The astrology of 2020

2020 is going to be a highly significant year according to the stars. Read on for the most significant aspects this year.

The Saturn-Pluto conjunction and lunar eclipse

2020 begins as Saturn conjuncts Pluto and 5 planets meet up in the sign Capricorn. The peak of this powerful energy is January 12. Saturn and Pluto are considered the two most malefic planets, and at the time of this post these energies are playing out in terms of unrest in the Middle East, the US Presidential impeachment, Brexit, and other significant issues around the globe. This is a major transit on the world stage and in our own lives as old structures change, disappear or end and we will be forced as a collective and individuals to re-evaluate what is working in our lives and in the world, and what is not working. Saturn-Pluto energy is harsh, conservative and restrictive and we will be dealing with this energy throughout 2020. As Saturn crosses Pluto mid-January the energies could lighten up some but these planets will be within a 3 degree orb again in September and October.

Saturn-Pluto is one of the 10 major planetary aspects that create change in the world, and this one is not an easy transit. Pluto entered Capricorn in 2008, and this brought about an effect that crashed the financial markets and burst the bubble in the real estate markets. From 2010 and 2017 another harsh aspect (square) between Pluto and Uranus created chaos around the world and social upheaval  resulting in the current extreme polarization and rise of right wing governments, change and polarization around the world as it did in the years 1914, 1947, and 1982 in the past century.

When we put these two planets together Saturn represents fear, boundaries and limitations, and Pluto is extremes in many areas.

The lunar eclipse of January 20, fell in the sign Cancer ruling home, family, and the homeland itself. Eclipse energy can go on for months, and events connected to an eclipse can continue to occur at later dates. Cancer can create both patriotism and tribalism. As this eclipse hits the 4^th/10^th house axis the issues we deal with will concern security, the family and business issues. Capricorn rules the earth and buildings, banking and big business. The Cancer eclipse ‘sets off,’ the Saturn Pluto conjunction, bringing issues connected to it to the forefront. The days and weeks preceding it will be a critical juncture.

There are 6 eclipses this year

The first powerful eclipse is the January 10, lunar eclipse as it opposes Saturn, Pluto and the stellium of planets in Capricorn. This is an eclipse of change and transformation and events connected to this will continue to play out.

Eclipses act as sign posts that show us the direction of things to come.

 June 5, we begin a new series of eclipses in Sagittarius-Gemini which represent the 3^rd/9^th house axis which rules thinking and ideas, communication, neighborhoods, travel, education and immediate family. On this date there is a lunar eclipse at 15 degrees of Sagittarius, followed by another solar eclipse at 0 degrees of Cancer, June 21.

Sagittarius rules the 9^th house of international affairs and travel, courts and the law. This eclipse squares Mars at 15 degrees of Pisces and Neptune which means it will be volatile and involve foreign affairs, travel or for some the law and education. Pisces is the ruler of the 12^th house of secrets, and endings. We could also see some type of water related event and it could even involve military.

The June 21^st solar eclipse at 0 degrees of Cancer rules home, the homeland and family and will not be as volatile as the lunar eclipse.

Another lunar eclipse falls at 13 degrees of Capricorn July 5. Capricorn rules the 10^th house of business. It also rules buildings, banks and the earth itself.

The companion lunar eclipse on November 30, and falls at 8 degrees of Gemini. Gemini is ruled by Mercury and this eclipse will be about important communication. Mercury also rules children, young people and travel.

The final solar eclipse of the years occurs December 14, and falls at 23 degrees of Sagittarius. The focus of this eclipse will be politics, foreign affairs and matters connected to the law.

A year of retrogrades

All of the planets retrograde every year except the luminaries: the Sun and Moon. This year is unique in that both Venus and Mars retrograde as well. When planets retrograde we step back and re-access, as opposed to moving forward. Sometimes new information comes out. During June, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto are all retrograde for a total of 6 out of 10 planets astrologers look at. 6 planets are also retrograde in September: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

Venus retrogrades

Venus retrogrades May 13-June 26 in Gemini. Venus is associated with money, love, beauty and attraction and values. Typically it is associated with love and changes in relationships as we re-access our love lives, but in reality it is so much more.

When Venus retrogrades love energy becomes more intense and drama sometimes begins. It is a period when seemingly fated events occur, sometimes appearing to be beyond the control of the parties involved.

Relationships can slow down or end. Sometimes those from our past can reappear. It is a time of reviewing and re-accessing your love life. Changes occur, and people can switch their affections and partners. The karma (karma=the universal will, what will ultimately be) of the relationship can play out during this period, especially if there is conflict to begin with. Unresolved issues come to the forefront to be resolved one way or another, but if a commitment exists with work the relationship can become stronger.

