The Sun in Aries is a self-motivated risk taker. It faces life challenges with energy and resolve. Not dependent on others, it has the courage to go it alone. Eager for new beginnings and novel experiences, it is willing to start over again when faced with failure. This attitude and approach to life gives it the ability to bounce back from misfortune, and venture into unexplored territory.
The Sun in Aries is akin to the archetypal Hero in myths and stories. The central theme in these stories is that of overcoming obstacles to attain a goal, while staying true to ones self. The Hero’s journey is what Carl Jung called the process of individuation, whereby the Hero discovers their true feelings, unique potential, and what they are capable of in life.
The Hero is not a natural born hero. In myths and stories they are often flawed, have less than ideal early life circumstances, or suffer from traumatic events. In this regard, the Hero represents each of us. Our personal stories contain elements found in the myths and stories of heroes. Perhaps we experienced a less than ideal early childhood, or family dynamics. Or maybe we were separated from our home and family, or dire circumstances lead to our leaving.
Like the Hero, our departure from what was familiar sent us out into the world where we gained new experiences. We may have set out on a quest, to recover something missing in our lives, or within our self. Out in the world, we gain a more mature perspective on our situation, based on our real life experiences. We may go through a great trial or ordeal, a period of darkness, and as a result are transformed, and reborn anew. Ultimately, like the Hero, we may return home, albeit metaphorically, as we return to our true Self.
We can adopt the attitude, traits and behaviors of the Sun in Aries when we face difficult challenges, when we experience unprecedented changes in life, and when we undergo setbacks. We then become the living embodiment of the Hero archetype.
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
― Nelson Mandela