The Great Conjunction and the Solstice; committing to change
The last days of 2020 bring some powerful astrological energy with both Jupiter and Saturn moving into Aquarius (Saturn on Thursday 17th and Jupiter on Saturday 19th), meeting at 0° of that sign on the same day as the Solstice. The so-called "Great Conjunction" happens every twenty years and always marks a shift in society. This particular Great Conjunction brings even more change as its the first in an air sign after a series of Great Conjunctions in earth signs. So the focus begins to shift, away from money, materialism and possession and towards more innovative ways of organising society and understanding ourselves. Both Jupiter and Saturn carry teacher energy, seeking wisdom through expansion and growth in the case of Jupiter and through the lessons of experience in the case of Saturn. Aquarius is the sign of radical change although these essentially conservative planets may make this a conscious evolution rather than a breaking free. In Aquarius, these two planets balance the old with the new, the wisdom of tradition with fresh new thinking.
Aquarius is an inclusive sign, seeking social justice and carrying a strong humanitarian energy so perhaps we can finally hope to see a genuinely fairer world being built out of the ashes of 2020. Jupiter in Aquarius especially is inclusive, welcoming the whole range of human experience as a gift, learning from different worldviews rather than judging or excluding them. There is an awareness here of the needs of others not just to honour individuals on their personal journeys but also because diversity benefits us all. But Saturn, of course, might tend towards more rigid thinking and the famed detachment and objectivity of Aquarius can be a double-edged sword, bringing understanding but also a lack of empathy. If Jupiter's sometimes paternalistic approach is in evidence, we may need to watch out for those in power taking the moral high ground. There's a risk of dogma or fanatical thinking with this placement, with the Aquarian focus on doing the right thing being taken to extremes. With Jupiter involved, there's always a risk that those who already carry privilege and a sense of entitlement will be the ones to benefit.
The lesson here is about genuine, not superficial, transformation of thought patterns and putting ideology into practice. With Jupiter in Aquarius, we move beyond our individual concerns and seek an ideal, a sense of purpose which inspires our growth and our actions. Jupiter in the sign of fixed air asks that we commit (a very Saturn word!) ourselves to a cause and Saturn here demands that we do the work, rather than just paying lip service to our beliefs. In Aquarius, the work calls us to create tangible change, to transform the collective in practical and realistic ways. Saturn works best with a sense of higher purpose and is always about taking responsibility. So Saturn in Aquarius calls us to take responsibility not just for our actions as individuals but for the effect of those actions on the collective and on group consciousness.
We have an opportunity (Jupiter!) to create real and lasting (Saturn!) change (Aquarius!!) here but it will take work. I think we all know that, at this point. There is nowhere to hide, not least from the fact that its everyone's responsibility. With the modern ruler of Aquarius travelling through Taurus, we might see nature, the earth and the environment finally being moved to centre stage as the knowledge that without her, we are nothing, begins to sink in. We know that there is nowhere to hide, even if we're still denying it to our conscious minds. Jupiter and Saturn won't let us deny it much longer.