PISCES THE FISH

Preface:  As I do every month for each of the signs, I want to emphasize that if your birthday does not fall during the Pisces timeframe for the year you were born, this DOES NOT mean that you do not experience the energy of Pisces, because somewhere in your natal birth chart, it is present. All twelve signs of the zodiac are expressed in your being, although some signs, and therefore their corresponding energies, may be more emphasized than others. The Sun sign is about your essence, your vitality (what makes you feel alive), and your self-image.

Whatever your Sun sign, you are on a life-long journey to discover and fully embrace this sign’s energy. You may be tested in life to experience the meaning of your Sun sign’s energy.

The Sun began its transit of the sign of Pisces at 10:18 pm PST on February 18, 2012.

Introduction

“I believe in intuition and inspiration. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution. It is, strictly speaking, a real factor in scientific research.”

Albert Einstein

Born March 14, 1879

 (Einstein on Cosmic Religion and Other Opinions and Aphorisms, 1931[i])

“Steve was a very emotional person. And he was able to make products that emotionally connected to people…That makes him more inspirational, as a character, than most business leaders. Every person who had an iPod or an iPhone felt an emotional connection. He was able to connect art and technology in an inspiring way.”

“And he ranks with Walt Disney, for having a feel for mystery as well as technology. Disney's phrase about the miracle of the imagination — that applies equally to Steve Jobs.”[ii]

Biographer Walter Isaacson commenting on Piscean Steve Jobs

Born February 24, 1955

Pisces Symbolism and Rulerships

The name for this zodiac sign derives from the Latin word for fish. The symbol for Pisces is two fish bound together by a cord and curving in opposite directions. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite and Eros escape the monster Typhon by transforming themselves into two fish, tying themselves together to ensure they do not lose one another.

Astrologer Bruce Nevin says the fish represent the higher and lower natures, with one fish being the reflection underwater for the other fish swimming above. He explains that in abstraction, these fish represent crescents of the moon, which symbolizes the path of subconscious unfoldment from the familiar world into the realm of the unknown. Humans undertake this process from the conscious state into the sleep state.[1] Piscean author Jack Kerouac, spoke to this sign’s theme of dreaming when he said, “All human beings are also dream beings. Dreaming ties all mankind together.”[2] Piscean American mystic, Edgar Cayce, became known as the “Sleeping Prophet,” gaining notoriety for his accurate readings in which he communicated medical diagnoses and health recommendations while in a self-induced sleep state.[3]

Expanding upon the symbolism, astrologer Dana Gerhardt posits that the two fish are really gods in disguise. One fish travels toward the heavens for spiritual transcendence while its partner travels a more secular path along the material plane.[4] Hence, we may conclude that the cord represents binding the paths of earthly existence with that of the mystical.

On a more practical level, astrologer Deborah Houlding sees this dualism of the bound fish as a weakening principle, with the energy of the two fish at odds with each other, rather than in unity. This represents the vacillation in the thought processes of Pisces, yet, it also reinforces the sign’s receptivity to multiple sources. Consequently, the Piscean remains open to external sources, for better or for worse. The impressionable Pisces personality changes its course depending upon the environment and its own moods. Because Pisces lacks a purposeful self-will, they survive and thrive by developing their instincts. As emotional creatures, Pisceans follow their intuition.[5]

In astrology’s classification system, Pisces is a mutable water sign. The ocean is Pisces’ home, and water symbolizes emotional and spiritual energy. The ocean is vast and water has tremendous power to cause ripple effects with everything else, thereby reflecting the connectedness of life. This perspective of “oneness” is a key Piscean theme, both in the mystical realm as well as in the way Pisces energy interacts on the earthly plane. The late Beatle musician, George Harrison, a Sun Sign Pisces, expressed this desire for transcendence and for living the divine within earthly existence. His music, influenced by Hindu mysticism, speaks of devotion and peace, exemplified in his works “Give me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" and "My Sweet Lord.”[6]

The planet Jupiter is the traditional ruler of Pisces, while modern day astrology suggests a rulership by the planet Neptune. Among Jupiterian urges is that of freedom from restraint and earthly obligations. While Jupiter begins activities with initial inspiration, this planet may not sustain steady energy over time to fulfill objectives (unless earth energies come into play). On the other hand, Neptune’s energy force brings the softening quality often demonstrated in the Piscean approach. Neptune dissolves boundaries in order to bring about greater equality and communality. With Jupiter’s tendency to move away from mundane responsibilities and Neptune’s erasure of boundaries, persons with Piscean energy may escape reality using drugs or dreams. While remaining in a drugged or perpetual dream state can be problematic, the use of the imagination is a necessary and healthy process. The Piscean writer of children’s books, Dr. Seuss, utilized this energy constructively. Regarding imagination he said, “I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living; it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities.”[7]

