Aries Season Is Here! Let's All Start Fresh

Happy astrological new year! The zodiac calendar begins anew on March 20 with the start of Aries season and the Spring Equinox. Wipe the slate clean and enjoy four action-packed weeks!

Ready to make a fresh start? On March 20, 2023, the Sun beams into Aries, the very first sign of the zodiac. Aries season always begins with the spring equinox, which makes sense, since this fire sign is all about novelty. No matter what your zodiac sign is, Aries season says: out with the old, in with the new!

Yep, it's officially "go!" time for us all. But warning: Aries doesn't have an off switch. Don't forget your safety gear during this wild, four-week ride, which is bound to break every speed limit.

Since Aries is the first sign, we all want to be No. 1 between now and April 20. Healthy competition is great but don't go overboard with that main character energy, ok? Instead, cast your eyes firmly on the prize and share the glory with your ensemble cast.

What does the Spring Equinox mean in astrology?

Aries season always corresponds with the vernal equinox

Equinox translates into "equal night." It is one of only two days annually when the Sun sits on the Earth's equator, blessing both hemispheres with equal ray action. As a result, most places on the planet have a rare, 24 hours of nearly uniform daylight and nighttime hours. The first day of Aries season is a vital moment to examine your internal balance. While you shine bright (like a diamond) are you also delving into introspection and shadow work? It's kind of like finding that equilibrium between your own day and night states.

Special Moon Moment! There are two new moons in Aries during Aries season 2023.

We get a rare treat this year: Two back-to-back new moons in the sign of the Ram bookend Aries season, on March 21 and April 20.

The first new moon in Aries arrives on March 21, one day after Aries season begins. This lunation serves a giant burst of momentum to your personal projects and passions. Forget being wishy-washy. Allow yourself to fire on all cylinders as you prepare for a second wind to arrive one month later.

The second Aries new moon shows up on April 20, during the last few hours of Aries season. Not only is it a rare double-header, but it's also a metamorphic solar eclipse. (And the first eclipse we've had in Aries since 2015!) While this promises high yields for ventures you start now, there may be hidden clauses that you need to unearth. Dive in to the action, but don't take anything at face value. You'll need to dig deeper to mine the true gold of whatever shows up on April 20.

Pro tips for Aries season. Here's how to start the astrological new year right!

1. Feed your head...but don't get lost in it

Time to build on the dreamy vibes of Pisces season. The Sun's journey through Aries unlocks your visionary powers and turns your focus toward new (and never-been-done-before) ideas. Since Aries rules the head this is a mentally active solar cycle.

As the starter sign of the zodiac--and the first of the three fire signs--Aries is like the spark that ultimately creates the flame. But it's too soon to get stuck tending to any blazes! For the coming four weeks, get all your brilliant gems captured without committing to the thing...yet.

Idea: Mind-mapping is the perfect tool for keeping all those inspirational bursts organized while remaining in an organic, imaginative flow. How it works: Essentially, this system involves writing one idea in a circle in the center of a paper, then mapping sub-ideas (and sub-sub-ideas) in circles, branching outward.

When pragmatic Taurus takes the wheel on April 20, you can give those maps a review. Then, figure out which are realistic enough to plug into a schedule and spreadsheet. Until then, let yourself picture what could be without worrying about the practical considerations.

2. Move your body

It's easy to get swept up in a zillion projects and plans during fast-moving Aries season, only to get overwhelmed and bail on them all!

To avoid overload, make physical activity a priority. Not only does moving your body get stuck energy flowing, it alchemizes stress that can elevate during this combative solar cycle.

Variety is the spice of spring training for your Aries season horoscope. Stream new fitness classes or take your workouts into the fresh air. If you have a routine you love, change up the scenery. Do yoga on your balcony; hop off the Peloton and onto your mountain bike. Since Aries is the warrior sign, try a workout that incorporates martial arts or learn some self-defense moves.

3. Listen to your anger

Anger is a touchstone emotion during Aries season, one that may flare up unexpectedly. No one wants to be the rager in the room, of course. The trick to anger management is to notice the emotion instead of stuffing it down. Ignoring what bugs you is what causes frustration to flare up and combust.

Idea: Tune in to what (or who) has been getting under your skin. Make a mental note about it, then find a neutral third party with whom you can process the feelings. What you DON'T want to do, however, is reactively fire off a text about your feelings or pick up the phone to tell someone off. The impetuous vibes of Aries season can lead you to burn bridges or create a regrettable mess that takes years (and tears) to clean up.

