Pluto, Saturn and Mars: Power, Responsibility and Volatility

mars red“Anakin, how many times have I told you to stay away from the power couplings?”
–Obi Wan Kenobi

There’s a thread on the boards discussing the situation where a dentist vengefully extracted her ex’s teeth. It got me to thinking. I believe I know what I would do because I’ve been in a reasonably similar situation. However, the puzzle I found interesting was in trying to put together what astrological energies go into producing each individual’s reaction to such stimuli. You can never truly know what anyone will do, but you can see what they’re likely to do.

This situation is emotionally stimulating and multilayered, still some core elements can be isolated. The clearest would be Pluto and how it’s situated in the chart, power, where a person experiences power or its lack. There is also the input of Saturn, how one creates and reacts to boundaries, control of the self and other, and ultimately integrity, what that is and how it is expressed. Both of these are highly relevant in understanding where an individual is coming from in such situations, particularly where these planets interact with personal points in the chart.

That’s where one is coming from; if you want to know how one GOES, look to Mars, and in particular any aspects or influences it has from Pluto and Saturn-related energies. Mars is how one acts. Everything else is one long (or short) fuse; Mars is the bomb. No matter what you want to do, what you think about doing, feel like doing, what you DO relates to your Mars. This makes it really important to know your Mars and learn to service it so that it performs the way you wish in your finer moments.

Where is your Mars? Are you volatile?

74 thoughts on “Pluto, Saturn and Mars: Power, Responsibility and Volatility”

    1. pluto 1st house mars 10 house i don’t like getting angry cuz i know what happens when i do, last time there were knives involve

    1. I have a stellium of Pluto-Saturn-Jupiter-Mars in Libra, 1st house.
      I cannot find any info online, except the upcoming 2020 stuff. Please help!
      I also just endured the July 16th eclipse/moon in Capricorn (my moon is Capricorn) in my sun sign Cancer, while the North Node is in Cancer, my natal nn is Cancer(r)
      I was also born on the same day as a total full moon Eclipse.

      1. I’m also a Cancer sun with Pluto Saturn mars libra – but in my 4th house. North node also in Cancer. Our charts are somewhat similar!! I find this all so interesting!

      2. I have this Stellium Mars Saturn Pluto in Libra. Bc of these being in libra, this year 2020 these natal placements in Libra have been square to the 2020 Stellium in Capricorn. This is why for us power, responsibility, and actions have been so prominent in balancing our relationship with others. Not volatile exactly, since Mars is not strong at all in Libra. … … My natal NN is in Cancer too, but I do not have any other cancer placements other than NN.

  1. I have Mars conjunct Saturn in Virgo in the 10th. My Scorpio/Sadge can be vengeful/volatile, but if I were the dentist, most likely I wouldn’t risk my reputation/status/career (10th house) for revenge on an ex.

    Depending on how we broke up, I’d (nicely/professionally) help his ass out. Otherwise, I’d decline and move on.

  2. I haz Pluto in 12th = hidden enemies. What I said above still stands; I don’t need to make new ones. 🙂

  3. I have Mars conj Saturn in Leo. The steam is controlled. Pluto is in stellium, just in the next House. I CAN be an internal volcan, not often explosive, but COULD. All this takes place in the 7th and 8th Houses.

    1. I have a Mars-Saturn-Pluto stellium as well, in Libra in the 12th house. People know me for being wishy-washy and indecisive, and I will sometimes half-heartedly act — or I will act suddenly with intense willfulness, and that’s usually sparked by relationship issues.

      1. And they NEVER saw it coming..
        I made this sentence about how i feel with it:

        Just saying..BE PREPARED TO RUN AWAY SCREAMING THE DAY I SAY no.
        “Just saying no” 😀

  4. I have Mars in the 3rd house trine Mercury in Pisces and I have the HARDEST time remembering how to spell VOLATILE. bahahahaha!

    my worst common mispellings: volitile, accomodate, knowlege, acknowlege… I find this hilarious. but I am also a large goober.

  5. LOL Satori. I spelled “have” as “haz” by accident, realized my mistake, and then let it go caz I’ve seen you spell it that way, so I knew you’d understand. 🙂

  6. I DID notice that, in a good way… “ah, fellow native LOLcat speaker.”

    I also noted moki’s “volcan” and got that it was volcano as vulcan would be more Saturn-oriented. then I immediately made the “live long and prosper” hand in reverence, just in case.