Often compared to the Wheel of Life, the astrological chart consists of 12 houses, with the 12^th, house ruled by Pisces. The movement around the 360-degree chart is one that reflects a shift from the individualism of the first sign of Aries to the collectivism of Pisces. Traditionally the 12^th house represents service at a large institutional level, particularly ones characterized by seclusion or removed from the mainstream. Astrologer Maurice Fernandez, in his analysis of Pisces, Neptune and the 12^th House, says the Pisces archetype shows us how a person taps into the needs of the public and collective consciousness. He encourages astrologers to consider this when analyzing client charts as it relates to career and vocation.[8] It’s interesting to note that Johnny Cash, the late singer with a Pisces Sun, performed regularly at prisons, which corresponds to astrology’s definition of the 12^th house.

In traditional astrology, a zodiac signs rules particular parts of the anatomy. The sign of Pisces rules the feet. Religions often view the touching of the feet of a great teacher, like Christ, as an expression of devotion. As the Avatar of the Piscean Age, Christ was symbolized by the symbol of the two fish.[9]

More about the Personality and Perspective of Pisces

Astrologer Steven Forrest observes that Pisces often expresses through types represented by the poet, the dancer, the musician, and the religious devotee.[10] However, astrologer Dana Gerhardt cautions us against restricting our thinking that Pisces is not suited for careers that seem counter to the Piscean personality. Gerhardt believes that because Pisces is so good at sensing their surroundings and adjusting to their environment that they can “go with the flow.” Gerhardt views this “shape-shifting” quality as being central to an understanding of Pisces.[11] 

Scientist Albert Einstein successfully solved major gaps in knowledge about physics with his theories of relativity, in part because his “Pisces processing” allowed him to see how disparate parts could fit into a whole theory. Yet, Einstein did poorly in school in his younger years, preferring to daydream (utilizing Piscean imagination) in class. Throughout his illustrious career, he was known for being disorganized.[12] 

As previously noted, Pisces can tap into the place of oneness and connectedness. Pisces extends this perspective into the realm of everyday existence. A Piscean belief system might incorporate the concepts of shared space and interests between human beings, whether in living situations such as communal living, or economic interests organized in worker collectives. This may also be reflected in a local community’s identification of “the commons,” and the sharing of online information in the public domain (e.g. Wiki), or perhaps in the advocacy efforts on behalf of the “public interest.” As one example, Piscean consumer advocate Ralph Nader has promulgated the public interest concept in modern times.

The fluidity of the Pisces personality, open to multiple external influences, can cause vacillation in thinking and behavior. Pisceans are often characterized as being sensitive and impressionable. Pisces energy often demonstrates kindness, trust, and openness to limitless possibilities. Have you ever had someone sit you down to tell you some “bad” news in a very compassionate manner, perhaps filled with some palatable distortions in order to have the least painful impact on you? That person was using their Piscean energy in this situation. Astrologer Deborah Houlding’s proposes that Pisces’ reputation for deception stems not from dishonesty, but rather from a reluctance to face uncomfortable issues head on, thereby minimizing distress.[13] Bohemian writer and Piscean Anais Nin once said, “I don't tell the truth any more to those who can't make use of it. I tell it mostly to myself, because it always changes me.”[14]

Snapshot Profiles of Persons with Sun Sign Pisces

Note to readers: Unless otherwise referenced, material for these profiles is abstracted from AstroDatabank, Bio.com or Wikipedia

Rudolf Steiner

Born February 27, 1861

The ultimate Renaissance man, Rudolf Steiner became well known as a philosopher/occultist, educator, and architect. Born and raised in Austria, he studied as a young adult at the Vienna Institute of Technology, taking classes in mathematics, physics, chemistry, botany, biology, augmented by courses in philosophy and literature. Through a referral by one of his teachers, Steiner began work as a natural science editor of a new edition of Goethe’s works. Steiner later earned a doctorate in philosophy at the University of Rostock in Germany.

Already aware of spiritualism at a young age, he recalled in his writings:". . . the reality of the spiritual world was as certain to me as that of the physical. I felt the need, however, for a sort of justification for this assumption.” Steiner’s scientific and philosophical training led him to synthesize mysticism with science in a movement he called Anthroposophy. Simply put by Steiner, “Anthroposophy is a road to knowledge leading the spiritual part of the human being to the spirit of the universe.”[15] The Wikipedia entry further elaborates on his philosophy: “Steiner believed that through freely chosen ethical disciplines and meditative training, anyone could develop the ability to experience the spiritual world, including the higher nature of oneself and others. Steiner believed that such discipline and training would help a person to become a more moral, creative and free individual - free in the sense of being capable of actions motivated solely by love.” He founded the Anthroposophy Society in 1912. Eclectic in his approach, he synthesized perspectives from Theosophy, Rosicrusianism, Goethe, Plato, and Christianity.

