A PROFILE OF TAURUS: I CHERISH THE WORLD THROUGH MY SENSES AND MY GIFTS ARE STABILITY AND TRANQUILITY



Taurus the Bull



Preface:  As I do every month for each of the signs, I want to emphasize that if your birthday does not fall during the Taurus timeframe for the year you were born, this DOES NOT mean that you do not experience the energy of Taurus, 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.

TAURUS SENSES

By Chris Gonzalez

In a lush meadow, the Bull grazes to his heart’s content,

Savoring woody green grass scents and tastes

He sips water and rests at every level of his descent,

Navigating rolling hills without haste.

Taurus, in human guise, partakes of earth’s sensual pleasures–

Textured fabrics, mud baths, and furry rugs.

He places great value on all of Earth’s tactile treasures

And for the Bull, this includes frequent hugs.

Earthy and focused, Taurus is a reliable choice

For getting work done at a steady pace.

Making a solid contribution is one of his joys,

Reaping rewards in Venusian ways.

The Sun begins its transit of Taurus on April 20, 2011PDT and remains in this sign through May 20, 2011 PDT.   Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac and it rules the second house of personal resources.

After the excitement of the beginning of spring, we are prepared to settle down and live life at a slower pace.  In the middle of spring we see the emergence of a new energy represented by Taurus the Bull.  The season has matured, and the thrust is to grow and till the garden whose seeds were planted by the initiating actions of Aries the Ram.  Taurus will devote steady energy to this task, and because of this care and nurturance, the garden will provide the Bull with the fruits of his labor.

A debate has ensued among astrologers as to the planetary ruler of Taurus.  Venus is viewed most commonly as the ruling planet, but some astrologers propose that the planet Earth is the more logical choice.  In most geocentric astrological systems, Earth is not viewed as a “planet.” (In a heliocentric system, that is, from the perspective of the Sun, the planet Earth is one of the planets).  Astrologer Cynthia Wood argues that an Earth rulership of Taurus better explains its more solitary nature and quiet demeanor than would a Venus rulership where a high degree of sociability would be displayed.[1] Nevertheless, even in an astrological system with a Venus rulership, Taurus is considered an earth sign in a fixed mode.  Taurus is a feminine sign which incorporates the receptive quality.

Astrologer Dana Gerhardt writes that Taurus’ goals are simplicity, serenity, and peace, qualities that can deepen one’s pleasure of living on earth.[2]  President Harry Truman, whose sun sign was Taurus, said, “I would rather have peace in the world than be President.” Another time he showed the Taurean appreciation of other priorities with this statement, “If I hadn't been President of the United States, I probably would have ended up a piano player in a bawdy house.” [3]

Taurus energy prefers a peaceful demeanor.  This personality type is slow to anger, but any slow-building resentment may eventually be displayed, like raging Bulls in a bullfighting ring or the bulls set free on human mobs on the streets of Pamplona, Spain. 

Whereas Aries demonstrated strength in action, Taurus shows strength in stillness, says astrologer Deborah Houlding.[4] Like an animal that will not budge, Taurus adherence to a position can be seen as a reflection of it s commitment to a stance, but it can also be viewed as stubbornness if a situation requires greater flexibility.  Likewise, the Taurean tendency to conserve can be evidenced in a healthy accumulation of resources, but can be taken to an extreme when insecurity drives the Bull to hoard and stockpile resources. 

Taurus is a highly physical sign, and derives pleasure from anything indulging the senses, be it tactile as the feel of sensual fabrics, auditory and vocal such as a melodious song, or the taste of appealing foods on the palate.  Taurus applies the qualities of Venus in very tangible forms, such as pottery-making, flower arranging, and cooking.  Like the other earth signs, Taurus needs tangibility in work and play.  Taurus needs to at least occasionally be in nature.  Taurus preservationist and naturalist John Muir expressed his sign’s sentiments in the following: “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.”[5]

Taurus seems perpetually to be seeing past the complexity of situations and finding simple truths.  Sigmund Freud, the great psychoanalyst whose natal sun was in the sign of Taurus, reflects this quality in his statement, “Love and work... work and love, that's all there is.”[6]

All of the zodiac energies play a valuable role in the textures of our lives.  I know how soothing it is to be surrounded by the tranquility of Taurus.  My maternal Grandmother had her natal sun in Taurus (but with a feisty tongue, courtesy of Mercury in Aries) and her stability and strength were important traits in raising a healthy and loving family, and who was instrumental in providing a grounded female role model for me, her granddaughter.

