AQUARIUS DATES: January 21 – February 18 SYMBOL: The Water-Bearer MODE + ELEMENT: Fixed Air RULING PLANET: Saturn & Uranus HOUSE: Eleventh MANTRA: I Know BODY PART: The Shins COLORS: Silver & Blue TAROT CARD: The Star

Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the zodiac, and Aquarians are the perfect representatives for the Age of Aquarius. Those born under this horoscope sign have the social conscience needed to carry us into the new millennium. Those of the Aquarius zodiac sign are humanitarian, philanthropic, and keenly interested in making the world a better place. Along those lines, they’d like to make the world work better, which is why they focus much of their energy on our social institutions and how they work (or don’t work).

Aquarians are visionaries, progressive souls who love to spend time thinking about how things can be better. They are also quick to engage others in this process, which is why they have so many friends and acquaintances. Making the world a better place is a collaborative effort for Aquarians.

Aquarius Characteristics Personality Aquarius’ archetypal traits are derived from its active, masculine, or yang qualities, making this sign oriented toward engagement with the outer world. Alive in both an Aquarian woman or Aquarian man, those born with the Water-Bearer as their rising, sun, or moon sign have a clear objective, yet intelligent and inventive energy in their core personality, like the icy heart of winter.

As a fixed sign, The Water-Bearer holds the qualities of being a sustainer, making those with Aquarius prominent in their charts great at dedicating themselves to projects, and tenaciously sticking to their social principals. Ruled by Saturn, Aquarians can be thought of as the “reformers” of the zodiac that challenge and test the societal conventions we have built to see if they are still relevant and inclusive.

Strengths The primary Aquarian strengths can be found in their intelligence and their ability to not be mired in subjectivity that could potentially block maintaining a fresh perspective. Those under this sign have an affinity for abstract thought that allows them to examine problems and innovate new solutions. Though they are conversational and social, they can operate in their communities in an observant and impartial way, making them typically good judges of character, and dependable when rationality is needed.

Aquarians are known for their cleverness and dry wit, which may be surprising in spite of their cool and collected exterior. The sign of the Water-Bearer produces naturally curious and inquisitive people who love to take apart objects, as well as personalities, to see what makes them tick. Perhaps a product of sober and determined Saturn, their planetary ruler, Aquarians are often not afraid to take intellectual, or creative risks, or to speak the sober but unpopular opinion. “Nothing lost, nothing gained” could be another Water-Bearer motto.

The Aquarian archetype is naturally radical, and those with this sign prominent in their charts often feel they don’t fit in with mainstream society, and often, they don’t want to anyway! Usually, the world finds out later that their offbeat views and inventions were merely ahead of their time. It’s the rest of us who may need to try and keep up with our Aquarian inventors and thought leaders. Very often, they see the new frontier on the horizon, long before anyone else has a clue.

Weaknesses Some sources of weakness for Aquarius are rooted in their great strengths. Their strong mental capacities can lead them to be overly intellectual in life, making them seem cold, distant, or unfeeling. They may encounter situations that they can’t think their way out of, which could be perplexing for them.

The Water-Bearer’s capacity for abstract thought may have them reducing life to a series of puzzles to be solved, becoming so theoretical in their ideas that they become hard to relate to. Though typically good judges of character, this is a strength that can get taken too far when these folks get so stuck on the principle of another’s mistake that they judge them too harshly; sometimes even losing sight of their humanity. Aquarians can become so “fixed” on their principles, that they hold others to higher standards than they could possibly attain. This may lead them to set many strict social boundaries and even holding grudges, possibly alienating others and isolating themselves.

Clever, witty, and psychologically focused, Aquarians may use humor to toy with others they deem to be intellectually inferior to them. Though curious, this sign should guard against becoming nosy, and similar to their Gemini counterparts, may need to curb a habit of being gossipy. Though Aquarius may be cool and measured in their own feelings, they could forget what could be hurtful to others.

Lastly, the Aquarian “contrarian” nature is best channeled into important and useful causes to guard against a habit of being rebellious and disruptive just for the sake of it. This can be hurtful and divisive if not well-considered.

Aquarian children may grow up with a wounding around being an outsider. They will be well-nurtured by being accepted and embraced for their different nature, as well as allowed to experiment and express themselves in their own unique way.