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Mars Neptune Connections

To understand the concept of Mars Neptune connections we first have to go back into the past for a moment.

In the early 80s a "new" approach of assessing major themes in a natal chart saw the light by the "invention" of the so-called "ZIP Code."

It was a method invented by Dr. Zipporah Dobyns (hence the name "ZIP Code") and further propagated by her daughter Maritha Pottenger, that made use of the so-called astrological alphabet.

The concept of the astrological alphabet is that astrology deals with twelve basic ways of being, twelve human drives and modes of operation that are all needed in this world.

These twelve sides of life are mirrored in the natal chart by a planet, a house and a sign.

So it is in the astrological alphabet that Mars, the 1st house and Aries all share the same principles (though they are NOT the same!).

Venus, the 2nd house and Taurus also share the same principles and this goes on for the other planets, signs and houses.

What the theory of the ZIP Code or astrological alphabet presents is that certain groups of planet/house/sign combinations share similar themes.

For example: Mars in Libra or Mars in the 7th house share the same principles. The 7th house is in mundane astrology a Libra house (whatever zodiac sign is on the cusp of the 7th house in the natal chart).

This system has been enhanced by German astrologers who developed their own system based on the same principles but they converted the signs and houses to their respective planetary rulers.

For example: Mars in Libra becomes a Mars/Venus theme because Venus always rules Libra. Mars in the 7th house too becomes a Mars/Venus theme because the 7th house is associated with Libra, which is ruled by Venus in mundane astrology.

Also, the ruler of the 1st house (in mundane astrology ruled by Mars because Mars always rules Aries and Aries is always the 1st sign in the natural order of the zodiac) in the 2nd house (in mundane astrology ruled by Venus as the ruler of Taurus) is another Venus-Mars analogy.

The more you find such analogies, affinities, themes or connections between two planets, the more this planetary combination becomes an important part of the natal chart and the life of the native.

To find out the connections or analogies between planets, we take especially into account:

• planets in zodiac signs
• planets in houses
• the aspects between planets (the tighter the stronger)
• the rulerships
• solstice points

Planets in houses are more important and powerful than the planets in the zodiac signs because they work on a more personal and individual level (we use the Topocentric house system which gives almost the same results as the Placidus house system).

When do we have Mars Neptune connections, affinities, themes or analogies?

In most cases, the following configurations are used (there are more though (!) but this would lead us too far and make it more complicated than necessary):

• Neptune in the 1st house
• Mars in the 12th house
• the ruler of the 1st house in the 12th house
• the ruler of the 12th house in the 1st house
• Mars in a close conjunction, square or opposition with Neptune (a tight sextile or trine counts too but in a minor way)
• Neptune at the solstice point of Mars
• Mars in Pisces
• Neptune in Aries

When at least three of the above listed analogies or connections can be found in the natal chart, we have a very powerful Mars Neptune connection that will be felt and noticed in the character and life of the native.

What do Mars Neptune connections signify?

Mars and Neptune have totally different archetypal qualities and characteristics.

Mars is linear, direct (blunt) and open (the Primal Male) while Neptune is non-linear, less open and more covert.

This combo results in some difficulty expressing oneself in an upfront way.

You have to be able to "interpret" the actions and activities of the native to find out about the inner urges and drives.

The water planet Neptune is able to extinguish the fire planet mars in many ways and because Neptune is a heavier and slower (generational) planet than Mars, the water traits most often dominate and steer Mars in a more obscure, undercover more secret way.

People with a powerful Mars-Neptune connection may not be 1st-line "fighters", but rather prefer working at the sidelines in a less or even non-competitive environment.

They may prefer working in solitude and often shun the limelight.

There is something, some (past) experience, that prevents them from living their urges and desires to the full in unrestricted ways.

They are more subtle in pushing through their urges and they tend to direct energy inwards instead of outwards.

This connection may thus indicate self-sacrifice at best, but self-destruction at worst.

People with a predominant Mars-Neptune connection often experience or face energy drain, periods of energy depletion and a lack of zest (often accompanied by muscle weakness).

They can be paralyzed easily by external situations or experiences.

Hence, it's as if their Self (represented by Mars) is somehow dissolved, weakened, flooded by Neptune's energies and it's often noticed that people with such a predominant connection easily become overruled by or even a victim of some external situation or other people.

This connection is one part of the chain that may result in "I-dentity" loss.

People with powerful Mars-Neptune connections tend to silently allow other people or external situations to steer or shape their life (even if they don't like it).

People with this connection have it difficult to take hard decisions also.

Their actions work out in a more diffused and/or indecisive way (even though they are perfectly able to decide for themselves, they only cannot out their decision upfront).

People with a powerful Mars-Neptune connection love to hide their actions and activities.

At worst, this indicates illicit dealings, working behind the back and/or doing underground activities.

In matters of love and romance, people with such a powerful connection need to learn to vent their anger, frustration and share their activities more openly to avoid building up tension.

They must learn to express their urges and desires towards the partner to avoid growing dissatisfaction.

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