Monday March 20th the Sun will leave the empathetic and flowing emotional water sign of Pisces and enter the energetic and self-aware fire sign of Aries. This transition marks the beginning of Spring, the Vernal Equinox, and a new cycle of seasons. Aries will propel us into new activity and projects with its abundant energy, courage, sense of wonder and adventure.
The outwardly directed force of this cardinal fire sign provides vitality and vigor for new life in the world as we move from winter into spring. Bulbs thrust their green shoots up through the cold, wet ground. Sap rises in trees and vines, and buds burst open on branches. Dormant animals begin to stir and migrating birds return to raise their young. The world is reborn anew.
The glyph for Aries resembles a ram’s head. Just like the ram, Aries charges ahead in a straight forward, courageous manner. He approaches life directly and with optimism. Fresh starts and bold beginnings stimulate the creative, pioneering and adventurous spirit of Aries.
The key phrase for Aries is “I Am.” He is self-aware, independent and self-reliant. Self-assured and self-motivated, Aries’ strong drive, confidence, and ambitious spirit make him a natural born leader. Yet Aries needs no followers and is satisfied with his own company as he strikes out on his own fulfilling his desires.
Aries is active and competitive. He is in tune with his physical body, and enjoys athletic challenges where he can test his strength and endurance. His ambitious nature and physicality combine to make him a formidable athlete and competitor.
A brave risk-taker, Aries enthusiastically explores unknown territories and dives head first into new activities. Assertive and somewhat impulsive, Aries can be prone to accidents. Restrictions and boundaries frustrate Aries, and may cause his fiery temper to flare. With his “me first” attitude, Aries can tend to dominate others. He can get into conflict, becoming aggressive and explosive. He has no qualms asserting himself in disputes and is the consummate warrior. At his worst, Aries is selfish and self-absorbed, brash and uncooperative, harmful and destructive.
Although Aries is attracted to new ideas and projects, he doesn’t necessarily follow them through to completion, as he easily becomes bored and impatient. Rather, his job is to sow the seeds which others can successfully cultivate and bring to fruition. Not all new beginnings come to completion and bear fruit. However this does not concern Aries, who never looks back and is always excited with the prospect of another fresh start.
Archetypes for Aries include the warrior, the competitive athlete, the adventurer, and the pioneer. Fire fighters, soldiers, and practitioners of martial arts are contemporary Aries examples. The color for Aries is red. Iron is its metal. The gem for Aries is the diamond. Geraniums, honeysuckle, thistle and all thorn-bearing trees belong to Aries. Parts of the body governed by Aries include the head, eyes and face, muscles and red blood cells.
“Move and the way will open.” – Zen Proverb