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By Leah Whitehorse – December 12, 2020

2020 began with a bang that has reverberated for the entire year. The conjunction between Saturn and Pluto has stayed in orb throughout (aside from a couple of weeks in May). Saturn and Pluto will finally move apart on December 26, 2020. Alongside the smash of the karmic reset button came the clash of a great crisis, symbolised by Jupiter’s conjunction to Pluto, three times this year too. Here we were presented with a huge opportunity for change, a potentially great transformation. This year is not going out quietly either as another massive conjunction will occur in December, just as the last echoes of Saturn and Pluto fall away.

Saturn enters Aquarius at 05:03 (UT) on December 17, 2020.

Jupiter enters Aquarius at 13:07 (UT) on December 19, 2020.

The Great Conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn will take place at 18:20 (UT) on December 21, 2020 at 00°Aq29′.

December 21, 2020 is also the date of the winter solstice in the Northern hemisphere which symbolises the return of the light. Not only that, this is also the date (in the UK) of the First Quarter Moon which will take place on the Aries point (0 Aries). This is also a potent degree, filled with vibrant potential and an uprush of energy. Another symbolic factor is that, religious or not, we all know the tale about the three wise men (astrologers!) who followed the great star that led them to the Christ child. Whether or not that star was a Jupiter-Saturn conjunction is up for debate but still, the story is embedded deep in the collective psyche. Given all the surrounding symbolism that accompanies the Great Conjunction, we are being told that this is a new beginning and a return to the light.

Jupiter and Saturn have been in orb of a conjunction since September 17, 2020 but the mix of these two has been wrapped up with Pluto. Jupiter and Pluto’s conjunction ends December 23, 2020. So, the Great conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn will still be imbued with the last vestiges of the Pluto energy, deepening and intensifying our experience of it.

FROM EARTH TO AIR

Generally, Jupiter and Saturn meet around every 20 years and as they begin a new synodic cycle, society too enters a new chapter. Jupiter and Saturn are considered Social Planets. The placement of these two planets in the birth chart show something of how we move from our own personal world to connect with the wider world. This conjunction in 2020 however, is not just beginning a new chapter for society but a new era. For the next 200 years, Jupiter and Saturn will meet only in Air signs after meeting in earth signs since 1842.

There was however, one Great Conjunction in Libra in 1980 and this gave us a flavour of things to come. For the next 20 years until the next Jupiter and Saturn conjunction in 2000, we found new ways to connect and our technological world exploded. Air signs are associated with communication, mind and intellect. The Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in 2000 though was in materialistic Taurus and so between then and now we have seen the rise, fall and rise of the dot.com industry. Technology has continued to rapidly advance, but it has been driven by a desire to amass greater fortune. Material having has become the God that rules. How much money can I make with this website/new phone/new laptop?  Human connection has been lost in the midst…until now.

THE NATURE OF AQUARIUS

Aquarius is the last of the air signs. It is connected to the global 11^th house and ruled by both Saturn (traditional) and Uranus (modern). Aquarius is Higher Mind, Uranus a higher vibration of Mercury. In Aquarius we are connected to ‘God mind’ receiving cosmic downloads straight into the brain. It’s not about feeling, it’s about thinking. It’s not so much about gut instinct and intuition but an instant and brilliant knowing.

Some people struggle to see the connection between disciplined Saturn and rebellious Aquarius, but we need rules and regulations for society to function as well as the freedom to express ourselves and the liberty to lead our own lives with Uranus. I also use the analogy of a scientist too – Uranus is mad but brilliant, haphazardly testing out wild theories generated by out of the box thinking. But science needs Saturn too – the one who is willing to test and test and test again to ensure the experiment worked. Saturn is method and order, preparation, caution.

Aquarius energy is considered to be cool, detached, friendly but sometimes aloof. It makes me think of glass, the high ‘ting’ of finger symbol or a pure note struck from a tuning fork. There is something crystal clear about Aquarius and we can see how Saturn can correlate to the stripped back, airy nature of this sign. If Aquarius was a room, maybe it would be a loft apartment, painted white, minimal furniture with a skylight to the clear blue sky above it. It makes me think of Iceland.

