Spark Before the Flame

Where to start with Aries? I guess at the beginning? They are indeed the first sign and beginning of the astrological chart. This is a fire sign and in my experience reacts like a spark, whereas their fellow fire signs Leo may be called the flame and the Sagittarius the coal. The beginning of Spring appears during Aries season, the buds are appearing on the dormant trees, the grass is starting to grow from the waterlogged soil of snowmelt and the first seedlings of the season begin to appear. Aries is a self starter, they come ready to do the job and are going to approach it directly head on and straight up.

The Aries sign depicts the Ram, headstrong and proud! They seldom need an introduction because they are often standing head up and ready to go in any situation. My earliest introduction and still today my most oft reference for Aries has been my sister. She is not only an Aries sun sign but an Aries moon as well. She is self motivated and ready to get a task done whenever something is presented before her. Not afraid to try new things. The Ram is definitely a formidable presence. While they take things head on, it is often the unexpected that can throw this sign through a loop. Aries can get blindsided in the periphery because they are so focused and attentive on a task at hand. They will get riled up quickly but then settle down just as fast. If you are not prepared to deal with an Aries when they have their sights set on something, look out!

Being the first sign of the zodiac there is a youthfulness to this sign that is always refreshing to be around. They often approach the world with an innocence and naivety that makes things simpler than they might actually be, and yes there is a lot of beauty in this simplicity. This sign is ready to dig their feet in the sand, put their toes in the water, and let the wind blow through their fingertips often as if they are experiencing it all for the first time. The youthful excitement and energy that surrounds them will leave you feeling fresh and ready to share in their wonderment.

Aries as the fire sign are indeed the trailblazer, bold and ready to take on the world that appears fresh and ready in front of them. Being ready to go both in competition or collaboration. They often feel best when they have a trusted confidant behind them, their confidence and enthusiasm often rubs off on others, making them extremely valuable in working situations. They might need a little extra reassurance from time to time, a little extra fuel for the fire.

My mind often goes to Merle Haggard when it comes to favourite Aries Sun performers. Merle has a certain directness when it comes to telling a story, in many of his songs by the time he’s halfway into the first chorus I can imagine the character and feeling he’s singing about, that I’m just in it. I’m going to clammer on about “Today I Started Loving You Again” this song written about and with Merle’s wife Bonnie Owens. This song is so simple yet beautiful, it seems to call at all who have felt the fire of love, the die downs and the flare ups, the emotional intensity and vulnerability of being in Love. It’s to my understanding that Bonnie was a key element in capturing Haggard’s poetic moments and encouraging him to write ideas down and help him finish songs. Her harmony vocals at the end of this tune really set it up to soar. The minimal arrangement gets a huge boost when she comes in near the end of the song, providing that male/female counterpoint that just burns the song into ones memory. Merle’s directness and honesty carried him his whole career with countless iconic songs, even his satirical songs like “Okie from Muskogee” were confused because of the honesty he was able to conjure when he sang a song.

I’m going to next turn my attention to Leon Russell. This man’s unique energy and salvo let him sit next to and collaborate with many of the most well known artists during his era. Leon got his start working with Phil Spector and being part of his Wall of Sound and playing with the first call session musicians of the day alongside such fellow luminaries and Aries like Carol Kaye. By the late 60s he had carved his unique space as a sideman and producer and began to venture out to the foreground. One of my favourite cuts of his is his take on Bob Dylan’s “It’s A Hard Rain Gonna Fall.” Now I enjoyed the Dylan version of this song but from the first time I heard his rendition, I immediately was taken by the freshness and heat that he gave to this song. The way the groove is set up, the way he pushes his voice in the refrain just makes me want to hit the dance floor. Dylan’s version feels like the tale told by an elder around a campfire, Russell’s version feels like a call to action.

Another incredible Aries that always strikes me with their fiery and fierce nature is the undeniable Aretha Franklin. Aries is not afraid to stand up and demand respect. I don’t think Aretha was ever afraid of saying it straight and laying down as she was honestly feeling it. I’m probably not the only one who first encountered Aretha in the classic Blues Brothers movie. I think she delivers an incredible performance both of her classic “Think” and her character, Mrs. Murphy, the wife of guitar player Matt Murphy. She has a directness and ability to speak her mind clearly and loudly about the situation, she doesn’t mince words, she says what she needs and says it with authority. Aries isn’t a personality that can let things slip by, they need to share their mind proudly and bluntly. They don’t need to say a lot for it to be pretty obvious how they feel.

Aries is not to be underestimated as such as their fellow fire signs Leo and Sagittarius, they can take on a lot so long as there is enough oxygen to keep the fire alive. Aries will thrive with someone who can keep their fire burning steady, a delicate mixture of space and combustible energy.

Next I’ll be looking at another horned and hoofed sign, Taurus.