Decan Ruler (Venus): Since this decan is ruled by Venus, there is a positive motivation to leave, one is drawn towards something, which is oftentimes represented by the immigrant’s dream of leaving the familiar in search of better opportunities in the unknown. Saturn speaks to the toil and an outsider status. Saturn in connection with Venus represents crafts, disciplined labor that results in practical creations, design rather than fine art. This decan embodies a determination to overcome adversity, lifting oneself out of poverty through one’s craft and driven by a deep desire for self-sufficiency. There is determination to succeed independently, without relying on external assistance.  This decan reveals a profound appreciation for the hidden value in things others tend to dismiss, inspiring these individuals to pursue overlooked treasures. Those born with Venus in this placement are naturally drawn to outsiders—whether unrecognized geniuses or eccentric misfits—and their aesthetic sensibility is often strikingly eclectic. There creations are marked by a surreal, almost fantastical quality. Many willingly forgo security in favor of freedom, discovering true beauty in the freedom to explore, choose, and experiment without constraint. 

Decan (Aquarius): The narrative arc of Aquarius and its three decans centers on the process of stepping beyond established structures—operating without conventional support or accepted systems of knowledge. There is a dynamic of exclusion at the heart of all three decans of Aquarius, each decan engages with the trials and tasks that arise from occupying a position outside the norm. The first decan, in particular, embodies the impulse to leave the familiar behind—recognizing when environments no longer align with one’s values, affirming the belief that one deserves better, and finding the determination to seek out a better place. This decan embodies the spirit of the outsider: the eccentric, the rebel, and the pioneer.  Some experience this exile from conventional reality as a forced separation, while others choose it intentionally, as it serves to liberate one from prevailing orthodoxies. In letting go of the known, they open themselves to deeper spiritual insight. This decan represents a journey that is self-imposed, characterized by a continuous movement toward somewhere or something new. Aquarius, which is ruled by Saturn, emphasizes exclusion and being on the outside, which may bring loneliness but also grants freedom and a broader perspective. Although escaping unjust systems is a major motivation in this decan, the yearning for individual freedom is equally powerful. This decan represents an intentional exile, a separation from the known in pursuit of a better place. 

5: Fives represent challenge in the world of the element.

Tree of Life (Geburah in Yetzirah): The Five of Swords corresponds to Geburah in Yetzirah. In the Astral World, Geburah is a challenge with thoughts.

Sephira (Geburah): All fives deal with destruction and clarification through discipline, and correspond to the fifth sephira, Geburah, which is commonly referred to by Qabalists as “Severity.” Geburah is associated with fierce Mars. Mars represents a strict discipline that offers a necessary corrective by tearing away all that is useless, undesirable, or outdated. The Mars archetype asserts desires, through taking action we reinforce our motivations, pursuing what we want and actively avoid what we don’t want. 

World (Yetzirah): All Swords correspond to the third of four worlds, Yetzirah (“The World of Formation”), which is also called the formative world. The element associated with the World of Yetzirah is air.

The Story of Air: The element of air, traditionally symbolized by the suit of swords in the Tarot system, embodies the preeminent power of the intellect. The astrological air signs are renowned for their exceptional cognitive abilities, encompassing critical thinking and articulate expression. The intellect, a quintessential quality intrinsic to the air element, facilitates the processes of analysis, division, and the incisive capacity to cut through complexities when confronted with intricate problems that necessitate rational and discerning solutions. The narratives and stories aligned with the air element revolve thematically around the exploration of confronting and resolving challenges through the strategic application of mental faculties.

Time of Year: January 20/21 – January 29/30

Zodiacal Longitude: 0°00’–9°59’ Aquarius

Color (Hex Code): #C80000