Aries the Ram

Aries The Ram – March 21 to April 20

Aries is a Cardinal [action] sign and is ruled by Mars

 

 

• Symbol: Ram
• Ruling Planet: Mars
• Keywords: Assertive, forthright, and determined
• Polarity: Positive
• Duality or Gender: Masculine
• Element: Fire
• Quality: Cardinal
• Body Area: Head
• Countries: England, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Poland and Syria
• Cities: Naples, Florence, Brunswick (England)
• Stone: Diamond
• Color: Red
• Similarity to Chinese Sign: DRAGON

Positive Traits: Adventurous, energetic, pioneering, courageous, enthusiastic, confident, dynamic, quick-witted

Negative Traits: Selfish, quick-tempered, impulsive, impatient, foolhardy, daredevil

If you were born between 21 and 30 March, the planet Mars will be doubly strong for you. It rules your fortune and destiny. You can be very demanding, and not so good at tolerating opposition in any form — you will make those of different views from yours prove their case. You are the Genghis Khan of the Aries clan.
This increased Martian energy gives you lots of oomph and physical stamina. You need to get involved with as much physical activity as possible to release your frustration.

If you were born between 31 March and 10 April, it makes you a proud and extremely loyal person. You also have traces of the other fire sign, Leo, in your make-up. You’re one of the brighter fireflies in the Aries camp and attract people very easily.
You also impose your will on others, almost magically, without their opposition. Your lesson in life is to learn how to use your powers responsibly.
Being born between 11 and 19 April means you are endowed with greater humanitarian characteristics, which means you have gentler and added charitable motivations behind your actions.
You run the risk of occasionally pushing yourself harder than your body and mind can handle. You mean well, but in the heat of the moment you say and do things you later regret. You’re a lucky person, though; because Jupiter’s beneficial rays promise protection. Many fascinating opportunities are destined to come your way.
If you were born on the first or last day of a Sun sign, in astrological terms you were born on a cusp. If that’s the case, you will probably benefit from reading your own Sun sign and the Sun sign that ends or begins right before or after your date of birth. For example, if your birth date is 22 December, your Sun sign is Capricorn, but you probably have some influence from the incoming sign which is Aquarius.

Aries Baby

Favorite phrase: “Me First”
Good Points: Courageous, energetic, adventurous, loving
Bad Points: Demanding, quick-tempered, impatient
You’ll always know when an Arien baby is around – he’s impossible to ignore. If you do, persistent cries of protest will quickly shatter the peace… and your nerves! Your active little Arien, born under the sign of the ram, must always be kept busy and entertained, so you may find it very difficult to make time for yourself. The Aries baby is definitely the boss, demanding constant attention but always returning love with lots of hugs and cuddles. However, this is also the sign that needs the most discipline during early childhood. As Arien children have boundless energy and very determined characters – you’ll need to set down firm rules from the start. The impetuous little daredevil can often be accident-prone, so you’ll need to keep a close eye on your young adventurer. Boisterous, playful games will bring either shrieks of laughter or plaintive tears. From birth, this roguish child will keep you on your toes – a guarantee that life will never be dull!
As the natural child of the zodiac we would expect Aries to be a happy baby. Not only are Aries among the happiest babies, but they are also the most enthusiastic and curious. As soon as they crawl you will find your Aries offspring searching into every nook and cranny they can find. Aries need a lot of approval, and this is especially true as young children. On the one hand they want to be seen as brave adventurers, but when they return for their emergency supplies of sandwiches and sweets they have to be told how special and brave they are.
Aries children are great fun as they love to joke and unusually for children they are even able to laugh at themselves, as long as its making the people around them feel happy.
The Rambo of the play group has arrived! With an Aries baby around, you can expect lots of action and activity in your midst. Don’t expect this tot to sit still with a rattle — it just won’t happen. The Aries baby is one who makes a lot of noise and will definitely be heard. There’s really no choice! As a Fire sign, the little Ram will be dynamic and always up to something. To that end, parents would be wise to show this child how to work with other babies early on. Things such as sharing won’t come naturally — they must be learned. Even where siblings are concerned, the Aries child won’t be a walk in the park. What the Aries baby may want most of all, however, is attention, so parents be well advised. In a play setting, the Aries tot will easily get the attention of others on their own. This baby will also start many things early, the better to get to the finish line in a hurry. To sum up, the Aries baby can be quite independent but enjoys interacting with others. This baby is a fairly physical child and craves constant stimulation. They will be ready from day one!
As the natural child of the zodiac we would expect Aries to be a happy baby. Not only are Aries among the happiest babies, but they are also the most enthusiastic and curious.
As soon as they crawl you will find your Aries offspring searching into every nook and cranny they can find. Aries need a lot of approval, and this is especially true as young children. On the one hand they want to be seen as brave adventurers, but when they return for their emergency supplies of sandwiches and sweets they have to be told how special and brave they are.
Aries children are great fun as they love to joke and unusually for children they are even able to laugh at themselves, as long as it’s making the people around them feel happy.