The following are some well-known personages with their natal sun in the sign of Taurus[7]:

April 21, 1816 – Charlotte Bronte – Writer
April 21, 1838 – John Muir – Naturalist
April 21, 1926 – Queen Elizabeth II – British Royalty
April 22, 1724 – Immanuel Kant – Philosopher
April 22, 1870 – Vladimir Lenin – Marxist Russian Leader
April 22, 1904 – Robert Oppenheimer – Physicist
April 22, 1937 – Jack Nicholson –Actor

April 23, 1452 – Leonardo Da Vinci – Artist

April 24, 1942 – Barbra Streisand – Singer

April 23, 1891 – Sergei Prokofiev – Composer

April 25, 1908 – Edward R. Murrow – Broadcaster

April 26, 1933 – Carol Burnett – Comedian
April 27, 1822 – Ulysses S. Grant – Civil War Union General & U.S. President

April 27, 1891 – Samuel Morse – Inventor
April 27, 1927 – Coretta King – Activist

April 29, 1936 – Zubin Mehta – Conductor
May 01, 1918 – Jack Paar – TV Host
May 02, 1903 – Dr. Benjamin Spock – Renowned Pediatrician
May 02, 1903 – Bing Crosby – Singer
May 03, 1919 – Pete Seeger – Singer
May 05, 1818 – Karl Marx – Political Philosopher

May 05, 1943 – Bob Woodward – Reporter (of Watergate fame)
May 06, 1856 – Sigmund Freud – Psychologist
May 06, 1895 – Rudolph Valentino – Actor
May 06, 1915 – Orson Wells – Producer
May 06, 1931 – Willie Mays – Sports Figure

May 07, 1833 – Johannes Brahms – Composer
May 08, 1884 – Harry S. Truman – U.S. President
May 09, 1944 – Daniel Barrigan – Anti–War Activist Priest
May 10, 1899 – Fred Astaire – Dancer/Actor
May 10, 1902 – David O. Selznick – Movie Producer

A PROFILE OF ARIES: I LIVE MY DESIRES AND MY GIFT TO THE WORLD IS IGNITING ACTION

Preface:  As I do every month for each of the signs, I want to emphasize that if your birthday does not fall during the Aries timeframe for the year you were born, this DOES NOT mean that you do not experience the energy of Aries, 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.

ARIES LEADS THE WAY

By Chris Gonzalez

Like the Fool in the Tarot, in Aries a cycle begins anew

Remnants of the past are left behind, with the focus on the now

Awakened from winter’s sleep, the Ram’s hesitations are few

Forging ahead to blaze new trails, facing challenges as time allows.

Aries is always on the go, resembling a frisky teen

This sign is a doer, preferring to win, but not afraid to fail

The Ram’s life quest is to actualize its lofty dreams

Even when these plans are externally derailed.

You see, with each experience Aries learns courage by taking risks

The Ram holds its head high, to advancing foes it will not cower

As a self-proclaimed leader, he heads into battle with a mighty grit

Fighting for the right cause is how Aries achieves its true power.

The Sun transits the sign of Aries from March 20, 2011 through April 19.  The vernal equinox is the beginning of Aries, when the light becomes equal with the dark, the light beginning its domination and reaching its climax at the summer solstice.

The planet Mars rules the sign of Aries.  Planets in astrology are the motivators of various actions. Mars is concerned with asserting one’s will to go after what we desire. The zodiac signs represent how we do something in that area of the chart where a sign is present. In the area of the chart where Aries is present, we show a willfulness and fortitude in meeting life’s challenges.  As a cardinal fire sign, Aries is the energy that initiates and inspires.  Fire signs, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius place their attention on the now.  Some keyword characteristics for Aries include brave, self-confident, inspiring, enthusiastic, spontaneous, pioneering, leader and competitive.  Perhaps less flattering adjectives might be selfish, bully, reckless, tactless, impatient, brusque, quick-tempered and impulsive.

