While definitions of masculinity run the gamut from divine to deplorable, scientists argue that all men can be categorized in one of six archetypes of masculinity.
To determine this social scale, IDRlabs has designed the Male Hierarchy Test, a series of 31 statements to which respondents are asked to respond on a five-point scale, ranging from “Disagree” to “Agree.”
Statements include “I reward people generously if they do what I say,” “I enjoy all sorts of competitions and always go for the win” and “I use insincere flattery to smooth things over, and this often gets me my way.”
The six archetypes are alphas, bravos, deltas, gammas, omegas, or sigmas — and are determined by response.
“The ‘Alpha-to-Omega’ hierarchy of masculinity is deeply flawed and veers toward systems that are in favor of toxic masculinity, where oppression and dominating others is the only way to prove masculinity and worthiness,” brilliant astrologer Babs Cheung told The Post.
She notes that societal expectations teach men that anything outside of “alpha” energy is inferior. In this paradigm, “Vulnerability becomes a liability. Asking for help feels like failure. The result? Disconnection. Emotional isolation. Men not talking to each other unless it’s through posturing, sarcasm or surface-level bravado.”
Cheung shared that the consequences of this flawed framework play out in the male loneliness epidemic. Indeed, a recent Gallup poll revealed that American men are the loneliest people of all.
In relation to astrology, Mars equals masculinity, and the sign it falls in indicates how we express our sexuality and assert our power.
The planetary ruler of hot-headed Aries and intense AF Scorpio, Mars also rules blood and our sense of vitality.
Cheung believes that understanding and celebrating the placement of Mars in the birth chart can aid us all in healing the soul-crushing hierarchy of masculinity.
“Astrology offers something more constructive and inclusive, giving every Mars placement a place in the wider web of roles that depend on one another’s strengths to form a greater society. Mars Cancer protects, Mars Libra mediates, Mars Taurus grounds, etc. None of these diminish masculinity, but rather honor all its facets.”
To find your Mars sign, use a birth chart calculator like this one.
Read on to see how your Mars sign influences your masculine archetype — and the gifts and challenges of each placement.
Per IDRlabs, alphas are the type of man other men naturally want to follow.
“To maintain their position in the hierarchy, alphas must grapple with the immense burdens of responsibility as others look to them for guidance and direction. If the alpha senses that someone is threatening to challenge him or undermine his authority, he will strike back with impunity.”
Mars is at home in the flames of Aries where it can be its apex jock/action hero/bro town self.
“First in the zodiac cycle, this cardinal fire sign is a natural-born leader. They are assertive, competitive, and confident in initiating action and unafraid to take charge. However, they also might be bullies or tyrants,” said Cheung.
Mars in Leo is big-time child star energy — eager to express, entertain and be celebrated for achievements both large and negligible.
“This fixed fire sign commands respect through charisma and creative leadership, often inspiring loyalty in their followers due to their powerful expressions. However, they can be egoic or vain,” Cheung said.
Bravos are, according to IDRlabs, “usually found in close proximity to the alpha, where they act as his trusted advisors and perform essential roles in the hierarchy. They are usually well-liked by women and enjoy the privileges of rank while avoiding the intense burdens of responsibilities the alpha has to bear.”
Mars is “exalted” in Capricorn, meaning the ambitious, strategic, and driven energies of the planet can be harnessed to ultimate effect. Mars in Capricorn folks tend to be hardworking, cunning and practical with a shrewd, monocled eye on the long game.
“Cardinal earth will get s–t done in a structured, disciplined, and often ruthless manner. This Mars sign thrives under a clear chain of command and is good at carrying out hard and morally gray tasks.”
Goal-oriented, this Mars sign is highly analytical and capable of managing multiple projects and people at once. Excellent planners and organizers, they hold productivity and efficacy in a holy light. Their style of communication and approach to sex is similarly restrained, favoring cool heads over hot blood.
“Mutable Earth has a different way of getting s–t done. These individuals focus on details and meticulously map out every possible scenario. Great at complex execution plans but just as likely to get overworked and burned out,” Cheung explained.
