Eclipsed Moon

Aries
March 21 - April 21
Element: Fire
Quality: Cardinal
Ruling Planet: Mars
Key phrase: "I am"
Gemstone: Diamond

LIKES	DISLIKES
Action Coming in first Challenges Championing Causes Spontaneity	Waiting Around Admitting Failure No Opposition Tyranny Other people's Advice

Overview & Personality Traits

As the Sun moves into Aries, its daily path crosses the equator and begins to move into the northern hemisphere. For most inhabited regions of the world this is the beginning of spring; the days become longer than the nights, and plants and animals burst into activity.

Aries is the wake-up call of the zodiac. In ancient times the spring equinox marked the start of the New Year and festivities were held to honour the birth of new life and the new beginnings that lay in store. The Ram became celebrated in the associated stars as a sacred symbol of resurrection, since its fleece, when shorn, continues to grow and provides a constant, abundant supply. Its origin is Egyptian and derives from their practice of sacrificing the sacred ram to the Sun at the spring equinox, to ensure his return and secure a successful year ahead. Christian customs still reflect this New Year worship, for Easter - the rising of the Lord - is always held in the week after the full Moon that follows the Sun's entry into this sign; and eggs are given as a symbol of new life and new opportunities.

Astrology is based on the belief that anything that emerges into physical being at any moment in time will share the spiritual qualities of that moment in time. Those born when the Sun is in Aries do so when the Sun is 'exalted' in astrological terms, since its return to the point of the zodiac where daylight begins to overcome the dark, is seen as the sun-god regaining his power and rising victorious to take control. Although ruled by the planet Mars, Aries has much to do with the solar qualities of creativity, energy, enthusiasm and courage. The Sun is the symbol of consciousness, individuality, clear direction and definition - the power of the will to rise above instinct and take control. Those born when the Sun is strong in the chart, as it is here in the sign of Aries, appreciate honesty and truth, hate deceit, and need things to be clearly expressed in an obvious, logical manner. Subtle undertones and delicate suggestions mean nothing to them; their greatness is to bring clarity and openness; their weakness is their limited capacity to 'feel' what you are talking about and their lack of sensitivity to those who expect them to read their minds.

In addition to this solar quality, Aries resonates to the energy of its planetary ruler, Mars, recognised as the bringer of action and the impulse to attack or strike back. Mars is the defiant spirit; when dignified it will show courage, fearlessness, respected leadership, the propensity to take a risk and the lover of a challenge. In this form Mars is the moral champion, ready to take up arms on behalf of others less able or willing to put their necks on the line. When poorly placed and displaying its less noble traits, it represents needless aggression, violent eruptions, assertiveness to the point of selfishness, and the urge to take from others without due regard to their needs and well being. No astrologer can know from the sun-sign alone whether those born under this sign display the highest or lowest facets of its planetary ruler, but certainly they will be characterised by great energy and readiness for action, with impulsiveness and competitiveness marking their actions for good or bad.

Arians are often referred to as ambitious and this can be true, but it is an ambition borne of the need to be in front, to let no man stand in their way. Just as often that disposition leads them into conflict with others who might otherwise have helped them if they'd taken a more carefully planned approach as witnessed through the true, long-sighted ambition of the Capricorn. But Aries tends to fight its way through life and if honour is deserved it is in the fact that they remain true to their instincts and impulses. Generally, what you see is what you get and what others might view as 'social niceties', they will be more inclined to view as unnecessary sycophantic hypocrisy.

The reputed love of freedom is also worth considering. With the exaltation of the Sun in this sign, the striving towards independence of mind and spirit is strong, but that quest might often rely upon squashing the freedom or rights of others in order that the Aries urge to dominate is fulfilled. Even when it is a genuine challenge for a worthy cause, an Aries may get so wrapped up in the flush of the battle that they lose sight of the cause, failing to yield at appropriate points of negotiation that others would take as a fair-minded victory. Thus the Aries can suffer from a 'do or die' mentality. When they manage to 'do' they can emerge stupendous in the eyes of others, but where they 'die' their depressed spirit will find it difficult to accept defeat with stoic grace. Fortunately, this is not a sign that harbours grudges, it seeks instant gratification, and the easy ability to express on the surface what is felt within means that it vents its frustrations with directness as they arise. Others may find that abrasive, but Aries equally scorns political correctness, false civility and those who raise remembered slights long after the moment has passed.