Aquarius season each year lasts from around January 21 – February 21 so certainly the icy season in the Northern hemisphere. It is during Aquarius time that we celebrate the Pagan festival of Imbolc and the Christian festival of Candlemas. Both these festivals, ancient and modern are connected to the idea of purification and cleansing. Imbolc means ‘in the belly’ and speaks of a time when the Earth is stirring with new life, even whilst the ground may still be covered with snow. At Candlemas, candles are blessed for the year – once again speaking of the idea of bringing back the light. It is said that this was also the time that Mary was allowed back in the church to be once again ‘purified’ after giving birth. As uncomfortable as that last symbolism is, we can easily see how much of Aquarius season is connected to the concept of cleansing and even perhaps a return to youthfulness – interesting as the previous sign Capricorn is associated with old age.

The symbol of Aquarius is the water bearer and the word Aquarius itself contains the word for water – ‘aqua’. It’s not that Aquarius is unfeeling, but it contains feelings – bearing water – to hold up, to contain, to allow for but not to be overwhelmed by. There is something distinctly rational about Aquarius, yet the flip side can be brutally cold. Aquarius also has an electrical quality which can both spark excitement and inspiration or simply ‘switch off’ if it’s not getting what it needs. Still, positively in Aquarius we find scientific acumen, a modern, progressive outlook. The global 11^th house where Aquarius resides is about groups, networks, friends, the wider community, society, politics and humanitarian causes. It’s also a place we look to for our future hopes so there is a certain idealism around this sign too.

The Tarot card associated to Aquarius is the Star. In this image we see the water bearer pouring two jugs of water – one onto the Earth and the other into a pool. One foot is on the ground, one in the water. The woman is bare. Again, we have the idea of cleansing, being in touch with and yet not ruled by emotion. The brilliant stars, billions of miles away remind us of a wider connection to the cosmos only unlike the next sign Pisces, this is not about angels and merging with the whole – more it is about the wonder of the universe, the urge to answer the question ‘is it just us, are we alone?’.

SPACE, ALIENS AND ROBOTS (Oh my!).

The X Files began on September 10, 1993, when Saturn was last in Aquarius. The film Contact, which follows Jodie Foster as she is contacted by an alien race that helps her build a machine that will take her to their planet was released in 1997, when both Uranus and Jupiter were in Aquarius. One of the main lines from the movie was “So if it’s just us… seems like an awful waste of space.”.

Aquarius in the rocket taking off and every scientist who helped to make it happen. It’s Walter  Bishop in Fringe, Einstein, Carl Sagan – and maybe the odd mad professor who experiments with whatever he can get his hands on. Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein had Pluto conjunct the North Node in Aquarius with Pluto anaretic to boot. I find myself chilled as I write that, wondering whether some prescience of my own sees humans too playing God by the time that Pluto once again reaches the 29^th degree of Aquarius in 2042. Elon Musk, head of SpaceX has Mars conjunct the North Node in Aquarius. I imagine that we may hear a lot more from him during these next few years. Generally, I anticipate a lot more space news along with more science fiction being made. I also anticipate that as we move into this Aquarius era, we will see an explosion of scientific breakthroughs and the rise of the machines. Will sentient robots come of the back of this? It’s difficult to tell but then again, a robot that is more intelligent that a human can seem God-like even if it is soulless.

MONOLITHS AND THE COLLECTIVE PSYCHE

It’s not escaped my attention that as we stand on the edge of this Aquarius era, we have seen news stories about strange monoliths being found in Utah, Romania, California and The Isle of Wight. Whether an artist’s concept or a global joke (perhaps a little of both as Aquarius has a weird sense of humour!), the symbolism is fascinating. Most likely these monoliths are based off that from 2001, A Space Odyssey. If you haven’t seen the movie, (which by the way is brilliant!), “The Monolith in the movie seems to represent and even trigger epic transitions in the history of human evolution, evolution of humans from ape-like beings to civilised people, hence the odyssey of humankind.^” Wikipedia. Just before Trump came to power, the news was full of people seeing scary clowns. Clown sightings tend to become prominent when the psyche of the collective is fearful. Now with the monolith symbolism in place, it feels like we’re not only being shown the potential for an epic transition and the evolution of civilisation, but also that we have the ability to endure.  The Star, and Aquarius, make us think ahead, consider the future we are creating and so this is part of the story for Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius.

