The Astrology of 2023
/Welcome to a new year, friends! 2023 is a big year. After years of stagnation and frustration, the energy is shifting.
The astrology of 2021 and 2022 was marked by Saturn, the planet of consolidation and obstacles facing off against Uranus, the planet of revolution and disruption. This has resulted in tectonic shifts — slow and subtle with moments of intense explosions of action and movement.Anger bubbling over. Outrage and backlash. Frustration and outcry. We’ve also had eclipses in Taurus and Scorpio, further undermining the foundations of our lives — both individually and collectively.
But in 2023, the energy starts to shift. Saturn leaves Aquarius and enters Jupiter’s watery temple of Pisces. And Pluto, one of the slowest moving and most important planets for the collective, enters a new sign for the first time since 2008.
While these shifts might not be easy (especially depending on your birth chart), it will at least be different than what’s come before.
I’ve put together a short and sweet overview of some of the most important transits of 2023. If you want to learn more about how these transits will affect you personally, you can always book a year ahead consultation.
Saturn in Pisces - March 7, 2023 - May 25, 2025
Saturn leaves Aquarius (a fixed Air sign) and enters the watery, mutable sign of Pisces. This is a bit like slipping into a hot bath after being out in the cold. Saturn is already a cold planet — it tends to be emotionally reserved and stoic. But Pisces helps to soften Saturn up a bit, bringing in some much needed flexibility and flow into the structures and rigours of our lives.
Saturn is often a reality check — it forces us to confront the truth of a situation by bringing issues to the surface. Sometimes this can feel like a buzzkill, but ultimately, it brings an important lesson. (Wouldn’t you rather know the car is broken before you buy it?) While in Pisces, Saturn can helps us make our dreams a reality. It can help to give form and shape to something that typically effusive or vague.
Saturn in Pisces can help you prioritize the things that bring you awe, hope and inspiration. It can turn daydreaming into a practice. It can help you put in the work to make your dreams come true.
If you were born while Saturn was in Pisces, this means you are officially in your Saturn return! Congratulations! If you want to learn more about the Saturn return and why it’s important, book a Cosmic Check-In reading.
Pluto in Aquarius - March 23 - June 11, 2023
Pluto will spend a few months in Aquarius this year, giving us a preview of what the next 20 years have in store for us.
Pluto is one of the slowest-moving planets that astrologers study, and it tends to represent long-term political and social trends. Pluto was last in Aquarius from 1777 – 1798, a time period that included the American and French revolutions. So, you know, a super chill and normal time.
Pluto has been in Capricorn since 2008. It’s entrance into Capricorn was marked by the 2008 financial crisis (revolution and upheaval to assets and resources) and subsequent re-ordering of economies. You can look to your own birth chart and think about how the topics of your Capricorn house have been revolutionized and transformed over the past 15 years.
Pluto in Aquarius will likely bring revolution, transformation and catharsis to topics such as technology, civil/human rights, humanitarian issues, equality, social justice, information/data, privacy and more. Already we’ve seen AI bots like Midjourney and chatgpt getting really smart and sophisticated. I expect there to be even more developments in how we use algorithms and technology in society.
Pluto doesn’t get very far into Aquarius. It will station retrograde at 0° Aquarius and move back into Capricorn by June 2023. Think of March - April as giving you some hints and clues about what Pluto in Aquarius will bring.
What House contains Aquarius in your chart? That will give you even more insight into what to expect from this transit.
Venus retrograde in Leo from July 22 to September 3, 2023
Venus retrogrades are times to review, reflect and rethink your relationships, connections, creative pursuits and self-care habits. Venus retrograde can often bring back old relationships or people into our lives, giving us an opportunity to address old wounds or repair some ruptures.
Venus will square Uranus three times during its retrograde cycle, meaning that the summer might feel a bit more disruptive and unsettled than usual. Perhaps there are some surprising developments in your personal life or someone from your past returns in a dramatic, sudden manner.
Venus retrogrades occur in 8 year cycles. Think back to the summer of 2015 — what events and circumstances were taking place then? How might those old topics and stories resurface? What happened back then that still requires repair and healing?
Venus enters Leo on June 5, 2023
Stations retrograde on July 22, 2023 at 28° 36’ Leo
Stations direct on September 3. 2023 at 12°12’ Leo
Venus leaves Leo on October 3, 2023
This Venus retrograde will be extra important for you, if you have placements/points between 12° and 28° of Leo. Book a Year Ahead Reading to learn more.
Eclipses move from Taurus/Scorpio to Aries/Libra
The eclipses of 2023 are kind of awkward. 2023 marks a shift from having eclipses in the Taurus/Scorpio axis of our birth charts to the Aries/Libra axis. This means that four Houses in our birth charts will be activated, rather than the typical two.
This means that 2023 will see a wrapping up of the major topics of 2021/2022 and the beginning of new topics and themes in your life. There will likely be a period of time when these topics blend together and influence one another, especially in the spring and fall.
Be sure to check your chart to learn what Houses contain Aries, Taurus, Libra and Scorpio. That will help you predict what topics will be most important for you this year.
Think about what new things you’ve started since 2021. What is ready to come to an end? What relationships, jobs, friendships, homes have run their course? And what new things are ready to begin?
April 20, 2023 — Solar eclipse at 29°50’ Aries
May 5, 2023 — Lunar Eclipse at 14°58’ Scorpio
October 14, 2023 — Solar eclipse at 21°07’ Libra
October 28, 2023— Lunar eclipse at 5°09’ Taurus
Mercury retrogrades in Earth signs
Each year, Mercury retrogrades occur in signs of the same element. 2023 is a Earth year for Mercury retrograde. Each Mercury retrograde will occur in Earth signs.
In 2023, notice how you are using your resources. And I don’t just mean money, assets, finances (although that will be a big theme, too). I am also talking about how you spend your time and energy. What gets your attention? How do you care for yourself? What does your body need?Mercury retrograde in Earth signs asks you to notice your patterns and use your discernment about whether those patterns are helpful or harmful.
Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn
December 29, 2022 - January 18, 2023
24° Capricorn — 8° Capricorn
Mercury Retrograde in Taurus
April 21, 2023 - May 14, 2023
15°37’ - 5° 40’ Taurus
Mercury Retrograde in Virgo
August 23 - September 15, 2023
21°51’ Virgo - 8° Virgo
Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn & Sagittarius
December 13, 2023 - January 1, 2024
8° Capricorn to 22° Sagittarius
Thanks for reading my 2023 Astrology preview! Leave a comment below to let me know how your year is unfolding. Are you nervous or excited about Pluto entering Aquarius? Have you started your Saturn return?
I am currently booking 2023 Year Ahead Astrology readings! If you want a personalized tour of the year ahead, along with suggestions and support for how to make the most of this energy, book your session today.