Aries – Stars Within Their Courses

Aries 牡羊座

March 26, 2019 by Cynthia J. Thinnes, posted in Zodiac, Zodiac Signs

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and the first sign of the astrological year. As the sign of the Warrior, Aries is straightforward and direct. Aries natives are usually bold and courageous, tending to act first and think later. It is common for Aries to “rush in where angels fear to tread,” not out of a lack of intelligence but out of a lack of patience. Aries thrives on competition and challenge and languishes when she has nothing to do.

Aries by Season

The zodiac most commonly used in Western Astrology is the Tropical Zodiac. This Zodiac is tied to the Four Cardinal points in the year, which are the two Equinoxes and two Solstices. The Equinoxes are the times during the year in which the length of daylight and the length of nighttime are equal. The Sun begins her sojourn through Aries at the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, which, of course, is the Fall Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.

Because the signs are based on the seasons, it is generally possible to tell your Sun Sign by your birthdate. The approximate dates that the Sun is in Aries are between March 21 and April 20. These dates to vary by a day or so from year to year, so if you were born near the beginning or end of this time frame, you may need to have your Natal Chart calculated for the exact date, time, and place of your birth.

Because Aries is the sign at the Vernal Equinox, it is the Cardinal Sign of Spring. Aries is the sign when everything begins to come back to life! Life can be precarious at first, and in many places, the weather is quite unstable during the time of Aries. It takes courage and strength to break through the ground or to come out of a shell.

This is a time of new beginnings and a time to let go of the past. In the garden, we are clearing away the remaining leaves from the Fall and pruning plants of last year’s growth so that they can start anew. In a very real way, each Spring represents a fresh new start, and Aries is there to lead the charge.

Aries’ Holidays

The holidays that fall during Aries generally relate to freedom and new life. In Christianity, Easter, or the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ usually falls while the Sun is in Aries, although there are times in which it will not fall until the Sun is in Taurus. Likewise, in Judaism, Passover, the celebration of the emancipation of the Israelites from Egypt, also usually falls during Aries, but sometimes it does not fall until Taurus. In Filianism, March 21 is the celebration of the resurrection of the Daughter and also marks the beginning of the new year.

Aries by Element

Aries is a Fire Sign. Fire represents energy and the force of Will. As a Cardinal Sign, Aries is the most daring and combative of all of the Fire Signs. Aries is active and assertive, and sometimes even aggressive. Aries is the first spark of life or activity, and she will let nothing stand in her way.

As a Fire Sign, Aries is a Day Sign, and she is also Hard.

Aries’ Dignities and Debilities

Even though the planetary principles themselves are always at their highest expressions, their reflections come to us in imperfect form through the planets themselves. All of the planets do better in some signs than in others. The relative strengths and weaknesses of the planets in each sign are known as their essential dignities and debilities. Below are the essential dignities and debilities for Aries.

Ruler – Mars

It should be no surprise that the ruler of Aries is Mars. Mars is the planet of conflict and war. While conflict is a necessary part of manifestation, it is rarely pleasant. For this reason, Mars is known as the Lesser Malefic. Aries thrives on conflict, which makes Mars a fitting ruler for her. It may be surprising, though, that Aries is not Mars’ best sign. As a Malefic, Mars is better when tempered or moderated a little. For this reason, Mars is considered better in Night Signs, and Aries is her Day House. Mars’ Night House is Scorpio. In Aries, Mars can tend towards being impulsive and over-aggressive.

Exaltation – The Sun

The Spring Equinox is when the days begin to get longer than the nights. As such, the Sun is exalted in Aries. The Sun is also the Luminary that brings light, warmth, and life to our world. In Aries, the Sun is able to shine brightly.

Triplicity Rulers

All three signs of an Element are ruled by their Triplicity Rulers. In the Dorothean system, the rulers of Fire are the Sun by day, Jupiter by night, and Saturn is the participating ruler. William Lilly also assigns the Sun to Fire by day and Jupiter by night. In his system, there is no participating ruler, however.

Detriment – Venus

Aries is the fighter and the warrior, and Venus is the planet that governs love, beauty, and peace. For this reason, Venus has a hard time performing her function in the sign of Aries.

