Tapestry of the Gods
Volume III
by Michael D. Robbins

Astro-Rayology
in progress

Interpretations of Famous People by Ray, Sign and Life Emphasis
With Explanations of All Astrological and Rayological Elements

Mars in Libra

“The power of Mars is lessened in Libra; this is the sign of interlude and Mars is temporarily quiescent, prior to gathering his forces...” (EA 250)

2. Mars (in Libra) in Relation to the Etheric Vehicle:
Libra, like the other two air signs, has an important connection to the etheric vehicle—the health of which depends upon balanced and regulated energy flows. Mars in Libra may stimulate what might be called ‘forceful etheric compensations’ to restore balance whenever the etheric energy system is disrupted or threatened with disruption. Also, etheric harmony may be easily disrupted by emotional states and much effort (Mars) is expended is re-balancing (Libra). At best, this combination contributes to a dynamic rather than static equilibrium in the etheric field.

3. Mars (in Libra) in Relation to the Astral Vehicle:
The more aggressive emotional states associated with Mars are less readily expressed in Libra, the sign of peace. Such persons may hesitate to express emotion too strongly, lest their equilibrium be disturbed or lost. On the positive side, the detriment can mean that some of the less desirable qualities of Mars are also deterred or subdued along with the more characteristically useful qualities. Desire for partnership and for sexual expression may be strong, but the “quarrel [Mars] between the sexes [Libra]” cannot easily be avoided.

A strongly activated Mars in this sign (strong because angular or powerfully aspected) may signal an intense longing for, yearning for, and even fight for the achievement of the state of union or marriage which Libra represents, and always the desire for a more complete or harmonious union—a desire which often interferes with the possibility of achievement. Emotional balance can be precarious, and one may struggle (Mars) to maintain it. This combination contributes to emotional uncertainty as the scales continue to swing between the pairs of opposites on the astral plane. It is hard to “go for” something entirely (Mars), or commit oneself entirely (Mars), when an oscillatory and somewhat tentative condition (Libra) exists within the astral body.

4. Mars (in Libra) in Relation to the Concrete Mind:
Mars in Libra promotes contention between differing points of view, and a determination to bring these “different sides of the story” into direct relationship (even confrontation) so that there may eventuate some useful outcome. Libra is strongly evaluative, seeking to judge intelligently or wisely. The mind influenced by Libra is the “judicial mind”, weighing alternatives in the balances.

Mars adds friction, urgency and speed to the process of decision making, resulting, often, in the tendency to force decisions. As well, this combination stimulates the activity of the lower mind—Mars being a planet of activity and Libra transmitting the third ray—the Ray of Activity. Much of this activity will be expended in the task of decision-making, and in seeking intelligent correctives for situations which need harmonization or the restoration of equilibrium.

5. Mars (in Libra) in Relation to the Personality as a Whole:
Mars is a planet related to personality assertion, but Libra desires relationship and union—so often disrupted by an inappropriately assertive attitude. With Mars in Libra there is an eager “moving out” towards relationship—eager engagement. Mars, so frequently the generator of Karma, is placed in the sign associated with the exact (Saturn) balancing of Karma, and so there is more caution with respect to the assertive actions and their possible karmic consequences.

Mars in this position, however, tends to bring disharmony into the social and interpersonal dimensions of life, promoting points of friction. Concretely, legal battles may result. This combination is active in divorce courts; it also contributes considerably to the ‘prosecutorial’ attitude (society’s retribution), whereas Mars in Cancer (in the terminology of the court) indicates the “defense”.

6. Mars (in Libra) in Relation to Glamors and Necessary Transmutation and Transformations:
Glamors arise from friction (Mars) between the “pairs of opposites” (Libra). Too much engagement in the dynamics of relationship, too much attachment to the relationship process, may bring a loss of autonomy—(the Sun falls in Libra). Glamors surrounding sexuality are also likely, as Mars is the sexual planet, and Libra the sexual sign. The problem is often one of inharmony in field of human relations, even though Libra idealizes “right human relationships” based upon the principles of fairness and justice.

Mars has a tendency to “stir up trouble” in this field; tolerating no settled position, and almost demanding that the “opposites” (man and woman, or soul and personality) engage in frictional interplay. Thus, with this combination, there is a struggle to achieve balance, accompanied by a tendency to disrupt the very balance sought. Thus, the emergent glamors might be called the ‘glamors of the pairs of opposites’ and they can only be corrected (transmuted and transformed) by more solar attitudes which promote a steady centering within the Self, and a realization that the desire (Mars) which seeks completion in another (the Libran attitude) must be turned inward, and completion found within the wholeness of the Self.

7. Mars (in Libra) in Relation to Sex:
There is, characteristically, a very strong sacral center stimulation. Mars is related to the sacral center (EA 78), and Libra, the seventh sign, is esoterically ruled by Uranus, the planet of the seventh ray (a planet which rules the sacral center (EA 517) and principally transmits the ray which brings the opposites together, just as the sacral center does).

The Tibetan speaks of the early expression of Libra as “Unbalanced fiery passion. Human love.” (EA 333) The early stages of evolution (those in which man is “undeveloped”) are, in fact, Martian stages. Thus, it is easy to see how Mars and Libra in combination can contribute to an insistent sexual expression.

8. Mars (in Libra) in Relation to the Management and Expenditure of Energy: Libra (so strongly under Saturn) is (with Capricorn and Leo) a sign of regulation. Balance (the quality of Libra) serves the Law of Economy, and Libra ever seeks a balanced expression of energy (Mars).