THE GREAT WORK

I’ve been calling the conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn ‘the Great Work’. We are beginning something now that will lay the foundation for the future, both in our own lives and collectively. The action of Saturn is to contract, the action of Jupiter is to expand. These two planets moving through Aquarius are going to give us different tests, challenges and opportunities yet all are connected to Aquarius themes. Positively, Jupiter and Saturn can work well together with Saturn curbing Jupiter’s excesses and Jupiter pushing Saturn to transcend doubts and limits. But as the conjunction between the two only lasts until February 2021, it may seem like we are having a duel journey.

With the inventive nature of Aquarius working via the scholarly energy of Jupiter, there certainly seems the potential for great discoveries during this time. It seems likely that this transit may also speak more of online tuition, particularly for universities. Increased communication and connection are also suggested but as Saturn will also be here, it is highly likely that this will be done under the rules of the ‘new normal’ sparked by the pandemic.

Saturn is certainly not touchy feely and Aquarius is a sign associated with distance (think again of the star being far, far away). I doubt we will see a return to our old ways during the transit of Saturn in Aquarius. Social distancing will become mainstream practice. Still, the great work we are doing here is about developing (Jupiter) stability (Saturn) as a society (Aquarius). Right now, we are fractured. The atmosphere is angry and divisive. The Pluto in Capricorn years, particularly this last year, have really exposed the underbelly of capitalism and brought out all kinds of toxic behaviour. Racism and sexism are rife and on the increase. Democracy itself is under threat. Saturn in Aquarius will push us to ask how cohesive our society is – are we falling together or falling apart?

With Saturn and Jupiter in Aquarius, doubts about the future vie with hope. There is cause to hope and there is cause to doubt. We may be socially distanced and yet new means of communication open up. It’s likely that given the increased emphasis on technology for us to do our jobs and connect with one another, new laws will follow. Jupiter is connected to law specifically and Saturn brings rules. So, expect tighter rules around the internet, what can and can’t be said, the role and rights of social media. And talking of laws, depending on the ruling, a landmark case in the UK could also see councils here forced to make the air cleaner after a young child died, quite probably from air pollution. Saturn in Aquarius may push us to purify the air planet-wide as the climate crisis continues.

Whilst some rules may be there for our protection, others may curb our freedoms. Aquarius is a sign associated with liberty, uniqueness and difference. It embraces all that is weird and wonderful and unique. Maybe those who have been on the fringes may find more acceptance during these coming years. Outsiders can become mainstream. Jupiter in Aquarius may hopefully give us a more progressive education with a better understanding of science. However, the shadow side of Saturn in Aquarius could seek to silence all fringe thought – a possibly dangerous move. There needs to be room for discourse. Astrology too comes under the realm of Aquarius so I feel it’s important that we don’t end up in a situation where the rise of science and reason that could be expected and welcomed from these transits don’t drown out the voice of spirituality and the arts. Hopefully any imbalance may be corrected when Jupiter enters Pisces.

JUPITER AND SATURN SQUARE URANUS

As Jupiter and Saturn make their way through Aquarius, they will both square Uranus. Jupiter will make only one square on January 17, 2021 whereas Saturn will create three squares in February, June and December of 2021.

Jupiter square Uranus increases the possibility of rebellion, unrest, destabilisation. Jupiter magnifies what it touches and Uranus is the revolutionary. This aspect could also manifest as increased excitement but the energy is wired and fraught with tension. It doesn’t escape my attention that this occurs just a few days before the US inauguration. The aspect is further inflamed by a volatile conjunction between Mars and Uranus making this a particularly unstable period.

