Sun in Aquarius

"Somewhere, everywhere, now hidden, now apparent in what ever is written down, is the form of a human being. If we seek to know him, are we idly occupied? "     —Virginia Woolf, born January 25, 1882

An Overview of Sun Sign Characteristics for Aquarius

   The ruler of Aquarius is Uranus.  Its symbol represents water, a universal image which dates back into prehistory.  This will also be recognized in the Egyptian hieroglyph representing the same.  The association in Aquarius is that of the servant of humanity pouring out the water of knowledge to quench the thirst of the world.  These symbolic waves of water, share the dual expression of vibrational waves of electricity or parallel lines of force.

Aquarians are interesting and attractive people.  They can be shy, sensitive, gentle and patient; or enthusiastic and lively with a tendency to be exhibitionists.  Both types are strong willed and forceful in their own way.  Very opinionated with strong convictions, they fight for what they believe in.  They will argue vehemently for what they believe to be true, however, if you can show them facts to the contrary, they have little trouble altering their opinion.

                          Oh Fame!—if I e’er took delight in thy praises,	
                          ’Twas less for the sake of thy high-sounding phrases,
                          Than to see the bright eyes of the dear one discover
                          She thought that I was not unworthy to love her.	
 
                          There chiefly I sought thee, there only I found thee;	
                          Her glance was the best of the rays that surround thee;	
                          When it sparkled o’er aught that was bright in my story,
                          I knew it was love, and I felt it was glory.

                           All for Love  by Lord Byron, born January 22, 1788

Sun Sign Personality Traits for Aquarius

These are farsighted people with an eye and ear to the new and innovative.  They are generally without prejudice and quite tolerant of the point of view of others.  They have an interesting side to their nature that allows them to see a valid argument even when they disagree with it.  They are quite objective folk and never get waylaid by being too close to an issue or person.

Stained glass depiction of Aquarius.  Rose window detail,
Lausanne Cathedral, Switzerland, mid-thirteenth century.

Regardless of type, Aquarius is truly a humane, human being. Known to be frank and outspoken, a 'on my mind, on my mouth' type, Aquarius makes for a serious and genial companion.  Refined and idealistic, romantic but practical, they are personable and likable people.  Quick in mind and quick to respond, Aquarians love activity and are quite reasonable, though difficult to get close to.  They cherish and guard their independence, and are a strange mixture of caring concern and cool detachment.  They will go out of their way to help when needed, but never get involved emotionally.

Where is the Planet Mercury in Your Birth Horoscope?

Of all the planets within our solar system, Mercury is nearest to the Sun. There is a direct correspondence to this fact in the mapping of an individual's birth chart. With the exception of the Moon, Mercury revolves through the zodiac faster than any other planet; yet its proximity to the Sun insures that its placement will always be near to or on par with the subject's Solar sign.

It is likely that you will be able to determine where Mercury was at the time of your birth without consulting an astrologer. By reading the three potential profiles, it is often uncanny how clearly one of them will fit to us. I thought you would enjoy trying this out for yourself. You can explore the three positions of Mercury through the following links:
      Mercury in Capricorn      Mercury in Aquarius      Mercury in Pisces

I am always interested to know what you think and discover. Feel welcome to write! Material is currently being developed on the other planets. If you are interested, we would be pleased to keep you updated on their progress. Just send me a brief request!

Aquarians are usually intelligent, cool, clear, logical people.  They have good imaginations and are quite intuitive. Aquarius is drawn to and inspired by great causes.  In the midst of such a crusade they can be so completely devoted, that they drive themselves to the edge of complete exhaustion.  This trait can be disheartening to those near and dear, for they get caught up with a cause in a way they never would with another person.

"You only grow when you are alone. "      —Paul Newman, born January 26, 1925

Whether the retiring or the outgoing Aquarian, both types appreciate opportunities to be alone.  To Aquarians, being alone has nothing to do with being lonely.  They enjoy their own company and are recharged by this quiet time.  Rarely content being followers, they are more often society's trend setters.  They do not take kindly to interference by others, even if it is well intended. Most Aquarians appreciate beauty and balance, possessing an excellent sense of aesthetics.  This is often expressed by interests that can span drama, music, art, and science.

