During the Autumn Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere and the Spring Equinox in the North, we will all witness the first major planetary ingress for 2020. Saturn will move into its new sign of Aquarius, after grinding its way arduously through Capricorn since December 2017.

Saturn’s current stay in Aquarius will only last around three months because it will return again to Capricorn to ‘finish off some business’ before its permanent move into Aquarius in December 2020. 

This three-month period will give us an insight into what’s in store for us later this year. Already we are seeing the dramatic Carona Virus saga unfold, which appears to be challenging global health, economic, distribution, ecological and social systems towards an entire worldwide depression. These groundbreaking influences are shaking up the norms of our current society, creating both positive and negative mindset shifts to the collective, as a new world paradigm awaits.

Saturn in Aquarius heralds this shake up, just as it did  in between 1991-1993 during the civil wars of Somalia, Ethopia and Sierra Leonne, the Gulf War, the abolishment of Apartheid and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Prior to this, the Saturn in Aquarius of 1964 saw the escalation of US involvement in the Vietnam War, significant advancements in space exploration and the establishment of the Civil Rights Act in the US.

Something about Saturn in Aquarius brings a breakdown of existing structure, leading to independence or some kind of new collective reorganisation. This collective reorganisation reminds me of the analogy of the beehive when they decide to swarm. A bee colony is arguably one of the most complex and organised systems of collective thinking. Every decision is made through the contribution of every single bee, including when to swarm, where to swarm to and which bees will go or stay. Just as the historical examples illustrated, the pre-swarm and swarming period is disruptive and insecure. But, the ultimate agenda is to create a new home that will better serve the needs of the collective order.

Leaving Capricorn – the story so far…

It’s been quite a journey for Saturn so far, having experienced some challenging aspects to Ketu (South Node) and Pluto during its time in Capricorn. These difficult housemates have undermined Saturn’s attempts at creating order and structure. Through their cathartic and intense natures, Pluto and Ketu have consistently uprooted any Saturnian foundations laid, insisting that loss and release are the groundwork for a new, purified future, much to Saturn’s frustrations.

In late December 2019, I published an Eclipse Forecast article stating that Saturn and Pluto…

“have been holding the secrets of some pretty big plans that are about to be announced when they finally make their exact conjunction…”

As the Saturn Pluto conjunction unfolded, the severity of the Australian bushfires was revealed to us through the great loss of life, wildlife, habitats, homes and businesses ; threats to economic stability; and the illuminations of our past environmental mismanagement.

Then, with the fires of purification diffused, we now face a new global challenge of a viral pandemic threatening to collapse the global ecomony. In my opinion, this pandemic is part of the process that will pave the way to a new paradigm of living that will emerge during December 2020. But for now, Saturn’s entry into Aquarius will show us all the issues, challenges and duties that lie in front of us as we work out how this new life might look like, because we must breakdown before we can breakthrough.

As it turns out, the world has literally stopped due to the Carona Virus. Globally, schools, businesses, events, and all non-vital forms of public life have been closed down in an attempt to reduce the spread of this virus. Supermarket shelves have been cleared out as people stock up for this viral apocalypse, showing how vulnerable our current systems are and how resilient (or not) individuals are in coping with external pressures . In November 2019, I wrote about 2020 as the upcoming year of austerity and contraction in my article, Jupiter in Capricorn – A Necessary Contraction

“…Jupiter’s initiation into the Capricorn and Saturnian rites will prepare us for the ripening fruits of change. Economic and environmental pressures will continue to be the norm and our reality will have to encompass a way of living that’s simple, thrifty and sustainable….For the next 12 months, Jupiter will be co-present with this heavy cluster (Saturn, Pluto, Ketu) and he will need to learn how to adapt his extravagant ways in order to conform and survive. A conservative approach with minimal risk – a must.”

So where does this leave us now?

As I wrote in the Eclipse Forecast article in December 2019,

“The anticipating feelings around life’s restructure and reorganisation can often be stressful and uncertain. You may not be able to see the new structure of your life at this time, however, the important footings for the next 38-year chapter in your life are being laid.”

From an astrological standpoint, the archetypes are informing of new change in the air – a breakthrough of the stuffy structures that are crumbling (Saturn in Capricorn) to a new paradigm of ideas, technologies and collective order, heralded by Saturn moving into Aquarius.

