Like certain other zodiacal signs, Aquarius has been associated with more than
one mythical figure. It is most often identified with Ganymede (“cup bearer of the
gods”), a beautiful young man who, after being abducted by an eagle sent by Zeus,
served as Zeus’s cupbearer. Ganymede was also Zeus’s lover, and was said to have been
transformed into the constellation Aquarius.
Cecrops is another mythical figure sometimes associated with Aquarius.
Cecrops, half human and half serpent, was a culture hero who, as king of Attica, put
an end to human sacrifice (by offering cakes instead of flesh to the gods) and founded
a court. He also taught his people writing, the proper manner of burying the dead, and
census taking. He is particularly remembered for deciding a contest between Athena
and Poseidon in favor of Athena. In anger, Poseidon responded by flooding Attica.
Despite the myth of Ganymede, there is no special connection between
Aquarius and homosexuality (Neptune, ruler of Pisces, was the ancient patron of
homosexuals). However, Aquarians tend to be eccentric individuals who enjoy work-
ing with other people. In line with the story of Cecrops, natives of this sign tend to be
humanistic social reformers, with a special aptitude for intellectual pursuits like writ-
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [31]
AquariusAquarius and Capricornus from an 18th-century engraving by Montignot. Reproduced by
permission of Fortean Picture Library.