Intersection of horizon and ecliptic signifies the 1 st degree of the 1 st house for that horoscope. It is naturally aggressive.Īnalogously, the Ascendant is where the spinning earth’s horizon intersects the ecliptic at any point during the earth’s 24-hour rotation. Life seizes the initiative, conquers new ground, pursues its own source. The image of sprouts pushing up through the earth seeking sunlight is a perfect rendition of Aries. If we consider the zodiac as symbolizing the cycle of nature as revealed in the four seasons, each of which has three phases―cardinal, fixed, and mutable―then a natural starting point would be the new cycle of life that commences each spring. The phenomena of births, starts, and beginnings is key to understanding Aries. In effect, it’s an Earth-Sun conjunction that marks the beginning of the zodiac. The vernal equinox on March 20 th constitutes 0° Aries and occurs precisely where the earth’s equator intersects the plane of the Sun’s equator (ecliptic). The angle that defines sign, house, and aspect for Aries-Mars is 0°.

In astrology, all meaning is an angle (phase) of a planetary cycle. All of them are comprised of angles, the exception being “planet” whose movements create angles.

As with any astrological archetype, it includes sign, planet, house and aspect. And given the time of year, what better topic to write about than Aries-Mars itself?Ī good place to start is with an explanation of what I mean by Aries-Mars. Wanting to get a newsletter out as quickly as possible, I’ve decided to do it in true Aries style: rushed, bold, instinctive, raw and uncensored. At the inception of this writing, it’s 7pm here on the east coast, 12 hours before the Vernal Equinox―or, zero degrees Aries, the start of Spring.

Fortune favors the brave song