Astrotheme
A New Approach to Astrology

The Dominant Mars: The Martians

Planetary Dominants: Introduction

The interpretation of a birth chart becomes more profound when it integrates several levels of complementary interpretations. Among these, planetary dominants hold a special place, offering an overall view of the personality, like a background layer or a general tone of the chart. They do not aim to describe the individual in every detail, a role reserved for the planets in signs, in houses, in dignities, or in aspects, but instead reveal a strong trend, a flavor, a general typology. This dominant can sometimes be nuanced or even contradicted by specific chart configurations, yet it retains its indicative value. However, there is no official or universally recognized method to calculate planetary dominants, and there are many approaches.

At Astrotheme, we have studied hundreds of natal charts of public figures and people close to us. Drawing on our astrological practice, we designed and then refined over several months the parameters of our dominant calculation method, achieving a result that we find very satisfactory in the vast majority of cases. It is based on criteria of activity, quality, mastery, and angularity, weighted by the nature of the planets involved and the accuracy of the aspects.

This is the method used in the Portrait in the Online Store to calculate the eleven dominants included in the report.

This new series of articles is illustrated by charts of well-known personalities, starting with the ten planetary typologies, from the Sun to Pluto. It will be followed by other series dedicated to the dominants of elements, signs, and houses.

The Dominant Mars: The Martians

This article focuses on the dominant Mars, illustrated by the birth charts of George Patton, Alain Delon, Francis Ford Coppola, and Samantha Fox. Their natal configurations highlight, each in a distinct way, the central role of Mars in character, drive, self-assertion, and sometimes destiny itself. These examples make it possible to observe contrasting expressions of this dominance, whether direct, controlled, or conflictual, without confining it to a single interpretative framework.

The dominant Mars emphasizes values related to action, combativeness, courage, and self-assertion. It sheds light on how an individual acts, defends themselves, takes initiative, and imposes their will when facing obstacles. Mars represents vital energy, instinctive drive, the ability to take action, and the refusal to remain passive in the face of circumstances. In strongly Martian individuals, action often takes precedence over prolonged reflection.

From a temperamental standpoint, a dominant Mars gives rise to an energetic, determined, and sometimes impatient tone. Behavior tends to be direct, frank, and at times abrupt, with a marked need to confront reality head-on. In characterology, this dominance frequently corresponds to active, emotive, and primary profiles, close to the traditional choleric temperament. The relationship to conflict is central, whether openly embraced, actively sought, or simply unavoidable.

Mars also provides insight into the way authority is exercised, decisions are enforced, and leadership is expressed. When dominant, it favors roles in which initiative, the ability to set direction, and the assumption of responsibility are essential. The need to prove one's worth through action, efficiency, or performance becomes structuring, particularly in professional life. This dominance values effort, endurance, and the capacity to fight for what is deemed necessary.

On a physical and instinctive level, Mars is associated with the body in motion, muscular energy, sexual drive, and the symbolic expression of virility. It informs desires, libido, and the way sexual impulse is expressed. Sports, physical activities, and professions involving risk or urgency are often especially appealing to individuals strongly marked by Mars.

From a life-cycle perspective, Mars corresponds to the period of active maturity, generally associated with the forties and fifties. It symbolizes the phase in which the individual is at the height of their strength, engaged in the essential battles of existence, whether professional, personal, or symbolic. Nothing appears to be gained without struggle, and self-assertion is achieved through challenge and effort.

When Mars is harmonious, it supports courage, boldness, and the ability to act with accuracy while defending one's interests without excess. By contrast, a dissonant Mars dominance can intensify anger, aggressiveness, despotism, or poorly controlled instinctive reactions. These tensions do not negate the dominance, but rather reveal its challenges, showing how Mars remains a central principle even when it expresses itself through conflict or destructive patterns.

Note: this article focuses specifically on the notion of planetary dominance and does not constitute a psychological analysis of the personalities used as examples. Other articles devoted to individual interpretations are available in the focus section.

