Mesmerized and Unconvinced

Aquarius. The water bearer. Which is for some reason an air sign. A fact which makes me unreasonably angry.

Born between January 20 and February 18.

Strengths: Progressive, original, independent, humanitarian

Weaknesses: Runs from emotional expression, temperamental, uncompromising, aloof

Aquarius likes: Fun with friends, helping others, fighting for causes, intellectual conversation, a good listener

Aquarius dislikes: Limitations, broken promises, being lonely, dull or boring situations, people who disagree with them

According to astrology-zodiac-signs.com, I should also be shy but also eccentric and an intelligent person who doesn't judge people and is adaptive. I've seen many people give listings of zodiac traits, and they always say Aquarians are weird and alien-like. People born between January 20 and February 18 are supposed to be drawn to artistic careers, such as writing, art, and theatre. There are many traits and approaches to life assigned to classify different zodiac signs. In my experiences, it has always been a mixed bag. Some of these traits make sense for me and some do not. At the crux of human behavior is the nurture vs. nature debate. Are our personalities determined before we are born/at birth, or do our experiences and culture shape us more than our genetics or star sign? In addition to this, I was born two months early. Does that have an effect on my pre-destined personality? Should I actually be a Pisces? Let's dig into the Aquarius personality.

"Positive, independent, humanitarian, original"

Inde pendent and humanitarian certainly sound familiar when I think of myself. Original... On one hand, every person is unique and therefore an original. However, as an anthropologist, I know that there are common trends in the human experience including our wants, needs, and thought processes. Perhaps no one can be original. Perhaps there truly is "nothing new under the sun." I would associate positivity with optimism. I have never been overly optimistic, and tend towards realism. Look at the facts and come to terms with the likely outcome is more how I handle life rather than always being positive.

"Runs from emotional expression, temperamental, uncompromising, aloof"

Now we can get into more nurture vs. nature issues. I would say expressing emotions is an ability I have had to learn in my adult years. Emotions were bad in my house, and therefore were not to be entertained. Don't be emotional, be logical. Except for anger, that's one emotion allowed in my family. Therefore, a more temperamental personality. Compromise is also something I have had to learn as an adult. There is no compromise in a religious house, as there is no compromising with an all-powerful entity. Everything was good or bad, correct or wrong, no middle ground. So I was enculturated to hold those same values. I am slowly becoming a more well rounded individual. As for aloof. Who can accurately diagnose their own aloofness? Sure, why not.

"Likes: Fun with friends, helping others, fighting for causes, intellectual conversation, a good listener "

Everyone likes having fun with friends. Everyone gets a thrill when they help other people. Everyone gets a thrill when they are actively working towards a goal or fighting for a cause. Everyone likes being around a good listener. The only non-vague statement here might be enjoying intellectual conversation. I have been around many people who are perfectly content to keep conversation shallow and polite, which can be a lovely way to spend time. But as soon as I bring up fossilized dinosaur poop or the archaeology of brothels, those same people look at me like I'm, well, an alien.

"Dislikes: Limitations, broken promises, being lonely, dull or boring situations, people who disagree with them"

These are statements which, again, I feel like could apply to anyone. No one likes those things. I will say, I become extra enraged when people attempt to tell me my limitations. This I see more as a reaction to sexism however, as people would tell me I couldn't do something because I was a girl or I was stupid because I have blonde hair. I grew up being told by society that I just was not as good at certain things or could not do certain things because I am a girl, but that went against everything I knew to be true about myself. During Sunday School, I was told I was lesser and weaker and limited and when I expressed discomfort with those statements was ridiculed and sneered at. So, I extra hate being told I am limited, but I see that again as more of a reaction to my environment rather than a predetermined personality trait.

"shy, eccentric, intelligent person, doesn't judge people, adaptive"

Are "shy" and "socially awkward due to childhood trauma which stunted social development" the same thing? Either way, I would say that was a learned trait. Eccentric. Here's the thing, on one hand all of my wardrobe is gray and on the other I have unicorn skeleton earrings. So... Sure, why not call it eccentric. I am a scientist, so I sure hope I am intelligent. As for being nonjudgmental and adaptive, I must say they missed the mark on this one. I am one of the most judgmental people I know, is this a learned behavior? No idea. I could argue that I am an adaptive person, I chose an undergraduate college where I knew no one from my high school would be so I would force myself to start fresh. I moved half way across the country for graduate school, again where I knew no one. However, I do not handle changing plans very well. I need a schedule, and I need it to be followed. Now, is this how I have always been, or is this too a result of unresolved childhood trauma? I feel like only a professional would be able to say.

This very public journey through my personality has reinforced my opinion that our cultures and life experiences affect our personalities more than our genetics or star sign. To be certain, there are genetic variables which do affect our personalities, and you can see personality begin to form in babies before they have been enculturated or had very many life experiences. In my personal life, I have seen my culture and my response to that culture shape my personality in ways which may override genetic or astrological forces. My final verdict is while I do not fully believe in astrology, it continues to interest me. And maybe that fits into the general weirdo personality ascribed to Aquarians.