Download Aquarius - Interactive Stars

Aquarius
'Aquarius' from 'Urania's Mirror or, a view of the Heavens' (1824)
Contents
Cover
The Myths and Legends of Aquarius
The Stars
The Sun in Astrology
Uranus, Ruler of Aquarius
The Flowers of Aquarius
Copyright Information
The Myths and Legends of Aquarius
In ancient Babylon, Aquarius, the Water Bearer, ruled over a huge area of the sky known as The
Sea. These were the fertilising 'upper waters' of the sky, seen as the source of life, through which
the sun passed in the rainy season, and where the two fish of Pisces, the Southern Fish and the
Dolphin, amongst others marine creatures, can be found.
The Water Bearer
Aquarius, the Water Bearer, is one of the oldest constellations, standing with his foot on the head of
the great Southern Fish, into whose mouth his waters pour.
The Upper Waters
Not much is known about Aquarius, except that he ruled over a huge area of the sky known as The
Sea in ancient Babylon.
Here are gathered: the Southern Fish; the Dolphin; the zodiac Fishes; Hydra, the Water Serpent;
Capricorn, the Goat-Fish; the mighty river Eridanus, and Cetus, the sea monster. Together these
make up the constellations of the fertilising 'Upper Waters' of the sky, which were seen as the
source of life, through which the sun passed during the rainy season.
Aquarius' appearance has remained unchanged since the earliest times, although sometimes the
water flowed directly from his hands and arms. In his hand he holds 'Norma Nilotica', a rod for
measuring the rising waters of the Nile.
In astrology, Aquarius is the last of the three intellectual air signs, and is ruled by Uranus, which
will be the planet of the new Aquarian Age.
The Stars
Aquarius' most important star, Sadalmelik, 'the lucky one of the king', marks his right shoulder just
above the Urn and Sadalsuud, 'the luckiest of the lucky', lies on his upper left arm.
The Aquarian Age
Astrologers and astronomers disagree about when the 'New Age' of Aquarius, when the spring
equinox moves out of Pisces, will begin. Astrologers divide the zodiac band into twelve equal
portions, and by their reckoning, depending on which star is chosen as a marker, it could be any
time between 1997 and 2200. Astronomers, however, claim that this will not happen for 600 years.
Aquarius lies between Capricorn and Pisces on the zodiac band.
To Locate
Aquarius lies between Pisces and Capricorn on the zodiac band, with the Southern Fish to the south,
and Pegasus to the north. The easiest stars to recognise are the ones which make up the Urn, which
were immortalised by Van Gogh. It can be seen looking south in autumn in the northern
hemisphere and looking north in spring in the southern hemisphere.
The Sun in Astrology
Just as the sun in the sky is the center of the solar system, the Sun in astrology is the central nucleus
of your personality. If each of the planets circling round the sun represents a single facet of your
personality - Venus describes how you love and Saturn how you relate to responsibility, for
example - then the Sun is the conductor of your personal orchestra, giving meaning and coherence
to the wholeness that is you. It is the part of yourself that you identify with, your sense of self. Its
sign - your sun-sign - and house position, as well as the aspects that it makes to other planets,
describe your true potential; the 'you' you are deep down and are striving to express, as well as your
will, your goals and purpose. While the feminine Moon represents your Soul, the masculine Sun
represents your Spirit. Its position in your chart also shows the ways in which your outlook has
been influenced by your father.
The Sun in Aquarius
With the Sun in Aquarius, who pours out the waters of his fertilizing urn for the good of all
mankind, you have great breadth of vision and a real desire to make the world a better place. While
the other intellectual air signs, Gemini and Libra, spend their time in gathering knowledge and in
analyzing their emotions, Aquarius is less personally involved and more concerned with the whole
brotherhood of man. One to one relationships, which are Libra's realm, mean less to you than
friendships and you function best when you can share your vision with a group of people of like
mind and work together for the common good. But as Aquarius is a fixed sign, you can, at times, be
stubborn or dogmatic, or seem distant or aloof. Personal details and emotions do not interest you a
lot, for you like to see the broader picture and you loathe possessiveness and jealousy, as your main
concern in life is trying to establish new ways of relating that give those concerned more liberty to
be themselves.
Uranus, Ruler of Aquarius
The ruling planet of your personal chart is the one that rules your Rising Sign. However, if
Aquarius is your Sun Sign, its ruler, Uranus, will also play an important role in your psychology.
The Starry Heavens
An 'Ambassador of the Galaxy', bringing sudden insights and spiritual awakenings, Uranus rules
the new Aquarian Age. It brings freedom, independence and originality, liberating us from outworn
attitudes to life. As the Greek god, Uranus, personified the starry heavens, it also rules deep space
and space age travel. Its position at birth shows where, and how, we search for enlightenment.
Its house position in your chart, as well as the links it makes with other planets, show how Uranus
affects you personally. Uranus reveals where you are most unique and which areas of life are likely
to offer you new possibilities for growth and change. Its influence has been described as a wind that
blows the sand from a hidden city, revealing your true self. It also shows your attitude towards
authority, and towards the new.
The Flowers of Aquarius
Before Uranus was discovered, Saturn was Aquarius's planet. It is still its co-ruler, which make
heartsease, or pansy, the blue cornflower and Solomon's seal Aquarius's flowers. The Orchid and
the Star of Bethlehem, with it small, pointed, star-like blooms, which echo the starry heavens which
Uranus rules, also belong to Aquarius.
Your herbs are fumitory and hemp, and your trees are the poplar, the tamarisk, the cypress and the
sweetly scented lime, or linden. The spicy, oriental vetivert is also ruled by Saturn and belongs to
Aquarius. Your essential oils are vetivert, patchouli and myrrh.
The Jewels of Aquarius
Star Sapphire
Aquarius, the most far-seeing and detached of all the signs, rules deep space and all the starry
heavens, and has the star sapphire as its precious stone. The star sapphire puts its wearer in tune
with the great cosmic cycles and forces and gives immunity to lies and envy. It is also said to act as
a guide.
Labradorite
Labradorite, with its sudden flashes of peacock blues and greens, reflects Aquarius's ruler, Uranus,
the planet that brings sudden insights and illuminations, as well as the sparkling life-giving waters
pouring from Aquarius's urn. It is known as a bringer of luck.
Copyright Catherine Tennant, from 'The Box of Stars,
a Guide to the Night Sky and to its Myths and Legends'.
exclusive to InteractiveStars.com
For Entertainment Purposes Only / For Personal Use Only