George Patton: A Warlike and Conflict-Driven Mars at the Core of Destiny

George Patton / Author: National Portrait Gallery 1945 / Licensed under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.

George Patton established himself as one of the most emblematic and controversial military figures of the twentieth century. A leading American general during World War II, he embodied a vision of warfare based on constant offense, discipline, authority, and power struggles. His explosive temperament, blunt language, and openly expressed taste for combat make him a particularly striking illustration of a central and driving Mars dominance.

In this chart, Mars occupies a decisive position through both its angular placement and the density of the dissonant aspects it receives. Located in Virgo and close to the Imum Coeli, it operates as a deep inner engine, rooted in the psychological foundations of the individual. The tight opposition to the Midheaven projects this Martian energy into the public destiny, making action, command, and conflict a major axis of realization. Mars is not a secondary function here, but a true organizing principle of the life path.

The very tight square between Mars and Pluto is one of the most powerful signatures of the chart. It reflects extreme intensity, a fascination with violence, destruction, and domination, as well as a radical relationship to power. This configuration reinforces hardness of character, refusal of weakness, and the capacity to pursue battles to their ultimate consequences. It corresponds to a profile ready to impose his will, even at the cost of major tensions with hierarchy and surroundings.

The tensions between Mars and Neptune add a more ambiguous dimension to this dominance. They can manifest as ideological excesses, verbal outbursts, or difficulty in channeling impulsiveness. This combination helps explain certain well-known excesses, as well as a tendency to confuse personal intuition with strategic reality. Mars then acts without filter, driven by inner conviction and a strong sense of mission.

Histogram of George Patton's dominant planets

Histogram of George Patton's dominant planets

From a temperamental perspective, this Mars dominance expresses itself through constant combativeness, openly assumed aggressiveness, and marked intolerance of contradiction. The need to fight, to provoke adversity, and to maintain continuous pressure becomes vital. Conflict is not endured, but actively sought, experienced as a natural and necessary state for self-assertion. This posture fully corresponds to the choleric temperament traditionally associated with Mars.

Despite the presence of other important factors in the chart, Mars remains the most immediately readable and decisive planet in the construction of both character and destiny. It structures the public image, career choices, and the way in which the individual enters history. This chart offers an almost textbook illustration of a raw, warlike, and conflict-driven Mars dominance, in which action, struggle, and power dynamics form the central thread of existence.

George Patton
Display the Detailed Birth Chart
Author: no data
Credits: https://ru.pinterest.com/pin/498210777510561923/
Licence: Public domain
Date of birth
Wednesday, November 11, 1885
City of birth
San Gabriel (CA) (United States)
Gemini
Virgo
Capricorn
Mars
Neptune
Mercury
DominantDom. Planets
6
4
12
Earth
Air
DominantDom. Elements
8
Birth Path
Height
6' 1½" (1m87) tall
Biography of George Patton (excerpt)
George Smith Patton Jr., born on November 11, 1885, and died on December 21, 1945, was a United States Army general. He commanded the Seventh Army in the Mediterranean Theater during World War II and later led the Third Army in France and Germany following the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Educated at the Virginia Military Institute and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point,...

You may also read the astrological portrait of George Patton.

Below is George Patton's birth chart:

Astrology: horoscope and birth chart of George Patton (Placidus) Image taken from the horoscope, birth chart and astrological portrait of George Patton, born November 11, 1885, 6:38 PM, San Gabriel (CA) (United States) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 17' 19° 29' 05' 44' 20° 52' 24° 18' 21' 20° 26' 56' 48' 23° 44' 29° 20' 05' 19° 55' 09'

Alain Delon: An Authoritative and Virile Mars at the Center of Image and Destiny

Alain Delon / Author: Stevan Kragujevic, courtesy of Tanja Kragujevic, Stevan Kragujevic's daughter 1962 / licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Serbia license.

