The Dark Side of Aries

Seeing Red

Angry woman screaming

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Aries of both sexes are quick to anger, and that's the heart of their dark side. Male Aries thrives on physical challenges, and when it's mixed with anger, the warrior nature is activated. Aries actors like Sean Bean and Russell Crowe are famous for brawling both onscreen and off. Somehow they get away with it, and it adds to their action-hero mystique.

But the public antics of Bean and Crowe are mild considering how far Aries can potentially go to the dark side. Being cardinal fire, the Aries rage flares up, and it's often more impulsive than premeditated.

Downsides to the Aries Sign

There are more characteristics to watch out for when it comes to Aries. 

Intense and Combative

An Aries without a creative outlet is a lit fuse. It is wise to have many outlets for this flash-charge they get so they don't take it out on those closest to them.

Aries needs to blow off steam and work out that intensity. A regular, vigorous exercise regime is a good idea. Aries is ruled by scrappy Mars, the warring planet, and that's a key to the combative ways of Aries. Aries' Mars pulses are raw, vitalized, and often prepared for battle.​ Aries gets depressed when they bottle this up, as depression is anger turned inward.  

Mars is also the cosmic rep of motivation, force, great physical stamina. The remedy for Aries' shadow traits is to keep seeking challenges, always. What's the worst that can happen? In the heat of passion, Aries hurts themselves or others without thinking about the consequences.  

An insecure Aries takes everything personally and lashes out with a lot of force. The Ram leaves a trail of destruction in their wake if they give in to the dark side. 

Willful, Stubborn

Aries (sun) has a maddening need to be right, all the time. Their egos are big (healthy) and often run the show. The result can be an overbearing personality that is blind to the needs and wants of others. 

An Aries is headstrong and rams their plans through. There could be an intimidation factor, for all to go along -- or else! Some Aries have a "my way or the highway" attitude, that they might not apologize for when called out. They don't care! That's how they make enemies, and experience blowback, a fitting term for this in-your-face fire sign.

You have to have thick skin to hang with Aries. Many have no filter, and if there's a mean streak, out comes the cruelest, harshest things imaginable. "I'm just being honest!" they say.  

Go-Getter or Pushy?

Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac and the ambassador of the individual, an endangered species in our "collective" oriented society. A life-long question for Aries could be -- am I being too aggressive here? Over time, seasoned Aries finds that sweet spot, of being forceful without dominating.

The assertive traits of Aries and the ability to express anger are not "bad" traits. They are very valuable traits, to resist being subsumed in the malaise of our times. You've got the goods to be an energized, self-directed person!  

The Aries charged-fire is a gift, but learning how to handle it often takes time and maturity.