The second phase of Steiner’s Anthroposophy movement incorporated the philosophy’s concepts into various realms of life, including dance (eurythmy), biodynamic agriculture, Anthroposophical medicine, schooling (Waldorf education), and architectural form. It’s interesting to observe that Steiner’s architectural projects emphasize curvature and rounded forms, in contrast to most structures, which have square and sharp angles. We can see how this approach reflects the gentleness and inclusiveness of the Pisces personality.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Born March 6, 1928

The winner of the 1982 Nobel Prize for Literature, Gabriel Garcia Marquez won international acclaim for his novels One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera. The Columbian journalist and writer grew up enjoying family tales of war and romance, which influenced his later penchant for storytelling. Marquez became known for the genre of magical realism, a literary genre blending facts with fantasy.

García Márquez's grandmother influenced his upbringing, and her worldview inspired his writing style. He said she "treated the extraordinary as something perfectly natural." His grandmother regularly told stories of ghosts and premonitions, omens and portents, which were ignored by the grandfather. According to García Márquez, she was "the source of the magical, superstitious, and supernatural view of reality.” He reveled in his grandmother's unique style of telling stories, always delivered in a deadpan style as if they were the absolute truth. Three decades later, his most popular novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude, reflected this very style.

Some literary critics believe that Garcia Marquez’s career as a journalist allowed him to understand the lives of everyday people. As a foreign correspondent, he was assigned to Europe. Because of his admiration for the author William Faulkner, he journeyed with his family through

the American South on a Greyhound bus.

The recipient of many accolades, Gabriel Garcia Marquez is acclaimed by Mexican author Carlos Fuentes as "the most popular and perhaps the best writer in Spanish since Cervantes.” The grantors of the Nobel Prize stated that the author earned this recognition "for his novels and short stories, in which the fantastic and the realistic are combined in a richly composed world of imagination, reflecting a continent's life and conflicts.”

Nina Simone

Born February 21, 1933

Known as the “High Priestess of Soul,” Nina Simone performed as a musical storyteller with her songs of liberation, passion, empowerment, and love. One writer describes her influence in this way: “…she could weave a spell so seductive and hypnotic that the listener lost track of time and space as they became absorbed in the moment.”[16]

Nina Simone grew up in North Carolina, the daughter of Methodist ministers. She learned to play the piano by ear by the age of three. Under tutelage, she learned to perform a full repertoire of classical musical. Denied entry to a prestigious school of music, she taught music in her neighborhood. She began playing the piano and singing at a local club, and soon her deep velvety vocals and piano mastery caught the attention of record producers. She brought a new sound to the club circuit and to recording, with her synthesis of jazz, blues, and classical music. As she performed at clubs on the East Coast, she also recorded, beginning with the Bethleham label. In the late 1950’s her recording “My Baby Cares for Me” brought her international recognition.

The killing of civil rights activist Medgar Evers and the four young girls in the Birmingham church brought a transformation in Nina Simone’s life. She began writing and performing songs with messages about racism and the quest for social justice. Her “Mississippi Goddamn” was banned throughout the South.

After leaving the RCA label, she lived abroad in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. She continued to tour with live performances across the globe. In her autobiography, Nina Simone once said that her function as an artist is “…to make people feel on a deep level. It’s difficult to describe because it’s not something you can analyze; to get near what it’s about you have to play it. And when you’ve caught it, when you’ve got the audience hooked, you always know because it’s like electricity hanging in the air.”

The famed poet Maya Angelou said this about Nina Simone: "In every era as well as in every area, great artists are born who speak to and for the people. Poets, sculptors and singers, offer the human truth to the world. Nina Simone and her song, spoke of the loneliness of trust betrayed, the bitterness of heartbreak, the anguish of racial prejudice and the beauty of the melody when the human heart speaks lovingly of love.

ENDNOTES

---

[1] Bruce Nevin. Astrology Inside Out. Rockport, Massachusetts: Para Research, 1982, pp.87-88.

[2] .Jack Kerouac. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved February 16, 2011, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jackkeroua384511.html

[3] Edgar Cayce. Biography at AstroDatabank. Retrieved on 2/25/12: http://www.astro.com/astro-databank/Cayce,_Edgar

[4] Dana Gerhardt. February/March 2009. “Pisces’ Labor: Capturing Unlimited Possibilities.”  The Mountain Astrologer, #143, pp.11-15.

[5] Houlding, Deborah. October/November 2008.  “Pisces the Fish.”  The Mountain Astrologer, #141, pp.25-31.

