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What power is Aquarius?

Aquarius is the 11th sign of the zodiac and is represented by the symbol of the Water Bearer. As an air sign, Aquarius energy is intellectual, progressive, innovative and humanitarian. Aquarius is ruled by the planets Uranus and Saturn, endowing natives of this sign with unique powers and abilities.

The Element of Air

As an air sign, Aquarius expresses qualities of air in both positive and negative ways. Air signs are intellectual, communicative, social and idealistic. They focus on ideas, knowledge and connection with others. The element of air gives Aquarius the powers of:

  • Intellect – Aquarians have excellent analytical skills and strategic thinking. They can understand complex concepts and come up with innovative solutions.
  • Communication – Aquarians are adept communicators, able to articulate their visionary ideas. They have natural gifts for writing, speaking and social media.
  • Objectivity – Aquarians are able to remain detached and neutral, assessing situations from an impersonal, logical perspective.
  • Sociability – Aquarians enjoy conversing and building community. They excel at bringing people together for a common cause.
  • Curiosity – Aquarians have inquisitive, clever minds. They enjoy exploring unconventional subjects and new ways of thinking.

However, taken to the extreme, the air element can manifest as impractical idealism, aloofness, inconsistency and over-intellectualization in Aquarians.

The Planet Uranus

Aquarius is ruled by the planet Uranus, which governs revolution, technology, innovation and sudden change. Uranus was discovered in 1781 during the Age of Enlightenment, uptake the principles of progress, democracy and science. As the ruler of Aquarius, Uranus bestows:

  • Progressivism – Aquarians are future-oriented and eager to improve society through social and technological advances.
  • Innovation – Aquarians are gifted at envisioning original ideas and approaches across many fields.
  • Independence – Aquarians value their individuality and freedom to follow their own path, resisting conformity.
  • Humanitarianism – Aquarians feel compassion for humanity as a whole, fighting for equality and social justice.
  • Unpredictability – Uranus makes Aquarians spontaneous, eccentric and rebellious, defying expectations.

Taken to extremes, Uranian energy can manifest as rebelliousness, provocation, alienation and reckless experimentation in Aquarians.

The Planet Saturn

Saturn is the traditional ruler of Aquarius, representing structure, hard work, and wisdom gained through experience. Saturn lends Aquarians the powers of:

  • Discipline – When focused, Aquarians can tap into incredible discipline and commitment in their work.
  • Long-range Vision – Aquarians are able to develop practical, far-reaching visions to improve humanity.
  • Maturity – Saturn gives Aquarians a seriousness that develops fully later in adulthood.
  • Integrity – Aquarians have a strong sense of ethics, justice and duty.
  • Wisdom – Saturn blesses Aquarians with patience, caution and learning acquired through challenges.

The negative manifestations of Saturn in Aquarius can be aloofness, stubbornness, coldness and overzealous adherence to dogmatic views.

Mutable Quality

Aquarius is a mutable sign, meaning it is flexible, versatile and receptive to change. The mutable quality grants Aquarians the powers to:

  • Adaptability – Aquarians go with the flow and quickly evolve their methods and ideas to suit changing circumstances.
  • Multi-tasking – Aquarians can juggle many projects at once and switch focus when needed.
  • Open-mindedness – Aquarians keep an open mind and consider all viewpoints before making conclusions.
  • Relatability – Aquarians excel at relating to all types of people and coming at concepts from diverse angles.
  • Experimentation – The mutable nature makes Aquarians eager to find novel solutions by trying unproven methods.

The mutable modality can also cause Aquarians to be inconsistent, distracted or lacking in follow through when spread thin.

Aquarius in Astrology

In astrology, Aquarius is associated with freedom, individuality, progressivism, idealism, eccentricity, objectivity, technology and community. As the 11th sign, it rules the 11th house of friends, groups, hopes and wishes. Aquarians have unique gifts for inspiring unity, advancing society and envisioning a better future for humankind. Some of their core powers and qualities include:

  • Visionary – Aquarians are endowed with great intuition and foresight to see possibilities others miss.
  • Originality – Aquarians come up with novel concepts that uniquely synthesize existing ideas into new frameworks.
  • Radical – Aquarians champion progressive and cutting-edge ideas for the betterment of humanity.
  • Friendly – Aquarians have open, likeable personalities that draw people to them and build strong communities.
  • Altruistic – Aquarians selflessly serve higher causes like justice, equality and environmentalism.
  • Inventive – Aquarians integrate their visionary ideas into inventions, institutions and solutions benefiting society.
  • Reformative – Aquarians recognize flaws in the status quo and bravely challenge conventions to prompt evolution.
  • Logical – While idealistic, Aquarians approach their visions practically and strategically to enact feasible change.
  • Fair-minded – Aquarians listen to different viewpoints and promote unbiased discourse and egalitarian values.

