Mangala
Mangal means “all auspicious”. Another name in Sanskrit is Kuja, which means “Earth Born”. Bhaumya, which means “Earth like”. If you think about it, it’s really remarkable that the Rishis did not just call it “the red planet” so many countless thousands and thousands of years ago. Instead, they recognized and knew that it was similar to Earth.
Mars is known for its intensity ~ echoed by its red colouration. The highest mountain on Mars is four times the size of Everest on Earth. It also has the largest volcano. All this on a planet half the size of Earth. At one time Mars had water and may still, but it does not have an atmosphere that as of yet cannot support complex life the way Earth does.
Mangal is located at the Manipura chakra ~ the fire centre within each of us. Mars is associated with the God of War associated with Aries, which Mars also rules in the zodiac. Manipura chakra is the centre of our will and localized prana ~ our ability to have stamina, physical vitality, capacity to heal, enthusiasm and fire for life. However, this is also the seat of anger, rage and aggression.
The Manipura chakra is the first brain in the body ~ where the umbilical chord once fed us is cut, but our natural, “gut intelligence” remains with us. It is our ability to sense energy and respond with instinct when necessary. It is also connected to the reptilian brain, which is our fight or flight instinct. However, when we get into the flow state, the reptilian brain shifts and actually allows us to deepen the flow. In a refined manner, through Sadhana, the reptilian brain allows us to sense energy and respond appropriately. When we drop into flow, the reptilian brain becomes phenomenally intuitive. It is what allows us to transcend physical exhaustion when necessary ~ whether in physical competition of sport or war, the reptilian brain and energy of Mangal allows us to intuitively flow responding to the need of the hour beyond the capability of our rational mind.
When we have the sensation that we do not want to go somewhere, that somehow it is unsafe or even uncomfortable, this is Mars coming online and sending us a response from our gut feeling intuition. We often think of intuition as a very ethereal thing, but it is deeply connected to our physical being as well. However, in order for intuition to flow, the impulsiveness and speed of an imbalanced Mars can be confused for one’s intuition and, in order to effectively tune into it, needs to be refined.
One of the main deities associated with Mangal is Hanuman ~ son of the wind who in his youth was very mischievous, exemplifying the “teenage” quality of Mars. When hormones start to take over in our teenage years, it is a Mars event. It is a call to positive adventure and risk taking; however, in our modern cultures, the level of control and domestication does not allow for positive risk taking and we see a lot of teenagers getting into trouble. The human youth needs physical activity and adventure ~ we inherently seek it. When this innate desire is denied, it is said that it leads to misplaced aggression and addiction in an attempt to work with this natural energy, because when we do not have healthy challenges in life, we create unhealthy challenges for ourselves.
Therefore, our addiction to drama is our Mars. People create conflict in the absence of a worthy purpose and dharma. Mars energy out of balance can be very difficult to be around ~ it is conflict, aggression, violence and hatred. This anger turned inward becomes depression and anxiety, and turned outward becomes rage and violence. However, it is also our ability to face challenge. When one has a strong Mars in their chart, it is imperative for them to become self-aware of how they interact with others. It is even very beneficial for them to become aware of their physical presence in how they move through a room, which one may not realize how they affect others until that self-awareness is cultivated.
All throughout society we can see extreme expressions of Mars. From the Vedic perspective, this directly correlates to the lack of self-awareness, service and the lack of worthy purpose in our lives. In order to be an effective leader and be able to protect those in our care, we need to have a strong and balanced Mangal. This includes being a parent, for one of the primary purposes of being a parent is to ensure our children feel safe.
Therefore, one of the greatest remedies for an imbalanced Mangal is service. To serve is the highest expression of Mars energy because it channels that flow of intense energy into positive action and cultivates our sense of connection with others, rather than conflict. It creates a higher vision, higher purpose and sense of directionality. It allows us to feel a part of something greater and discover a greater meaning to life. The Mars that would otherwise become the dictator, the gang leader or the cult leader, becomes the visionary, compassionate, giving leader who protects and helps the world evolve.
