The Power of Life Inaugurates
Another Year in the Sky of the Earth
 
 
Carlos Cardoso Aveline
 
 
 
Mars rules the fiery and innovative sign of Aries
 
 
 
The new zodiacal year begins as the Sun enters Aries by March 21. Life renews itself. Spring starts in the Northern hemisphere, where most humans live, and the contemplative mood of Pisces is relatively left aside.
 
In the previous weeks, Neptune helped Pisces complete the yearly journey of the Sun through the sky while teaching the cosmic unity of Life.[1] Now the Arian Sun starts a new cycle. The soul of all beings wants to affirm once more its presence in the outward world. The Arian Sun sends us lessons of courage, optimism and frankness. It also hopes we will avoid impatience or anger. A good warrior fulfils his duty with courage, knowing that hate and ill-will are no parts of his evolutionary task, except as obstacles.
 
When Aries is loyal to the higher levels of consciousness, it is not a slave to egotism, but humbly aims at the long-term evolution of the soul. It brings us the gifts of innovation, of creativity, of a pioneering spirit and an unconditional love for life. In the spring of the spirit, inner renewal is the fruit of a noble bravery.
 
The fiery sign of Aries is truthful and sincere. It lives the future, right now. In fact, it does not see much of a difference between “now” and “future”. However, a mystery-lesson must be remembered every week around the year: the fact that each sign contains every other and humbly serves the joint evolution of all beings, under changing circumstances.
 
When All Things Are Born Again
 
In Aries life emerges from winter. Every plant grows and multiplies in the Northern Hemisphere, and animals come back to an intense life.
 
Arian energy leads people to feel they are OK in their personal world and stimulates psychological self-affirmation. In the Southern hemisphere, it is autumn that starts once more, and gathering strength before the battle of the next winter is now in the agenda.
 
As Aries says “I am here” and “I start things”, its opposite sign, Libra, brings balance and perspective as it says:
 
“We are here, and we must cooperate and have goodwill to each other, for reciprocity is part of life”. 
 
Both signs have much to learn from each other.  Libra alone finds it impossible to make firm decisions. Aries alone will blindly follow its first impulses.
 
“In physical terms” – says the book Illustrated A-Z of Understanding Star Signs – “Aries rules the head and all the organs of the head, including the brain. The mental facilities of the sign, however, are more intuitive and instinctual rather than intellectual, and manifest themselves as a rush of activity to fulfil the thought. The raw creative energy associated with this sign is a powerful impetus that propels it into action.” [2]
 
The Joy of Life
 
Each sign offers to human soul opportunities to develop a specific set of positive qualities. In the period between 21 March and 19 April everything gets renewed, ourselves in the first place.
 
Aries expresses in every soul the ability to start, to fight, to make an effort and to defeat routine. Under the influence of this sign, unexperienced people may jump headlong into thoughtless action. Well-informed individuals, however, will be able to keep away from mere anxiety and take advantage of the inner side of renewal, developing essential action and affirming life in selfless, creative ways.
 
By abstaining from imprudent actions, one makes sure that the joy of life is at its best in these weeks. And when the Sun enters Taurus, by 20 April, working for the durability of our efforts will be central in the agenda.
 
Mars, the ruler of Aries, is the fourth planet from the Sun and takes roughly two earthly years to travel around the Sun. Besides a planet, Mars is the name of the Roman god of war. However, Aries fights for Life in its nobler aspect and not against it. As it starts a new cycle, it makes war against paralysing ignorance by bringing us spiritual clarity.  
 
Longfellow wrote:
 
There is no light in earth or heaven
   But the cold light of stars;
And the first watch of night is given
   To the red planet Mars.
 
Is it the tender star of love?
   The star of love and dreams?
Oh, no! from that blue tent above
   A hero’s armor gleams.
 
And earnest thoughts within me rise,
   When I behold afar,
Suspended in the evening skies,
   The shield of that red star.
 
O star of strength! I see thee stand
   And smile upon my pain;
Thou beckonest with thou mailed hand,
   And I am strong again. [3]
 
Seen as a whole, the zodiacal journey of the Sun teaches us the practical wisdom of universal brotherhood.
 
In order for humans to make their best progress towards that goal, the pioneering energy of Mars and Aries must be experienced with the purity of heart that is taught by Neptune and Jupiter during Pisces.
 
NOTES:
 
[1] See the article “The Lesson of the Sun in Pisces”.
 
[2] “Illustrated A-Z of Understanding Star Signs”, general editor Kim Farnell, Flame Tree Publishing, 2002, 224 pp., see p. 24.
 
[3] From the poem “The Light of Stars”.
 
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