Out of all the zodiac signs, Aquarius has always been the most confusing. There is something about them, something inherent to their very nature that is so internally contradictory, that if you are not an Aquarius and you find yourself thinking about this contradiction too hard, it just might make your head spin around and twist off your body and go sailing out into space.
And if an Aquarius saw that happening, saw your head go soaring off and into the distance, an Aquarius would just follow your flying head's trajectory, smile peacefully, and then walk away, because they've got other things to think about. They've always got other things to think about.
Is there someone in your life with whom you're totally obsessed, but you're also not sure they even know who you are? That person is probably an Aquarius. They are complicated, crystalline, enigmatic, all-knowing, sometimes oblivious, prophetic weirdos, and the fact that they are shrouded in mystery only makes the pleasure of getting deep into their psyches all the more rewarding.
Let's delve into the unique and often perplexing world of Aquarius, exploring the traits, contradictions, and quirks that make them so fascinating.
Though maybe this is why I pretty much always love an Aquarius.
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The Dichotomous Nature of Aquarius
It's not only that Aquarius is the only sign to be ruled by two planets (Saturn and Uranus), but also that Aquarius is an air sign-which makes sense, because they are always thinking, thinking, thinking-yet it's personified by a Water-bearer, a twin set of waves, which speaks to the huge amounts of emotional depth and over-abundance of feelings that Aquarians carry around with them everywhere. These two things though-air and water, intellect and emotion, thought and feeling-are not natural companions; in fact, they clash.
But whereas that clash could potentially cause conflict and chaos, an Aquarius is capable of carrying all that around within them and using it to, well, see into the future. Whereas the weight of the world, of knowing all there is to know, would be too much for most people (a Pisces could not handle it at all; a Cancer would be reduced to tears), an Aquarius takes all that knowledge and looks into the days ahead and figures out how to navigate them. (Okay, sometimes an Aquarius is reduced to tears, but then they taste the salt on their lips and get distracted and maybe even a little turned on, because an Aquarius is a freaky, freaky freak.)
Despite having the word aqua in its name, Aquarius isn’t a water sign. Instead of being a water sign, Aquarius is an air sign. As the eleventh and penultimate sign of the zodiac, Aquarius is actually the final air sign, which means it deals with air-related concepts (we'll get more into that momentarily) from a macro-perspective. Air energy is all about the mind. Intellectual, curious, and deeply social, the air signs (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius) are passionate about interpersonal dynamics. As the last air sign in the zodiac, however, Aquarius takes these concepts to a whole other level.
Aquarius: The Humanitarian and Rebel
Of all the zodiac signs, Aquarius is undoubtedly the most innovative, progressive, rebellious, and humanitarian. But while Aquarius can often be found planning a revolution or proudly flaunting their funky fashion sensibility, they also have an often overlooked sensitive side that requires appreciation, support, and love.
An Aquarius loves to spread the truth, and is even something of an authority on it. After all, only an Aquarius could have trademarked the phrase What I Know for Sure (Oprah... hi), because only an Aquarius knows anything for sure. The rest of us might think we do sometimes (Gemini, Capricorn), but only an Aquarius really does. This is why an Aquarius is so good to have as a friend. Nobody gives better advice. Nobody will better be able to tell you when you're full of shit. Nobody will be more willing-and able-to help you manifest the future you want-because they can already see that future go down, because they are prophets.
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Every Aquarian is a rebel at heart: These air signs don't mesh well with authority-figures, let alone any institution that represents tradition and long-standing convention. Free-spirited and eccentric, you can often spot this air sign through their offbeat fashion sensibilities, unusual hobbies, and nonconformist attitude.
As the humanitarian of the zodiac, this sign has a reputation for being eccentric, unique, and marching to the beat of their own drum-as well as being cold, aloof, and somewhat detached. Here's the thing: Aquarius hates small talk. Aquarius is totally disinterested in petty gossip and, frankly, could care less about people-please niceties. This zodiac sign is committed to creating a large-scale impact from the ground up, which means these revolutionaries are all about macro change. Aquarius aspires to move the needle through radical social progress, so if they seem disinterested, it's likely because the issue at hand isn’t community-focused.
The Water Bearer: A Symbol of Inspiration
Aquarius is represented by the water bearer (hence the "aqua"), the mystical healer who bestows water, or life, upon the land. Represented by the Star card in tarot, Aquarius can be visualized as a larger-than-life, mythical being with one foot firmly planted on the soil (representing a sense of being grounded) and one positioned in the water. Aquarius is holding a vase, which pours new streams of inspiration to cultivate longevity, healing, and hope.
Here, it's important to remember that Aquarius is removed from this process-from this vantage, we can see that Aquarius is positioned as an independent entity separate from the life-giving hydration it offers the cracked soil. In this respect, Aquarius exposes its deep connection to community: Rooted in teamwork, collaboration, and the concept of the "greater good," Aquarius is determined to make a powerful difference in the world.
