Ruling Planet: Mars
Modality: Cardinal
Element: Fire
Symbol: The Ram
Tarot: The Emperor
Personality:
passionate, motivated, confident leader, fiery, proud, high energy, domineering, determined, initiator, quick-tempered, courageous, bold, self-aware, independent, impatient, reckless, competitive, insecure, honest, tactless, driven, pressurized, generous, overbearing, exhausting, impulsive, self-centered, entrepreneurial, loud, creative, inspirational, charismatic, infectious, decisive, loyal, direct, headstrong, romantic, adventurous, social, action-oriented, innovative, pioneering, inventive, perfectionist, brave, strong
Aries season starts on the first day of the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, which gives it an extra exalted flair. At the Spring Equinox, also known as ‘Ostara’ for some witches and Wiccans, light and dark are equal. From March 20th until April 21st, the light returns with intensity, and Aries season propels this energy forward. This energy lends those born with their Sun in Aries the strength and fortitude to draw upon their resources. Modalities tell us what each sign’s job is. Aries is a cardinal sign. Cardinal signs such as Cancer, Libra, Capricorn and Aries initiate new seasons. Aries’ job is to take action. Aries Suns are “exalted”, meaning that they (usually) live their best lives during their birth season.
Maya Angelou, American poet, memoirist, civil rights activist, April 4, 1928
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, granting them the gift of the perpetual wonder and curiosity of a newborn. This power of awe is intense and primal. For Aries Suns, it is essential that their emotions, needs, and demands are being met. Aries is ruled by Mars: planet of action, energy, and desire. Mars is “in its domicile” (i.e. its home) in Aries as well as Scorpio, which it also rules. This makes for genuinely warm-hearted, passionate folx whose charisma can set a room aglow. Aries Suns are sincere souls who deeply care for others. As Mars is in its domicile, it is able to let its proverbial hair down and fully express itself since it’s at home. This results in Sun signs who are born to do battle. Paired with passion, this sign confronts authoritarian challenges against their person value system, making Aries natural activists.
Karin Dreijer, Swedish singer/songwriter/producer (The Knife, Fever Ray) April 7, 1975
Aries is the quintessential Fire sign, demonstrating intuition, self expression, enthusiasm, spontaneity and inspiration. Aries takes initiative and shows courage as well as being able to pull upon reserves of personal inspiration. Aries’ symbol - The Ram - represents facing challenges head-on as the Ram uses its horns to butt heads and stand its ground against usurpers. The fleece of a ram grows back after it’s been shorn, which symbolizes regeneration. This adds to Aries’ relentless vibe.
Sir Charles "Charlie" Spencer Chaplin, British commedian, filmmaker, composer, April 16, 1889
Aries Suns don’t back down when faced with a challenge. They are natural survivors who get back up, dust themselves off and start all over again rather than give in to defeat. The heat of battle lights a fire in the belly of Aries, and that tinge of nervous energy helps amp them up on their way to victory. They’re not ones for resting on their laurels, and can quickly get bored if there’s no action going on.
Aries have a naturally competitive side, and this tendency further adds to their tenacity. They glow under the spotlight, and as a famous Aries – Lady Gaga – says herself: “I live for the applause.” Because Aries are driven by this competitive urge, they often place a lot of pressure on themselves to be the best. While it’s wonderful to have ambition, there is often an unspoken insecurity about not being somehow “enough”. This can lead to major internalized stress and negative self-talk. It’s important for Aries Suns to practice self-forgiveness and kinder self-care. Beating up themselves can quickly turn into self-defeatism and depression.
Cesar Chavez, American labor leader and civil rights activist, March 31, 1927
Every sign of the zodiac corresponds to a Major Arcana card in The Tarot. The fourth card in the Major Arcana, and the corresponding card for Aries is The Emperor. The Smith-Rider-Waite Tarot features a stern, authoritative masculine figure sitting on a throne with four ram heads on both armrests and the upper corners. His beard represents experience and wisdom, while the armor he wears and the sword in his right hand signal that he is at the ready for battle if it calls for it. In his right hand, he holds a globe to represent his control holding “the whole world in his hands”. The mountains behind him signify his firm stance. The red robe and fiery background symbolize his and Aries’ corresponding element of Fire, also representative of Mars – their ruling planet.
Tennessee Williams, American playwright and screenwriter, March 26, 1911
Both Aries and The Emperor share similar traits. The Emperor’s stance echoes the firmness of an Aries standing in their conviction. Both are ready to do battle at a moment’s notice, and they both exude natural strength. Aries faces challenges head-on, as does The Emperor. While in his domicile, like Aries, The Emperor is always up for an adventure just beyond the mountainous horizon he sits in front of. Aries queen, Diana Ross declared, “there ain’t no mountain high enough”, after all. The Emperor calls on us to step into our power when it calls for it. By harnessing the assertive Aries energy, we can help lift ourselves up when the time arises. The Emperor tells us to stay strong in our conviction, find ways of harnessing our creative powers and setting boundaries.
Billie Holiday, American jazz and swing music singer, April 7, 1915
As Aries are the adventurous types, their reckless escapades can often land them in the ER if they’re not careful, but they wouldn’t have it any other way! They thrive on adventure, even if it becomes misadventure from time to time. Going back to being the “baby” of the zodiac, Aries are by far the most trusting – dare I say – naive of the signs. They sometimes can trust someone they admire implicitly even when that person might have more ulterior motives and not be who they seem to be. Also, due to this guilelessness, Aries can be honest to the point of bluntness verging on rude. However, this is not to say that they carry any ill-intentions or vindictiveness in what they say, they just say it like it is without consulting an inner editor.
Gloria Steinem, American feminist journalist and socio-political activist, March 25, 1934
Those with Aries as their Sun sign are driven by decisiveness, courage and bravery. However, an Aries distorted becomes obsessed with proving they are right and others wrong. This vendetta can lead to self-serving tendencies that perpetuate inflammatory statements, meaningless aggression, pushiness and arrogance. Some Aries Suns find conflict impossible to ignore, and lash out at the smallest schism when stepping back to pause, and demonstrating restraint might have been more productive. Taking time for self-reflection, and holding back when the knee-jerk reaction is to pounce is important for Aries to cultivate in order to keep perspective on a situation, and not be too reactionary over matters that merit a more tempered approach.
Lil Nas X, American rapper, singer, songwriter, April 9, 1999
At times, an Aries Sun risks burnout from the relentless energy they spend fighting their battles, and can begin to think that they are all alone in the struggle. This is when Aries’ chosen group of ride-or-die friends come in. Having these essential souls as a support system is essential for Aries to not feel alone in the universe. They can’t be their unstoppable selves without their people cheering them on, and a group of intimate and loyal BFFs is important for them to cultivate.
An evolved Aries, like their Tarot correspondent – The Emperor, sits strong in their conviction. They are just in their power, and have been entrusted with it by others. By holding this power, they are able to enact change for the benefit of everyone. They understand the weight of the power they hold, and are able to use it responsibly and ethically. Their fair nature helps to lift everyone up, because their concern is not based on greed, but on equity.
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