Aquarius

**Aquarius** is a constellation of the western Zodiac, located between Capricorn and Pisces, it is one of the oldest recognized constellations. It is found in a region often called the Sea due to its profusion of constellations with watery associations such as Cetus, Pisces, and Eridanus.

The duration of Aquarius is from January 19 to February 18.

## Depictions

Aquarius is often depicted as a man holding a water jar.

The water jar, an asterism itself, consists of Gamma, Pi, Eta, and Zeta Aquarii; it pours water in a stream of more than 20 stars terminating with Fomalhaut, now assigned solely to Piscis Austrinus.

The water bearer's head is represented by 5th magnitude 25 Aquarii while his left shoulder is Beta Aquarii; his right shoulder and forearm are represented by Alpha and Gamma Aquarii respectively.

## Traits Associated

Aquarius is the most humanitarian astrological sign. These revolutionary thinkers fervently support “power to the people,” aspiring to change the world through radical social progress. Every Aquarius is a rebel at heart: These air signs despise authority and anything that represents conventionality. Free-spirited and eccentric, they can often be identified by their offbeat fashion sensibilities, unusual hobbies, and nonconformist attitude.

They are big thinkers, but mustn't forget their immediate surroundings. They can become so focused on implementing widespread reform that they neglect their family and friends, gaining a reputation for being aloof and distant in relationships. Aquarius should remember that progress always starts on a micro level and advocate empathy and compassion wherever possible.

They can have a bit of a stubborn streak, this is often considered their Achilles’ heel. Their obstinacy stems from strong, righteous conviction and it's quelled as soon as an Aquarius gets the chance to enact change. Because they are so deeply motivated by the spirit of egalitarianism, they enjoy teamwork and participating in communities of like-minded individuals.

However, Aquarius also 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 them, who view challenges to their independence as power-hungry attempts to control them.

## Mythology

### Mesopotamian

In Mesopotamian myths, Aquarius is identified as *GU.LA* ("The Great One") and represents the god Enki himself, who is commonly depicted holding an overflowing vase. In old Babylonian astronomy, Ea was the ruler of the southernmost quarter of the Sun's path, also known as the "Way of Ea", corresponding to the 45 days on either side of the winter solstice.

Aquarius was also associated with the destructive floods that the Babylonians regularly experienced, and thus was negatively connoted.

### Egyptian

In Ancient Egypt astronomy, Aquarius was associated with the annual flood of the Nile; the banks were said to flood when Aquarius put his jar into the river, beginning spring.

### Hindu

The name of Aquarius in the Hindu zodiac is *kumbha* ("water-pitcher") and is often represented simply as a single vase from which a stream poured down to the Piscis Austrinus.

### Greek

In Greek mythology, Aquarius is sometimes associated with Deucalion, the son of Prometheus who built a ship with his wife Pyrrha to survive an imminent flood. They sailed for nine days before washing ashore on Mount Parnassus.

Aquarius is also sometimes identified with beautiful Ganymede, a youth in Greek mythology and the son of Trojan king Tros, who was taken to Mount Olympus by Zeus to act as cup-carrier to the gods. Neighboring Aquila represents the eagle, under Zeus' command, that snatched the young boy; some versions of the myth indicate that the eagle was in fact Zeus transformed.

An alternative version of the tale recounts Ganymede's kidnapping by the goddess of the dawn, Eos, motivated by her affection for young men; Zeus then stole him from Eos and employed him as cup-bearer.

Another figure associated with the water bearer is Cecrops I, a king of Athens who sacrificed water instead of wine to the gods.

## Eastern Astronomy

In Chinese astronomy, the stream of water flowing from the Water Jar was depicted as the "Army of Yu-Lin" (*Yu-lim-kiun* or *Yulinjun*, Hanzi: 羽林君). The name "Yu-lin" means "feathers and forests", referring to the numerous light-footed soldiers from the northern reaches of the empire represented by these faint stars. The constellation's stars were the most numerous of any Chinese constellation, numbering 45, the majority of which were located in modern Aquarius. The celestial army was protected by the wall *Leibizhen* (垒壁阵), which counted Iota, Lambda, Phi, and Sigma Aquarii among its 12 stars. 88, 89, and 98 Aquarii represent *Fou-youe*, the axes used as weapons and for hostage executions. Also in Aquarius is *Loui-pi-tchin*, the ramparts that stretch from 29 and 27 Piscium and 33 and 30 Aquarii through Phi, Lambda, Sigma, and Iota Aquarii to Delta, Gamma, Kappa, and Epsilon Capricorni.

Near the border with Cetus, the axe *Fuyue* was represented by three stars; its position is disputed and may have instead been located in Sculptor. *Tienliecheng* also has a disputed position; the 13-star castle replete with ramparts may have possessed Nu and Xi Aquarii but may instead have been located south in Piscis Austrinus. The Water Jar asterism was seen to the ancient Chinese as the tomb, *Fenmu*. Nearby, the emperors' mausoleum *Xiuliang* stood, demarcated by Kappa Aquarii and three other collinear stars. *Ku* ("crying") and *Qi* ("weeping"), each composed of two stars, were located in the same region.

Three of the Chinese lunar mansions shared their name with constellations. *Nu*, also the name for the 10th lunar mansion, was a handmaiden represented by Epsilon, Mu, 3, and 4 Aquarii. The 11th lunar mansion shared its name with the constellation *Xu* ("emptiness"), formed by Beta Aquarii and Alpha Equulei; it represented a bleak place associated with death and funerals. *Wei*, the rooftop and 12th lunar mansion, was a V-shaped constellation formed by Alpha Aquarii, Theta Pegasi, and Epsilon Pegasi; it shared its name with two other Chinese constellations, in modern-day Scorpius and Aries.

## Trivia

* It corresponds with the zodiacal element of air.
* Its rulers in astronomy are Saturn (traditional) and Caelus (modern).
* Positions:
	+ Its detriment is the Sun.
	+ Its exaltation is Mercury.
	+ Its astrological fall is Neptune.