To understand Aquarius properly, we can hardly do better than combine the other three cherubic signs. Aquarius possesses something of all their powers and qualities, but never to excess. It has the kindness of Taurus without its characteristic blind devotion, the courage of Leo without its combative and provocative qualities, and the scientific spirit of Scorpio without its passionate intensity. In essence, Aquarius is versatile. One cannot point to any particular flaw in the Aquarian character, yet neither can one say that any single quality is especially outstanding, except this readiness for every eventuality.
This completeness of mind must be carefully distinguished from the superficial versatility of Gemini, the mutable air sign, for the Aquarian mind is not so detached from heaven and earth as the Geminian mind. Aquarius feels at home on every plane and never separates them. This is also a limitation, making it difficult for the native to specialise. Aquarians rarely become experts in pure mathematics, because the dryness of the subject repels their humanity. Scorpio makes a much better surgeon, for Aquarius finds it difficult to regard an operation as merely “cutting and stitching”; there is always an awareness that a human being is lying on the table. Aquarians often distinguish themselves as physicians, where they can combine the patience of Taurus, the courage of Leo and the insight of Scorpio.
Aquarius is often described as a revolutionary type, yet always seeks to achieve progress without disturbing existing conditions, revealing a Saturnian quality that remains dominant. Aquarians have a sound grasp of reality and do not shut their eyes to facts, but their tendency is to transform existing circumstances through the application of wisdom, rather than to challenge what exists and create something new. There is nothing fanatical about this type. Its tolerance is broad and deep. Aquarius never loses its equilibrium. More extreme types, such as Scorpio, find the calm and moderation of the Aquarian approach irritating. Aquarius is too practical to be a visionary. There is nothing people resent more than good advice. The natural human impulse is always to rush into action, to go to extremes. Indeed, only sensitive people, those with something Aquarian in their nature, instinctively appreciate the quiet virtues of common sense.
People who do not understand Aquarians often describe them as ineffectual or lacking concentration. This is very far from the truth. The illusion arises because the native’s conclusions rest on such broad foundations. Nothing is left out, and the superficial observer assumes that nothing has been done.
Yet a weakness of the Aquarian temperament lies in the difficulty it has in dealing with emergencies when they arise. There are situations in life when even the most violent action is necessary. Someone with a stomach ache is naturally inclined to resort to some drastic remedy that will only make them feel worse. An Aquarian would advise leaving it alone: simply take care over diet, rest and give it a little time. Even if the person had appendicitis, this course would serve as well as any other; yet there are circumstances in which someone with that condition may die unless operated on within the next few hours, and it is questionable whether Aquarius would ever offer such drastic advice. Much the same applies to almost every problem in life.
In less developed types, this failing is a serious matter. Uneducated or semi-literate people, with no knowledge of history or relevant personal experience, are almost helpless in emergencies, even when these concern domestic trifles. As a rule, the Aquarian mind is not quick to act, and this can create a tendency to retreat. The native is perfectly active and competent when in control of the situation, but unfamiliar circumstances can undoubtedly cause confusion.
This certainly does not mean that Aquarians oppose new ideas. On the contrary, they welcome them, but do not embrace them as wholeheartedly as an enthusiast would. Ordinary people cannot appreciate anyone who fails to respond immediately to an impression, without a moment’s thought. At the same time, it must be admitted that, in many circumstances, hasty and even foolish action can be better than wise deliberation. This is not the fault of wisdom, but of folly. We live in a world where we must answer a fool according to his folly. The habit of reflection, good in itself, can easily become a habit of evading duties or situations, which is wrong. Even when this does not happen, reflection may look like procrastination, or even cowardice.
The breadth and balance of Aquarius, which distance the native from other people’s petty concerns, bring them into close contact with the highest humanitarian ideals. Aquarians are much more interested in a cure for consumption than in curing an individual consumptive, in alleviating economic hardship than in addressing one person’s financial troubles. Their habitual kindness is beyond question, but the general welfare is so firmly fixed in their minds that they find it difficult to regard any individual case as anything more than another case. Sometimes, an exaggeration or distortion of this quality can lead to moral catastrophes, as with Robespierre, whose Aquarius Ascendant was corrupted by Saturn in Pisces, square Mercury.
