because I know several people with Mars in Cancer and, like you, I've found it puzzling because of its dual fall/triplicity status.

I found myself nodding in agreement with most of your initial comments : yes, hung up with the past, possibly to the native's detriment; and perhaps a troubled family heritage of some kind, alongside the accumulation of wealth.

I've also observed a strong, even obsessive interest in military history, battles and war games, and have seen this placement recurring in a family associated with sporting success (ie sport is a significant part of the family's heritage.)

Yuzuru's comments ring true too:

So, I would compare mars in cancer to a person who has lack of concentration or focus in his energies; who is prone to feel frustration and anger against others, as he is the warrior who stay home for fear; he is prone to take this anger in others because he is so frustrated, is everyone?s elses fault.

I've seen this as well. Mars in Cancer people can be very steamed up (fire & water!) in private and then be unable to express or act upon their strong feelings when given a public opportunity to do so. Of course, several other factors can modify how it's expressed eg an angular house position (plus the 6th where Mars is in his joy) and aspects to Mars. The houses ruled by Aries and Scorpio, and the planets in those signs are likely important too.

The passive-aggressive behaviour PFN describes also fits, and I've observed that Mars in Cancer people approach things - people, problems, jobs, parties, even shop counters! - in a crab-like, sideways manner. They can seem hesitant and lacking in confidence, but can also be surprisingly tenacious (they don't give up) and in some situations, highly effective.

I've pulled some examples of people with Mars in Cancer from my Solar Fire database - a very interesting list, which includes:

Mozart - Mars in Cancer in 10th.
John F. Kennedy Jnr - Mars in 10th house, trines Mercury in Scorpio, opp. Saturn/Venus in Capricorn in 5th, Aries on 8th cusp.
Rupert Murdoch - Mars in 8th, widely opposing Saturn in Capricorn.
Robin Williams - Mars in late 8th, trines Moon, Scorpio Asc.
Stephen King - Mars in late 12th (just over 5 deg from the Asc), trine Jupiter in Scorpio, Aries MC.
Henry Winkler - Mars conjunct Saturn in 6th trine Mercury in Scorpio close to MC, Sun in Scorpio in 9th.
An interesting & tragic pair, born 3 weeks apart in 1946: Karen Silkwood (Mars conjunct a really debilitated Saturn in Cancer, in the 9th but close to the MC, squaring the Libra Asc & Aries on the 7th) & Liza Minnelli (Mars conjunct Saturn & Moon around the IC, Scorpio on 7th.
and finally, an infamous example, John Hinckley - Mars in 5th, Scorpio MC, and Saturn in Scorpio in 9th.

I'm certainly interested to see what else comes up on this topic.

I've just realised how long ago Andrew kicked off this particular topic and that it's really PFN's recent contribution which has brought the whole discussion forward again. Shows how long it takes me to catch up with the rich network of conversations going on here!!

Yes, it took a little while but it is no problem at all :-)

That?s why the forum has archives, the discussions never really die (for better or for worse!)

I also have Mars in Cancer in the 10th. It trines my Venus in Scorpio and I think has helped me to maintain friendship with all of my ex-lovers. Perhaps that is holding on to the past! I know I do like to relive my past but less so now than when I was younger. I also had/have a problem with aggression but I think it's due to the fact that Mars squares my Mercury in Libra (which conjuncts my Moon and Sun in Libra on the Ascendant) so my problem was with being too aggressive with my words and having to learn how to tell the truth without being hurtful or assuming my opinion was the right one. The interesting thing is nobody believes me when I say that I was shy when I was younger. I am perceived as being able to stand up for myself and not being willing to take bs. But I definitely hate to do it.