Mid-Winter brings us to the season of Aquarius. Here we arrive at the coldest, most barren time of year. The forest becomes a wasteland of snow and frozen twigs. In this space, we see the unique element of Aquarius, which is... space. Aquarius is the Air Element in the Fixed Mode, and is the vast expanse of space itself. Space contains all things, the whole world and all that is in it. Space is stillness, harmony, and oneness, just as the frozen forest is still and silent, a single blanket of white. Aquarius brings all things together and teaches us the value of one.
To analyze Aquarius, we can look to the surrounding and opposite signs. The balance of Aquarius is Leo. Just as Leo is Mid-Summer and represents the creative expression of the individual, Aquarius aligns with Mid-Winter and represents the coming together of the collective to form community. While Leo is focused on the self, Aquarius is interested in the group. As we enter the Aquarian age in the Grand Precession, we can see this very clearly in society. This time period of shifting signs results in immense conflict between the polarities. There are those who want to hang on to the old ways, and those who want to move forward to the new. There are those who cling fiercely to their own individual sovereignty, and there are those who want to push toward complete social equality. This conflict is the imbalance between Leo and Aquarius. Excessive Leo cares only for its own affairs and neglects the good of others. Likewise, excessive Aquarius leads to the shackling and reduction of the self in order to preserve the harmony of the collective. Either way is detrimental to a healthy self and a healthy society. The balance of Leo and Aquarius allows us to freely and openly express ourselves, live our own lives in accordance with our own paths, while at the same time being mindful of the needs of others and the good of the world at large. We needn't choose one over the other. We can be individuals within the community.
Progressing from Capricorn, Aquarius is the application of the knowledge, wisdom, and experience gained along the journey. Capricorn saw us reach the peak of the mountain. We became the wise elder looking down at the world and reflecting on all that we had seen. At Aquarius we descend the mountain, return to the world, and use what we've learned to help others along their path. In this we see the purpose of our learning. We can spend our entire lives accumulating unto ourselves knowledge, wealth, power, or whatever we can imagine. But, ultimately, the full benefits will never be known until we begin to share it with those around us. It is the duty of those who have wisdom to share it with those who are not yet far along the path. In this is the symbolism of the wise elder guiding the young.
And so, in Aquarius we learn the value of community, of teaching and of sharing our wealth with those around us. In the dead of Winter, we must work together to survive. None of us alone can stand the barren wastes. But together we can overcome any obstacle and endure until the Spring thaw comes again.
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