Coming of Age in the Aquarian

Aquarian 101 - Astrological Readings

From Alan Oken's COMPLETE ASTROLOGY (Bantam Books, NY, 1980)

Part 1, Section II: 18. Aquarius–I Seek My Self Through Humanity (p.149)

I. Aquarius in the Sky
Aquarius occupies the primary position in a region of the heavens known in Euphratean astronomy as the “Sea.” This name is derived from the abundance of constellations in this celestial neighborhood which are associated with water. If we proceed in an easterly direction for the Sea-Goat [Capricorn], we will come upon the Water-Bearer [Aquarius], followed by Pisces the Fish. Northwest of Aquarius is Delphinus the Dolphin. Due south of Aquarius lies the Southern Fish or Pisces Australis and on the southeast, below Pisces, swims Cetus the Whale. In addition, the starry river Eridanus winds its way past Cetus and empties itself into the huge constellation of Orion.

Aquarius is usually depicted in a kneeling position, his Urn of cosmic water resting on one shoulder as its contents spill out in front of and underneath him. On the whole the stars which formulate the eleventh sign are rather faint; the brightest of them is only of the third magnitude. The constellation is most easily recognizable by its plow shape and by the four stars which compose the triangle (three corner stars and one in the center)(1) of the Urn which the Water-Man is holding.

If Aquarius is viewed with a strong pair of binoculars or a modest telescope, a great deal more of its features become visible. In addition to many double and triple stars, there is the Helical Nebula, which resembles the coils of a spring, and the Planetary Nebula, which is somewhat like the planet Saturn in shape. It may be added that it was in the center of this asterism that the planet Neptune was discovered on September, 23, 1846.

For the best observations, Aquarius should be viewed on a moonless night; it will be found in the southeastern portion of the autumn sky.

(1) The chemistal structure of water is a tetrahedron–a figure having four triangular faces.

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