Based on Saturns movements over the next three years, the period between 22nd March – 2nd July is a telescope into what our inner and outer worlds might look like during the longer period that Saturn will be in Aquarius during December 2020 – March 2023. That’s because Saturn will enter Aquarius on the 22nd March, go retrograde (backwards) on the 11th May then re-enter Capricorn again on the 2nd July. Saturn will eventually move direct (forwards) again  to spend its last months in Capricorn before it enters Aquarius permanently in December 2020 to March 2023.

Mark your calendars!

From now until the 2nd July – you’ll have front row seats to observe your future trajectory with regards to Saturn’s placement in your chart. However, keep in mind that when this kind of phenomena happens with planets moving in and out of a sign, the first pass is usually the most challenging. The initial entrée into a new sign is like a shock to the system. It presents the issues, challenges and tasks that set the agenda for its long term stay in that sign. So while we are thick in the Covid-19 panic and confusion right now, by December 2020 when Saturn permanently moves into Aquarius, we will have a clear agenda on our hands. Clarity will go a long way to restore order and build structures.

A new home for Saturn

Any planet changing signs is an important astrological milestone because it signifies a new expression of that planet’s influence on the ‘below’. With any sign shift comes changes in temperaments, dignities, strengths and weaknesses all of which filters down to the way we experience our lives in the wider social / political context right down to our personal and psychological encounters.

Being the ruler of both Capricorn and Aquarius, Saturn will remain in its own rulership throughout this sign change. So the good news is that the archetype of Saturn will be experienced in its most productive form, as any planet in its own sign can thrive in its own home. Therefore we will continue to experience the best qualities of Saturn in our lives. So; discipline, duty, responsibility, productivity and the benefits we reap from these qualities is what we can expect.

Nevertheless, being disciplined, dutiful, responsible and productive is not entirely fun for many people. The ancients coined the term ‘malefic’ to the associations of Saturn for good reason. Saturn’s most positive outcomes requires hard work and challenges. Saturn presents our past consequences to us, so that we have no choice but to be accountable for them. If we’ve honoured our duties well in the past, Saturn will show us the achievements we’ve earned. On the other hand, we can also meet the heavy consequences of our past inactions too.

From crumbling structures to collective re-organisation

One of the great things about Saturn moving into Aquarius is that Saturn will finally move away from the heavy grip of Pluto and Ketu, which has delivered significant pressures, loss and purification characteristic of the destruction we’ve observed on our environment, economy and climate over the past year. With all of that out of the way, Saturn in Aquarius has the potential to restructure the collective pool in ways that can breakthrough the stagnant binds of consensus. It is now free to get on with the job of collective restructure.

Yet, it will do this in unconventional and disruptive ways, because that’s how Aquarius rolls. When significant change is required, we need this Aquarian energy to breakdown the rigid walls of long held beliefs and structures. Only after the shakeup can we start to see a breakthrough to a new vision. Perhaps a viral pandemic is the kind of shakeup we need to make some long overdue global changes as people move towards a more basic and sustainable level of survival.

A new paradigm of innovation and technologies to connect humanity

Being a cold and dry planet, Saturn entering a wet and hot sign of Aquarius will see this ‘lone wolf’ planet become more interested in social connections and collective integration. The added warmth will lift Saturn out of its melancholic state and into the airy world of ideas, connections and innovations.  It’s interesting that even despite the world mandate on self-isolation at this stage, I’m hearing conversations like ‘separate not isolate’, encouraging other forms of communication and connections to occur across all levels of society. The internet, which falls in the domain of Aquarius, will play an important role in this ‘separate not isolate’ phase  and I’ve seen the trend of medical practitioners consulting online, including my Pilates teacher who has closed the studio and offered all classes to be online! Such innovations are just the beginning of what we can expect to see with Saturn in Aquarius. I suspect more developments in technological innovations, particularly involving  the air realm which will pave the way to a new world.

Communities are also being activated to participate in supporting each other in this time. The village concept has been re-awoken, albeit in a virtual manner, and the Aquarian brotherhood / sisterhood is rising up with new collective agendas.

Saturnian shadows – fears and control

Where Saturn goes, it brings much fear and rigidity, especially of the unknown or anything that may risk it being overthrown. The panic buying situations scream this kind of Saturnian fear of security. The deep seated collective fears are being raised to our consciousness, highlighting just how close an entire global economy can be to a collapse. Saturn rules walls. It sits on the fence with great authority to retain order and structure. How long will Saturn maintain this order with the Aquarian anarchy rising – equipped with new technologies, innovations and information sources?!

