by Rebecca Farrar of Wild Witch of the West / Illustration by Stacey Newmyer
AQUARIUS BASICS
ALL ABOUT AQUARIUS
On January 20 the Sun makes its annual move into the eccentric and evolutionary tropical zodiac sign of Aquarius, where it will stay through February 18.
The word “Aquarius” comes from Latin meaning “water-carrier, water-pourer.” Its astrological symbol represents water, but looks like an electrical jolt. And rightfully so—Aquarius connects us to energies of originality, eccentricity, freedom, radical expression, and epiphanies of all sorts. It craves innovation and orients us to the future and what is possible. When sparked it catalyzes creativity, new insights, or exciting novelty. Activated Aquarius energy in our society spurs technology breakthroughs—it’s arguably what gave us the Internet. Yet Aquarius energy also compels us to consider social justice as part of the collective and communal experience.
Aquarius invites us into the need for novelty, excitement, and collective concern. It also leaves us prone to lone wolf complexes or thinking so much about the future we miss today. However, Aquarius isn’t all excitement and forward-thinking momentum, however; as with all planets and zodiac signs, it also has a shadow side. In Aquarius’s case it can be aloof, non-committal, impulsive, detached, or restless. Aquarius energy loves to start things, but not always finish them. Watch out for the infamous Aquarian “Last Unicorn Syndrome,” in which it thinks it’s the first and only one to come up with an idea.
Archetypally, Aquarius is the misfit, lone wolf, or mad scientist. It’s a rebel with a cause, and sometimes without one. In traditional astrology Aquarius was governed or ruled by the planet Saturn, though many modern astrologers associate it now with Uranus as back then Uranus hadn’t been discovered yet. Some say Saturn is the “night ruler” while Uranus is the “day ruler.”
It’s important to note that while we all have Aquarius or Uranus in our charts, its influence in our lives or self-expression depends upon our personal natal astrology chart. Those with Aquarius as their Sun, Moon, or Rising sign may feel particularly connected to the Aquarius Season and naturally carry more of the shadow and uplifted expressions of the sign.
Aquarius rules the nervous system and the firing of neurons, and also the frying of it. While Aquarius craves technology it is the same energy that exhausts it and over stimulates the sensitive body system. Pay attention to your eyes and brain during this phase and look for ways to soothe its overactive energies. You might even consider taking a break from social media or caffeine...gulp.
Perhaps the greatest gift of Aquarius is the possibility of evolution both personally and collectively. Be prepared for potential epiphanies or a stirring up of your own inner rebel, with or without a cause.
Rebecca Farrar of Wild Witch of the West has her M.A. in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness, and has worked with many renowned astrologists and cosmologists. Read her bio here, and catch more of her work on Witch of the West.
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