Mars is an expression of one’s desires, passion, drive, physical strength and action and Pluto is about transformation, depth, power and re-inventing oneself, and the combination of both these planets in a natal chart gives the person a whole lot of drive, sometimes more than one can handle. The positive & negative aspect of this combination really depends on how the energy is being used. People with this aspect need to have challenging outlets to express their energy like marshal arts, long and arduous hiking, taking on a challenging project, taking up sports, power yoga, or anything that pushes the physical limits. If energy is not utilized in a good way, then it can suddenly surface up like a hot volcano and cause immense destruction. In Greek mythology, Pluto was the God of the underworld and astrologically Pluto’s goal is to push all that is dark to the surface so it can be transformed. Hence people with this aspect have an excess of intense energy that needs to have a constructive outlet.
Mars Pluto conjunction is frequently observed in charts of those that have inherently intense energy and is easily visible to others. They can easily commit themselves to a project with strength and determination. However, on the other hand since there is not much separation in a conjuction, the person may be not be aware of how to control or modify this intensity. They may not even be aware of their powerful effect on others. Kevin Spacey has a Mars Pluto conjunction and also Mars/Pluto midpoint on his ascendant which means he carries this physical rugged energy as part of his appearance. Kevin Spacey was pretty rough in his childhood but his skills in acting provided an opportunity for this Mars Pluto energy to be expressed in a positive manner. This was his savior. In an interview with Spectrum Magazine in January 2001, Mr. Spacey mentioned “I was about nine or 10 when I went through a time of real rebellion within my family. I was mad, had no focus and was interested in nothing at all. I started to play with matches, caused trouble and did stupid things that kids should not do. As a result, my parents decided to send me to military school. I stayed there for a year or so and then got thrown out, because I got in to a fight. I went back to public school and some teachers turned me on to theater and acting. That was the key moment in my life.” He really channels well the Mars Pluto aspect in the TV show “House of Cards” where he plays a Presidential wannabe who finds a way through manipulation and murder to become the President. Kevin Spacey’s Chart given below shows his Mars Pluto conjunction. Unfortunately, his time of birth is not known, but most probably the Mars Pluto combo aspects his midheaven or ascendant. 
In the negative way, the dynamic energy of Mars takes on a plutonian filter and can be expressed in a dark manner. James Holmes who conducted a mass shooting in a theater in Aurora, Colorado has the Mars Pluto conjunction in Scorpio. This conjunction was smack on an angle which makes this aspect more personal for him. Since it was conjunct an area of his chart which involves his family, childhood and emotions, and having a Mars Pluto conjunction here points to violence/fear experienced or observed in childhood. If this is not enough, he has the Mars Pluto conjunction exactly square the Black Moon Lilith which is an asteroid with aw powerful energy with the need to seduce and control. All of us have Lilith in us, but it expressed strongly in a chart when conjunct an angle. Interestingly, also Seung-Hui Cho who carried out the shootings at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007 also has the Mars Pluto conjunction in Scorpio. Wallace Clement Sabine was an American Physicist who founded the field of Architectural Acoustics. He has a Mars Pluto conjunction with Kassandra, the asteroid that is involved in hearing is also conjunct this combo. He used the passion inherent in the Mars Pluto combo to do his focused and labor intensive research (Wikepedia)
Mars Pluto Square and Opposition: In the square and opposition, there is more awareness and more opportunity to learn and modify the energy but not without a struggle. But at the same time the pressure to manifest is huge and this can drive a person to initiate challenging projects in a positive or a negative manner. Osama Bin Laden (chart below) has Mars Square Pluto and in spite of being born into a rich family, chose to live a rugged and hard lifestyle, and was obsessed with a cause that eventually caused his destruction. The Mars Pluto square person can also come across as very demanding to the extent of being cruel, forceful, controlling, and manipulative. It is basically different ways of using one’s will over another to get their desire’s met. Negatively, the Mars Pluto person will push all boundaries to get what they want, unless life teaches them that this can be eventually self destructive unless used for a good purpose.
Drew Barrymore has a Mars Pluto midpoint on her midheaven and had a very rebellious childhood. She was smoking by the age of nine, having alcohol and smoking marijuana and snorting cocaine by the age of thirteen. She made a suicide attempt at the age of fourteen that put her in rehab and she calls this period of her life as the “Little Girl Lost” in her biography. This is basically the Mars Pluto midpoint acting out her through her midheaven (public display) until she found a way to get movie roles that in the beginning depicted her as a rebellious seductress teenager which is in line with the energy of Mars Pluto combo. Later, she transformed herself and now produces her own movies and has been named as the “Ambassador against Hunger” for the UN World Food Programs.
The Mars Pluto opposition specifically may be involved in power games with others, either in controlling others or being controlled by others. A good example of this is Michelle Pfeiffer who has Mars Pluto opposition with Mars conjunct her Midheaven. While taking acting classes in Los Angeles, Pfeiffer got close to a friendly couple and while they helped Pfeiffer to get off from drugs, drinking, and smoking, the couple controlled her life and much of her money went to their group. she was hypnotized and became very dependent on them and their cult. Then Pfeiffer along with her future husband, Horton met real-life cult de-programmers and with their help was able to get away from them. This is a very scary but a true potential lurking in the Mars Pluto opposition to seduce and to be seduced against one’s will.
