Natal Moon in Aries
In natal Astrology, the Moon represents how an individual absorbs and interacts with their environment on a subconscious and intuitive level, including their emotional nature. It is important to remember that this contrasts with the very conscious and logical analysis of the environment that are handled by the planet Mercury. The Moon represents the ways we care for and protect ourselves psychically and emotionally; it’s how we empathize with others and the things that we find comforting and safe. The Moon is also representative of the Mother, or nurturing parent, and how we subconsciously learned to address our emotional needs in early life. As such, the Moon is the natural ruler of the sign Cancer, which is assigned the activities and themes of the 4th House.
Aries the Ram is a Cardinal, Fire sign that is Masculine in polarity. Aries is the natural ruler of the 1st House of the horoscope and is ruled by the bold planet Mars which also co-rules Scorpio. The 1st House of any horoscope begins at an angle known as the Ascendant. This angle and house symbolize the forceful entrance of the corporeal body into the material world from the womb of the 12th House that is the collective unconscious. This house represents the lens through which we view the world, the way that we respond to the world, and consequentially the way that we are initially viewed by others at the surface. The planet Mars represents our drive, passion, independence, impulses, assertiveness, and the motivations behind our actions. It can also show how we are or would like to be perceived by others when asserting ourselves through those actions. It plays a hand in what we are sexually attracted to in others, and our attitude towards sex. If we mesh these corresponding ideas together, we can see that the sign of Aries is very dynamic and not so simple after all. A few keywords that define the essence of Aries energy is self-reliant, assertive, quick, impulsive, volatile, competitive, initiating, determined and aggressive (for better or for worse.)
When we look at these two energies coming together, we can see that their signs and houses are both cardinal, and by being three signs apart from each other they also square one another. The shared cardinal quality alone, adds a dimension to this energy that is very initiating and instigative. The nature of the square aspect between the two energies prompts action, either haphazardly and extreme or through a strategic approach that aims to achieve balanced expression of both energies without requiring the isolation of either. The signs and houses of these energies fall into the northern hemisphere of the chart, which inclines them to both be very subjective and self-oriented, and not as concerned with others. The key difference between the two, is that the projective and assertive nature of Aries is masculine, whereas the receptive and passive nature of the Moon or Cancer is feminine; one projects while the other reflects. This makes for a person that tends to be both emotionally offensive and defensive at the same time. These qualities would culminate in an emotional expression that will make certain their feelings are heard and acknowledged by others. They may also find sport in occasionally provoking others emotionally as a healthy means of developing more passion in their emotional relationships. A more negative expression of this energy would be emotional expression that is brazen and inflammatory, serving to create discord in their environment. Another negative manifestation would be a person that is thin-skinned and consequently becomes passively or directly aggressive in response to any perceived slight. The archetype of Aries represents the part of our sexuality that is lustful, so these behaviors could indicate the native’s methods of attracting and initiating sexual contact with others. This placement can sometimes create a personality that is difficult to be close with or for people to want to relate to, as other people don’t know what to expect from them. While some appreciate the fire and excitement that they bring to the table, others can feel like they must walk on eggshells to prevent accidental offense. Their closest friends and family members may avoid them when they are in a place that is emotional, as they can be volatile and prone to sudden displays of anger and violence. This hurts the Moon in Aries person, because these are the times that they usually need people the most. In the heat of the reaction, they can forget that what they are really seeking from others is a respect for the intensity and the subjectivity of their emotions. The key to this placement is to understand that perception is not always reality. What we often perceive from others is often, a reflection of our own internal structures than the intent of other people. Being hot-headed and easily offended is due to a lack of self-awareness, but once we are aware and begin working on ourselves, we no longer feel the need to instigate conflict that we presume is coming anyway or become defensive against things that do not truly affect us. This allows us to discover what belongs to us, and to express that in a way that allows others to see us for what our substance is, instead of blindly defensive and offensive behavior. If you truly understand yourself, you can understand everyone.
In early childhood, the environment would have been very boisterous, active, and full of excitement. Everything could have been completely amuck and volatile, never remaining consistent for long due to parents that were impractical or had hectic schedules. If the native wasn’t hyperactive, it could be that their siblings were hyperactive, if they had siblings at all. This placement can indicate a Mother that only had one child, or at least one child with the chart holder’s parent. The Mother may have been very demanding, bossy or no-nonsense. This placement and the energies involved could also have created a relationship with the Mother that was riddled with strife and violence, or a sense of unreliability due to her perceived impulsiveness and irresponsibility. There is unfortunately the possibility of abuse also being present in the environment with this placement, which could have manifested in a child who routinely witnessed their parents having verbal or physical quarrels, the parents may have been abusive towards the children, or there may have simply been a very mortal fear towards one or both parents. Since Mars is masculine energy, the Mother may have been very masculine in her expression of her feelings, or the Father may have taken on the role of the Mother to the child, due to the absence of the Mother’s presence and influence in some aspect.
On the darker side, these can be people whose reputations as being obnoxious and aggressive can precede them. They can be argumentative and instigative, preferring to start an altercation before someone else had the chance to. This is due to them seeing everything through a competitive lens. They always need to be the best and can become absolutely consumed with hateful envy towards anyone who they feel possesses something that should be theirs. Sexually, they can be very promiscuous, lack discretion, and they can be value reaching the climax over the experience. These are the people at work that don't feel they don't have to play by the rules and will cut corners to make sure that they are able to come out on top. They fall asleep in meetings due to lack of staying power and will frequently make careless mistakes. As friends, they can be hard to be associated with, because their very nature could repel others away from them including you. If you are a person who values being friendly and amicable, this will be hard to stomach and sacrifice for too long, but if you don't care about what others think and appreciate the liveliness of this placement, it might be fine. In relationships, they are prone to create drama for the simple sake of trying to generate heat that leads to passionate make ups. This can become quickly exhausting and overly tumultuous for the sensitive or empathic person. They can be bossy, unyielding, selfish and totally insensitive to your needs and they may even be prone to cheat if they feel the passion is no longer there.
On the positive side, these people are very fun and exciting to be around because they are so dynamic. There will never be a dull moment because they always changing up what they are doing and the pace in which they do it. These are not shy or coy people, by any means. They always know exactly what they want, and you will always know what is on their mind or how something is making them feel, because they will tell you or show you. If they love you, it takes nothing for them to defend you and defend your honor, especially if you are weaker-willed or more reserved than the Moon in Aries person. You must recognize that they do this because the Moon in Aries person is trying to teach you how to be more assertive and formidable in your own right. If you don't follow their lead, they will eventually come to resent your weak nature and prefer to not be associated with it as it brings them down and makes them look vulnerable. At work they complete tasks quickly, and they will also typically deploy new programs and processes as quickly as possible in order to gain ascendance over their colleagues. They have fresh ideas and can always find a more efficient approach to existing practices. As friends, they provide the exhilaration and intensity to most of the social situations you endure together, which can really make anticipating their presence something to look forward to if you appreciate the possibility of spectacle and drama. They will always have your back and will never leave you defenseless if worse should come to worse. In relationships, especially in the beginning, they enjoy the chase and the challenge. As things progress, or once you have secured them in your eyes, you can expect lots of passion and intense relating between the two of you. It would be wise to remember, as stated above, that it is very common for the Moon in to run with petty indignance for the simple sake of manifesting passion in the relationship. Most times, they burn out over things as quickly as they ignited the flame, so try to appreciate it for what it is. It’s a lot easier to jump in the game when you realize that you don’t have any skin in it.
Written by Cameron ©
