Aries: Freedom, Identity, and the Right to Exist
1st House / Cardinal Fire / Yang Expression / Ruled by Mars
A New Beginning
Aries is the first astrological archetype in the zodiac wheel, marking the beginning of a brand new cycle. Associated with the fire element, Aries is driven by action, strong will, and a burst of life-force energy. This archetype is where we initiate, assert ourselves, and go for what we want in life. With the masculine, outward-facing energy of Mars, Aries is spontaneous, strong, and even warrior-like as they forge new paths, take the lead, and charge ahead.
Aries/ the 1st house is strongly associated with the Self. They may seem self-focused, but it’s for a good reason— Aries desires to claim their space and discover who they are. As a brand new being, Aries is concerned with their freedom, identity, and their right to exist in the world. There is an innate drive to push forward, announce their arrival, and learn more about their identity in the process. It’s almost as if Aries feels an urgent need to clear their throat and boldly declare, “I deserve to be here!”
While Aries holds great for potential for growth and evolution in their sense of self, there is a risk of becoming too self-involved, too impulsive, or overly-assertive. There is also the possibility that Aries’ freedom could be restricted by outside forces, such as their family or their work— which would stunt their independent self-development and growth.
With all this in mind, let’s dive deeper into heart of the Aries archetype.
Emerging from the Pisces Ocean
The zodiac wheel tells a continuous story of evolution, therefor to fully understand Aries, we need to take a look at Pisces— the preceding archetype. Because Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and Pisces is the last, the movement between them is like crossing a threshold from the seen to the unseen realms. Pisces is a great ending, and Aries is a new beginning— yet they sit side by side, one leads to another, and there is a narrative that connects the two.
As the final sign in the zodiac, Pisces represents an ending and return to wholeness. Like transitioning into the mystery of the afterlife, Pisces is a vast, cosmic ocean where we must allow ourselves to let go, dissolve, and surrender to the greater universal forces at play. In Pisces, shapes lose their form as they return to the great unknown. The wheel keeps turning, and after Pisces, Aries immediately follows.
The Aries ram is born out of the Pisces ocean. It slowly emerges from the mysterious depths, with its horns still dripping wet with the water of that cosmic sea. Suddenly Aries is here— awkwardly taking its first steps as it adjusts to the physical world. Like a spring day, Aries feels the promise of new life pulsing through them. With a burst of fresh energy, they are driven to move forward, discover the world— and in so doing, discover themselves.
Yet despite the new beginnings, there is something very uncomfortable and uncertain at play. Aries finds themselves in this new world completely unprepared, vulnerable, and exposed. Having been separated from the safety and infinite union of Pisces, Aries feels a painful sense of “paradise lost.” They’d love to go back, but they can’t. To return to Pisces would be to surrender the opportunity to become the independent self that they felt destined to be.
The only way is forward, but Aries doesn’t know where to begin. Aries is asking themselves: “Who am I, and what am I doing here?”
The Burning Question: “Who Am I?”
Supercharged with life-force energy, Aries can sense that they have a unique and special identity waiting to be discovered. Aries feels their innate potential, but they’re not exactly sure what to do with it. At this very beginning stage, Aries is still forming— they don’t have an established identity yet. Because of this, they cannot be at peace without finding answers.
This is why the question of “Who am I?” burns inside of Aries, driving them to take action, initiate, and set forth into the world. The need to form an identity compels Aries charge forward and have as many experiences as possible. By propelling themselves into new life experiences, they learn about who they are— and just as importantly, who they are not. It’s a trial-and-error approach that can be spontaneous and haphazard, but Aries doesn’t care. The primary goal is to keep moving ahead.
The Fear of Falling Back into Pisces
Despite the exciting momentum, Aries has a deep, lingering fear that influences their behavior. It is the fear of falling back into Pisces.
