Many assume Aquarius is a water sign, mainly because the name means literally ‘water’ (from the latin Aqua), and the glyph represents dual flowing waves of some medium.
A more elaborate symbol of the sign is a figure pouring water from a jar, the ‘water bearer’, or ‘water carrier’, further underlining the assumption that Aquarius is a water sign.
No Water In Aquarius
But Aquarius isn’t a water sign; the name and the glyph are kind of metaphorical, showing a way of working, a process, a methodology, rather than something definitive. Aquarius represents a free flowing process, an openness, perhaps something like the world wide web, where in theory at least, information en masse is available for all to assess and discern using their own wisdom.
And what does a water carrier do? It’s not so much the actual medium of water that is important. Anyone could get a drink of water if they so wish. But the water carrier symbolises pouring out for all, being of service to the many.
Hopes, Dreams & Wishes
Aquarius is the fixed air sign. The medium of air is to do with communication, mentality, sociability. But how fixed can air be? Perhaps one way of viewing it is concentration. A concentration of air is like a strong wind, or maybe a fresh breeze to blow away the cobwebs, in preparation for something new, fresher, better.
Aquarius is the second sign after the winter solstice, when the sun appears to stop and begin to move northward again. Capricorn begins the process, like some earthing or crystallisation, laying firm foundations, as befits the Saturn rulership of that sign.
The Great Teacher Saturn
So Aquarius is also ruled by Saturn (not Uranus, in my opinion), but it’s a different side of ‘the great teacher’. Saturn plans ahead, systematically with ideas, and with Aquarius this builds for the future — the hopes, dreams and wishes of mankind, upon the materialistic foundations of Capricorn, for the coming spring in the north, the fall in the south, as the sun moves relentlessly northward.
The water bearer’s energy is powerful at present and change is on its way. Not the violent, revolutionary change of Uranus, but the instigation of ‘plan a’ of the ages — the beginning of a ‘golden age’ which we are blessed to witness.
The astrological climate continues to suggest great changes are underway.
And one doesn’t have to be a lover of star signs or a psychic to believe we are living in extraordinary times, although the problems we all face are faith and finding some clarity.
Take the Aquarius New Moon on February 11 2021. Here we have half a dozen planets in the fixed air sign (Aquarius), which is striking.
The Old and the New
Now I am one of those astrologers who do not assign Uranus as ruler or even co-ruler of Aquarius. I am a bit of a traditionalist in this respect. There are two sides to Saturn, ruler of both Capricorn and Aquarius. In the cardinal earth sign of Capricorn, Saturn is materialistic, practical, systematic, realistic, all necessary functions of our lives. In his Aquarian mode, however, Saturn’s ‘gravity’ turns to forward planning, practical and realistic thinking in preparation for the future of humanity.
The Uranian side of Aquarius, I contend, is wrong, as is Neptune’s rulership of Pisces and Pluto’s of Scorpio. These three so-called outer planets are invisible to the naked eye, after all, and I agree that they do not represent anything positive at all. They are in fact forces which we should not knowingly dabble with, merely try to overcome and understand.
Hope, Dreams, Wishes
So, accepting this premise, what does all this Aquarian energy mean? Aquarius, traditionally, is the sign of hopes, dreams and wishes — it plans ahead, reflecting the sun at this time of year moving steadily north in preparation for the vernal equinox.
In other words, this New Moon on February 11 represents a new beginning of hope, where our dreams and wishes can be planted like seeds, with full expectation of a flowering, soon. One of the most beautiful aspects of this New Moon is that at the same time, the two benefics are in an almost exact conjunction in Aquarius.
Venus loves Jupiter — but platonically, idealistically in Aquarius
Jupiter, the greater benefic, and Venus, the lesser benefic, enhance one another, creating a beautiful idealistic, platonic vibration, strongly tinged as it is with the Aquarian energy, forecasting peace, justice and freedom for humanity as whole. But we must be patient. This is only a step.
And of course it’s not straightforward either. At this time Mercury, also in Aquarius, is retrograde, so there is a sense that nothing much is happening, or being heard; information is not clear and things keep going wrong. Aquarius demands a free flow of data.
Mercury turns direct on February 20, so we may not begin to see too many signs of a ‘spring thaw’ until around then, or into March as Mercury exits post shadow. Also, the Jupiter/Venus conjunction is loosely square (difficult) both Mars and Uranus in Taurus. The latter has been bringing chaos to financial markets in recent times and will continue to do so, whilst Mars steaming through the same sign has only agitated the situation — none of this to the benefit of humanity, whose hopes are invested in this Jupiter/Venus love-in for all.
Impasse
In other words, there continues to be an impasse between these two forces, those who want to ‘progress’ to that restoration of true human values, against what could be some chaotic ‘manipulation’ which has led us into this crisis in the first place.
We should not forget Saturn’s continued presence in Aquarius either, the true ruler of that sign. Interestingly, he is in challenging aspect to Uranus in Taurus in this chart, perhaps bringing a touch of stability which we might not have had; Uranus is saying ‘I want to turn over the financial markets’, while Saturn is saying ‘slow down!’
Lack of Clarity in America?
The first chart above is set for Washington DC, so might cast light onto the situation in America. I won’t say too much here, except that using my favoured house system, all that Aquarian energy is housed in the eighth house, which in mundane astrology represents other people’s money, i.e. investments, big finance, and thus business — but also secrets.
We should expect to hear a lot about these issues in the coming weeks, especially when Mercury goes direct. However, in this chart, Neptune is also almost exactly conjunct the midheaven, bringing little clarity, confusion and outright befuddlement in governmental issues and circles. The actual truth may be very hard to discern.
Nevertheless, with the Moon being the ruler of this chart (Cancer rising), it makes the importance of this new moon paramount. And what happens in America invariably affects the whole world.
astro.com
The above chart, set for London and therefore the United Kingdom, shows the Aquarian energies within the sixth house, strongly emphasising public health and work related issues, perhaps also the armed forces. Neptune’s presence in the seventh house could also leave the United Kingdom wide open to deceit in regard to diplomatic issues over the next month.
Most intriguingly too, the fixed star Aldebaran is exactly conjunct the midheaven on this chart, emphasising possible success in trade and/or military affairs over the next few weeks.
It is also worth bearing in mind that soon Pluto will reach the exact same degree it was in the USA Declaration of Independence chart, July 4 1776. Pluto warns us of surreptitious behaviour on a grand scale, although one can’t help but wonder what this might mean for the constitution — we shall see over the next year or so.
There’s Hope — But Don’t Expect Too Much
I believe the February 11 New Moon represents another step along the way of some form of transformation, which may only reach top gear by around 2025 when Pluto itself enters Aquarius. By then I truly hope that we will be on the way towards creating a peaceful federation of locally based communities within our countries, which can stretch the hand of friendship and cooperation worldwide — now these are true Aquarian values.
This New Moon could be quite interesting and enlightening, therefore, but don’t expect too much. We may have to wait until after February 20 to get some more clarity. Hang on in there.
A winter festivity in ancient Rome, Saturnalia combined fun, partying, gift sharing and love. ZLR Betriebsimperium gives its own interpretation of the feast to honor god Saturn. Enjoy!
The Elloe Recorder 