Aries Child
The Aries child is a junior dynamo, whizzing from here to there in a constant blur of activity. Just hope you can keep up. Pioneering by nature, this is a child who loves to explore and possesses tremendous energy.
After-school activities are a must for this child, so think boy or girl scouts or the soccer club.
Sports are actually a good choice for the Aries child, as this youngster is quite competitive by nature.
Impulsive as well, Aries children will be scolded by the teacher for not raising their hands before speaking.
And what a mouthful it’ll be once this kid gets going.
This is a truly irrepressible sort.
Eager to try something new and courageous to boot, the Aries child will have scuffed-up knees from climbing a tree in some death-defying feat.
Face it, this child is not for parents who are faint of heart! It’s also important to let the Aries child feel a sense of independence.
If you’re watching out for this sprite, don’t let ‘them know it.
These kids definitely want to feel like they’re on their own.
Lastly, the Aries child doesn’t know the meaning of “slow down,” so get used to some quick moves.
Watching this child’s sugar intake is a good (and relaxing) idea.
Aries Girl
A Ram girl can be quite a handful! Spunky, sassy and full of life, Ram girls have energy to burn and will certainly catch a few eyes along the way. That’s just what she’s hoping to do. She’s got an independent streak and could be a pioneer in many ways. It wouldn’t be uncommon for her to be president of her service club, a role which suits her well and will make you proud. As Aries rules the face and head, it’s a sure bet she’ll leave the house with lipstick on — probably red since that’s her color. Keep an eye out for her, though. Her penchant for rushing through life means her mascara might be smudged or her shoes left untied. She can be a bit selfish at times — some days, what’s hers is hers, period. She wouldn’t even think to swap clothes with her best friend, let alone her bratty little sister. Be prepared to play referee in some sibling feuds. Oh well. The ever-active Ram girl enjoys aerobics and a spirited step class or even martial arts, although team sports are fine too. Dynamic and active, she’ll be rushing off from one activity to another with just enough time left to grab dinner, do homework and chat on the phone. She’s self-sufficient and goes after what she wants with a great deal of energy and willpower. When it comes time for the big school decision, “big” is the operative word. She’ll fit in well at a large school; places like the University of Texas or Ohio State are the ones to consider — if you can bear to let her go. Once there she’ll find success; you might even find her leading an impassioned protest. Look out, world, the Ram girl is on her way, and she is going places!

