Aries - from the Box of Stars

Spring time, dawn, new beginnings, the original creative, independent spirit,
fire, energy, drive, adventure, courage, optimism, innocence

As the first sign of the Zodiac, Aries leads the flock of stars across the skies. Its most important star, Hamal, was known in Babylon as the Proclaimer of the Dawn and the Star of the Flocks.

As the first sign of the Zodiac, Aries leads the flock of stars across the skies. Its most important star, Hamal, was known in Babylon as the Proclaimer of the Dawn and the Star of the Flocks.

The Sun in Aries

Whatever other facets of your personality your chart reveals, with the Sun in Aries, you have a fiery pioneering nature, which colors your whole outlook on existence. As Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac, you like to take the lead - and you often do - as you are brave, adventurous and forward-looking. But you can easily grow bored and restless, as what you excel at is initiating new ideas and projects and seeing them through is not your strongest point. Your temper also runs on a short fuse, but you have more than your fair share of energy and joie de vivre, and keeping up with you can be hard for less imaginative and fiery people.

The future, not the past, is what concerns you and you have no time for outworn attitudes and dull conventions. You never stand on ceremony with others and you always speak your mind, regardless of the outcome, as you believe in honesty and truth. But your fiery nature and direct approach can get you into trouble, as you can be headstrong and rush in where angels fear to tread.

But your courage, energy - and innocence - usually ensure that you emerge unscathed and ready to move on and conquer new horizons.

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The Myths and Legends of Aries

Ancient Babylon

As the sign of springtime and of new beginnings, the zodiac's leader, Aries, the great ram, led the flocks of stars across the ancient Babylonian skies. Its main star, Hamal, was known there as the 'Star of the Flocks' and 'the Proclaimer of the Dawn'.

Aries represents the original, creative, independent spirit, and the Ram was indeed worshipped as such in Egypt, where it was sacred to the king of the gods, Ammon, and in Greece, where it belonged to Zeus. In Israel it was sacrificed to Jehovah. Not only is it the first, and so the pioneer and leader of the zodiac, it is also a fire sign, ruled by Mars, the god of war.

The Supernatural Ram and the Golden Fleece

In Greek legend, it was the flying, supernatural ram which could both speak and reason, and its famous Golden Fleece, hanging in a sacred grove, became the treasured prize of Jason and the Argonauts, who won it with the help of the great sorceress and herbalist, Medea. In Greece and Egypt, it was a symbol of the original, divine, creative spirit.

Aries lies between Taurus and Pisces on the zodiac band.

Mars, Ruler of Aries

In Myth and Legend

Mars, the Roman god of agriculture, virility and war, was the father of the twins, Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome who were suckled by a she-wolf. He represented the life force and was a symbol of masculine power. The Red Planet named after him was also known as Nergal, the god of fire and war, in ancient Babylon.

His love affair with Venus, goddess of love and beauty, was celebrated in both ancient Greece and Rome.

The wolf and the woodpecker are sacred to him.

The Stars

As the constellation of spring and the beginning of the year, Aries led the flocks of stars across the skies, and its most important star, Hamal, was known in Babylon as the Proclaimer of the Dawn and the Star of the Flocks.

To Locate

Aries, which is best seen looking south in autumn and winter in the northern hemisphere, is a springtime constellation south of the equator, lying to the north. It lies between Pisces and Taurus on the zodiac band, and below Andromeda, with Cetus to the south.

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