Steven Forrest, the master astrologer, presents a thorough and structured analysis of all the signs, and I believe that his perspective captures most clearly the essence of Aries.  Forrest says that the Ram’s attention is on the power of the will to shape a life.  Aries actor Marlon Brando personifies this motivation in his comment, “There's a line in the picture where he snarls, 'Nobody tells me what to do.' That's exactly how I've felt all my life.”[1]
 Forrest explains that the strategy Aries uses is placing him in scary situations; the accompanying stress is a teaching method to learn courage.  Aries poet Maya Angelou’s reflects this intuitive understanding of the concept of courage in this comment, “One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”[2]
 Forrest emphasizes that doing exactly what one pleases is hard to attain because humans are met with personal and external obstacles that will work against this.  The personality characteristics of Aries, says Forrest, become this sign’s resources to find the perfect mating of desire with action.  Crisis becomes the testing ground for Aries to “uncover the heart of the warrior,” Forrest posits.[3]

A weakness of Aries energy (as part of the shadow material discussed by Forrest) is fighting the wrong battle, putting energy in pointless confrontation because a warrior self-image must be maintained.[4] We often see this in the makeup of warrior countries.  Perhaps Virgo, a master of discernment, can advise Aries to “pick your battles,” because every issue does not warrant equal energetic commitment.

In astrology, one sign’s weakness can be compensated by the qualities of another sign.  Aries and Libra operate on the same polarity, 180 degrees apart.  As opposites, these signs complement each other.  Aries is the “me” sign and Libra is the sign of the “other.” As astrologer Dana Gerhardt explains, “…Libra knows others and often loses itself, while Aries knows itself but loses others.”[5] It does Aries good to take in some of Libra’s consideration for the other, while the opposite is true of Libra.  Although we might find situations where we benefit by anchoring ourselves more closely to one end of the polarity over the other, the healthy ideal is when we are able to achieve integration by fusing the qualities of the two polarities.

I have become hooked on the NBC program “Who Do You Think You Are” which looks into the genealogy of various celebrities.  The program which aired on March 11, 2011 featured the story of British actress Kim Cattrall (of Sex and the City fame).  Cattrall goes on a quest to discover what happened to her grandfather after he abandoned her grandmother and her mother and her siblings, who were all left to live in tremendous poverty in the late 1930’s.    Cattrall discovers photos which show his second family living in much better conditions than the abandoned family.  Her grandfather seemed happy enough, and he later took his second family to live in Australia.  At some point in the program, one of the abandoned siblings says that he appeared to have a “reckless abandon.”  I mention this story because the first thing that crossed my mind about the grandfather was that he seemed to operate on an Aries type of energy.  The purest form of this energy might drive someone to do what they want regardless of the circumstances and their impact on others.  It illustrates that whatever energy we tune into at any particular time has its advantages and its drawbacks.  Perhaps this episode of “Who Do You Think You Are” is the least pretty example of pure Aries energy.

I don’t want to end this article with the least flattering example of Aries energy, because as ferocious as this sign might be, there are equal examples of the liveliness, warm-heartedness, and positive energy that Aries exudes.  Think of a balanced soccer mom, once a college athlete herself, who creates the space for her children to engage in competitive sports.  She takes the initiative to form sports leagues, hire coaches, and coordinates the car pool.  She might elicit respect because people take her seriously, but she is also adored because of her infectious energy and ability to generate a fun environment.  Does she resemble someone you know?

Here is a list of some famous persons born when the Sun was in Aries[6]:

March 22, 1923 - Marcel Marceau - Mime
March 22, 1930 - Pat Robertson - Religious Figure
March 23, 1910 - Akira Kurosawa - Director

 March 25, 1934 - Gloria Steinem - Publisher
March 25, 1942 - Aretha Franklin - Singer
March 26, 1930 - Sandra Day O'Connor - Supreme Court
March 26, 1931 - Leonard Nimoy – Actor

March 30, 1853 - Vincent Van Gogh - Artist
March 30, 1937 - Warren Beatty - Actor
March 30, 1945 - Eric Clapton - Singer
March 30, 1962 - Hammer – Singer

April 3, 1783 - Washington Irving - Writer
April 3, 1924 - Marlon Brando – Actor

April 4, 1928 - Maya Angelou – Writer

April 5, 1856 - Booker T. Washington - Educator
April 5, 1900 - Spencer Tracy - Actor
April 5, 1916 - Gregory Peck - Actor
April 5, 1920 - Arthur Hailey - Writer
April 5, 1937 - Colin Powell - Military
April 6, 1874 - Harry Houdini - Magician
April 6, 1931 - Ram Dass – Guru

