The spring equinox bring Aries into the world, as this day marks the first day of the astrological calendar. Something has changed: we are at the beginning of a new cycle. Astrologically, this is the beginning of a new year. I have an admission to make: I love this time of year, and the reason for that is you can feel the earth come to life. And that’s what this sign is about – life. I did some ‘pyjama gardening’ early this morning and, I swear, the plants have grown since yesterday. This is the time of year to watch things grow – and to get out there, be active and make things happen.
That energy is one to run with – and it’s available to all of us – not just those who were born under this sign. So, in this post, I’m using an extract from my book, Real Life Astrology: Planets, Signs & Houses, because it sets out the deep dive into this sign’s energy. Right now, Aries is a tangible force, you can feel it in the air as the days become longer and warmer. So, embrace that energy and see how far it takes you – it’s time to be bold and decisive, in whatever part of your life is influenced by this, the most dynamic of zodiac signs.
Extract from Planets, Signs & Houses: Aries
The extract set out below is an abridged version of the section I wrote about this sign in my recent book, Real Life Astrology: Planets, Signs & Houses. What it focuses on is how Aries energy is expressed – and that’s something I think is overlooked. Zodiac sign energy is how we ‘do‘ our planets, so if you were born under this sign, Aries is how you do your solar traits. So, in this post, what the extract sets out is how ‘you do you’, and what underpins that ferocious energy that you have at your disposal. This is your time, so make the most of it. Let the rest of the world hang on to your coat tails…
Aries: The Fight to Survive
Ruled by Mars, Aries energy is renowned for being expressed in an assertive, aggressive, bold and brash manner. However, before I get into detail, I want to ask a question; what defines this sign more than anything else? It seems like a simple question and, in true Aries fashion, it deserves a straightforward and simple answer. The renowned American astrologer, Steven Forrest, described this sign as “the life force, the will to exist”, and that is probably the best and most simple answer to that question.
This sign is associated with spring and the birth of new life, so instead of ‘Aries the Ram’ should we be thinking of Aries the lamb gambolling in the sunlight? From a human perspective, think of what happens at birth. The baby has made its way into the world, takes its first breath and, with a cry, announces its arrival. From that moment, every sound it makes is made to ensure its survival. However, the baby is not the only one involved in the birth. Every child has a mother and every woman who ever gave birth (myself included) knows that the birthing process involves a lot of pain, blood, sweat and tears.
Birth is often accompanied by screams and profanities, surgery and stitched wounds – the things we associate with Aries. It can seem like a battleground rather than the most joyful of occasions. We also tend to forget, in our medicalised world, how risky a process birth can be for both mother and child. In days gone by, the birth process took the lives of many mothers and their infants. It took courage to bring new life into the world because it was so high risk. No wonder Aries represents that fight for life and the will to exist.
So, what do we take from that? One thing that strikes me forcibly (a good Aries word) is how this energy pushes you forwards at all times. Regardless of the planetary function involved, this sign’s energy ensures that your love life and relationships (Venus), your emotional responses (the Moon), your sex life (Mars) or your mental faculties (Mercury) are active (even pro-active). Those with an Aries influence in their natal chart initiate matters or move things on – and they tend to do so at speed.
Positive Energy
The headlong rush associated with Aries comes directly from the sign’s survival instincts. When the baby cries it wants attention now, not in ten minutes or even ten seconds. As that Aries baby grows, the impulse that enabled its survival becomes one that demands instant gratification and seeks competition. It is demanding and direct. Aries demands satisfaction of whatever impulse is associated with a planet in that sign and it does so with an outpouring of energy that is eager, enthusiastic, excitable and passionate. Nothing is allowed to get in the way of the drive to survive.
I used the word ‘impulse’ deliberately as Aries energy is impulsive. Again, we need to look at the most basic human instinct to survive to appreciate where this sign’s typically impulsive behaviour comes from. I’ll return to the Aries baby for a moment. His umpteenth-great-great-Grandfather, the caveman, probably didn’t stop to think too long before getting out of the way of an incoming sabre-toothed tiger. If, Gemini style, he had decided to debate with the beast or, in Libra fashion, had a moment of indecisiveness, then Aries baby would not be here today.
So, where you have a planetary function associated with this sign, don’t expect it to operate with any degree of fine tuning. It’s likely to be a blunt instrument. That’s an inheritance from the cave-man. On the up side, those Aries planet energies will be dynamic and, if well directed, they will yield impressive results. Like all the fire signs, Aries is not short on optimism and positivity, and this enables this sign’s energy to be expressed with confidence. Aries likes to hit the target – and that’s true for every part of your psyche that is influenced by this sign.
Negative Energy
Where problems occur, they are usually the result of energy being blocked or thwarted in some way. Through its association with the first house, Aries typifies a ‘me first’ approach to life. The courageous assertiveness that makes Aries energy so bold in its expression is not so admirable when we observe the shadow side. Left undirected, Aries energy is not pretty when it has nowhere to go. Violence, aggression, bombast and childish tantrums are the downsides of a sign that suffers from a hair-trigger temper. The unsporting sportsman or the domestic abuser, the ill-tempered or unreliable partner, or the loudmouth who brooks no other opinion than his own.
That ‘me first’ attitude often becomes ‘me only’. Any attempt to rationalise with the more pugnacious side of this sign is usually met with a fist, in some instances literally so. Aries planets find compromise difficult and when Aries charges at full speed it’s best not to be on the opposing side. If you are, then the resulting fight may be fast and furious, but over quickly. However, when this sign’s energy has no external outlet and is turned inwards, the fight is often a much murkier affair. A planet in Aries turned inwards will declare war on itself and that is not a good strategy for survival.
Aries in your Natal Chart
Many of you reading this may not have a planet in Aries, but you will all have this sign present in your chart and some of you will have a house cusp in Aries. This sign’s influence on the affairs of any house in your natal chart colours the affairs of that house. You may feel particularly energised by the activities contained in that house or you may experience the affairs of that house as being annoying. Both outcomes are possible. A few examples are probably needed here so here goes:
Aries on the cusp of the fourth house may signify a lively but argumentative family. On the ninth house cusp? You may travel overseas in connection with sports tournaments, or you may be an adventurous traveller who prefers dangerous or physically active expeditions rather than sunbathing by the swimming pool. On the cusp of the second house, This sign’s influence may see you in hot pursuit of money or reveal reckless spending. Or both, as one would tend to necessitate the other.
They are just a few small examples, but I suspect you get the idea. Where this sign influences a house in your chart – whether it’s the fabled red hair of the first house or a fifth house filled with competitive sports or martial arts – there will be a visible Aries signature of some kind, even if you otherwise appear to be the most un-Aries person around. However, one thing is for certain. Any house influenced by this sign is where you will need to develop the courage to face the world without fear – and that is perhaps the greatest Aries lesson of all.
Further Reading
Sara Shipman | Real Life Astrology: Planets Signs and Houses
Sara Shipman | Real Life Astrology: The Cross of Matter
Sara Shipman | Real Life Astrology: The Planets In Signs
Aries: March 21st – April 19th
Aries: On Your Marks, Get Set and Go!
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© Sara Shipman 2024
Picture Credit: Image by Alana Jordan from Pixabay