  7. Mars at the end of the 2nd house at 0 degrees aquarius. It’s square my mercury pluto conjunction in 12th house scorpio. I think too much before I act. My actions always downplay the intensity of my thoughts…

  8. Mars in Gemini / 8th house in mutual reception to Merc in Aries. I can cut with words and I can dance with words. Sometimes my own thoughts are so all over the place that I may begin a story leaving out very important details and realizing I have to backtrack, but I also have a great ability to slide into gaps with my wit. My chart is highly occupied by Mars & a significant Plutonian influence. I have Mars-Chiron opposite Saturn. I’ve found it difficult to stabilize this aspect. Pluto in 12th conjunct ASC in Scorpio. I know all about some secret enemies & self-undoing

  9. Mars in Cancer in the 2nd is deliberate, not volatile. I’ve likened it to a nuclear bomb with a very (very) long fuse.

    Except it’s squared to Uranus (Libra!) and inconjunct my traveling impulsive moon (Sagittarius!)

    *chuckle*

    Little stuff I vent over and then I’m done; my friends know that the more careful I am, the closer the fuse is to the bomb.

  10. I have a 5th H Mars (Libra) involved in a T-square with 3rd H Moon and 8th H Mercury. I do not think before I speak and I tend to be very aggressive (when angry) with my emotions and how I communicate them to people. If I’m pissed…it is not a secret. Thankfully, it takes a lot for me to get to that point.

    3rd H Moon square 6th H Pluto….UGH.

  11. Mars/Saturn in Scorpio. When I’m pissed I surprise even myself with how dramatic my anger can be. Luckily my Libra is there to calm me down.

  12. Avatar
    Read_em_and_weep

    Mars in Leo 4th wants to light shit on fire when it gets riled up. I also have Molotov Cocktail fantasies…

    Flame throwers enter the fantasies, too…

    Big, big fire…

    Drama? I can do that.

  13. Avatar
    Blessed Place

    Mars in Cancer Rx conjunct Saturn Rx… so like Shannon I tend to smoulder for ages then go nuclear!

    But I can also be pretty volatile – I’m quick to anger and can sound off in some circumstances… My Mars is busy but pretty afflicted: sextile Moon but opposing Sun/Venus/Vesta and square Jupiter/Juno/Chiron. It’s easily rubbed the wrong way with all that friction in the chart

  14. Mars/Saturn/Pluto triple conjunction in the 8th in libra. Sometimes there’s not ‘balancing’ out that energy. I can definitely erupt sometimes, and it surprises everyone including me… Did I mention they’re all retrograde..? Lol

    1. I’m having those three retrograde in libra too, only in my 3rd house.
      I’m tired of not getting any resolution on this..

    2. Lol I have this exact placement in libra. But they are not retrograde. I can for sure erupt. It looks like I’m gonna kill people but I don’t. Lol must be saturn holding me back. Do you attract libras alot?

      1. Hi.
        Hmm.. My most loyal friends are libras yes. But I don’t feel like I’m attracting lot of libras, it’s more varied

  15. Mars in Taurus in the 12th conjunct Gemini Sun/Mercury

    One placid mood most all the time unless you ride my car bumper GRRRRR.

  16. Great post! Mars, Mercury in Capricorn in 9th – long wick – the truth cuts to the mustard when I blow.(Mars)Luckily not that often. . . .

  17. @ read em
    I have leo mars in the forth as well.

    My temper is hot! and over my kids, or house stuff, oh man!
    On the other hand, Taurus asc,is pretty patient and my Mars trines neptune in the 7th, I am often pretty forgiving/understanding….

  18. Avatar
    mudlikesubstance

    mars/saturn conjunct in cancer square pluto. Nuclear is a good description. Either you cross my boundaries so far I go off or I ignore the problem for way way way way way too long and then I go off.

    As for the dentist and the guy, both are incomprehensible to me. Why are they still dancing? Why are they still exchanging energy?

  19. Yes, I can be volatile. (Weirdness that I have trouble spelling those words too! and excercise..I do that one a lot).

    I have Mars in the 8th in Libra conjunct Uranus, Pallas and Pluto and trining Saturn rx in the 4th (gemini). It feels like a ticking time bomb sometimes. But, I’m learning that even with all the horrid scenarios that play out in my head sometimes of the different types of torture I could inflict upon a person, I’ve got some hefty control over it. This is a new talent and I credit to what I learned over the past year as Mars transited my 7th house lighting up my Venus/Saturn square and then simultaneously, tr. Saturn was steamrolling my Mars/Uranus. Mars is a trigger point for me as it opposes my Chiron. When I’m hurt, that cluster of energy gets activated and it’s really not pretty.

