Drawing from the Wellspring of Love: Yoga Inspired by Aquarius

Are you an idealist? Do you yearn for a new world? Do you sometimes get burnout from striving to create a world where both planet and humans thrive? The rulership of Uranus means that Aquarius is a rebel and likes to make waves.

Reading time: 4 minutes

I’m Jilly Shipway, author of the Yoga by the Stars book, and in this article I’ll share with you how a deep dive into the symbolism of the zodiac sign Aquarius can nourish and nurture both your idealism and your yoga practice. And remember that these practices are for everyone and not just Aquarians.

The Aquarius' symbol is the water bearer. There’s a real generosity within the imagery of the water bearer, bestowing the blessing of water upon all of humanity, regardless of their perceived merit.

Aquarius is a fixed, positive air sign. Its colour is electric blue. Key words are detachedly and scientifically. Louis MacNeice, in his book Astrology, refers to Aquarius as the awakener, and “the sign of the yogi through the development of spiritual consciousness through contemplation.” The association of the sign with the third eye, or ajna chakra, means it awakens the power of intuition. However, in Aquarius this intuitive insight is always backed up with rational, scientific knowledge. This Aquarian combination of a love for humanity, intuition, and evidence-based scientific knowledge could stand us in good stead as we grapple with modern dilemmas such as climate change and global warming.

The watery feel of the sign is added to by its glyph which is two wavy lines, representing waves. I incorporated this into the Aquarius-inspired yoga practice in my Yoga by the Stars book, with the use of wave-like movements that ripple through the body. In the practice we use yoga movements that flow into each other in a wave-like fashion and there is an emphasis on observing the wave-like motion of the breath. Your breath is a wave, rising and falling, ebbing and flowing. The sun, the moon, the stars, the earth, are all there in every breath you take. Wave upon wave, circles within circles, like a cosmic mandala.

Wavelike Breathing

Find yourself a comfortable lying position. Bring your awareness to the natural rhythm of the flow of your breath. Over several breaths silently repeat this phrase: The wave of the breath ripples through me.

Now imagine that you are on the seashore, watching the waves rising and falling. Keep the image of the sea in your mind, and at the same time bring your awareness back to the natural flow of the breath. Notice the wavelike quality of the ebb and flow of your breath. Every so often return to the phrase The wave of the breath ripples through me.

If you are following this with a yoga practice, keep bringing your awareness back to the wavelike quality of your breathing.

Aquarius-Inspired Meditation Questions

The meditation questions below are adapted from my Yoga by the Stars book. The theme for Aquarius is “idealism, detachment, science, and love.” You could integrate the questions into your journaling practice, turn them over in your head on a meditative walk, meditate upon a question whilst in a yoga pose, or read them before bed and trust that your subconscious mind will come up with some insightful answers whilst you sleep.

If I had been granted three wishes to make the world a better place, what would I wish for? What small steps could I take to make this ideal world become a reality?
What are my feelings about the yoga concept of detachment? How does standing back and observing the effect my yoga practice is having on me benefit my practice?
Am I able to apply the same skills of detached observation to my daily life and so see the bigger picture?
How do I ensure that my detached attitude is infused with warmth and kindness and doesn’t come across as being disinterested?
How might a good knowledge of science and technology help me in my yoga practice and in my life? Are there any new scientific or technical skills that I would like to learn?
How would finding out more about the mechanics of breathing and the circulatory system benefit my yoga practice?
How would an understanding of the cycles of the natural world help me understand my own natural rhythms and cycles better?
What ideas do I have for committing random acts of kindness?

To explore more Aquarius-inspired yoga ideas, visit my website: www.yogabythestars.com.

Aquarius, the water bearer, teaches us the art of kind, compassionate detachment. We are encouraged to be rebellious, to be generous, to dance, and to ride the waves of change. We learn to combine science, creativity, and love to bring healing to the world.