When reading about the signs, it’s common to find Leo’s purpose described as being a creative, unique individual. It’s also common to find Aquarius described the same way! But if Leo and Aquarius are opposing signs, how is this possible? What is the difference between Leo and Aquarius-flavored individuality?
An individual’s core is ruled by the Sun. It is the very essence of each person’s being. It makes us glow and is what distinguishes us from each other. It is the ego, good, bad, and ugly. The Sun makes its home in Leo while Aquarius is one of its least favorite places to be.
When Leo steps out as an individual, it is fully authentic. Their creative expression, the special spark that separates them from the crowd, just emanates from them almost effortlessly. They define themselves by acting from the heart. Since the Sun is in its element, all this seems to happen naturally. Leos know they’re special and they know the world needs their gifts. They just shine, period.
Aquarius, on the other hand, has no such luck. With the Sun being in its detriment, Aquarius has to find another way to forge an identity. Aquarius is the home sign of Saturn, so Aquarius has to use Saturn tools to accomplish a solar job. Aquarius, being a fixed air sign, defines themselves in terms of what they believe. Further, their identity comes from the groups they are a part of, particularly if those groups also share an ideology. They measure their success based on the impact that their ideas have on society and the world.
But if that’s the case, why is Aquarius known for being so kooky and eccentric? After all, Saturn is not exactly known for frivolity.
Saturn being in fixed air provides the structure that gives Aquarius its character. Like a museum model of a dinosaur, Saturn’s steadfast ideology creates the bones. After that, Aquarius is free to flesh themselves out and adorn themselves however they imagine. Scales here, feathers there, a cool racing stripe down the tail. Those little flourishes finish the job and make Aquarius unique, but the Saturnian bones are ever-present, defining the core.
So while both signs are concerned with crafting unique identities, they go about it very differently. Leos crack their heart open and let their inner light spring forth. Aquarians build their identities from the ground up, aligning with causes larger than themselves. But regardless of their different approaches, both signs accomplish their goal. Leos and Aquarians are some of the most distinctive people you’ll ever meet, and they both have a lot to teach the world and each other.
Does your identity follow a more Leo or Aquarius pattern? Can you connect it to your chart?
I,m an Aquarius moon, with Saturn in Leo @ the 12th house, exact opposite each other. I see a more aquarian pattern in myself, than leo.
I’m Sun conjunct Saturn in Leo opposite Moon in Aquarius.
I don’t come off as very leonine (Saturn puts a pall on that), but aside from that, somehow I feel Aquarius-ish.
I guess it’s because I don’t have a very feminine nature (not into marriage, motherhood & all that, I don’t fit into that mold).
Also being dual national, it’s not very original, since very many people are, but I don’t feel like a French person at all
and not entirely American either.
All this doesn’t sound like much, but it does make you feel “different”. Main thing, it suits me OK, I don’t mind it.
I’m probably more Aquarian with Uranus trining my Sun/Mercury. I have N. Node in Leo, so I often have trouble with that energy. Bums me out!
My eldest daughter is Aquarius rising, she stands out in a group and can be a bit unusual. I really noticed it at her recital. She plays saxophone and she is the only one with a white saxophone. (Stands out for being unusual?) My son is Leo rising with other popular configurations and he just oozes coolness. Besides having a great mane, he is just genuinely liked by all ages. My youngest daughter is Taurus rising but with a Leo moon exact on her IC at 0 degrees Leo. So loving! My mom is Leo sun conjunct Leo ascendant. I think Leo is so naturally themselves and Aquarius is a socially conscious version of that. My son will make jokes and his Aquarian sister reminds him of stereotypes and being kind to everyone. He was born in 2009 with that stellium in Aquarius and its opposite his ascendant. He carries funny Aquarian energy too but has a great ease expressing himself. For my oldest, its like her version of herself has been molded by constantly getting updates on future trends. I think that’s the Saturn part for her, her expression has to pass her socially conscious test to be let out.
Also, my oldest has Saturn in Leo opposite her ascendant
Great analysis of Aquarians! It’s no accident that Aquarian Presidents have gotten America into its most devastating wars….
not all; Harrison an aquarius president, was not involved in any wars. And there were at least 14 presidents involved in wars, but 3 out of 14 were Aquarius, (lincoln, mckinley roosevelt) Truman and lyndon johnson were Earth suns (Virgo and Taurus).
i’m glad that Roosevelt involved in the world war 2, i think it incited after the bombing in pearl harbor. and Truman served towards the end, and released the atomic bomb in japan. :((
Very Good read. My son just turned 35 on the 21st.Of all the signs aquarians are the most difficult for me to understand. Must be my mercury in scorpio.
Like you Opalina, Aquarians have been difficult for me to understand. But, this piece is clarifying for me. My progressed un is now in Aquarius, has been for a few years, and may be my life’s last fling as a Sun position so I’m invested to learn the territory. In my natal chart Leo is home to Saturn-Mars and Pluto and they square my Scorpio Sun, Mercury, S. Node and Mid-heaven. Power struggles.
I appreciate Midara’s description of Leo and Aquarius individuality; it gives me inspiration for a fuller fleshing out over ‘the bones’ of an Aquarius progressed sun. Building on a community values rather than personal power battles.
I wish I understood Aquarius – have Sun, Moon, Venus, therein and I see this ‘community values’, friends, groups ect describing Aquarius and the 11th house – and just don’t get it. Other signs have far more interesting values -eg Gemini, his education, Sagittarius – travel, higher learning, Libra – relationships, Taurus – money and posessions. Would be nice to have these more personal concerns, – something that lights me up!
it looks like Aquarius (saturn) with uranus tendancies (kooky, unpredictable yet predictable) is concerned with “time” … like the dinosaur analogy and building from the ground up. Again, everything with this energy takes so much time. While Leo, doesn’t concern themselves with “time”, they are spontaneous, and free, immediate, no time to waste.
hmmm no time to waste, it reminds me of the Sun, burning out, fire needs to burn and they just can’t concern themselves with losing time to “think” about it. Its so opposite!!! while Saturn has those rings, and restricts and is so far away from sun, they just wait and wait till old age.
Thank Midara; as Leo I thought this was helpful.