Aries

The Ram, initiating fire, ruled by Mars

Emerging new from the ocean of universality, every Aries knows s/he is first a child of the gods, the First (and sometimes Only) Child, washed in newness, freshly energized to move forth into undiscovered vistas, "where no one has gone before." The quest for his true self is the adventure of his lifetime. He seeks to fully live the wonder of being human, to clarify the divine impulse. There is an unmistakable flash, a warm glow, a twinkle in the eyes of even the gentlest of Arians. This light is a ray from the Cosmic Mind, the Logos, shining in his knowing glance.

Aries is the Original Hero--Jason sailing in search of the Golden Fleece; young Parsifal naively stumbling along the road to knighthood; Joan of Arc leading the French army to enthrone the righteous King; Hercules with the strength to meet the challenge of every task. "Follow me, warriors!" is the battle cry of these captains courageous. Even if no one else follows, they will carry on alone if they identify with the cause. Aries knows he must face the challenge, and he will often enough emerge victorious through the integrity of his convictions and the necessity to act upon them.

Enter Perseus, the Greek hero who cut off the head of Medusa and then freed Andromeda, chained to a rock as an offering to the sea monster. Can today's hero find happiness with a wimpy princess draped over a rock passively awaiting her tragic fate? Of course not. The modern hero rewrites the script. Take It From the Top: he struggles mightily with the monster Medusa and emerges victorious, thanks to the aid of the crafty goddess, Athena, who loves heroes. After beheading the Medusa with a slice of his sword, Perseus flies off on Pegasus, the winged horse. He spies Andromeda, proudly standing on a rock in the middle of the sea. He bravely fights off the sea monster, while she holds the bag with the snaky head. (She holds the bag? oh, well.) He is overpowered. Andromeda herself subdues the monster, turning it to stone with the power of the Medusa head. She then revives Perseus with a healing ritual. He successfully fights off her other suitors, wins the hand of this gorgeous, gutsy babe, and together they approach the temple. Their union is blessed. They live happily ever after, of course.

Here is the modern Aries hero writing his own myth and acting from the chivalrous heart of the true romantic who, in these modern psychological times, has integrated his inner feminine soul light. Although typically rather macho about it, when Aries has incorporated the balancing qualities of his opposite sign, Libra, he can be strong and sure enough of himself to be in equal partnership.

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