Astrology With Andy

The Astrology of 2023

I originally planned on publishing the “astrological year ahead” in January.

However, January and February had more in common with 2022 than 2023. For all intents and purposes, the new year begins in March (and not just because of the sun’s ingress into Aries on March 20th at 5:24 PM Eastern Time) because it’s a month that delivers a new moon at 0 degrees of Aries, Saturn’s entry into Pisces, and Pluto’s brief initial visit to Aquarius.

In other words, March is when a new astrological chapter begins. The shift, however, will be subtle. Remember, astrology deals with long-term cycles of transition and change.

Claims of  an overnight “new life-changing reality” and “new portals that open up and help manifestations happen at lighting speed” for people of certain sun signs may make for fun TikTok content, but that’s not how astrology works. Seriously, what is with the constant mention of “portals”? Enough already.

Let’s uncover and analyze the major astrological events of 2023.

SATURN MOVES INTO PISCES

On March 7th at 8:03 AM Eastern Time, Saturn enters Pisces. It will have an uninterrupted visit until May 24, 2025… and then pay a brief visit again from August 31, 2025 until February 13, 2026. Its last visit to Pisces also happened in two windows:

  • May 21 to June 30, 1993
  • January 28, 1994 to April 7, 1996

As Saturn travels through Pisces this time around, other planets will be in different signs than they were in the mid 1990s. In other words, this upcoming Saturn transit through Pisces will not be a carbon copy of the previous one, but I encourage you to think back to any major events that took place in your life during those years since similar themes may emerge (especially if you have your sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars or a sensitive angle in Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces… see the last section of this post for more details).

What can we expect on the global stage?

Well, when we consider the astrological archetypes, the following themes come up for Saturn: constriction, contraction, formality, grounding, law, limits, order, reality checks, restriction, and structure.

In Pisces, we encounter addiction, cults, escapism, glamour, healing, idealism, medicine, mental health, mysticism, psychology, religion, therapeutic modalities, and water.

Here is what I expect during Saturn’s visit to Pisces:

  • Additional, tougher, and new restrictions on water usage. Water shortages and scarcity will be the global focus during this Saturn transit.

 

  • Ocean acidification (which occurs when oceans’ pH levels decrease as they absorb higher amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere) will worsen. As Saturn makes its way through Pisces, this will also become an ecological hot topic — akin to what the hole in the ozone layer was in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

 

  • A stark reality check about personal development ‘gurus’, especially those espousing toxic positivity and late-stage capitalism disguised as ‘hustle culture.’ I expect at least one major “guru”’s house of cards to come crashing down, or at least for their fame to diminish significantly. Since Pisces also rules cults, expect MLMs to see massive drop-offs in revenue and active users.

 

  • On a related note, the influencing industry is going to lose major steam. Saturn in Pisces will pop that bubble significantly. The influencing industry will go through what the housing market went through in the late ‘00s. ‘Hustle culture’ will lose popularity and people will increasingly call out what’s behind that curtain: privilege, deceptive narratives, and false promises.

 

  • More laws/regulations around recreational drugs. This doesn’t necessarily mean harsher penalties — Saturn can be about legalization as a way to regulate use.

 

  • Another ‘mass exodus’ from organized religion (I say ‘another’ because Saturn’s previous sojourn through Pisces kicked off a major religious shift in the United States as fewer people began to identify with any religion and, for the first time, the number of people who considered themselves ‘not religious’ increased significantly).

 

  • Increased regulation around online mental health/therapy services (e.g., Better Help). I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these online therapy services in on the receiving end of a class-action lawsuit — or a big scandal — while Saturn makes its way through Pisces.

 

  • A sharp increase in the rejection of social media filters and unrealistic images (expect a lot of ‘think pieces’ in The New York Times, New York Magazine, and such publications about how 2023 – 2025 marks the end of the glamorous ‘Kardashian’ and ‘Real Housewives’ era of pop culture).