[6] George Harrison. George Harrison Lyrics. Lyrics.Info.com. Retrieved on 2/25/12: http://georgeharrison.lyrics.info/

[7] Dr. Seuss. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved February 16, 2011, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/d/drseuss106019.html.

[8] Fernandez, Maurice. October/November 2007.  “Neptune, the 12th House, and Pisces.” The Mountain Astrologer, #135, pp.40-46.

[9] Bruce Nevin. Op.Cit.

[10] Steven Forrest (1988). The Inner Sky. San Diego: ACS Publications, p91-95.

[11] Dana Gerhardt. Op.Cit.

[12] Deborah Houlding. Op.Cit.

[13] Ibid.

[14]Anais Nin. (n.d.) Famousquotesandauthors.com. Retrieved February 16, 2011, from Famousquotesand authors.com. Website: http://www.famousquotesandauthors.com

[15]Carl Unger. What is Anthroposophy? The Rudolf Steiner Archive. Retrieved on 2/25/12 :http://www.rsarchive.org/RelAuthors/UngerCarl/anthroposophy.php

[16] Nina Simone. Nina Simone LLC. Retrieved on 2/26/12 from: http://www.ninasimone.com/

AQUARIUS THE WATER BEARER

Aquarius the Water Bearer

Preface:  As I do every month for each of the signs, I want to emphasize that if your birthday does not fall during the Aquarius timeframe for the year you were born, this DOES NOT mean that you do not experience the energy of Aquarius, because somewhere in your natal birth chart, it is present. All twelve signs of the zodiac are expressed in your being, although some signs, and therefore their corresponding energies, may be more emphasized than others. The Sun sign is about your essence, your vitality (what makes you feel alive), and your self-image. Whatever your Sun sign, you are on a life-long journey to discover and fully embrace this sign’s energy. You may be tested in life to experience the meaning of your Sun sign’s energy.

The Sun began its transit of the sign of Aquarius at 8:10 am PST on January 20, 2012 .


“Human beings have an inalienable right to invent themselves; when that right is pre-empted, it is called brainwashing"
Aquarian Feminist Author Germaine Greer

 AQUARIAN SYMBOLISM AND RULERSHIPS

Glyph of Aquarius

Like the medieval painting shown at the beginning of this article, the symbol for Aquarius typically shows a human, either female or male, pouring water from a vessel. The Latin term “aquarius” means water bearer. The sign’s glyph, show directly above, consists of two rows of wavy lines. Among astrologers, there are varying interpretations about what these lines represent. Going back to its traditionional representation, these lines reflect rippling water, which can carry its force over a large expanse of ocean, or other body of water. Practitioner of traditional astrology Deborah Houlding theorizes that Aquarius may be a forgotten water sign, and the libation it offers the world is to cleanse, illuminate, and purify.^[1] Some astrologers view these lines as electromagnetic energy. Astrologer Bruce Nevin says these lines represent the “Water of Life” or what the Theosophists refer to as “forhat,” the vibrating electromagnetic impulses that constitute the Universe.^[2] On the other hand, astrologer Steven Forrest claims these lines symbolize the serpents of knowledge. His symbolism derives from the Bible, where the serpent in the Garden of Eden tempted Eve to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Forrest explains that in Eve's rebellious act of eating that infamous apple, thereby causing God to extricate her and Adam from the garden, she gave birth to the precious resource of human freedom.^[3]

Aquarius is a Fixed Air Sign, and as such reflects a nature that emphasizes the use of the mental faculties in a focused way. Air signs show strong capabilities for analysis, communication, and networking. Fixed signs demonstrate the ability for steady and attentive energy directed to whatever endeavor the sign undertakes.

Traditional astrology assigned the planet Saturn as the ruler of Aquarius. Modern astrology, on the other hand, views the transpersonal planet, Uranus, as its modern day ruler. Herein lies a tremendous struggle. Saturn, as a force of containment, often symbolizes tradition and conservatism. Uranus represents the force of rebellion and unexpected change. Do Aquarians choose to align with the energy of one planet over the other? Are Aquarians a combination of these forces? Or are some Aquarians on a journey to shed the Saturnian elements in order to claim the Uranian elements? In true Aquarian style, perhaps this is a question each of us must answer for ourselves in understanding the meaning of Aquarius.

Aquarius rules the 11th house of the astrological wheel of life that relates to one’s hopes and wishes and personal goals. Traditionally it relates to our circle of friends. It encompasses memberships in groups and associations, and the networks that relate to our affinities. This is the house of “our crowd.”