Allegorical depiction of Aquarius zodiac, fifteenth century, French manuscript:
Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry.

Among the faults, which are typically Aquarian, are extreme eccentricity, and an unwillingness to participate in any standard of protocol.  When angered, they become seriously rude, alternating between deafening silence and sudden outbursts of temper.  Quite capable of sustained anger and hard feelings, they will tune out the perceived offender, and retreat to their own private world.  When Aquarius is good and ready, you will be granted the honor of their company again.

Vocational Interests Suited to Aquarius Tendencies

"Be courageous.  I have seen many depressions in business.  Always America has emerged from these stronger and more prosperous.  Be brave as your fathers before you.  Have faith!  Go forward!"
      —Thomas Edison, born February 11, 1847

Aquarians work best in group projects, but must be recognized as having a leading role.  They are akin to nature, and are seekers after knowledge and truth.  They make excellent researchers and admirable scientists, especially astronomers and natural historians.  They may lead the field in photography, computer technology. Radiography, electronics or anything connected with the electronic communication industries. Aviation is also a natural vocation for Aquarians, as it was for Charles Lindbergh.

In the arts and humanities, their progressive talents are expressed well in writing, particularly poetry, and in broadcasting.  In the theater, they make good character actors, and are natural mimics.  Possessing an affinity for rhythm and timing, many Aquarians make fine and progressive musicians.  In the service fields, they can be effective welfare workers or educators.  In any endeavor, an Aquarian will always be found on the cutting edge of whatever career they choose.  These are the trend setters of the zodiac, capable of seeing what is coming long before their contemporaries.

The symbolic representation of Aquarius,
astrological atlas, seventeenth century.

Essentials to a Healthy Aquarian Relationship

Aquarians are an enigma.  On one hand they are warm, kind, and outgoing, the sort to make friends easily and willingly.  On the other hand, they are quite aloof people, who do not actively seek out relationships, and resent any infringement on their time or resources.  They are engaging, yet unreachable.  They can be fascinating and dynamic, while lacking any real warmth or endearing qualities.  Enigmas.

Aries - Taurus - Gemini - Cancer - Leo
Virgo - Libra - Scorpio - Sagittarius
Capricorn - Aquarius - Pisces

"Aquarius the Waterman, il Aquario in Italy, le Verseau in France, der Wassermann in Germany, has universally borne this or kindred titles; Ideler assigning as a reason the fact that the sun passed through it during the rainy season. In connection with this the proximity of other analogous stellar forms is worthy of note: Capricornus, Cetus, Delphinus, Eridanus, Hydra, Pisces and Piscis Australis, all the watery shapes in the early heavens, with Argo and Crater, are in this neighborhood; some of whose stars Aratos said "are called the water"; indeed in Euphratean astronomy this region of the sky was the Sea, and thought to be under the control of Aquarius.

The constellation immemorially has been represented, even on very early Babylonian stones, as a man, or boy, pouring water from a bucket or urn, with an appropriate towel in the left hand, the human figure sometimes being omitted; while the Arabians, who knew of the latter but did not dare to show it, depicted a mule carrying two water-barrels; and again simply a water bucket. This last was Uleg Beg's idea of it, his original word being rendered by Hyde Situla, the Roman Well-bucket.

New Testament Christians of the 16th and 17th centuries likened it appropriately to John the Baptist, and to Judas Thaddaeus the apostle, although some went back to Naaman in the waters of Jordan, and even to Moses taken out of the water."

—Richard Hinckley Allen; Star-Names and Their Meanings, 1899

The Lore of Aquarius in Mythology

Mythology is closely interwoven with Astrology.  Despite all that we do not know about the origins of either lore it is certain that starwatching began with passion on humanity's first night beneath the open sky.  Somewhere in time, shapes were perceived, figures imagined, names given and stories were told about the densely populated tapestry of the heavens.  All elder cultures throughout the world developed tales of the constellations which over time were imbued with meaning to explain various phenomena of our existence within the cosmos.