    But, I wouldn’t trade this configuration for the world. It’s like having a tiger at your side. If you are able to command it there is HUGE power. If you dont, it will eat you. The Tarot card Strength represents Mars/Pluto and I find that extremely fitting from where I’m sitting.

    *waves at MJ82* Nice to meet you! I have a feeling you may know a little about what I’m talking about here with a Mars/8th house set up like that.

  20. *waves back* Hi Josi, yes I do… my Moon is also in the 8th and conjunct Mars, and while it’s a fairly wide conjunction, it’s applying. I am learning more and more about what pushes my buttons and how to avoid eruptions, lol

  21. Mars in Taurus in 9th house and Saturn on 4th house cusp opposing it… My anger just leaves me feeling sick … it’s all about teaching moments… Pluto is scorpio is where the trigger really is, if the issue reaches pluto in scorp, then God save you and me 🙁

  22. Mars is the bomb? Oh dear says retro mars. That can’t be good. No wonder I try to stay out of volatile situation. Implosion.

    ariesgal, how in touch you are. Is that mars in 9th house of higher mind. Like do you have a choice?

    I knew a kid who was born angry. He did nothing but kick and hit in the womb to his mom’s discomfort (putting her experience lightly). When he was around 8 years old she said he told her that he made a decision not to be angry anymore because it didn’t feel good. That it doesn’t feel good could be why it is often tossed off onto another?

  23. “Libra.
    I don’t think I am volatile but everyone else does.”

    😀 that’s it…i just sometimes can’t moderate it. no one can at all times be fair, just, balanced and tolerant. not with Mars anyway 🙂

  24. Mars in Cancer in the 11th, opp. Uranus and square Sun.

    I’m erratic, loud and ardent/ice cold when I’m angry. My fuse is both long and short (like I said, I’m erratic and I’m often very surprised by my actions).

    I have the opposite problem from Elsa’s, people see me as quiet and calm, but I’m much more volatile. Mars/Uranus is just weird.

  25. Leo Mars in the 12th and Im entirely too calm! It may be the moon in a wide conjunct to saturn/ saturn inconjunct my sun. I don’t act immediately in 99% of circumstances. I have to really feel pushed intensely for my pluto in the 3rd to kick in and maybe verbally assault someone but even then I can hardly ever get my thoughts straight when I’m angry. I can however keep my anger down and talk myself out of it. Although, my meditations do involve imagining a house burning down or imagining myself breaking every single dish.

    Still working on an outward expression aside from exercise. People generally see me as calm, meek even. My mars-pluto square makes people liable to color their interactions with me through whatever power issues they need to work out. People are rarely angry with me, but when they are I notice its because of something that’s hidden from their own subconscious. Maybe its my mars rx. Idk. but they can’t see it in themselves and they just can’t hear anything I have to say because they want/need so badly to yell and dominate.

    I’d love to be the dentist. I’d love to methodically go through that process and get vengeance that way but I know inherently that hurting him badly won’t feel great long-term because a) it would kill my reputation b) land me in prison which is no picnic and c) give him the satisfaction of saying “this is why i couldn’t stay with you.” I can’t see a significant win here and even in my deepest anger no one was worth throwing my life away for.

    “That it doesn’t feel good could be why it is often tossed off onto another?” – @notch. That’s probably very true.

    1. I’m relating a bit to Things you say in your post, and it feels good like a relief. I’m thinking it might be the 3rd house Pluto then.
      It’s the “working on my outward expression” an ongoing theme for me. I feel like I have to Work extra hard to achieve an inner and outer synchronicity in my intentions and how I’m perceived outwardly, to get out generally. Feelings of powerlessness and total surprise when people can downright take me the opposite way of what is going on within me, and people taking me surprisingly heavy sometimes, “meek”, people wanting to dominate because of a button i’ve pushed in the realm of the subconscious, and also having multiple argumentations instantly on a subject, like a, b,c and so forth.I also love teeth deeply.

      1. And I get real cross and retire instantly, when I say something really important to me, and people are lose in being attentive. I feel like it’s almost a curse, as i feel it happens every time, I have that feeling, like this is very fragile and important subject.

        1. I feel like when I ask for something, which I rarely do, like something I really need or mean, people doesnt take me seriously.

  26. I have Mars Pluto and Saturn in conjunction with the Mid Heaven

    What does it mean. I am extremist in everything I say ,think and do. Very energetic and determent personality.

    Also can be very violent and cruel to others(enemies).