Aries Boy

This young man is hard to keep up with; be forewarned. He’s an Action Jackson with energy to spare. Those Rams are fiery, indeed. The Ram is one of the most dynamic characters of the Zodiac. Occasionally his tendency toward haste and hurry can get him into trouble. If he doesn’t think things through carefully enough it can lead to frustration. Life is one big competition for the Ram, and he wants to be in the winner’s circle each and every time. He might wind up quite frustrated, butting his head against a wall from time to time (think of those Ram’s horns). Even so, his natural role is that of an athlete: captain of the football team, snow boarder par excellence or X-treme sport-er. The Ram boy can be a bit self-centered at times as a result of his intense desire to take charge. When presented with a new project or idea, his innate enthusiasm and need for challenge will cause him to jump in right away and lead the way. He has the ability to reach beyond normal limitations. Confident leader that he is, the Ram boy will either helm a team or club or simply be at the top among his circle of friends. He’s likely to look great with a minimum of fuss. The great strengths of the Aries boy are his energy, initiative and courage. His ability to take a project and go with it is unparalleled. He will certainly be going places.
Aries and Independence: Aries personalities are independent. Being the first of the zodiac signs, they venture out and are go-getters, often leading the way. Their upbeat and magnetic personality often entices others to follow their lead because Aries personalities bring excitement into others’ lives.
Aries and Friendship: Aries are good friends, they always look out for their friends with caring and generosity and will protect them should the need arise and encourage them with their natural optimism. If confronted, Aries can turn to be quite childish, they will fight back with their aggressive nature and are known to have temper tantrums should they not get their way.
Aries and Business:
Aries are activists. If a business idea comes their way, they tend to plunge right in. Aries are more than willing to take a gamble and follow their dreams and goals. However, if success is not immediate, they tend to lose interest and give up easily. Aries are notorious for not finishing what they have begun. This is due to the low tolerance for boredom and lack of patience. If the excitement is gone from their business idea, they go off and search for it elsewhere.
Aries Temperament:
Independence is key to Aries astrology, they do not like to take orders from others and enjoy getting their way. They can get childish or moody should they be given orders that they do not like. Aries easily take offense to comments made. Aries are self-involved and can be self-centered, if they do not pay attention to the feelings of others, Aries can easily become spoiled and resented by others. In order to get their way, Aries will tell a lie if it seems advantageous to do so. They are however, not very good liars and other people can usually see through them.

Aries Deep Inside: Underneath the strong, independent surface may lie insecurity. This is due to the intense drive to succeed and Aries put too much pressure on themselves, thus resulting in self-doubt however, the natural optimism and enthusiasm overtakes this and the underlying insecurity may never be known to others.
Ariens are capable of becoming highly competitive, seeking fame and recognition. Because of these desires, they can become overly aggressive and prone to use force, rather than diplomacy and reason in dealing with others. If they do not use their energies creatively, they expect others to provide them with constant stimulation and they thus can become idle and apathetic. The solar energy of Aries needs physical expression otherwise Aries types may become depressed and overweight.
Aries in a Nutshell: Aries is the first of the zodiac signs. Aries is the sign of the self, people born under this sign strongly project their personalities onto others and can be very self-oriented. Aries tend to venture out into the world and leave impressions on others that they are exciting, vibrant and talkative. Aries tend to live adventurous lives and like to be the center of attention, but rightly so since they are natural, confident leaders. Aries are enthusiastic about their goals and enjoy the thrill of the hunt; “wanting is always better than getting” is a good way to sum it up. Aries are very impulsive and usually do not think before they act – or speak. Too often Aries will say whatever pops into their head and usually end up regretting it later!

Aries Love, Sex and Relationships
The Arian in Love: When Arians want to, they can be very charming and hard to resist by the opposite sex. People born under the Aries sign need to harness their powerful energies, or even rein them in a little, so those with whom they would like to spend time are not overwhelmed by their advances.
In a relationship, Arians assume the role of motivator and want to be control. The Aries driving force compels those born under its influence to become the leading light in any co-operative venture. Sometimes it seems they want to defeat their partners, not love them.
Arians are enthusiastic and adventurous lovers. They will always want to push to take their lovemaking to new plateaus. Their partners can sometimes be overwhelmed by this spirited approach. Arians love to experiment and to take things to the limit, so, roll over Kama Sutra, the Arian lover is re-writing it all from scratch!
Your kisses are quick and passionate fits of lustful pleasure that are there and then gone.
Love Insight
For Aries, it’s all about action, chemistry, and energy. If you have a connection, you’ll know it immediately. If not, don’t expect love to grow. Aries are either into you in a big way or not at all! To win their affections, love through your heart, connect with your eyes, and don’t be overly sensitive.
Aries-Aries: This is an action plus union.
Aries-Taurus: Sensual and romantic togetherness.
Aries-Gemini: Captivating conversation keeps interest.
Aries-Cancer: Mind, body, soul, connection.
Aries-Leo: Passionate – Life in the fast lane!
Aries-Virgo: Opposites attract (sometimes).
Aries-Libra: Aries, Assertive – Libra, Passive.
Aries-Scorpio: Intense and electrifying connection.
Aries-Sagittarius: Deep heart-to-heart soul bond.
Aries-Capricorn: Go-getter on purpose energy.
Aries-Aquarius: Quirky and adventurous – it works.
Aries-Pisces: Wild and expansive imagination.

