AQUARIUS SEASON
Welcome to Aquarius season, ARMY! Broadly speaking, this is the season of originality, idealism, deep thinking, and visualizing for the future. Much to the annoyance of the Aquarians I know, most stereotypes of the sign portray them as alien oddballs who dance to the beat of their own drum and make little sense to other members of the zodiac. But in truth, Aquarius is a sign of revolution, of rejecting the conventions that exist only for the sake of the status quo, and of visualizing a more just collective future.
These qualities could not be more apparent than in our beloved Jung Hoseok. His delightfully unusual fashion sense screams of Aquarian sensibilities, and his commitment to teamwork and collective action is on full display when he is focused on the cohesiveness of Bangtan’s dancing, strictly observing the other members’ practices and interjecting with pointers. In the past he’s even spoken of holding himself back from his true dancing potential to ensure the entire team shines, although at this point in their careers I think it’s safe to say he’s found a more sustainable balance that allows him to demonstrate the full range of his talent.
Even his chosen name, J-Hope, speaks of an optimistic vision for the future and his desire to be the hope and the “piece of peace” for the world around him, though lately he’s been letting the cheerful persona drop just a bit and giving us a glimpse of the philosophical thinker that lies beneath (we love to see it). His VLives and interviews often contain pearls of wisdom about the responsibilities that come with fame, especially in regards to humanitarian efforts, being a good role model, and giving back to ARMY.
This year the Sun moves into Aquarius on January 20th and will stay there until February 18th (Hobi day!). This is always a difficult time of year, at least in my spheres; the excitement of most of the winter holidays is over, but the cold winter months have really just begun. The days are getting longer, but spring is still a ways away. With the influence of Saturn permeating this Aquarius season, we may be feeling the fatigue a bit more than usual. Our resident astrologist Kirstin Wu warns that the word of the season is perseverance - digging deep to find the resilience and reserves of energy we need to get through to the spring.
However, there is also some relief on the horizon. Kirstin notes:
“With Saturn moving slowly away from its square with Uranus during this time, we may find that organization and structure find more of a steady rhythm in our lives, and that we’re starting to understand our direction of travel going forward a little more clearly without Uranus’ persistent call for reevaluation."
We’ll also see the end of two retrogrades during this season, with Venus stationing direct on January 29th and Mercury following soon after on February 4th. Might I suggest that this is a perfect time to reflect on what these periods of retrograde taught you by revisiting our team’s incredible Venus Retrograde and Mercury Retrograde posts and seeing what resonates now that you’ve come out the other side? After all, what could be more Aquarian than a healthy dose of self-analysis?
To aid you in holding your own through this perhaps difficult season, I’ve created a small spread for you. If you choose to try it, tag us in your posts with #BTSTarotProject so I can see it in action!
To try out the spread myself, I did a little collective reading for all of us using the Cosmos Tarot, a stunning collaborative deck by the Light Grey Art Lab. I hope it provides you some guidance, ARMY. Borahae!
1. Queen of Fire - Casseiopeia Reversed
Sometimes the most important revolutions begin within our own minds. Casseiopeia or the Queen of Fire is a reminder that while having grand visions can be a powerful force for motivation, at times they can cause us to push ourselves so hard that the inferno consumes ourselves and everyone in our damage radius. In the reversed position, we are gently being nudged to take a step back from pushing so hard, to give ourselves time to quietly fuel the flames of our desire at a steady and manageable pace rather than throwing ourselves in headfirst with no thought for our survival. How can you pursue your vision in a way that is sustainable? What permissions do you need to give yourself to rest? How can changing your perspective on what striving for success looks like lead you to greater revelations down the road?
2. The Hierophant - Taurus Reversed
We spend most of our lives filtering the world through the lens of How Things Are. The structures that we have grown up in seem unchangeable and unavoidable. There are proper ways in which to grow and learn and evolve, says the Hierophant, channels that must be followed. But what happens when that belief in the status quo is shaken or upended? It can be challenging to say you know what, this isn’t working. It doesn’t help me, and it seems like it may not be helping anyone else. How can you think outside of the box? Where can you give yourself permission to try the unconventional? Don’t worry if it feels difficult or scary, that’s only natural. Our challenge is accepting a changing world and committing to tearing down the institutions that no longer serve it well, if they ever did at all.
3. The World - Phoenix
As we endure this upheaval, it is helpful to keep in mind the image of the phoenix rising from the ashes of its former self. This may feel like the end, but in truth it’s the culmination of many collective efforts, the chance to let go of the past and begin anew. This transformation is not tragic or traumatic; it is triumphant. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, redirect your focus away from the laundry list of what needs to be done to the equally impressive list of all that has been accomplished so far. Reminding yourself of where you started and how far you’ve come has an incredible soothing effect on the mind. Remember when you thought the life you live now was unattainable? See how you achieved the impossible and did it anyway?
4. The Wheel of Fortune - Pegasus Reversed
The journey that is emerging is a reminder of your own power and potential. Often we feel as though we are at the whims of forces outside ourselves - fate, society, the environment, people at large. And it’s true that many of the challenges and successes we endure are outside of our immediate control. However, that is no reason to give up on our own free will. Even when it seems like the world is against you, you still have the ability to make decisions and strive for something greater, and even see gains for those efforts. Don’t let world-weariness beat you down and convince you that you are helpless. This is a journey of reclaiming your own power and deciding for yourself how you wish to wield it to shape your destiny.