Growing Green with the Zodiac: Aries Season 2025

Toward an Ecological Astrology

Growing Green with Aries is the seventh in a series of 12 almanac posts in which I’m using the astrological paradigm—the ancient view that planets, people, and plants are all part of a single cosmic whole—to think about our current ecological and environmental crisis. I hope these posts encourage us to pay more thoughtful attention to the green world, especially now that the new U.S. administration seems hellbent on steamrolling the environmental policies worked out over the past two dozen years. It’s no exaggeration to say that our lives—and the lives of our children and their children—depend on maintaining the health of our home planet.

This material is the working draft of what may (or may not, depending on my energies) become a book. Not your cuppa? Go here to select what you receive from Thyme, Place & Story.

Aries Season: March 20–April 19

Guardian planet: Mars, the planet of action, drive, courage, and raw energy. Mars fuels Aries' pioneering spirit, urging movement, independence, and an unyielding push toward new beginnings. While Mars is often associated with aggression and combat, its deeper function is to provide the fire of initiative, the strength to break through obstacles, and the relentless pursuit of authenticity.

Aries symbol: the Ram, charging forward with unstoppable determination. Aries' glyph represents the curved horns of the Ram, a fitting symbol of assertiveness, willpower, and the alpha instinct to lead. The story behind the Aries constellation: the myth of the golden ram, whose fleece became the prize sought by Jason and the Argonauts. Aries is associated with heroism, daring quests, and the impulse to take action without hesitation.

Element/Modality: Cardinal Fire, associated with initiation, energy, passion, impulsiveness, and fearless self-expression. (Leo: fixed Fire; Sagittarius: mutable Fire)

Aries’ home in the Zodiac is the 1st House, the house of self, identity, new beginnings, and personal assertion. It represents the spark of life itself—the emergence of individual will, the first step forward, the bold claim of existence. This is where the self declares itself, uninhibited by doubt or hesitation. From an evolutionary perspective, this house marks our initiation into a new cycle of growth, where courage, autonomy, and raw instinct drive the unfolding of personal destiny. The challenge lies in balancing self-assertion with awareness of others, evolving from impulsive action to conscious, self-directed leadership.

Aries folk (people with Sun, Moon, Rising Sign, or a cluster of planets in Aries, and/or a strong Mars or 1st House emphasis, or planets in the fire signs Leo or Sagittarius) are courageous, independent, and filled with an irrepressible zest for life. They are pioneers, warriors, and leaders—driven by a restless energy that propels them toward challenge and change. Aries teaches us to trust our instincts, embrace risk, and take action without waiting for permission. Mars' influence makes them passionate and determined, but they can also be impulsive, impatient, and sometimes too quick to burn bridges in their relentless pursuit of what’s next. Aries' lesson is learning how to sustain their fire without burning out.

When it comes to green, Aries folk are drawn to bold, active environmental efforts—projects that require leadership, energy, and direct action. They are the trailblazers of ecological activism, often at the forefront of conservation movements, climate protests, and rewilding initiatives. Aries thrives on challenge and competition, making them natural champions for environmental causes that require bold action and immediate impact. Their fiery nature makes them passionate defenders of wilderness, biodiversity, and the fight against environmental destruction.

Aries Season 2025 calls on all of us to embrace new beginnings, take bold steps forward, and ignite the spark of initiative in our lives. This is a season for courage, self-discovery, and embracing the raw vitality of life itself.

Aries Season in the Green World

Throughout this Zodiac eries, we’ve been thinking of ways the ancient understanding of the cosmos can be brought to life in our gardens. Here are six gardening strategies that exemplify Aries Season and the 1st House themes of initiative, boldness, independence, and self-discovery. You can mix and match these to create the effect you’re looking for.

1. Pioneer Planting: Fire-Adapted and First-to-Sprout Gardens. Aries is the pioneer of the zodiac, so a garden of pioneer species—plants that are the first to colonize disturbed land—embodies Aries' fearless initiation.