April 7, 1938 - Jerry Brown - Politician
April 7, 1939 - Francis Ford Coppola - Director
April 7, 1939 - David Frost - TV Host
April 8, 1939 - Elizabeth C. Prophet - Religious Leader

April 9, 1892 - Mary Pickford – Actress

April 9, 1926 - Hugh Hefner - Publisher
April 12, 1947 - David Letterman - TV Host
April 13, 1743 - Thomas Jefferson - President US
April 15, 1843 - Henry James - Writer
April 16, 1889 - Charles Chaplin - Comedian
April 18, 1857 - Clarence Darrow – Attorney

ENDNOTES

[1] Marlon Brando. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved March 14, 2011, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/marlonbran388919.html

[2] Maya Angelou. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved March 14, 2011, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/maya_angelou.html

[3] Forrest, Steven. 1988.  The Inner Sky. San Diego: ACS Publications

[4] Ibid.

[5] Gerhardt, Dana. April/May 2009.  “Taming Aries’ Wild Horses.”  The Mountain Astrologer, #144, pp.15-19.

[6] Ivan Simurina. Horoscopes Guide. Retrieved March 14 2011, from Horoscopes Guide Web site: http://free-horoscopes.typepad.com/fam1.htm

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A PROFILE OF PISCES: I BELIEVE IN ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES AND IN THE CONNECTEDNESS OF ALL LIFE

(FOR A PODCAST VERSION OF THE PROFILE OF PISCES, PLEASE GO TO THE UPPER RIGHT COLUMN TO LISTEN TO THE PODBEAN RECORDING)

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 will be tested in life to experience the meaning of your Sun sign’s energy.

IN PISCES REALM

By Chris Gonzalez

Imagine in your being a dreamy force

That yearns for release in creative form –

A mystical song, stained glass, or rhymed verse,

You are now traveling in Pisces’ realm.

Separating and merging – these two fishes dance,

One swims close to earth, one toward the Great Beyond,

Moved to feel various realms of existence.

In whichever state, Pisces feels at home.

In the wheel of life, Pisces is the last spoke,

The final stage where we release and transcend

Dissolving our boundaries so we can evoke

An awareness that universal life will never end.

The Sun moved into the sign of Pisces on February 18, 2011 (PST) and transits this sign until midafternoon March 20.  As I approached my timetable for writing this profile of Pisces, I feared that I would get writer’s block. Pisces is one of the astrological signs that I have problems describing in concrete words.  Why is this? I think it is because the zodiac sign of Pisces is about spiritual development and humankind’s relationship with the divine.  Pisces is about transcending personal attachments to matter. This territory is often nebulous and doesn’t necessarily lend itself to easily understandable descriptive language. 

The symbol for Pisces is two fish facing opposite directions but bound by a cord.  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.[1] Hence, one may speculate that the cord represents binding the paths of earthly existence with that of the mystical.

 Pisces is a mutable water sign. The ocean is Pisces’ home and water symbolizes emotional and spiritual energy.  Although the ocean is vast, water has tremendous power to cause ripple effects with everything else, and thus illustrates the connectedness of life. The perspective of “oneness” is a key Piscean theme, both in the mystical realm as well as the way Pisces energy interacts on the earthly plane.  One prominent individual who characterizes this energy is the late Beatle George Harrison, a Sun Sign Pisces who was the most obviously spiritual of his fellow band members.  His music, influenced by Hindu mysticism, speaks of devotion and peace. His works reflecting this spirituality include “Give me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" and "My Sweet Lord". Another Piscean, Bohemian author Jack Kerouac, spoke to this sign’s theme of unity in life and dreaming when he said, “All human beings are also dream beings. Dreaming ties all mankind together.”[2]

 The astrological chart is analogous to the Wheel of Life, and in the chart, the last house, the 12^th, is ruled by Pisces.  The movement around the 360 degree chart is one that reflects a move from the individualism of the first sign of Aries to the collectivism of Pisces. Traditionally in astrology the 12^th house shows service at a large institutional level, particularly ones that are characterized by seclusion or removed from the mainstream.  Astrologer Maurice Fernandez, in his analysis of Pisces, Neptune and the 12^th House, says that the Pisces archetype shows us how a person taps into the needs of public and collective consciousness. He encourages astrologers to consider this when analyzing client charts as it relates to career and vocation.[3] It’s interesting to note that Johnny Cash, the late singer with a Pisces Sun, performed regularly at prisons, which, in astrology jargon, is an institution that fits neatly the 12^th house.

