Aquarius Zodiac Sign: Traits, Dates & Compatibility

Aquarius at a glance

Dates

January 20 – February 17

Sun enters

January 19, 2026 at 8:44 PM EST

Sun leaves

February 18, 2026 at 10:51 AM EST

Symbol

♒︎ The Water Bearer

Element

Air

Modality

Fixed

Polarity

Active

Ruler

♄ Saturn (traditional), ♅ Uranus (modern)

Exalted here

None

In detriment here

☉ Sun

In fall here

None

Opposite sign

Leo

Same element

Gemini, Libra

Natural house

11th · friends & hopes

Polarity: active signs (fire, air) reach outward, receptive signs (earth, water) take in. Ruler: the planet tradition links to the sign. Exalted, detriment and fall: by tradition, the planets that are strong, work against the grain, or are weakest in this sign. Natural house: the house this sign matches when the wheel starts at Aries.

Aquarius Season 2027: January 20, 2027 – February 18, 2027

Born on the cusp?

The Sun changes sign at a different minute every year, so a birthday near the start or end of Aquarius can belong to either sign. Find your birth year below: born on the date shown before the time, you have the earlier sign; at or after it, the later one. Times are Eastern (EST or EDT, as in effect that day); for another time zone, convert your birth time to Eastern first, or get the exact Sun sign from the birth chart calculator.

Capricorn → Aquarius. From 1950 to 2030 the Sun entered Aquarius on January 19 in 21 years and January 20 in 60 years.

Aquarius → Pisces. From 1950 to 2030 the Sun entered Pisces on February 18 in 54 years and February 19 in 27 years.

Aquarius traits

Strengths

Aquarius tends to bring a bright, clear mind suited to science and invention. You may think in original ways and spot patterns in people that others miss, since this sign is often a sharp reader of human nature. Care for causes that benefit many people can give your effort a larger purpose. Fixed air adds patience and faithfulness, so you may keep working at an idea or a bond long after others lose interest. Saturn's influence supports that discipline, while Uranus keeps the approach fresh and independent.

Weaknesses

The same independence can become aloofness. Aquarius may keep feelings at arm's length and come across as detached when someone needs closeness. Fixed energy can turn into an inflexible will, and a firm opinion may be defended long after it stops being useful. When life runs only on personal lines, the sign can slide toward the capricious or chaotic, and may boast of things it cannot deliver. Because the Sun is in detriment here, identity may feel awkward to put into words or to claim openly.

Aquarius in love

In love, Aquarius tends to start with the mind. Conversation and shared ideas often matter more than grand gestures, as does respect for independence. Once committed, the fixed modality shows up as loyalty and staying power. You may need room to be yourself, and a partner who treats that as healthy rather than as distance will probably fit best. Leo, the opposite sign, offers the attraction of opposites: warmth and visible affection set against Aquarian cool. Air signs Gemini and Libra share your element and may feel easy to talk with, while fixed signs may understand your need to hold your ground.

Aquarius as a friend

Friendship is a natural strength for Aquarius. Air gives you social ease, and the pull toward groups and like-minded people often leads to wide circles. You may be the friend who treats everyone fairly and offers an honest, unsentimental view. Loyalty runs deep once a bond forms. Others may sometimes feel you are hard to reach emotionally, so a simple show of warmth now and then can mean a lot. Gemini and Libra, the other air signs, often share your love of talk and ideas.

Aquarius at work

Aquarius often does well where ideas matter more than routine. Science and technology suit the inventive streak, and education or group projects may appeal because of the focus on benefit to many. Saturn gives you the patience to see long projects through, and Uranus supplies the urge to improve how things are done. You may chafe under rigid supervision or pointless rules. Colleagues may value your fairness, though you may need to explain your reasoning rather than assume it is obvious.

The three decans of Aquarius

The first decan, 0°–10° with the Sun from January 20, is colored by Aquarius itself and ruled by Saturn and Uranus. It tends to be the purest expression of the sign: serious and independent, with a mix of patience and the urge to break routine. The second decan, 10°–20° from January 30, takes on Gemini and is ruled by Mercury. Here the mind may be quicker and more curious, with a restless, versatile edge. The third decan, 20°–30° from February 9, takes on Libra and is ruled by Venus. It may add courtesy and a sense of balance, with a gentler, more artistic tone.

Aquarius compatibility

• ♈︎ Aquarius & Ariessextile · 2 apart
• ♉︎ Aquarius & Taurussquare · 3 apart
• ♊︎ Aquarius & Geminitrine · 4 apart
• ♋︎ Aquarius & Cancerquincunx · 5 apart
• ♌︎ Aquarius & Leoopposition · 6 apart
• ♍︎ Aquarius & Virgoquincunx · 5 apart
• ♎︎ Aquarius & Libratrine · 4 apart
• ♏︎ Aquarius & Scorpiosquare · 3 apart
• ♐︎ Aquarius & Sagittariussextile · 2 apart
• ♑︎ Aquarius & Capricornsemi-sextile · 1 apart
• ♒︎ Aquarius & Aquariussame sign
• ♓︎ Aquarius & Piscessemi-sextile · 1 apart

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