Astrology 2021: Top Cosmic Events for the Year Ahead

2021 is here, and it’s a year of growth and freedom from old restrictions! The Jupiter-Saturn conjunction on December 21, 2020, ushered us into a new era of air energy. For the past 200 years, we’ve been under the earth element influence. Earthy energy helps us build, stabilize, and produce. Too much earthiness can become rigid, heavy, and bound by old ways and rules. As we rise into more airiness, we’re challenged to lighten up, let go, and progress. We’re in a year of adjusting to a new way of living, and we don’t even know what that means yet. The air element helps us look at things differently, come up with new ideas, and connect with each other. 2021 will continue rocking our foundation, shaking up what’s become stuck and stagnant so we can move on to something better. We’ll all be doing a shuffle between the old and new. Will you stay a slave to the past or risk the unknown and step into the future? Astrology helps us work with the energy, within and without. Let’s get into it with Astrology 2021: Top Cosmic Events for the Year Ahead.  

Note: The following dates are calculated in Pacific Time.

Jupiter in Aquarius square Uranus in Taurus (January 17)

2021 begins with a Jupiter-Uranus square, challenging us to work together in new ways. Jupiter is a planet of society and its customs, and Uranus is all about liberation and authenticity. This transit puts stress on old beliefs and ways of living that don’t work anymore. And with Uranus in Taurus, we have to consider the health of the planet. Moving ahead with lofty ideas is not progression if it wastes and abuses our natural resources. The highest expression of this transit is collective growth and expansion that’s fueled by the genuine desire to do better for ourselves and each other.

Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius (January 30 – Feb 20)

Mercury turns retrograde about three times a year. 2021 is no exception, but this year all three of its retrograde periods are fully in air signs – one in Aquarius, one in Gemini, and one in Libra. Mercury Retrograde 2021 will really push us to look at what’s in our heads – is it helping or hindering our well-being and progress? The cosmos are sending a message. We need to work with our minds differently. We need to communicate with each other differently. We need to connect the dots differently.

This first round of Mercury Retrograde is in Aquarius, the sign of freedom but also rigid thinking. Aquarius is known for innovation and even genius. It knows how to get outside the box, but it’s also a fixed sign. Aquarius can get fixated on ideals and refuse to listen to anyone else. Mercury Retrograde is a time to reconsider how we look at things, so during these weeks, take a peek at your most crystallized thoughts and beliefs. Is that really what you stand for? Use the Aquarian rebelliousness to your advantage and overthrow your own mental blocks and intolerances.

Learn more about navigating Mercury Retrograde in my blog here.

Saturn in Aquarius square Uranus in Taurus (February 17, June 14, Dec 23)

One of the big astrological events of 2021 is the Saturn-Uranus square. The two will form an exact square 3 times in February, June, and December. This is an ongoing struggle between freedom and control. Uranus wants to liberate and Saturn is hard to move once rooted into place. The thing is, we need structure just as much as we need freedom. While it may seem like it, the two aren’t at odds, we just need to find a new balance. The Saturn-Uranus square will upset the status quo because we need to reinvent ourselves. Start reinventing yourself by choosing something you wish you were free to do or be. Then set limits on the things that stop you from doing it. Say yes to your heart and make it happen.

Jupiter enters Pisces (May 13 – July 28, December 28)

Jupiter spends about 1 year in each sign and will leave Aquarius for Pisces on May 13. Due to its retrograde, it will dip back into Aquarius in July until late December. On December 28 it will enter Pisces again and stay there until May 2022. Jupiter is about growth and expansion of consciousness. It’s the part of us that wants to know more, do more, and be more. Pisces is a sign of unity, acceptance, and inspiration. It connects us with something greater than ourselves and our spiritual nature. In mystical Pisces, Jupiter opens magical doorways into the mysteries. It opens our ears to hear the angels and our hearts to follow the path of compassion. Jupiter is also a social, cultural planet that motivates us to be generous and uplift one another. This transit is a call to return to Love. To lessen our attachment to what’s mine and yours and help and heal what’s ours.

Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius (May 26)

Lunar eclipses illuminate things, so we see them in a different light. This new awareness can be unsettling, but it helps us recognize and release what isn’t serving the soul. The Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse on May 26 is in Sagittarius, with the Moon conjunct the South Node and square Jupiter in Pisces. Talk about a signature of truth! We’re finally ready to see something from the past for what it really is and let our illusory stories about it go. If you find your beliefs challenged during this eclipse, can you accept the challenge and question them yourself? There’s always a bigger picture and a different view.

