Aquarius 0°-10° — the Eight of Swords
The first decan of Aquarius runs Jan 20 - Jan 29, is ruled by Venus under the Chaldean order, and carries the Eight of Swords — titled Lord of Shortened Force by the Golden Dawn.
Eight of Swords
Lord of Shortened Force
Upright: Negative thoughts, self-imposed restriction, imprisonment
Reversed: Self-limiting beliefs, inner critic, releasing negative thoughts
Full Eight of Swords meaning →Venus in Aquarius
Venus in Aquarius is attraction at a cool distance, and the Five of Swords, Lord of Defeat, is the card of the victory that costs the winner something: a smirking figure gathering swords while two others walk away under a ragged sky. Venus's presence is what makes the loss relational rather than material - what was damaged was a connection. The Aquarian element is the detachment with which it was done. The decan reads for arguments won at a price the winner has not yet totalled.
Using this decan for timing
For timing, this decan marks the aftermath of a conflict rather than the conflict. The Five of Swords answering 'when' usually means the argument is over and the cost is still being counted - a period of days or weeks after a specific, recent event.
Where it sits in Aquarius
Aquarius spans thirty degrees and divides into three decans, each with its own ruler and its own card from the Suit of Swords. This one is the opening ten degrees.
| Decan | Dates | Ruler | Card | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0°-10° | Jan 20 - Jan 29 | Venus | Eight of Swords | Lord of Shortened Force |
| 10°-20° | Jan 30 - Feb 8 | Mercury | Nine of Swords | Lord of Despair and Cruelty |
| 20°-30° | Feb 9 - Feb 18 | Moon | Ten of Swords | Lord of Ruin |
The sign as a whole is attributed to The Star in the Major Arcana — see why Aquarius carries that card.