There is, however, undoubtedly a certain coldness in this type. The native seems to say inwardly, “Most human troubles arise from selfishness and an exaggerated sense of one’s own feelings.” This is true enough, but humanity as a whole does not acknowledge it, nor will it for a long time to come. Aquarius instinctively recognises that humanity has not advanced to its own level, yet speaks and acts as though everyone were on an equal footing. Occasionally, this can lead to errors of judgement, for Aquarius is too optimistic for the average mind. It would not matter if this optimism sprang from enthusiasm, because people enjoy fireworks. Yet it often happens that, in trying to show the greatest possible understanding towards someone in distress, the native is taken to be offering only superficial generalities—in short, to be speaking without heart. The truth is quite the reverse. Not only is the Aquarian heart too large to confine itself to a single, trivial instance, but Aquarius also understands the deeper significance of sorrow and misfortune: the soul is often perfected through suffering, and the native hesitates to interfere where destiny is concerned.
In handling money, Aquarius is generally trustworthy. Aquarians regard money merely as a means to an end, valuing it chiefly for its usefulness in facilitating transactions that contribute to the welfare of humanity. They neither squander nor hoard it, but are willing to spend when they believe some genuine good will result. When they seem excessively cautious, it is because they wish to preserve their ability to use it wisely.
On the whole, this sign is well suited to domestic life. The devotion of Taurus can sometimes be unwise and excessive. Aquarius develops an appropriate degree of independence. Aquarians respect themselves and others, and expect the same in return. This is a far better foundation for domestic life than sentimentality. The native is neither especially eager to leave home nor particularly attached to it. Independence develops quite early, but every effort is made to maintain the friendliest relations with the family.
The universality of the sign’s spiritual qualities makes it difficult for Aquarians to fall in love. They struggle to concentrate all that humanity means to them in a single individual; they are too advanced, too sensitive. Romanticism strikes them as rather ridiculous and unworthy of a more developed soul. They are much more likely to fall in love with a school, an art, a hospital or a science than with another person. This is not to suggest that they are unresponsive to love in the ordinary sense, but we must note that their attitude in this matter depends greatly on the position of Venus—considerably more so than with other signs. They are likely to feel an equally strong attraction to both sexes. When in love, their generally friendly nature prompts them to do everything they can to accommodate the other person’s feelings, and their efforts in this respect are much more sincere and satisfying than the somewhat similar quality found in Sagittarius.
Aquarians make excellent parents, although this sign is not particularly fertile. There is nevertheless no one better with children. Their influence is gentle and reasonable, encouraging independence of thought and action while correcting mistakes with kindly good sense and just the right degree of firmness.
The greatest strength of Aquarius lies in its friendly nature. Aquarians are much better suited to friendship than to marriage or romantic love, for there is no limit to the number of things to which they can devote themselves. Aquarius never forgets that friendship is not merely about having a pleasant time together. The native understands its value in facilitating the exchange of ideas, and never loses sight of its true purpose: to ease the passage through life by caring for others and being able to help those in distress.
As a partner in marriage or business, Aquarius is all one could wish for. Aquarians never cause trouble, and their reason and practical wisdom help them avoid it. The only difficulty may arise from their powerful intellect, which a partner may struggle to keep pace with. The native also shows an exceptional capacity for work, carrying it out intelligently and with a measured enthusiasm, though “making money” for its own sake holds little appeal. Aquarians always seem above materialism. The more closely the nature of the work accords with their own, the greater their success will be. Nothing inspires them so much as something of genuine value to humanity.
The subconscious mind works in harmony with the conscious, so insights from the inner self may be said to be far more accessible to these natives than to those of other signs. In religion, Aquarius is tolerant and sensitive, not exactly indifferent, but inclined to free religion from its great impediments: atavism, superstition and fanaticism. A fanatical Christian or Islamist would call the native a heretic, an unbeliever, an atheist, or any other name they could think of, but Aquarius would feel only compassion for such narrow-minded outbursts from an attacker.