Symbol: The Water Bearer
Planet: Uranus
Element: Air
Best Trait: Friendly
Worst Trait: Obstinate
Keyword: I KNOW
This may or may not be the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, but for you, this new world order has landed squarely on your lap. Astrologists love the sign of Aquarius because it’s the visionary sign of the future. According to the song from the 1967 Musical “Hair”, the Age of Aquarius is when “peace will guide the planets, and love will steer the stars.” Yes, we know, it’s a little hippy-dippy, but once you understand the Aquarian child, it sort of makes sense. You have a real original on your hands, my dear parent. The first time someone coined the phrase “marching to the beat of a different drummer” they were most likely referring to an eccentric Aquarius. Every parent likes to think their kid is special, unique and exceptionally singular, but with the Aquarius it’s just ridiculous. Most Aquarians are unlike anyone you’ve met before. As the humanitarian sign, the Aquarius wants to make the world a better place, and they usually do by just being in it. Abraham Lincoln and Susan B. Anthony were born under the sun sign of Aquarius. So was Oprah.
Most Aquarian babies are outwardly calm, relaxed and sweet. Like the Gemini (another air sign), from an early age Aquarians are keenly alert and will analyze everything and everyone. They can also be electric and unpredictable so you may find yourself with your hands full from time to time. These children are often a study in paradoxes so you’ll find yourself scratching your head a lot, too. On the one hand, they are very independent and spontaneous, and on the other hand they’re obstinate and attached to routine. They enjoy being with people, but find contentment in their solitary activities. They are loving and silly, but also detached and aloof. They have an exhibitionist propensity, but they’re also shy and reserved. They are generally well-behaved but rebellious against rules. Have we given you enough examples? Is your head spinning yet?
Don’t worry, at the end of the day, Aquarians are popular, attractive, interesting and intelligent little people, and they display all of these traits at an early age. But they are also strong-willed, forceful and opinionated (which we would also argue are good traits), even if a bit trying on the well-intentioned parent. You’ll have some ‘splaining to do Lucy if you want your Aquarius child to follow your rules. Their immediate response is generally “No!” The best way to get desired behavior out of an Aquarius child is to sit them down and really explain the reasons why you want them to do “such and such” or that you need them to stop doing “such in such”. Don’t underestimate their intelligence, so don’t patronize them with the “because I said so” argument. Rules exist for a reason, so trust them to understand that reason. They’ll go off and ponder what you said, and usually return with a new attitude.
The Aquarius is a citizen of the world and lover of humanity. As such, they love all other inhabitants of the world and are keenly interested in all other people regardless of their station in life. Your Aquarius will never be a social snob; they are completely without prejudice. They are sociable and generous in their play, and gravitate to all personalities. Even as babies you can tell they just love to be around other babies! You don’t have to worry about your Aquarius being unpopular or a loner among other kids. They’ll usually be the leader of their own little clique and the other kids respond to their charismatic and enthusiastic leadership. They aren’t natural born leaders like an Aries or a Taurus, but they are so confidently individualistic that others can’t help but be drawn into their inventive little worlds. They are good little companions and playmates and they like to have many friends (although only a select few will be super close). In fact, they say the Aquarian likes to hang out with their friends more than any other sign. This is the sign that symbolizes friendship. Loyal to the end, completely without malice, altruistic and generous with their favors, the Aquarian is one of the best friends you can ever hope to have. They are “live-and-let-live” people, so return this act of goodwill and never ask them to be something they’re not. This kid will never sacrifice their independence or individualism. They will sacrifice you first. An Aquarius will never be a crowd-pleaser or a trend follower. They forge their own unique place in this world and will never apologize for it.
You should do your best to give your little Water Bearer an atmosphere of peace and harmony. If you must fight with your spouse, try and do it out of earshot. They are sensitive to the vibrations of tension and disharmony, and, needless to say, they don’t like it. It’s disturbing and upsetting to them and could be damaging to the development of their emotional security. They like to see that everyone is happy. They want nothing more than to see the world as a better place, and this must start at home. Also, try not to be overly emphatic about most things. The Aquarius is known for their fixed opinions, so they could become neurotic germaphobes later in life if you constantly impress upon them the need for clean hands. Because Aquarians are so naturally rebellious, you may find yourself grounding this kid a lot. Have fun with that. If they can’t go outside and play with their friends, they’ll just stay in their room and play with their toys. If you take their toys away, then they’ll just read their books.
The Aquarian lightning-fast intelligence usually predicts success in school. They are practical, logical and eerily perceptive. Teachers may complain about their absent-mindedness or their inability to explain how they arrived at the correct answer. Most of the time, they don’t have to go through the mundane steps other kids must plod through. They’re just smart enough to “see” the answer in their sharp little minds. You truly have a potential genius on your hands, but you should help them organize their thoughts in logical order so they can harness that god-given brain of theirs for optimal usage. Be vigilant about homework. They bore easily and hate the drudgery of details. Aquarians are creative and imaginative thinkers (yes, we know, we already said they’re “practical and logical” – it’s those paradoxes we discussed earlier). Both sides of their brains should be encouraged to develop fully. They prefer to experiment with ideas and generally arrive at progressive, innovative ways of looking at things.
Never ask your Aquarian to conform. Let them express their individuality – they are the daredevils of life. This is why the Aquarian has the capacity to change the world. Susan B. Anthony, Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, Charles Lindbergh, Jackie Robinson, Franklin Roosevelt, Gertrude Stein, and Oprah Winfrey are all Aquarians. It’s as if they are the “chosen ones” and you, my dear parent, only get to borrow them for a while. At some point, you must let go and release your little Aquarian to the world at large so the rest of us can benefit, too.
Best Traits of the Aquarius: Dependable, impartial, thoughtful, generous, fair, independent, selfless, loyal friend, interested in others, strong willed, open minded, candid, observant, communicative, inventive, idealistic, individualistic, perfect in every way
Worst Traits of the Aquarius: Unpredictable, aloof, cranky, rude, tactless, obstinate, elitist, dogmatic, unyielding, non-committal, insensitive, detached, eccentric, rebellious, unemotional
Recommended Children’s Books for the Aquarius Child:
| Children’s Book | Author | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| The Lorax | Dr. Seuss | The Aquarian is the most-likely to be socially minded, and this Dr. Seuss classic is an excellent learning lesson. |
| The Giving Tree | Shel Silverstein | The Water Bearer sign is interested in others and very thoughtful children. S/he will love The Giving Tree |
| Tumford the Terrible | Nancy Tillman | Children born under the Aquarian sign can be unyielding (although well-intentioned) just like Tumford the kitty. |
| Zen Shorts | Jon J. Muth | Aquarius children are observant, idealistic and individualistic. They will naturally take to the Buddhist concepts in Zen Shorts. |
| Corduroy | Don Freeman | Such a loyal friend the little Aquarius. S/he will understand the depth of love for one’s precious teddy bear. |
| Madeline | Ludwig Bemelmans | An Aquarian marches to the beat of her own drummer just like this delightful little Parisian schoolgirl. |
| Time for Bed | Mem Fox | The most obstinate of Aquarian bed-timers will the lulled to sleep by this lovely book. |
| Amazing Grace | Mary Hoffman | Don’t ever tell a little girl Aquarius that she can’t be Peter Pan in the class play. This little girl can do anything she sets her strong will toward. |
| Clifford the Big Red Dog | Norman Bridwell | Clifford knows exactly how to be a good friend. And the Aquarian child is one of the best friends you can have. |
| Oh, the Places You’ll Go! | Dr. Seuss | The Aquarius is a citizen of the world. S/he is not afraid of life. |