Alain Delon established himself as one of the major figures of French and international cinema, embodying a lasting image of power, controlled coldness, and instinctive domination. His aura rests as much on his acting talent as on a physical and psychological presence marked by authority, distance, and an openly assumed virility. This construction of his public image points very directly to a strong and decisive Mars dominance.

In his chart, Mars occupies a particularly telling position. Placed in Capricorn, the sign of its exaltation, it benefits from an expression that is both controlled, ambitious, and efficient. Its angular position, in direct tension with the Ascendant and the Midheaven, projects Martian energy to the forefront of both personality and destiny. Mars structures the way he acts, positions himself toward others, and asserts himself in the public sphere. It also operates as the ruler of key sectors of the chart, further reinforcing its organizing role in identity and in relationships, often experienced through confrontation or domination.

The dissonant aspects linking Mars to the Moon and to the Ascendant reinforce the conflicted dimension of the temperament. They indicate difficulty integrating sensitivity, a tense relationship with emotion, and a tendency toward abrupt reactions. This configuration contributes to the image of a man perceived as hard, sometimes intransigent, for whom relationships often unfold through an implicit or explicit balance of power.

The tight square between Mars and the Ascendant is particularly revealing. It imprints a permanently combative attitude, a need for control, and constant vigilance toward the environment. Identity is built through opposition, resistance, and the determination never to yield. This tension explains both the intensity of the charisma and the many personal and professional conflicts that have marked his path.

In terms of destiny, Mars acts as a driving force of conquest and symbolic power. It supports a career built on roles of strong, often solitary, dominant, or violent men, in perfect resonance with the chart's structure. Public image is not based on gentle seduction, but on silent authority and the ability to command respect, or even fear.

Histogram of Alain Delon's dominant planets

Histogram of Alain Delon's dominant planets

Despite the presence of other important planets in the chart, Mars remains the most immediately perceptible and organizing principle. It structures the image, the choices, the confrontations, and the overall trajectory. This chart offers a very clear illustration of a Mars dominance embodied in its authoritative, controlled, and sometimes implacable form, where inner strength and the will to impose one's mark constitute the guiding thread of an entire life.

Alain Delon
Display the Detailed Birth Chart
Date of birth
Friday, November 8, 1935
City of birth
Sceaux (92) (France)
Libra
Aries
Capricorn
Mars
Moon
Venus
DominantDom. Planets
7
3
2
Water
Earth
DominantDom. Elements
Chinese astrological sign
Wood Pig
1
Birth Path
Height
5' 10" (1m78) tall
Biography of Alain Delon (excerpt)
Alain Delon, born on November 8, 1935, and passed away on August 18, 2024, was one of France's most famous actors, renowned for his looks and talent. By the age of twenty-three, he was already being compared to cinema icons like Gérard Philipe and James Dean, and was even dubbed the "male Brigitte Bardot." Not content to rely solely on his appearance, Delon chose more complex roles, often...

You may also read the astrological portrait of Alain Delon.

Below is Alain Delon's birth chart:

Astrology: horoscope and birth chart of Alain Delon (Placidus) Image taken from the horoscope, birth chart and astrological portrait of Alain Delon, born November 8, 1935, 3:25 AM, Sceaux (92) (France) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 10° 48' 03' 11° 17' 11' 27° 24' 16° 17' 28° 34' 17' 15° 55' 27° 17' 14° 48' 29° 47' 46' 14° 41' 30'

Francis Ford Coppola: A Strategic, Constructive Mars in the Service of a Work of Power

Francis Ford Coppola / Author: Before My Ken 02-2009 / Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic, 2.0 Generic and 1.0 Generic license.

Francis Ford Coppola established himself as one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema, building an ambitious and demanding body of work deeply marked by notions of control, vision, and artistic conquest. Behind the figure of the creator emerges that of a leader, capable of directing vast teams, facing considerable obstacles, and maintaining strong authority over projects that were often highly risky. This trajectory points very directly to a major Mars dominance.

