It’s interesting to me that the zodiac begins with two signs, Aries and Taurus, that are both represented by four-legged male animals - the ram and the bull. Arguably these two animals have a lot in common, especially in comparison to the other ten astrological symbols (Capricorn, the sea or mountain goat, would be the other zodiacal animal with similarities to these two).
Wowww thank you so much for taking the time to write this beast of an article! I got so so much out of it, and will be saving and bookmarking for the months ahead!
I’m curious: with the Aries-Libra axis, I’ve always considered Libra more self-sacrificial and aries more self-oriented (but not sacrificing self) so was intrigued by what you said about Aries being heroically self-sacrificial! I’d love to hear more about the distinction.
Thanks again for this lovely deep-dive! I feel very held amongst the initiating chaos… :)
Thanks so much for this comment, Alison! I'm glad it has been helpful so far!
I also love that you asked this question! I love the zodiacal polarities so much. I believe that whenever you go deep into one sign, you eventually encounter its opposite. I've explored this phenomenon more with other zodiacal pairs though. Until recently, I had trouble getting past the seeming distinct Aries-Libra binary of self-other, conflict-peace, etc., in the ways that I have with other polarities.
Honestly I was having new insights about the Aries-Libra axis while I was putting this post together, so I appreciate the observation and question! I'm still reflecting how each side holds pieces of the other, but here are some disjointed initial thoughts...
Libra's focus on "the other" can come at the expense of *losing* one's sense of self... whereas I think Aries' form of self-sacrifice is oriented toward the other, but usually still centers the self/ self-identity (e.g, the brave "hero/rescuer" scenario that is socially applauded).
In general, high stakes rescue-helper roles (911 operator, suicide help line, paramedic, firefighter, etc.), have an intensity that appeals to Aries' nature, but I do think there is more to Aries' potential self-sacrificing tendency than just the intensity of a crisis and the more I think about this, the more I see it in the Aries folks I know. That said, the Aries form of self-sacrifice serves this sign best when it works with "a noble hero-type narrative"... and when placed in scenarios that often have more intensity than the situation of self-sacrifice that Libra might find themselves in.
Arguments for war (Aries) are often theoretically about it being necessary in order to reach peace and harmony (Libra). This polarity connection made me think about Mars-ruled Aries being associated with those in the military, which made me think about (putting aside all the awful unnecessariness of war and manipulative politics aside for a second) the self-sacrifice of Aries-like soldiers, risking harm/death/PTSD for the sake of others (thus we find our way to Libra again).
Whenever I think of Libra I think of inclusion. I find Libra-types so sensitive to who is excluded, who is included, and I watch them move through a room/space building these connections of safety. In efforts to include, to make others feel comfortable, Libra may sacrifice their own needs. Aries (as a isolated pure sign) is generally less sensitized to subtle social dynamics and I think of its self-sacrificial efforts as often being more singular in focus (directed at one person, one group, one cause), more dramatic (fiery), and arguably more hierarchical (as in rescuing someone), or involving Aries in an explicit leadership role.
Again, I do think the "hero" archetype is very alluring for Aries-types, and the Aries part of our chart... while I don't think it is for Libra in the same way, which I think gravitates more toward resonating with "being a good person / kind/ compassionate / fair". So whenever Aries feels like the "hero archetype" is alive within them, even if their situation of self-sacrifice doesn't look particularly Aries-like (dramatic, time-pressured, high stakes), I think this sign is still fed with a meaningful purpose that is true to its nature.
Wowww thank you so much for taking the time to write this beast of an article! I got so so much out of it, and will be saving and bookmarking for the months ahead!
I’m curious: with the Aries-Libra axis, I’ve always considered Libra more self-sacrificial and aries more self-oriented (but not sacrificing self) so was intrigued by what you said about Aries being heroically self-sacrificial! I’d love to hear more about the distinction.
Thanks again for this lovely deep-dive! I feel very held amongst the initiating chaos… :)
Thanks so much for this comment, Alison! I'm glad it has been helpful so far!
I also love that you asked this question! I love the zodiacal polarities so much. I believe that whenever you go deep into one sign, you eventually encounter its opposite. I've explored this phenomenon more with other zodiacal pairs though. Until recently, I had trouble getting past the seeming distinct Aries-Libra binary of self-other, conflict-peace, etc., in the ways that I have with other polarities.
Honestly I was having new insights about the Aries-Libra axis while I was putting this post together, so I appreciate the observation and question! I'm still reflecting how each side holds pieces of the other, but here are some disjointed initial thoughts...
Libra's focus on "the other" can come at the expense of *losing* one's sense of self... whereas I think Aries' form of self-sacrifice is oriented toward the other, but usually still centers the self/ self-identity (e.g, the brave "hero/rescuer" scenario that is socially applauded).
In general, high stakes rescue-helper roles (911 operator, suicide help line, paramedic, firefighter, etc.), have an intensity that appeals to Aries' nature, but I do think there is more to Aries' potential self-sacrificing tendency than just the intensity of a crisis and the more I think about this, the more I see it in the Aries folks I know. That said, the Aries form of self-sacrifice serves this sign best when it works with "a noble hero-type narrative"... and when placed in scenarios that often have more intensity than the situation of self-sacrifice that Libra might find themselves in.
Arguments for war (Aries) are often theoretically about it being necessary in order to reach peace and harmony (Libra). This polarity connection made me think about Mars-ruled Aries being associated with those in the military, which made me think about (putting aside all the awful unnecessariness of war and manipulative politics aside for a second) the self-sacrifice of Aries-like soldiers, risking harm/death/PTSD for the sake of others (thus we find our way to Libra again).
Whenever I think of Libra I think of inclusion. I find Libra-types so sensitive to who is excluded, who is included, and I watch them move through a room/space building these connections of safety. In efforts to include, to make others feel comfortable, Libra may sacrifice their own needs. Aries (as a isolated pure sign) is generally less sensitized to subtle social dynamics and I think of its self-sacrificial efforts as often being more singular in focus (directed at one person, one group, one cause), more dramatic (fiery), and arguably more hierarchical (as in rescuing someone), or involving Aries in an explicit leadership role.
Again, I do think the "hero" archetype is very alluring for Aries-types, and the Aries part of our chart... while I don't think it is for Libra in the same way, which I think gravitates more toward resonating with "being a good person / kind/ compassionate / fair". So whenever Aries feels like the "hero archetype" is alive within them, even if their situation of self-sacrifice doesn't look particularly Aries-like (dramatic, time-pressured, high stakes), I think this sign is still fed with a meaningful purpose that is true to its nature.
Those are a bunch of rambling thoughts so far!