Astrologers predicted 2020 would be a defining year for us all—so what's next?

For decades, astrologers have been predicting that 2020 would be a year of massive global upheaval, thanks to the rare alignment of Saturn and Pluto on January 12. Few, however, could have foreseen the coronavirus pandemic that has unfolded over the past few months. “Most of us saw this as a very important year that would mark history by challenging us in very extreme ways,” says astrologer Chani Nicholas, author of You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance.

From the get-go, January’s planetary conjunction was an ominous sign as this particular celestial episode has coincided with some of history’s most significant events, including the start of the first and second world wars, the economic recession of the 1980s—and now the COVID-19 crisis. But, that’s not the end of the story when it comes to 2020’s astrological picture.

From key retrograde dates to the significance of eclipse season, here’s everything you need to know about the empowering astrological events still to unfold this year.

You’re likely to feel more ‘connected’

Neptune is particularly significant in the context of the pandemic and our reliance on one another—whether that’s sticking to social distancing rules, or giving support to those in need, says Los Angeles-based astrologer Juliana McCarthy, author of The Stars Within You: A Modern Guide to Astrology. The impact? “Neptune’s lesson is us recognising our interconnection and actually relating to one another with that understanding, instead of pretending like we’re separate.”

Jupiter will be sextile (60 degrees) to Neptune a total of three times this year (including July 27 and October 12), a position which astrologers say is likely to increase our sense of empathy and compassion.

We enter an era of female power 

This year’s most progressive astrological prediction is about female empowerment, with some astrologers viewing 2020 as the transition from a patriarchal to a matriarchal age (pegged to that Saturn-Pluto alignment). “As we had that conjunction—the north nodes of Pluto, Saturn, and the moon were in Cancer—an indication that we’re now moving into matriarchy. It’s interesting that the countries faring best in this pandemic are female-led,” McCarthy adds, pointing to the likes of  New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

How you consume news might change 

“We have a couple of eclipses at the end of the year in the Gemini-Sagittarius polarity [ie taking place in the two opposite star signs], which brings up issues related to propaganda, news and a free press,” says Jessica Lanyadoo, host of astrology podcast Ghost of a Podcast. “We have power in [being] critical consumers of news media; that means checking sources.” 

It doesn’t end there; eclipse season could also be a time to reflect on how we interact with those around us. “These are going to be opportunities to look at how you express care [for others] and to learn about what you need to do so that your actions express how you feel,” Lanyadoo adds. 

The dates to look out for: the lunar eclipse in Sagittarius on June 5, which is later followed by a lunar eclipse in Gemini on November 30 and total solar eclipse in Sagittarius on December 14. 

Take stock during the retrogrades 

While retrogrades are typically blamed for bringing about negative occurrences, more positively, they also present opportunities to take stock of our lives. The current Venus retrograde (May 13 to June 24), for example, is a time where astrologers say we should be reassessing our relationships. “We do have this chance to go deep within ourselves and recalibrate our self-worth so that we can improve our relationships,” says McCarthy. 

Meanwhile, Mars retrograde (September 9 to November 13) is tipped to be a period when we may have to keep our frustration or anger in check, particularly when dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic. “This is a time where we can be active agents of change for the problems that already exist,” Lanyadoo says. “The potential is there for us to be united in fighting the social and health problems that we face.”

Then there are two dreaded Mercury retrogrades to come (June 18 to July 12, and October 13 to November 3), meaning more seismic change could be afoot. Nicholas suggests the latter “does not bode well” in light of the US presidential election on November 3, as Mercury retrograde is believed to affect both communication and technology. 

But there is hope for 2021

Looking forward, the conjunction of Saturn and Pluto in Aquarius on December 21 is considered an opportunity for a fresh start, particularly as Aquarius relates to science, technology and innovation. “Aquarius is a sign that wants to understand systems so that it can innovate in the most intelligent and effective way possible,” Nicholas explains. “This conjunction has its own disruptive flair that will force many industries to change in ways that will make them near unrecognisable. I hope it’s a call to work with Earth and its resources in more sustainable ways.” 

Ultimately, astrology suggests there might be change on the horizon. “It is the end of one cycle and the beginning of another—a cause for hope, but a hope based on our willingness to participate in recreating our world,” Nicholas concludes.

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