Aquarius New Moon - February 17, 2007

I've never truly understood the sign of Aquarius. One the one hand, it concerns friends, groups, and concern for the collective. On the other hand, the Aquarian is eccentric, striving to separate from the mainstream, upsetting the status quo in her embrace of unique beliefs, fashion statements and public acts. Aquarius is forward-thinking, often embracing trends before these radical ideas are adopted by the consumer-capitalist corporate-state.

Aquarius is detached from the emotional connections that bring two individuals together in intimate embrace. The Water Bearer is an air sign that, unlike his brother Libra, is not all that into one-on-one partnership; and unlike Gemini, isn't all that interested in chatting with the neighbors about the latest goings-on.

Is Aquarius the mad scientist, locked in his laboratory or study, developing his brilliant but misunderstood ideas about the nature of the Universe? Or is Aquarius that woman who has a billion friends, who's heavily involved in political activism and building an online presence for her favorite political candidate?

Aquarius is so impersonal, yet at the same time, he cares so much about humanity. Everyone should be treated equally. All beings should have basic human rights. Yet when you try to get close to Aquarius, he backs away. He's more comfortable in the global sister- and brotherhood than the forming of a more perfect union with one other person.

Aquarius is a transpersonal sign. It's not about the selfish needs of the developing self. It's not about closeness between two people. It's about all of us, the world. When I look at the google search queries that bring users to my web site, I notice a number of users type "I hate Aquarius men" into that search box. Are these googlers trying to find consolation, other poor souls who have tried -- and tried -- to get close to an Aquarius, only to be emotionally shut out? I'm making a grand generalization here -- because of course Aquarians are capable of marriage -- but there's something about this sign that is beyond ordinary human relations.

Barack Obama just announced his candidacy for President of the United States, based on a platform that all people should be afforded equal rights, all citizens should get universal health care. I haven't made any decision yet about who I'm voting for, but obviously, during ObamaMania, we can begin this Aquarian enterprise by engaging in political action to ensure that everyone -- regardless of skin color, gender, ability, sexual orientation, and so on -- gets treated with respect and can derive the benefits of living in a first world country that can afford to take care of its neediest.

This is not a forward-thinking idea. It's a big "duh." But apparently there are many numbskulls running this country who haven't yet entered the Age of Aquarius.