Aquarius in Careers and Vocations

When focused on a goal, Aquarians ascend to the top of their chosen professions, driven by their visionary and innovative nature. Here are some of the best career matches for Aquarians:

  • Activist – Aquarians make passionate advocates for social justice and environmental causes.
  • Inventor – Aquarians are gifted at devising practical applications and prototypes for their ingenious concepts.
  • Scientist – Aquarians excel at theoretical and experimental science, fascinated by progress and discovery.
  • Technologist – Aquarians have natural talents for programming, engineering and pioneering tech fields.
  • Politician – As strategic thinkers and inspiring leaders, Aquarians can enact political change.
  • Economist – Aquarians analyze macro trends and devise monetary reforms to improve society.
  • Professor – Aquarians love sharing knowledge and sparking discussion as teachers.
  • Psychologist – Aquarians insightfully analyze human nature and find innovative ways to counsel others.
  • Astrologer – Aquarians have intuitive gifts for interpreting celestial influences on humanity.
  • Philanthropist – Aquarians enjoy strategically donating time and resources to worthy causes.

Aquarians thrive as leaders, innovators, creators and changemakers. Their unique powers help them succeed in roles that allow them to exercise their vision while bringing tangible improvements to the world.

Aquarius in Relationships

In relationships, Aquarians desire partners who respect their freedom while sharing common ideals and interests. Despite their more aloof exterior, Aquarians crave meaningful connection. Here’s how Aquarius approaches intimacy:

  • Unconventional – Aquarians eschew tradition and prefer partners with eccentric tastes who challenge them intellectually.
  • Equal – Aquarians need relationships built on respect, trust, honesty and fairness between equals.
  • Intellectual – Aquarians bond over shared concepts, ideologies and passions for changing the world.
  • Independent – While desiring friendship, Aquarians retain a strong sense of individuality within relationships.
  • Social – Aquarians thrive on communities of shared interests and ideals just as much as one-on-one relationships.
  • Humanitarian – Aquarians are drawn to kind, principled partners who share their altruistic spirit.
  • Inventive – Aquarians appreciate partners who embrace novel adventures and display their unique self-expression.

Aquarians need freedom balanced with emotional intimacy. Despite their independence, they long for someone to understand their visionary gifts and join their mission to make the world better.

Aquarius Compatibility

When it comes to romantic compatibility, Aquarians get along best with fellow air signs who match their intellect and progressivism or fire signs who share their passions:

  • Gemini – Fellow air sign Gemini delights Aquarius with their cleverness, versatility and social aptitude. They both love bouncing ideas off each other.
  • Libra – The idealistic air sign Libra enjoys discussing global issues and artistic interests with Aquarius.
  • Aries – Independent Aries respects Aquarians need for freedom while sharing their activist spirit.
  • Leo – Generous fire sign Leo admires Aquarius’ innovative mind and shares their egalitarian worldview.
  • Sagittarius – Fellow idealists, Sagittarius and Aquarius have endless adventures pursuing common aspirations.

While exciting in the short term, fire signs may ultimately frustrate Aquarians with their impulsiveness. Earth signs and water signs may have difficulties getting on Aquarius’ wavelength or accepting their unpredictability.

Famous Aquarius Figures

As visionaries ahead of their time, many legendary innovators and activists bear the sign of Aquarius. Famous Aquarians include:

  • Thomas Edison – This brilliant inventor patented over 1000 inventions including the lightbulb.
  • Charles Darwin – His theory of evolution revolutionized biology and the modern scientific worldview.
  • Abraham Lincoln – Lincoln abolished slavery and preserved the Union as U.S. president.
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt – As U.S. president during the Great Depression and WWII, FDR enacted sweeping progressive reforms.
  • Rosa Parks – Her refusal to give up her bus seat sparked the Montgomery bus boycott and civil rights movement.
  • John Lennon – A pioneer of counterculture ideals through his music and activism.
  • Paris Hilton – As an heiress, socialite and reality TV star, she epitomizes the unorthodox Aquarius.
  • Steve Jobs – The co-founder of Apple revolutionized personal computing and created iconic devices like the iPhone.
  • Oprah Winfrey – As a talk show host and media entrepreneur, she inspires and connects people worldwide.
  • Ashton Kutcher – An actor and tech investor, he uses social media to promote human rights and environmental causes.

While diverse, famous Aquarians are united by their visionary thinking and progressive ideals. Their innovations and activism leave lasting impacts on society.

The Shadow Side of Aquarius

For their gifts of foresight, Aquarians pay the price of being ahead of their time. Their progressive thinking is not always welcomed. The same traits that make Aquarians visionary can also produce contradictions like:

  • Extremist – Their zeal for reform can become too radical in toppling existing systems without viable alternatives.
  • Alienating – Their unconventional perspectives sometimes isolate them from more traditional mindsets.
  • Contrarian – Just to be rebellious, Aquarians may stubbornly reject conventions to their own detriment.
  • Aloof – Their self-sufficiency can become cold detachment lacking empathy.
  • Unpractical – Their idealism may not translate well into concrete policies and actions.
  • Unstable – Their openness to experimentation without following through can generate mixed results.
  • Rigid – Aquarians may cling dogmatically to their viewpoint, unable to adapt as circumstances change.

By developing discernment, Aquarians can share their inspired concepts in ways people can accept while bringing balance through compromising and collaborating with others.

Conclusion

Aquarius holds great power to envision progress, spur innovation and unite communities. By channeling their gifts in service to higher ideals, Aquarians blaze trails to improve humanity and fulfill their destiny as leaders and changemakers who create a brighter future.