In his chart, Mars occupies a particularly visible and decisive position. Placed in Capricorn like the previous example, the sign of its exaltation, and conjunct the Ascendant, it lies at the very core of identity. Action, willpower, and the ability to take command are not secondary functions but constitutive elements of character. Mars colors the way he engages with the world, approaches challenges, and positions himself toward others. As the ruler of the Ascendant, Mars organizes the entire chart around the capacity to lead, to structure, and to impose a long-term vision.

The tight conjunction of Mars with the Ascendant confers a strong presence, natural authority, and a direct relationship to action. The subject does not wait for circumstances to arise but actively provokes them. This configuration favors endurance, tenacity, and a rare ability to pursue an objective despite resistance, setbacks, or external pressure. Mars acts here as a permanent driving force, oriented toward long-term construction.

The dissonant aspects linking Mars to the Sun and to Mercury introduce significant inner tension. They reflect conflicts between the will to act, personal vision, and intellectual or organizational constraints. This tension is echoed in a career marked by power struggles, confrontations with studios, and extreme risk-taking, sometimes at the cost of serious financial or personal consequences.

On the professional level, Mars clearly supports a vocation for leadership. The filmmaker acts as a conductor, imposing direction, rhythm, and high standards. This dominance explains the ability to bring exceptionally ambitious projects to completion while maintaining strong creative authority. Mars does not merely initiate; it sustains pressure until completion.

The harmonious aspects of Mars, particularly with Uranus and Venus, add an inventive and creative dimension to this combative energy. They allow rigor, boldness, and a strong sense of staging to be combined, preventing action from becoming a mere display of force. Mars thus becomes a structuring tool in the service of an ambitious artistic vision.

Histogram of Francis Ford Coppola's dominant planets

Histogram of Francis Ford Coppola's dominant planets

Despite the presence of other important planets, Mars remains the main organizing principle overall. It structures the relationship to power, creation, and long-term timeframes, giving the trajectory coherence based on struggle, perseverance, and mastery. This chart illustrates a Mars dominance that is less brutal than overtly warlike, yet just as central, expressed through strategy, endurance, and the capacity to build a lasting body of work in the face of adversity.

Francis Ford Coppola
Display the Detailed Birth Chart
Date of birth
Friday, April 7, 1939
City of birth
Detroit (MI) (United States)
Capricorn
Aries
Scorpio
Mars
Saturn
Pluto
DominantDom. Planets
3
1
2
Earth
Water
DominantDom. Elements
Chinese astrological sign
Earth Rabbit
6
Birth Path
Height
6' (1m83) tall
Biography of Francis Ford Coppola (excerpt)
Francis Ford Coppola, born on April 7, 1939, is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer. A leading figure of the New Hollywood movement, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential directors in the history of cinema. His career has been honored with numerous major awards, including multiple Academy Awards and two Palme d’Or prizes. He first gained prominence as a...

You may also read the astrological portrait of Francis Ford Coppola.

Below is Francis Ford Coppola's birth chart:

Astrology: horoscope and birth chart of Francis Ford Coppola (Placidus) Image taken from the horoscope, birth chart and astrological portrait of Francis Ford Coppola, born April 7, 1939, 1:38 AM, Detroit (MI) (United States) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 29° 14' 21° 18' 19' 29' 26° 06' 24' 13' 23° 14' 11' 22° 36' 33' 16° 33' 20° 26' 16° 02' 27° 52'

Samantha Fox: A Frontal, Instinctive, and Bodily Mars Turned into a Public Identity

Samantha Fox / Author: Rob DiCaterino 10-2013 / Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

Samantha Fox emerged in the 1980s as a global media figure whose public image was built on provocation, bodily assertion, and openly expressed sexuality. A pop singer, model, and media icon, she constructed her notoriety through a direct and unfiltered presence, grounded in audacity, exposure, and the conquest of public space. This trajectory corresponds in a very clear way to a strongly embodied Mars dominance.