Fall – Saturn

Saturn is the slowest of the Traditional Planets, and it governs slow, steady action. Aries is fast moving and tends to be impulsive. For this reason, Saturn finds Aries quite uncomfortable. On the other hand, Aries is warm, and this warmth moderates Saturn’s cold nature, which gives Saturn some dignity in Aries as well.

Terms

In addition to the planets that have dignity in a sign in its entirety, there are planets that rule specific degrees of each sign. These are known as the planet’s terms or bounds. There are two main systems of the division of the terms, Egyptian and Chaldean.

Egyptian Terms for Aries

0 – 6 Jupiter

6 – 12 Venus

12 – 20 Mercury

20 – 25 Mars

25 – 30 Saturn

Chaldean Terms for Aries

0 – 6 Jupiter

6 – 12 Venus

12 – 20 Mercury

20 – 25 Mars

25 – 30 Saturn

Face

Each sign is divided into three parts, known as face or decantes. Each face has a separate ruler. The faces of Aries and their rulers are:

0 – 10 Mars

10 – 20 Sun

20 – 30 Venus

Aries and the Body

Aries rules the head. Those with Aries prominent in their chart need to be careful of injuries and illnesses to the head. This is also the case if you have a Scorpio Ascendant because in that case, Aries governs your 6th House of injury and illness.

You need to be especially careful of injuries and illnesses to the head if your Sun or Mars is in Aries. The reason for this is that the strong parts of your chart are the most dangerous. If you have a Virgo Ascendant, you also must be careful, because Aries rules your 8th House of Death. Also, if you have Mars in Aries, you are especially prone to infections, and they can become quite dangerous if left untreated.

Aries in a Nativity Chart

When reading a Nativity Chart, most astrologers look first to the placements of the Sun, Moon, and Ascendant, which is also known as the Rising Sign. You can learn these by getting a Nativity Chart report from an astrologer, or by getting a computerized report for free from Astrology Season. Below are brief descriptions of how to interpret an Aries Sun, Moon, and Ascendant.

Aries Sun

The Sun is exalted in Aries and is one of the Triplicity Rulers of Fire. Furthermore, Aries is a Day Sign. This makes the Sun especially strong in this sign. Some hallmark traits of the Sun in Aries are enthusiasm, courage, competitiveness, and sometime combativeness.

Aries Sun by Day

One of the first things that you learn as you become serious about astrology is that while Sun Signs can give a lot of information, they are not everything. Almost everyone shows their Sun Sign in some way, but sometimes it is not obvious. If you have an Aries Sun by day, however, you will usually show your Aries nature quite strongly. You are bold and brave. You also enjoy competition and are always ready for a good fight.

Aries Sun by Night

An Aries Sun by Night is a little more difficult, depending on the sign of your Moon. While you still have a powerful, energetic, and bold Sun, it may be harder for you to express this part of your nature directly. This could lead to restlessness and irritability. It will be especially important for you to get enough exercise and to have an outlet for your competitive streak.

Aries Moon

The Moon is not especially happy in Aries. There are no real debilities, but there are no dignities either. Also, the Moon tends to be rather uncomfortable in Day Signs. With an Aries Moon, you will need to be careful of bouts of temper.

Aries Moon by Day

This can be a complicated placement depending on the Sign of your Sun. If your Sun is in one of the other Fire Signs, Leo or Sagittarius, your Moon will be able to receive help from your Sun. This will make it easier for you to express the Aries side of your nature directly. The same will be true to a lesser extent if your Sun is in Gemini. In any other sign, your Sun will tend to repress or hide your fiery Moon. It will be important for you to find ways to release this energy. If you do not, it could turn into irritability or depression.

Aries Moon by Night

If you have an Aries Moon by night, it will be easier to express this part of your nature in a direct and constructive way. This is particularly the case if your Sun is in a supportive sign as described above. You will have many of the trademark characteristics of Aries, but they will be somewhat moderated and toned down.