Mythology in general is far more than a collection of "make believe" fantasies created by primitive societies to explain away what they could not understand.  The role of Myth in a society was to set the abstract complexities of Nature within a context of story that the human mind could comprehend.  Wondering long on what keeps the world from falling through space or whether the dawn will follow night is a costly distraction when there is hunting to do and crops to tend.  Story sets cosmic ideas in a scale we can relate to, human scale, which establishes a sense of accord and instills a faith that all is well with the universe.

Astrology and Mythology serve a similar function in this regard.  We benefit from Astrology not so much as a tool of fortune-telling but as a directional guide to understanding who we are individually and what our unique role ought to be in this life.  As Carl Jung stated, Astrology claims only that we each possess the qualities of the year and of the season in which we were born.  To discern just what those qualities are ... is as fascinating to each of us as the night sky.

Aquarius Constellation illustration, showing Capricorn and Pisces.

To fully appreciate the mythological significance of Aquarius, it is necessary to bear in mind the importance of water to our ancestors.  The very existence of the ancients depended upon the supply of life sustaining moisture.  During the month of Aquarius, the rains were on the land, literally poured from the heavens.  In many regions of the ancient world, this was seen as the beginning the new year, a time of new life cycles.  It is not hard to understand why some images depict the figure of Aquarius as a water bearing angel or other divine being.

The region of the night sky in which Aquarius resides is populated by water signs.  In Babylonia, this region of the zodiac was known as the Sea.  Here we also find, Capricornus, the water goat and Pisces, the fish.  To the Greeks, Aquarius was associated with Ganymede, the son of Tros, king of Phrygia.  The god Zeus, so admired the boy's beauty that, disguised as an eagle, he abducted him to serve as cup bearer on mount Olympus.  It was this desire to possess the young prince which inspired Zeus to cast his image eternally in the night sky.

The Egyptians associated this time of year with the god Hapi.  A heavyset, abundant figure, Hapi was responsible for the annual flooding of the river Nile.  In some images he is seen watering the earth from two large jugs.

"An actor must interpret life, and in order to do so must be willing to accept all the experiences life has to offer.  In fact, he must seek out more of life than life puts at his feet.  In the short span of his lifetime, an actor must learn all there is to know, experience all there is to experience, or approach that state as closely as possible.  He must be superhuman in his efforts to store away in the core of his subconscious everything that he might be called upon to use in the expression of his art."

