“reactions to people and situations that are very involved.” Jacob Schwartz gives this
asteroid’s astrological significance as “pride in the ability to handle intricate detail,
creation of intrigue.” It also represents webs (both actual and psychological), intrigue,
entanglement, and perceptions of intricacy.Sources:
Lang-Wescott, Martha. Asteroids-Mechanics: Ephemerides II.Conway, MA: Treehouse Moun-
tain, 1990.
———. Mechanics of the Future: Asteroids.Rev. ed. Conway, MA: Treehouse Mountain, 1991.
Schwartz, Jacob. Asteroid Name Encyclopedia.St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1995.ARCHER
The Archer is a popular alternative name for the sign Sagittarius.ARDRA
Ardra (moist or perspiring) is one of the Nakshatras (lunar mansions) of Vedic astrol-
ogy. Rudra, the god of storms, presides over this sign, symbolized by either a teardrop
or drop of sweat. Ardra lies between Gemini 6°40’ and 20° and is ruled by the planet
Rahu. This is considered a good time to do difficult physical work, and people may
find themselves having a better memory and better skilled at manual labor, while also
a bit more arrogant or reckless with their moon in this Nakshatra.—Pramela ThiagesanARIES
Aries (from the Latin word for ram), the first sign of the zodiac, is a cardinal sign and a
fire sign. It is a positive, masculine sign ruled by the planet Mars. Its symbol is the
Ram, and its glyph is said to represent a ram’s horns. It takes its name from the Greek
god of war, making it one of the few signs with a well-developed mythology. Aries is
associated with the head, and people with an Aries sun sign are prone to headaches
and injuries to the head and face. The association of the head with Aries is the source
of the word headstrong, which characterizes people with a strong Aries nature. As the
first sign, the key phrase for Aries is “I am,” representing the birth of awareness.
Although Zeus, king of the Greek gods, fathered many children, Aries was the
only son by his wife, Hera. Aries ruled war and was said to delight in conflict. He was also
impulsive, often defying the fates. According to most accounts, Aries never married but
had many love affairs, best known of which was his liaison with the goddess of love, by
whom he fathered Eros (source of the term “erotic”). His nature was simultaneously brave
and insolent, and in ancient works of art he was portrayed as young and handsome.
Like its namesake, the sign Aries is youthful and impulsive. Arian nature can
manifest positively as bravery in the act of standing up for one’s rights. Negatively, the
same nature can manifest as crudeness, pushiness, overaggressiveness, and even vio-
lence. Arians tend to be egotistical, though it is the unself-conscious egotism of aArcher
[44] THEASTROLOGYBOOK