Air Series Part Three: Aquarius

Air Series

Part Three: Aquarius

4/1/2023

If you have been following these blogs in order, then the Libra clan is fresh in your brain. Paradox is one word to summarize the Libra family. Keep that word fresh in your mind because it is applicable to the Aquarian clan as well, at least in theory. If you spend any time on social media or watching the news, then you have probably noticed a lot of social justice issues coming to the forefront. As I’ve said before, this is not a political post! But, Black Lives Matter, Gay Marriage, Women’s Rights- these are just a few such hot button issues lately. Pluto is currently in Aquarius and will dance back into Capricorn for a short time to tie up any loose ends but will eventually land in Aquarius where it will sit until 2044! Pluto in Aquarius could be a separate blog on its own, but the summary is that times are changing and it is the Aquarians of the world who are fighting for these important issues of social justice and reform! With these issues at the forefront of mainstream media we are already seeing the shift happening.  Aquarian energy is not merely about the collective. Everyone has Aquarian signatures including the planets Uranus and Saturn in their chart! That means this energy is also showing up for you in different ways. Also, if you are drawn to evolutionary astrology then chances are you have some strong Aquarian signatures. Let’s dive in!

Aquarius. This energy took me some time to understand. First of all, the name is confusing. Just based on the name, shouldn’t Aquarius be a water sign? Nope! It belongs as the final sign of the Air family. What can also be confusing is that Aquarian paradox. On one hand Aquarius is about relating to the collective. But, Aquarius is also about individuality, rebellion, and free thinking. We see themes of balancing oppositions constantly in astrology, yet somehow this energy balance feels different. That is because Aquarian energy is different! The evolutionary aim of this energy is to figure out who we really are.

Conditioning

I’ve mentioned this in many a blog, but social conditioning and standards are drilled into us from the moment we enter the world and in many ways before we are even born. Our circumstances also play a large role in who we believe we are. I will use myself as an example. I wasn’t raised in a household of astrologers. So how did I figure out that this was something I wanted to pursue? Astrology is not exactly mainstream, although we are slowly getting there. So how did I launch into something so Aquarian? Steven Forrest summarizes it best in his “Book of Air” when he makes the point that all societies or groups are somewhat conservative in nature. What he means by this is that all groups tend to adhere to a certain standard of beliefs (cultural norms). This common ground is what links the group. The group must be somewhat conservative in their beliefs or else the structure breaks down. That commonality and conservativism is the breeding ground for Aquarius. There must be something common for the Aquarian rebels to butt up against! In my case, and likely for many Aquarians of the world- we are not fulfilled or satisfied by the current cultural norms. There must be a different way to live, a better way. Some kind of Genius waiting to be discovered. Ahhh Aquarius.

The evolutionary goal of Aquarius is all about thinking for ourselves. One problem here is that often times we believe we are thinking for ourselves. That is where the conditioning comes in again. This conditioning is imbedded in our psyche. I will use politics as an example again. Am I voting for a candidate of a certain party because that is how I was raised or because most of my friends are voting in such a way? Wait, why am I even voting anyway? Because society says I have to? Have I ever stopped to actually think about what aligns with who I am? What about my choice in partner? Am I seeking partnership within the cultural safe zone of someone from a similar background, color, economic class? You get the point. It is not hard to comprehend how deep and impactful our conditioning is. Aquarius asks you to start reviewing this conditioning and breaking down some walls regarding it. Every genius in history got their start with some kind of new idea.

Uranus and Saturn

Aquarius is ruled traditionally by Saturn. Certain signs have what we call co-rulership. There was a time not so long ago when Uranus had not yet been discovered, not as a planet anyway. The discovery of Uranus really upset the classic system. At that point, astrology was working on a seven-planet system. Seven is considered an important number throughout history and is referenced in various religious texts. So, you can imagine the upset when a planet was discovered that threw this seven system for a loop. It was also discovered that compared to other planets Uranus even has a different orbit! You can look this up if you want more information but for now the word “different” really sums this planet up. If you have ever been called “different”, “weird” or “alien” then you might have more Uranian/Aquarian influence than you realize!

Saturn as the traditional ruler of Aquarius also makes sense. Remember the paradox. There must be a society for the rebel spirit to rebel against. There must be some kind of traditions and norms that this energy is compelled to break away from. Saturn rules Capricorn as well and loves tradition, rigidity, and structure. Saturn as the ruler of Aquarius represents the societal norms that the Aquarian rebel wants to break down.

Shadowy Stuff

Certain aspects of society are in place for the “greater good”. Most of us tend to obey (most) laws for this greater good and self-preservation. I don’t drive 100 mph everywhere I go. I could, but for the sake of myself and everyone else I chose not to. Obeying normal traffic laws and refraining from violence and upheaval doesn’t mean you are the anti-Aquarian. If you find yourself on the lower side of Aquarian energy then you are most likely a perfectly likeable, mostly law-abiding, “normal” person. You participate in the normal day-to-day things such as working, parenting, voting. Maybe you even sit in on the PTA. On the outside you look like everyone else; however, on the inside you are screaming. You are unsettled and a deeper part of you feels like an alien doing all this “normal” human stuff. That unsettled feeling will eventually place walls around your heart. You won’t let anyone get too close so as not to let your true alien show through. You are stuck in this hell of normalcy which can leave you feeling emotionally detached. You are doing your normal day-to-day things to avoid being seen as anything but a normal, societal citizen but you know deep down this is not you are meant to be.

Medicine

Aquarius rules over the 11th house of audience, tribe, social groups. Directly across the Zodiac is the 5th house, ruled by none other than Leo the Lion. This opposition represents the balance between the performer and the audience, or self and others. As everything is in opposition, this is a balancing act. But, if you notice that you have moved too far into the normalcy of everyday life and are feeling detached due to this, then the invitation is to find what it is that you can passionately create. What lights you up? What kind of creative love affairs await you? How can you be in the spotlight of your own life and feel good about it? Leo gives us permission to be authentically ourselves without falling prey to what the “others” think. Stand up on the stage of your own life, even if “they” are booing you. If you truly feel good about what it is that you are creating, then chances are you are living in alignment with your authentic self. In true Aquarian fashion, who gives a f*ck if you come across as a little bit weird.

What Now?

Normalcy, feeling emotionally de-void, change, rebellion. I encourage you to reflect for a while on these topics. Do any of these words resonate or even make you feel uncomfortable? Perhaps these words light you up and make you feel at home. If you are interested in Astrology then there is a good chance that you have some Aquarian signatures in your chart. We all have the planets Uranus and Saturn, so we are all Aquarian in some ways. We all have some degree of “different”, that is why the world is so interesting.

Even if you know very little about astrology you can get a good idea of how you deal with your rebel energy by looking at Aquarius/Uranus and Saturn/11th house placements in your natal chart. But, it’s complicated and here we have only scratched the surface. A natal chart reading by a trusted evolutionary astrologer would be helpful for a deeper understanding of how this energy shows up for you! Stay tuned for next time as we continue our journey through the elements. We have reached our 4th and final element: Water!