PLUTO MAKES ITS FIRST VISIT TO AQUARIUS

We won’t fully begin the “Pluto in Aquarius” era quite yet, but we are closer to it than ever. Pluto enters Aquarius on March 23 (and then retrogrades back into Capricorn on June 11… its next temporary entry into Aquarius begins January 20, 2024).

Pluto empowers, warps, distorts, corrupts, deconstructs, and/or transforms the topics of the planet that rules the sign. These topics go through a death and rebirth of sorts… forever changed.

Aquarius relates to science, scientific discoveries, technological advances, outer space, political and social revolutions, social change, egalitarianism, and progressive ideas.

Therefore, the common thread with Pluto in Aquarius events includes: technological and scientific breakthroughs, redistribution of power, giving a voice to the masses, and obtaining freedom and liberation.

Some things I believe we can expect during Pluto’s upcoming transit of Aquarius (we’ll see these themes begin to emerge significantly during this first, albeit brief, Pluto visit):

  • Significant advancements in holograms, nanotechnology, robotics, and artificial intelligence

 

  • The next industrial revolution (this time it won’t be factories, but rather artificial intelligence… things like Chat GPT will seem like child’s play by the time Pluto finishes its visit to Aquarius)

 

  • Power struggles around — and new definitions of — intellectual property

 

  • Major political revolutions

 

  • The emergence of new mainstream political parties (I especially see this happening in the United States)

 

  • Significant developments relating to outer space and space travel

 

  • New technologies that will decrease our dependence on oil (and will spearhead ecological breakthroughs)

 

  • Major advances in epigenetics and nutrigenomics

 

  • And, in true Aquarius form, technologies we can’t even fathom in 2020

JUPITER ENTERS TAURUS

Jupiter enters Taurus on May 16, 2023 and stays there until May 25, 2024 (in April of 2024, it meets up with Uranus… a very big deal, but I’ll address that in next year’s forecast).

High inflation rates (a consequence of the Saturn-Uranus square of 2021 and 2022 that destabilized global economic markets) will continue to be an issue as expansive Jupiter makes its way through the sign of banking and finance. This transit also indicates that interest rates will continue to increase in the United States (they will, however, reach their peak during this transit; expect them to begin to decrease in the summer or fall of 2024).

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

In preparation for this post, I put out a call on my Instagram for questions about the astrology of the coming year. Here is what you wanted to know.

Will Iran see big political changes in 2023?

I have studied Iran’s chart extensively (last year, a client from Iran booked a one-hour reading specifically for me to review Iran’s chart in detail). While last year’s protests were significant (they began while transiting Neptune was conjunct Iran’s Mars, indicating a certain dissolution of the patriarchy), there isn’t anything major happening in Iran’s chart until 2026 (when transiting Uranus — the planet of revolutions and uprisings — conjuncts Iran’s moon).

That isn’t to say we won’t see further developments. In 2023 and 2024, transiting Neptune will conjunct Iran’s Mercury. This indicates that the ruling party’s messaging and propaganda begins to lose relevance and power.

What are good times for new beginnings in 2023?

On March 21st at 1:22 PM Eastern Time, there will be a new moon at 0 degrees of Aries (literally the beginning of the zodiac). This new moon is ideal for new beginnings* — and my favorite of the year — because it also takes place while there are no retrograde planets.

*: Results will vary based on your individual chart. For more personalized information (including which new moons specifically ‘light up’ your chart), I recommend a reading with me.

Will tech layoffs continue?

Tech layoffs were the epitome of Saturn (restrictions, limits, downsizing) in Aquarius (technology and any digital/hi-tech industries). The tech sector will greatly benefit from Pluto’s permanent entry into Aquarius in late 2024, although I expect that one consequence of that transit will be a number of tech companies getting bought out by — or merged into — larger ones.

What can we expect with COVID-19 this year?

In 2021, I wrote a blog post where I mentioned that the post COVID-19 era begins in 2024. As Pluto finishes up its travels through Capricorn, a significant amount information (that was purposefully buried) will be uncovered about COVID-19 — especially about its long-term health effects.

