♈ Aries

Aries is the golden-fleeced ram of Greek myth. It swooped down to rescue the siblings Phrixus and Helle from a plot against their lives and carried them off through the sky. Its fleece later became the Golden Fleece that Jason and the Argonauts set out to find. In the night sky, the constellation itself is modest, with only a few bright stars.

Aries opens the zodiac because it begins at the March equinox, when days in the Northern Hemisphere start to outlast nights. Thanks to precession, the slow wobble of Earth's axis, the Sun now sits in front of Pisces on these dates rather than Aries, as it did about 2,000 years ago. So the astrological sign is really a slice of the seasons measured from the equinox, not the star pattern itself.

Aries is traditionally described as a natural starter: quick to act on an idea, direct, enthusiastic, and energized by a bit of competition. As a Fire sign ruled by Mars, it is the classic image of action over hesitation.

Aries suits the first step of spring even better than a New Year's resolution. Starting one small thing you've been meaning to do is a very Aries way to spend a day.

At its best

Bold, driven, and quick to take the lead. Honest and full of energy, Aries is said to light up any room.

Worth watching

It helps to save some energy for finishing what you start. Pausing for a beat before you speak lets your sincerity come through even better.