Aries ~ The Ram

The first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the Vernal Equinox - when day and night reach equal length after the dark recesses of Winter, heralds the beginning of the astrological year and the entry of the Sun into the Zodiac constellation of Aries.

The glyph or symbol for this sign can hence be seen in two ways. Firstly as the horns of the Ram with which this sign is associated, or secondly as the first shoot of Spring pushing bravely through the gradually warming ground, pioneering the new growth for the coming year.

But let’s initially consider the Ram, with which this time of year is particularly linked. Journey out into the countryside and you are likely to see many such Rams charging around their fields and eyeing up their ewes. Their agendas and philosophies of life are simple. Ewes, eat, sleep - eat, sleep, ewes. As the first sign of the Zodiac, Aries is not complex!

This does not mean to say that all those born under this sign are quite so limited in their outlook. However, there is an inherent straight-forwardness to the Aries character - with the principles of honesty, desire, action and initiative accentuated - ‘courtesy’ of their ruling planet Mars. Like those defiant early shoots Aries approaches life with child-like enthusiasm, vim, vigour and zest - unaware or unafraid of any obstacles, pushing through tarmac if necessary like that most Aries of plants the Thistle, sometimes temporarily bowed or forced to change direction but rarely daunted in the longer term.

Aries people are thus active, energetic, and self-expressive. They are celestial pioneers, are competitive, decisive, possess great will-power and simply love to be first! Self-expression and self-determination are the keys to their success. They are adventurous, courageous and enterprising - not afraid to go out on a limb or to stand up to any opposition. Confinement and restriction are therefore not things which they enjoy - they favour haste, speed and enjoy a reputation as fast drivers! Being a Cardinal sign they make fine initiators, capable of leadership and inspiring confidence, but leaving the follow through to those of a more fixed persuasion, whilst they gallop headlong Ram-style to that next new project.

Aries is associated with the head and ‘head-strong’ is a most apt description. Patience is not a virtue so far as they are concerned, action and initiative are their by-words and so far as something needs doing, it should be done now! Thus a waiting game is not their forte, often they will throw caution to the winds, causing more steady souls to consider them reckless, rash and impulsive. Tact, diplomacy and consideration for the thoughts and feelings of others may sometimes not be too high on their list of priorities.

Malice is not usually a part of the Aries vocabulary however, rather they just don’t think! They have such a strong drive for self-assertion that any limitations can be very hard to bear. At times then they can be pushy, aggressive, egotistical, selfish and over-assertive. They also have a fiery temper, but the air is soon cleared and disagreements quickly forgotten.

In romance Arians are bold, gallant, passionate and fond of a challenge, so their interest may start to wane once the initial thrill of conquest has passed. In friendship they are capable of spectacular generosity. At work they need a career which allows them to exercise their own initiative and decision making capabilities. Self-employment or an ‘executive’ position, with the opportunity to expend physical energy are thus particularly recommended. Arians are vital people and their health is often robust, although accidents may occur through undue haste.

© Paul Wade 1999