Debunking a Myth

Lots of people assume Aquarius is a water sign. After all, its patron is the water-bearer ... aqua = water ... her glyph looks like two waves ... seems like a no-brainer, huh? But many depictions of Aquarius actually show the water-bearer dumping out the water from her vessel.

Aquarius is, in fact, an air sign.

There are four elements associated with the zodiac signs: fire, earth, air and water. Each one carries a different energy that informs the temperament of the person or planet involved. The characteristics of each element mirror those found in the natural world. In very general terms:

• Fire signs are intuitive, quick and creative; impulsive, reckless and showy.
• Earth signs are deliberate, realistic and hard-working; materialistic, stubborn and cautious.
  
• Air signs are intelligent, rational and social; restless, removed and flirtatious.
  
• Water signs are deep, passionate and insightful; emotional, sensitive and elusive.
  

So while Aquarius is an air sign she is also a carrier of water. Her nature is still air -- more focused on ideas and information than on compassion and empathy. But her progressive, egalitarian understanding of the world, coupled with her social nature, gives the impression of empathy as people tend to feel accepted and welcome in her presence. She carries water, and readily shares it, but she doesn't get personally and emotionally invested in it in the way of a water sign.

But she might get invested enough in her ideas and especially her ideals that she'll surprise you with her obstinacy when she doesn't get her way. If something is important enough to her, she'll dump out the waters of compassion and dig in her heels until she gets what she wants. And as a stubborn fixed sign, that obstinacy can last a good long time.

Everyone has Aquarius in their chart. In what house does your Aquarius reside? Do you have any planets in Aquarius? If you do, how are you using them?

(By the way: Two more so-called no-brainers debunked: Scorpio is a water sign and Aries, the ram, is a fire sign.)

Copyright (C) 2007 by Kathy Crabb