• Fire-adapted plants like lupines, fireweed, and purple coneflower regenerate quickly after wildfires, mirroring Aries' resilience and ability to bounce back from challenges.

• Early-sprouting vegetables like radishes, arugula, and mustard greens are ideal for impatient Aries energy, always wanting to be first on-scene.

2. Warrior Gardens: Protective and Defensive Planting. Aries is ruled by Mars, the warrior planet, making a protective garden a fitting tribute.

• Companion planting strategies that defend against pests, like marigolds with tomatoes (which repel nematodes), also align with Aries’ instinct to protect its territory.

• Plants with thorny, spiky, or defensive characteristics—such as cacti, agave, holly, hawthorn, and nettles—reflect Aries’ bold, protective spirit. I always think of Aries when I see the red fruit of my spiky firethorn blazing in the sun. Nothing is going to break through this fierce hedge!

Pyracantha, “Firethorn” in my garden

3. Solo Victory Gardens: Independent, Self-Sustaining Plots. The 1st House represents self-sufficiency, making a personalized, single-handedly managed garden a great Aries-style project.

• A container garden on a balcony or a raised-bed garden that one person can easily manage suits Aries’ preference for independent action.

• Strong-flavored herbs traditionally associated with Mars (like peppers, garlic, cumin, ginger, and onions) add an Aries touch. And yes, you can grow your own ginger—a Mars herb that is a perfect addition to a container garden.

4. Fast-Growing, High-Energy Crops: The Need for Speed. Aries doesn’t like to wait, so plants that produce quick results satisfies its energetic impatience.

• Early-sprouting vegetables like radishes, arugula, and mustard greens are ideal for impatient Aries energy, always wanting to be first on-scene.

• Fast-growing crops—microgreens, snap peas, baby carrots, summer squash—give almost-instant gratification.

5. Fiery Red Plants: A Tribute to Aries’ Element. Aries is a fire sign, and red is its signature color. A garden dominated by red-orange flowers honors Aries' blazing intensity.

• Firecracker-hot herbs—chili peppers, ginger, mustard, horseradish—give a taste of Aries' spicy, adventurous personality.

• Bold accent plants like red tulips, poppies, geraniums, and crocosmia (‘Lucifer’ variety) pack a staccato punch.

6. Daredevil Gardens: Challenging Terrain, No Fear. Aries thrives on challenges, so gardening in extreme conditions—a rocky slope, a dryland garden, a vertical wall—suits its audacious nature.

• Rooftop gardens and high-altitude alpine gardens also reflect Aries' go-it-alone determination and love of heights.

• Plants that thrive in tough environments (sedum, yucca, and drought-resistant perennials) mirror Aries' tenacity.

Stubbornly drought-resistant blackfoot daisy in my garden

Gardening by the Sun in Aries Season

All living things live in time. The zodiac is Earth’s own calendar, and gardeners measure its daily changes. We watch the Sun’s shifting angles, the lengthening days, the warmth returning to the soil. We track the passage of rains, frosts, and freezes, reading the land’s signals as surely as we read calendars, almanacs, and grow-charts.

Here is a garden calendar for Aries Season, the first sign of the zodiac and the astrological year. The Sun is higher in the sky and temperatures rise. The land is waking up, and for most of us, it’s time to take bold first steps in the garden. This is not the season for hesitation—Aries urges us to dig in, plant, and take action. In nature, timing is everything. And in Aries season, action is everything. So let’s get to it!

• Begin early with fast growers. Plant seeds of quick-sprouting, cool-weather crops that can take a chill—radishes, arugula, mustard greens, spinach, and garden peas. Aries loves speed, and these are the first to break ground.

• Put tough plants to the test. Hardy transplants like cabbage, broccoli, Swiss chard, and lettuce can go in now, whether directly in the ground or in cold frames or under row covers for extra protection. Aries is ruled by Mars, and Mars-ruled plants (like onions, garlic, and horseradish) thrive in early-season planting.