You and Your Aries
Do...
… Step right up and catch your Aries’s eye. Let them notice what a prize you are — and then let them try to win you.
… Take a bold approach — your Aries will appreciate your forwardness as well as your independent spirit.
… Be up for anything, whether it’s a midnight rendezvous at the beach or a ride on whitewater rapids.
… Brace yourself: An Aries will surprise you no matter what you’re ready for. Every day is a different adventure.
… Get ready to enjoy an always energetic and ever-so-romantic courtship.
… Expect fun: Your Aries will carry you away in a flurry of bouquets, balloons and little treats you could never expect.
… Learn to lay back and enjoy, as your Aries lover will sweep you up in a whirlwind of passion.
… Take pride in your Aries’s irrepressible spirit.
… Bask in your Ram’s radiance — they will be the winner of the race, the life of the party or the star of your own private, personal show.

Don’t…
… Cling too tightly or chase too hard. Your Aries will quickly take steps to preserve their freedom.
… Be too critical of them or their friends.
… Get overly critical — they will get hurt and leap to defend. Don’t hold a grudge, either.
… Try to get some extra attention by flirting with others or by bringing up past flings. These tricks will surely backfire with an Aries, who would prefer that you leave the past where it belongs and give your present relationship full attention.
… Decide you are not in the mood once you lure your Aries into your arms. Your Aries will take it to mean you don’t want them anymore, even if this is opposite of the truth.
… Try to dampen your Aries’s spirit. Your partner, as well as your relationship, will be hurt. High spirits and exuberance are part and parcel of the Ram’s personality.
What it’s like to date an Aries Woman:

Dating an Aries never lacks excitement. She is hot-blooded, and forceful, so you had better be able to handle the heat! The Aries woman is for the person who likes an independent self-driven woman who can fend for herself and is not clingy and needy. An Aries woman requires freedom. For the Aries woman, the best part of the relationship is the beginning, then the spark is there and she is trying to catch you to be hers. She will find happiness in a long-term relationship because she enjoys sharing everything with her partner. She will not only have a romantic partner but a best friend too. She has a great need for love and passion but she will never let a man become the master, she considers her partner to be equal. Aries women are not for domineering men. She will be faithful but she expects the same in return. She can be jealous because she wants a man to give her all of his attention, “all or nothing”, so she jealously is rooted in her possessiveness, she has to be number one in his eyes. She will always encourage and give strength to her partner so an Aries woman is great to have in times of despair or need, she will always be there for you. In order to have this happy ending, she needs to feel appreciated and loved.
What it’s like to date an Aries Man: An Aries man has a lust for adventure so if you are thinking about having a relationship with an Aries man, be prepared for fast-paced adventure, novelty and excitement. He is always eager to try new things – including relationships. That is not to say that every Aries man will only provide an exciting and short-lived relationship, but this is usually the case. He might stick around if you are the type of woman that enjoys having the man take the lead and basking in his glory. He enjoys challenge so if you are the woman to offer challenges to him – like playing hard to get – he might stick around longer. Remember, this man is all about the thrill of the chase. Do not however, act as if you don’t care about him. He needs you to be “swept off your feet” by him. Appear innocent- hard-to-get and he will be wrapped around your little finger. Never take advantage of the Aries man because his short temper will turn into a fury of anger and he way leave and never look back.
How to Attract Aries: Let Aries know that you admire them, they thrive of admiration and followers. Let them know that you love their zest for life and that you find them intriguing, they love compliments more then most other astrology signs of the zodiac. Compliment them physically and mentally, they like conversation about intellectual topics and engage them in a lively discussion, or a friendly debate. They love the challenge and the stimulation of good, intelligent conversation. Ask them for advice; let them know that you look up to them. Remember, Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and the most forward and independent, they love followers. Do not be a push over, do not keep your opinions to yourself because Aries will quickly get bored if you agree with everything they say. Do not attempt to control them however, they do not like taking orders. Aries are very capable people so if you go with their plans, you are sure to have a good time! If they have a suggestion for something to do, go with the flow, they like to be in control of what goes on.

