M
iracles — Let us discover what astro events are happening in the heavens so that we might be fully rooted here in this gorgeous earth.
In this post we will go through the various phases of the moon, briefly look at what each of the planets will be up to in 2021, and of course, I will give you pertinent retrograde dates and eclipse dates as well.
As always for every single point, I will give you at least one question to consider. Why?
Because although the popular way of teaching astrology (and most other things) is by telling you dear reader what I think they mean, I have found that a much better way of approaching anything in the sacred arts is to give you the tools to think about it, feel into it, and figure it out for yourself.
Questions, the right questions, can help you do just that. I teach magic, tarot, and astrology in this manner and from the reports I have received and my own experience I know that it works.
So get those pens and notebooks ready!
But before we begin, I want to do something different and offer a brief summary of some of the highlights we can expect to see in 2021. At the end of 2020 a conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn in the sign of Aquarius marks the definitive end of a 200 year long Earth era and the onset of a 200 year Air Era.
The next two centuries will, not surprisingly, see a huge emphasis on technology, information, collective efforts vs. individualism, and old structures giving way to new innovations. This new energy (truly ushering in a new Age of Aquarius) is, especially in these early years, going to feel more destabilizing and fast-moving than what we have been collectively used to. While information, ideas, and emotions will be zipping back and forth at break neck speeds and activism is occurring on all fronts, it is essential for individuals to find time to pause, think critically, engage with our feelings, and ground ourselves. Working with tangible magical objects and talismans, keeping up good grounding rituals, taking on stewardship for a piece of land near where you live, spending time with animals and people in real life (as opposed to virtually) and doing things like gardening or cooking are all excellent ways to take the aerial energy and channel it into good and useful areas in your own life.
2021 is also a year when attention is turned to the Fixed signs. The Fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius and they are the major players in the skies for this year. In Taurus we have the planet Uranus, (you can read all about Uranus in Taurus and join in on magical remediation for this transit here.) We also have Saturn and Jupiter in the fixed sign of Aquarius for most of 2021. This means that anytime we have action (for instance the Moon) passing through Leo or Scorpio we have square energy among these fixed signs – leading to many points of small tensions, and a few points of BIG tension throughout the year.
Fixed sign energy is powerful. For instance, these signs are some of the best at direct action and activism, but fixed sign energy can also be rigid, controlling, and exclusive – it often has a “my way or the highway” kind of feel to it. Squares between Leo and Aquarius/Taurus are going to call out the conflicts between individualism and collectivism. Within the new Air era there is a move towards the collective over the individual, however, the collective can also become tyrannical and with the Fixed sign energy looming over 2021 we will all want to be on our guard against censorship, tyranny, and group think coming from multiple directions at the same time. Tensions can end up leading to big messes but tension is also necessary for the creation of any true harmony – keep that lesson in mind as we head into 2021. If you have a lot of Fixed signs in your chart or if your sun sign, ascendant or Moon falls into one of the Fixed signs then you will definitely want to pay close attention to your astrology over the course of 2021.
And now, the dance of planets:
The Many Faces of the Moon
La Luna is the most visible and easily trackable celestial body in the sky beside the sun. And so it makes complete sense that the earliest calendars were lunar to say nothing of the many ceremonies, rites, and feast days that honored Luna in her various phases.
Within the sacred arts there are four lunar phases to pay special attention to First Quarter, Full, Balsamic and/or Dark, and New.
New Moons are the best time to start any project or breathe new energy into any situation or area of your life. At this point the Moon is at the very beginning of her next 28-day phase – luna is starting fresh and so can we.
First Quarter Moons are best for looking at relationships and bringing harmony, balance, and intuitive insight to any given situation. Traditionally this phase of the moon was considered the best time to the divine and the very famous Oracle at Delphi only gave out her divinations during this phase of the moon.
Full Moons illuminate the land and the sky, allowing us to “see in the dark” and making this the best time to look at and uncover the aspects of a situation that usually remain in the shadows; revelations occur during Full Moons.
Dark Moons are traditionally times to rest, fast, dream deeply, and banish anything that is no longer relevant and/or of use to you.
It is important to note that everyone has a very different relationship with the phases of the moon. While the above descriptions are tried and true in my life and the lives of many of my students and clients, I also know a hefty number of folks who feel (for instance) very depleted energetically during new moons and much more alive and full of energy during the waning/dark phase. Use the information as a springboard but then pay attention to your own experiences.
Below are the lunar phases for 2021 in central time. If you need help with timezone conversation go here.
January
1/6: Waning Quarter at 16 degrees Libra, 3:37 AM
Ask: What imbalances need to be addressed?
