Many of us hope that the astrology of 2023 is a breath of fresh air. We’ve had challenging astrology patterns for the last 3 years. And for many, life events have been by turns intense, upsetting, or volatile. So, what lies ahead?
While new energy is arriving this year, 2023 will continue to ask big questions of humanity. Perhaps this year can be read as a time of transition. Where we’ve been is shifting, to where we need to go next.
Let’s explore how to navigate this transition with knowledge of the astrology of 2023.
NEW ASTROLOGY THEMES
Sizeable changes sweep through the horoscope this year. Powerful energies shift into new signs of the zodiac. Let’s go through these changes one by one.
- Pluto goes into Aquarius
- Saturn goes into Pisces
- Nodal Axis goes into Aries/Libra
- Jupiter goes into Taurus
PLUTO IN AQUARIUS
Pluto dips into Aquarius in April 2023, for 3 months. It then returns to Capricorn, where it has been since 2008.
As the icy outlier of the solar system, Pluto takes 250 years to orbit the Sun. Therefore, Pluto changing signs is a rare event. And a momentous astrological shift.
PLUTO JOURNEYS INTO THE DARK
Wherever Pluto is in our charts, or in the zodiac, there is a pressure point. Old psychological patterns bubble away like a witches cauldron. Here we must confront something dark. In ourselves, in life, or in others. These patterns make it easy to get stuck in difficult emotions. Such as resentment or shame or rage. Or in power struggles with other people.
Therapy or professional counselling is Pluto’s ‘go-to’ power tool. This is a safe place to work on the witches brew. And explore underlying patterns. Willingly undertaking a guided journey into the dark heart of things can slowly turn the burning ferment of painful emotions into something of value. At its best, we emerge transformed. With a kind of inner truth and power not previously available.
What does this mean for Aquarius?
THE AGE OF AQUARIUS
Aquarius energy pushes for a new society. It faces us toward the future.
Aquarius wants change, motivating us to rebel against any stale status quo. It also urges freedoms, and humanitarian values such as equal rights.
As an air element sign of the zodiac, Aquarius expresses mental interests. Ideas and discoveries are its territories.
As well, Aquarius is associated with the world views of the New Age where mind, body, and spirit are interconnected in a holistic idea of reality.
Areas of life associated with any of these themes may soon become home to Pluto’s cauldron. Pluto’s presence will challenge us to process dark Aquarian realities so that we might realise a more valid Aquarian power. As individuals, and as a collective.
COOL FACT!
The degree at which Pluto stations in Aquarius in April, May, and June of 2023 is exactly where the Great Chronocrator happened in late 2020! This astronomical event is believed by some to signify the birth of the Aquarian Age. Add Pluto to the mix, and the infancy of the New Age becomes less kumbaya and more a fire walk.
Pluto in Aquarius lasts until 2043. Until then, expect the Aquarian dream of a Brand-New World to intensify. Yet the pathway to progress, according to Pluto, will be deep inner exploration. As individuals, groups, and collectives, we must learn to own our stuff. In this way, our activism might become more honest and authentically empowered.
Perhaps changing the world more truly begins with changing ourselves.
SATURN IN PISCES
In early March, Saturn moves into Pisces for about three years. Saturn transits always challenge us to grow up. To get real. To see how life actually is.
Saturn demands that we deal with problems in a steadfast way.
Here is an idea of how we experience Saturn. Think about how Saturn in Aquarius has taught many of us to respond with endurance, maturity, and consideration through the lockdowns and social restrictions of recent times. Many of us got the message – we are personally responsible for how we impact others in our society.
What may Saturn teach us in Pisces? Pisces is a water sign, and doesn’t have direct social concerns like Aquarius does. It is a more spiritual energy, concerned on a worldly level with bringing compassion to suffering. Pisces also signifies mystical experience, altered states, sensitive feelings, and the gift of imagination.
Here are some thoughts about what our new Saturn tests might involve. They are more likely to be personal for you if Saturn in Pisces strongly triggers your birth chart.
