Tag: 2021

Saturn Retrograde in Aquarius

Saturn Retrograde in Aquarius

Every year Saturn goes retrograde and it gives us time to review the last 6 – 7 months.  This is the perfect time to do the necessary checks and balances, which will kick our ass if we don’t see to them first.  That’s because Saturn is the Lord of Karma and when he is retrograde it is time for the karmic cleanse. Saturn is retrograde from May 23 – October 10 and he will be bringing the discipline and leadership that we all need.

This retrograde will be interesting because Saturn has been moving through Aquarius —the sign of the humanitarian and the progressive, since last December.  It is rather obvious that we are in the midst of sweeping changes to society, and that is predominately due to Saturn and Jupiter (currently in Pisces until July 28) both moving through this fixed air sign.  As the collective consciousness continues to transform we can feel this shift building to a crescendo. With Saturn retrograde, it is time to re-evaluate how we live, and how we can do that in harmony with people and the planet.

Last year Saturn was retrograde in Capricorn, a sign he is most often associated with and rules. However, Saturn is also the ancient ruler of Aquarius, co-ruling with Uranus (ironically his father, and not the best when it comes to parenting). Saturn is squaring Uranus in Taurus all year. A square brings internal conflict, and Taurus represents the things that we love and value: money, food, shelter, etc., and Aquarius is about the future of humanity.  As Uranus continues to square Saturn he is literally pushing him, all year long, into seeing those foundational things from a different vantage point — constantly giving contrast so we can push past the old and embrace the future. 

With Saturn back-tracking we might feel the need to rebel against anything that seems to be holding us back.  That could include, jobs, friends, relationships, personal goals, etc. Chances are we will revisit our own personal dreams and needs and realize that it’s time to brake out of old patterns so we can embrace and acknowledge our growth. 

Taking a look at the big-picture, globally this is about changing systems that have become outdated and no longer serve that values (that are changing) or the greater good of the collective.  Saturn loves structure, but Saturn retrograde takes a look at what no longer is working and determines the best way to fix it.  This is accomplished by creating new pathways and opportunities for leadership that help everyone as we move into the future. 

Take a look at your birth chart; you can get a free one at Foxy Astrology.  You will want to see what house is ruled by Aquarius in your chart and that will tell you what area of life you will be reviewing during this retrograde.  For all of us, this retrograde will impact the groups that we are a part of and could spark your activism. Perhaps you will change political affiliation or start a new spiritual practice. Whatever “it” is, it will become more evident as the summer comes to a close.  Saturn still has several more years —and a few more retrogrades— in Aquarius so this is just the beginning of a long transformation.

 Saturn is the great guru, and sometimes his lessons can be challenging, but ultimately we are here to learn. If we pay attention to what Saturn is teaching us individually we can make quantum leaps in our own destinies and those of the collective. 

Neptune square the Nodes of the Moon  – January 26, 2021

Neptune square the Nodes of the Moon – January 26, 2021

A long-running configuration of Neptune — squaring the Nodes of the Moon and creating a t-square — will perfect on January 26, 2021.  Now is the time to understand that our past (South Node in Sagittarius) is just a reference point that can inform our journey ahead (North Node in Gemini) as we continuously consult our imagination (Neptune in Pisces), and navigate our path to the future.

Neptune is in his rulership of Pisces at 18 degrees. Neptune went retrograde at 20 degrees of Pisces at the end June 2020 and stayed retrograde for almost five months. He retrograded all the way back to 18 degrees, where he has remained since early October 2020.  On January 26, Neptune will move into the 19th degree of Pisces and exactly square both the North Node in Gemini (our collective destiny) and the South Node in Sagittarius (our collective karma) — both at 19 degrees of the Gemini/Sagittarius axis, which is about information and freedom.

This is a very important time for us individually, and collectively for humanity, but it all begins with what’s going on inside of you. Neptune rules the 12th house, where your emotions, compassion, and imagination reside. This t-square invites you to consider your thoughts, hopes, and dreams for yourself and for the world.

What is a T-Square?

Basically, the t-square configuration is an isosceles triangle, which is simply a triangle with two sides that are the same length.  So, you have a 90 degree angle, another 90 degree angle, both known as “squares,” and a 180 degree opposition connecting them. 

Squares indicate inner conflict and oppositions reflect outer conflict. If you apply this to Neptune squaring both of the Nodes — who are always in opposition — then this t-square is about releasing the collective past in order to envision a new collective future.  The question is: how do we do that when Neptune keeps fogging up the road ahead?

The Challenge

Envisioning a new collective future can be difficult when we are so divided from our past, but let’s look at the houses and signs associated with this t-square.

  • Our future (North Node) lies in Gemini/3rd house, ruled by Mercury, who dictates how we communicate and perceive.
  • Our past (South Node) lies in Sagittarius/9th house, ruled by Jupiter, who expands our knowledge, our experiences, and our beliefs.
  • Our reality (Neptune) lies in Pisces/12th house, ruled by Neptune, who can cloud our judgment, hide the truth of our reality, but also allow us to create new worlds.

The 3rd, 9th, and 12th houses are to do with the mind, higher wisdom, and the psyche.  Basically, we are all “tripping” through the universe of our imagined reality at the moment, but it’s time to get serious.  We have an opportunity to effect tremendous change by shifting our focus.

