Aries is ruled by fiery Mars, and is an active, positive, and assertive sign. Her appeal is direct, straightforward, and naive. Her main challenge is to learn about others’ needs.

Her main gemstone is the diamond. Diamonds are especially appropriate worn as earrings because the body part ruled by Aries is the head. Diamonds are associated with strength, innocence, and purity–some of the key positive qualities associated with Aries.

Her main color is red. Aries generally looks best in white, black, and red. Her choice of wardrobe is neither flowery nor frilly, as she tends to prefer sporty styles. While she is rarely subtle, she is usually not overdone either. One of Aries’ strongest characteristics–enthusiasm for all that is new–can come through in her style and wardrobe choices. She is all for trying something new, but she often loses interest in her passions quickly. So, that new outfit,  piece of jewelry, or beauty product that she just had to have may not hold her interest for long before the next new thing comes along! Aries isn’t fond of any style that takes too long to maintain–fussing over details isn’t her forte.

When it comes to attraction, Aries’ secret weapon is positivity. Even the shyer Aries seem to have an inner confidence that you do really want her. She is quite sure that she can win you over, and there is an almost innocent aura about her that can be a huge turn-on. Innocent is probably not the word you’d use to describe her in general; but her confidence and enthusiasm radiate an appealingly direct, sincere, and simple personality that can be hard to resist.

In a pinch, Aries will rarely come across as desperate or needy. If cornered, her confidence that you’ll forgive her for any perceived wrongdoing usually saves the day. How can you disappoint, let alone turn down, a person who is so sure you couldn’t possibly think she’s anything less than perfect for you? She doesn’t apologize; she simply moves forward and expects you will too. The old adage that “opposites attract” doesn’t seem to hold true for Aries, at least in the “strength of character” department. She is not one to fall for a sob story. She is attracted to a person with an obvious backbone and a large sense of adventure and fun, just like her. She is not known as the most compassionate person around–she tends to have a “get over yourself” attitude to people hung up on their problems. You might learn a little something from her, and that is that the present and future count much more than the past. Her motto may as well be: “make the most of what comes, and the least of what goes”.

Aries really does love the hunt and the chase. This doesn’t mean she will never settle down, but it does mean you have to do your share to keep things exciting. When she gets all fired up about something or someone, she is completely passionate and right there in the moment. If you are the object of her desire, you are greater than life–she lives and breathes you, at least for the time being. Whether this passion lasts or not is the question. Keep it exciting and it probably will.

Her sincere, straight-to-the-point, and direct approach is hard to resist. If you are the one who she is passionate about right now, there will be no mistake in your mind that she wants you. Caught up in her passion and enthusiasm, she trusts you completely. She’s also sure that she’s right for you. In love, she is not a typical romantic. She doesn’t require wining and dining. She definitely needs attention, but if you make yourself too available or too easy, she could begin to feel stifled.

Sexually, Aries is very physical. Sex is almost like a sport for her, particularly if she has Moon and/or Mars in Aries. Aries rather naturally falls into a dominant or at least leading role, but she will do whatever comes naturally at the moment, so you can never really tie her down to a particular category. Her passion is not of the brooding, sensual variety. It is more of a “right here, right now” passion that might better be described as enthusiasm. She loves adventurous sex, whether it’s trying something new or doing it somewhere, anywhere, other than a bed.

With Neptune in Aquarius for the past few years, Aries has been opening herself up to, and experimenting with, different definitions of friendship. Many Aries have been exploring “friendship with benefits” in recent years. Saturn’s entrance into her opposite sign, Libra, starting in October 2009 will likely bring a more serious tone to her view of partnership. Her career is going to be taking on perhaps disproportionate importance in her life in the coming years as well.

More to come:

There’s nothing truly to fear about Venus retrograde, but it’s always wise to take special care during this cycle. It’s not the best period for entering into a new relationship, because our sensors when it comes to love are not up to par. However, it’s not unheard of to begin a relationship under the influence of a retrograde Venus, and it survives. Venus rules our values, and when she is retrograde, we don’t seem to be in touch with exactly what and who we value. After the retrograde cycle is over, we may look back and wonder what the hell we were thinking. So, do what you can to avoid major decision making during Venus’ retrograde cycle. A change of heart is likely later. And, the people we meet now may appear more fabulous than they turn out to be. It’s also possible that some people we meet now may appear less attractive than they turn out to be! Whatever the case may be, try to hold off until late April before making big decisions, particularly life-altering ones.

Still, we are not especially warm and affectionate during this cycle. It’s hard to trust others just now, and, perhaps more so, it’s difficult to trust our own instincts when it comes to judging others or our relationships. We tend to suspect insincerity in others. People appear to be more selfish, withdrawn, and self-protective. It’s hard to make headway in a direct manner in our love relationships for the time being.

Then there is a feeling of the inevitable during a Venus retrograde. What happened in the past, including past love affairs, can flood our consciousness now. Sometimes, a past lover reappears in his or her physical form. Dealing with endings is actually favored during this cycle.

Those with personal planets or their Ascendant at 29 degrees Pisces and 0 to 15 degrees Aries are going to feel this retrograde cycle most acutely. In the case of the Ascendant, these people are not going to be coming across in the fairest or most pleasant of manner. Re-assessing how we would like others to see us, and discovering ways to make changes in ourselves in order to achieve this, is in order now. Some will go through some form of rude awakening regarding their appearance or manner. This can provide the necessary cosmic shove towards righting the situation.

Besides those people directly affected by this Venus retrograde by degree, there are those who have Venus ruling the Ascendant or Descendant of their charts who are affected more than most. People with Aries, Taurus, Libra, and Scorpio rising will feel this cycle more acutely on personal and partnership levels. Taurus and Taurus rising has Venus retro in their solar twelfth house and twelfth house respectively, and should watch for dealing with relationships from the past, karmic events, and even private or secret affairs, which can be compromised just now.

If you’re in a love relationship, don’t push matters with a partner. Give yourself and your partner some space without allowing anyone to feel completely abandoned! Keep things as status quo as possible. Some people have written me, worried about a newly formed relationship and  how it will fare with Venus turning retrograde. There is no need to panic. Try on a “what will be, will be” attitude. Relationships that are currently tenuous or challenged may be put through a few tests, but it’s less likely to happen if you stay calm, cool, and collected. Worrying about the fate of a relationship is not conducive to normal behavior! Keep things status quo.

New relationships formed during retrograde Venus do have a chance at surviving, but a change of heart is quite possible later on. Many years ago I married a man I met when Venus was retrograde, and that marriage lasted about 14 years. It ended, yes, but I could never say it was a complete waste of my time. So, if it happens that you first laid eyes on someone who is “relationship potential” while Venus is or was retrograde, don’t rule out the possibility that it could be a good thing. Just take things slowly.

Venus retrograde has more implications, as Venus reigns over more than only love and relationships. Read my article, Venus Retrograde, for more details.