Aries Erogenous Zone: The head is Aries’ most powerful erogenous zone. Stroking their hair and rubbing their scalp will make them feel relaxed and heighten their sensations. Nibble the ear, for especially the men, they will not be able to resist this, he will get uncontrollable urges and you will soon be all his!
Sex with Aries: The Aries zodiac sign is straightforward, aggressive and adventurous and this is reflected in their approach to sex. Expect it to be physical, quick and rough, they like to dominate and have the upper position.
Your sexuality is hot and intense. Like a blowtorch, you heat up rapidly and like a firecracker, you explode in a blaze of fire and sparks.
You love the unorthodox and the unusual in sexual encounters and you are not afraid to go after what you want. Ruled by Mars, the god of warriors, you are straightforward and uncomplicated in the pursuit of your desires.
Pursuit is the key word here. You love the thrill of the chase and thrive on the smell of danger. You avidly respond to the challenge of dominating some new quarry.
The downside of this is that, without constant stimulation, you become rather bored with what you perceive to be conquered territory. Your Ram’s ego must be constantly fed—and the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!
You are a sucker for anything new and exciting, especially anything ego-boosting. You also love to initiate others into the pleasures of some new experience. The merest sniff of nubile virginity seeking awakening sends you into lathers of eager anticipation.

In the art of lovemaking, the Arien is enthusiastic and adventurous. Partners can sometimes be overwhelmed by this spirited approach, something which is not necessarily a sign of their weakness, but simply a reaction to the ardent intensity of passion. Aries loves to experiment and to take things to the limit, so, roll over Kama Sutra, the Aries lover is writing it all from scratch!
Admirers should be aware of your need for ego-reinforcement. Ego-massage (“God, your breasts drive me wild”, or “Mmmm, you’re so big”) and praise for performance—even, or especially, when not particularly warranted—will get anyone a long way with the Aries lover.
Seriously, though, it would not hurt for some ardent Ariens to actually take the time to discover some more sensitive approaches to the art of love. A glance through a manual or two, especially in the company of a lover, can lead to new highs and lingering climaxes that may extend the limit far beyond the boundaries of imagination.

Aries Health
Aries, the Ram, is the first sign of the Fire triplicity and the first sign of the tropical zodiac. Traditionally arising at the beginning of spring, Aries is the sign of new beginnings. The key phrase for Aries is “I am”. It is a sign of raw, unbridled energy, with little real direction combined with a potent desire for power. Aries is ruled by the planet Mars and is the exaltation of the Sun. Combining the fiery energy of the Sun and the indomitable power of Mars, Ariens have a tremendous psychological drive to prove themselves and to be first at all costs.

They become accomplished only by learning to think before taking action. Their impulsiveness and inability to listen to others tends to involve them in difficulties. They are likely to be impatient and do not always finish what they set out to do.
Aries Rules the Head
The head, taken as a whole, is ruled by Aries. The signs have an internal, external and structural relationship. Internally, Aries rules the brain and nerve centers, carotid arteries; externally the cranium, jaw and facial bones.
Externally, the ruler ships are more complicated and other parts of the head and face are ruled by Taurus and Scorpio and all of the planets rule various other parts.
For example, the Sun rules the right eye in the male, the left eye in the female, while the Moon rules the left eye in the male and right eye in the female.
Aries is subject to all kinds of head complaints – sinusitis, headaches, tooth and gum afflictions, baldness and are prone to accident or injuries to the head and face. As a sign of this celestial association, many Aries individuals are born with a birth Mark on their head or face.
The emblem for Aries is the Ram, a determined fighter and a powerful adversary, with a strong urge to express himself over the widest possible field of endeavor. Is the grass greener on the other side of the hill? Of course it is, isn’t it, Aries?

