Quoting Llewellyn George:

AQUARIUS

Aquarius is called fixed, airy, moist, sanguine, masculine, human, scientific, electric, serving, eloquent, intuitive, of short ascension.

The Sun appears to transit through this sign between January 20th and February 18th. Aquarius is ruled by Uranus and is the detriment of the Sun. It is symbolized by the man emptying a waterpot. (It is noticeable that in some of the zodiacs he holds a rod, branch or wand in one uplifted hand.) In some of the older zodiacs Aquarius is pictured as a woman. This is interesting in connection with the prevailing thought that this is the "woman's age" or era, associating the idea of the ascendancy of woman with the dawn of a new era. The solar system is now at about the tenth degree of Pisces, by precession of the equinoxes, is receding toward the first degree of Pisces and, consequently to the thirtieth degree of Aquarius, which, at the rate of one degree in seventy-two years, it should actually contact in 10 X 72 or 720 years. The interim is the "dawn" or the period of gestation, the birth taking place at about 720 + 1928 or the year 2648. If we allow the usual orb of influence (12 degrees for the Sun), then the influence began to operate about two degrees ago, i.e., 2 X 72 or 144 years ago, --at about the time of our Declaration of Independence (freedom of a nation), an epoch-making event. It is recalled that in America Edison developed the incandescent light and the practical use of electricity; Ford developed the automobile and tractor; the Wright brothers developed the airplane; Forrest perfected the features which made possible a radio in every home. Each of these innovations ruled by Uranus are heralds of the airy, Aquarian age which will have a duration of about 2,160 years.

Always associated with Aquarius is the urn, or the cupbearer. The Hebrew name for Aquarius was Delphi, or "water urn," signifying a pouring out or baptism, related to atonement[1], the risen Sun or Son, the living water, spirit. Ganymedes of the Greeks was carried off to Olympus by an eagle to be a cupbearer. Olympus is the heavens of sky where dwelt twelve of the higher gods. This means that he was to be the distributor of waters between heaven and earth; hence the connection with the myth of Mt. Olympus in Thessaly, Greece. In biochemistry Aquarius is the distributor of water and gases throughout the microcosmic man. Aquarius is an air-water sign, the waters on the earth being lifted in vapor to the air. This work is the office of Aquarius, providing the liquid in air which we breathe, and in which the lungs are bathed (baptised), thereby proving our salvation for otherwise they would quickly dry and burn up[2].

This one of four fixed signs constituting the Cherubim mentioned in the scriptures, i.e., [the bull (Taurus), the lion (Leo), the eagle (Scorpio), the angel (Aquarius)][3]. It is believed that it corresponds with Jacob's son, Reuben, whom he calls his first born, as Aquarius is the first sign encountered after the resurrection, signified by Capricorn. "Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's [glyph for Capricorn, sea-goat] bed; then defiledst thou it; he went up to my couch."--Genesis 49:4. This refers to the January thaw; Capricorn is the father just as Saturn is referred to as "Father Time;" the couch is the bed of snow. When the Sun goes into Aquarius the thaw turns (defiles) the snowy bed into rivulets [glyph for Aquarius, 2 wavy lines]. Aquarius is also associated with the Greek Jean Baptiste (water gate), or John, the Baptist. In a Hindu zodiac Aquarius is pictured with a head set on a sort of couch.

The waters poured by the heavenly man are the "waters of life;" the beneficence of fresh, sparkling water to parched mankind on earth is beyond compare; dying life recovers, strength returns, perishing Nature revives and new delights are awakened. "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink."--John 7:37. In the star map we see a large stream flowing from the urn; it flows eastward and westward and enlarges as it proceeds, while a large fish (fish representing multitudes), Piscis Australis or Austrinus, eagerly drinks. The symbolism of Aquarius is, therefore, very beautiful in both its esoteric and exoteric sense, indicating air-water as necessary to the needs of physical man, and assurance of spiritual supply to regenerate man.

In the first decan[4] was the [constellation] Southern Fish, Piscis Australis or Austrinus. In the second decan, Pegasus, a great horse rushing forward with huge wings at his shoulders. In the Noetic[5], Pega means chief; sus means swift as a horse coming or returning. It was sometimes referred to as "the horse of the gushing fountain." The associated idea was a chief coming forth in victory with good tidings, with blessings; hence we find Aquarians very humane. The stars in this constellation are Markab, "the returning;" Scheat, "he who goeth and returneth;" Enif, "the branch;" Al Genib, "who carries;" Homan, "the waters;" Matar, "who causeth plenteous overflow." The third decan is that of a beautiful swan, which, though injured, circles and mounts the Milky Way; it lies in the midst of the great Galactic Stream of nebulous stars. The principle stars in it form a beautiful cross. The swan was a sacred creature of matchless beauty, purity, dignity and grace, bearing aloft a cross and circling over the "waters of life" ([glyph for Aquarius]); hence, our modern though sad "The Song of the Dying Swan." Its brightest stars are Deneb, "the Lord Judge to come;" Azel, "who goes and returns;" Fafoge, "glorious, shining forth;" Sadr, "who returns in a circle;" Adige, "flying swiftly;" Arided, "he shall come down." ...

from A to Z Horoscope Maker and Delineator, Llewellyn Publications (29th Edition)

Blog author's comments:
[1] can always be read at-one-ment
[2] hence current concerns with air and water quality
[3] glyphs for the signs given in the text
[4] ten degrees of the sign
[5] Noetic language?? According to the Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.com), the ancient Pythagoreans and Platonists used the term to mean "the cosmic soul". According to Neo-Platonic cosmology, the nous emanates from the One.