—James Dean, Born: February 8, 1931

François Rabelais (Trad: February 10, 1491)
   French Physician, Author; Pantagruel, Gargantua
Sir Francis Bacon (January 22, 1561)
   English Scientific Philosopher, Statesman; Wisdom of the Ancients, Novum Organum, New Atlantis
Christopher Marlowe (Trad: February 6, 1564)
   English Elizabethan Poet, Playwright; Tamburlaine, Doctor Faustus, The Massacre at Paris
Emanuel Swedenborg (February 8, 1688)
   Swedish Scientist, Theologian, Philosopher; Arcana Cœlestia - Heavenly Secrets
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (January 27, 1756)
   Austrian Classical Composer; Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Don Giovanni, Die Zauberflöte
Robert Burns (January 25, 1759)
   Scottish Romantic Poet, Lyricist; Auld Lang Syne, A Red, Red Rose, The Battle of Sherramuir
Lord Byron (January 22, 1788)
   English Romantic Poet; When We Two Parted, She Walks in Beauty, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, Don Juan
Charles Darwin (February 12, 1809)
   English Naturalist, Author; On the Origin of Species, The Descent of Man
Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809)
   Sixteenth President of the United States, Union Leader During the Civil War
Charles Dickens (February 7, 1812)
   English Victorian Novelist; Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Great Expectations
John Ruskin (February 8, 1819)
   English Artist, Poet, Author, Critic; Modern Painters, The Stones of Venice, The Seven Lamps of Architecture
Jules Verne (February 8, 1828)
   French Science Fiction Novelist; Journey to the Center of the Earth, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
Edouard Manet (January 23, 1832)
   French Impressionist Painter; The Luncheon on the Grass, Olympia
Lewis Carroll (January 27, 1832)
   English Victorian Author, Photographer; Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass
Henry Adams (February 16, 1838)
   American Historian, Journalist, Author; The Education of Henry Adams, Mont Saint Michel and Chartres
Sidney Lanier (February 3, 1842)
   American Poet; Corn, Centennial Meditation, The Marshes of Glynn, Sunrise
Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847)
   American Inventor, Entrepreneur; The Phonograph, The Electric Light Bulb, Kinetoscope
Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (January 28, 1873)
   French Novelist; Claudine, Chéri, La Chatte, Gigi
W. Somerset Maugham (January 25, 1874)
   English Short Story Writer, Novelist, Playwright; The Magician, Rain, Of Human Bondage, The Razor's Edge
Gertrude Stein (February 3, 1874)
   American Expatriate Author; Tender Buttons, A Circular Play, Useful Knowledge, The Mother of Us All
W. C. Fields (January 29, 1880)
   American Vaudeville & Film Comedian; If I Had a Million, You're Telling Me!, My Little Chickadee
Virginia Woolf (January 25, 1882)
   English Modernist Author; Mrs Dalloway, Orlando, A Room of One's Own
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882)
   Thirty-second President of the United States, Leader During the Great Depression & Second World War
James Joyce (February 2, 1882)
   Irish Expatriate Author; Dubliners, Ulysses, Finnegan's Wake
Nikos Kazantzakis (February 18, 1883)
   Greek Philosopher, Author; The Odyssey: A Modern Sequel, Zorba the Greek, Last Temptation of Christ
Sinclair Lewis (February 7, 1885)
   American Novelist, Playwright; Main Street, Babbitt, Elmer Gantry, It Can't Happen Here
May Ziadé (February 11, 1886)
   Lebanese/Palestinian Journalist, Editor, Poet, Author; Ghayat Al-Hayât - Meaning of Life, Al-Mûsawât - Equality
Boris Pasternak (February 10, 1890)
   Russian Poet, Novelist; My Sister Life, Doctor Zhivago
Norman Rockwell (February 3, 1893)
   American Populist Illustrator & Painter
Babe Ruth (February 6, 1895)
   Legendary American Baseball Player; The Sultan of Swat
Bertolt Brecht (February 10, 1898)
   German Poet, Playwright; Trommeln in der Nacht - Drums in the Night, Die Dreigroschenoper - Threepenny Opera
Clark Gable (February 1, 1901)
   American Actor; It Happened One Night, Gone with the Wind, Run Silent, Run Deep, Misfits
Tallulah Bankhead (January 31, 1902)
   American Actress, Talk Show Host; The Cheat, Lifeboat, A Royal Scandal, Die! Die! My Darling
Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902)
   American Poet, Columnist, Playwright, Novelist; The Dream Keeper, Not Without Laughter, Black Nativity
Charles Lindbergh (February 4, 1902)
   American Aviator, Explorer, Inventor, Author, First to Cross the Atlantic, Non-stop, by Plane
Christian Dior (January 21, 1905)
   French Fashion Designer
Ayn Rand (February 2, 1905)
   Russian/American Objectivist Philosopher, Playwright, Novelist; The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged
Lon Chaney, Jr. (February 10, 1906)
   American Actor; Of Mice and Men, The Wolf Man, High Noon, The Defiant Ones
James A. Michener (February 3, 1907)
   American Epic Novelist; Tales of the South Pacific, Hawaii, Chesapeake, Texas
Ronald Reagan (February 6, 1911)
   American Actor, Governor, Fortieth President of the United States
Jackson Pollock (January 28, 1912)
   American Abstract Expressionist Painter
William S. Burroughs (February 5, 1914)
   American American Essayist, Novelist, Social Critic; The Electronic Revolution, The Third Mind, Naked Lunch
Ernest Borgnine (January 24, 1917)
   American Actor; Bad Day at Black Rock, Marty, The Dirty Dozen, The Wild Bunch
Jackie Robinson (January 31, 1919)
   First African-American Major League Baseball Player
Jack Palance (February 18, 1919)
   American Actor; Sudden Fear, Shane, Requiem for a Heavyweight, City Slickers
Donna Reed (January 27, 1921)
   American Actress; The Picture of Dorian Gray, It's a Wonderful Life, From Here to Eternity
Lana Turner (February 8, 1921)
   American Actress; Ziegfeld Girl, The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Bad and the Beautiful
Norman Mailer (January 31, 1923)
   American Journalist, Poet, Novelist, Playwright; The Naked and the Dead, The Executioner's Song, Harlot's Ghost
Franco Zeffirelli (February 12, 1923)
   Italian Film & Opera Director; Romeo and Juliet, Jesus of Nazareth, The Champ, La Traviata
Telly Savalas (January 21, 1924)
   American Actor; Birdman of Alcatraz, The Dirty Dozen, Kelly's Heroes, Kojak
Lee Marvin (February 19, 1924)
   American Actor; Bad Day at Black Rock , Cat Ballou, The Killers, The Dirty Dozen
Paul Newman (January 26, 1925)
   American Actor, Director, Entrepreneur; The Hustler, Hud, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid
Jack Lemmon (February 8, 1925)
   American Actor; Some Like it Hot, The Apartment, Days of Wine & Roses, The Odd Couple
Hal Holbrook (February 17, 1925)
   American Actor; All the President's Men, Magnum Force, The Firm, Into the Wild
Gene Hackman (January 30, 1930)
   American Actor; French Connection, The Conversation, Mississippi Burning, The Birdcage
Robert Wagner (February 10, 1930)
   American Actor; A Kiss Before Dying, Harper, It Takes a Thief
Sam Cooke (Januray 22, 1931)
   American Gospel & Soul Vocalist, Songwriter, Entrepreneur; You Send Me, Wonderful World, A Change is Gonna Come
Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin (February 1, 1931)
   First President of the Russian Federation
James Dean (February 8, 1931)
   American Actor; East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, Giant
Toni Morrison (February 18, 1931)
   American Author; The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, Beloved,
Constantin 'Costa' Gavras (February 13, 1933)
   Greek Film Director; Z, Etat de Siege - State of Siege, Missing, Mad City, Amen
Yoko Ono (February 18, 1933)
   Japanese/American Avant-garde Artist, Musician
Hank Aaron (February 5 1934)
   American Major League Baseball Legend; 'Hammer'
Vanessa Redgrave (January 30, 1937)
   English Actress, Human Rights Proponent; Camelot, Isadora, Julia, The Bostonians, Howard's End, Atonement
Etta James (Januray 25, 1938)
   American Blues, Soul, Gospel Vocalist; The Wallflower, Dance with Me, Henry, At Last
John Hurt (January 22, 1940)
   English Actor; A Man for All Seasons, Midnight Express, The Elephant Man, Scandal, V for Vendetta
Tom Brokaw (February 6, 1940)
   American News Anchor for NBC's Nightly News
Ted Koppel (February 8, 1940)
   American News Anchor for ABC's Nightline
Smokey Robinson (February 19, 1940)
   American R&B Singer Songwriter; Tracks of My Tears, My Girl, You've Really Got a Hold on Me