Absent-Mindedness and Prolific Output
And yet, despite all this, Aquarius can seem absent-minded. They are usually late to things. They don't like to sleep, and they don't think of sunrise as being a signal of the morning, but rather a sign that the night is just getting good. Their internal clocks just don't exist.
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But this does not mean they are not getting things done. The scariest thing about an Aquarius is just how much they are getting done. An Aquarius is incredibly prolific, even if the work they're doing is all happening while you are still fast asleep. I mean, compared to an Aquarius, we are, all of us, always sleeping.
Here is a list of some famous Aquarians, and don't tell me a single person on this list hasn't gotten more done within the span of 24 hours than you probably have in your whole life:
- Oprah Winfrey
- Toni Morrison
- Abraham Lincoln
- Angela Davis
- Dr. Dre
- Audre Lorde
- Thomas Edison
- Kerry Washington
- Judy Blume
- Alicia Keys
- Harry Styles
- Ellen DeGeneres
- Ed Sheeran
All of those people have done... so much. Most of it very good! And now, look, maybe somewhere an Aquarius is doing some things that you don't really like (see: Sheeran), but you can't deny that they are getting things done. And that they are really, really good at understanding what it is that other people will like. An Aquarius is usually very popular (see: Sheeran) because they know what people will like, because they can see the future.
The Stubborn Streak and the Need for Freedom
As a fixed sign, Aquarius definitely has a stubborn streak-when this sign makes up their mind, there's no going back! Aquarius' hardheadedness can get them into trouble from time to time. Once Aquarius is committed to a new system or approach, it's hard for them to look at a situation from a different perspective. This is often considered an Achilles' heel. (In fact, in medical astrology, Aquarius governs the ankles.) Aquarian obstinacy stems from strong, righteous conviction and it's quelled as soon as an Aquarius gets the chance to enact change.
Aquarians need plenty of space and time on their own to reflect, form ideas, and plan their role in the revolution. Ultimately, freedom is of the utmost importance for Aquarians, who view challenges to their independence as power-hungry attempts to control them. To win an Aquarian's trust, don't try to reign in their quirks or keep them from flying their freak flag high-Aquarius thrives on shock value.
Compatibility and Relationships
Aquarius loves the fearless autonomy of the fire signs (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius), and the intellectual connection of fellow air sign (Gemini and Libra). But, when it comes to Aquarius compatibility, there's no sign that's totally off-limits. Fundamentally, Aquarius is attracted to fellow revolutionaries-people who are spirited, passionate, and dedicated to making the world a better place.
Traditional earth signs-Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn-might find Aquarius' unpredictable and non-traditional approach unsettling, as they prefer stability and routine. Additionally, sensitive water signs-Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces-could struggle with Aquarius' tendency to keep emotions at arm's length, seeking deeper emotional intimacy than Aquarius typically provides. Although Aquarius can make a relationship work with any zodiac sign, these water bearers must remember that compromise is extremely important: Not everyone is going to care about the same things, but that’s what makes the world a beautiful place!
No matter the zodiac sign, Aquarians are drawn to friends and lovers who aren't afraid to break the rules… or, at the very least, don't mind Aquarius' steadfast commitment to the cause. Because Aquarians are always thinking big-picture, partnership isn't just about an interpersonal dynamic-it’s actually a political statement.
| Sign | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Fire Signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) | High |
| Air Signs (Gemini, Libra) | High |
| Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) | Low |
| Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) | Medium |
The Hunger of Aquarius
But what does an Aquarius like? This is the real question! Because we all like an Aquarius, and are often obsessed with them, but what do they like? The truth is that it's hard to know! Like, even though every year Oprah reveals a list of her "favorite things," are those really things that give her joy permanently? No! Of course not. Because that list is different every year. No Aquarius places real value on anything material because, as a weirdo prophet, they know that everything is ephemeral.
An Aquarius likes to eat. An Aquarius is always hungry. It's this hunger that keeps an Aquarius moving. It's this hunger that is why, if they were an animal, an Aquarius would be a shark. If they were a flower, an Aquarius would be a Venus flytrap. If they were a monster, an Aquarius would be a vampire. If they were a color, they would be white, because they would be swallowing every other color in existence. If they were a piece of jewelry, they would be a studded collar, because they'd be trying to contain all that was within them, and they'd want to remind you they were a little bit dangerous. Really, though, an Aquarius is a lot dangerous, because the truth is always dangerous, and it's always weird, and it's always exciting, just like an Aquarius, who does things all the time that might make you scared if you were them (like that time I saw Styles stage-dive into a crowd of teenage girls who had... not enough in the way of upper-body strength to keep him aloft), but that don't make them scared, because somehow they just know they will be okay.
If an Aquarius is telling you to do something, you know everything will be alright. An Aquarius knows things.