Aries Ascendant

If you have an Aries Ascendant, all of the bold and competitive traits of Aries will be right on the surface. Your energy and enthusiasm will give you a rough sort of charm, but you may have difficulty with social graces. You are honest to a fault, and you always speak your mind.

With an Aries Ascendant, Mars is the ruler of your chart, and thus, the placement of Mars in your chart becomes extremely important.

Using Whole Sign Houses, your Ascendant will determine which planet and sign rule all aspects of your life.

Home – Cancer

If you have an Aries Ascendant, all of your houses will be ruled by signs that have a certain amount of affinity them. This creates a situation in which your life follows a rather expected pattern. Your 4th House, which is the House of the Home, is Cancer, which is ruled by the Moon. You are devoted to your family and protective of your home.

Partnership – Libra

Venus-ruled Libra rules your 7th House of partnership, and being in a couple tends to soften some of your rough edges. You are attracted to someone who is strong, but who is also diplomatic. Physical beauty is also extremely important to you in a partner.

Career and Public Reputation – Capricorn

With an Aries Ascendant, Saturn-ruled Capricorn governs your 10th House of Career and Public Reputation. You are very serious when it comes to your career, and you have the ability to work very hard. Indeed, hard work is very important to your overall health and well-being. You also value honor, and your reputation is very important to you. You respond well to authority that you respect, but it is very hard for you to be subordinate to someone you don’t. For this reason, clashes with authority figures could impede your career advancement.

Fire 火

July 22, 2018 by Cynthia J. Thinnes, posted in Elements, Fire, Zodiac, Zodiac Signs

Fire in its purest form is the energy given to us by the Supernal Sun. On the other hand, earthly fire is the fuel for manifestation. Thus, fire is our connection with the Divine, but it also fuels us and sustains us in our separation from the Divine.

For humans as Axial Beings, fire represents our Free Will. In the Chinese character, or kanji, for fire, 火, the middle part is a kanji in and of itself and stands for a person. On either side of the person is a stroke. When I learned this kanji, it seemed to me to represent the choice between the True and False Self.

A common theme in mythology is the theft of fire, and in a real sense, it is fire that makes us Axial Beings, with the power to choose. A keyword for fire is willpower, and a helpful slogan for fire is to turn willfulness into willingness.

Traits of Fire

At best, fire is powerful, courageous, and adventurous. Fire is energetic, honorable, confident, and bold. Fire thrives on excitement, and more than any other element, allows us to find joy on the physical plane. Fire is playful and full of life and zest.

The negative traits of fire are a corruption of its positive traits. Fire’s confidence can turn into arrogance, pride, and self-importance. Fire has the worst temper of all of the elements when aroused, and it can burn out of control.

While the dangers of fire out of control are obvious, fire dampened or not allowed to burn properly is equally dangerous. In those cases, fire can damage a person’s soul from the inside. While all of the elements can become depressed, depressed fire can turn violent and is the most likely to act upon destructive ideas or emotions.

Of the elements, fire has the least patience with sadness, illness, or restriction. In order to be able to cope, fire must see them as challenges to be conquered or as battles to be won.

Nurturing and Managing Fire

Fire must be carefully nurtured and managed. If suppressed, a person can lack energy, motivation, and drive; if not controlled, a person can become destructive to herself and those around her.

Fire needs fuel and air. The fuel for fire is always its source, the Sun. All earthly fuel for fire comes from the release of energy that has been stored from the Sun. Air, in its pure form, is the Breath of the Divine. Fire and Air are generally compatible.

More than any other element, fire needs discipline and structure. It is through discipline and structure that fire can be allowed to burn safely, giving a person warmth and energy.

Fire in Astrology

In Classical Astrology, each of the elements is ruled by a team of planets known as the triplicity rulers. There are several different systems of triplicity rulerships, but I use Dorothean triplicities. In the Dorothean system, each element has a daytime ruler, a nighttime ruler, and a participating ruler. In this system, the day ruler of the fiery triplicity is the Sun, the night ruler, Jupiter, and the participating ruler, Saturn. So for day charts, the order of precedence is the Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn, and for night charts, Jupiter, the Sun, and Saturn. All three of these planets have dignity in all of the Fire signs.

