The new year sure won’t waste any time, and it will be one of great change and movement. The astrology of 2023 gets started with a rush of momentum. Mercury, Mars and Uranus end their respective retrogrades within a few weeks time. Mars goes direct in Gemini on January 12, bringing an end to sluggishness and delayed results. Mercury emerges from its retrograde in Capricorn on January 18, and we feel assured in our sense of direction. Then we have the Great Awakener Uranus coming direct in Taurus on January 22, and it’s about time we revolutionize a specific area of our lives.
Of course, larger forces are at play here and they truly set the tone for 2023. The major events include a Venus retrograde, a critical eclipse, but more importantly the transits of Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn. The trio changed life as we knew it, when they met up in 2020. Just like the planets, slowly but surely, we are moving on!
March 2023
March of 2023 will be an intense month, as both Saturn and Pluto are changing signs. When planets like these change signs and switch up the impact it has a profound and slightly uncomfortable effect. These two are slow-moving, and when they enter a new sign they cross and tend to hang around the critical 0 degree.
Saturn Transits Pisces 2023
Saturn is the first to make a move on March 7. Serious Saturn has been at home in Aquarius for the last 2.5 years (the length of time Saturn typically spends in one sign.) While Saturn ventured through Aquarius we restructured our social lives and world views on a grand scale. The transit helped us all innovate a specific area in our lives. Now taskmaster Saturn is moving into Pisces on March 7. Pisces traditionally rules the 12th House of self-undoing or death/rebirth. As Saturn journey’s through Pisces for the next 2.5 years we’ll all drastically transform one area of our lives. It may also be time for some to confront their subconscious beliefs, spirituality and work/life balance.
Saturn Retrograde
We’ll be getting our first lesson in Pisces on June 17, when Saturn goes retrograde at 7 degrees of Pisces. This means we’re in for a review in Pisces’s first decan, which is ruled by Neptune who is occupying the later half of the sign. For the majority of 2023, you may notice themes of searching for or finding a purpose, and maybe even reworking an old one. While Saturn is retrograde we’ll be releasing what no longer serves— Saturn loves to excavate when he moves through. As we do this we’ll all be hashing out game plans for our journey to purpose. Saturn stations direct on November 4, at the critical 0 degree. Around this time we may feel as if we are starting from square one, but we are further along than we lead on.
Pluto Transits Aquarius
Just as Saturn switches up on us, so will Pluto. The lord of the underworld has been in Capricorn since 2008, slowly transforming our ambition, drive and aspirations. When Pluto crosses the threshold into Aquarius on March 23 it marks the dawn of a new era. For the next decade and beyond we’ll completely transform the way we communicate and connect with one another. Advancements in science and technology are on the agenda and we’ll see these go through some major and drastic changes. We’ll experience just a sliver, a little taste of what life will be like with Pluto in Aquarius.The energy may feel a bit strange until June, when Pluto moves back into Capricorn.
Pluto Retrograde 2023
Pluto goes retrograde on May 1 and backtracks into Capricorn on June 11. There is one last thing we have to revisit, one last final push toward who we want to be in this life and the legacy we wish to leave behind. Pluto will also get dangerously close to America’s natal Pluto, and cause an important turning point in America’s Pluto return. Pluto ends its retrograde on October 10. For the rest of 2023, we are emerging from our Capricorn caccons. We’ve turned every stone and leaf. We not only understand what it takes, we have what it takes thanks to whatever experiences Pluto brought us time and time again.
Jupiter Transits Taurus
This Taurus season will be extra special because Jupiter will move into this stable earth sign on May 16. Jupiter typically changes signs at least once every year. As Jupiter moves through the first half of Taurus we have a chance to build something secure. This can be an excellent time to generate income or seize new work opportunities. Jupiter promotes growth and Taurus rules the second house of self-generated income and valuables. Many people may reach a deeper level of self-worth. Jupiter rules the higher mind so many will come to realize the value of their unique skills.