Pisces energy gravitates to types represented by the poet, the dancer, the musician, and the religious devotee.  However, astrologer Dana Gerhardt cautions that we should not restrict our thinking that Pisces is not suited for careers which seem to be counter to the Pisces 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.[4] Scientist Albert Einstein successfully solved major gaps in knowledge in 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 and he was known for being disorganized.  Nevertheless in many fields, the Einsteins of the world are needed to see the “big picture” in problem solving.

We can see that on a spiritual level, Pisces can tap into the place of oneness and connectedness.  Pisces extends this perspective into the realm of everyday existence.  A Piscean belief system would incorporate the concepts that shared space and interests are appropriate between human beings, whether that be in living situations such as communal living, economic interests organized in worker collectives, a local community’s identification of “the commons”, the sharing of online information in the public domain (e.g. Wiki), or advocacy efforts on behalf of the “public interest.”  In the case of the last example, this concept has been perpetuated in modern times by Ralph Nader, a long-time public advocate whose Sun Sign is in Pisces.

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 perspective is that Pisces’ reputation for deception stems not from dishonesty, but rather from a reluctance to face uncomfortable issues head on and to minimize distress.[5]  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.”[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 can begin activities because of an initial inspiration, this planet’s drawback is the lack of sustained energy over time to fulfill objectives (unless earth energies come into play).  Neptune is the energy force that brings the softening quality often demonstrated in the Piscean approach.  Neptune’s thrust is to dissolve boundaries in order to bring about greater equality and communality. Because of Jupiter’s tendency to move away from mundane responsibilities and Neptune’s erasing of boundaries, persons with Piscean energy can choose to escape through the use of drugs or dreams.  While staying in a drugged state or in a perpetual dream state can be problematic, the use of the imagination is a necessary and healthy process in the appropriate context.  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]  You can’t say Pisceans don’t have a sense of humor!

The following is a short list of well-known (deceased) Pisceans:

Anais Nin – Writer

Edward Kennedy – U.S. Senator

Pierre Renoir – Artist

George Harrison – Musician/Singer

Johnny Cash – Singer

Rudolph Steiner – Occultist

Elizabeth B. Browning – Poet

Jack Kerouac – Writer

Percival Lowell – Astronomer

Albert Einstein – Scientist

Michaelangelo – Artist

Nat King Cole – Singer

Rudolf Nureyev – Dancer

Nicolaus Copernicus – Astronomer

Linus Pauling – Scientist

Dr. Seuss - Writer

Maurice Ravel - Composer

ENDNOTES  

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

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

4.      Gerhardt, Dana. 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.      Anais Nin. (n.d.) Famousquotesandauthors.com. Retrieved February 16, 2011, from Famousquotesand authors.com. Website: http://www.famousquotesandauthors.com

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.

A PROFILE OF THE SIGN OF AQUARIUS: I AM UNIQUELY MYSELF WITHIN MY TRIBE



Aquarius the Waterbearer

(TO LISTEN TO A PODCAST VERSION OF THIS PROFILE, PLEASE GO TO THE TOP OF THE RIGHT COLUMN TO SELECT THE PODBEAN PODCAST)

Do You Know An Aquarian?

By Chris Gonzalez

Do you personally know an Aquarian?

Zodiac lore says they can be contrarian.

For them, it can be a rebellious streak that beckons,

Or it may be society’s sheep they strive to awaken.

It is a sign often labeled as quirky,

Unlike Leo, its opposite, it’s not perky.

Full of air, it summons the power of the brain-

Their genius inventions are society’s gain.

Waterbearers are wired to tell the truth,

Although it’s not their intent to be uncouth.

They form networking tribes with like-minded souls,

While maintaining their uniqueness is their personal goal.

The Sun moves into the sign of Aquarius on January 20, 2011 and transits this sign until February 19, 2011.  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 will be tested in life to experience the meaning of your Sun sign’s energy.