The Shift

Remember, your focus determines your reality. Instead of looking in that rearview mirror all the time…keep your eyes on the road ahead so you can better navigate the journey before you.  This will require inner focus, discernment, and imagination working in harmony to shift from the narrative of the past to the potential of the future.

Saturn square Uranus – 2021

Saturn square Uranus – 2021

They say that opposites attract, and sometimes that attraction causes enough sparks to make you pay closer attention. Where your attention goes, energy flows! This year Saturn in Aquarius will exactly square Uranus in Taurus three times: Feb. 17, Jun. 14, and Dec. 24.  These squares will help us continue making the transition between the Piscean and Aquarian Ages.  Indeed, we will feel this energy all throughout 2021.

A square in astrology creates tension; it’s considered a “disharmonious” aspect that often presents itself as an obstacle or a challenge.  This square will be operational most of the year, so expect the unexpected! Saturn is moving though Aquarius (fixed air) for the next 2.5 years and he is a co-ruler of this sign along with Uranus who is moving through Taurus (fixed earth) until April of 2026.

Fixed signs offer stability so that things can take root… eventually growing into something completely new. When a planet is moving through a fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), it provides great focus.

Saturn and Uranus are essentially diametrically opposed. Their synodic cycle (the relationship between any two planets) spins around the creation of new ideas, fresh circumstances, and innovations – often resulting from a crisis point.  Saturn represents tradition, structure, law, rules, regulation, restrictions, and hard work. Uranus embodies freedom, eccentricity, innovation, sudden change, surprises, and miracles. 

There are many myths that involve these two — usually in some kind of tussle.  In mythology,  Saturn – the lord of karma — is the son of Uranus (the sky god). The conflict embodied between these two, in terms of squaring energy, can create almost anything that the mind can conceive.

Take a look at what houses are ruled by Aquarius and Taurus in your natal chart.  This is where you can “expect the unexpected” this year, particularly around those three dates when the square perfects.  You can get a free birth chart on Foxy Astrology, and determine what areas of life this square will impact for you.

This is a building year; a year to focus on anything you want to be, to do, or to have. It would be the perfect year to start regularly meditating, doing yoga, or any practice that facilitates focusing your thoughts and energy on what you want to create for yourself and the world.

Jupiter in Aquarius 2021

Jupiter in Aquarius 2021

Jupiter enters Aquarius on December 19, 2020 and stays in that fixed sign until December 30, 2021.  The Grand Conjunction, where Jupiter and Saturn conjunct at 0 degrees and 29 minutes of Aquarius, will kick-off a new Astrological Era, and one that begins a new 200 year cycle of Grand Conjunctions in Air signs.* 

With Saturn in Aquarius for the next several years we will see an interesting push/pull in 2021 with Saturn restricting and Jupiter expanding.  This may be a blessing in disguise since Jupiter in Aquarius can be mind-bending and life-altering; with the breakdown of the patriarchy, we might need Saturn’s influence for a bit of moderation.  Also, Jupiter will take a brief dip into the deeply spiritual world of Pisces — from May 14, 2021 to July 29, 2021– before he takes his annual retrograde. But more about that later…

Jupiter is known as the Great Benefic.  He expands whatever he touches, and he rules the 9th house of knowledge and understanding. Aquarius is a fixed air sign and rules the 11th house of the zodiac; with Jupiter transiting here for an entire year, we will definitely see the expansion of the mind.  This will be of great value to all, as the collective will now start to find common ground, consider all options and opinions, display more faith in others, and show less attachment to the old ways of doing things. 

The last time Jupiter transited through Aquarius was January 2009 – January 2010. For comparison, you can look back to that year and think about what changed for you.  Did you adopt a new set of beliefs?  Did you search for higher knowledge of self through spiritual study, traveling abroad, or humanitarian work?

Aquarius rules the 11th house, which is all about finding your “peeps”… but there can be a tendency for the individual to take a backseat to the whole.  It won’t be without its challenges; Aquarius can be quite rigid and stubborn, and Jupiter will be expanding these tendencies as well.

Jupiter will briefly move into the ethereal pool of Pisces from May 14, 2021 – July 29, 2021 before he enters his retrograde period and goes back into Aquarius.  Pay close attention to this period of time, because it will be a foreshadowing of what is to come in 2022 when Jupiter spends a year in Pisces.

How do you make the most of this Jupiter cycle in fixed air?  Look and see what house is ruled by Aquarius in your chart.  That is where you will feel the expansion in your life. Certainly, if you have a Sun, Moon, or Ascendant in Aquarius, this year will be a tremendous opportunity for you, but everyone in the collective will benefit from this energy.

With the jovial vibe of Jupiter in Aquarius, we can see more social reform and humanitarian initiatives. All of our beliefs will expand regarding politics, religion, lifestyles, freedom, and human rights.  The dawning of the Age of Aquarius is definitely here!

*Fixed signs are associated determination, persistence, and have a stabilizing impact similar to the roots of a tree or the foundation of a home.  There’s one fixed sign for each of the four elements: Taurus (earth), Leo (fire), Scorpio (water), and Aquarius (air). They flesh things out with concentrated focus, but also can be inflexible, stubborn, and single-minded.