The Fire Signs are as follows:

Aries 牡羊座

Cardinal Fire

Aries is Fire at its most forceful. Aries is the brave and fearless Warrior, and in the Northern Hemisphere is the sign at the first blush of Spring. Aries can be brash and bold or can be reckless, depending on how one is inclined to look upon it. Aries is fun-loving and adventurous, but also loves to “rush in where angels fear to tread.” Aries thrives on discipline and needs control in order to become her best.

Aries is ruled by Mars and exalts the Sun. Venus is in detriment in Aries, and Saturn is in fall.

Leo 獅子座

Fixed Fire

Leo is Fire at its most brilliant. Leo is the Queen, and don’t let anyone forget it! At best, Leo inspires infectious joy in all around her, and one can not help but be dazzled by her presence. More than anything else, a Leo needs to shine. Leo can be generous and magnanimous, but she can also become despondent or even lose her temper if she does not get the love and attention she needs. She can become prone to pride, arrogance, and even narcissism; the solution to this is not to affect a false humility, but instead to work to connect with Leo’s ruler, the Sun, and to allow the Sun to warm her and let that warmth shine through her to others.

Leo is ruled by the Sun. Leo does not exalt any sign. Saturn is in detriment in Leo, and no sign is in fall.

Sagittarius 射手座

Mutable Fire

Sagittarius is Fire at its most enthusiastic. Sagittarius is the Explorer and the Philosopher. Sagittarius is the most playful and humorous of all of the fire signs. Sagittarius is curious and is always up for a new adventure, either physical or intellectual. Sagittarius is direct, sometimes to the point of rudeness, and can blunder through social situations. Despite this, most people are willing to forgive Sagittarius’ lack of social graces because of her cheerful nature and charm. Like all the fire signs, Sagittarius can suffer from pride, and in Sagittarius, this can take the form of condescending pontification. More than anything else, Sagittarius needs freedom and cannot abide by restriction of any sort.

Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter and exalts the South Node. Mercury is in detriment in Sagittarius and the North Node is in Fall.

Signs of Change, the Cardinal Signs

April 1, 2018 by Cynthia J. Thinnes, posted in Cardinal Signs, Modes, Seasons, Zodiac, Zodiac Signs

日本語版

Western Astrology is based as much upon the seasons as it is upon the movement of the celestial bodies. This is because the zodiac that is used in most Western astrology is the tropical zodiac. The tropical zodiac is not based on the actual constellations along the ecliptic but upon the four seasonal turning points, which are the two equinoxes and the two solstices.

The equinoxes are the two times during the year in which the length of day and night are equal. The Spring Equinox is when daytime becomes longer than nighttime, and this is the beginning of the astrological new year. The sign of Aries begins at the position of the Sun at the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.* The Fall Equinox is when nighttime becomes longer than daytime, and in the Northern Hemisphere,* is where the sign of Libra begins.

The solstices are the times of the greatest extremes of the length of day and night. The Summer Solstice is the longest day, and in the Northern Hemisphere,* is where the sign of Cancer begins. The Winter Solstice is the longest night, and in the Northern Hemisphere,* is where the sign of Capricorn begins.

The signs at the equinox and the signs at the solstices are collectively known as the cardinal signs because these also directly correspond with the four cardinal points. The Spring Equinox corresponds with the East, the Summer Solstice corresponds with the South, the Fall Equinox corresponds with the West, and the Winter Solstice corresponds with the North.

In earlier times, the cardinal signs have been called the “moveable” signs. In Japanese, these signs are known as 活動宮, katsudou kyuu, action signs. As these names suggest, the cardinal signs, Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, are the movers and shakers of the zodiac. People who have a predominance of Cardinal signs in their chart tend to be active, busy people who are “self-starters” and like to initiate projects and change. They often find themselves in leadership positions, and they enjoy being in control.

People who lack cardinal signs have difficulty with initiative and with starting projects. They often need an outside force to get them moving; however, once they are in motion, they tend to stay in motion, unless something causes them to stop.

Now that we have talked about the four cardinal signs as a group, let us look at them individually.