Karmic Responsibility
It is the karmic responsibility of the Aries type to come to terms and learn that they are not the center of the universe, but part of larger social orders. Aries personalities without maturity are usually childish and demanding in their behavior. The vital life force of their celestial rhythm can either be used to inspire others, or it can be turned inward towards selfishness. As a result, they often fail to evolve as individuals and are destined for an early reincarnation.
Aries (March 21 – April 19)

In your heart, Aries, you’re a warrior … and always have been. Memories of glory on the battlefield still live on in your soul, which explains why you’re so quick to take offense or fight for what you believe in. You may have been a tribal warrior in ancient Palestine, or fought as a ninja in Asian lands. Perhaps you honed your athletic skills as a runner in ancient Sparta, or used your brawn to defend your Macedonian king. Now your challenge is to utilize your fiery, impetuous nature to bring about peace instead of war.

Famous Aries: Charlie Chaplin, Marlon Brando, Bette Davis, Thomas Jefferson, Houdini, Wilhelm Reich, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Steinem, Leonard Nimoy, Cy Young, W. C. Fields, James Clark, and Otto von Bismarck.
Ideal Jobs Include:
Aries is well-suited to become a fire-fighter, surgeon, mechanic, dentist, professional athlete and entrepreneur.

Lucky Numbers: 1, 10, 19, 28, 37, 46, 55

Aries (ram) governs the head and brain, therefore Aries are said to be prone to headaches, particularly migraines, sunstroke, neuralgia and depression. Indigestion and nervous disorders are also threats to them, and their rashness, impetuosity and wholesale physical commitment make them liable to accidents and physical injuries.
On the flip side, they are a fire sign eager to learn and quickly understand the nature of reality as consciousness.
Aires is a fire sign therefore they will try many things with full passion at the onset, but do not often finish them.
Like the young ram, Aries is adventurous, ambitious, impulsive, enthusiastic and full of energy. The Aries personality is a pioneer both in thought and action, very open to new ideas and a lover of freedom. They welcome challenges and will not be diverted from their purpose except by their own impatience, which will surface if they don’t get quick results.
Aries can be courageous leaders with a genuine concern for those they command, but they will not hesitate to use their subordinates to obtain their own objectives as leaders. As followers they can be troublesome, as they don’t do well with authority figures, especially those them deem ineffectual. They may be unwilling to obey or submit to directions for which they can see no reason, or with which they disagree.
They are much concerned with self, both positively and negatively, self-reliant but also self-centered and concerned with their own personal advancement and physical satisfaction to the point of greed. Their immense energy makes them aggressive and restless, argumentative, headstrong, quick tempered, easily offended and capable of holding grudges if they feel themselves affronted. Thus, if at work superiors cooperate well with their Aries employees, approving of their good qualities, they will receive from them complete loyalty; but if Aries considers themselves unappreciated or exploited, they are likely to give notice impulsively, to nurse resentment and even, in extreme cases, to revenge themselves by slandering their former firm, or by acts of sabotage.
In their personal relationships Aries are frank, direct and candid, and make enthusiastic and generous friends.
They generally have a high sex drive and make passionate but fastidious lovers. There is, however, a negative side to their associations with other people. They can easily be irritated by slowness or moderation in their companions and, though themselves sensitive, ride roughshod over the sensitivities of others. The intensity of their sexual urges can drive them to promiscuity and a Don Juan-like counting of conquests of the opposite sex. It can also trick them into early unwise marriage which may end disastrously. Their love of change more than counters the little loyalty they have, and their tenacity, though sufficient to achieve short-term objects, is unlikely to stand up to the challenge of a lifetime’s faithfulness.
Mentally Aries are intellectual and objective, but can be bigoted and extremist in religion and politics. They are good champions of lost causes and last-ditch resistance. They are quick-witted but foolhardy and overly optimistic, lacking thoroughness and the ability to evaluate difficulties in the undertakings into which they often rush impulsively. The great need of Aries natives is to exercise an iron self-control, to discipline the qualities and tendencies of their character to the advantage, not the detriment, of the society in which they move.
They can make good athletes and climbers, doctors, explorers (of new ideas as well as uncharted territory, the latter in these days including adventuring into outer space), soldiers, sailors and airmen, and leaders, though awkward subordinates, in industry and politics.
Constellation