1/12: New Moon at 23 degrees Capricorn, 11:00 PM
Ask: What financial and/or professional venture needs a blessing?
1/20: Waxing Quarter at 1 degree Taurus, 3:02 PM
Ask: What pleasure am I ready to develop?
1/28: Full Moon at 9 degrees Leo, 1:16 PM
Ask: What luxury needs to be celebrated?
February
2/4: Waning Quarter Moon at 16 degrees Scorpio, 11:37 AM
Ask: What traumas are ready to dissolve?
2/11: New Moon at 23 degrees, Aquarius 1:06 PM
Ask: What message am I ready to broadcast?
2/19: Waxing Quarter at 1 degree Gemini, 12:47 PM
Ask: What message is growing within me?
2/27: Full Moon at 8 degrees Virgo, 2:17 PM
Ask: What every day accomplishment deserves a celebration?
March
3/5: Waning Quarter at 15 degrees Sagittarius, 7:30 PM
Ask: Where has my aim gone awry?
3/13: New Moon at 23 degrees Pisces, 4:21 AM
Ask: What dream am I now ready to pursue?
3/21: Waxing Quarter at 1 degree Cancer, 9:40 AM
Ask: How can I best honor my families of blood and choice?
3/28: Full Moon at 8 degrees Libra, 1:48 PM
Ask: What relationship is ready to be celebrated?
April
4/4: Waning Quarter Moon at 14 degrees Capricorn, 5:00 AM
Ask: What can I stop pretending to be/do?
4/11: New Moon at 22 degrees Aries, 9:31 PM
Ask: What new discipline am I ready to cultivate?
4/20: Waxing Quarter at 0 degrees Leo, 1:59 AM
Ask: Where am I ready to shine brighter?
4/26: Full Moon at 7 degrees Scorpio, 10:32 PM
Ask: What deep intimacy am I ready to celebrate?
May
5/3: Waning Quarter Moon at 13 degrees Aquarius, 2:50 PM
Ask: What connections are no longer relevant?
5/11: New Moon at 21 degrees Taurus, 2:00 PM
Ask: What money magic am I ready to make?
5/19: Waxing Quarter at 29 degrees Leo, 2:13 PM
Ask: What luxury am I ready to include in my life?
5/26: Full Moon + Lunar Eclipse at 5 degrees Sagittarius, 6:14 AM
Ask: What freedom am I ready to unleash?
June
6/2: Waning Quarter Moon at 11 degrees Pisces, 2:24 AM
Ask: What lies can I stop believing?
6/10: New Moon at 19 degrees Gemini, 5:53 AM
Ask: What am I ready to connect?
6/17: Waxing Quarter at 27 degrees Virgo, 10:54 PM
Ask: What new daily practice am I ready to commit to?
6/24: Full Moon at 3 degrees Capricorn, 1:40 PM
Ask: What mastery should be celebrated?
July
7/1: Waning Quarter Moon at 10 degrees Aries, 4:11 PM
Ask: What fight am I ready to resolve?
7/9: New Moon at 15 degrees Cancer, 8:17 PM
Ask: What home am I ready to create?
7/17: Waxing Quarter at 25 degrees Libra, 5:11 AM
Ask: What relationship am I ready to grow?
7/23: Full Moon at 1 degree Aquarius, 9:37 PM
Ask: What community needs a celebration?
7/31: Waning Quarter Moon at 8 degrees Taurus, 8:16 AM
Ask: What self-indulgence no longer feeds me?
August
8/8: New Moon at 16 degrees Leo at 8:50 AM
Ask: What new luxury am I ready to embrace?
8/15: Waxing Quarter at 23 degrees Scorpio, 10:20 AM
Ask: What magic am I ready to make?
8/22: Full Moon at 29 degrees Aquarius, 7:02 AM
Ask: What aspects of my activism are ready to be heard?
8/30: Waning Quarter Moon at 7 degrees Gemini, 2:13 AM
Ask: What do I need to unlearn?
September
9/6: New Moon at 14 degrees Virgo at 7:52 PM
Ask: What health protocols will best support me now?
9/13: Waxing Quarter at 21 degrees Sagittarius, 3:39 PM
Ask: What new freedoms do I want to explore?
9/2o: Full Moon at 28 degrees Pisces, 6:55 PM
Ask: What dreams am I ready to celebrate?
9/28: Waning Quarter Moon at 6 degrees Cancer, 8:57 PM
Ask: What tribal connections need to be dissolved?
October
10/6: New Moon at 13 degrees Libra at 7:05 AM
Ask: Where will balance serve me best now?
10/12: Waxing First Quarter at 20 degrees Capricorn, 10:25 PM
Ask: What skill do I need to recommit to developing?
