Aries

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, a cardinal fire sign ruled by Mars and symbolized by the Ram. It carries the energy of beginning, the raw urge to act, to assert, and to push into new territory. The Sun passes through Aries from roughly March 21 to April 19. Where Aries falls in a chart is where a person moves on instinct, takes the lead, and is willing to go first when others hesitate. The Aries temperament is direct, energetic, brave, and competitive. It thrives on challenge and fresh starts, and it would rather act and adjust than sit and deliberate. This makes Aries a natural pioneer and a fierce protector of whatever it cares about. The same fire, left unchecked, shows up as impulsiveness, impatience, a quick temper, and a habit of starting more than it finishes. Aries rules the head and face, and its key phrase is "I am," the first assertion of a separate self. Its growth lies in pairing drive with patience, so that courage gets carried through to completion rather than spent in the first rush.