Mars Pluto Trines and Sextiles: In the soft aspects the person is comfortable with Mars Pluto energy and even able to handle the intensity pretty well. Usually the person has support systems within themselves or through others that nurture this energy which in turn helps the person to find an outlet for the passion in an easy smooth manner. Many people with this combo have abundant energy and find ways to use it usually in a positive through focused hard work in music, acting science, politics, etc.
Do you have Mars Pluto aspects in your birth chart? Its also very similar to the Aries Scorpio combination which can be very passionate or/and volatile with each other. If you have any experience with this combination in any form please share with us.
Great insights, and now you have me really thinking about how my 29 Leo 58′ Pluto, inconjunct 0 Aries Mars as one leg on my Yod with N Node, Neptune, and Ascendant on the other leg has really colored my life… especially with my 16 Gemini Sun on the Pluto Mars midpoint. I had always heard that yods mean at some point in life the road you are on will end, and you will have to make a new choice, but the theme of self sacrifice, being subject to the will of others, and never really getting what I want out of life are very prominent themes for me.
Hello Betty – great to hear from you. Yods are interesting – they can bring a turning point but it could be end up either way and also it may be a point where a decision is made for you. The decision could be positive or negative. I have seen this in kids who are adopted for various reasons – they have a big life change but have no real say in what happens to them. With 3 planets, the node and an angle involved I can bet that your Yod plays a big role in your life. I’ve seen just with Mars Pluto Inconjunct sometimes your are pulled into challenging situations even without lifting a finger, and its as if your actions are dictated on a higher level – someone else make the schedule in your life. Yods can be frustrating until we really bring a higher consciousness and the idea of soul lessons into it.
what about Mars inconjunct Pluto?
specifically Mars in Aries and Pluto in Scorpio.
Thanks
This is a double dose because the signs involved in the aspect, Aries and Scorpio are ruled by Mars and Pluto respectively. With inconjunct, you may be not so aware of the intense energy but it is working on some level. Also, you may be put in situations that you may have to deal with power struggles (even if don’t initiate it), especially in close relationships and in natal houses that are occupied by Mars and Pluto. Also, be aware that others may see this energy in you even if you don’t (because on inconjunct aspects. your planets are blind to each other), and can use it to their advantage. So the more aware of how this works in your life, the better you are in handling power conflicts.
thanks for the comments
Thanks Astromanda!
I have mars conjunct pluto in Scorpio, in my 12th house. Additionally, Pluto is conjunct my sun in the twelfth house, and mars is conjunct lilith who is riding my 11th house cusp by half a degree. I don’t completely understand what this means.
As a martial artist I kick ass. In life people respond with nervous, fearful reverance (which sucks around men cuz I feel like a lovely women that no one will touch). Interpersonally I have challenges cuz I come off intensely, even/esp when I don’t talk. I just wanna soften my edges and be magnetically attractive, not repulsive. Can anyone offer any thoughts?”
Leah -You described the Mars Pluto energy really well and its great that you do martial arts, a positive channel for this energy. It’s definitely a powerhouse to have Pluto conjunct both Sun and Mars in Scorpio but when its in 12th, there could be some aspect of this energy that is hidden from you, but others can see it. The more you get in touch with this energy and accept it, the more you can have control over it. Also, check to see if you have any easy aspects from Pluto, Sun or Mars, and these may show a way to soften the aspect. Good luck
hello. i’m 32, my mars is between pluto and saturn, conjuncting both, all in scorpio in 4th house. all three are squaring aquarius sun on the cusp of 8th/end 7th, depends on house system. sun has wide orb with pluto but exact with mars which would make my drive completely subconscious. also mars sextile venus capricorn, so i prefer dance&pilates to martial arts. i struggle with inconsistent drive and mental concentration(overthinking, nevrotiacal suppression of desires, also sexual), from highs to great lows (but not manic d.), low muscle tonus.. i’ve always desired body&soul loving strength, is it possible to overcome these squares? or am i meant to become a wise thinker?:) how do we make subconscious conscious? thank you in advance!:)
Its great that you channel some of this energy through dance, etc…because Mars Pluto Aspects likes to be challenged physically. I agree that with Mars and Venus soft aspects, dance and creative physical expressions, come easiery. There may be some difficulty in expressing yourself, with Pluto conjunct Saturn, which often denotes an uphill battle with something. Since it is in the 4th house, maybe there were a lot of responsibility and challenges early on in your life. So it could be a challenge to comfort yourself emotionally. Pluto and Saturn (with Mars in the midpoint) also makes it hard to express yourself. So in one hand you feel the need to focus on something intensely, and challenge yourself, but the other hand you may feel restricted. Some things that may help you to become more aware of the patterns could be therapy, as this works very well with Pluto. Since these planets area squaring your Sun, you may be hard on yourself, or sometimes push yourself too much. So try to be kind to yourself if you fail ins some task. This is a very strong energy all squaring your Sun, so it is not magically going to go away and may be a life long challenge, but I believe that you can find a way to manage it constructively. And like you said, the more aware you are, the easier it may become.