    1. mars Saturn Pluto in libra, midheaven in taurus.. i had a chart once that read that Saturn inconjunct midheaven was my most difficult aspect. I also have chiron in taurus.
      I have something with tauruses. But its quite different how it Works out being friends only and being in a romantic relationship. The friendship getting along smoothly instantaniously, with a lot in common value wise and mentally, and a feeling of cheerfullness, and a spiritual connection, and a physical attraction and feeling secure. But further from there entering a relationship it gets real rocky, and more and more extreme. Ha ha.

  27. I have Saturn, Mars and Pluto all in Scorpio. I’ve been meaning to know what this means for a while. If anyone can help please do! ☺️

  28. Hi Liza. My cousin has those placements and he is very intense and never hesitates to speak his mind. He can be very aggressive with his views and no had better, ever contradict him.

    What houses are these planets in? That gives the better picture.

    1. Hi Tonya, thanks so much for getting back to me. I wasn’t sure if this thread was still going.

      I do have strong opinions on things I care about. They are usually heart-centred issues like equality and fairness, perhaps because of my libra ascendant. I’m quite agreeable and well liked but in close relationships I have to try really hard to not be too opinionated in terms of behavioural ‘rights and wrongs’. For example, someone being too money focused or racist or sexist etc causes strong feelings in me. and I feel strongly about broad social issues to do with patriarchal control or the media/government, which I love to debate (I have mercury in Aries).

      My Saturn, Mars and Pluto are all in my first house. Some aspects that may be relevant: Neptune sextile ascendant, sun opposite Mars, sun opposite Saturn, Mars sextile moon, Mercury opposite Pluto, Mercury opposite ascendant, Venus opposite Saturn, Jupiter sextile Saturn, Neptune sextile Pluto.

      I tend to find a bit of a conflict between the romantic idealist in me and the straightforward-talking realist. It’s hard for me to really know which one I am and it’s often dependant on a context. I also have quite unconventional beliefs in regards to life purpose/spirituality etc, but I don’t tend to push these on others, I just use them as a guiding principle in my life. I feel a strong connection to ‘the universe’ but I wouldn’t call myself ‘religious’.

      Apologies if there’s anything irrelevant in there, I’m still learning 🙂 If you have any interpretation of this I’d be glad to hear it (it needn’t be as long as my reply!). Out of interest, what are your key birth chart influences?

      1. With Mars, Saturn, and Pluto in your first house, you will come across as a strong person who wants to get things done. No nonsense. Looking at the Sun and Mars along with the Mercury and Pluto oppositions, it looks like you have a lot of conflict and issues with your temper and wanting to control things.

        I am a Virgo Sun and I use the Whole House System, because it really explains me better. My Sun, Mercury, Mars, and Pluto are in the 8th house and I have Venus, Jupiter, and Neptune in Scorpio in my 10th house. My Gemini Moon squares my Sun and Pluto. I have Saturn in Taurus opposing my Neptune and Venus.

        Saturn opposing Venus makes it hard to show affection to others and puts a chill on what should be warm and fuzzy. Responsibility is a number one priority.

        I have Uranus in the 9th house with this placement and it is my chart ruler, since Aquarius is my Rising sign. I am somewhat traditional [Saturn] and yet, I have my own unique beliefs [Uranus] Since Aquarius is ruled by both Saturn and Uranus. Saturn is also a chart ruler and it is in my 4th. Responsible and stern in the home.

        No apologies needed. 😀

        Oh, and I find myself going back through these posts and answering them all the time. Haha.

        1. I rarely use forums/blogs but I should do it more often as its really nice to talk to others about astrology when you’re friends just roll their eyes at you 😀

          Thank you for the explanation. I think others do see me as strong, even when I don’t feel it myself but people would also describe me as balanced, logical and kind. I feel as though those 1st house combinations seem to suggest a lot of aggression which I don’t identify with- I’m not hot headed, stern or confrontational (unless under extreme conditions- perhaps 3 times I’ve ever experienced that and I’m 31). Control would be very accurate though, especially in relationships. I don’t think a boyfriend would call me controlling but there’s some things I absolutely won’t stand for and if that means setting ultimatums or cutting ties then I do (for better or worse). I am possessive in a very discrete/private manner too. I think I give off a different impression of being a chilled/free spirit usually. I seem quite deceptive reading that back!

          I am trying to learn the whole house system- it does seem to give a better feel for a person. I can relate to not being able to show feelings sometimes (Saturn opposing Venus)- outside of romantic relationships I feel that too.

          Interesting you say your chart rulers are Saturn and Uranus. How would I find out my chart ruler?

