So many astrologers suggest Mars in the 1st house is the same as Mars in Aries. This just isn’t true! There are similarities, for sure. Mars in the first often creates a person with a lot of drive and physical stamina. Mars in Aries can also manifest this way, but it is a mistake to label the two as one in the same. The themes are along similar lines but there are still huge differences.
Here’s one quick example: Mars in Aries can denote someone of high energy and impulsivity, going after what they want with little foresight. Is Mars in the first house the same? What about Mars in Capricorn in the first house? Taurus? You see how this doesn’t work? What if that Mars in Aries was in the 8th house?
The first difference – and it’s pretty major – is the function. Signs and houses have different functions. Signs function as modes of expression. Houses functions as areas of life or areas of personality.
As Within, So Without.
As With-in, So With-out.
As With In, So With Out.
The inner world matches the outer world – that is why psychological interpretations are just as meaningful as literal interpretations. Because personality traits manifest outside ourselves just as much as they manifest within us.
Mars in the first house can point to personality traits (with-in) but it can also say something about our bodies (with-out). Houses can also point to situations that happen to us or the types of people we meet. The sign the planet is in doesn’t always do that.
Mars in Aries gives Mars the Arian costume to wear, one of its favorites. Mars in the first house makes a person look like Mars, to see the world through Mars-colored glasses. It’s just not the same thing.