This year Jupiter will stay a good length away from Uranus, who is looming towards the last decan of Taurus. Growth and progress is fairly steady.
Jupiter Retrograde
Jupiter’s annual retrograde will occur on September 4 at 15 degrees of Taurus. The feeling of progress or abundance may diminish and force us to look inward. From this date forward, until the end of the year we’ll be assessing how we approach monetary things like money, possessions and what makes us feel secure. Jupiter will go direct just before the year ends on December 30. We are fully prepared for the shock and instability when expansive Jupiter meets up with erratic Uranus in 2024.
Venus Retrograde in Leo 2023
Venus may be the lesser benefic compared to Jupiter, but when this planet goes retrograde it’s rather impactful. Venus goes retrograde every 18 months, which is less often than her benefic brother Jupiter. This make Venus retrograde kind of a big deal. During the 40 days and nights of her retro transit we often revisit values. There is something we glazed over that needs TLC. This year Venus moves backwards through Leo from July 22 until September 3. For many the late summer of 2023 will be a chance to re-evaluate how romance, hobbies, artistic expression and children appear in one’s life. Sometimes Venus retrograde entails spending time away from what you love or cherish, which may help some people reach a greater level of appreciation. Work could be so busy that it takes time away from family or leisure time. For artists or creatives, this retrograde will help you work through any blocks.
A Word on Uranus and Neptune
These two zany characters don’t have much going on this year, except for the fact that they are both traveling through the last decan (final section) of their respective signs. Uranus in Taurus will continue to revolutionize the way we approach the material world and the value we contribute to it, while Neptune in Pisces will continue to awaken. Both of these planets will go through their annual retrogrades. Neptune is retrograde from June 30 through December 6. Uranus retrograde is from August 28 until January of 2024. When these planets are in reverse, we tend to be introspective and this leads to important self-development, specifically when it comes to consciousness.
The Eclipses of 2023
You can’t talk astrology of 2023 without a review of the eclipses! This year each eclipse will have its own flavor, and present a drastic difference in the energy compared to what we’ve been used to. The Nodes of Fate will make their every-18-month transit this year on July 12, shifting from the Taurus-Scorpio axis to the Aries-Libra domain. The nodes always move in a retrograde fashion, i.e. in an opposite direction of the forward or direct moving planets. With the North Node’s move into Aries we’ll find or move towards greater independence— and the South Node in Libra will push us to set boundaries with others. From mid-July of 2023 and for the following year and a half we’ll be finding the balance between ourselves and others.
New Moon Total Solar Eclipse in Aries – April 20: This eclipse could be a shock to the system. As the Sun and Moon meet up at the critical 29 degrees of Aries, they form a strong and difficult square to Pluto in Aquarius. This is uncharted territory, for many it initiates a transformation of sorts. A drastic change in our social networks or community is likely. Some might experience some rifts in these areas of life. We are asked to rise up to the challenge with all the courage and gusto of Aries.
Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio – May 5: This is the last eclipse that will fully occur on the Taurus-Scorpio axis with the nodes. It’s a time where we will be purging our subconscious of emotions and traits that keep us tied to the past. For the next 6 months we will transition from one phase to the next in a particular area of life.
New Moon Solar Eclipse in Libra – October 14: As the Moon meets up with the Sun near the South Node in this partnership-oriented sign, friends or ex-lovers from the past may resurface. Some could be confronted with relationship issues they thought were laid to rest. This is a chance to redefine relations in general and let go of skeletons in the closet of our hearts.
Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Taurus – October 28: This marks the official close of the Taurus-Scorpio eclipses. It’s a test in staying true to who we are and our individual talents. This can be a time of letting go of relationships that don’t foster or support who we are.
2023 will present a change we’ve all been hoping and hustling towards. As always, the cosmos has its lessons for us, and we must show up willing and prepared to learn.
How will 2022 end for your sign? Be sure to read your December 2022 horoscope to find out!
A writer and astrologer, sustained by iced coffee, sunsets and decorating her home. For more on her services and where her insights can be found, visit cosmickait.com.