Mars rules Aries and Scorpio within the Zodiac. Aries as the first sign in the zodiac, sits at the Manipura chakra where life begins. Positive Mars capacity is discipline and gets exalted at Muladhara chakra in Capricorn. This points to the strong connection between our sadhana and spiritual practices and kundalini awakening. It is said that progress on one’s path is dependent on the intensity of one’s tapasya. Mars gets debilitated in Cancer at the Agya chakra; therefore, Mars in Cancer in a chart is something we generally find ways to support with remedy, but also shows us how a sense of purpose calms Mars down. However, Mars in Cancer also requires balancing for if it is not understood, it can become a lack of vitality, enthusiasm and staying power.
The Scorpio aspects of Mars are calmer generally than Aries but can be explosive if feelings are held and pushed down. Scorpio is the number 8 which is the only closed number. Scorpio symbolizes more of the inwards, tantra, Shakti, kundalini, research and creates on a higher level, our ability to dig deeper. On a lower level, Scorpio can also be the fear of going deeper, issues around commitment, addictive tendencies and explosiveness. However, can become the alchemist with maturity and growth.
Every single person has a range of potential from the dense to the light. Everyone needs balancing in some ways. It is not about “good” or “bad”, it is about having the clarity and insight to work with one’s true self and expression in this incarnation for evolution. The key to the spiritual door of self-awareness is maturity. The most common expression of Mars we have seen on Earth is the teenager; however, that does not mean it is true for you and thankfully, we, as a humanity, are evolving.
A common term which is used around Mars is “Manglik” ~ this refers to when Mars is associated with the seventh house in a natal chart. Either Mangal is in the seventh house or in the first lagna, fourth or twelfth house aspecting the seventh. One of the many meanings of the seventh house is alliances, partnerships and classical committed relationships such as marriage. However, all this means is that Mars is influencing the seventh house. One has to look at the chart as a whole in order to understand how the influence is affecting the individual. In its highest expression Mars is about service, but if someone is very immature then this aspect may indicate greater conflict in relationships. Of course, one has to consider that any relationship is fertile ground for conflict. People fight the most with the people they are relating, therefore, Mars can show up for any of us in conflict. However, I bring it up here because this idea frightens a lot of people but there is no need. I personally have seen many charts that one may consider ‘manglik’ who have amazing, loving and fulfilling relationships ~ the key is maturity.
A mature individual with a strong Mars is someone who is responsible and you can rely on them ~ wonderful qualities in a partner. As Hanuman matures and evolves, he becomes a great role model and example of the highest expressions of Mars. However, it is also important to remember that not everybody has to marry and have children. The soul is on a cosmic journey of countless lifetimes and is not going to choose these things in every life. These things can be distractions from other endeavours of the soul. Therefore, a reading can help us to see if we are chasing something society told us we “should have”, but that is actually irrelevant for this lifetime.
Jyotish is LIGHT, therefore, we do not look at how we can put people in the dark by making someone feel that they are failing for not fitting into societal and cultural ideals (both of which are always changing). In Jyotish we look into the soul to support its evolution, to see the journey from a higher level and help people free from patterns of suffering, hate and violence, because if unaware, these patterns can continue for many lifetimes.
The infinity sign is a symbol for Mars, which speaks to the ability this vital energy gives us to transcend our Earthly limitations. A grateful heart that is devoted to higher purpose for being is well on its way to being liberated from the density of conflict and struggle we so often associate with life. Mars is symbolized by the monkey ~ we can choose the restless, disturbed monkey mind or, we can choose Hanuman and rise into the light of awareness where we begin to see our interconnectedness with everything and everyone. Jyotish gives us many profound tools for balancing our Mars energy so we can lean into our highest potential and dharma.
If you are interested in having a reading, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! I look forward to serving you.
namasté