Are you a January or February Aquarius? This is the difference

WORDS Kirsty Thatcher PHOTOGRAPHY Unsplash PUBLISHED Tue, 14 Jan 2025 - 8:37 am

You don't have to be an astrological expert to know that when you were born plays a role in determining your personality traits. For those born between January 20 and February 18, you fall under the sign Aquarius — in other words, you're independent, highly attuned to the creative, with a progressive, humanitarian spirit. But did you know that not all Aquarians are created equal? As with any star sign that straddles two calendar months, determining the true character of an Aquarius comes down to whether you were born in January or February. Let's investigate.

What is the difference between a January Aquarius and a February Aquarius?

While most Aquarians share a set of core traits, factors like a person's moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and rising signs play a key role in determining personality traits. These factors aside, the concept of zodiac decans also explains why those born under the same sun sign — i.e., Aquarius — might be significantly different.

The zodiac wheel is made up of 360 degrees — commonly known as decans — with each of the 12 zodiac signs takes up 30 degrees (or 30 decans) on this wheel. Within each zodiac sign, there are three segments, which are made up of 10 degrees each. One degree is equivalent to one day. So, the first 10 days or degrees of a sign make up the first decan, and so on. According to this logic, most January Aquarians fall into the first decan, while February Aquarians are second or third decan Aquarians.

What are the personality traits of a January Aquarius?

When it comes to creativity, January Aquarians have it in spades. Ruled solely by Uranus (the most eccentric planet of the bunch), these Aquarians channel their artistry into leading a life that feels uniquely their own.

By the same token, this eccentricity can manifest in January Aquarians having somewhat of a rebellious spirit. Never one to follow the crowd or play by the rules, those born in the first decan of this sign typically march to the beat of their own drum.

What are the personality traits of a February Aquarius?

In addition to the creative influence of Uranus, February Aquarians are co-ruled by Mecury or Venus — the communication and relationship planets, respectively. As a result, those in the second or third Aquarian decan have no trouble relating to others, and building meaningful connections is integral for them to lead a happy life.

Deviating somewhat from the stereotype of the unflappable Aquarian, those born in the second decan have no trouble communicating their feelings. This might manifest in them appearing a little less cool, calm and collected than expected, but simply means they're adept at tuning in with their emotions, and letting those they care about know.