Saturn and Uranus represent the clash of old and new, conventional versus unconventional, rules versus freedom, stability versus instability, conformity versus non-conformity. With Uranus moving through Taurus, there are big shake-ups happening around money and security. The pandemic has pushed many people to the brink. Businesses have gone bust. Hospitality, entertainment, sporting and travel industries are on their knees.

Recently, I noticed in the news in the UK that all captive birds must now be kept inside due to an outbreak of bird flu. Birds are creatures of the air but they are effectively ‘grounded’ by this situation – a sad but perfect example of Saturn moving into Aquarius action. Perhaps too we can expect many of our planes to continue to be grounded. Whilst governments worldwide have pumped trillions of dollars into the system, there’s a sense that there is more to come. As Pluto in Capricorn and Uranus in Taurus tell us, the system must change and change it will. How this plays out is yet to be seen but Saturn and Uranus will keep the banks and stock markets on their toes. There’s also a strong feeling that we must be willing to get out of our comfort zone for the sake of our future – take charge (Saturn) and innovate (Uranus). But some may feel uncomfortable as the old and familiar lifestyles fall away. Some may rebel (Uranus) to keep things the same (Saturn). It makes me think of the phrase from the Borg ‘Resistance is Futile!’.

A NEW REALITY

Old structures must change but we can take the best of the past. We don’t have to throw out everything we have built or learned.  It’s vital that we stay flexible as the more we resist, the more stress and anxiety manifests. 2020 was the year that knocked us down. It was the karmic reset we needed to take stock, reassess, and find out what is truly important in our lives. 2021 will bring us an opportunity to lay the foundations of a new future and awaken us to a new reality.

In the Age of Aquarius, top-down systems cannot succeed because this is not how Aquarius works.

Aquarius recognizes the uniqueness of the individual (Leo, the opposite sign) and brings together these unique talents and gifts to create something that is greater than the sum of its parts. 

The Aquarius agenda that eventually emerges is not the result of one individual, but the sum of individuals.

With Aquarius, we cannot have predetermined goals or top-down agendas; with Aquarius, the outcome emerges from the inside out. The Aquarius agenda is ever-evolving, because we people are ever-evolving. 

With Aquarius, we don’t know what the future will bring, and that is a good thing. Knowing what the future will bring means stagnation. 

Just like a house of cards or the Tower of Babel, anything that is manipulated from the top and not built on the principles of co-creation, has weak structures and will eventually collapse. 

The Jupiter-Saturn conjunction on December 21st, 2020 is our opportunity, but also our obligation to get involved and create a better future for ourselves – as well as the generations that are to come. Take this opportunity seriously – this may be one of the most important moments of our lives. 

From Astrobutterfly

By Leah Whitehorse – November 28, 2020

We are here, finally, at the last month of the most tumultuous year in living memory for many of us barring those who lived through the second world war! Writing that casts my memory back to my original forecast for January 2020, where I talked about the Saturn-Pluto conjunction and how it had many signatures of war and conflict. Whilst astrologers anticipated that 2020 would be a history maker, I don’t think any of us were fully prepared for what was to come!

But now we arrive at the final month of the year and another big shift. 2020 has been long and hard, stressful, upsetting, frightening but now comes the light at the end of that long dark tunnel.

Mercury starts us off by entering Sagittarius on December 1. After spending an extra-long period in Scorpio, no doubt we’re more than ready to get our heads out of Hades and back into the light. Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign associated with the idea of expanding our horizons. Whilst Mercury can struggle with a multitude of options for exciting adventures in this sign, we are at least thinking in a more optimistic way. As the mind expands, we start to consider the future, visualise where we want to go, think big. We also tend to talk big too, speaking with greater animation which is brilliant for both story-telling and philosophical discussion. However, sometimes we need to watch the tendency to brow beat as Mercury in Sagittarius can become moralistic when working in shadow. Bluntness can also cause friction.

