The Astrology of These Times
I wrote in January about how 2020 is one of the most significant years in a very long time; a year that represents a major historical turning point; the end of established orders and structures, and the beginning of something new. Well, we didn’t know what was going to bring about that change. Now we do. Here is some of what I wrote about 2020:
“Astrologers have been talking about 2020 for a long time. It’s not just any year, astrologically speaking. Astrology measures periods of time by planetary cycles. The cycle of the Sun and Moon create the monthly lunar cycle, but every planetary combination signifies a particular archetypal combination and length of time. This year, several bigger cycles are ending and beginning, suggesting this year marks a significant turning point in the grand scheme of history.
“In January 2020, there is a conjunction between Saturn and Pluto, planets that together signify cycles of the evolution of structures (and much more, of course, that we’ll get into). They join together every 33-38 years (depending on Pluto’s elliptical orbit). The previous conjunctions were in 1982, 1947, and 1914.
A Saturn-Pluto conjunction would be significant on its own, but Jupiter is also in the mix, amplifying Saturn-Pluto, and bringing in themes of belief, ideology, and vision. The Jupiter-Saturn cycle is 20 years (the last exact conjunction was in 2000), and is also connected to historical shifts.
More, while Saturn and Pluto get together every 30-odd years, this year they are also in line with the eclipses (eclipses between Fall 2018 and Spring 2020 happen in Cancer and Capricorn), an 18 year cycle. Capricorn is clearly a theme here.
The last time Saturn and Pluto were conjunct in Capricorn was in 1518 (just two months after Martin Luther nailed his theses to the door, and at the height of the first wave of European Colonialism and the trans-atlantic slave trade).
Many people are familiar with the Lunar Nodes, but what’s talked about less often is that every planet has nodes (the intersection points between that planet’s orbit and the ecliptic). Nodes symbolize the trajectory of a planet, its direction and course through history. And the South Nodes of Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto are all in Capricorn at this time as well! This seems to suggest that the transformation we are undergoing concerns the entire trajectory of humanity.
On interpreting this added layer of the planetary nodes, Mark Jones says: ‘our collective psychological process (Pluto) involves a profound re-examination of our collective vision (Jupiter’s south node), our deepest attachments to power and security (Pluto’s south node), and the way we structure our society and civilization as a whole (Saturn’s south node). The fact that this occurs at the start of a new Saturn–Pluto cycle in January 2020 suggests that we will be dealing with the implications of this encounter with our collective past and its assumptions for decades to come.’
The North Node of the Moon--as well the North Nodes of Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto--are in Cancer. This is our destiny. Cancer points us to care, nurturance, family, and community as how we will transcend this impasse. There is indeed much suffering, but we will get through this together.”
A brief (and incomplete) astrological timeline of Coronavirus
Just days after the total solar eclipse in Capricorn on December 24th, a Chinese doctor, Li Wenliang, raised the alarm about multiple mysterious pneumonia cases, the cause of which was unknown. (Eclipses are considered among the most significant astrological events, thought to correspond with significant events, often out of our control, that bring about changes that unfold over months.)
Chinese authorities initially attempted to suppress the news, having Dr. Wenlian sign a document promising not to “spread rumours.” Dr. Wenlian eventually died from COVID-19 on January 11th (the day of the Saturn-Pluto conjunction), to outrage from Chinese citezens.
Even as the Chinese government attempted to suppress information about the virus, and initially delayed response, they eventually responded by completely locking down the city, and effectively “flattened the curve.” Saturn-Capricorn themes: suppression, restriction, limits, constraints, containment, difficulty. Pluto in Cap themes: death, suffering, transformation, the very big and the very small.
On January 30th 2019, the day Mars squared Neptune, WHO declared COVID-19 a “public health emergency of international concern.” Mars in hard aspect acts as a trigger (and also signifies hardship, and even fever), in this case, triggering Neptune in Pisces: transcendence of boundaries, the interconnectedness of all.
In February, as Mercury (mind, communication, travel, movement) was retrograde (halted, slowed, stopped, frustrated), in Pisces (transcendence of boundaries, interconnectedness of all), the virus rapidly spread to other countries, quarantines were in full effect, and travel restrictions began. Wuhan was under lockdown, Trump restricted travel from China, and Japan quarantined 3600 passengers of a cruise ship (Pisces also signifies the ocean).
Mars entered Capricorn (the sign most connected with these events) on February 16th, further activating and triggering the Capricorn themes we’ve been discussing, and squaring Chiron (Feb 21--wounded healer), conjuncting the South Node (Feb 25--release), Jupiter (March 20--expansion), and Pluto (March 22--fear, death, transformation), as the events around COVID-19 ramped up around the world.