  29. I have very extreme character.

    I have mars/Saturn/pluto on MC in Libra.
    Uranus on Asc in saggitarius and moon in aries.
    All my life is either:
    Black or White , i despise or obsessively love. I have no balance. I have so much energy I feel like android not human.

    So hyper people are asking me: Can I have some of what you are taking?.

    I don’t know what to do.

    Sometimes I think so much Mercury in aquarius…I can’t sleep all night. And then act like nothing has happened as the energy outburst is never living me alone.

    Can Anyone advise me please.

    1. I have Pluto Mars and Saturn conjunction in 2nd house…I’ve heard this is not good how bad is this placement?? If anyone knows Im very curious about this

      1. sibling rivilary, violence from a sibling?
        At the same time (or) close to brothers and sisters.(fixed sign scorpio,like things to remain the same)
        Local matters, learning, communtication, travel(opposite 9th) could have a transformative effect (pluto), or you could transform a sibling life,or they you.
        Local politics? (Pluto,power through communication) Secrets to do with siblings,or information hidden.
        Older (saturn) or distance reltionship with sibling?

  30. Hillary Clinton has a Mars-Pluto-Saturn conjunction in Leo square Venus-Mercury-S.Node-Jupiter conjunct in Scorpio– quite the cluster you-know-what. Add dark star Algol (conjunct her N. Node, square her Saturn and opposing her Mercury) along with her Moon in Pisces square Uranus, and I’d feel a lot better if she were a war photographer, or a horror movie actress. Yikes.

  31. I have Mars on Mid Heaven in conjunction with Saturn and Pluto in Libra.
    Moon in Aries, sun in Pisces and Asc in Sagittarius.

    I am extremely jealous, and possessive. There is no middle in anything for me there is only Black and White.
    I like things being my way or no way. I have aggressive emotions and I break ,and destroy things when angry under an impulse.

    I am very passionate in love and don’t like to share my partner with no one, not even mine or his friends.
    I place all eggs in 1 basket and bet all on 1 card.

    I a prone to accidents, scars and bruises…

    By the way I am a woman!

  32. Avatar
    ScottishFoldSoul

    I have Mars in Pisces in the 1st house squaring Pluto in the 8th. Very opinionated but a live and let live type at the same time. Have read that Mars in Pisces is most successfully expressed through the arts and humanitarian work which is welcome because I find corporate culture generally abhorrent.

  33. I have Mars ,Pluto and Saturn all in Scorpio in the third house with Aries Sun,Moon and Mercury in 8 house in aries I am new to Astrology so I am searching for the meaning of this that’s how I came across this article

  34. I have Mars Saturn and Pluto conjunct Midheaven in Libra. Also Moon in Aries Asc in Sagittarius and Sun in Pisces.. I can get extremely violent and I also tend to find violent/rough tough men very irresistible. Men like (Clint Eastwood, (Dirty Harry)or Mixed martial arts fighters or Nave Seals Spec Ops, I hate men who are weak and losers. I have a very short fuse and tend to break and smash things when angry, and I get angry like that.
    Same time depending on day, I can get very shy and sensitive….I am an extremist. Either Black or White-nothing in between.
    I also have Lilith on ascendant.

    1. doesn’t Lilith in the asc create an attractive/destrustive personality.
      Are the partners you attract destructive or rebellious.
      Does mars square pluto in the 10th create create unwanted gossip,even slander?

  35. I would like to thank everyone of you for sharing your thoughts on mars/saturn/pluto conjunctions. Very little has been written on these powerful conjunctions. And sites such as this contributes to my knowledge base and understanding of astrology. I’ve been practicing since 1972 myself, but seldom read anymore due to a disability. However this will not stymie my interest and love of astrology. I to have had issues with my own mars in scorpio, which last passed over saturn.Mars also trines uranus but squared to pluto. A strange combination that has been misinterpreted by other astrologers. Over the years I’ve had to concede that this combination has given me the ability to achieve the heights of spiritual achievements. Which is a long shot from a classical interpretation. Astrology holds many mysteries to be unlocked. And triplicaties are a unique study of astrology, and one that’s never been thoroughly investigated or written about. So I appreciated this self study presented here.

    Thank you
    Douglas Gault

  36. 1st house natal Libra STELLIUM-Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto.
    Idk what to expect when the skies mirror my Stellium next month !!(January 2020)
    Sun@14°cancer (in 10thH)
    Moon@18°capricorn (in 4thH)
    North Node@14°cancer (in 10thH)
    conjunct *Sirius

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