2023 SATURN TESTS
- The pain of grief and loss
- Losing faith
- Addictions as pain avoidance
- Fundamentalist religions
- The spread of disease and infection
- Water problems, like floods or droughts
2023 SATURN POTENTIALS
While Saturn tests are inherent to life, we can also choose Saturn activities that are good for ourselves and others. And Saturn in Pisces can be both beautiful and uplifting:
- Growing spiritually through life’s trials
- Practicing compassion
- Being of service where you can help
- Working hard at building a dream
- Great works of art or music
- Managing water responsibly
Want to add more ideas to the mix of what we might expect our Saturn in Pisces learning to be? If so, it helps to examine other historical moments when this energy was active.
Writer and astrologer Jessica Davidson has written terrific articles about this if you’d like to read more.
OTHER NEW ENERGY
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NODAL AXIS IN ARIES/LIBRA
In July, the Moon’s Nodal Axis, generally interpreted as indicating karma and a direction for spiritual growth, shifts signs. The new emphasis will be in Aries and Libra. The solar eclipses of 2023 also happen in these signs.
What might this mean for our lives?
The clash between a need for partnership and going it alone is in the headlights. With the North Node moving into Aries, we must find the courage to act in our own best interests. Yet the South Node in Libra reminds us that our relationship with others is our best resource.
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JUPITER IN TAURUS
In May, Jupiter, the planet we associate with good luck and happy outcomes, moves into Taurus.
Taurus is the money sign. But at a deeper level, it wants us to make life comfortable. The possibility of becoming more able to graze on a greener paddock is looking good. Perhaps even a financial windfall or two for those truly lucky.
Jupiter will also ease the waning dynamic between Uranus and Saturn that has been at the heart of stressful change during the last 2 years. Why? Because Jupiter will become neighbour to Uranus in Taurus and from there make a happy sextile to Saturn in Pisces.
Volatility in the financial world comes with Uranus in Taurus. Add Jupiter to the picture mid-year and we may hope for a degree of positive change in righting some wrongs of world financial inequalities.
Also helpful is the Jupiter sextile to Saturn. Here is an opportunity to boost the economy with more sustainable growth. Let’s hope decision makers seize the day.
More generally, this combination of positive energies later in 2023 may suggest some opportunity for recovery from the extraordinary collective change of recent years.
RETROGRADES
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JANUARY 2023 – THE BRAKES COME OFF
It was a frustrating end to 2022, with Mercury, Mars, and Uranus all retrograde. Now the brakes come off throughout January. We are more likely to think clearly, take successful action, and embrace change, as events of recent months slowly unwind.
It’s okay to take your time for this to happen. The learnings of Mars retrograde often bring up anger and difficulty around appropriate self-assertion. With Mars in Gemini, this can concern speaking your mind, being heard, or getting the facts. There may be a lot to process over the next month or two, and that’s okay.
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VENUS RETROGRADE
In 2023 it’s the turn of the love planet, Venus, to turn retrograde. That will happen in the sign of Leo in the months of July, August, September.
The big and extravagant, loving nature of Venus in Leo may feel off during this time. Or be out of synch with events that happen. Loving partners who are your biggest fans may go missing in action.
As always, retrograde periods are times for reflection and review. In this instance, to sort out the wheat from the chaff in your love life. This can be a perfect time to find ways to better love yourself, and to realise who loves you for who you are.
2023 – TIME OF TRANSITION
As 2023 progresses, these energy shifts will begin to take shape. Even if, as with Pluto in Aquarius, it’s just a taste of things to come.
As we transition to new challenges and opportunities, may you hear the voice calling you to grow, to take next steps in becoming you, and to love yourself into being.
For all of us sometimes that feels hard to do. So, when times are hard, reach out for guidance and support. Astrology readings with an experienced professional often help to make sense of life events, to navigate difficult life transitions, and to recover heart for the journey.
To learn more about what the astrology of 2023 could mean for you, or to explore helpful pathways for your unique potential, join me online for a personal astrology reading.