Just as in the opposite combination (Mars in Aries) there is a scattering of energy (for Aries loves to propagate itself through dispersion or scatter), so in Libra there is a tendency towards a more moderate and appropriately applied expression. Of course, much energy may be wasted in interpersonal friction, in the pursuit of human love, and is a conflict-ridden decision-making process, but upon the physical plane, the mainly hard-line rays of Libra and its rulers help to contain the out-going, boundary-breaking energy of Mars.

9. Mars (in Libra) in Relation to Courage:
With Mars in its detriment, this is not a conventionally assertive combination, but in relation to principles of justice, fairness and equality, and in defense of a loved partner, there will be sufficient courage to confront the threat. The confrontation is likely to rely upon intelligence rather than force, and may enlist the help of the law (fighting through lawyers and courts of law), but it will be proportional to the threat or offense.

10. Mars (in Libra) in Relation to Aspiration:
In describing the qualities of the advanced man in Libra, the Tibetan speaks of “devotion and aspiration” (EA 333). Devotion and aspiration are directed towards union of some kind—spiritual union (the union of soul and personality) in the case of the aspirant and disciple. Once the scales have tipped upon the astral plane, and the man (after due evaluation) decides for soul values, his aspirational nature is liberated, and a longing for the “marriage” of the Higher Self and the personal self arises.

11. Mars (in Libra) in Relation to Idealism:
Idealism can be keen with this combination—especially the ideal of peace. Here are found those who will make great efforts on behalf of peace and who, when occasion demands, even fight for peace.

12. Mars (in Libra) in Relation to Life’s Battlefield and the Readiness and Willingness to Fight:
Mars in Libra is rarely directly offensive. If a fighting response comes, it is usually only after provocation. Libra, interestingly, has much to do with war, as a societal action entered upon only after a definite provocation which must be answered—in self-defense.

One major battlefield of life concerns the sacral center, and the personal, intimate relationships created as this center is expressed. Wider social issues concerning law and the use of money may also become battlegrounds—often, legal battlegrounds. To fight is not the first response, but when justice and fairness are at stake, Mars in Libra will take strong measures. It is, in fact, a litigious position. Interestingly, there may also be the battle concerning fairness between soul and personality—each having its “rights and prerogatives”. Mars in Libra may, initially, fight more on the side of personality—Venus in Libra will work for soul. Venus promises harmony in the “marriage in the heavens”; with Mars in Libra, the relationship between the soul and its spouse (the personality) is never quite settled and peaceful.

13. Mars (in Libra) in Relation to the Nature of Personality Rebellion against the Soul:
To what extent will soul and personality quarrel? To what extent can they achieve peace—a dynamic and mutually beneficial equilibrium? The personality animated by Mars in Libra may, at first, choose a partner other than the soul. Questions of loyalty faithfulness enter. Can human love substitute for divine love; can the horizontal love life replace the vertical? A preoccupation with human intercourse can reject the soul as the “life-partner” it seeks to become in relation to the personality. Shall harmony and union be sought within the three worlds, or above—or within the three worlds as a reflection of that which stands above?

It is interesting that when there is strife in the vertical relationship of soul and personality, it will often be reflected as strife within interpersonal, horizontal relationships. The good thing about this combination is that it provokes constant questioning regarding the value of soul and personal directions and eventually forces a decision for one or the other.

14. Mars (in Libra) in Relation to Personality Cooperation with the Soul:
Libra is the sign of cooperation even though Mars is continually disruptive. When, however, right evaluation has revealed the superior value of soul energies, Mars in Libra will assert itself to ensure that these energies are expressed in the social and interpersonal spheres through patterns of behavior which are fair and of value to “all sides”, i.e., to everyone. Mars in Libra can as well defend as attack the partner. In this case, the soul is becomes the partner (or spouse) of the personality, and the personality under Mars in Libra becomes the advocate of its heavenly collaborator.

The Law of Magnetic Impulse (also called the Law of Polar Union) is governed by Libra and concerns the “binding of the pairs of opposites, the fusion of the dualities, and the marriage of souls…”. Human relations are meant, one day, to reflect “polar union”, which means that “Right Human Relations” must take the place of the present abuse. Mars in Libra which has often worked as a divisive force in the interpersonal sphere, now, as cooperator with the soul, seeks, energetically, to promote the ideal of interpersonal harmony—the highest example of which is peace.

15. There is at least one important lesson to be learned from this combination:
Harmony cannot be compelled; peace cannot be imposed; and, there is no way to force another to love one. The intense desire for union (Mars in Libra) is not the same as the loving magnetism which will make true union possible. The higher expression of the combination, Mars in Libra, places its energies under the guidance of Venus (a more advanced planet), which wisely and lovingly facilitates interpersonal harmony and the marriage of the opposites.

16. A powerful symbol for Mars in Libra is the “Battle of Kurukshetra”:
Arjuna did not want to fight (the Libra response) yet he was forced to fight—under Mars. And fight he did—at least, on the side of the soul (Krishna).

Individuals with Mars in Libra

14th Dalai Lama
John Adams
Isaac Asimov
Sarah Bernhardt
Louis Braille
Michel de Cervantes
Winston Churchill
Bill Clinton
Charles Darwin
Gaetano Donizetti
William Faulkner
Sigmund Freud
Bill Gates
Elbert Hubbard
Edwin Hubble
Johannes Kepler
John Lennon
Abraham Lincoln
Nelson Mandela
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
Sir Thomas More
Jawaharlal Nehru
Edgar Allen Poe
Elvis Presley
John D. Rockerfeller
Gioacchino Rossini
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Nikola Tesla
Margaret Thatcher
Duchess of York