The memory of Pisces’ great cosmic sea is still fresh and alive within Aries. Pisces is a force that is greater than Aries’ little, newborn self. Without an established identity to hold onto, Aries fears that they could slip back into the void of Pisces— returning to the unknown where they would dissolve into the amalgam of anonymous souls — losing their opportunity to actualize the special, independent selfhood that they thought they were destined to have.
This insecurity compels Aries to keep moving at all costs— for better or for worse. It’s like they feel Pisces constantly looming over their shoulder. The fear could put them into survival mode, making Aries become more impulsive, self-centered, and brash. Yet, the same insecurity could also ignite courage and leadership.
With the great void behind them and the vast unknown ahead, Aries has no choice but to keep going forward. Ultimately what will guide Aries’ fate is whether they choose to act out of fear or act from inspiration.
The Need for Freedom: Bold, Brave, and Courageous
Aries needs to have freedom to act on their instincts, move quickly, and do whatever it takes to engage with their self-discovery process. They are here to create something— which is an identity and a life path. It’s a big task! Therefore, they must have the liberty to be themselves and do what they desire, because the development of their personality is fundamental to their evolution.
In a positive expression, this manifests as bravery, bold self-expression, and a trailblazing pioneer. Aries uses their for freedom to forge new paths and go their own way in life. Even though they might not know the ultimate destination, Aries is confident in the current step they are taking, which is all that matters.
This could show up as someone quitting their job to start their own business, coming out of the closet, or announcing an exciting new venture. It could even take the form of civil rights demonstrators, advocating for their identity and freedom. Whichever form it takes, the underlying tone is excitement, strength, and independence as Aries embarks on their own separate path forward.
Potential Shadows: Anger, Impatience, or Impulsivity
In a negative expression, Aries’ need for freedom could manifest in moving too quickly through life. Aries could become impatient or overly brazen in their desire to move ahead. They could get frustrated with life itself, or become restless with their own process of self-discovery. They could wonder why it hasn’t happened already— whatever that thing is. They could desire to just finally be there— at the destination— when in actuality their journey has only just started.
Their discontent could lead them to rush, to force things, or generally act in a selfish, non-reflective way. They could become angry when their immediate desires are not met, make the wrong choices, and hurt others in the process.
It’s important to note that not all displays of anger are bad. Healthy anger is vital for healing and breaking free from toxic or imbalanced dynamics. Aries’ healthy anger is absolutely welcome and needed— it is a prime evolutionary function of this archetype. However, in extreme scenarios, displays of violence or aggression could occur when Aries/ Mars energy go amiss.
Like all things in Evolutionary Astrology, the way that this manifests will depend on the individual, their context, consciousness, and free-will. Usually, there is a subtle mix of all possibilities.
Opposite Libra: Lessons in Relating
Aries will seek many different experiences in their quest to discover themselves, and part of these experiences will include other people. Aries will feel magnetized to certain people, sensing that by being with them, more will be discovered about themselves. However, dating experiences could be short-lived. There could be a fear of going past the initial “honeymoon” stages of relationship— resulting in many short-term encounters. There could be an exaggerated sexual focus, or an outright aversion to committed relationship in general.
The opposing archetype on the zodiac wheel— which is Libra— focuses significantly on relationships and other people. Libra is in stark contrast to Aries’ self-focus. Together, Aries and Libra form an axis of Self/ Other.
Libra will help Aries reflect on how their actions affect other people. Aries can be too self-centered. They may need to consider how much their impulsivity, fast speed, and craving for new beginnings have consequences on the people around them.
Libra challenges Aries to be more sensitive to the “co-“ words: cooperation, commitment, communication, and collaboration. Libra will ask Aries to slow down and consider the pros and cons before blindly jumping into a new pursuit, and will also show Aries the importance of discussing plans and ambitions with others before spontaneously moving forth.
Deep down, Aries needs to learn that relationships are the biggest mirrors. The intimacy of committed partnership is necessary in order to truly know ourselves— to really see and experience ourselves for who we are. If Aries wants to stay on their solo, independent journey of self-discovery, that’s great— but if forever alone, they will remain limited. It’s not until Aries can finally have the courage to step into a partnership when they will understand who they truly are and what freedom actually is.
