Aquarius
Dates: January 20 — February 18
Keywords: Unconventionality, Intellectualism, Vision, Fixedness, Ingenuity, Originality, Idealism, Individuality, Friendship, Eccentricity, Rebel, Detachment, Community, Equality, Humanitarianism, Progress, Futurism, Rebellion, Social Consciousness, Philanthropy, Charitable, Greater Good, Far-Sightedness
Archetype: Iconoclast, Disruptor, Inventor, Rebel, Individualist, Intellectual, Humanitarian, Philanthropist, Theorist, Artist, Maverick, Futurist, Philosopher, Oddball, Alien, Genius, Astronaut
Ruling planet: Saturn and Uranus
Element: air
Modality: fixed
The Water Bearer
Capricorn’s unyielding drive for achievement and earthly societal status is intellectualised and oriented towards social justice in the fixed air sign Aquarius. The water bearer continuously pours water, a symbol of understanding and spiritual knowledge, for the benefit of humanity, regardless of status or belief.
Humanitarian Service
Aquarius traditionally stands for truth, fairness, social equality, and common accord. A free spirit, Aquarius employs its creative, far-reaching vision and community-oriented ethos for the greater good of humanity. Its strong streak of originality, profound awareness of society and open-minded inventiveness functions best when fully integrated and aligned with the goals of the group. Aquarius understands that group connections are often the most effective way to gain a place in the world, and tends to rank society above the individual in terms of importance. Although not always deliberately contrary or rebellious, this sign often breaks down barriers in the name of progress and freedom of expression, which can come as a true shock to its associates as well as the system. Yet Aquarius is also a fixed sign, which means it possesses a surprising inclination for stubbornness, rigidity and conservatism. The unyielding belief in unlimited possibilities can quickly transmute into dogmatism — Aquarius is highly sensitive when the promise of progress it so dearly clings to is challenged or dismissed by others.
Cool As A Cucumber
Cool and collected, Aquarius often sports an air of aloofness and detachment. This sign tends to suffocate in excessively emotionally charged environments, instead preferring reasonable behaviour, clear air and the rational discourse of logical individuals who do not cloud issues with feelings or fall prey to limiting prejudices. To some, Aquarius can seem unapproachable, distant and impersonal, which is often due to its internal struggle of honouring each individual’s need for personal expression instead of valuing only society as an important asset. Yet at its best, Aquarius’s modesty, independence and indifference to attention is a profoundly harmonising influence, cooling down heated debates, shifting the focus to intellect rather than inappropriate emotion, stressing commonality rather than differences, and bringing equality and retribution to situations of grave injustice.
Eccentrics and Creatives
At its core, Aquarius is an idealist, with a love of political, sociological or philosophical commentary, technological progress, and scientific originality. Its fascinating combination of cool impartiality, avant-garde interests and strongly humanitarian streak can seem alien or downright odd to others — yet sociology shows that the norms of a social group orient themselves according to the activity of those ahead of the times who dwell at the fringes of current trends. This is precisely where Aquarius feels at ease: detached from group movement, comfortably at odds with the norm, and satisfied only with self-recognition. As a result, Aquarius is often profoundly creative, having an eye for the outcast, the underdog, and the strange — which becomes beautiful once accepted by the group. When its tendency to associate with radicals, progressive thinkers, idealists and dreamers is not only a fad or simply food for the ego, this sign is the harbinger of knowledge and long-awaited creator of new societal conditions. We are collectively creating our future by indulging in our current ideas, and it is Aquarius who combines pure vision with the balance of old and new, truly understanding that humanity benefits the most when caring for its neighbours and the planet itself.
Personal (and Outer) Space
In love, Aquarius needs a lot of personal space and room for intellectual discussion. They often have a warm-hearted approach to close friendships and lovers, but need mental freedom to consider a long-term contract with anyone. With its characteristic eccentricity and unusual approach to life, Aquarius is well-suited to engage in the most unconventional types of relationships imaginable, choosing partners for their uniqueness and ability to tread the road less travelled. Partners must be equally autonomous and independent, share in their thirst for knowledge and unique perspectives, and, ideally be well-read or intellectually curious. This sign appreciates partners who are not only tolerant but also supportive of their quirks — the freedom to pursue its interests is paradoxically what will allow partners to keep it close, whereas restriction, control and constraint backfire.
While engaging in a variety of relationships throughout their life allows them to further hone their individuality and spur their personal growth, Aquarius is a fixed sign and eventually values stability, authenticity and uniqueness of perspective. Prone to intellectualising rather than feeling its emotions, Aquarius benefits from partners who compassionately guide them to get in touch with their own feelings. Stickiness, sentimental excess and ‘drama of the heart’ irritate this sign — they can seem emotionally distant even to close loved ones, and at their worst, are emotional aliens! This sign is challenged to remember to come down to earth and participate in the human experience — which includes feeling all the feels.
Towards Spiritual Mastery
Aquarius’s sacred call is to foster in others the understanding that intelligence, knowledge and genius are highly valuable social goods, yet the first step to bridge deeper gaps in our human understanding and crisis of existence is to instil faith. Aquarius is challenged to learn and in turn teach us that true progress lies in the expansion and fulfilment of consciousness — this, not knowledge acquired by the intellect, is the true measure of evolutionary success of our species.