According to Nevin, Aquarius rules the ankles, circulatory system, and the aura.^[4] Houlding says Aquarius governs the shins and ankles, and by its association with its Saturn rulership, relates to the bones, teeth, joints, and skeletal structure. She maintains that as an air sign, it rules the circulation of the blood and the breath.^[5]

THE TRANSITION FROM CAPRICORN TO AQUARIUS

In the sign of Capricorn, the human strives to acknowledge its own authority, and it often does so by long periods of solitude. Capricorns possess gifts for leadership, but they may also have blind spots that lead to excessive authoritarianism and adherence to the preservation of outdated systems. When we come to the sign of Aquarius, humans seek not only to become self-reliant, but to define who they are outside the indoctrination of their society and the social programming from their families.

Capricorns offer the gift of initiating action and building concrete structures, systems, or processes. Aquarius asks whether these ways of conducting business still fulfill a need, and whether they should continue to exist. Aquarius has no problem with continuing that which works, but sign natives also demonstrate the willingness to tear down those elements of society that serve no function.  Dana Gerhardt demonstrates the gift of explaining the essence of concepts in beautiful terminology, so I often quote her verbatim. Here she explains what Aquarius accomplishes in its phase of the zodiac:

“Capricorn kings inevitably get stuck in their own ideas and can’t relinquish their own authority. Creativity is stymied. Problems pile up. Fortunately, the limitations of every sign always take us to the next one’s gifts; thus Capricorn leads us to the genius of Aquarius. Altruistic, progressive, and unconventional, Aquarius brings the leap in consciousness that keeps our world from getting hopelessly mired in old dung.”^[6]

Aquarius moves beyond the reclusiveness of Capricorn, and it extends its energy externally. As an air sign, Aquarius naturally wants to network with others. Aquarius communicates on a mass scale, and this sign rules all electrical types of communication, including high tech and the Internet. Among the social air signs, Aquarius especially gravitates toward group activities with like-minded individuals.  The challenge for Aquarians is to become their unique selves while flourishing within groups for which they have affinity. While Capricorn thrives on conformity, Aquarius wants to break out of this mold for its own individuation and to move society in the direction of progress.

MORE ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF AQUARIUS

Bruce Nevin says, “The reception and dissemination of insight for the betterment of the world is the
highest expression of Aquarian energy.”^[7] Perhaps this statement gets to the essence of Aquarius, and we don’t need to concern ourselves with any more details about the sign’s struggles, goals, and paradoxes. But what fun would that be?

Steven Forrest sees freedom as Aquarius’ endpoint. In order to achieve their state of freedom, Aquarius must constantly withstand the forces of peer pressure and conformity. Forrest says that Aquarius uses both stubbornness and genius to become their true selves. He uses the term genius to mean the independence of mind to view old problems from a fresh perspective, unhindered from preconceptions. Forrest identifies the various expressions of Aquarian energy, which are outlined below[8].

       The Genius           
           The Truth Sayer
           The Scientist
           The Exile
       The Revolutionary

The following descriptions are my own elaborations of the types outlined by Forrest.. When I think of Aquarius the first type I think of is The Scientist archetype. The scientist is often a detached individual who utilizes his intellectual prowess to think up radically different approaches to tackle a problem, and this leads to inventions and innovations.  They appreciate the body of knowledge that has been developed over time, but they are challenged by the goals of overcoming present-day problems with new knowledge and strategies. Scientists often work in teams, and they often attend symposiums and conferences where they share key findings in their field.  Aquarians help their respective fields by putting forth visions of how things can be, because their thinking can be so far ahead of everyone else’s.

In my mind a closely related archetype is that of The Genius. Aquarians have the gift of looking at problems in new ways and to “think outside the box” in formulating solutions. Genius is not necessarily a pure IQ factor, but it is the ability to see issues or problems from a perspective outside the mainstream.  There are certainly geniuses in the scientific field where inventions abound, but this archetype can be applied to any field or discipline. Aquarian President Franklin Delano Roosevelt bucked his own social class to create social programs that addressed the pressing issues of the country. Even if he did not personally conceive of these programs, he was open to nontraditional concepts. Artists in the visual arts, dance, and music frequently explore and shape their creativity in radically different ways.