Symbolisms of Saturn in Aquarius

The following points are a guide to possible experiences and manifestations we could notice during the Saturn in Aquarius observation period, and later this year when Saturn makes its final move into Aquarius in December 2020. Look through your Saturn in Aquarius lens – what can you see?

Visionary

As one of the three humane signs of the zodiac, Aquarius is deeply concerned with humanity at large, the collective and social issues. With the hard-working Saturn traversing across Aquarius, we can expect to feel a deep responsibility to the greater collective as we work towards shared visions that concern broad social and political issues. Some possible experiences include:

• Activating our sense of duty to a larger social context
• Establishment of a shared, long term vision
• Seeding ideas that are unconventional or novel
• Blending of tradition with future ideals
• Rigidity of thought and ideals and the possibility of bias / prejudice (Aquarius being fixed in nature)
• Social reform
• The idea that everyone has a role to play within a society

Breakdown / Breakthrough

The uncertainty and unpredictability of Aquarius can cause challenges that are hard to manage. Here we have a planet (Saturn) that’s generally not keen for unnecessary change, mixing with a sign that is unconventional and looks to challenge the status quo. What results is inevitable change in some capacity that promises a breakthrough of kinds, but usually pre-emted by a breakdown. Some possible manifestations include:

• Testing of boundaries
• The relationship between anarchy and order
• Shifting of boundaries / limits / established structures
• De-centralised power
• People powered
• Social reform

Community / Brotherhood / Sisterhood

While the Aquarius energy is aloof and individualistic, it revels in the comraderie of a shared ideal with the collective or group. The notion of community will be a strong emphasis while Saturn is in Aquarius.

• Rising importance of collective groups and community spirit
• Human consequences becoming real and unavoidable
• Connections emphasised – networking, alliances, shared values,
• Seeding ideas, propoganda, cult groups, utopian chasers
• Contribution to social reform
• New structures to community projects and initiatives
• Individuals contributing their unique skillset or projects towards the greater collective

Innovation

New challenges and necessities will stimulate ideas, research, developments and innovations in technologies.

• Technology step up
• Connection through technology
• New and emerging technologies being established
• Collective projects to support new innovation and technologies
• Business, political and social conversion towards embracing more technologies / innovation

Individualism / Freedom

From isolation stems the rise of one’s individuality. The disruption to one’s normal routines can also bring a renewed sense of exhilaration, excitement and freedom.

• Structure for individual expression / freedom developing
• Facing fears of uniqueness or ostracisation
• Establishing one’s individuality
• Confronting the rigidity of one’s ideals / bias’ and ostracising others
• Discipline in allowing oneself to exercise their own individualism

Mental realm

With Aquarius being an air sign, Saturn will direct the global affairs towards associations with the air element.

• More collective discussions around ideas, thoughts and visions
• Planning for a new future
• Air related technologies – wireless and beyond, who knows what this could be yet?
• Air-related issues such as the smoke haze we experienced earlier this year, and now virus – what next? Possible challenges including biofumigation, electro-magnetic fields, etc.

Key dates

Of course, there are other astrological transits happening that are being revealed in this viral crisis. This article only summarises Saturn’s move into Aquarius within this context. Other important transits such as the Jupiter Pluto conjunction will have a major impact, but it is beyond the scope of this article. As always, I will be updating my followers on the movement of the planets across the zodiac on my email list and social media channels, so join in the conversation there if you haven’t already.

Meantime, here are the key transits of Saturn aspects to other planets during the observation period of 22 March to 2 July 2020.

• Ingress into Aquarius – 22 March
• Saturn conjunct Mars – 1 Apr
• Saturn trine Venus – 5 Apr
• Saturn sextile Mercury – 12 Apr
• Saturn square Sun – 21 Apr
• Saturn square Mercury – 29 Apr
• Saturn retrograde – 11 May
• Saturn trine Mercury – 13 May
• Saturn trine Sun – 22 May
• Ingress into Capricorn – 2 Jul

Saturn in Aquarius in your natal chart

Look at your natal chart and see where the sign of Aquarius falls. If you’re interested in exploring what Saturn in Aquarius means for you personally, book a natal consultation session here.