As the Sun approached Neptune (transcendence of boundaries, interconnectedness of all) (exact March 8th), it was becoming clear that COVID-19 had spread globally. On March 11th, WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. On the day of Full Moon in Virgo (health, hygiene, crisis) opposite the Sun and Neptune in Pisces (transcendence of boundaries, confusion, anxiety), when Venus (value, wealth, money) was exactly conjunct Uranus (instability, shock, revolution), the stock market plunged.
Main sources for this section:
https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-timeline.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_coronavirus_pandemic
NOW
What’s going on is not just about a virus. This is not just a health crisis (although the health crisis is significant). The virus is the trigger for massive systemic collapse and transformation--death and rebirth. The world economy is tanked. All our systems are being restructured or renegotiated in an attempt to attend to the crisis. There is no going back to normal after this. The world as we knew it is over.
We will need to mourn.
And then create. This is a global revolution. But who’s revolution will it be? The archetypes we’re dealing with suggest a massive transformation of the systems and structures of the world, including the global economy. They also suggest the potential for fascism, militarism, conservative empowerment, heightened control.
While there are many heartening and promising examples of community care and people coming together (more on this later), let’s also not turn a blind eye to the potential machinations of the power-hungry. It’s known that in times of crisis, those in power tend to take advantage of the general confusion and chaos in order to garner more power: this is Disaster Capitalism.
Never has the world seen a crisis of this scale. We do need hope in these times, but blind hope--hope that keeps us from acknowledging truth, and convinces us we need not act-- is denial--and dangerous. If local crises have led to such power grabs in the past, then what will the elite and their corporate powers try now?
Saturn in Aquarius (March 22 - July 1)
Saturn changed signs on March 22nd. I will say more about it in the coming weeks, but just a few notes now. As Mars (the trigger) shifts into Aquarius (technology, social networks) (March 30th) and conjuncts Saturn (austerity, conservatism, control) (March 30th), I believe we ought to be wary of the potential control that tech companies may attempt to exert. Already, there has been a massive increase in surveillance in the name of tracking compliance with government orders .And while there may be good arguments for use of such data, no one knows to what extent such surveillance will remain in place once this crisis is over--a worry that seems to be playing out already in China where increased surveillance has not faded along with cases of the virus.
And beyond surveillance, tech and social media companies are poised to exert an (even more) inordinate amount of power over society through increasing use of non-transparent algorithms that manipulate and take advantage of us and can censor content without any accountability (e.g. Facebook’s influence on the 2016 American election). It may seem that there are more pressing matters when people’s lives are at risk. But social media is a tool we rely on to organize ourselves. Grassroots actions depend on communication networks. We cannot be free if our communication channels are subverted.
But Mars and Saturn in Aquarius can also be channeled toward working (Saturn) to create structures (Saturn) that support community (Aquarius), and serve the best interest of humanity as a whole (Aquarius). We are coming into a time when there will be great energy available to put toward creating community networks and new systems. And if we invest in creating our own networks, then we will have resilience and strength even if social media networks become further compromised.
Social isolation and distancing are literal manifestations of Saturn (isolation, constraint, solitude) in Aquarius (social life, community, networks, friends). Follow the guidelines around social distancing to keep yourself safe, and especially to protect the most vulnerable people. But let’s also consider the language we use. What’s being called “social distancing” is not that: it’s physical distancing.
Language is powerful. What does it do to us to repeat over and over that we are socially distancing, isolating? Words are spells. We may have to speak this way to some extent, because this is the language that is used. But just because we are staying home, doesn’t mean we are socially distanced--not at all. I feel in many ways more connected with my loved ones now--through phone, text, email, social media, and in spirit. We’re all going through this together. How could that not bring us together? We might be kept apart physically, but let’s unite in mind and heart. And let’s cast our own spells of love and solidarity.
The New Moon in Aries (March 24) and the Current Lunar Cycle
Aries Season (March 20 - April 19)
Aries is the impetus for movement, for action. It’s our drive, our initiative; the raw energy that pushes us forward to new endeavours, that gives us the courage to try something new, to stand up for what we believe, to fight for what is right. At the New Moon on March 24th (and still for a few days after the New Moon), The Sun is conjunct Chiron, the Wounded Healer, and square to the nodal axis (the major, long-term themes at work). And we may indeed feel our impetus for action has been thwarted. But with Chiron here, the invitation is to take this as an opportunity to heal this part of ourselves, to direct our action in new ways.
The New Moon in Aries (March 24) conjunct Chiron (the Sun-Chiron conjunction is in effect for a few days still, and the New Moon sets the stage for the next month) merges the archetypes of wounded healer and warrior. And with so many planets still in Capricorn (hierarchy, military, control), the energy of war is on offer. The military have been called in to multiple locations to enforce lockdowns, and many have been using the language of war to describe the situation (Trump has called himself a “wartime president”). Trudeau is considering implementing the Emergency Measures Act, which is an updated version of the War Measures Act, and would grant enormous power to the government (again, there are good arguments for the use of such measures, so this is complicated territory).
