ROMANCE

Although outgoing, zestful Ariens are definitely not types whose idea of heaven is a life of cozy, uneventful domesticity. Forging a fulfilling bond with a significant someone is important to them.

This is partly because Mars’ gift to them is a powerful libido, and partly because their element of fire makes them hot-blooded, and spontaneous, too, which is why they often fall head over heels in love at first sight.

This same birth influence furthermore typically causes them to feel that being admired and adored is their birthright, and when a lover satisfies this requirement, they respond with a fire sign’s impetuous generosity and burning ardor, also injecting excitement into the liaison.

There is a danger, however, that as their romance progresses, the passion of its first, exhilarating days inevitably subsides, and their rapport becomes more humdrum, Ariens may start to feel bored, or even tied down, at which point they may either spend more time channeling their formidable energies into pursuing outside interests and seeking out rousing challenges than with their partner, or may increasingly express their frustration by means of belligerent comments or fiery outbursts.

Perhaps the key to keeping an Aries lover is to ensure that you engage in plenty of testing activities together.

FRIENDSHIP

Spending time with an Aries is rarely dull, be it because pushy rams are forever chivvying their friends to participate in stimulating, and typically sporting, pursuits with them (when their Mars-bestowed competitive streak comes to the fore), or because their fiery outspokenness and masculine lack of inhibition means that they communicate directly, bluntly, and sometimes confrontationally.

Indeed, these up-front, assertive individuals like to run their friendships on their own terms, and otherwise need to respect someone’s strength of character if they are to consider him or her an equal whose suggestions are worthy of going along with once in a while.

They may not have that many good friends, partly because people tend either to love or loathe these loud, brash personalities, and partly because they themselves are so busy packing as much as they can into their lives, but treat those whom they like with great warmth and bonhomie, and are ever ready to ride to their defense if necessary.

Don’t expect to enjoy long soul-searching sessions or mutually supportive tête-à-têtes with an Aries, however, for these characters hardly ever suffer from self-doubt, nor are they that interested in others’ emotions, and won’t stick around for long if exposed to them.

FAMILY

Whatever their age or position in the family, those born under the sign of the zodiacal ram know their own minds, are determined to get their own way, and aren’t afraid to upset their loved ones in the process.

This not to say that they don’t care about their relatives - indeed, their element of fire causes them to be warm and demonstrative, and they thrive on the attention that they receive from family members, too - just that being a cardinal sign usually results in them being self-centered, go-getting characters, while the combined influence of Mars and their masculine polarity makes them assertive and, if their will is thwarted, aggressive.

Yet fire gives young Ariens in particular a reckless streak, and Mars, a love of taking risks, so that they frequently have to be prevented from landing themselves in serious trouble, triggering a violent temper tantrum (and older Ariens can be just as hot-headed at times).

If you find yourself on the receiving end of a barrage of hurtful accusations being hurled at you in the heat of the moment by an Aries, don’t take them too much to heart, however, for going on the attack is simply Mars’ way of expressing frustration. And you probably can’t help but admire the vital and dynamic Arien spirit.

WORKPLACE

Whether or not their position gives them authority over others at work, Mars-governed Aries people are prone to taking the lead and heading determinedly off in a direction of their own choosing, which can make them authoritative bosses and exasperating underlings.

These fiery individuals need to be inspired and enthused by a target in order to feel motivated, and become restless, and even destructive, if they have no clear goals to aim for, when their dissatisfaction may manifest itself as a series of hot-tempered explosions.

They also lack the patience to slog away at tasks that require attention to detail, are frequently pulled up short for their sketchy planning, and their work is sometimes rushed and careless.

Yet when an urgent deadline needs to be met, Ariens throw their hearts and souls into doing so, and their confident and enterprising, masculine approach and fiery vitality can hearten and energize their colleagues.

You cannot ignore Ariens in the workplace, and they certainly make things happen, be it for good or bad.

About the author: Clare Gibson is the author of numerous books on dreams and astrology. This article is part of an extract from her book: The Ultimate Book of Relationships. The full extract can be read athttp://www.browsebooksforfree.com/books4-4