The start of a new year often brings waves of hope and visions of change—especially the second half of January, when we often hit our stride. We might enjoy a boost to our social lives, as friends return from winter breaks with family and colleagues return to work. This community-oriented, intellectually stimulating time of year is brought to you by Aquarius.
Annually, between January 20 and February 18, the sun moves through the eleventh sign of the zodiac, Aquarius, symbolized by the Water Bearer. If your energies are a bit scattered but you're generally amicable and open to whatever these wintry weeks have to offer, chances are you're simply feeling Aquarius season, a moment made for embracing the unconventional, anticipating change, and working toward progress.
A few famous, quirky Aquarian celebrities: Kerry Washington, Shakira, Chloë Grace Moretz, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Aniston, and Elizabeth Banks are all astrologically wired to use their universal appeal and significant platforms to speak up and make a difference.
Here, everything you need to know about the friendly, forward-thinking air sign.
Aquarius Personality Traits
The Free Spirit of the Zodiac
Typical sun in Aquarius traits include being incredibly cerebral, motivated to create dynamic change, thinking in a futuristic, inventive way, striking out on their own and rebelling against convention at every turn, and even coming off as a bit quirky or eccentric. These characteristics reflect many themes covered by the Eleventh House of Networking, which Aquarius rules. The Eleventh House covers groups of all kinds—those you form with friends, colleagues, neighbors, other members of your political party.
A Rebel and Revolutionary
Often, Aquarius is referred to as a humanitarian, a rebel, and a revolutionary. Folks with Aquarius placements are the paragon of wanting to leave the world better than they found it. These traits are owed to Aquarius' ruling planet Uranus, which oversees revolution, originality, individuality, and sudden change.
The Fixed Air Sign
Every sign is assigned a quality (cardinal, mutable, or fixed), which explains the sign's basic energy. There's a cardinal, mutable, and fixed sign within every element (fire, earth, air, water). Aquarius is the fixed one of the air group, meaning they're just as stubborn as Taurus (earth) as well as Scorpio (water) and Leo (fire)—but also rock-steady and achievement-oriented. They naturally get locked into a pattern of behavior or perspective, which means it can be challenging for them to redirect.
Aquarius' Best Personality Traits
Free-spirited, friendly, personable, independent-minded, and humanitarian, the Aquarians in your life will motivate you to question—and perhaps even reject—the status quo. Their appetite for community is also inspiring, as they're drawn to connect with a wide network of people and form unlikely alliances, often for the purpose of achieving a goal that, in their opinion, will benefit others. They're compelled not only to rebel but to question, think, mull, explore, and experiment.
Aquarius' Worst Personality Traits
The fixed air sign's rebellious, quirky-yet-stubborn way of being in the world can frustrate anyone who is a fan of conventions, traditions, or social norms. Aquarians tend to go against the grain simply for the sake of it, which could be perceived as antagonizing at times. And while some are open to exploring the spiritual side of life, many are so dedicated to science that they quickly become the world's most outspoken, know-it-all skeptic, railing out against institutions or belief systems they see as outdated or irrational. Their Uranian influence can also cause them to get irritated at a moment's notice, unleashing a biting remark or argumentative tone that is sure to sting.
Aquarius in Love and Lust
Romance Style
Aquarian energy is individualistic, unconventional, global good-pursuing—a.k.a. anything but old-school. The air sign is an idiosyncratic, free-spirited rebel at heart, which appeals to anyone open to paving their own, unique path in a relationship. For instance, Aquarians are fairly notorious for preferring to shrug off marriage. Their intellectual airiness can also read as an aloof coolness, which might be a difficult pill to swallow for anyone looking for more passionate self-expression from their S.O.
Sexual Style
Aquarians might bring their science-mindedness, tech-savviness, and innate eccentricity to the bedroom. They're interested in experimentation and rebelling against norms in their sex lives—like proposing an open relationship or exploring a specific fetish. Their hard wiring tends to make them pros at building platonic relationships, so they might fall into the role of a friend seeking the occasional benefits. And as an air sign with a cool, cerebral, sometimes steely, vibe, they might feel fairly "meh" on sex in general, preferring to build intimacy intellectually versus physically.
Aquarius' Compatibility
Most Compatible Signs
Signs that share the same element tend to be the most simpatico (e.g., two water signs, like Scorpio and Cancer). This is especially the case for two air signs, both leading with mental energy. Air is also traditionally compatible with fire, because the two elements complement one another. The two signs share certain attributes, like being free-spirited, independent, speedy, and social. That said, Aquarius often hits it off with a similarly social, mentally charged Gemini, host with the most Libra, or free-spirited Sagittarius.
Least Compatible Signs
Opposites can definitely attract—and that goes for Aquarius and Leo. These two connect on their interest in standing out and socializing. But they're fixed signs that can find it hard to compromise. Plus, Leos have such an intense sense of self while Aquarians are geared to thinking about the universal, communal scheme of things. This also goes for Aquarius matches with down-to-earth Taurus and power-seeking Scorpio. Unless they have other positive aspects in their natal charts, Aquarius can respect the ability to take a position and then see it through, but emotionally, they're too unwavering to enjoy a harmonious connection.
Aquarius Elsewhere in Your Chart
The sun sign is one of many aspects of a natal chart. When you were born, the moon and all the planets in our solar system were in one of the 12 signs and a particular position—all of which help to inform your personality and areas of your life. Here's what it means if Aquarius shows up in any of the main areas of your chart:
Moon in Aquarius
The moon, which spends about two to three days in each sign, influences your emotions and intuition. If it was in Aquarius at the time of your birth, you're individualistic, and in your heart of hearts, you want to dedicate yourself to high-minded ideals and pursuits that benefit your community. You might also steer toward embracing facts, figures, and logic over less tangible, unwieldy emotions.
Mercury in Aquarius
Mercury, which spends about two to three weeks in a sign, shapes your communication style. If you were born in Aquarius, you are unconventional in how you express yourself and can get people talking by sharing eyebrow-raising ideas and proposals.
Venus in Aquarius
Venus, which remains in a sign for about three to five weeks, influences how you behave in relationships and how you attract others. If you were born with the planet of love and beauty in Aquarius, you charm and connect with others through provocative, intellectual debate and philosophizing.
Mars in Aquarius
Mars, which remains in a sign for six or seven weeks, affects your energy, strength, sexual style, and how you experience courage. If you were born while the fiery, dynamic, fighter planet was in fixed, airy Aquarius, you're willing to stand your ground on your beliefs, which are likely grounded in rational thought and concrete data. You also take a lot of pride in acting independently, guided by your very own principles and inner compass and no one else's.
Aquarius Ascendant (Or Rising)
Your ascendant or rising sign influences how you present yourself to the world. As an Aquarius ascendant, you come off as future-minded, inventive, friendly, and dedicated to bringing people together for the greater good.