There are deeply worrying potentials on offer. Militarism, heightened surveillance, and fascism are all in line with the astrology at hand. It’s important to be aware of these realities so that we can do what we can to protect our freedoms and democracy even while taking emergency measures when called for. We can protect our rights and freedoms by holding our leaders to account, by staying aware of what’s going on, by acting in the name of love, and by actively creating the world in which we want to live.
WE DO HAVE CHOICE. I think it’s pretty normal to feel powerless right now. But we are not powerless. What will we do with this potent and fiery Aries energy? We could spin our wheels, take up running, busy ourselves with chores, fight with our loved ones, get frustrated. Those are all options. Or we could stand in our power as divine souls and align as spiritual warriors, those who stand in truth and fight for and in love.
I know some people object to the use of the term “spiritual warrior”. There is nothing spiritual about war, and why use that language? I 100% believe that war is not necessary, and I believe humanity can overcome it. But I use the word, because, as an Aries, I feel very strongly the surge of warrior energy at this time of year. I resonate with that archetype, both in its lower and its higher manifestations. I know what it feels like to have that powerful driving energy rushing through me, and the feeling that I must direct it somewhere. And if it is not put to the service of something worthy, it’ll find it’s outlet through petty fights, reckless behaviour, or violence.
And when I seek to transmute that energy into its highest form, when I seek to align that fire with my soul, I know what it feels like to harness the archetype of “spiritual warrior”. In those moments, I feel like a warrior, willing to risk everything for my cause, which is love. I feel adrenaline surge, and I stand strong and tall. I know what’s right, my gaze is steady, my focus, complete. I know my cause, and know how to channel that immense and potent energy.
Aries can be self-centred. And fear can elicit a heightened self-focus, acting out of survival energy to protect oneself and one’s loved ones, without consideration for others. But a more mature Aries knows that what’s good for the other IS good for the self. That to be selfish means to take care of the community. A spiritually-minded Aries acts in their own best interest by serving the collective, because that IS in their own best interest. So greed (hoarding, etc) comes from the delusion that we’re all separate (an Aries wound--Chiron in Aries).
The networks of mutual aid springing up around the world, of people helping one another in reciprocal exchange--not waiting for the government to act, but going ahead and organizing and taking action, is one of the most beautiful and promising manifestations of Aries energy (as well as the Cancer North Node--care; and Saturn in Aquarius--work and effort organized as networks, for good of humanity). And it’s with these kinds of interconnected, community-minded, loving acts that we will win this fight for our survival, humanity, and freedom.
WE DO HAVE CHOICE. The collective is made up of individuals. And as each of us make little choices that may seem insignificant in our daily lives, they accumulate together to create big impact. Just looking at Saturn--Pluto conjunctions throughout history, they have corresponded with periods of war, conservative empowerment, fascism, and austerity. But we also know these periods correspond to moral integrity, great effort, important work, and the transformation of structures (Tarnas, 2007). This astrology gives us the ability to face dire circumstances with courage and integrity, and to harness great effort to accomplish much with little.
The actions that are in alignment will be different for everyone. Only you know how you can best serve. If you aren’t sure, try asking “what do I need right now?” Find a way to meet your needs, and that may mean asking for help at times. If your needs are met, try asking “how can I serve?” Work to discern answers that come from ego and fear, and those that come from soul and love. This is perhaps quite personal, but for me, answers that are in alignment feel like they come from above, as inspiration, and bring vital energy into my body and clarity into my mind. Answers that come from ego, keep me in a feeling of fear, frenzy, anxiety, confusion.
Action doesn’t necessarily mean something obvious. Parenting is a vital action. Inner work is action. Calling a friend, helping a neighbour, donating money, getting a good sleep--these are all forms of action. Making art, singing, cooking, loving visualizing, praying--these are all actions. But try to be wary of using spirituality or even creativity as escape. It’s can be a subtle difference. But feel into yourself to see if you are trying to avoid the current situation we’re in, or if you are working with it. Only you know.
The illusion of no agency is another Aries wound. The mindset that we have no influence. That leads to apathy, and the neutral discharge of Aries energy through exercise, entertainment, sex (which is all fine too, but let’s harness some of this powerful energy toward something of significance as well). The simple act of attending to your own needs will ripple care through the collective and spur transformation.
The powerful may try to snag more right now. But The People are so much more powerful than the elite. And I strongly believe we can come out of this situation stronger. I absolutely believe this could be a beautiful transformation for humanity in the long run. But it’s not guaranteed. We have to fight for it. We have to make sacrifices. And, unfortunately, people will suffer, and people will die.
