This post may contain affiliate links, if you choose purchase through them we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. By using these links you are directly supporting us to continue creating free mystical musings. Thank you!

What To Know About Archetypal Aquarius

Archetypal Aquarius is the figurative alien of the Zodiac, marching to the beat of its own drum, creating its own rules. This aloof Sign seeks independence and freedom, as well as a band of its own fellow weirdos.

Its traditional ruling Planet is stoic Saturn, the cold Planet of separation and distance, Aquarius needs its space! Saturn values hard work, integrity, and strong foundations. Aquarius is not afraid to build on what has come before in innovative ways (you’ve got to know the rules before you can break them)!

As a Fixed Air Sign, Aquarius prefers intellectual stimulation and is resolute in its quirky ideas and values. It can converse, debate, and bridge worlds for extended periods of time, able to envision new ways of doing things. Where it is in your Natal Chart can show you areas where you need discipline, dedication, and minimalism.

-> To learn more in depth, get my FREE 1-hour Astrology Masterclass by signing up here!

Characteristics of Aquarius

Aquarius is a Diurnal, Fixed Air Sign. Diurnal Signs (Fire + Air) are more active and outward-facing. Fixed Signs fall in the middle of the seasons, thus are steadfast and constant. They are hard workers and perseverant, but can struggle with change or initiating new things. Air Signs are the communicators and ideators of the Zodiac.

Archetypal Aquarius can be somewhat of a lone wolf, it strongly values its solitude and time alone to do things its own way. It can feel like an outcast or not quite of this world, keen to find a community of likeminded individuals (emphasis on the word individuals).

Its ruling body part is the shins, calves, ankles, and circulatory system. Aquarius can be particularly attuned to technology and electronic devices so if you have Aquarius placements doing frequent digital detoxes can be useful!

Its traditional symbol is, ironically, the water bearer. Aquarius can sometimes be distant, aloof, or detached, prone to intellectualising its emotions rather than feeling them.

The Planets and Aquarius

As Astrology is the study of the Planets, it can be useful to think about a Zodiac Sign through which Planets are comfortable and at home in them, and which ones struggle in their domain.

Aquarius is ruled by Saturn traditionally— Grandfather Time, Zeus’ daddy. Saturn was also associated as a harvest God, its name coming from greek Chronos and Cronus/Kronos both being conflated with one another. Saturn is firm but fair, it doesn’t care for excess.

Saturn is of the night “Sect”, known as the “greater malefic”— in comparison to Mars— as its temperament is cold and dry, and it is the last Planet visible to the naked eye (thus the last of the Classical Planets) and so represents the wall, boundary, and reality.

Saturn finds its so-called “joy” in the 12th House of Shadow, the “House of Bad Spirit”. This is traditionally the House of loss, isolation, and exile, but also represents introspection, solitude, our subconscious, dreamscape, and mental health, as well as patterns of self-undoing and places such as monasteries, prisons, and hospitals.

No Planet exalts in Aquarius, which I find interesting.

As the Sun is the ruler of Leo, it finds its detriment in Aquarius, the Sign opposite. The Sun is the Planet of the self and ego; here in this Winter, collective-focussed Sign it can struggle with its sense of identity and to centre itself.

As no Planet is exalted in Leo, nothing finds its “fall” in Aquarius either.

Continue reading for more details about the Zodiac Sign Aquarius:

The Planets in Aquarius

The Zodiac Seasons are governed by where the Sun currently is in the Zodiac belt (which is a division of the ecliptic— the apparent path of the Sun— into twelve equal Signs). When it is in the Sign of Aquarius, we are collectively in Aquarius Season.

This usually occurs roughly between the 20th January - 19th February but depends on the day of the Vernal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere each year (which starts the Astrological cycle and is what the Tropical Zodiac Signs are based on— not the constellations as is commonly thought!), the Sun spending roughly 30 days in each Sign thereafter, moving 1º a day.

In the Northern Hemisphere (which “Western” Astrology is developed on), Aquarius Season is the heart of winter. This is when our resources would have started to become scarce and the end is not yet in sight (which comes at the change of season next with Mutable Pisces and the return of hope). To survive, we would have had to get crafty and inventive, to think outside the box!

Aquarius Season

During Aquarius Season is a time when we often begin properly looking forward at our year and start to implement our first steps. Although we might have begun the planning stage during Capricorn Season just before, now is when we often feel primed to take action.

This is an ideal time to get clear on your future vision and carve out your own unique path. Try different things out, experiment, get innovative— you never know what’s going to stick unless you give it a go! Let your weirdness shine through.

-> If you would like rituals and magick to connect to the energy of this period and this part of your Natal Chart, get the Aquarius Season Workbook (created for all Zodiac Signs)!

Of course, no Planet can be taken in isolation when reading a Birth Chart for a personality analysis (the Sun in Aquarius conjunct Uranus in a Leo Rising Chart, for example, will have different connotations), but here is a brief overview of the Planets in Aquarius (which will also influence the Houses they rule— for example if you have the Moon in Aquarius this also speaks to your Cancer House)!

Sun in Aquarius

The Sun in Aquarius is unique and alternative, perhaps never feeling like it quite fits in. It needs independence, freedom, and solitude as well as community. It can sometimes struggle to let itself take up the spotlight, don’t be afraid to shine!

-> If you’re an Aquarius, book in your Year Ahead Reading with me for details about what your Solar Return heralds for you!

