Liminality: An exploration of the second face of Aquarius
By Sterling Bowen
Maybe I’m biased with a potent Aquarian stellium, but I find this sign to be one of the most enigmatic in the zodiac. There are never enough words for me to describe my solar influence, but to me that’s part of the unfolding mystery. The more I learn, the more I discover new ways to think about Aquarius and its place in the zodiac, and how that understanding can translate to a deeper knowledge of ourselves and empathy for those around us. After all, one of the most prominent lessons of Aquarius is that we’re all the Sun in our own solar system, just trying to live and shine just like everybody else.
A fixed, active, air sign, Aquarius is often associated with new ideas, a strong sense of conviction, and an appetite for freedom. This can obviously look different for every person, depending on how Aquarius manifests in their chart, but these visions are affirmed by the faces we see in the decans of the water bearer.
In the first face, we find a sense of confinement and a realization of our limitations. Journeying into the second decan, those chains are broken and our minds are capable of exploring beyond the confines of our own perspective. Radicalized by the Saturnian conflict of the first decan, the second is a place where we utilize those lessons in order to initiate the sparks of rebellion.
Ruled by Mercury in both traditions, Aquarius II embodies the trickster archetype. From this perspective, we are empowered to navigate liminal spaces in a way that may seem contrary for such a fixed, Saturnian sign. Mercury is capable of wearing many faces and is the only planetary body in astrology that swaps between sects, capable of being diurnal or nocturnal depending on its proximity to the Sun. This ability to exist on so many different planes lends itself well to this face of Aquarius.
Some real magic happens in the liminal quiet that we find ourselves in with Aquarius II. After breaking free, what do we do with that freedom? Where do we go from here? Curiosity is stirred, paired with the desire for purpose that comes from newly found freedom. A mind shaped for learning and understanding will always create more questions to be answered and problems to be solved. But this place is not about finding those answers or solutions, at least not yet. For now, we ponder, explore, and discover what freedom feels like in our own skin.
According to the Picatrix, the vision of Aquarius’ second decan appears as follows:
“There rises in the second face of Aquarius a man who looks like a King, who permits much to himself, and abhors what he sees. This is a face of beauty and position, having what is desired, completion, detriment and debility.”
After the confinement of the first decan the experiences found here feel limitless, much like the permissions of someone born royal. With access to everything at your disposal, you may expect to feel a sense of satisfaction or complacency. Instead, what we discover is that despite our ability to gain the material things we desire it will not fill the emptiness inside of us. What we’re searching for in the second decan of Aquarius is not wealth or abundance of any kind, but the freedom and capacity to move through life with a firmer sense of self. Confidence is what we’re searching for, to put it simply.
In this face of Aquarius, we realize that things can and should be better than they are. Not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us as well. We learn how to see the world’s potential, not just its current circumstances. Much like our own journey through the first decan’s restrictions, there is freedom and opportunity to come. We learn what it means to hope and we begin to discover what it means to make that hope tangible and real.
When looking at this 10º - 19º stretch of the 360º zodiac wheel in a chart, the planetary bodies that occupy this space are imbued with these Mercurial powers of translation, navigation, and magic. There’s a mutability to these placements, despite the fixed nature of Aquarius. If your luminaries, personal planets, or angles are located in this decan, you likely have this energy imbued into some of the most prominent fixtures of your personality.
Where do you find this liminality in your own life? What kind of thoughts are stirred when you let your mind wander the abyss, as a little treat? Begin to ask yourself these questions, and pay attention to the other questions that arise in the process. Like I said, it’s not about finding the answers just yet. For now, let yourself explore.
About the Author
Sterling Bowen (he/they) is a content creator, astrologer, and tarot reader. His practice comes from a combination of his educational background in social work and the emphasis placed on empowerment and agency when helping others. A star at heart but a 6th Houser in practice, the bulk of his work is hidden behind the scenes of some brands you may recognize. You may be one of the 1.6 million viewers who reads his work on Sanctuary’s Instagram page, or you may be one of the folks who bought the best-selling astrology guide What’s Your Sign. You can read more of his work on Venus Gays, an astrology newsletter written and co-founded by two queer, Brooklyn-based astrologers.
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