Aries (March 21 - April 19)
It might be said that Aries rush in where angels--or anyone else--fear to tread. It's not that Aries folks are necessarily foolhardy--it's more that Aries are fast . . . and often impatient. So, hurry up!
Acting on the essence of being the very first sign of the zodiac, Aries seek to be the first and the best at all they do. They are incredibly spontaneous and immediate: If something sparks their interest (many things do), Aries charge right for it, using their confidence and determination to lead the way. Initiating projects is what Aries excel at. They can spot opportunities long before others do, and they use their self-motivating skills to get things going. In doing so, Aries continually distinguish themselves as trailblazers and innovative leaders, achieving things that set new standards for others to reach. But since Aries are easily bored with what's already established, the minute things are up and running, they start looking around for the next new project to tackle.
Aries are Conquerors at heart. They enjoy doing battle and emerging triumphant over anything or anyone that challenges them. Nothing satisfies Aries more than winning: Their competitive spirit is undefeatable, their spirits are resilient, and they do what it takes to be number one. Aries are resourceful and quick to adapt. So, if one approach doesn't work, Aries will swiftly resort to another, intent on winning the "gold."
The Aries Mission:
Finding the Inner "I Am"
All of us are learning what Aries are born to discover: There is an essential "I" which truly runs our show. Some call it the Higher Self, others call it the True Self, still others call it "The Big Me." Whatever it's called, Aries are driven to discover the "I" that is themselves. The way most Aries attempt to do that is by jumping fully into life. Aries figure the more they experience themselves living life, the more they will discover about themselves. And that's true . . . up to a point, at least. But there comes a time when Aries need to turn inward to find what really makes them tick.
Aries don't need to keep making things happen in order to attempt to know themselves; they can know themselves no matter what happens. Then, Aries overcome the distracting impulses of the "little me" and tap into the power and the wisdom of their "I" that is great, expansive and truly heroic. That also shifts Aries out of any feelings of being alone, to a grand experience of feeling connected to "the force." From there, Aries lead themselves and others to activities that expand and reflect their nature, and conquer those lower passions that led them astray.
The Aries Challenge: Diving in the Deep End Before They Remember Whether or Not They Can Swim
Often, Aries decide to give the wisdom of their Higher Self a try because they end up getting into hot water when they don't. If Aries impatiently drive after the impulses of their Lower Nature, they can hurry and create situations they wish they hadn't. For example, Aries can let their warrior qualities incite them into dominating and conquering others with a spirit of "againstness" or anger, which can leave them feeling terribly lonely. Or Aries could become so headstrong and determined to get what they want that they end up risking losing what they truly value. Another scenario is that they can even self-reliantly push and force matters, only to crash into a brick wall. This urge to experience before thinking things through is Aries' greatest teacher. It points to the fact that an important ingredient in everything they do needs to be the presence of their wise Self.
When Aries realize that it's important to look ahead to the possible results, including possible problems they may create by doing the things they're tempted to do, they begin to open to their inner wisdom. In doing so, they start to distinguish between their Lower Nature, which prompts them to do things out of self-interest and combativeness, and their Higher Nature, which encourages them to do things that expand them and lend support to others. It's that Higher Nature they're seeking. In finding it, Aries can create a life that is one long stream of excitement and accomplishment, wherein they and others are greatly benefited and amazed.
The Aries Key: Take a Breath, Then Look
Before You Charge into the Burning Building
The key for Aries is patience. If Aries could manage to take just enough time to consider their actions before doing them, they give themselves a chance to tap into and align with the direction of their wise inner essence. From there, Aries can better recognize what is really worth jumping into, and what's best left alone. Another benefit of being patient is that it gives life a chance to unfold in a way that might be far better than had Aries forced it.
As one Aries who learned the value of patience once said, "When I'm patient, it gives the Universe time to work its magic and help me out!" With that approach, he realized that patience wasn't non-action (which is what Aries fear it to be); rather, it was a distinctly active (and smart) approach. But Aries will learn about patience through experience. No one can force them to be patient.
¬2002. All rights reserved. Reprinted from You're Every Sign by Phyllis Firak Mitz. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the written permission of the publisher. Publisher: Health Communications, Inc., 3201 SW 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442.