If Venus turns stationary retrograde on a planet in your personal chart you may experience a change or slowdown in something, depending on what planet it is aspecting. Alternatively, if it turns direct aspecting a planet in your chart in a positive angle, significant events can occur, or you could meet someone new. For some the retrograde direct period can be very significant and positive.

A retrograde Venus is not the time to get married, have plastic surgery, buy art, jewelry or items ruled by Venus. It is better not to spend money on things that are questionable. Do you really need it?

Venus retrogrades about every 18 months. If you begin a new relationship on a retrograde Venus the love energy may never be fully expressed or when Venus goes direct the relationship may change or end. It's a wildcard. Sometimes the relationship doesn't take off until Venus turns direct. A retrograde Venus period is the time to fully get to know any new person, not give your heart away or enter into a spontaneous affair with high expectations. Relationships are changeable during this period.

During this time, the ‘karma,’ of relationships often plays out. Retrograde planets often have to do with events that are ‘fated’ to some extent, or otherwise outside of our ability to control.

Sometimes during a retrograde you can re-connect with those from your past, and other relationships may end during this period. Love energy seems more difficult.

Relationships that are tottering on the edge may end completely at this time. Situations often become revealed for what they are and secrets can come out. Some couples will decide to divorce or split and decisions will be made as to the future of the relationship. Other couples will reunite or take things to a deeper level.

Art and creativity can be affected in a positive way at this time. Retrograde planets can mean finding a deeper and more profound energy to work with which can affect those in the creative arts in a positive way.

And remember, Venus is about more than romantic love. It's about other relationships, our values, money and those things that are important in life. Many significant changes can occur depending on where Venus falls in your personal chart.

Mars retrogrades

Mars retrogrades September 9-November 14 in Aries. Aries is at home in Mars, making it very powerful while retrograde. In this sign anger may be a problem, either with you or others.

Mars retrograde periods occur about every two years and can bring frustration, delays, increased chances of accidents and illness. There can be subtle hidden forms of manipulation occurring as opposed to open conflicts, and people may feel more aggravated. Rashness and impulsiveness must be guarded against. If Mars sets off a natal aspect in your chart during this time, you should be cautious how you expend the energy.

Mars is the action planet of the zodiac. It rules our actions, drive, energy and passion, men, sex and even war. The 'red planet" speaks to and of the confidence of an individual and how they act out their lives.

Mars energy can be positive or destructive, depending on how it is used (and what it aspects in your personal chart). By looking at the sign your Mars is in an astrologer can determine how you act (and react) and in a woman's chart it describes the men in her life.

The energy can be discouraging, tiring and draining.  We need to be self aware, aware of others, get plenty of rest, and guard our health and watch anger at all times.

Effects of this transit will play out in the world as well. Expect to see great anger in the world at this time.

As the stationary retrograde/direct periods of Mars are the most important, this is even more so the case if Mars aspects any of your planets in your own birth chart. If this is the case, significant events can occur, and combative situations may crop up or you could experience health related issues-typically not serious, or even accidents. What exactly will happen depends on where it falls in your own chart and what else is occurring at the time.

When Mars retrogrades people seem to accomplish more as if they are in a crisis state. I have seen this with people born with a retrograde Mars, or a Mars that goes retrograde by progression. Many people complain of low energy during this time, and plans can be delayed. Sometimes, people need to back up, reassess, and slow down some for a time. I would advise people not to start important projects during this cycle if it can be avoided.

Mars rules men, and sometimes men 'go retrograde.' Relationships can change during this time, slow down or take a different turn, one way or another. Retrograde planets become like a wild card, and the karma of the situation can play out at this time as well. Whenever you feel karma-or the final resolution of a situation is involved- retrograde planets are typically seem to be involved.

Note-Mars is retrograde on the November 3, US Presidential election and I expect this to play a role in the election outcome somehow, as well as Mercury which turns from retrograde to direct this day. Some people may change their mind at the last minute.  Anger will be significant at this time. It is possible we will not know the outcome, or something will change when Mars turns direct November 14. Either way, in the past we experienced a retrograde effect on the 2000 election of George Bush.

Jupiter retrogrades

Jupiter is in the sign Capricorn and retrogrades from May 14-September 13 this year. Jupiter is retrograde about 4 months out of every year. Jupiter rules our luck, gain and expansion and while retrograde these aspects of Jupiter are not as powerful. At times finances and money can slow down as well. Jupiter rules the Republican Party, men, especially young men, married men, Dr.’s, lawyers, law, medicine and the courts.

