Hello, everyone! Welcome to the Orrery! In the last entry, prompted by the astrological events of the past month, I offered a short explanation based on the mythological background for Chiron, an asteroid that represents the Incurable Wound. Then it occurred to me that I could do the same with each Sign and therefore each Ruling Planet. Since the coming New Moon is in Aries (with a 5-planet stellium in that sign, no less), it feels like an appropriate topic.

The Winged Ram and the God of War

Although the name "Aries" comes from Latin and the representation as a ram dates back to Babylonian times, in Greek Mythology this sign is based on Chrysomallos, a winged golden ram who was sent by Hermes to rescue Phrixus and his sister Helle from the schemes of their stepmother Ino, who wanted both dead. The ram either swam or flew them to safety, but Helle was lost at sea, giving her name to the Hellespont (now the Dardanelles). Phrixus made it to Colchis, where King Aeëtes took him in as a son and gave him his daughter Chalciope in marriage. As a way of thanking the gods for saving him, Phrixus sacrificed Chrysomallos to Poseidon and gave the ram's Golden Fleece to Aeëtes, who hung it on a tree in the Grove of Ares with a sleepless dragon standing guard. The sons of Phrixus and Chalciope would later join Jason and the Argonauts, whose task was to retrieve the Golden Fleece, for it was an symbol of Kingly Authority.

Aries is also the etymological origin of the word "Ariete", or Battering Ram, a military instrument used to break through the walls or gates of fortresses under siege. The connection with Ares, the God of War, is the main reason why this Sign is ruled by Mars, the Roman equivalent and namesake of the fourth Planet of the Solar System and the first of the Personal Planets in Astrology. The Sign, the Planet and the First House which hosts them are thus expressions of Individuality, Action, Novelty, Overcoming, Rebellion, Aggression, Willpower, Progress, Personal Authority and the Self. The relationship with War may be taken literally, as Identity is asserted by opposition to the context, a separation that's often forceful, painful and conflictive. People with strong Aries or Mars placements have a tendency toward single-mindedness, prioritizing their own vision over others; like a spear flying through the air, they're not easily dissuaded from their path, be it right or wrong.

Ares, son of Zeus and Jupiter, is one of the Twelve Olympians and the representation of bloodlust in battle, passion untamed by intellect and sheer brutality. In shadow, the Aries/Mars energy is often self-centered, arrogant, dissatisfied and prone to violent outbursts when things aren't going as desired. Once it's integrated, however, it provides great decisiveness, strategic thinking and an interest to shield others from harm. As purely male polarity, Mars represents physical strength, muscular development and male sexuality.

New Moon and Stellium in Aries

The first New Moon of the current Astrological Year will come on April 12th, accompanied by a considerable accumulation of energies, as Venus and Mercury will be conjunct with the Sun and the Moon, with Chiron a few degrees behind. This will be the most significant amount of Fire Energy throughout this year. Chiron has made us confront the pain and grief of the past, and acknowledge the sorrows of today, but the Stellium is urging us to leave this all behind and move on, to build something completely different and act in accordance to our desires for wellness, prosperity, truth and love. The Stellium will also be supported by Sextiles with Jupiter in Aquarius and Mars itself in Gemini, which are currently forming a Trian between them.

It's an appropriate time to settle scores, to have those difficult talks we've delayed for a while, to commit the present lay of the land to memory and then clear the board for a new game. Be open for the unexpected, speak your mind honestly, plot a different course into the unknown and relieve yourselves from the luggage of the years, to enter freely and swiftly into the next level of your individual evolution.

Reconnect once more with what it means to be truly alive!