Another aspect of Aquarian energy can be captured under the category of The Truth Sayer.  Aquarius energy demands authenticity, and if one is compelled in this direction, then speaking truth is of prime importance.  Clearly, committing oneself to authenticity is paramount in any context for Aquarius, whether that is in the scientific community, in the field of mass communications, in the nonprofit service or advocacy sector, or in any other aspect of life in which this sign is involved.  James Joyce, the prolific man of letters, said that “Poetry, even when apparently most fantastic, is always a revolt against artifice, a revolt, in a sense, against actuality.”[9]

Speaking truth is often not met with approval by society’s institutions, or even one’s friends. When an Aquarian finds enormous challenges to one’s perspectives, there may be no viable alternative than to become The Exile in one’s society.  Countless creative people of means have fled their native environments to live in a more tolerant community.  Examples might be Josephine Baker, the African-American dancer (often partially clothed) who thrived in Paris, or perhaps writer and social observer Gore Vidal who spent part of his year in Italy, where he perceived that news coverage of America’s international policies were more openly discussed in Europe. The Aquarian writer James Joyce explained this archetype as follows: “I will tell you what I will do and what I will not do. I will not serve that in which I no longer believe, whether it call itself my home, my fatherland, or my church: and I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can, using for my defence the only arms I allow myself to use--silence, exile and cunning.”[10]

The last archetype is that of The Revolutionary, where Aquarius energy can see no other alternative for the growth of society than to call for radical changes to institutions or ways of life.  Clearly, in this archetype, the planet Uranus is functioning at its purest level.  In this context, there is little regard for convention.  .    The words of Aquarian Angela Davis, the activist Professor of Philosophy, demonstrate this astrological sign’s sentiments when she claims that “Radical simply means grasping things at the root.”[11]

Although all these archetypes may be present in individuals whose natal charts reflect an emphasis in Aquarius, please keep in mind that some members of the “Aquarius Sun Sign Club” may exhibit only one or two of these characteristics.  Some Sun Sign Aquarians may seem to reflect the Saturnian side of Aquarius.  Some examples of these individuals might be Ronald Reagan and Dick Cheney, who

identify with turning societal structures on their head, but not for the good of the masses, but rather to fulfill an idealist view of dominance by the elite.

SNAPSHOT PROFILES OF SUN SIGN AQUARIANS

Lewis Carroll
Born January 27, 1832

Known by the pen name of Lewis Carroll, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson authored the classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking Glass. The Englishman served as an Anglican deacon, a tradition he carried on from his clergyman father. Among his other interests were mathematics and photography. Carroll’s works, including his poetry, reflect the genre of literary nonsense, which he crafted with word play and fantasy.

The eldest child in a family of nine children, Carroll frequently entertained his own siblings, as well as the children of visitors to his father’s rectory. Although naturally shy and speaking with a stutter, Carroll interacted comfortably with children. He became a popular storyteller, creating elaborate fantasies, which he illustrated with pencil and ink drawings. Eventually, Carroll recorded these storytelling sessions in writings, and others encouraged him to publish these works.

Some observers of Lewis Carroll claimed that he maintained a serious and conservative values system and demeanor. Others stress that this characterization of him is erroneous and not substantiated. Some also speculated that he demonstrated pedophile tendencies, but modern analysts claim there is no reliable proof for this claim. [12]Although it is unclear how Carroll expressed his philosophy of life, it is conceivable that he incorporated both a traditional (Saturn influenced) and the nontraditional (Uranus influenced) personality, which often typifies Aquarians.

Lewis Carroll demonstrates that Aquarian quality of genius for science subjects, as well as that sign’s ability to think in innovative or quirky ways, as reflected in his gifts for fantasy and nonsense. Carroll epitomizes the sign’s ability to deviate from a characteristic norm and create something unique.

Here is an excerpt from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter X: The Lobster Quadrille:

'"Will you walk a little faster?" said a whiting to a snail. "There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail. See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance! They are waiting on the shingle--will you come and join the dance?

Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance? Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?

"You can really have no notion how delightful it will be When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!" But the snail replied "Too far, too far!" and gave a look askance-- Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance. Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance. Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance.

'"What matters it how far we go?" his scaly friend replied. "There is another shore, you know, upon the other side. The further off from England the nearer is to France-- Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance.

Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance? Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?"'

Langston Hughes
Born February 1, 1902

Born in Joplin, Missouri, Langston Hughes lived in many locales as a youth, including Kansas, Illinois, Ohio, and Mexico. The writer later recalled that his early life was characterized by lonliness, and that he found comfort in the world of books. Hughes attended Columbia University after publishing his first poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” He immersed himself in New York’s local African-American culture of music. In the 1920s, Hughes co-founded the Harlem Renaissance movement, which encouraged pride in the African heritage, serving as an inspiration for the arts and intellectual thought. The adventurous Hughes left Columbia after a year, and worked his way to destinations in Africa and Europe. He returned from his travels abroad to the U.S. a few years later, winning a scholarship to Lincoln University, where he wrote and published his first book of poetry, The Weary Blues.

