Traditional
Aquarian Traits
Friendly and humanitarian
On the dark side....
Intractable and contrary
Aquarians basically possess strong and attractive personalities. They fall into two
principle types: one shy, sensitive, gentle and patient; the other exuberant, lively and
exhibitionist, sometimes hiding the considerable depths of their character under a
cloak of frivolity. Both types are strong willed and forceful in their different ways and
have strong convictions, though as they seek truth above all things, they are usually
honest enough to change their opinions, however firmly held, if evidence comes to
light which persuades them that they have been mistaken. They have a breadth of
vision that brings diverse factors into a whole, and can see both sides of an argument
without shilly-shallying as to which side to take. Consequently they are unprejudiced
and tolerant of other points of view. This is because they can see the validity of the
argument, even if they do not accept it themselves. They obey the Quaker
exhortation to "Be open to truth, from whatever source it comes," and are prepared
to learn from everyone.
Both types are humane, frank, serious minded, genial, refined, sometimes ethereal,
and idealistic, though this last quality is tempered with a sensible practicality. They are
quick, active and persevering without being self-assertive, and express themselves
with reason, moderation and sometimes, a dry humor.
They are nearly always intelligent, concise, clear and logical. Many are strongly
imaginative and physically intuitive, so that the Age of Aquarius, which is about to
begin, is much anticipated by psychic circles as an age in which mankind will
experience a great spiritual awakening. The Aquarian philosophical and spiritual bent
may be dangerous in that it can drive the subjects into an ivory-tower existence
where they meditate on abstractions that bear little relevance to life. On the other
hand it can help the many who have scientific leanings to combine these with the
Aquarian yearning for the universal recognition of the brotherhood of man, and to
embark on scientific research to fulfill their philanthropic ideals of benefiting mankind.
When some cause or work of this nature inspires them, they are capable of such
devotion to it that they may drive themselves to the point of exhaustion and even risk
injuring their health.
Both types need to retire from the world at times and to become temporary loners.
They appreciate opportunities for meditation or, if they are religious, of retreats. Even
in company they are fiercely independent, refusing to follow the crowd. They dislike
interference by others, however helpfully intended, and will accept it only on their
own terms. Normally they have good taste in drama, music and art, and are also
gifted in the arts, especially drama.
In spite of the often intensely magnetic, forthcoming and open personality of the more
extrovert kind of Aquarian, and of their desire to help humanity, neither type makes
friends easily. They sometimes appear to condescend to others and take too little
trouble to cultivate the acquaintance of people who do not particularly appeal to
them. They do not give themselves easily - perhaps their judgment of human nature is
too good for that - and are sometimes accounted cold. But once they decide that
someone is worthy of their friendship or love, they can exert an almost hypnotic and
irresistible mental attraction on them and will themselves become tenacious friends or
lovers, ready to sacrifice everything for their partners and be faithful to them for life.
However, they are sometimes disappointed emotionally because their own high
personal ideals cause them to demand more of others than is reasonable. And if they
are deceived their anger is terrible. If disillusioned, they do not forgive.
Aquarians work best in group projects, provided that they are recognized as having a
leading part in them. They have a feeling of unity with nature and a desire for
knowledge and truth that makes them admirable scientists, especially astronomers
and natural historians. They may excel in photography, radiography, electronics -
anything connected with the electrical and radio industries - aviation and everything
technical. On the arts and humanities side their progressive tendencies can be
expressed in writing, especially poetry, and broadcasting, or as welfare workers and
teachers. Some have gifts as entertainers and make good character actors (having an
ability to mimic) and musicians. The more psychic among them possess healing gifts,
especially in curing the mentally sick.
Among the faults to which they are liable are fanatical eccentricity, wayward egotism,
excessive detachment and an inclination to retreat from life and society, and a
tendency to be extremely dogmatic in their opinions. Circumstances - for example,
continuous opposition to a cause they hold dear - may cause the atrophy of the
openness of mind that is one of the Aquarian's most attractive traits. They may
express a lack of integrity in broken promises, secretiveness or cunning. Simmering
anger and resentment, rudeness or, worse, a tense, threatening silence which may
suddenly burst out in eruptions of extreme temper, these are all part of the negative
side of the Aquarian. This can also reveal itself in a sustained hatred for enemies that
is capable of enlarging itself into a misanthropy toward the whole of mankind.
Physically Aquarians are said to be of below average height, stocky and inclined to
stoutness. Their constitutions are poor. They have long skulls and faces and are
usually good looking - the men are sometimes handsome in an almost feminine way -
with ruddy complexions and light flaxen or sandy hair which darkens as they grow
older. They have bright blue or hazel eyes.
As Aquarius is said to govern the legs from knees to ankles and the circulation of
blood, its natives are susceptible to ailments particularly in the legs and ankles, such
as cramps, and are also liable to spasmodic and nervous complaints, as well as wind,
catarrh, diarrhea, dropsy, goiter and delirium tremens - so that the avoidance of
alcohol is important for those Aquarians who have a taste for it.
Honest and loyal
Original and inventive
Independent and intellectual
Perverse and unpredictable
Unemotional and detached
