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Understanding the Zodiac: Aries
by Barry Kerr
The Sun moves into Aries on March 19/20
Aries is ruled by planet Mars. At the “beginning” of the circular zodiac, Aries represents the fiery insertion of the spirit into the physical world of time and space. When each of us is conceived, a spark of our soul light ignites our human embryonic form and sets in motion a trajectory of our soul’s power to cause change in this world. It begins with the multitude of tiny changes that form our body and continues after birth to develop our personality and empower the physical actions we assert with our tiny bodies. This spark of spirit is what Mars represents in us.
Mars is the assertion of our individual power and thus relates to decisiveness, aggression, protection, desire and action. This is the stuff in us that causes change to happen in alignment with our unique soul expression. If our Mars is not fully alive and willing to express, then it is more likely that we will experience our life passively, as if it’s all happening “to” us, instead of “by” us.
It’s no wonder that in ancient times, Mars was the god worshiped by those who longed for more power in the world. Whether it was war, athletics or sexuality, Mars/Ares was the go-to archetype to inspire self-confidence and determination. But remember, our inner Mars does not act in a vacuum. There are many other parts to our human and soul expressions, and for each of us, the dynamics between those inner aspects are different and unique. This is what an astrological birth chart can show us.
A study of different birth charts shows that for some people, their Mars is accentuated and acts in harmony and ease with most of their other inner parts, as represented by the other planets. Thus, for those people, the energy and vitality of their life force is easily expressed through their bodies. They are decisive and take action and risks, in what others might sometimes judge as an uninhibited selfishness.
For others, their Mars is in conflict with many of their other inner parts. Thus, they have a hard time asserting their will or even feeling the energy to do so. Or if they do make a decision and take action, it seems to create problems or take extra effort or awareness.
These differences that show up in each of our charts, and therefore in our experiences, is not without meaning and purpose. Each of our incarnations is a journey through the physical world of dualities which the zodiac represents. Each lifetime presents us challenges, lessons and blessings as a unique strategy for our soul’s evolvement. Whether amplified with synergy, repressed with complicated conditions, or something in between, how Mars shows up in our chart is determined by our soul (karma), before birth, and is inevitably a wise and loving support to fulfilling our soul’s purpose for this lifetime.
Beginning Anew
If the journey through the Zodiac, toward spiritual consciousness, seemed complete last month in Pisces, it begins again, in Aries. The Zodiac is actually a spiral. With each revolution, we find ourselves higher up the spiral, at a finer vibration, ready for another go-round, and reaching for even more creative mastery in this world of dualities. Thus, Aries – here I am!
Aries bursts a new sense of self into the world. Our youthful, fiery spirit enters time and space, expressing our soul as a unique embodied being, and once again we experience the illusion of separation.
Our inner Mars asserts our right to be here, to claim our space, to pursue our desires, and build a personality through which our larger soul can creatively express. Each time in Aries, we are learning more about how to be independent, self-aware, and assertive. We strengthen our ego through self-nurturance and constructive self-interest. Aries’ spiritual intention is to inspire and impel us to live, speak, and act as we feel driven, authentically and with vitality.
In Aries, we learn to trust our impulses, free of the need to please or be “nice”. We learn to moderate our giving to others, making sure we are fair with ourselves, too. By enthusiastically and confidently sharing our talents, gifts and leadership, we inspire others to do the same, empowering them to join us as co-creators in this world.
Our unconscious inner Aries, if lacking enough experience in the art of relationship, can let our Martian assertiveness turn to aggression, overriding the needs or desires of others, insensitive to the feelings around us, with a willfulness that pushes others away and invites judgments of “selfishness." We see others as enemies who block our path.
Good Aries activities
Do something, anything, impulsively, without a need to know why or for more information. Read a book or watch a video on how to assert yourself more confidently and with more grace, then go confront that person you’ve been afraid to address. Don’t pretend to like something you don’t. Say “no” without an excuse. Spend time with yourself, alone. Find ways to affirm your right to exist, to be on this earth, to express your self into this world. Feel a desire, a lust, and do something about it. Flirt. Try something new to see if it’s you, or not. Make an assessment of your likes and dislikes and honor your right to feel as you do. Take leadership in a situation, for a minute, for a year. Be you.
Good Aries questions to ask yourself
To heal and evolve your Aries self, aim for self-awareness. How well can you describe you? Your likes, dislikes, values? Are you willing to risk impulsive choices so as to learn what you value? Can you be calmly assertive or does your inner warrior angrily attack and ask questions later? Do you trust yourself? Do you puff yourself up when feeling unconfident? Are you overly concerned with what others think of you, what others need, and what’s fair and just?
Horoscope for March 21 – April 19
While the Sun is in the sign of Aries, the life force in plants, animals and humans is exalted. That which is dormant or seems dead, now re-awakens and begins a new cycle of growth. In human terms, this is when our souls re-commit to being human and to taking on the plethora of experiences that result from that commitment. The human ego is a necessary component of the human condition and is the vehicle through which our souls express. So, during the month of Aries, the energy is up for each of us to more strongly assert the individuality of our soul into the world by claiming our right to be in this world, to hold space, make decisions and take action.
Look below for your birth sign (sun sign) to see what particular challenges/opportunities are being brought to your awareness this month, and how your sign interacts with this month's sign. (These can also hold true if you have your Moon, Rising sign or a number of planets in the sign.)
Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19):
For you, Aries, the drive to assert your ego-self into the world comes naturally. Your inner Mars is already wide awake and ready for action, so in “your” month, the challenge for you is less about growing stronger and more about how you go about asserting your strength. You could easily overdo it during this time, letting assertion turn into aggression, forgetting to balance self with other, and running roughshod into battles. The key for you is to be conscious of this past year’s lessons of relationship in Libra and soulfulness in Pisces and integrate them into your ego’s service to your greater self.
Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20):
Taurus, the invitation for you during this month of Aries is to let your knowledge of who you are, your likes and dislikes, inform what you value in this world. Your Martian willfulness is here to help you get, make, build or attract what you value. By asserting your right to pursue your desires, you create abundance for yourself and those you love. Pay attention to where you short-change yourself due to low self esteem and feelings of unworthiness. Value yourself and your life, above all.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20):
Gemini, when you are feeling the Martian fires of Aries, your natural tendencies for mental activities are likely to burst out into a greater need for communication of some sort, typically talking. Your curiosity might become aggressive or demanding. Your ability to focus might be more fickle than usual. Here, the challenge is to remember that you are not your thoughts. Let your need to know and to share ideas align with your deeper soul awareness. You may discover truths in the world around you that help reconcile the dualities of your own identity.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22):
Cancer, now more than any other time of year, is a good time to practice self-love and self-nurturing. Be decisive and assertive about your emotional needs, but try not to expect others to take care of you. Remember, the divine Mother and Father are always present to love you. Your tendencies to want to nurture others may be stronger than usual this month. That’s fine as long as you are respecting their independence and not sacrificing your needs.
Leo (July 23 - Aug 22):
As a fellow fire sign, Leo, the Aries energy for you is a harmonic reminder of your entitlement to express your unique creativity. This month is a good time to feed the flames of your inspiration. Don’t wait for those in your kingdom to demand you take action. Call upon your soul to take leadership and then begin. And make sure you leave room for others to express themselves, too.
Virgo (Aug 23 – Sep 22):
The thing to watch out for this month, Virgo, is letting your Martian side ignite that tendency of yours to be exacting, critical and “right”. You will do better by tolerating your ego’s desire to explore the possibilities of breaking free from your own stable routines and standards. In this way, you just might discover some interesting new dimensions to your life and, in the process, develop more tolerance for others who live outside your standards.
Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22):
OK Libra, now is the time for you to attend more to yourself, instead of others, and address those imbalances that have been nagging you all year. Relationship only works well when both parties consciously assert their own needs and desires. It may feel awkward, but you really need to be decisive and speak up. As long as you do so with respect, your show of strength will be appreciated, and if not, maybe it’s time to cut the cords.
Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21):
Scorpio, this Aries month is a time for you to watch your ego closely and welcome the feedback of your loved one(s). If you still tend to hide your true self behind a mask of invulnerability, you are robbing yourself of the power you have to feel more alive and authentically connected to others. Take a risk in intimacy. Show your cards. You might be surprised just how wonderful it feels to be vulnerable and seen. Otherwise, this month, your ego may lash out with more intensity than usual.
Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21):
As a kindred fire sign, Sag, your natural tendencies for adventure and learning will be enhanced this month. Aries’ Martian influence on your Jupiter inspires an urgency and lust for freedom to explore life’s great landscape of experiences and lessons. You will need to make room for this, now or for later, but be careful to not exclude your loved ones from your visionary plans. You may be feeling all things are possible now, yet lack attention to the details. Perhaps you can appreciate and invite this from someone close to you.
Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19):
Capricorn, though you are generally a cautious and careful planner, this may be a good time to let your inner Mars have some sway to take risks. If you have felt any promptings to take leadership at work or elsewhere, this is the time to do so. Or perhaps it’s time to cut loose and go solo. Drop down in your heart and ask for soul guidance. If the answer is “yes”, take command and go for it. Decisiveness now will allow the rest to unfold over the coming months.
Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18):
Life for you as an Aquarian is always a balance between your need to belong to a team, a community of kindred souls and your need to show up as the unique, eccentric soul you are. The Aries influence on you this month tilts the balance toward the latter. If you’ve been questioning how well you fit with friends and groups, this is a good time to assert yourself and make changes. However, be careful you are not just feeling a need to be rebellious as an excuse to feel your ego’s strength. Those who “get” you, will be supportive. No need for combat.
Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20):
Since the theme of Pisces is the ultimate dissolution and surrendering of ego-self to soul-self, this Aries month intensifies your awareness of the contrast between the two. If you are still struggling to discern where others end and you begin, this is a good time to explore how to be stronger in your ego identity. If you are longing to be more consciously connected to your soul-self, this is a good time to pay attention to how your ego could be stronger and therefore more able to serve your soul’s higher intentions.
Barry Kerr, a certified soul-based astrologer, has 33 years of experience with an international clientele, including many medical professionals and alternative healers. He and Kristine Gay, a licensed psychotherapist, are owners/practitioners at Inner Essence Center in Madison. Both have extensive training in soul-guided healing of mind, body, heart and spiritual systems. They offer healing, coaching, therapy and astrology services. Visit www.ChooseConsciousLiving.com for more information.
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