Mesha (Aries) is the name given to the first sign of the zodiac. The Sanskrit word Mesha means a ram or sheep, but other synonyms given to it are more connotative. Aja means the unborn, Vishwa refers to the whole or the universe, Kriya stands for motion and activity, and Tambura is a musical instrument, while Adya implies the first primeval cause of the manifest universe. Though Aja means the unborn, it refers to the "unborn-but-existing-in-eternity." Mesha (Aries) symbolizes the unborn or unmamfest potential chafing to externalize itself: it stands for subjective-objective unity. Mesha (Aries) represents the future possibilities of creative energy, the world-to-be rather than the world-as-it-is. Thus, some of its attributes are ambition, aspiration, dream-like consciousness, the desire to multiply and expand. There is always newness in whatever Mesha (Aries) influences, but there is also a certain amount of contradiction. Mesha (Aries) is full of vitality, always eager to explore new lands and propound new theories. It represents the stage when the bud is ready to burst into flower but is not yet a flower; it shows the qualities of an adult though it is not yet an adult. There is a fire burning within, sex eager to express, and the desire to dominate — but in all these efforts there will be some form of restriction, some limitation or impediment of the bubbling potential. A person under this influence may become a dictator, an autocrat capable of passing the most cruel orders, but his heart may remain very clean, ready to forgive and pardon the guilty.

Esoterically, Mesha (Aries) maintains a strong link with the central invisible Sun God which makes the sign fiery, penetrative, restless, and eager to attain the highest in every field. This impulse impels the individual to dwell in subjective realms, unexplored universal ideas, ideals not yet achieved. His preoccupation is to make those inner, subjective, unexplored ideals objective and real. The impossibility of the task often makes the individual desperate despondent and miserable.

The ancient seers considered Mesha (Aries) as masculine, fiery, a cardinal or movable sign of the zodiac. Mangala (Mars) is intimately related to it: this planet is said to be the lord of the sign. The Surya (Sun) is exalted here, implying that it is in possession of its best nature. Shani (Saturn) is the weakest planet in this sign. The root or basis of Mesha (Aries) lies in Spirit, but both its conflict and its purity arise from the paradox inherent in making spirit manifest hi a world of matter.