Aries is a rather inconspicuous northern constellation and sign of the zodiac, which honors the ram who’s Golden Fleece, was sought by Jason and the Argonauts. Aries used to contain the vernal equinox, the point where the Sun crosses the celestial equator. Nowadays the vernal equinox has moved in the constellation Pisces, but sometimes it is still called the first point of Aries. The constellation can be seen from latitudes between +90° and -60°, and is best visible in the winter sky. The spring equinox, March 21, is the beginning of the new zodiacal year and Aries, the first sign, is therefore that of new beginnings. Aries is devoid of prominent deep sky objects, and has only a few stars of interest, notably the triangle made up of the principal stars in the constellation. Aries is a nice constellation to view in the autumn and winter sky. The sun passes through it from late April to mid-May. Although there are not many objects to observe in Aries this constellation is important to astronomers. In former times the vernal equinox (i.e. the point where the Sun crosses the celestial equator when moving from the south to the north) lies within Aries, but due to the effect of precession this point is nowadays located in the western neighbor Pisces. For historical reasons the vernal equinox is still referred as the First Point of Aries. The meaning of this point is equal to the meaning of the null meridian at Greenwich: it is the zero point of the right ascension. This constellation can be found between DECL=+10 degrees and DECL=+30 degrees and between RA=1h 40m and RA=3h 30m, respectively. Over the body of Aries another asterism (pattern of stars seen in Earth’s sky which is not an official constellation) is located – the Northern Fly hovers over Aries.
Aries in Mythology
Aries constellation in the years approximately 2,000 years before the birth of Christ was the position of the equinox, previously the position held by Taurus. The change was due to the precession of the axis and became evident throughout the mythologies of several areas as the cult of the ram overtook that of the bull. The constellation was at one time called the Prince of the Zodiac. This slow precession has since shifted the sun’s position from Aries to Pisces.
Mesopotamia: The Sumerians called the sun, Subat, meaning the Ancient Sheep or Ram and the planets the Celestial Herd. The bright star in Aries, Hamal, meaning the lamb, represented one of the stars in the Scimitar, a celestial weapon that protected against the Seven Diabolic Spirits of the Storm. The Babylonian priest Berossos who lived around 275 BC said that the world was created when the Sun was in the Ram.
Egypt: The Egyptians associated Aries with the god Amon Ra. During the time of Dionysus and his campaigns in Africa, his troops were traveling through a sandy desert. They ran out of water and were worn out struggling through the sand. A ram appeared before them, rose up in the air and landed behind a dune. When scouts followed the animal, they came upon a spring of water, but no ram. Dionysus ordered the building of a temple to Zeus Amon on the spot where the spring rose. A likeness of the ram was placed in the temple and the ram was placed in the heavens in a position of great importance.
The cult of Aries had its beginning here since its position at the zenith coincided with the rising of Sirius in the east and the flooding of the Nile. The Temple of Amon-Ra at Karnak bore the likeness of the supreme sun-god with the horns of a ram. The road to Karnak was formed from the wings of two granite sphinxes bearing the head of Aries.
Greece: In the second century BC the Greek astronomer Hipparchus set up the system for measuring positions of stars and other fixed objects in the heavens. He established as his starting point the location of one of two places where the Sun crossed the “celestial equator,” an extension of Earth’s equator out into the sky. Thus, the vernal equinox, where the Sun stood at the beginning of spring, became the reckoning point for the heavens.
During Hipparchus’ time this was located in the constellation Aries, the Ram. This fact of history gave everlasting fame to one of the smallest and dimmest constellations of the zodiac. From that time hence, even though the vernal equinox slowly drifts along the ecliptic, it has been referred to as the “First Point of Aries.” This could get confusing if we forget its historical origin, for the “First Point of Aries–the vernal equinox–is currently in the constellation Pisces, the Fishes, just west of Aries.
