Aquarians want to be different. �They have vision and are tolerant. �Rats have lots of personal appeal and long to wield power. �Of course, in this duo, the Rat is neutralized by the altruistic Aquarian, who tells her to get her mitts off the power switch until such time as man will love man and no wars will be fought. The effect is startling. �Real force emanates from within this person. Watch her try to take over the reins in a given situation. �She can strike a deal, even a slightly shady deal. �Then, suddenly out of nowhere, she may back down. �Under the influence of Aquarius, the Rat's cupidity deflates. �Good-bye, trickery. �Hello, freedom and love.

As the Aquarius/Rat thinks she wants to see around corners toward a better world, she will frequently become involved in spiritual searches for truth and equilibrium. The Aquarian is first a thinker. �The Rat, too, is cerebral. Both signs are a bit neurotic. �So, rather than looking for stability on traveled paths, they become easily attracted by the cosmic, the extrasensory and supernatural methods of mind control. �Aquarius/Rats are forever taking courses in ESP, est, Hatha, Mudra and Zen. �They want to depart from the humdrum bourgeois living inside them. �They long to find peace through spiritual enlightenment.

No matter the degree of clear thinking attained by this character, she is nonetheless always a Rat. �Rats must cleave to the middle-class life. �Rats are acquisitive and driven by a thirst for power. �Aquarius may force the Rat to a clear mountain stream but she cannot make her drink. �This essential disagreement causes further loss of security for our native. �She makes rash moves and grows moody and distant. �Emotions are not her favorite province, so how can she say she's sorry? �How can she adapt to the workaday world with its stringent and inhuman demands? Why is life so stultifyingly boring?

Well, as this offbeat subject will be the first to tell you, "The answer is blowing in the wind." �Trouble is, people never live up to the Aquarius/Rat's high standards. �She is often disappointed by the failure of group efforts and hurt by the selfishness of intimates. �Yet she watches even herself fall short of the mark. �Then she is really desolate and confused. �Where did she go wrong?

Although "application of derriere to seat of chair" is one of my stock bits of advice, I dare advance it here more particularly. Aquarius/Rats must learn to slow down, to feel their way instead of trying to "think" their way, to sit still long enough for the lead to set between those ears. �They mustn't dabble in mind-altering substances or freaky movements unless there is a concrete and earthbound reason to do so. �Sailing off into space without a seatbelt is a very dangerous business.

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If you love an Aquarius/Rat, don't fence her in. �But do tie your loved one down. �I know this sounds contradictory, but think of Aquarius/Rats as morning glories. �For morning glories to thrive, their feet must be firmly planted in the shade and their heads constantly exposed to the brightest sunlight. �That's how you have to treat your Aquarius/Rat. �Let her feel as free as a Montgolfiere, but keep the lines drawn taut and don't take any nonsense. �Your Aquarius/Rat will love you all the more for caring.

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This person is a remarkably good parent. �You see, kids have a tethering influence on Aquarius/Rats. �For that security the Aquarius/Rat parent is grateful, and in her turn stretches the parental role as far as it will go. �She gets very involved with kids' activities and feelings. �The Aquarius/Rat discusses everything in greatest detail with her children, and imparts a world view of broad scope to her kids long before they are old enough to leave the nest.

The Aquarius/Rat child is, most of all, interesting. �She may be slightly daredevil and will surely be drawn to the unusual. Again, the role of intimates (in this case parents) is to focus the terrestrial aspects of this subject. �Never allow her attraction to the other-worldly to overcome the attachment felt for family. �The talented and intelligent Aquarius/Rat child must be hitched to a solid post but never hobbled.

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The Aquarius/Rat is more of a creative than a bossy type. She will be glad to try to run an office or shop. �But the result will never be spectacular -- competent, but not fabulous. �The same goes for employment. �This person's strength is in her individuality and personal approach to problems of at least cinemascopic proportion. �Punching time clocks just won't do.

Some possible professions for the Aquarius/Rat are: politician, artist (all sorts), journalist, genius, designer.