by Ron Thurlow, Ph.D., Esoteric Astrologer
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and denotes the beginning of the annual cycle of the sun passing through the 12 zodiacal signs. Aries begins in the springtime, the time in nature of new beginnings. One might say that Aries “springs forth” at the vernal equinox. Its opposite, Libra, begins at the autumnal equinox. Aries initiates all new cycles.
The four Aries keynotes as expressed by Alice A. Bailey are:
1. Express the will to be and do.
2. Unfold the power to manifest.
3. Enter into battle for the Lord.
4. Arrive at unity through effort.
Aries is the cause behind the energizing of any new movement toward manifestation. It is the impulse to create something new. It is through the activity of Aries that an initial idea comes into being and begins to take form. Many times the idea will be accompanied by a clear vision of the completed manifest form.
With respect to Aries, Alice A Bailey stated:
“It is the birthplace of ideas and a true idea is in reality a spiritual impulse taking form – subjective and objective.”
And, Dane Rudhyar in the “Gifts of Spirit” spoke about the Aries function:
“Every cycle has a beginning. Every act of living requires a release of energy to break through the inertia of the past. There are human beings whose main function is to initiate action, to start cycles unfolding, to release the kind of power that enables new ideas and new plans to manifest in the consciousness of men.”
It is Aries that initiates the impulse within the soul to enter into human incarnation. Aries rules all beginnings, including the birth of human consciousness. Every new idea that occurs in consciousness begins as abstract thought before it appears in our conscious awareness.
Aries is often associated with impulsivity from both the positive and negative perspectives. Because new ideas are always coming forth, the Aries personality may lose interest in the last project in favor of the next. Projects begun with pure intention and intensity may not be completed. Nevertheless, their intention and their will to manifest God’s Will is behind each impulse.
Lucis Trust writes about the purpose of the Three Linked Festivals celebrated at the full moon in Aries, Taurus and Gemini:
“There are three major spiritual Festivals which form the high point in the annual cycle. These are the Festival of Easter (at the Aries full moon), the Festival of Wesak (at the Taurus full moon), and the Festival of Goodwill (at the Gemini full moon). Through the steady, persistent meditation work of many individuals and groups in all parts of the world these Festivals are now achieving a subjective anchorage in the consciousness of mankind. They represent a basic divine purpose, which will begin to establish its objectives as the various religious institutions simultaneously acknowledge and observe, each in its own way, the unique annual approach of man to God and of God to man. This simultaneous recognition is basic to the structure of the new world religion.”
The Aries full moon festival coincides with the celebration of Easter and is described by Lucis Trust.
“Easter is the festival of the risen living Christ, the expression of the love of God. It is determined by the date of the full moon of Aries and is the great Western and Christian Festival.”
The Keyword for Aries is: “I come forth from the plane of mind, I rule.”
Astrological Readings by Ron Thurlow, Ph.D., Esoteric Astrologer
Astrological Sign Paintings by Sandy Thurlow