The “lone wolf” is a myth — nobody survives alone.
The Sun’s annual tour through Aquarius (starting January 19, 2026, 8:45 PM ET – February 18) occurs in the depths of winter, a time when we reconnect with our evolutionary history of surviving as part of a tribe.
Ancient human beings relied on the collective to help with gathering water and food to sustain them through the depths of winter. It was a time of gathering together for telling stories and looking forward to the future.
The Core Signification of Aquarius
Aquarius is the sign opposite Leo on the zodiac.
Leo is the home sign of the Sun, which represents our ego and how we shine. It is the sign of the individual, the performer claiming the spotlight.
In Aquarius, the Sun is said to be in detriment, which means it is weakened. Just as the Sun is not burning at its strongest during Aquarius season, the individual takes a back seat to the community.
The traditional ruler of Aquarius is Saturn, the planet of restrictions, boundaries, and keeping things at a distance.
Aquarius often gets a reputation as being an outcast, someone who separates themselves from the mainstream.
It’s more accurate to say that Aquarius simply doesn’t care about meeting the performative standards of the mainstream. Aquarius is willing goes its own way; it has an independent streak.
In fact, like the other air signs (Gemini and Libra), Aquarius is a social sign. This is a sign of friendship, of accepting others as they are.
Aquarius is about finding your tribe.
The Aquarius/Leo Paradox
Every pair of opposing signs has a tension, or paradox, at its heart. This tension is what gives the signs their push/pull dynamic.
The paradox of the Leo/Aquarius axis is about individualism vs tribalism:
In order to find your tribe, you must be willing to shine in your light.
No matter how unconventional or weird you believe you are, there are others like you. But you’ll only find them if you’re willing to show up in your light, to shine in all of your parts, and to be seen as you are.
This comes with an important caveat: you must show up in a real way.
If you overdo your Leo side by being a performer or playing a part, you’ll end up in a tribe that doesn’t see you or get you; you’ll feel alone in the crowd.
Explore Your Hidden Parts
The first week of Aquarius season 2026 will be marked by all the inner planets forming conjunctions with Pluto, which is in Aquarius for the next 20 years. Pluto symbolizes what lies beneath the surface.
Read: What to Expect From Pluto in Aquarius
Read: Why Pluto in Aquarius is Such a Big Deal
Every human has parts of themselves that they hide away. With Pluto in Aquarius, part of our work is to uncover those hidden parts.
Use Aquarius season to explore the facets of yourself that you tend to hide. Find places that feel safe to bring them forward, even if in small ways.
You may discover that the parts of yourself that you most want to banish are actually the parts that help you find belonging.
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