How will Pisces people be affected by Saturn in Pisces?

Despite the fear-mongering I have seen on various social media platforms (along the lines of “… if you are a Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces, you’re about to enter a very difficult period of your life because of Saturn,”) the only accurate answer is: it depends.

In 2023, the only Pisces folks who will be affected by Saturn will be those born within the first eight days of the sign. Remember, Saturn will be in Pisces for two and a half years. So, late Pisces (eg: someone born March 18) won’t feel Saturn’s effects until 2025. Also, you have to look at your entire chart. Even if Saturn sits on top of your Pisces sun in 2023, your moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars may be on the receiving end of helpful and beneficial transits. And, we also have to look at what’s happening in your progressed chart.

Of course your sun sign matters. But, I urge everyone to stay away from horoscopes that only look at your sun sign. You’re only getting about 5 percent of the full story, which isn’t particularly helpful or accurate.

Who will win the 2024 United States presidential election?

It’s impossible for me to answer this until we know the nominees. As I explained in my last blog post, I don’t expect Donald Trump to be the nominee (the astrology of his presidential announcement was horrendous). Joe Biden has a lot of challenges coming up in his chart, so I would be surprised if he runs (if he does and *if* he wins, I don’t see him completing a second four-year presidency).

THE PERSONAL PLANETS’ 2023 RETROGRADES

Make note of these dates, which relate to retrogrades of the three personal planets (Mercury, Venus, and Mars).

As usual, I will say more about each of these retrogrades on my Instagram page as we approach them.

  • April 21, 2023 – May 14, 2023: Mercury retrograde
  • July 22, 2023 – September 4, 2023: Venus retrograde
  • August 23, 2023 – September 14, 2023: Mercury retrograde
  • December 13, 2023 – January 1, 2024: Mercury retrograde

WHO WILL BE MOST AFFECTED BY THE ASTROLOGY OF 2023?

When it comes to forecasting events and experiences through astrological transits, I only focus on the movement of the slower-moving planets: Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Their slower speeds mean that their effects are felt for a significant period of time (as opposed to the moon, which has an orbital period of 28 days and, if it impacts something in your chart, only does so for roughly eight hours).

If you don’t know the placements of your sun, moon, planets, and sensitive angles: head to Astrodienst, enter your birth information, and create a free chart. Then, read below to determine if you will be affected.

YOU’LL BE HELPED BY SATURN IF: you have the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, or a sensitive angle (ascendant/descendant; IC/Midheaven) between 0 and 7 degrees of Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, or Capricorn.

If this is you, 2023 will mainly be about solidifying and crystallizing. Even when Saturn is helping, it’s still true to form. In other words, you will be asked to “do the work” and put in significant effort. But, Saturn on your side is a lot like having the best coach training you. You will be put through the paces. However, by the time you are done, you will walk away with a tremendous set of skills.

YOU’LL BE CHALLENGED BY SATURN IF: you have the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, or a sensitive angle (ascendant/descendant; IC/Midheaven) between 0 and 7 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces.

While I don’t do “doom and gloom” astrology, I also don’t sugarcoat things. Saturn challenges are a doozy. There’s no way around it. As I tell my private clients, a Saturn challenge has a purpose and a lesson. We aren’t challenged because of “bad karma” or for the sake of suffering.

This simply comes down to Saturn’s role in astrology: the auditor. Saturn wants to make sure everything is running smoothly. And, to make sure that’s happening, Saturn stress tests our lives. Whatever is on its last leg will not make it through a Saturn challenge. This can sometimes be difficult because, prior to the Saturn challenge, it’s easier to live in denial (“okay, so maybe this relationship isn’t the healthiest… and I don’t feel listened to… but at least we’re not cheating on each other!”). Once Saturn comes along, anything built on a shaky foundation crumbles.

YOU’LL BE HELPED BY URANUS IF: you have the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, or a sensitive angle (ascendant/descendant; IC/Midheaven) between 15 and 23 degrees of Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn, or Pisces.

