Aries

The first sign of the zodiac. The ram. It is mentioned by Aratus, in the third century B.C. According to Grecian mythology Nephele, mother of Phrixus and Helle, gave her son a ram with a golden fleece. To escape the evil designs of their stepmother, Hera, Phrixus and Helle mounted the ram and fled. As they reached the sea and attempted to cross, Helle fell into the water and perished – hence, the Hellespont. Arriving in Colchis, Phrixus was received by the King, Aeetes, who sacrificed the ram to Zeus, to whom he dedicated the fleece – later carried away by Jason. Zeus translated the ram into the heavens as a constellation.
_____
The Ram. The first sign of the zodiac. Its symbol represents the head and horns of the ram. It is a symbol of offensive power – a weapon of the gods, hence an implement of the will. The Babylonians sacrificed rams during the period when the Sun occupied this sign, which occurs annually from March 21 to April 20. Astrologically and astronomically it is the first thirty-degree arc beginning at the point of the Spring Equinox. It is the Leading quality of the Fire element: positive, diurnal, movable, dry, hot, fiery, choleric and violent.
Ruler: Mars. Exaltation: Sun. Detriment: Venus. Fall: Saturn.
_____
Symbolic interpretation: Sprouting seed; fire in eruption; a fountain of water; a ram’s horns.Aries is the embodiment of Self, the will to manifest, the adventurous spirit; desire, initiative and courage.
______
First Decan: activity, adventure, zeal, notoriety, dishonor, misfortune.
Second Decan: noble affections as the source of power to sway others – the head joined to the impulses of the heart. It is the decan of Exaltation, in that the Sun is exalted in the nineteenth degree of the Sign.
Third Decan: Propaganda, the spiritual possibilities of the valiant heart at grips with sordid conditions. 
_____
Vetius Valens
Aries is the house of Mars, a masculine sign, tropic, terrestrial, governing, fiery, free, upward-trending, semi-vocal, noble, changeable, procuratorial, public, civic, with few offspring, servile, the Midheaven of the universe and the cause of rank, two-toned (since the sun and the moon make white lichen). It is also unaspected and ecliptic. Depending on its relationship with the houseruler, men born under this sign will be brilliant, distinguished, authoritarian, just, hard on offenders, free, governing, bold in thought, boastful, great-hearted, restless, unstable, haughty, inflated, intimidating, /6K/ quickly changing, wealthy. When the houserulers are favorably situated and have benefics in aspect, kings and powerful men are born, those having the say over life and death. /6P/ Aries is by nature watery, with thunder and hail. From its first degree to the equinox, it is stormy, full of hail, windy, destructive. The middle degrees up to 15° are mild of animals. This sign has 19 bright stars. On the belt are 14 bright stars, 27 dim, 28 somewhat bright, and 48 faint.

The constellations that rise at the same time as Aries are (in the north) the first part of Perseus, and the rear and the left parts of Auriga, and (in the south) the fin and tail of Cetus. the feet of Bootes (in the north) and the hind parts of Lupus (in the south) are setting. The following zones are subject to Aries: to the front parts, Babylon; to the head, Elymais; to the right side, Persis; to the left, Palestine and the neighboring areas; to the turn of its head, Babylonia; to its breast, Armenia; to its shoulders, Thrace; to its belly, Cappadocia, Susa, the Red Sea and the Dead Sea; to its hind parts, Egypt and the Indian Ocean.
___________
0°…..A positive nature that creates its own destiny. Cusp of First Lunar Mansion, a so-called Critical Degree.
1°…..Degree of the Surgeon; an organizer.
1°14′, 20° 48’S (2) Diphda, Beta Ceti. A yellow star in the Whale’s Tail. (Saturn – Mercury Mars) Sickness, misfortune, compulsory changes, self-destruction by brute force.
1° 50′.Mars-Jupiter conj.: January 6, 1940. 2°…..Degree of abscesses; literary and poetic.
3°…..Birds and aviators; collisions; goitre.
4°…..Cruelty.
5°…..Unsatisfied ambitions.
6°…..Jaundice.
7°…..Degree of life and death 7°51′, 12° 36’N (3) Algenib. Gamma Pegasi. A white star at the top of the wing of Pegasus. (Mars Mercury)Notoriety, violence, the professional beggar.
8°…..Degree of courage; immorality. 9°…..Triumph; great generals
10°….Spiritual triumph; scientific interests; a degree of electricity.
11°….Spiritual intuitions. 12°….Cusp of Second Lunar Mansion.
13°….Degree of the Physician; of food and drink. 13°24′ 25° 41’N (2) Alpheratz, alpha Andromedae. A double star, purple-hued white, in the hair of Andromeda; often called Andromeda’s head. Its name, from Al Surrat al Faras, or The Horse’s Navel, indicates it was formerly listed in the constellation Pegasus. (Jupiter Venus – Mars) Riches, horrors, independence and a keen intellect.
14°….Degree of apoplexy or suicide.
15°….Persuasive oratory; public life.
16°….Children.
17°….Oratory.
18°….Mental fertility and physical passionateness.
19°….Exaltation of Sun: Fall of Saturn; a Fortunate Degree.
20°….Abscesses; accidents; electricity.
20°50′ 20° 20’S (3 1/2) Baten Kaitos, Zeta Ceti, the Whale’s Belly. A topaz-yellow star. (Saturn) Enforced migration, accidents; shipwreck, with rescue.
21°….Hope; artistic.
22°….Music.
23°….Philosophy.
24°….Literature; travel.
25°….Cusp of Third Lunar Mansion; exploration and discovery. 25°42′ 5° 22′ N (4) Al Pharg, Eta Piscium, associated with the Greck Head of Typhon. A double star near the tail of the Northern Fish. (Saturn Jupiter) Determination, preparedness, and eventual success.
26°….Degree of tuberculosis of the lungs; of opposition and strife; militant leaders. Great soldiers are found on this Aries- Libra axis. 26°15′.Mars-Saturn conj.: February 11, 1940. 26°43′ 33° 21’N (Neb.) Vertex, 31m Andromedae, the great nebula N. of Andromeda’s head. (Mars Moon) Eye weakness or blindness, violent death.
27°….Tenacity of purpose; hair; Mars in this degree indicates red hair.
28°….Power to realize a lofty ideal.
29°….A prophet of a new order. 29°17′ 25° 56’N (2) Mirach, Beta Andromedae. A yellow star in the Zona (girdle) of Andromeda. (Venus – Mars Moon) Beauty, love of home, brilliant mind, fortunate marriage, renowned for benevolence.
______
Cardinal Fire

1. DeVore, Nicholas. Encyclopedia of Astrology. New York: Philosophical Library, 1947. 
2. Riley, Mark. "Vettius Valens, Anthologies." (1995).