The Last Quarter Moon occurs on December 8. We are now in the middle of eclipse season and at the turning point between the last lunar eclipse and the next solar eclipse. With the Moon in Virgo, we feel a need to ground ourselves from the wanderlust of the Sun in Sagittarius. Details too are important now although we need to also keep an eye on the big picture. It feels as though we need to make some careful decisions and choose a direction to travel rather than haphazardly skipping from one fun idea to the next.

Mars forms a sextile to the North Node on December 12. Now that Mars is direct, we can trust that our actions are helping us towards our soul’s evolution. What we do now is all part of our unfolding karma. It’s important to note that Mercury also goes out of bounds (OOB) on this date too which means that Mercurial energy goes beyond the rules of play so to speak. Issues connected to communication and information along with news, media, students, local transport and schools are all off the chart. OOB planets have an almost Uranian quality to them, a sense that anything and everything could happen both positively and negatively. So, we need to bear in mind that this energy is a little wild right now and remains so until January 4. Watch for inspired, impassioned speeches, big ideas, wild and spurious claims.

We have a solar eclipse in Sagittarius on December 14. This is an amped up New Moon, an important new start connected to beliefs, the future, international communications and travel, higher education, law and morality. The trine to Mars suggests we desire action but a square to Neptune is disorientating and can sap energy. Distraction and deflection are also Neptune problems. Neptune introduces uncertainty in that moment of darkness as the Sun’s light is eclipsed. A tight quincunx to Black Moon Lilith also brings up fears of being cast out, excommunicated, demonised, haunted. As this is a South Node eclipse, it feels a little like the ghost of Christmas past paying us a visit. Make peace with the past. Let go of old beliefs that are holding you back. Stop mourning the unlived life and start living.

Despite some of the challenges of the eclipse, there is a sense of onwards and upwards though. Venus joins the Sun and Mercury in Sagittarius on December 15 where she delights in the warmth of friendly connection and appreciates a no strings attached approach to relationships. In bonded partnerships, Venus in Sagittarius can bring some relief after an intense period. It’s time to have an adventure together! Following the heart now can lead to some exciting opportunities although we do need to check in with ourselves whether we are truly following our desires or just escaping from the humdrum.

Chiron stations direct, also on December 15. After a five-month period of intense self-questioning, painful healing and recovery, now we are ready to continue our journey. In forward motion, Chiron is still connected to healing, but his focus is more about taking what has been learned and applying it to our experience in the outer world. Yes, we may have scars, but in the receiving of these scars we also gained great wisdom. Consider, where can the actions you take in the wider world be a demonstration of your courage to overcome, to live and thrive despite pain? What can you teach? Where can you help?

Next comes the biggest movements of the month which is Saturn’s entry into Aquarius on December 17 followed by Jupiter’s entry into the same sign on December 19. Jupiter and Saturn will then meet in a Great Conjunction on December 21.

The Great Conjunction itself begins a whole new chapter of human history. Aside from the conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn in 1980/81, all the previous conjunctions have been in Earth signs since 1842. Our upcoming conjunction though heralds the beginning of a cycle of Grand Conjunctions in the element of air that will take us through to 2140!

Jupiter’s action is to expand, Saturn’s is to contract, so in their meeting they have the ability to complement one another. Saturn cuts down on Jupiter’s tendency towards excess, Jupiter encourages Saturn to let down walls and break out of limiting constraints. All this activity will be focused on Aquarius, the sign associated with groups, networks, friends, social media, technology, science, politics, progress, advancement. Whilst Saturn in Aquarius may represent a ‘new normal’ as we come to terms with the pandemic, we also have the potential here for big developments that perhaps are born from the restrictions we have lived under. There is a sense that a new infrastructure is being created under this influence, one that may pave the way for Pluto’s transit of Aquarius beginning in 2023. Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius presents the possibility of significant new advancements in society although the progress is likely to be slow and methodical (Saturn). Given that modern Aquarius ruler Uranus is associated with Higher Mind and intellectualism, we may also see a push towards education. Science and rational may be more favoured as we move forwards (but not, I hope, at the expense of creativity and spirituality).

