The most stunning images of the Decans are from the early Renaissance frescoes in 'The Hall of The Months' (Salone dei Mesi) in the Palazzo Schifanoia in Ferrara, Italy - a residency where the Este family relaxed. 'Schifanoia' is thought to originate from 'schivar la noia', meaning 'escape from boredom'. The images on the walls of the palace certainly weren’t boring for the residents, for they often depicted the family members themselves in beautiful and mythical scenery. It must have been for them like watching your favorite show, but with yourself in it!
The image above shows a detail of a painting by Francesco del Cossa (born in 1430). The figure on the fresco represents the third Decan of Aries, ruled by Venus, spanning from the 10th to 21th of April for this year (2023). Therefor, this image is the 'sign' of this small window of time.
Most sources describe a figure in red, holding a gold bracelet in one hand, and often a staff in the other. The figure is often described by a sense of restlessness. The Picatrix describes the figure as follows:
'One who desires to do good and is not able. And this face is one of subtlety, and of subtle professions, and of new things and instruments, and the like.'
The sentence 'One who desires to do good and is not able' can be interpreted in this context as someone who is practicing, and who, as is often the case with the particular use of instruments, has to fail again and again before succeeding. It's possible to lose one's patience and calm in the process. Here we meet the Venusian side of Aries, where only fierce enthusiasm and determination can lead to perfection of craft. The elegancy of art (Venus, ruler of the Decan) is often made out of sweat and frustration (Mars, ruler of Aries).
The golden bracelet might be a symbol of the Sun, exalted in Aries. The fact that it’s a jewel, might also symbolize Venus, the ruler of this particular Decan. The wand might be a symbol of Mars and/or power. Red in their garments points obviously to the color of Mars.
If you have a prominent natal placement in this Decan, you might have a profession or passion where you have to use energy, force or physical strength (Mars) to end up with something refined (Venus)- like sports, racing, jewelry-making, metallurgy, acting, sculpting… You’ll also come across this Decan a lot with chemists (Lilly associates Mars with alchemists), because in chemistry there there is some forcing of one element to become another, often through heat (Mars) and fusion (Venus). Generally, this decan shows us things and activities that need very physical/material craftmanship.
Take notice if during the period of 10th to 21th of april you find yourself practicing something new, being enamored by it, or discovering a talent or power in yourself.