Plácido Domingo (January 21, 1941)
   Spanish/Mexican Operatic Tenor; Fidelio, Tristan und Isolde, Die Walküre, Il trovatore
Neil Diamond (January 24, 1941)
   American Singer, Songwriter; Solitary Man, Kentucky Woman, Cracklin' Rosie, I Am...I Said
Aaron Neville (January 24, 1941)
   American Soul Vocalist; Tell It Like It Is, Don't Know Much
Nick Nolte (February 8, 1941)
   American Actor; 48 Hours, Cape Fear, The Prince of Tides, Mother Night
Graham Nash (February 2, 1942)
   English Singer, Songwriter, Member of The Hollies & Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Joe Pesci (February 9, 1943)
   American Actor; Raging Bull, Goodfellas, My Cousin Vinny, Casino
Rutger Hauer (January 23, 1944)
   Dutch Actor; Nighthawks, Blade Runner, The Osterman Weekend, Sin City
Alice Walker (February 9, 1944)
   American Poet, Novelist; The Color Purple, The Temple of My Familiar
Tom Selleck (January 29, 1945)
   American Actor, Screenwriter, Producer; Magnum, P.I., Three Men and a Baby, An Innocent Man
Bob Marley (February 6, 1945)
   Jamaican Singer, Songwriter; I Shot the Sheriff, No Woman, No Cry, Stir it Up, Redemption Song
Mikhail Baryshnikov (January 27, 1948)
   Latvian/American Ballet Dancer, Choreographer, Actor; The Turning Point, White Nights
Mark Spitz (February 10, 1950)
   American Olympic Champion Swimmer
Peter Gabriel (February 13, 1950)
   English Musician Songwriter, Lead Vocalist for Genesis; Solsbury Hill, Games Without Frontiers, In Your Eyes
Phil Collins (January 31, 1951)
   English Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Drummer for Genesis; In the Air Tonight, Against All Odds, You'll Be in My Heart
Michael McDonald (February 12, 1952)
   American Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Vocalist for The Doobie Brothers; What a Fool Believes, I Keep Forgettin', I Gotta Try
Oprah Winfrey (January 29, 1954)
   American Talk show Host, Actress; The Color Purple, Beloved
John Travolta (February 18, 1954)
   American Actor; Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Pulp Fiction, Get Shorty, Primary Colors
Nicolas Sarkozy (January 28, 1955)
   President of the French Republic
John Grisham (February 8, 1955)
   American Attorney, Politician, Novelist; A Time to Kill, The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Rainmaker
Eddie Van Halen (January 26, 1957)
   Dutch/American Rock Guitarist, Co-founder of Van Halen
John McEnroe (February 16, 1959)
   American Tennis Champion
Greg Louganis (January 29, 1960)
   American Olympic Champion Diver
Wayne Gretsky (January 26, 1961)
   Canadian Ice Hockey Player, Entrepreneur
Garth Brooks (February 7, 1962)
   American Country Singer, Songwriter; If Tomorrow Never Comes, The Dance, Friends in Low Places
Benicio Del Toro (February 19, 1967)
   Puerto Rican Actor, Writer, Director, Producer; The Usual Suspects, Traffic, Sin City, Che
Mary Lou Retton (January 24, 1968)
   American Olympic Champion Gymnast
Sarah McLachlan (January 28, 1968)
   Canadian Musician, Singer, Songwriter; Angel, Adia, Possession, Fallen, I Will Remember You
Edward Burns (January 29, 1968)
   American Actor, Director, Screenwriter; The Brothers McMullen, She's the One, Sidewalks of New York
Jennifer Aniston (February 11, 1969)
   American Actress; Friends, She's the One, Derailed, The Break-Up
Rob Thomas (February 14, 1972)
   American Rock Vocalist, Songwriter, Lead Singer for Matchbox Twenty; Push, 3 A.M., If You're Gone
Oscar de La Hoya (February 4, 1973)
   Mexican/American Olympic & Multi-class Boxing Champion
Shakira (February 2, 1977)
   Colombian Musician, Singer, Songwriter; ¿Dónde Estás Corazón?, Ojos Así, Underneath Your Clothes, How Do You Do, Illegal
Elijah Wood (January 28, 1981)
   American Actor; The Lord of the Rings, Sin City, Everything is Illuminated, The Oxford Murders

"That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me.  But, it is the same with any life.  Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different it's course would have been.  Pause you who read this, and think for the moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day."

—Charles Dickens, Born: February 7, 1812

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