The dynamic tension between Aries and Libra has the potential to spur some of the biggest lessons, growth, and evolution for both of these archetypes.
Square Cancer and Capricorn: Freedom vs. Conditioning
Aries form a 90° square to both Cancer and Capricorn- a hard right angle on the zodiac wheel— which represents an aspect of tension or crisis between these archetypes. Cancer and Capricorn both involve our conditioning. Cancer is the conditioning from family and childhood years, whereas Capricorn is the conditioning from society, the state, and long-held traditions.
The square between these archetypes highlights the challenge of being free in the midst of conditioning factors that try to label, define, and constrict us into a mold. Aries has a desire for boundlessness as they set forth to discover themselves, yet they will never be able to do so while under the grip of their family’s expectations (Cancer) or within the boundaries of the law and social norms (Capricorn). Ultimately, Cancer and Capricorn will show Aries where their freedom is limited, or where they need to work on de-conditioning themselves in order to be more of their own independent individual.
On the other hand, Cancer and Capricorn remind Aries that they need to consider the broader contexts and systems that they participate in. Aries is part of a family (Cancer) and part of society (Capricorn). Aries needs to learn how to channel their gusto and leadership skills in a way that can uplift and help nurture their family (Cancer), or a way that could be purposeful in the world (Capricorn). In short, Aries can’t get away with only caring about themselves.
Until the differences in these archetypes are resolved through facing the lessons head-on, tense circumstances within these themes will arise time and time again.
Reflections to Consider
Something I’ve come to understand is that to truly walk the path of the Aries pioneer, we will have to become comfortable with the feeling of walking blindfolded in the dark. If we’re really embracing the excitement and momentum of the Aries archetype, then we won’t know where the journey will lead— we’ll have to just keeping taking the next inspired step forward. Knowing the sheer terror of “dissolving back into Pisces” is always near— whatever that metaphor may mean for you— there is no choice but to keep moving forward with bravery, confidence, and courage.
It reminds me of a saying I recently saw: “If the only choice is between love and fear, then the choice is easy. The hard part is having to choose time and time again.”
If you have strong Aries/ 1st house energy in your chart, here are some reflections for you to consider.
Are my actions inspired by courage or inspired by fear?
Are the choices I make aligned with my pure desire?
In what ways have I been impulsive, reactive, or trying to rush?
How comfortably can I sit with the unknown without needing to act?
Who am I?
Am I free? What holds me back?
What is needed to get the next level of discovering who I truly am?
Is the path that I’m currently on working for me? When will I know it’s time to go a different way?
The Heart-Centered Warrior
In the highest expression, Aries has a strong capacity for leadership. They are confident and assertive, fearlessly creating their own roads through life. Aries is not afraid to separate and break free from the things that bind them, declaring their right to be here with pure conviction, and claiming their newfound identity in the process.
In their full power, Aries can be like the living definition of independence. Despite not having all the answers, they keep moving forward, because they know it’s the only way.
If Aries has embraced the Libra polarity, then they will know that true freedom can only exist when everyone is free. By being mindful of the needs of others, as well as themselves, Aries can channel their life-force energy into the role of the heart-centered warrior, who protects and advocates for the freedom and right to exist for all.
How does Aries Show Up for You?
We all have the Aries archetype alive somewhere within us, not only those born with the Sun in Aries. Look to your birth chart to see what house Aries falls within, and what planets or points you have there. Also look to your Ascendant/ 1st house to see what sign and planets you have there as well. Additionally, look to the house and sign of your Mars— the ruling planet of Aries. All of these areas of your chart will have a resonance with the Aries archetype in some way.
If you would like to dive into all things Aries and discover how this archetype specifically manifests for you, book a birth chart consultation and we will explore in-depth.