However, it should also be noted that as Saturn (and Jupiter) will be squaring Uranus next year, we could also see unrest (Uranus), especially if authorities (Saturn) try to impose too many rules and restrictions. This is not just in response to coronavirus but may also be connected to finance, the internet and the general move towards living a more digital life. There is already a drive towards a cashless society, hastened along by the pandemic, but a continued movement towards this may be met with a backlash.

Generally though, the shift away from earth signs to air signs tells us that our emphasis is changing from the material world and capitalism to a period where we focus more on human connection, society, humanitarian causes and concepts. Hopefully, we may see the fall of fascism and authoritarian regimes and the demise of strong right-wing movements that have dominated these last years of Saturn (and Pluto) in Capricorn.

On an individual level, we could consider questions such as, what do I hope for in the future? What structures need to go in place to make this happen? Where do I need to experiment more? Where do I need to advance? How do I use technology in my life – does this benefit me or hold me back? Who are my friends? Who do I want to connect with and be associated with? What part do I play in society?

The Sun’s entry into Capricorn on the same day as the Great Conjunction also blesses this opening of new cycle in human history with even greater significance. This is the winter solstice, the shortest day and the longest night. After this time, the days will become longer until there is equal day and night at the Spring equinox. Symbolically then, this ancient festival of Yule is about the return of the light after a long period of darkness. And for final a cherry on top of the cake (or should I say star on top of the tree!), December 21, is also the date of the First Quarter Moon, putting the Moon slap bang on the Aries point (0 Aries). Whilst there is tension between the Sun and Moon, with Luna on the first degree of the first sign, it seems we have another indication here that this is a time of beginnings. The old order (Capricorn) is changing, and we’re inspired to make a new start (Aries). With old timer Saturn in modernist Aquarius though, it’s about taking the best of the past and putting it to work for our future rather than a complete revolution.

We come to the close of the year on the back of the final square between Mars and Pluto on December 23. This has been a tough aspect and one that has perhaps been the driving force of much of the heated atmosphere in the latter half of this year. Mars first began to engage conflict with Pluto back in July, pushing against an immovable force, wrestling for control. Now as we come to the end of this battle, we see what is possible and what isn’t – where we can take action and where we can’t. Yes, there is still some frustration here but the sense is that we are stronger for it. If we mobilise all our energy into what we can do, then we can enact powerful changes.

The final major aspect of the year is the Full Moon in Cancer on December 30. This lunation brings us to the conclusion of a family matter or emotional issue. Whilst yes there is a painful square to Chiron which means we may be even more sensitive and sentimental around this time, there is also a sextile to Uranus. We have an opportunity to take a different stance or road to break us out of old habits. Familiar patterns are changing and this, combined with Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius, is the breath of fresh air we were waiting for.

Pluto has gone direct, Today October 1st, 2018. 

Sara Coughlin writes:

“Pluto rules large-scale, long-term changes and it likes to reward those who transform in order to meet their needs. So, if you realize that you really should be speaking up where you’ve previously been silent or that you aren’t acting for the right reasons, make the choice to change your approach. Will that be difficult? Almost definitely. Will it benefit you in the long, long run? Absolutely.” 

Astrological ages are based on changes in the heavens, known as The Precession of Equinoxes. This cycle, which lasts roughly 26,000 years, means the zodiac sign visible at dawn on the first day of spring changes about every 2,000 years.

During the Piscean Age, which is swiftly coming to an end, life was based on the pyramid. Every structure, from families to religions and governments, had a single being, person or deity on top, to whom all those below deferred.

Everyone knew their place. While this provided stability, its rigidity severely restricted individual freedom and limited responsibility.

Now we’re entering the Aquarian Age, although astrologers disagree about the exact start date. They do agree, however, that the Age of Aquarius is about flattening the pyramid and individuals assuming more power.

‘Of all the signs, Aquarius is the most free-thinking’.

‘The Piscean Age was dominated by a Christian patriarchal system. The new age is all about making room for a more egalitarian world.’

‘Aquarius is heavily associated with information and technology, and so the way we’re seeing social media facilitating revolution is very much of this era.’