There are several mythological stories involving Aries. It is said, for example, that this was the ram Zeus transformed into in order to escape giants pursuing him. The most famous legend of all, however, is that of Jason and the
Argonauts and their quest for the Golden Fleece.
The story begins in Thessaly with Phrixus and Helle, Children of Athamas, King in Boeotia. Their stepmother mistreated these boys, so merciful Hermes (Mercury) sent them a ram with Golden Fleece, which they rode away upon, sailing through the air to cross the sea. Helle fell in mid-flight, over the strait between Europe and Asia, drowning in the sea which thereby acquired the name “Hellespont” (near the Dardanelles). When Phrixus landed safely in Colchis at the East End of the Black Sea, he sacrificed the ram to Zeus (Jupiter) and gave the Fleece to Aeetes, King of that land, who placed it in a sacred grove guarded by a dragon that never slept. Later, believing that Phrixus’ ghost wanted the radiant golden hide recovered, Jason and fifty of the foremost heroes of the time (including Castor and Polydeuces, who we will meet in a couple of months in this column) built a ship and mounted an expedition for the purpose of acquiring the legendary Fleece. Amid trial and turmoil, which included slaying the fire-breathing dragons and a crop of warriors that arose when the dragon’s teeth were sown in a field, they succeeded. Finally, to honor the valiant ram, Zeus placed it among the stars in the gleaming girdle encircling the sky, the zodiac.
Aries has none of the brightest stars, so a little patience and persistence is required to learn to locate it. Look to the east in the evening and find the dim clustered stars of the Pleiades and, below them, the companion cluster in a “V” shape, the Hyades. The bright reddish star at the end of the “V” is Aldebaron, brightest star in Taurus, the Bull. Let Aldebaron be the beginning of an arc and extend it on through the Pleiades (it is about one clenched fist at arm’s length between Aldebaron and the Pleiades).
Keep on going about 25 degrees (two clenched fists at arms length) where the two brightest stars of Aries, close together (two finger-widths at arms length apart), will form the West End of the arc. Notice the dimmer star located just beyond the second star of the pair in Aries; let this dim star form the very tip of the arc we have described. Now, back along the arc, about midway between the Pleiades and the brightest star of Aries, there is still another very dim star belonging to Aries. The four stars you have found, two of them considerably brighter than the others, are all there is to see of Aries without optical aid.
It is not the brightness of the stars of Aries that makes them worth knowing. They provide one of the twelve constellation sky-marks to help you know the zodiac, and it is the zodiac, after all that is essential if you are to know the apparent journeys of the Sun in our sky caused by the fact that we orbit the Sun.
From mid-April until mid-May the Sun is drifting under the stars of Aries that we have just described. Thus, they are not visible during spring. We begin to pick them up in the early morning in summer and they rise in the evening during autumn. In late November they are high in the southeast at 8:00 p.m. and nearly overhead by 10:00 p.m. If you have trouble finding them, visit your local planetarium or contact your local astronomy club for a program about the current sky and ask the staff or club member to identify Aries. You could also ask one of these organizations for a chart of the sky to assist in finding Aries.
The ancients needed a marker of some sort to indicate the beginning of spring. The only stars occupying that particular place on the Zodiac at that time were those dim ones we now recognize as Aries. Around 1800 B.C. the position occupied by Aries on the Zodiac band was an important one, and will be again in the distant future. It marked the beginning of spring and was known as the First Point of Aries.
The brightest star in Aries is Hamal, from the Arabic Al Ras al Hamal, meaning “the Head of the Sheep.” The ancient Greeks from about 1580 B.C. to 360 B.C. oriented the construction of many of their sacred temples in relationship to Hamal.
In May of A.D. 1012, a supernova reportedly was seen in Aries.
The Chinese knew Aries as a dog, Kiang Leu. Later they knew it as Pih Yang, or the White Sheep.