When you do a little excavating to figure out what's shortening your fuse, you might discover that you need to set clearer boundaries or move on from a situation that you've outgrown.

4. What if you reframed "some day" as "today?"

As the zodiac's "youngest" sign, Aries can bring out a playful sense of wonder in us all. Your Aries season horoscope calls for you to embrace the Buddhist concept of Shoshin or beginner's mind. What if you view every familiar person, place or thing as if you were seeing it for the first time? You may discover a totally new dimension to the experience.

See what happens if you drop all assumptions. Instead, be curious and ask questions. (Surprise! The answers you hear might not be as obvious as you suspect.) Approach your work or personal goals with that same sense of openness. Children don't judge themselves when they're learning a new skill, like playing an instrument or kicking a soccer ball. But adults let ego and self-doubt get in their way.

Imagine finally starting your own business, going on an RV trip, or crossing something off your bucket list without a care in the world if you succeeded or failed? Will you take a risk or continue to "future-file" your dreams?

Here's a fun exercise to try during Aries season: say "yes" to everything for a day. It's an experiment we've tried when we've felt in a rut. Awaken your youthful sense of unlimited possibility!

5. Date yourself!

When was the last time you reveled in your own company? Aries is the ruler of self-love--a lesson many born under this star sign devote(d) their lives to teaching us, like Maya Angelou and Lady Gaga.

Remember: Enjoying sacred solo time is not the same as isolating oneself. We recommend consciously interacting with the world while also tuning in to your thoughts and feelings!

On our bookshelf of favorite self-development titles is Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. One of Cameron's tools is the weekly Artist's Date. This is a "festive, solo expedition to explore something that interests you." She advises this date is "more about mischief than mastery." Whether you're wandering through a museum's special exhibit, sketching spring botanicals in the park or enjoying every rapturous bite of a chef's tasting menu while sitting at the restaurant bar, this ritualized experience can awaken you to the pleasure of spending time with me, myself and I.

What's happening in the stars for you today? Read your daily, weekly and monthly horoscope for your sign here>

More Aries season astrology facts

Aries season begins March 20, 2023 and ends April 20, 2023. (Note that the exact date may shift by 24 hours, depending on the year.) Aries season arrives right after Pisces season and before Taurus season.

Were you born on the cusp of Aries? If you know your birth time, you can solve the mystery of your Sun sign for once and for all by doing a free birth chart here!

And for the astro-geeks...here are key Aries characteristics:

Aries is the one of the zodiac's three fire signs (along with Leo and Sagittarius) and part of the cardinal quality (or triplicity). Its ruling planet is Mars.

Aries is a fire sign (meaning they ignite action)

Like fire itself, fire signs tend to be passionate, dynamic, and temperamental. Fire can keep you warm, or it can do great destruction. While fire burns out quickly without fuel to keep it going, it can also regenerate its power from the ashes. A single spark can set off a forest fire. As a result, fire signs need to be nurtured and managed carefully.

Aries is a "cardinal" sign (meaning they are the trendsetters)

These signs start every season--Aries kicks off spring, Cancer starts summer, Libra begins fall and Capricorn is the first winter sign. Thus, they are the leaders and "idea people" of the zodiac. These signs prize originality and like to be first in everything they do. They're the trendsetters and trend spotters, the ones who get the party started and the crowd hyped. Count on them to initiate a winning idea or plan.

Mars is the ruling planet of Aries, here's what that means

Every zodiac sign has a galactic guardian that guides and protects it. Mars is "assigned" as the ruling planet of Aries.

Mars is the second smallest planet in our solar system that governs passion and sex drive. With its blood red color and raging dust storms, it is little wonder that Mars is also the planet associated with anger and combat, and the zodiac's warrior, Aries.

Fun fact: Mars is actually the Roman version of the Greek god Ares. He spawns a primal energy and a desire to dominate. What's your fighting style? Are you combative, passive, manipulative...?

Mars may be impulsive and kind of a train wreck when left unchecked. But he is also a great motivator. If you're low on drive or struggling to start a mission, lean in to his energy for a power boost.

Aries season rituals and advice from The AstroTwins

You may also use the following to help get in the zone during the highly productive energy of Aries season.

Try:
- an Aries season mediation to begin anew
- or an Aries meditation that invokes the fire element
- working with crystals selected for Aries season

And let our Aries season playlist be your soundtrack for the Sun's four week transit through this sign:

The ultimate numerology guide is here.

The must-have map to your purpose and path by Astrostyle's resident numerologist.