Western history is filled with stories of men who acted as Aries-type warriors, conquerors, colonizers, and rulers. Aries is associated with the color red. It is a Cardinal Fire sign known for rapid, bold, aggressive action. Johfra Bosschart illustrated it with a complex painting, but the central figure is a soldier, torch raised, shield in hand, with a red cape flowing. The painting feels almost psychotic, out of control, fast and furious, crushing walls and leaving behind only barren wastelands.
If you want to immerse yourself in this overly masculine, extremely hot and dry, violent side of Aries, I recommend the 2024 movie, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. I watched it last night without considering I’d be writing about Aries today - but sometimes astrology works like that. The archetypes are with us, consciously or not.
Frankly, it’s an archetype that I have a hard time relating to as an educated, liberal, urban woman who has spent years working in helping and healing professions. But everyone has all 12 zodiac signs in their birth chart, and Aries is my 4th Whole Sign house, representing my home, parents, and the foundation of life. I have four important placements in Aries: Chiron, the North Node, the Lot of Fortune, and Saturn. There is no escaping the Aries archetype in my life.
My home/family of origin as Aries is almost too literal!
I grew up in Oklahoma, known for its red dirt (due to the iron in the soil) and competitive football team from Oklahoma University (red and white logo). The fight song lyrics aren’t exactly high in Venusian creativity!
Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner
Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner
Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner
Boomer Sooner, OK U!
Oklahoma, Oklahoma
Oklahoma, Oklahoma
Oklahoma, Oklahoma
Oklahoma, OK U!
I'm a Sooner born and Sooner bred
and when I die, I'll be Sooner dead
Rah Oklahoma, Rah Oklahoma
Rah Oklahoma, OK U!The first White settlers were Boomers and Sooners who jumped in early (and often illegally) before others participated in a Land Rush to claim property. Early settlers in Oklahoma had to be bold, fearless, and fast—or desperate.
Some of my ancestors migrated from Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl (hot & dry!) but returned.
Even the state name means “red people”, derived from Choctaw words "“okla and "humma," which together mean "red people." The Choctaw, like other Native American peoples, were driven to Oklahoma through the violence of Aries-type men.
There is a painful tension between loving ties to home and family and recognition of the violence and harm of our history. I suppose this puts me in the same position as most other White people living in the Americas today, part of the cultural shadow we share.
As I read and reflected on other figures and archetypes associated with Aries, I turned to Athena, an ancient Greek goddess similar to Minerva in the Roman tradition.
Athena was a goddess of wisdom and military strategy, but her focus was less on brute force and conquest and more on defense and protection. All mythological deities are complicated and contradictory, and Athena supported the exploits of “heroic” men. However, she was also known for her practical counsel and peacekeeping and was responsible for handicrafts and occupations like agricultural production and navigation.
My dog is named Athena, so the name resonates in my home every day.
Collage of my dog Athena with an image of Relief: Athena cour Carree Louvre Athena - photo credit to Philippe-Laurent Roland, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Thoth card associated with Aries is card 4, The Emperor, also known as Son of the Morning or Chief Among the Mighty. The card is all fiery shades of gold and red, but the figure is seated rather than in motion. This reflects some of the classical significations of Aries, such as bright, bold, and just rulership and government. The Sun is exalted in Aries, which seems to reflect a potential for virtuous leadership and not just military might.
The 2 of Wands corresponds with Decan 1 of Aries and is ruled by Mars (also the sign ruler), so perhaps the first 10 degrees are the most “martial” in action. The card is known as Dominion, representing the assertive push of will over one’s surroundings. It’s most like the champion or the conqueror, the one who takes power and exerts control by any means necessary.
Decan 2 is ruled by the Sun, and the 3 of Wands is called Virtue. It is a kinder, gentler section of the sign. Here, the focus is on being a good sovereign, investing in actions that produce growth and gain. Assertion combines with ethical values and a sense of what is best for all, not just the individual ego.
The 4 of Wands represents Decan 3, ruled by Venus. A temporary Completion occurs when love and beauty are joined with the warrior-ruler. In some card decks, a celebration is pictured, and in Thoth, we see a wheel with alternate spokes of ram-head and dove. Perhaps here, the warrior discovers that peace is necessary for the long-term survival of a group. Unions are necessary, and power can be extended or maintained through diplomacy and cooperation.
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
- Source unknown, attributed to an African Proverb
As a solo business owner, I found the story of the minor cards (2, 3 & 4 of Wands) engaging. It can illustrate the process of starting and growing a business.
- The initial act, which requires some bravery and boldness, to take your idea and assert it into the world
- After creation, you must learn to be a good manager and make sound decisions about how you invest resources and what liabilities you assume. You’re responsible for how things turn out in the long-term, and patience is required.
- If you want to keep growing or even preserve the business long-term, it needs to be something “bigger than you.” Relationships matter—with clients, collaborators or partners, and employees. Without others, there is no legacy and no long-term success.
The Aries archetype is essential. It’s part of the creation story. I can’t deny it, but I hope I find ways to use it in my own life that benefit the community, not pure ego and self-interest.
Thanks for reading. I’ll take on Taurus tomorrow.
XOXO,
Denise