Aries the Ram

牡羊座 (Ohitsuji Za)

Cardinal Fire

Human Archetype:

The Warrior

Sect:

Day

Planets Dignified in Aries:

Mars, Ruler; Sun, Exalted and Day Triplicity Ruler**; Jupiter, Night Triplicity Ruler; Saturn, Participating Triplicity Ruler

Planets Debilitated in Aries:

Venus, Detriment; Saturn, Fall***

Part of Body:

Head

General Characteristics:

Aries is a bold and courageous sign. Aries likes to be at the forefront of change and does not flinch in the face of danger. Aries welcomes any challenge and is known to “rush in where angels fear to tread.” Aries has no patience for fear or for apparent weakness or cowardice. At best, Aries is a fearless hero and protector; at worst, Aries is a controlling and violent bully.

Cancer the Crab

蟹座 (Kani Za)

Cardinal Water

Human Archetype:

The Mother

Sect:

Night

Planets Dignified in Cancer:

Moon, Ruler and Participating Triplicity Ruler; Jupiter, Exalted; Venus, Day Triplicity Ruler; Mars, Night Triplicity Ruler

Planets Debilitated in Cancer:

Saturn, Detriment; Mars, Fall***

Parts of Body:

Breasts and stomach

General Characteristics:

On the surface, Cancer may seem shy and retiring, but this appearance is somewhat misleading. Cancer is a nurturer and protector, and just as there is nothing fiercer than a mother protecting her young, Cancer can be quite courageous when defending anyone or anything in her care. She actively nurtures and grooms her charges, whoever they may be. At best, Cancer is a devoted and selfless caregiver; at worse, Cancer is clingy and smothering, and she can become mean and cruel.

Libra the Scales

天秤座 (Tenbin Za)

Cardinal Air

Human Archetype:

The Peacemaker

Sect:

Day

Planets Dignified in Libra:

Venus, Ruler; Saturn, Exalted and Day Triplicity Ruler; Mercury, Night Triplicity Ruler; Jupiter, Participating Triplicity Ruler

Planets Debilitated in Libra:

Mars, Detriment; Sun, Fall

Parts of Body:

Lower back and kidneys

General Characteristics:

Libra is the sign of balance and harmony. Like all Air signs, Libra enjoys being with many different people from all walks of life; however, Libra is the only sign that would expect them all to get along. Libra can sometimes be seen as indecisive and weak-willed, but that is a bit of an illusion. Libra is just as much an agent of energy and change as any other Cardinal sign; she takes charge in a polite and indirect manner. At best, Libra is a charming diplomat, hostess, and keeper of the peace; at worst, Libra is manipulative and controlling in a passive-aggressive manner.

Capricorn the Sea-Goat

山羊座 (Yagi Za)

Cardinal Earth

Human Archetype:

The Manager

Sect:

Night

Planets Dignified in Capricorn:

Saturn, Ruler; Mars, Exalted and Participating Triplicity Ruler; Venus, Day Triplicity Ruler; Moon, Night Triplicity Ruler

Planets Debilitated in Capricorn:

Moon, Detriment***; Jupiter, Fall

Parts of Body:

Knees, bones, and teeth

General Characteristics:

Capricorn is a practical and responsible manager. She is strict and orderly and likes to be in charge. No matter how much or little responsibility she has, anything in her care will be governed well and efficiently. Although she often desires to climb in rank and social status, she believes in hierarchies and social order and will rise by conventional means. At best Capricorn is an efficient and highly competent supervisor; at worst, Capricorn is miserly and mean and can become cold and cruel.

________

*In the Southern Hemisphere, the correspondences between the seasons and the signs are reversed. Libra is at the beginning of Spring, Capricorn is at the beginning of Summer, Aries is at the beginning of Fall, and Cancer is at the beginning of Winter.

**There are several different versions of Triplicity Rulers. I use the Dorothean Triplicity Rulers.

***Sometimes planets are both dignified and debilitated in the same sign. There do exist quantitative methods of analyzing dignity and debility in which they cancel each other out; however, I prefer a more qualitative approach that considers both.