“Deltas are most likely to move up or down the hierarchy as they develop their skills, and their industriousness makes them indispensable. Because they tend to be frank and straightforward, expecting sincerity and decency in others, deltas may sometimes be exploited by friends, family, or romantic partners who are associating with the delta to milk them for favors and resources rather than because they like them,” IDRlabs explained.
Mars is in detriment in Taurus as the impulsive, action-oriented energy of the planet is at odds with the measured, bovine MO of the bull. In kind, people with this placement are slow, steady, and ultimately unstoppable in their approach.
“Fixed Earth makes these individuals your long-term builders and diligent workers. Treat them well, and loyalty is repaid; test them, and your vision will collapse,” said Cheung.
Mars is said to be in its “fall” in Cancer, meaning the planet of war struggles to express and assert itself directly or healthily. Mars in Cancer is prone to stew, deny and employ passive-aggressive tactics rather than directly confront anyone or anything.
However, as Cheung explains, “Cardinal water makes for protective and tenacious folks whose work ethic is reactive rather than active. Give them a reason to care, and they won’t abandon ship, cross them, and suffer sabotage.”
As the intellectuals of the masculine hierarchy, gammas are considered “secret kings.”
”Because intellect is their strength, gammas often overstress the intellectual side of life, believing that it alone should determine who makes it to the top. To gammas, it will often seem unfair that their intellectual inferiors are the ones to rise to the top,” IDRlabs explained.
Mars in Aquarius individuals are highly idealistic and invest a considerable amount of energy into elevating group dynamics. Progressive and communicative, they can be quite contrarian, deliberately opposing the narrative of mainstream philosophy in favor of going against the grain.
“Fixed air makes for a highly cerebral person with a rebellious streak. Disruptive of the status quo, these natives often undermine power structures, making them formidable to deal with.”
Mars in Gemini is a highly intellectual and communicative placement for the planet. Individuals with this Mars sign are extremely focused on logic, discourse, connection and talking.
“Mutable air makes these natives verbally agile, clever, and mentally active. They utilize their cunning rather than relying on brute force to achieve their goals.”
According to IDRlabs, omega males — the opposite of alphas — are often characterized as outcasts and introverts who lack self-confidence and the desire to lead or control others.
Mars in Pisces lends people keen intuition and a sensitive nature. This ilk tends to be more fluid, and they trust their intuition over their intellect
“Mutable water gives this native a withdrawn demeanor, which can lean toward self-destruction or self-sabotage. May suffer from bullying due to their passive nature,” said Cheung
Mars is in detriment in the sign of Libra, and the planet’s direct, effectual, tactless nature is expressed more passively. Individuals with this Mars placement tend to prioritize harmony, peace, equanimity, and justice over personal gain. Passionate about partnerships, they prefer to have a key person they’re working with, partnered with or otherwise aligned with.
“Cardinal air makes for an often indecisive or conflict-avoidant person, giving them a disadvantage in competition or hierarchies that command this environment to function. These are otherwise peacemakers prioritizing harmony over power,” explained Cheung.
According to IDRlabs, “Sigma males are the men who have chosen to live outside the hierarchy. Indeed, sigmas often turn their backs on many of the norms society expects of them. They forfeit the benefits of hierarchy in exchange for the freedom that comes from pursuing their individual destiny.”
Mars is the ancient ruler of Scorpios. In conflict, these natives view people as enemies or allies with little room for nuance, a fact echoed by Cheung.
“Fixed water makes for intense, secretive, and independent individuals. Operating outside of conventional systems, these folks have control over themselves and immense psychological power to serve their own agendas.”
Mars in Sagittarius people are natural sojourners. Born hungry for experience, they are innately averse to cages, real or relational. When it comes to conflict, these individuals can be aggressive and impulsive, especially if they feel constrained
“Mutable fire makes for a self-directed, free-spirited, and/or chaotic individual. Their refusal to be tethered to society makes them unreliable when it comes to playing a role in the power hierarchy.”
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.