Mercury retrogrades 3 times this year

Mercury turns retrograde 3 or 4 times a year, and generally has a bad name when mentioned.  To an extent this is perfectly understandable, as retrograde Mercury is the planet that causes delays, glitches, breakdowns in computers and equipment, relationships, slowdowns and brings hidden factors to the surface. Plans can be put on hold, miscommunication can occur, relationships can end or change, and cars, computers and other machinery can break down at the most inopportune moment.
All of this will occur, but this period does not have to be the disaster many believe it to be with some basic knowledge ahead of time.  

The first step is to know what retrograde Mercury means. In the strictest sense of the word, the planet of communication does not actually go backward, it only appears to.  A planet is described as retrograde when it appears to be moving backwards through the zodiac, and this is referred to as apparent retrograde motion.  When planets retrograde, their effects on humans are different than when in direct motion. Thinking is deeper, situations often appear to go underground for a time, or change altogether, and sometimes our focus shifts or new information is revealed. Mercury retrograde is the most talked about retrograde, because it is a fast moving planet that controls our thinking, speech, travel, and cognitive skills. Mercury retrograde is not the time to get married or engaged, buy big ticket items, computers or the like. It is best not to start major new projects if they can be avoided. If you do they may not work out as planned and at the very least you can expect changes in the future. Sometimes however, it is unavoidable and all we can do is to make the best of it.

Mercury will retrograde this year three times.

February 17-March 10^th, Pisces into Aquarius.

June 18-July 12, in Cancer

October 14-November 3, Scorpio into Libra.

Saturn enters Aquarius

Saturn dips its toes into the sign Aquarius March 23-July 1, 2020. This frequently occurs in a year Saturn changes signs. It moves into the next sign for a few months, giving us a taste of what’s to come and then retrogrades back into the previous sign for a few more months before it advances to the next sign for the next 2 and a half years.

Saturn in Aquarius will be considerably different from Capricorn, although Saturn is a co-ruler of Aquarius along with Uranus. We can expect unpredictable changes as Saturn enters this sign, and the focus around the world will be more on the collective. Aquarius rules technology of all kinds and we will see advances in this area.

Saturn’s entrance into Aquarius will co-inside with major world events, as well as changes in our personal lives depending on where Saturn falls in your chart. It will re-enter Aquarius December 18, 2020 and remain in this sign until early March 2023.

Jupiter enters Aquarius

Jupiter will enters Aquarius, along with Saturn December 20 and remain in this sign most of 2021. Aquarius is lighter and more upbeat than Capricorn, and this will benefit all Air and Fire signs especially.

Jupiter conjuncts Saturn

Jupiter will conjunct Saturn first in the sign of Capricorn late March-early April, and again mid-December, before Jupiter and Saturn form a conjunction in Aquarius the latter part of December.

Capricorn deals with banks, financial markets, big business, the earth and power structures. Aquarius relates to the collective, compassion for others, unexpected events, new ideas, and technology to name a few.

This transit is known as the ‘great conjunction,’ and occurs on average every 19-20 years, and typically coincides with major world events, change and new approaches.

Some astrologers believe when this conjunction occurs during an election or inauguration year in the US, the President is likely to die in office, and this has been called the “Presidential death cycle.’ No President died during the last two great conjunctions but there were assassination attempts.

Jupiter conjunct Pluto

Jupiter will conjunct Pluto in Capricorn late March-early April, late June and the second week of November. This transit is associated with extremes in thinking and other matters. Capricorn relates to the earth itself, big business, and power brokers as well as those individuals who push their will and beliefs on others, and we can expect to see magnification in these areas that include climate change.  Jupiter rules legal matters, the courts, the Republican Party and financial markets as well as religion. This will be a year of extreme viewpoints in the world and many areas, and it will contribute to the division of political parties in the US and around the world. In some instances this could turn into fanaticism. This transit is also associated with the rise of international terrorism. Jupiter/Pluto’s sextile to Neptune should help matters some, and during this time we may see some great artistic works as well as surges of compassion and spiritual interests around the globe.

The Nodes change signs

The lunar nodes represent the path from the past to the future and the South node is considered malefic by some bringing baggage from the past. They are also known as the ‘nodes of fate.’ The North node represents our karmic destiny as a whole and the South what we should move away from.

At the time of this post the South Node is in Capricorn, the North node is on Cancer. They are considered the karmic pivot points of the universe and they will shift in May to the South node in Sagittarius and North node in Gemini.

At the time of this post the South node (Capricorn) is showing us we need to move away from materialism, harsh judgments of the past and neglecting our emotional needs and giving big business free reign.  We need to focus on home, family, nurturing and building the lives of women globally.

When the nodes shift, our collective goals will be ideas, communication with others, new thought processes; travel and moving away polarized ideas and developing the ability to adapt. Our challenge will be to avoid the excesses of the past.