Mercury Retrograde in Gemini (May 29 – June 22)

Our second round of 2021 Mercury Retrograde: Air Edition begins May 29 in Gemini. All three air signs are intellectual and social, naturally aligned with Mercury, the planet of communication and perception. Mercury impacts almost everything in our day-to-day life, like thinking, conversations and interactions, learning, transportation, technology, and all kinds of connections. Mercury rules Gemini, and both Gemini and Mercury correspond to mental reason and how we make sense of things. Gemini is the mutable air sign. Mutable signs help us get a new perspective and adapt to changes. They’re like a bridge from one energy to another. It seems this Mercury Retrograde is a collective mental reboot. How we connect the dots, jump to assumptions, solve the problem, and tell the story are up for reconsideration. Gemini is also linked with language and translation. This Mercury Retrograde is a chance to write a new script that better communicates what’s in your heart.

New Moon Annular Solar Eclipse in Gemini (June 10)

Ok, the mental awakening continues with a New Moon Solar Eclipse in Gemini on June 10. Solar eclipses signal new beginnings and unexpected opportunities. This New Moon Eclipse is conjunct retrograde Mercury in Gemini. Don’t underestimate the power of your mind! The collective mental reboot happening right now is initiating something on behalf of us all. And with the Moon forming a trine with Saturn in Aquarius, it has the power to grow into something that will support and advance us for years to come. So, choose your thoughts with intention. Remember that what’s in your mind makes your world, and that your world is interconnected with everything.

Mercury Retrograde in Libra (September 26 – October 18)

Our final round of 2021 Air Element Mercury Retrograde begins September 26 in Libra. Libra is the cardinal air sign. Cardinal signs initiate – they’re dynamic and bring new energy. Each new season in the year begins with a cardinal sign. Being an intellectual and social air sign, Libra initiates through relationships. Libra loves partnering with others and naturally seeks harmony. This Mercury Retrograde draws us within to relook at who we’re choosing to connect with and why. As we move forward in this new era of awakening, who do you want by your side? And what kind of friend and partner do you want to be? Libra is also about listening. The natural mediator or peacekeeper in Libra asks questions, looks at all sides, and tries to find balance. This last Mercury Retrograde of the year invites us to step back and evaluate how we relate with others. The Libra way is fair, kind, and cooperative. We can all do more of that.

Full Moon Partial Lunar Eclipse in Taurus (November 19)

And again, we have an eclipse that illuminates our minds and our mind-body connection. The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on November 19 is in Taurus, conjunct the North Node in Gemini. The Moon is also opposing Mercury in Scorpio and trines Pluto in Capricorn. Our minds are always informing our bodies, physically and emotionally, and this eclipse is helping us integrate. New information on how we can survive, stabilize, and evolve is here. And many of us are open to receiving it. On an instinctual level, we know what’s best for us. Don’t forget you have amazing innate animal intelligence on your side. Open-mindedness is key to bringing it all together, along with flexibility. Feel into where you’ve become rigid and breathe. Every moment is new, and you can change, all the way down to your cells.

New Moon Total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius (December 3)

The final eclipse of the year is in Sagittarius, just like 2020. The truth is still trying to reveal itself. We see this on a grand scale socially and politically, but it’s also true for each of us, in the smallest ways. Sagittarius goes as far as it takes to find the truth and tells it like it is. We don’t always like that, but sometimes we need to be called out. The days of sweeping things under the rug and accepting lies and injustice can’t continue. As uncomfortable as it may be, we need honesty. There’s no sense in trying to build on or from anything else. This New Moon Total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius conjuncts Mercury –  meaning the Moon, Sun, and Mercury are all together in the sky. What a beautiful vision of body (Moon), mind (Mercury), and spirit (Sun) alignment. It may sound simple, but maybe the best intention we can all make is to be true.

Venus Retrograde in Capricorn (December 19 – January 29, 2022)

Venus turns retrograde every 18 months, and of all the planets, spends the least amount of time retrograde. When it happens, it’s smart to pay attention. Venus Retrograde periods can be challenging when it comes to money, love, and relationships, especially if you have friendships or partnerships (past life, too) that need healing and closure. During Venus Retrograde, past romances sneak back into the present and whatever you have a relationship with is up for question and redefinition. In the sign of Capricorn, Venus Retrograde challenges you to step up and take care of yourself. Any imbalances in authority and issues with responsibility, respect, and boundaries rise to be addressed. Venus wants equality, and while retrograde in Capricorn brings opportunities to renegotiate and reshape any relationships that no longer fit your needs. Whatever may come up for you, Venus Retrograde is the perfect time to consider the outcomes of previous experiences instead of running from them. This helps you go forward with new wisdom and awareness.

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