Moon in Aquarius

The Moon in Aquarius needs ample time alone for its emotional wellbeing. It might like weird or random food combinations and have an eclectic set of tastes, needs, and wants. Whatever it may be, let your inner freak out and create your own world!

Mercury in Aquarius

Mercury in Aquarius is innovative, visionary, and resolute. It can be quite fixed and rigid in its ideas but is capable of thinking outside the box and coming up with left-field solutions. Its communication style is not likely to be excitable or poetic, and may be surprising!

Venus in Aquarius

Venus in Aquarius desires intellectual stimulation in partnerships and can be attracted to those that do their own thing, make their own rules, and are a little weird. Talk about aliens and conspiracy theories, debate, and plan a new world.

Mars in Aquarius

Mars in Aquarius is alternative, surprising actions— you may even surprise yourself at times! It can be a little scattered or erratic, but is able to do things in an innovative way and has staying power once its mind is made up.

Jupiter in Aquarius

Jupiter in Aquarius strongly values the weirdoes and people on the fringes of society doing their own thing. It appreciates community, technology, and crafting new worlds. It also values independence and free spirits.

Where it is in your Chart can also speak to your Sagittarius and Pisces placements/ Houses.

Saturn in Aquarius

Saturn in Aquarius is at home thus strongly able to call upon its hard work, capacity to build, and knowledge of ancient technologies. It can also sometimes struggle with loneliness or letting its inner weirdo out.

As another social Planet, along with Jupiter, people born within the same 2-3 years as you will have Saturn in Aquarius— you can look to other placements for more personalised details (such as the House it is in, what aspects it is making, and the Capricorn House of your Chart).

-> Subscribe to my FREE newsletter for a weekly horoscope straight to your inbox!

Aquarius in the Astrological Houses

In each of our Natal Charts, Aquarius will occupy a House (regardless of whether you have placements in Aquarius or not), bringing its desire for freedom, independence, and to make its own rules in this area of life for us.

-> When a Planet enters Aquarius, it is transiting this House for us, bringing its energy/action to this area of life (this is also how all horoscopes are written)! To learn more about what the Planets have in store for you, get your Year Ahead Forecast!

Aquarius in the 1st House - Aquarius Rising

Aquarius Risings can embody the quintessential Aquarian archetype— quirky, alternative, and marching to the beat of their own drum. You might like to make your own rules in life and be quite eclectic or surprising in someway.

Aquarius in the 2nd House - Capricorn Rising

With Aquarius in the 2nd House you may be on the one hand fixed and stable with your income, savings, and spendings, but also quite surprising on the other! You might earn a living in a unique way or appreciate buying tech.

Aquarius in the 3rd House - Sagittarius Rising

Aquarius in the 3rd House can give you a rational, innovative mindset. You might need ample time alone to gather your thoughts, and your communication style may be a bit deadpan at times. You are able to think things through to the long-term.

Aquarius in the 4th House - Scorpio Rising

With Aquarius in the 4th House your upbringing may have been a bit alternative or surprising, or perhaps there is some distance with your family members. You might have an eclectic taste for your home!

Aquarius in the 5th House - Libra Rising

With Aquarius in the 5th House you might have an alternative and surprising set of hobbies and things that bring you pleasure! Intellectual stimulation can be important for you in your love life.

Aquarius in the 6th House - Virgo Rising

With Aquarius in the 6th House might like your daily routines to be fixed in some way but also surprising in others. You might like at least part of your day to be spent alone, but then another part in company.

Aquarius in the 7th House - Leo Rising

With Aquarius in the 7th House you might be attracted to people who are a little bit weird and not afraid to let their freak flag fly! You’ll also need independence and freedom in relationships, don’t be afraid to make your own rules here.

Aquarius in the 8th House - Cancer Rising

With Aquarius in the 8th House you might have alternative views about investing, inheritance, and shared resources, such as mutual aid, grants, tax, and debts. You might also be fixed and stable here but with an innovative approach too.

Aquarius in the 9th House - Gemini Rising

Aquarius in the 9th House can give you an alternative worldview and left-field beliefs system. You might enjoy fringe or conspiracy theories, believe in aliens, or just have a different philosophy on life compared to others.

Aquarius in the 10th House - Taurus Rising

Aquarius in the 10th House can give you an alternative appearance in a professional setting, you might be surprising or innovative in some way in your field, able to carve out a unique career path.

Aquarius in the 11th House - Aries Rising

With Aquarius in the 11th House you might enjoy an eclectic group of friends with ample distance and space for a sense of independence, freedom, and solitude within your community and friendships. Expand and experiment with your network!

Aquarius in the 12th House - Pisces Rising

Aquarius in the 12th House can bring you an alternative subconscious and left-field dreamscape. You might trip yourself up in detaching from emotions or feeling like you don’t fit in anywhere.

During Aquarius Season itself is a particularly yin time for you in general Pisces, of turning within and spending time introspecting in solitude!

So that’s a brief overview of the characteristics of the Aquarius archetype, I hope it’s insightful for you! Let me know in the comments section below if you have anything else to add or any questions.

For a personalised Astrology reading— join hundreds of happy seekers and book in a 1:1 session with me, let’s decode your celestial blueprint today!

To learn how to decipher the cosmos yourself in an easy, no-fluff way, enrol in my Easy Astro course!

For a monthly Rising Sign horoscope + more Astro guidance: join me in my exclusive Spirit Subscription ✨