Other keywords attributed to Aries are adventurous and pioneering. Both of these are fair descriptions for a sign that dares to tread the road less travelled and will seek out challenge, consciously or unconsciously, as a way of feeling enthused and stimulated. Where that challenge is unconsciously driven, however, it often fails to bring a feeling of worth and can take the form of someone who believes the whole world is out to get them. This type of Aries fights itself and anyone brought into close contact, readily moved to temper and just as quickly calming down and regretting the consequences that their passion aroused.

Much of this is reinforced by Aries' association with the element of fire, which in every sense is expressed through it, both by its rulership with Mars and natural association with the Sun. Fire depicts the qualities of heat and vitality and, as its symbol suggests, conveys an outgoing, reckless personality, craving attention and adding a vivacious sparkle to any occasion. But again, as is particularly the case with Aries, what fire types gain in confidence and drive they lose in sensitivity, patience, caution and practicality.

The gift of the fire signs is creative inspiration, evolving into an endless supply of bright ideas and contagious enthusiasm. When the fire is lit, ie., when they are motivated by a cause, they simply blaze with energy and ideas and become so consumed by their passions that everyone around them feels drawn into the flame. But fire consumes, and ultimately those energy levels will drop, particularly if the Aries proclivity for instant action is not matched by the reality of instant results. Unless other factors in the chart bestow the needed discipline and perseverance, Arians can struggle to keep a sense of balance and are prone to suffering from nervous, emotional or physical 'burn out', refusing to recognise their limits or respect their bodily needs.

As lovers, Aries can be refreshing, challenging and stimulating, but they can also be frank, easily irritated, noisy and demanding. Their high energy level usually gives a strong sex drive, but as always they are marked by the need for instant gratification and may not fully appreciate the soft touch and gentle, patient stimulation that a tender partner may require.

If you are born under the sign of Aries, remember, the sun-sign indicates your true spirit, the heart of your being where you should find immense strength in self-expression. You should never seek to curb your natural qualities, but merely shape them and direct them into powerful, worthwhile and constructive outlets. Hence Aries should accept that it is naturally driven to lead and rarely aim to compromise this gift by trying to 'fit into the team'. Instead, the leadership qualities should be forged through recognition of the needs of the team and the desire to take your rightful place with full respect to others. Neither should you aim to make yourself less impulsive or inclined to act, despite the negative undertones that this keyword can suggest. Impulsiveness, and the urge to take action is your gift and your strength, leaving the hesitating majority in shame. Self-development can only come from striving to use your personality patterns for positive change and through the mental discipline and sense of responsibility that causes you to question and reflect upon unconscious motivations. If you are enraged and feel the urge to fight, question: are you fighting the right person over a matter of significance? Or is there a larger, more relevant battle that you should be dedicating your time and energies to, the battle for truth, honesty and, above all, self-respect?

Remember also, that your symbol is the self-regenerating ram, representing your ability to arise with greater strength and vitality after periods of loss. Being prepared to 'let go' of the unused and the outgrown is essential if you are to develop your full force and potential, and the ridding of weighty, unnecessary baggage allows you keep re-evaluating your beliefs and needs in the context of the 'here and now'. As an Aries you've been given a significant gift of power, how that power is used is not determined by your astrological chart, but by the spirit through which you forge and express its energies.

Possible Health Concerns

Aries governs the head and brain, and Arians are said to be prone to headaches, particularly migraines, sunstroke, neuralgia and depression. Indigestion and nervous disorders are also threats to you, and your rashness, impetuosity and wholesale physical commitment make you liable to accidents and physical injuries. You like extremes. Physical, emotional and mental, and benefit profoundly by experiencing them; but if your extremism goes too far beyond social acceptability, then expect to be extremely lonely.

Sources for all of this information are: Insight and Astrological Star Charts.

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