“To live together in the world means essentially that a world of things is between those who have it in common, as a table is located between those who sit around it; the world, like every in-between, relates and separates men at the same time.”
– Political philosopher Hannah Arendt, “The Human Condition”
Babylonian astrologers marked the new year with the vernal equinox in Aries. Since Earth’s axis tilts and wobbles, the constellations in our sky change position. The shift in zodiac signs during the vernal equinox marks a new astrological age- about 2,000 years long. The previous astrological age- the Age of Pisces- lasted from the birth of Christ to the modern day. The vernal equinox now occurs in Aquarius. Astrologers are unsure when we entered the Age of Aquarius but agree we are experiencing it now.
(Image by Ali Larson)
Aquarius is an activist, an innovator, and a rebel with a cause. It fosters ideals of humanism and higher intelligence. It ushers advanced science and technology, especially in the realm of communication. In medical astrology, Aquarius rules the nervous system. This symbolism describes the interconnected nature of mind and body. An Aquarian utopia would be without nations or borders. It sees an even distribution of wealth and resources and unites us as a single people. The Age of Aquarius marks the revolution.
“[A]ll technologies are extensions of our physical and nervous systems…”
– Canadian philosopher Marshal McLuhan, “Understanding Media“
With every ideal comes its flaws. Aquarius is a fixed air sign, presenting a stubborn but flighty nature. Aquarius dreams of an adaptable society, yet digs its heels in when presented with change. Aquarius asks for everyone’s understanding, yet closes its ears to opposing perspectives. In extreme cases, Aquarius is a radical force of aggression in the fight for what’s right. Such aggression comes from a disconnect with the heart and a blurred reflection of the true self.
“Aquarius focuses on the betterment of society but often leaves out the betterment of the individual… the journey of Aquarius is to move away from its perversity, find the deeper truth of its humanity and tap into its idealism to create a truly better world”
– Astrologer Joanna Martine Woolfolk, “The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need“
Humans experience life in a finite body with a limited scope of perception. We exist on Earth- the only planet in our solar system that fosters life- in a sea of galaxies in an infinite universe. From this perspective, human life is but a drop in the ocean of existence. But there must be more to us than that.
The individual’s experience is a ripple effect from the collective experience. Vice versa, the individual’s actions send a ripple into their environment. This exchange is inherent in the nature of the relationship. I would not exist without you as up would not exist without down. The future would not exist if not for the past, but we can only experience it from sitting in the present. Aquarius asks us not only to look at this nature of exchange but to see it is vital to our survival and evolution. Each of us is an independent, unique being, yet we depend on each other as we’re bonded by the same human experience.
Much of the structures of society as we know is it built upon the “us vs. them” mentality. The myth is there is not enough in this world. There is not enough money, not enough food, not enough jobs, not enough housing, not enough help. This person is not enough for me, I am not enough for them. Not enough, not enough, not enough. This scarcity mindset pits us against each other. It spouts lies that cooperation is our demise. It doesn’t have to be this way. The first step into a new world is imagining it. How would we treat each other if we knew we had enough? How would we view our differences if we knew our suffering had the same root cause? How would we focus on different goals knowing we all shared a common dream? How would we express ourselves if we praised our individuality? How would we regard our ancestors knowing we are the ancestors of the next generation? Listen when you want to be heard. Love when you want to be held. Let go when you want to be free.
The Cosmic Collective 