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Aquarius
Jan 20 – Feb 18 · Air · Fixed · ruled by Uranus
Original, independent and future-minded — the zodiac's free thinker.
Aquarius quick facts
- Dates
- Jan 20 – Feb 18
- Symbol
- ♒ The Water Bearer
- Element
- Air
- Modality
- Fixed
- Ruling planet
- Uranus (traditionally Saturn)
- Opposite sign
- Leo
- Natural house
- Eleventh house
- Keywords
- original, humanitarian, detached, visionary
Aquarius personality
Aquarius is the fixed air sign, ruled by Uranus in modern astrology and by Saturn in the traditional system. It arrives in deep winter and is the sign of community, innovation, ideals and the future.
Aquarius people think differently, and they are usually comfortable with that. They are drawn to big ideas, causes and groups, and they value freedom and authenticity over fitting in. Aquarius can be warm and friendly with everyone while keeping their inner world private, which sometimes reads as detachment. Their loyalty is to principles as much as to people.
Aquarius strengths
- Original thinking
- Commitment to fairness and community
- Open-mindedness
- Independence
Aquarius challenges
- Emotional detachment
- Stubbornness about their ideas
- Rebelling for its own sake
- Caring about humanity more easily than individuals
Aquarius in love
Aquarius needs a partner who is also a friend — someone who respects their independence and engages their mind. They are loyal and accepting partners, but they need space and dislike possessiveness. Aquarius often shows love through ideas and shared projects rather than overt sentiment. Their growth in love is letting someone close enough to see their feelings, not just their thoughts.
Aquarius at work
Aquarius thrives where innovation and purpose meet: technology, science, social causes, design, research, activism. They are visionary and unconventional problem-solvers. Rigid, traditional hierarchies frustrate them; open, mission-driven teams let them shine.
Careers that suit Aquarius: Technology and engineering · Scientific research · Nonprofit and advocacy · UX and systems design · Urban planning
Aquarius as a friend
Friendship is Aquarius's native language. They have wide and diverse circles and treat friends as chosen family. They are accepting of everyone's quirks and need friends who accept theirs.
How Aquarius grows
Aquarius grows by bringing their ideals down to the personal level — showing up emotionally for the individual in front of them, not just the cause. Vulnerability makes their vision human.
Aquarius compatibility
How Aquarius pairs with every sign, by element and modality.
- ♈Aries90%
- ♐Sagittarius90%
- ♒Aquarius88%
- ♊Gemini85%
- ♎Libra85%
- ♌Leo78%
- ♍Virgo60%
- ♑Capricorn60%
- ♋Cancer58%
- ♓Pisces58%
- ♉Taurus48%
- ♏Scorpio46%
Not a textbook Aquarius?
Your Sun sign is one planet of ten. Your Moon, Rising and the rest of your chart explain the parts of you this page doesn't.
Cast my chart — freeOther placements in Aquarius
Your Sun isn't the only planet that can be in Aquarius. Here's what Aquarius means for the rest of the chart.
Aquarius FAQ
What are the Aquarius dates?
Aquarius season runs Jan 20 – Feb 18. The exact start and end can shift by a day from year to year, because the moment the Sun enters each sign changes. If you were born on a cusp, your birth chart — which uses your exact time and place — settles which sign your Sun is in.
What is Aquarius's ruling planet?
Aquarius is ruled by Uranus (traditionally Saturn). A sign's ruler colors how it expresses itself, so the condition of Uranus in your own chart says a lot about how your Aquarius energy plays out.
What element and modality is Aquarius?
Aquarius is a fixed air sign. Air signs live in ideas, language and connection. They need conversation, perspective and room to think. Fixed signs sit mid-season — they sustain, commit and hold their ground.
Who is Aquarius most compatible with?
By element and modality, Aquarius's most natural matches are Aries, Sagittarius and Gemini. Sun-sign compatibility is only a starting point, though — comparing two full birth charts (synastry) shows where the real chemistry and friction are.
What is the opposite sign of Aquarius?
Leo sits directly across the zodiac from Aquarius. Opposite signs share a theme from different angles, which is why they often attract — and why each holds qualities the other is learning.