In my previous podcast I noted that an astrological sign is a “reaction” to the sign of the zodiac that precedes it, and therefore adopts qualities that will compensate for the shortcomings of the previous sign.  In Capricorn we see concentrated focus to whatever it seeks to accomplish.  As an earth sign ruled by the planet Saturn, Capricorn is intent on bringing something into manifestation.  Capricorn wants to achieve in the concrete world.  This sign understands boundaries, restrictions, and limitations.  Capricorn, perhaps more than any other sign, understands the value of hard work, i.e. reaching one’s goals may not come easy.  In fact, it is the knowledge that one has applied tremendous energy to attain a goal that gives Capricorns their self-respect.  The byproduct of Capricorn’s effort is mastery and power.  Capricorn values conserving, and that includes traditions and structures from the past.

Aquarius, on the other hand, blends the energy of tradition with that of breaking boundaries in order to ensure necessary progress. In traditional astrology, Saturn was the co-ruler of both Capricorn and Aquarius.  Modern day astrology gives the rulership of Aquarius to Uranus and subrulership to Saturn.  As we learned in our discussion of Capricorn, Saturn represents the energy of contraction, of living within our means or abilities. Uranus is the planet of electromagnetic energy, innovation, sudden change, revolution, surprises, upheaval, and the force that demands authenticity and uniqueness. Hence, Aquarius must deal with the paradox of conserving and maintaining traditions, practices, and structures that still serve a worthwhile function, while at the same time being open to tearing away at anything that stands in the way of innovation. 

Aquarius moves beyond the reclusiveness of Capricorn, and as an air sign, it 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.  The prominent feminist author and Aquarian, Germaine Greer, once said that “Human beings have an inalienable right to invent themselves; when that right is pre-empted, is called brainwashing.”[1]

In order to achieve their state of freedom, Aquarius must constantly withstand the forces of peer pressure and conformity.  Astrologer Steven Forrest says that Aquarius uses stubbornness as a resource to prevent the compromise of their individuality. While stubbornness serves Aquarius as a defense, this stubbornness can also become a difficult trait in this sign’s personality, as it may be with the other fixed signs in the zodiac (Taurus and Leo).[2]

It may help to envision some personality types that reflect Aquarian energy.  Author Steven Forrest outlines five major archetypes[3]:

• The Genius
• The Revolutionary
• The Truth Sayer
• The Scientist
• The Exile

The descriptions of these archetypes that follow are my own perspectives. 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 some of the programs were not necessarily conceived by him, he had the willingness to be 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.”[4]

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.”[5]

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.”[6]

Although all these archetypes may be present in individuals whose natal charts may 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 may be Ronald Reagan and Dick Cheney, who may

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.

In summarizing this sign's essence, I would like to borrow the words of Rockport, Massachusetts astrologer, Bruce Nevin: “The reception and dissemination of insight for the betterment of the world is the highest expression of Aquarian energy.”[7]

Below is a list of prominent Aquarians.  Can you identify the Aquarian parts of their personality?

• Abraham Lincoln
• Saul Alinsky
• Susan B. Anthony
• Angela Davis
• Frederick Douglass
• Betty Friedan
• Samuel Gompers
• Germaine Greer
• Langston Hughes
• James Joyce
• Sinclair Lewis
• Lewis Carroll
• Charles Dickens
• Audre Lord

Readers of this blog and podcast listeners, I wish you the very best in being your unique self for the month of Aquarius in the comfort of your tribe, and may you be a vehicle of inventiveness and innovation for your benefit and for the wellbeing of our world. 



Glyph of the astrological sign of Aquarius



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ENDNOTES

[1] Germaine Greer. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved January 18, 2011, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/germainegr398252.html

[2] Forrest, Steven. 1988.  The Inner Sky. San Diego: ACS Publications

[3] Forrest, Steven. 1988.  The Inner Sky. San Diego: ACS Publications

[4] James Joyce. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved January 18, 2011, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jamesjoyce157274.html

[5] Ibid.

[6] Angela Davis. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved January 18, 2011, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: http://www3.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/angeladavi158901.html

[7] Nevin, Bruce. 1982. Astrology Inside Out. Rockport, MA: Para Research, Inc.