Aquarium Age - Transformational Astrology

So here we are at the start of a new year, with all our hopes, dreads (not the hair), and expectations about what it will hold and how it will unfold. Frankly, I have no idea what 2024 will ultimately deliver, but I do know that it’s a year of intense transition. Yes, whenever I use that word “intense” I am talking about our planetary pal Pluto, the archetype of change at the core, the principle of transformation, and the gatekeeper of planetary mysteries, especially mysteries expressed through earthly upheaval.

You can liken Pluto’s effect to the effects of an earthquake: lifting up trees, trucks, and homes, and then planting those very things in holes where other things used to be—not gently, but quite firmly. Recently I suggested to someone that rather than trying to control the changes in her life and prevent the ensuing upheaval, she might want to concentrate instead on learning from the chaos of change—it has a lot to teach us, especially through Pluto’s presence. Pluto’s active presence signals cosmic earthquakes that are happening simultaneously and multidimensionally, and as if to signal the underlying principle of the coming year, on the first day of 2024, there was a massive earthquake in Japan—Pluto’s way of saying, “don't get too comfortable—more change is on the way.”

Generally, astrologers attribute earthquakes to Uranus, but this one seems Plutonian, especially given the astrology of the year. Pluto moves into Aquarius on January 20, signaling the end of one cycle— Pluto’s transit of Capricorn, which began in January 2007—and the start of a new one: Pluto’s transit through Aquarius, which begins in earnest in 2024 and ends in 2043. This fall, Pluto retrogrades back into Capricorn for one last visit, on September 1, and stays there until November 19—a brief, but fitting retrospective that’s certain to cause chaos during the next election for President of the United States of America.

You’ll hear a plethora of predictions about what Pluto in Aquarius will be like—how it will manifest, what it will focus on, etc.—but I think it might be wise to let Pluto show us its multi-manifestations rather than try to guess how this potent influence will be felt, both collectively and individually. Of course, if you are an Aquarius, you will feel Pluto’s move into your Sign quite keenly, but again, its influence will be unique to your lived experience. If you are one of the other Fixed Signs—Taurus, Leo, or Scorpio—you will also feel Pluto as a disturbing, insistent, and irritant force for transformation. If you are one of the other Air Signs—Gemini or Libra—you’re likely to feel Pluto as a supportive force, capable of holding the weight of your plans and projects. Fire Signs will burn slightly more brightly as Pluto’s transit through Aquarius provides the necessary fuel for turning dreams into reality. Several Signs—Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn, and Pisces—are not on the front lines of Pluto’s transit through Aquarius; for these four Signs I won’t be presumptuous enough to suggest it will manifest as a break from the intensity, but I can say relatively confidently that it won’t be as rough as the recent Pluto ride.

Mercury Direct began on January 1 and as 2024 begins, Mercury gathers forward momentum, putting a period on the retrograde slog that was nearly all of 2023’s autumn. It will take Mercury a couple of days to come up to speed, but I wouldn’t worry about that because it’s likely to take many of us a couple of days to come up to speed in this first week of the new year. We probably won’t feel Mercury’s forward motion truly moving us into 2024 until next week.

Jupiter Direct began late in the night EST on December 30, and now as it moves forward, we will feel its optimistic frequency. On April 20, there will be a Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in Taurus at 21 degrees 50 minutes. If you haven’t already heard about it, you will read a lot about this conjunction over the next several months—other than Pluto’s move into Aquarius, it’s probably the most important astral combination of the year. Its importance is attributable to several factors, not the least of which is its relative rarity—it occurs on a fourteen-year cycle. The German astrologers call it the “Thank the Lord” conjunction because it is indicative of benign as well as Divine Grace that rescues you from difficulty, and because this one occurs in Taurus, it helps you to put your feet on solid ground. Watch and observe how this conjunction manifests in collective reality; if you have a planet or a cluster of planets in your individual chart at this degree, also watch and see what transpires. This is one of the best ways to learn about applied astrology.

This year also began with an exact Venus/Saturn square, adding a sober and somber undertone to 2024. Try not to be too optimistic in setting your resolutions—this square could add a stern quality to those intentions and it would be wiser to be gentle with yourself rather than stricter and more demanding. You can put this fractious interaction to good use by channeling it into creative endeavors instead—Venus is the goddess of art and Saturn is the principle of groundedness; working with each other, their combined energies make it possible to ground creative ideas into actual works of art.

Mars enters Capricorn on Thursday, January 4, and as the planet of ambition transits the Sign of accomplishment, many of our fellow travelers could get lost in dreaming about what they would like to do instead of what they are actually doing. So be prepared for more than a few disgruntled people who are unhappy with the direction their life is taking and want to change its trajectory.

It's a busy first week that sets the tone for the rest of the year, which also promises to be busy—very busy. Try not to let the busyness of the New Year distract you from its deeper spiritual challenge: adjusting to Pluto’s new journey. We’ve learned a lot during Pluto’s transit of Capricorn, and while some of us wish that some of what we learned had stayed hidden, for the most part, it’s healthier to see what’s below the surface. I don’t know what we will find beneath the cool and calm of the Aquarius veneer, but we will find out soon enough. Yes, it will be intense, so be gentle with yourself during this transitional process—it’s good to be a spiritual warrior and it is also good to be mindful of what you need to stay strong and heathy.

Be especially kind throughout the year to those who don’t really understand what’s happening around them or to them. There will be a lot of upheaval as Pluto settles into its new groove, and those who don’t know that the sky is speaking will probably be inclined to think there is something wrong with them. They will need a tremendous amount of reassurance to make it through these waves. Above all, make this a year of kindness—we are going to need each other and kindness will be the best way to bond.