Mars Quincunx Pluto: Drive & Uncertainty

What does Mars quincunx Pluto mean? The energy of this aspect can feel intense, and there is a strong desire to succeed. It always feels like success is never enough to bring joy and happiness, though.

The inner self might be insecure and need reassurance, but the outer self will project confidence, assertiveness, and even arrogance. That is typically all a mask to hide low self-esteem.

This is a magnetic aspect, though. Others find it attractive. When the energy is used positively, it can bring genuine confidence, charm, and success.

Natal

Mars quincunx Pluto in a Natal Chart typically indicates a person has a lot of ambition and a desire to be successful. They want to be the best possible version of themselves and thrive but have many insecurities and inner turmoil.

Someone with this aspect will likely appear one way on the outside, but that is just a mask to hide how they truly feel on the inside. They might seem confident and sure of themselves but often have low self-esteem.

If you’ve got Mars quincunx Pluto in your chart, you likely have a confident, adventurous, and bold side of you. You probably express those traits as much as you can, but some of it feels fake.

Inside, you struggle with feeling like you’re good enough. No matter how many goals you reach or how successful you are, you might feel like it’s never enough and that there’s always more work to do.

You might feel overwhelmed because you have too many goals and try to work on them all at once. Your drive is admirable, but you usually need to learn to focus on one task at a time so you don’t burn yourself out or start making mistakes.

You may compare yourself to others, which leads to resentment and unhealthy competition. You might feel jealous of others and act cruelly toward them or make impulsive decisions to stay one step ahead.

You have the potential to transform yourself and gain genuine confidence, though. You need to self-reflect and figure out why you never feel good enough.

You can find true success once you stop comparing yourself to others and constantly overworking yourself. You won’t feel like you’re wearing a mask when you genuinely like yourself. You will genuinely be confident and charismatic, and that will attract good things toward you.

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Transit

Mars quincunx Pluto during a transit will typically increase your drive and passion, but it will also bring insecurity and self-doubt.

If Mars transits your natal Pluto, it can ignite your competitive side. You will likely go after all the wrong things or compete with people who see your behavior as harsh rather than motivating.

If Pluto transits your natal Mars, that can bring out your insecurities and push your shadow side to the front. You’re more likely to feel jealous, become arrogant, and exhibit controlling behavior toward others.

The Mars-Pluto quincunx might bring the desire for success during a transit, but it typically doesn’t bring actual success. You are more likely to make bad decisions during this time or rush into situations to get what you want.

You may doubt your abilities or potential to succeed, and that will bring out an ugly side of you. You’ll push yourself harder to get what you want and might do things that go against your morals or are dangerous for you and others.

Your impulsivity will cause you to make mistakes. You might manipulate or control others if you are overly focused on success and ensuring you get what you want. You may step over them and ignore their needs.

If you want to be successful during this time, choose one goal to focus on. Think things through carefully and ensure that this is genuinely something you want and not just something you desire because someone else has it.

Don’t make decisions on your own. Talk to trusted friends, loved ones, coworkers, and others in your field. Get second and third opinions before you take action.

If you want to change yourself for the better and get ahead during this transit, be cautious. You won’t get what you want by jumping in before thinking. Plan things out and make sure you’re doing the right thing.

Synastry

Mars quincunx Pluto in synastry typically indicates that a couple may experience some power struggles in their relationship. Both of them may have strong personalities and have trouble giving up control.

This couple typically experiences conflict because of their similarities, not their differences. The Mars partner can be assertive and dominant, but the Pluto partner can be equally dominant and controlling.

Both partners may hide insecurities but refuse to open up and talk about them. This inability to be vulnerable with one another is one of the Mars quincunx Pluto cons.

If both partners refuse to give up any level of control and are always trying to one-up each other, they will never bond. If the Pluto partner is acting possessive and the Mars partner is constantly picking fights over it, this relationship might crumble.

These two are often intensely attracted to one another, though. This has the potential to be a passionate relationship that is transformative for both partners. They can help one another overcome their insecurities if they’re willing to work together.

These two can learn to cooperate and channel their passion into focusing on their relationship goals. They can form an equal partnership where neither is more in control than the other, which is one of the Mars quincunx Pluto pros.

If these two are working together, they can accomplish nearly anything. When one feels insecure, the other can encourage and lift them up. When they’re both at their best, they can help each other continue to grow.

This can be a transformative relationship. While it might be difficult at first, and these two may see an ugly side of each other, they can strengthen their relationship because of all that conflict.

These two must be willing to work through challenges as a couple rather than as individuals. When they do that, they can overcome nearly any obstacle that comes their way.

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Composite

Mars quincunx Pluto in a Composite Chart typically indicates that a couple has the potential to grow together and achieve their ambitions through being in this relationship, but that they may not know how to do that at first.

This couple may deal with power struggles if they are both goal-oriented and more dominant. Because of this, they might have trouble blending their lives and seeing the true potential in their relationship.

Both partners likely know what they want from life. They might have clear goals as individuals, but they will experience a lot of uncertainty when they try to come together and figure out their goals as a couple.

Mars inconjunct Pluto can create a powerful potential for transformation in both partners, though. They can form a profound bond if they work more in sync and figure out how to rely on one another.

These two can support one another in their goals. Each of them can feed off the drive of the other and learn how to encourage each other, even if their goals aren’t always the same.

They can also develop goals for their relationship together. Even if they’re uncertain, that’s okay! When they come together, they can build the exact relationship they want. They can help one another change for the better and bond over their shared ambitions.

Solar Return

Mars quincunx Pluto during a solar return typically indicates that this may be a year when you have to confront how your shadow side and insecurities hold you back from reaching your goals.

You might start this year feeling more stubborn and set in your ways than ever. Even if you’re confronted with ways that your methods of working on your goals aren’t working, you won’t want to listen.

However, you cannot grow in the upcoming year if you’re unwilling to be more open-minded. You must do some self-reflection and ask yourself what’s not working. Do you refuse to work with others? Do you isolate yourself and avoid different points of view?

In the upcoming year, you will need to look inside yourself and be willing to accept your shadow side and all your faults. You may have to confront your insecurities and learn how to rise above them.

You may also need to give up some control in the upcoming year. If you usually work alone, try working with others. If you refuse to involve others in your decision-making, ask for help or advice.

You have the potential to grow in the upcoming year. When you confront your shadow and accept that the way you’ve always done things isn’t working, you can move forward and start to achieve your goals.

You might realize that your goals are solid but your plan for achieving them is flawed. You may also discover some goals aren’t true to what you want or aren’t entirely feasible.

If you’re willing to change the way you see your ambitions, you can flourish. If you allow yourself to grow and rise above the negative traits that hold you down, you can start to become successful.