• Start strong with perennials. Aries is about bold new beginnings, making this a great time to divide and transplant perennials like daylilies, hostas, and irises—they'll establish quickly with the rising sap of spring.

• Break ground for bigger plantings. This is prime time to plant roses, flowering shrubs, fruit trees, and climbing vines. But Aries isn’t a patient sign, so be sure to stake, mulch, and protect young plants so they can hold their ground.

• Cut, clear, and prepare. Aries is a pruning season—time to trim winter-damaged branches, clear out dead growth, and remove debris. But leave some leaves to insulate the soil as it warms and shelter the underworld critters that loosen the soil and keep it alive.

• Greenhouse gardeners, go big. If you’re at 10 hours of daylight or more, it's time to sow lettuces, brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower), and hardy greens. Aries doesn’t wait—if the light is right, plant now.

Aries Garden Mantra

Break ground. Sow brave. Grow forward.

Gardening by the Moon in Aries Season

The Moon’s phases. Tradition tells us that the waxing moon’s increasing light encourages leaf growth and its increasing gravitational strength raises soil moisture and boosts plant sap production. The waning moon’s decreasing light and strength is said to encourage root growth.

• Waning Gibbous (March 20) to the Last Quarter Moon in Sagittarius (March 22). Plant below ground/root plants, perennials, trees, shrubs.

• Waning Crescent (March 23) to the New Moon in Pisces (March 29). A barren period, time for chores other than planting.

• Waxing Crescent (March 30) to the First Quarter Moon in Gemini/Cancer (April 5). Plant above ground annuals, especially leafy plants, also grains, herbs, cucumbers.

• Waxing Gibbous (April 6) to the Full Moon in Virgo/Libra (April 12). Focus on planting above-ground annuals, particularly fruiting plants, along with grains and flowers. The enhanced gravitational pull during this phase is thought to promote robust growth. On the Full Moon, celebrate garden achievements, gather medicinal and ritual herbs, and reflect on personal cycles, on health, and on relationships.​

• Waning Gibbous (April 13) to the Last Quarter Moon in Sagittarius/Capricorn (April 20) . Plant below-ground crops (such as root vegetables), as well as perennials, trees, and shrubs. The decreasing moonlight is believed to encourage root development.​

The Moon’s signs. As the Moon changes phases, it moves from one zodiac sign to another. Traditionally, each sign is suited to a different set of tasks, prompted by the planet that rules the sign. If you’d like to learn about gardening by the Moon’s signs, you’ll find a helpful calendar and chart here. I’ve set the Astro-seek link for the beginning of Aries in March; you can use this link for April.

You might also check out the Facebook group, Planting by the Signs, led by longtime lunar gardener Phil Case, who is happy (really!) to answer your questions from his first-hand experience and observations. The group is friendly and welcoming—someone is always available to answer your questions.

For Indoor Gardeners

An Aries cactus garden. Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash

Aries season calls for bold, low-maintenance plants that thrive in heat and sunlight—qualities that mirror Aries itself. A succulent or cactus container garden is a perfect match, bringing fiery colors, sculptural shapes, and resilient energy into your indoor space.

What to Plant

• Cacti: Barrel cactus, golden torch, prickly pear

• Succulents: Echeveria (rosette-shaped, flame-like colors), aloe vera, haworthia

• Fire-colored accents: Red or orange kalanchoe, flaming katy, or Crassula ‘Campfire’

Care Instructions

Light: Succulents and cacti thrive in bright, direct sunlight. A south- or west-facing window is ideal. If your space is low-light, supplement with a grow light.

Water: Less is more! Water only when the soil is completely dry (every 2–3 weeks in most homes). Overwatering is the biggest killer.

Soil & Drainage: Use a cactus/succulent mix with fast drainage. Plant in a shallow, wide container with drainage holes.