We have similar charts..I have the same aspects and placements as yourself minus Pluto conjunct Saturn and Pluto square sun and using Western chart the houses are intercepted so the Scorpionic energy is behind the house. I agree the aquarius sun suppresses much of the seething style of Scorpio, who tends to cry a lot. We just detach and look at why we’re angry, then get angry with our thoughts, ha..and tend to worry much. I believe wisdom is learned for us by ever being a beacon of light, courtesy of our sun placement. When you feel your environment is like a land mine, it is! But alas, it is not always because of you, remember that. What you project to others is their own fears. To contradict all generalized statements of this energy, we were very quiet but non intrusive as children and into young adulthood. We’ve seen others sound off their arguments, fight, manipulate and it takes a lot of strength to overcome extremely overbearing projections from others. The barrage of emotional terrorism and deliberate deceit will not end until you learn to be separate from those who abuse and learn to be kind to those who need protection. This energy described as evil and destructive is not our own as though we’re in denial. Emotional independence. Childhood was painful, family is lost to separation later, voice is found but can no longer live with a guilt complex. Strength is gained by doing what’s right and not believing that someone trying to destroy you every turn is cause for living the rest of our days in justifying it. Confront those who don’t mean well so they have the option of changing their own behavior and owning their projections. Last, libras, gemini, virgo and taurus tend to be enemies..they hate being called out on their games. Take care of yourself.
hey, thank you for such a kind and quick reply! dance, well, i stopped… i agree, awareness and acceptance helps. i analyse myself through astrology, Freud, people’s comments…but resistance is strong, i tend to suppress back all insight along the way, which won’t stop me-so there is some persistence. pluto and saturn have no aspect, but pluto conjunct mars and mars conjunct saturn – seems aquarius sun suppresses them completely since so different energy. them squaring from 4th denotes a struggle with my mother for my identity in everything, but it’s better now. i think sun square saturn keeps me overall inhibited also. in vedic mars conjuct saturn with mars in lower degree means taking shortcuts and i really want to change that. although it is true squares getting easyer with age, i can feel that. so…we keep the struggle to find those constructive channels, self control, self love, drive…. thank you again and best of luck everywhere!
Hi Manda, great post, my daughter has Pluto in a tight yet out-of-sign square with Mars and she does show quite a few of the aspects you mention….she has a problem with a friend who was born five days earlier than her and who has the Pluto-Mars square exact and this girl’s Mars is in exact square to my daughter’s Pluto…this girl really is manipulative to my daughter’s detriment!
Lynn, Mars Pluto in synastry can be very intense, added to constant undercurrent of power struggles, and manipulation. I hope your daughter finds a positive way to express this energy, especially in a physical domain.
I have the Mars conjuct Pluto aspect in my natl chart. Power and control seems to be an underlying feeling that is always in me , beneath the surface. I have a hard time and try very hard to not be either intimidating or come across to powerfully to people, sometimes i do it with purpose, other times i really don’t want to be perceived that way because i feel it’s too strong for some, and i may not be liked for it. I also feel an intensity within me, specially when i set my mind out to accomplish a goal, it feels like the will and determination of steel, like my very life depended on my commitment. I sometimes don’t like that i can be so intense, but one must learn to love him or herself fully, it will promote growth to come to peace with it.
Thanks Louis- what a wonderful explanation of this energy – right from the heart! Really appreciate you sharing this because for most people, this is a hard energy to accept and then channel it right. It is great that you are working on accepting it because great things are possible with the Mars Pluto aspect, once you find the right project to focus your energy. Like all aspects in your natal chart, escaping them is not a good idea.
Hi! I have a T-square: Mars in Pisces 29”, Sun 29” Gemini, Pluto 1” Libra. Mars opp Pluto. Mars in Pisces and 4th house.
It takes much to truly deeply anger me – most times I try to fade away or negotiate to solution. However, I sort of view my rage as a molten ball of…rage submerged in a deep lake of black water. I work hard at keeping the thin crust of ice that covers the surface from cracking and the lake from boiling. I am totally completely and 100% at peace with the knowledge that when I choose to let the animal out, I will be effective. The challenge has been to harness the energy in small useful units and to handle with precision. I am learning and improving. I am also a Scorpio ascendent, I have, until recently, attributed the sort of intimidating vibe I give off to that – but now I believe the vibe is Mars.
I’m a Leo with a taurus moon . Mars conjunct pluto both in libra eighth house. I also got generational Uranus in Scorpio.
I’ve encountered some “alleged” serial killers; Oj Simpson and Andrew Cunanan. This shocks me , how did I attract these men and their dark energy. They were real nice men I encountered but had been accused of murder.