ARIES ~ THE RAM 20th. March ~ 19th. April

The first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, the vernal equinox - when day and night reach equal length after the dark of winter, heralds the beginning of the astrological year and the entry of the Sun into Aries. The glyph or symbol for this sign can be seen in two ways. Firstly as the horns of the Ram with which this sign is associated, or secondly as the first shoots of spring pushing bravely through the warming ground, pioneering 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. 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 straightforwardness to an Aries - 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 active, energetic and self-expressive. They are celestial pioneers, are competitive, decisive, possess great willpower and simply love to be the 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 that 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 ‘headstrong’ is an apt description. Patience is not a virtue so far as they are concerned, action and initiative are their bywords and when something needs doing, it needs doing now. Thus a waiting game is not their forte, they throw caution to the winds, and may be considered reckless, rash and impulsive. Tact, diplomacy and consideration for the feelings of others, may sometimes not be high on their list of priorities. Malice is not usually a part of the their vocabulary, rather they just don’t think. They have a strong drive for self-assertion and any limitations can be hard to bear. At times they can be pushy, aggressive, egotistical, selfish and over-assertive. They also have a fiery temper, but the air is soon cleared and disagreements forgotten. In romance Aries is bold, gallant, passionate and fond of a challenge, but their interest may start to wane once the initial thrill of the conquest has passed. In friendship they are capable of spectacular generosity. At work they need a career that 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. Aries yields some vital people whose health is usually robust, although accidents can occur through undue haste. © Paul Wade 1999

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