When Uranus supports your chart, the winds of change blow quite strongly — and in your favor. It’s important to remember that beneficial aspects from a planet don’t mean we can avoid a given planet’s archetypal energy; rather, it means we have an easier time integrating it. Supportive Uranus transits also make us seek change and reinvention.

YOU’LL BE CHALLENGED BY URANUS IF: you have the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, or a sensitive angle (ascendant/descendant; IC/Midheaven) between 15 and 23 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius.

When Uranus challenges something in our chart, we learn lessons about detachment and going with the flow. Irrevocable change takes place (often times at the hands of others, and the kind of change we have no say over, but nevertheless has tremendous downstream effects). Challenging Uranus transits become a hundred times more challenging if our response is to fight change and maintain everything as it is.

YOU’LL BE HELPED BY NEPTUNE IF: you have the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, or a sensitive angle (ascendant/descendant; IC/Midheaven) between 24 and 27 degrees of Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, or Capricorn.

True to form, Neptune is the most subtle of the slower-moving planets. Nevertheless, the effects of supportive transits are felt — mainly as a time of increased inspiration, sensitivity, and compassion. Many people often discover an artistic talent or skill during beneficial Neptune transits, too.

YOU’LL BE CHALLENGED BY NEPTUNE IF: you have the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, or a sensitive angle (ascendant/descendant; IC/Midheaven) between 24 and 27 degrees of Gemini, Virgo Sagittarius, Pisces.

This is the “buyer beware” transit. When Neptune challenges our chart, we must remember that our perception of reality is temporarily skewed. What looks and sounds fabulous now will look and sound much different when the transit is over. I strongly advise against making major life changes and decisions during a challenging Neptune transit to avoid buyer’s remorse down the line.

Challenging Neptune transits are the equivalent of Alice falling down the rabbit hole. The risk of wanting to escape life’s troubles to such a degree that we find ourselves in the midst of an addiction is higher than ever. The best way to navigate a challenging Neptune transit is by ensuring we have things — and people — in our lives that help ground us and provide a realistic perspective of what is taking place. These transits are also often rife with dishonesty and delusion (from others as well as self-inflicted).

YOU’LL BE HELPED BY PLUTO IF: you have the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, or a sensitive angle (ascendant/descendant; IC/Midheaven) between 27 degree of Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, or Pisces and 0 degrees of Aries, Gemini, Libra, or Sagittarius.

I refer to beneficial Pluto transits as “power transits”, because these are the transits that can potentially help us uproot our lives, level up, and become our best selves. This is still Pluto we are talking about, so any changes deployed as a result of this transit will be systemic and life-changing.

As I often tell clients, Pluto’s idea of change isn’t “let’s change the color of the walls in the bedroom!”; it’s “let’s completely demolish this house and build a new one.” For many people, beneficial Pluto transits allow them to finally heal from unresolved trauma and address baggage that has gotten in the way of their evolution and fulfillment. If you’re willing to go deep and transform, this transit can give you the emotional makeover of your dreams.

YOU’LL BE CHALLENGED BY PLUTO IF: you have the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, or a sensitive angle (ascendant/descendant; IC/Midheaven) between 27 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn and 0 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius.

Think of a Pluto challenge as a category 5 hurricane that decimates whatever isn’t strong enough to sustain its power. And, whatever is strong enough will nevertheless be put through the wringer. It’s important to understand that challenging Pluto transits have a purpose: to facilitate regeneration. It can be difficult for (most of) us to recognize when something is over or when a cycle has come to an end.

During a challenging Pluto transit, we are faced with that truth. Sure, at first it can be harrowing and a tough pill to swallow. But, Pluto transits are quite long (often times up to two  years) because Pluto then sticks around to supervise the rebuilding process.
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I  have tried my best to make this post as thorough and informational as possible, but there is a limit to how specific I can get when writing to a vast collective. If you would like to learn what the next twelve months look like for your personal birth chart, please book a year-ahead reading with me.