Aries Constellation

Aries Astronomically Speaking

Aries is the first constellation of the zodiac and the harbinger of spring. This year, the Spring (or Vernal) Equinox occurs on March 20th as the Sun appears to move northward across the Earth’s equator, bringing Spring to the northern hemisphere.

Aries represents a magical ram whose golden fleece was sought by Jason and the Argonauts of Greek myth. In the sky, the horns of the ram are marked by Hamal, a 2.0-magnitude yellow giant star, and Sheratan, a slightly fainter blue-white star. The Greeks thought Hamal was a very important star. They built several sacred temples in such a way that, at certain times of the year, the great star could be seen through the doors of these temples.

Look to the North: Pointer in Big Dipper works with Aries

One of the “Pointer” stars of the Big Dipper works in a direct line of force with the constellation of Aries. The Pointer stars are the two stars at the bottom of the cup of the Big Dipper that “point” to the North Star.

If we draw an imaginary line from Merak (the pointer star farthest from the North Star) through Dubhe (pointer star nearest pole star) and count five times as far as Dubhe is Merak you will arrive at Polaris, the North Star.

The Big Dipper is best seen, from the northern Hemisphere, in April, but is one of the most recognizable patterns in the Northern sky most of the year. From Native American legends to it’s use in the underground railroad this star has played an important role for humanity throughout history.

The slaves used the pointer stars to locate North, the direction that pointed toward their liberation. Alice Bailey speaks of the pointer (Merak) as a “major star of direction” and “a great reservoir or focal point for divine energy carrying out God’s Purpose or Plan” having a direct connection with the constellation Aries.

Aries is a transmitter of energy and the intermediary between the potent energy of the pointer (Merak) and Earth, thus creating a powerful triangle. Just as they directed the slaves toward freedom, the stars point humanity in the direction toward unity and synthesis.

Last updated on October 21, 2014 at 11:06 pm. Word Count: 365