In her chart, Mars immediately appears as a central planet. Placed in Aries, its sign of rulership, and in the first house, it expresses itself in a frontal, instinctive, and spontaneous manner. Mars is conjunct the Sun and close to the Ascendant, making it a constitutive principle of identity. Action, self-assertion, and the ability to take center stage are not strategic choices, but natural and self-evident tendencies.

This configuration produces an energetic, combative personality with little inclination toward restraint. The relationship to the body, image, and sexuality reflects an unapologetic Mars that does not hesitate to provoke, shock, or divide. Media exposure becomes a symbolic battleground in which the individual imposes her presence and rhythm, without seeking to conform to conventional expectations.

The tight Sun-Mars conjunction further reinforces this dynamic. It intensifies the desire to assert oneself, to stand out, and to live according to one's own rules. Identity is built through action and immediate impact rather than through nuance or diplomacy. This energy contributes both to rapid success and to controversy, making neutrality virtually impossible.

The numerous tensions involving the slow-moving planets add a more conflictual and sometimes excessive dimension to this dominance. They reflect an intense relationship to freedom, difficulty in accepting limits, and a tendency to experience opposition in a radical way. Mars acts here without compromise, even if this leads to ruptures or periods of instability.

Histogram of Samantha Fox's dominant planets

Histogram of Samantha Fox's dominant planets

This chart illustrates a raw, highly visible Mars dominance that is difficult to bypass, where self-assertion operates through the body, image, and direct confrontation with the collective gaze. Even as the career evolves or changes direction, Martian energy remains the guiding thread, shaping the way she exists publicly and leaves a strong imprint that is sometimes polarizing, but always immediately recognizable.

Samantha Fox
Display the Detailed Birth Chart
Date of birth
Friday, April 15, 1966
City of birth
London (United Kingdom)
Aries
Pisces
Aquarius
Mars
Sun
Saturn
DominantDom. Planets
1
12
11
Fire
Water
DominantDom. Elements
Chinese astrological sign
Fire Horse
5
Birth Path
Height
5' 1" (1m55) tall
Biography of Samantha Fox (excerpt)
Samantha Fox, born on April 15, 1966, in Wood Green, North London, is an English pop singer and former glamour model. She rose to fame in the early 1980s as one of the most iconic Page 3 models for The Sun, being named “Page 3 Girl of the Year” three years in a row and becoming a major sex symbol of the decade. In 1986, she successfully transitioned into pop music. Her debut single Touch Me (I...

You may also read the astrological portrait of Samantha Fox.

Below is Samantha Fox's birth chart:

Astrology: horoscope and birth chart of Samantha Fox (Placidus) Image taken from the horoscope, birth chart and astrological portrait of Samantha Fox, born April 15, 1966, 6:00 AM, London (United Kingdom) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 21° 30' 07' 21° 59' 28° 37' 37' 24° 06' 27° 37' 18° 14' 24° 47' 28° 01' 25° 47' 21° 02' 26° 25' 16° 07' 16° 15'

Some Examples of Martian Birth Charts

Below are several examples of public figures whose birth charts show a dominant Mars above 20%.

Name Dominant Mars Rodden
Alain Delon 21.15 % AA
Barbra Streisand 21.58 % AA
Kate Hudson 20.73 % AA
Tobey Maguire 23.19 % AA
Paris Jackson 24.21 % AA
John Legend 21.87 % AA
Gad Elmaleh 22.29 % A
Mia Farrow 24.09 % AA
Edie Sedgwick 20.63 % AA
Francis Ford Coppola 26.46 % AA
Jim Caviezel 20.94 % AA
Christian Dior 20.10 % AA
Erik Satie 23.38 % AA
Marianne Faithfull 21.77 % A
George Patton 20.93 % AA
Nikos Aliagas 20.29 % AA
Samantha Fox 22.46 % A