Langston Hughes brought innovative dialect and jazz-influenced rhythms to his creative writing. He incorporated Marxist concepts in his early works and he never abandoned his concern about injustice against African Americans. Although his works were the subject of academic study, Hughes wrote for the average person. For over four decades, Langston Hughes wrote prolifically, one of the first African-Americans to earn a living through his literary works.[13]

Langston Hughes reflects the Uranian side of Aquarius, where revolutionary perspectives and innovation serve as inspirational fodder. In true Aquarian spirit, he believed that art should be accessible to all the public. The following is an excerpt from the Oxford Companion to African American Literature: “He could sometimes be bitter, but his art is generally suffused by a keen sense of the ideal and by a profound love of humanity, especially black Americans. He was perhaps the most original of African American poets and, in the breadth and variety of his work, assuredly the most representative of African American writers.”[14]

This Langston Hughes poem is a favorite of mine:

Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes[15]

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--
And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Michael Apted
Born February 10, 1941

British director Michael Apted’s works span the gamut of traditional television and film to more innovative works. Initially a law student, Apted changed course and became involved in television, directing the popular British soap opera Coronation at the age of 22. His film credits include his early works of Echo and Stardust. Apted later directed more commercially successful films like Coal Miner’s Daughter, Gorillas in the Mist, Extreme Measures, Enigma, and the latest, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Trader.[16]

                                                              

Early in his career, Michael Apted started a documentary project that would consume a major part of his career, and from his perspective, would become his most important work. Beginning in 1964, he collaborated with Paul Almond to film a documentary series that appeared on British television. The Up series chronicled the lives of several British children from various socioeconomic backgrounds, beginning at the age of seven. The creators postulated that because British society is entrenched in its class structure, this Up documentary would illustrate how social strata affects how the participants live their lives. Each film begins with the Jesuit maxim: "Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man." The documentary became a longitudinal sociological study, interviewing and filming the subjects every seven years. In a lecture to USC film students, Michael Apted observed, “I don’t think there are many shows that have given so much time to ordinary people with ordinary lives.” [17]

From an astrological perspective, Michael Apted reflects the Aquarian’s desire for using technology for widespread communication. His documentary series echoes the Aquarian concern for representing the ordinary citizen.

Anonymous
Born ?

Anonymous is part of Aquarius’ crowd in the 11^th House. As you know Anonymous is a symbol of defiance against the megastructures of government and corporations that control the average citizen through their business policies or social control practices.

The personality of Anonymous resembles many of the qualities exhibited by the Uranian energyof the sign of Aquarius. Anonymous hacks into computer systems, sometimes transferring money from business accounts into the accounts of organizations involved in various social causes. Disruption is one of the key words of Uranus, and it certainly matches the energy of Anonymous. Anonymous also takes part in various civil disobedience demonstrations. Participants in Anonymous have used the Guy Fawkes mask popularized in the movie V for Vendetta.

Rosa Parks
Born February 4, 1913

Now viewed as a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement, Rosa Parks grew up in segregated communities in Alabama in the early part of the 20^th century. As an adult, she and her husband lived in Montgomery. In December of 1955, Rosa Parks boarded a bus at the end of her workday as a seamstress, as was her usual routine. When the bus began to fill up, the bus driver noticed that white passengers were standing, and he went to the Black section to ask African-American passengers to give up their seats for Caucasian riders. As Rosa Parks later explained it, she refused to surrender her seat not because she was physically tired, but because she was tired of giving in to racist behavior. Parks was charged, and her arrest caused a great furor in the African-American community, which organized a one-day boycott in protest. Following that successful one day of support, the community decided to institute an on-going boycott, with the goal of eliminating segregation on the bus system. After more than a year’s boycott, the local government was forced to end bus segregation because of new court decisions, and because the public transportation system was in financial ruin.[18]

Although Rosa Parks may have lived a rather traditional life, her quietly rebellious (Uranus) stance demonstrates the power of one action. This one moment of resistance had a ripple effect leading to a series of actions that led to momentous results. As any student of history knows, this does not mean immediate success. The more traditional (Saturn) forces are there to resist change. Rosa Parks and her husband both lost their jobs because of her action. This forced the family to move to Detroit, Michigan. Although it may have caused some immediate family setbacks, Rosa Parks did have many more opportunities in her new environment. Congressman John Conyers hired her to work in his office. This Uranian side of Park’s Aquarian nature changed not only her life for the better, but also the future course of a people.

Gertrude Stein
February 3, 1874

In the progressive fashion of an Aquarian, writer Gertrude Stein lived openly in a relationship with a female partner, Alice B. Toklas. The daughter of a wealthy American merchant, Gertrude Stein was born in Pennsylvania, but the family moved to Europe and later to Oakland, California. Stein attended Radcliffe College where she studied with William James. She continued her studies at Johns Hopkins Medical School.

