Why Our Mars Sign Is The Spiciest In Our Zodiac Charts

It might be played out at this point, but the pick-up line "so, what's your sign?" is more important than most people might realize when it comes to finding your perfect match. As Bumble's resident astrologer, Aliza Kelly, explains, astrology can be key to learning how to "protect your own energy, how to avoid burnout, and how to stay grounded," as well as giving you insight into how your personal astrology is mixing and mingling with others around you. And when it comes to spicing up your love life, there's a lot that your birth chart can show you about how you express yourself and can strengthen the bond you share with your partner.

While your sun sign can show you how your ego presents itself, it can only show you a glimpse at the entirety of your personality. And when it comes to matters of the heart and self–expression, Mars shows all the ways in life that you express and assert yourself with others (in the boardroom and the bedroom). The position of Mars in your birth chart shows all the ways in which you seek to assert yourself, prove your power, express your anger, and embrace your passions in life, per astrologer Stephen Arroyo in "The Chart Interpretation Handbook." And though we often equate Venus with love, your Mars sign is key for achieving your deepest desires.

Mars is the warrior planet of the zodiac, ruling your desires, actions, passion, energy, aggression, and sex, per Cafe Astrology. It's known by astrologers as the "lesser malefic" planet next to Saturn, which simply means this planet brings bad luck and difficulty to life. However, over the last several decades there's been an effort made by modern astrologers to reimagine and redefine the negative image Mars tends to have. As astrologer Sue Thompkins writes in "Aspects in Astrology," the correct use of your Mars sign energy expands far beyond aggression; it also encompasses survival, resourcefulness, courage, endurance, daring, and assertion. Mars is a necessary part of understanding both the strains and stresses of everyday life, as well as all the things that spark your fire.

Of course, while Mars rules courage and confidence, life is about more than action and accomplishment. While the energy of Mars shows you the raw energy at your disposal to create and take action, it also shines a light on how you behave when that energy begins running out — and how you need to recharge your batteries when you're feeling listless — according to The Astrology Podcast. Your Mars sign can also show you how you respond to periods of boredom, restlessness, disappointment, irritability, and frustration. By studying the placement of Mars in your birth chart, you can discover a great deal about your energy pattern and how to get the most out of it, per astrologer Donna Cunningham.

The placement of Mars in your chart can shed light on more than just how you fight and get things done; it's also key to understanding your chemistry and compatibility with others. If Venus describes what gives you sexual pleasure, Mars explains how you take action to act on those worldly desires. For example, Mars in fire signs loves a challenge and brings the most passion to life. Mars in earth signs is relentless and determined in its pursuits in life. Those who have their Mars in air signs are more flexible and open-minded ways of viewing life. Finally, Mars in water signs tends to be deeply seductive and a touch elusive in its romantic endeavors, per AstroGraph.

While your Mars is crucial to understanding your sexual compatibility, it doesn't tell the whole story. Astrologers and sex experts alike agree that you can work on building trust and intimacy with another person. "The majority of couples experience mismatched libidos, but the relationships that survive find ways to work with their desire and discrepancies rather than against them," sex expert Emily Morse, Ph.D., tells PopSugar. And as astrologer John Townley explains in "Planets in Love," Mars shows all the ways in life that express and assert yourself with others. "If you can learn to be aware of the style and timing of your internal sexual energy, you can more easily attune yourself to your partner's style and assert yourself effectively when you choose to."