And “the powerful” are at a disadvantage right now. When the economy collapses, who will be there to support them? They don’t know how to use song and prayer and love and solidarity. I think it’s really significant that the onset of Coronavirus coincided with Chinese outrage at government suppression. The established orders are losing power because people are waking up. More and more people are remembering spirit. More and more of us around the world are waking up out of the brainwashing and trance that come with capitalism and patriarchy.
Without minimizing the very real and dire coronavirus, I think we can understand this moment as a collective initiation into an utterly new order. The outcome is not determined. We have agency. So what will we make of this? What new order will we create? Will we create? Because if not, we will be at the mercy of those who do. Someone will have power at the end of this. May it be The People.
So, if this is a transition to a new era--what kind of world would you like to see? If each of us, in our own small way, can put energy toward creating the kind of world we want to see, think of what we can create together. Many people are still working hard to provide essential services. Many people are able to work from home. But for those of us who have more time on our hands, this is an incredible opportunity to undergo an internal transformation that the world may be transformed too.
If we long for a better world, I deeply believe that the transition must include transitioning to a new paradigm, a new worldview, a new way of living and being in the world. The transition is already underway, of course, but now, perhaps we have more time to invest in it. Let’s consider all the ways our sick systems have conditioned our thought patterns and behaviour, and work to release that garbage and hone a more loving, harmonious way.
What about connecting with your ancestors, talking to the plants, communing with the stars? What about going deep within yourself to offer yourself love and forgiveness? What about honing your skills as an energy healer, a death doula, a channel for the collective? When the wounded healer is active, it, of course, doesn’t just trigger our wounds. It triggers the healer inherent within each of us.
I fully support the healthcare system, and I’m not suggesting we replace it with woowoo healing. But I also believe that we’ve been taught over millenia that we must depend on outside sources for guidance, for connection to spirit, and for healing. And I think that’s coming to an end. I think we are now coming into ourselves, coming to see our own wisdom and divinity and ability to heal. I think many of us are coming to trust our own innate intelligence and the wisdom of our bodies. We are coming to see that we don’t need always to read books or take courses, but there is much that we know if we can just learn to trust ourselves.
The Future
I will take some time over the next weeks and months to write more about what’s coming up astrologically. But I do want to say now, that these themes we’re grappling with are not just going to blow over.
We have three Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions coming up (April 5th, June 30th, November 13th), focusing the Plutonic release of the Capricorn shadow, and impetus for death and transformation. The eclipse cycles do start to transition into Gemini-Sag this spring (the nodes shift signs on May 4th), but we nevertheless have two more eclipses along the Cancer-Capricorn axis, bringing in more news and events relating to these themes we’ve been grappling with: a solar eclipse in Cancer on June 20th (21st in most places), and lunar eclipse in Capricorn on July 5th. Mars in Aries will be square to Saturn, Jupiter, and Pluto in Capricorn in August, and Mars goes retrograde in Aries, meaning will have three of each of those squares, suggesting this will be an especially difficult Mars retrograde period-- Mars will be in Aries from June 6th until January 6th 2021 (usually Mars spends 2 months in a sign). That’s a big deal. All these Aries themes that we’ve been talking about will be heightened.
There are more important aspects to add to the list, but we’ll get there when we get there. And of course, there are always blessings too. The point I want to make is, be prepared for the long haul. Be prepared for hard work. Be prepared for initiation. Be prepared to step up into your own power. Be prepared to build the world anew. And when Saturn and Jupiter shift into Aquarius in December, and conjunct on December 21st, 2020, and then once Mercury and Mars and the Sun also shift out of Capricorn, over January 2021, the energy will shift. How will it shift? That is up to us, and how we invest our energy now. The future is unknown. We make the future with our intentions, thoughts, words, and actions now.
Read what I wrote about 2020
At the beginning of 2020, I wrote a series of posts that I called “All Our Skeletons: A Meditation on These Times”, in which I discussed the bigger themes playing out this year.
Welcome to 2020: A Whole New Era (quoted above)
The Great Work: Pluto in Capricorn (2008-2023)
Saturn-Pluto and the Projection Dynamic
Worldview: Jupiter in Capricorn (December 2019-December 2020)
Untangling This Ancient Know of Pain: Lunar Eclipse in Cancer
I stopped doing readings and answering messages for a few days in order to write this. If you’ve been waiting for a reading or a reply--my apologies--I will get back to you soon. <3
Sources
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51403795
https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-timeline.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_coronavirus_pandemic
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51930681
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/23/technology/coronavirus-surveillance-tracking-privacy.html
https://theintercept.com/2017/01/24/get-ready-for-the-first-shocks-of-trumps-disaster-capitalism/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmos_and_Psyche
https://www.democracynow.org/2020/3/20/coronavirus_community_response_mutual_aid