Gertrude Stein joined her brother in Paris, the two becoming patrons for Impressionist artists. The siblings formed a famous salon of writers and artists, where colleagues appreciated Stein’s strong and witty personality. She nurtured the careers of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. When her brother moved to Italy, Stein remained in Paris with her companion Toklas. Her writings utilized techniques analogous to Cubism and abstraction in painting, creating an innovative approach to literature. Many found her works to be difficult to understand. Her only commercial success was The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas.[19]

Gertrude Stein reflects the mental genius of an Aquarian, competent in both the sciences and the arts. She wielded considerable influence in the modernism movement in literature, a rarity for women to provide leadership in the field of arts and letters in that era. Gertrude Stein broke conventions of femininity with her mannish garb, and she was open about her partnership with Alice B. Toklas, a lifestyle far ahead of her time.

Yoko Ono
Born February 18, 1933

Best known as the spouse of Beatle John Lennon, Yoko Ono had already established herself as a prominent artist when the two first met at her multimedia art exhibit in London in 1966. Born in Tokyo to a wealthy aristocratic family, Yoko lived her youth in Japan as well as the United States, since her banker father was assigned to offices in San Francisco and New York. She lived in Japan at the time the U.S. struck her native country with atom bombs.

Yoko Ono pursued her interests in poetry and visual art in the early 1960s, but many considered her work as too radical. Her art often incorporated participatory elements, where viewers were encouraged to become involved in the creative projects on display. After her marriage to Lennon, the two collaborated on projects involving music, art, and film. The couple staged events to encourage world peace, like their “bed-in” in Amsterdam, where they sang “Give Peace A Chance.”

Characteristic of Aquarians, Ono can appear detached and unfeeling. Labeled by some as the “Dragon Lady” who caused a rift between members of the Beatles, Paul McCartney remarked in his memoir, “I thought she was a cold woman. I think that’s wrong. She’s just the opposite. I think she’s just more determined than most people to be herself.”[20]

After John Lennon’s death, Yoko Ono continued exhibiting her art internationally. She composed two off-Broadway musicals, recorded albums, and performed concert tours. Ono also engaged in philanthropic efforts, particularly honoring the memory of John Lennon and his dedication to world peace.[21]

Yoko Ono possesses that Aquarian quality of uniqueness, where, if in her company, one might say to her, “You are one of a kind, dear.” She was a forerunner in feminism, in both Asia and the U.S., demonstrating an independence of mind in her beliefs and values, as well as art expression.

ENDNOTES

Note: the opening quote by Germaine Greer was extracted from Brainy Quotes.com

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1 Deborah Houlding (December/January 2006) Aquarius the Water Bearer. The Mountain Astrologer, Issue #124, pp.77-82.

[2] Bruce Nevin (1982). Astrology Inside Out. Rockport, Massachusetts: Para Research, Inc., p.84.

[3] Steven Forrest (1988). The Inner Sky. San Diego: ACS Publications, p86-91

.

[4] Bruce Nevin, Op. Cit.

[5] Deborah Houlding. Op. Cit.

[6] Dana Gerhardt (February/March 2010). Aquarius Cleans the Stables. The Mountain Astrologer, Issue #149, pp.13-17.

[7] Bruce Nevin, Op. Cit.

[8] Steven Forrest, Op Cit.

[9] James Joyce (2012) BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved January 21, 2012 from: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/james_joyce_2.html

[10] James Joyce (2012) Quoteland.com Retrieved January 22, 2012 from: http://www.quoteland.com/author/James-Joyce-Quotes/1834/

[11] Angela Davis. (2012) ThinkExist.com. Retrieved January 22, 2012 from: http://thinkexist.com/quotation/radical_simply_means-grasping_things_at_the_root/343449.html

[12] Lewis Carroll. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 03:57, Jan 18, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/lewis-carroll-9239598

[13] Langston Hughes. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 06:01, Jan 18, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/langston-hughes-9346313

[14] Langston Hughes (2012). Howard University Library. Retrieved Jan 18, 2012 Stfrom http://www.howard.edu/library/reference/guides/hughes/default.htm

[15] Langston Hughes (2010) FamousPoemsandPoets.com. Retrieved Jan 18, 2012 from http://www.famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/langston_hughes/poems/16947

[16] Michael Apted. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 07:15, Jan 18, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/michael-apted-9542578

[17] Michael Apted (2011) USC News (October 21, 2011) http://uscnews.usc.edu/arts/looking_up_to_director_michael_apted.html

[18] Parks Rosa. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 11:54, Jan 18, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/rosa-parks-9433715

[19] Gertrude Stein. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 11:52, Jan 18, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/gertrude-stein-9493261

[20] Dana Gerhardt, Op.Cit.

[21] Yoko Ono. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 01:04, Jan 19, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/yoko-ono-9542162