Aries (astrology)
Aries (♈) /ˈɛəriːz/ (meaning "ram") is the first astrological sign in the Zodiac, which spans the zodiac between the zero degree and the 29th degree of celestial longitude. The Sun enters Aries when it reaches the northern vernal equinox, which is usually on March 21 each year, and remains in this sign until around April 20 (sometimes the dates vary slightly). Individuals born during these dates, while the Sun is within this sign, are called Arians or Ariens.[1]
Key characteristics and definitions
As the first sign of the tropical zodiac, Aries is seasonally associated with spring and according to astrologers represents a strong, sometimes creative thrust and powerful expression of energy. The sign is governed by Mars, the planet of activity and assertiveness, which astrologers believe adds the traits of competitiveness, impulsiveness, and the instinct to act spontaneously. The Sun is also strongly associated with this sign, which it governs by exaltation. The solar-association is seen as adding expression of the ego, and the desire to make a mark as an individual. Joanna Watters (2003) defined a keyphrase for this sign as "I am".[2] Martin Seymour-Smith (1981) suggested "Initiative is expressed aggressively, impulsively and probably very emotively". As a suggestion for keywords he offers:[3]
- Competitiveness, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, rashness, impatience, courage, spontaneous, assertiveness, self-reliance
Definitions and Associations
| Glyph meaning: (♈) |
The pointed face and horns of the ram.[4] |
| Quality |
Positive: outwardly expressive, extrovert.[5] |
| Element (triplicity)[6] |
Fire: energy, warmth, vision, intuition.[4] |
| Mode (quadruplicity)[6] |
Cardinal (moveable): the element in its most concentrated or active form - associated with push, energy, and enterprise.[4] |
| Body part |
Head and face.[7] |
| Direction |
East[8] |
| Traditional definitions |
Bestial - the signs symbolised by four-footed animals (also called quadrupedian 'four-footed'). These can lack in social graces and sometimes indicate coarseness and a poor appreciation for 'niceties' and polite manners. They can also be a little inarticulate, caring more about making their point, than the elegance of the style in which it is made. Some even think that their way is best and want other people to think highly of them.[9] |
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As a sun sign
According to Alan Leo, generally considered to be the founder of modern psychological astrology and sun sign astrology[10], people born with the sun in Aries are "always looking forward, they are leaders in ideals and pioneers of advanced thought. They have great mental energy but are inclined to be very headstrong and impulsive. They are always prophetic, and love to predict things that will happen. They can look ahead into the future and foresee things with remarkable clearness of vision. When freed from other influences and not slaves to their personality, they become truly clairvoyant, and are remarkably gifted in this direction. This sign gives extreme ideality, and those born under it are more ideal than practical. They are always full of new schemes and plans, ever exploring and originating. They are fond of constant change, loving novelty, romance and speculation and nearly always live in a world of theory. They are very highly strung, sometimes hyper-sensitive and are remarkable for their perception. They seem to live more in the perceptive region of their brain than the reflective, and they are rarely deceived where perception is concerned."[11]
Mythology
In Hellenistic astrology, the sign of the ram was mythologically associated with the golden winged ram that rescued Phrixos and his sister Helle from the altar where they were to be offered as a sacrifice to Zeus. The golden ram carried them to the land of Colchis but on the way Helle fell into the sea and drowned. When Phrixos arrived at Colchis he sacrificed the ram to Zeus and presented the golden fleece to his father-in-law, the King of Colchis. The fleece was then hung upon a sacred oak and guarded by a dragon until rescued by Jason and the Argonauts. The myth recounts that Zeus was so moved by the ram's fate that he gave it the greatest honour of being moved to the heavens.[12]
Compatibilities
Generally, the qualities of Aries are considered to be compatible with those of the other fire signs: Sagittarius and Leo, and to a lesser extent with the air signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. However, compatibility based on sun-sign alone is considered to be only a very general guideline. The branch in astrology dealing with interpersonal relationships is called Synastry. In this, astrologers analyse the horoscopes of both parties being considered with particular reference to the positions of the Sun and Moon and Mars and Venus.[13]
General astrological compatibility of Aries with other signs
| Sign |
Highest compatibility |
High compatibility |
Low compatibility |
| Aries |
Sagittarius, Leo |
Gemini, Libra, Aquarius |
Taurus, Scorpio, Pisces, Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn |
|
*Note: The whole natal chart must be taken into consideration for compatibility.
Sidereal zodiac
The dates that the Sun traverses the sign of Aries according to the Sidereal system are (generally) between 14 April and 14 May each year.
References
- ^ Oxford Dictionaries. "Arian". Definition. Retrieved on: 17 August 2011.
- ^ Joanna watters, Astrology for today, p.13. London: Carroll & Brown, 2003. ISBN 1903258693.
- ^ Martin Seymour-Smith, The New Astrologer, p.78. London: Sidgewick and Jackson, 1981.
- ^ a b c Joanna watters, Astrology for today, p.13.
- ^ Sasha Fenton, Astrology for Living, p.12. Readers Digest, 1999. ISBN 9780762102303.
- ^ a b There are three signs for each element which are related to each other across the zodiac by the shape of the triangle; therefore these are traditionally known as 'triplicities'. Marcus Manilius, (c.10 AD.) Astronomica 2.270-295. Translated by G.P. Goold. Harvard University Press, 1977. ISBN 0674995163.
- ^ William Lilly, (1647) Christian Astrology pp.93-99. Republished by Regulus, London, 1985. ISBN 0948472014.
- ^ William Lilly, (1647) Christian Astrology p.365.
- ^ Deborah Houlding, ‘Aries the Ram'. The Mountain Astrologer, issue #144, April 2009. ISSN 1079-1345.
- ^ Kim Farnell, "A Brief Biography of Alan Leo" skyscript.co.uk, August 2006
- ^ Alan Leo, Astrology for All (L. N. Fowler & Co., 1899), p 11
- ^ Marilyn Reid, Mythical Star Signs, p.15. Lulu.com, 2007. ISBN 9781847536235.
- ^ Goodman, Linda. Linda Goodman's Love Signs: A New Approach to the Human Heart. Harper Paperbacks; 1st edition (1991) ISBN 0060968966 p.8 "Even between two individuals whose Sun and Moon Signs harmonize, there are always some planets in their mutual nativities which clash causing periodic friction and tension."
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