Temperature & Airflow: Keep above 60°F (16°C) and away from cold drafts. Good air circulation prevents rot. Avoid stuffy, humid corners.

Five Hot Titles for Your Aries Shelf

As you know, in this series we’re using astrology as a lens through which to view the climate crises. Planet Earth is our home in the cosmos, and rising global temperatures are already having a major impact. My corner of the Texas Hill Country has already seen a string of 90-plus-degree days and we’re expecting another record-breaking summer. Here are five books that alert us to this real and immediate danger.

• The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet by Jeff Goodell (2023)​. This book details the dangers to the environment from rising global temperatures due to global warming, particularly the devastating effects on human health.

• The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg (2022)​. A collection of short essays by more than a hundred experts, analyzing the causes, consequences, and challenges of global warming.

• The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial by David Lipsky (2023). This book tells the story of the people who discovered and attempted to conceal climate change, providing a captivating and disturbing narrative.

• How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need by Bill Gates (2021)​. Bill Gates presents what he has learned in over a decade of studying climate change and investing in innovations to address global warming.

• The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells (2019)​. This book explores the consequences of global warming, arguing that even with active intervention, the effects of climate change will have catastrophic impacts across multiple spheres.

Aries Medicinal Herbs

As the ancients saw the cosmos, everything was connected. Each planet had its own distinct qualities, and those same traits were reflected in people and plants. Mars—the fiery red planet—was thought to govern blood and circulation, as well as the muscles and the head, all essential for energy, movement, and action. Plants, in turn, influenced the parts of the body linked to their ruling planet. Here are some examples.

Photo by Natalia Gasiorowska on Unsplash

Garlic (Allium sativum). ​Seventeenth-century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper writes that Mars “owns” garlic and that it should be avoided with people who have a “fiery disposition.” That bit of counseling aside, research indicates that garlic does have an influence on the cardiovascular system. Consumption can lead to modest reductions in blood pressure and lower total and LDL cholesterol levels. Beyond these benefits, garlic’s known antibacterial properties are attributed to compounds like allicin. Altogether, a healthy (and fiery) herb.

Photo by Lidia Nikole on Unsplash

Mustard (Brassica alba or nigra) is a classic Mars herb, known for its sharp, fiery bite and powerful kick. Mustard seeds contain compounds that, when crushed and mixed with liquid, release a heat-inducing chemical reaction and fiery flavor. Traditionally, it’s been used to stimulate circulation, relieve muscle aches, and even clear congestion, all tying back to Mars’ rule over the muscular system, blood, and head. It also has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, reinforcing its reputation as a bold, no-nonsense healer. Whether in food, medicine, or even old-school mustard plasters, this plant lives up to its Martian reputation: strong, stimulating, and impossible to ignore.

Compound Interest: The Chemistry of Stinging Nettles

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is bold, fiery, and impossible to ignore. Nettle is packed with iron, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A and C, making it a powerful blood-builder and energizer. Interestingly, nettle’s painful sting itself has been explored for its pain-relieving effects, particularly for arthritis. The plant’s tiny, brittle hairs inject a cocktail of biochemicals—histamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin—into the skin, triggering a sharp irritation. This discomfort may override deeper pain signals, a phenomenon known as counter-irritation, where one kind of pain effectively masks another. Nettle emerges in early spring, in Aries season, reminding us that strength isn’t just about force; it’s also about rebuilding, refortifying, and refueling the fire within.

That’s it for Aries season, friends. You’ll hear from me again on Monday, April 7, with the April edition of All About Thyme. And I’ll also be introducing the next book in our Guerrilla Readers series, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. Meanwhile, our discussion of the three earlier books in this series—Democracy Awakening, Jesus and John Wayne, and Prequel remains open.

Paid subscribers, your Aries workbook is coming in a separate email. It includes a close look at three visions of Aries tarot card (The Fool), a passel of project and journaling prompts, and (of course!) a visit to the Aries kitchen.