Aries horoscope

Myth and constellation

The constellation of Aries is small and discreet, lying between Pisces and Taurus. In the northern hemisphere, it is best seen in the evening from autumn to early winter. Its main stars, Hamal, Sheratan and Mesarthim, form a short broken line. In antiquity, the Sun was in Aries at the spring equinox, hence the name "vernal point" or "gamma point"; because of the precession of the equinoxes, this point now lies in Pisces.

The Greeks saw in it Chrysomallos, the golden-fleeced ram sent to save Phrixus and his sister Helle, who were threatened by their stepmother. During the crossing, Helle fell into the sea, which took the name Hellespont. Phrixus reached Colchis, where the ram was sacrificed to Zeus and its fleece hung in a sacred grove, guarded by a dragon. It was this Golden Fleece that Jason and the Argonauts later set out to win.

Element, modality and planet

A cardinal fire sign, Aries combines the element of enthusiasm with the mode that begins the seasons. In the northern hemisphere, it coincides with the first weeks of spring, when nature starts moving again: astrology reads in this the image of a fresh start. Mars, its ruling planet, is traditionally associated with self-assertion, physical courage and the ability to make decisive choices. Aries opens the zodiacal cycle and thus symbolises the emerging self.

Ancient medical tradition, which divided the human body among the twelve signs, assigns the head and face to Aries, logically starting from the top. This correspondence extends the symbolism of the sign: going head first, thinking while acting. The ram itself, an animal that charges and clears uneven ground, evokes a force directed forwards rather than towards prolonged reflection, which astrologers interpret as a preference for direct experience.

The three decans

From about 21 to 30 March, the first decan is, according to the modern division by triplicity, ruled by Mars himself, lord of the sign. Tradition sees here the purest Aries: spontaneous energy, a marked taste for initiative and great candour. It is the decan in which the drive of beginnings is expressed with the fewest detours.

From about 31 March to 9 April, the second decan receives the influence of the Sun, ruler of Leo. Astrology associates it with a more radiant ardour and a desire to be recognised for what one undertakes. Generosity and a sense of showmanship are said to colour the sign's combative temperament here.

From about 10 to 19 April, the third decan falls under Jupiter, ruler of Sagittarius. Tradition credits it with a broader vision and an interest in ideas, travel and causes worth defending. The impulse of Aries is said to turn more towards a distant horizon here, with an optimism that tempers impatience.

In friendship and family

In friendship, tradition describes Aries as a loyal and lively companion, the one who suggests the outing, the adventure or the joint project. It says what it thinks, which makes it reliable: you always know where you stand with it. Its quarrels are said to be fierce but brief, as it rarely bears a grudge. It appreciates friends who accept a challenge and a game, and energetically supports those it respects.

In the family, astrology credits the Aries parent with a desire to encourage their children's independence and courage, readily pushing them to try things for themselves. The Aries child is often described as lively, curious and eager to grow up, with a strong need to move. Among siblings, they would spontaneously take the lead in games and defend their brothers and sisters fiercely, even if it means competing for first place.

The rising sign

The ascendant (or rising sign) is the sign of the zodiac rising on the eastern horizon at the precise moment of birth; to find it, you therefore need the time and place of birth. Astrology sees in it the way a person approaches the world and the first impression they give. According to tradition, an Aries ascendant imparts a direct and dynamic manner: you react quickly, get straight to the point and prefer to act rather than wait. It is said to add boldness even to a more reserved Sun sign.