10/20: Full Moon at 27 degrees Aries at 9:57 AM
Ask: How can I best celebrate myself?
10/28: Waning Quarter Moon at 5 degrees Leo, 3:05 PM
Ask: What shame needs to be banished?
November
11/4: New Moon at 12 degrees Scorpio, 4:15 PM
Ask: What Ancestors are ready to be honored?
11/11: Waxing Quarter at 19 degrees Aquarius, 6:46 AM
Ask: What message am I ready to share?
11/20: Full Moon at 27 degrees Taurus at 2:57 AM
Ask: How can I best celebrate pleasure?
11/27: Waning Quarter Moon at 5 degrees Virgo, 6:28 AM
Ask: What daily practices are no longer relevant?
December
12/4: New Moon at 12 degrees Sagittarius, 1:43 AM
Ask: What adventure am I ready to take?
12/10: Waxing Quarter at 19 degrees Pisces, 7:36 PM
Ask: What are my dreams telling me?
12/18: Full Moon at 27 degrees Gemini, 10:36 PM
Ask: What friendships am I ready to celebrate?
12/26: Waning Quarter at 5 degrees Libra, 8:24 PM
Ask: What imbalances am I ready to release?
Sun
The sun moves through the zodiacal belt just as the moon does. Your astrological sign is determined by the Sun’s position at the time of your birth. As everyone has ALL of the zodiac signs in their own charts, it is very useful for you to know when the sun moves into a new sign.
1/19: Sun enters Aquarius 2:40 PM
Ask: What am I ready to see in the communities I belong to?
2/18: Sun enters Pisces 4:44 AM
Ask: What am I ready to see in my dreams?
3/20: Sun enters Aries (Spring Equinox) 4:37 AM — Spring Equinox
Ask: What am I ready to see in myself?
4/19: Sun enters Taurus 3:33 PM
Ask: What am I ready to see in my wealth?
5/20: Sun enters Gemini 2:37 PM
Ask: What am I ready to see in my connections?
6/20: Sun enters Cancer 10:32 PM — Summer Solstice
Ask: What am I ready to see in my tribe?
7/22: Sun enters Leo 9:26 AM
Ask: What am I ready to see in the masks that I wear?
8/22: Sun enters Virgo 4:35 PM
Ask: What am I ready to see in my every day devotions?
9/22: Sun enters Libra (Fall Equinox) 2:21 PM — Fall Equinox
Ask: What am I ready to see in my lover?
10/22: Sun enters Scorpio 11:51 PM
Ask: What am I ready to see in my pain?
11/21: Sun enters Sagittarius 8:34 PM
Ask: What am I ready to see in my worldview?
12/21: Sun enters Capricorn 9:59 AM — Winter Solstice
Ask: What am I ready to see in my attempts at mastery?
Lunar and Solar Eclipses in 2021
There are six eclipses in 2020. You can learn more about eclipses and how to work with them here. In short, I have found that eclipses are very useful for breaking long-held patterns of thought, behavior, attitude, and action that no longer serve. Many astrologers talk about eclipses in negative terms but don’t let that keep you from noting eclipse times and trying your hand at working with them in an intentional manner. If you want to truly optimize your eclipse experience then check out my Eclipse Magic offering.
5/26: Lunar Eclipse at 5 degrees Sagittarius at 6:14 AM
Ask: What patterns around freedom are becoming restrictive?
6/10: Solar Eclipse at 19 degrees Gemini at 5:33 AM
Ask: What patterns around connecting and true voice need to be disrupted?
11/19: Lunar Eclipse at 27 degrees Taurus at 2:57 AM
Ask: What patterns around self-indulgence are ready to be broken?
12/4: Solar Eclipse at 12 degrees Sagittarius at 1:43 AM
Ask: What patterns around spirituality are no longer relevant?
Planets
Just like the stars, planets move throughout the sky all of the time. The inner planets (Mercury, Venus, and Mars) all move relatively quickly through signs and sections of the chart. The outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto) all move at a much slower rate through the various constellations and houses of the chart.
Inner planets traditionally are understood to deal with everyday, practical, daily life issues while outer planets are understood to work with big cycles, realizations, and patterns in our lives. First, we will spend some time with some of the inner planet happenings in 2021, starting with the ever-dreaded (but actually awesome if you know how to work with them) Mercury retrogrades.
Mercury Retrogrades for 2021
Every planet has retrograde periods but most people are only familiar with Mercury in Retrograde – mostly because many astrologers and non-astrologers alike make this period out to be terrible, full of bad luck, and extremely frustrating. It can be, but I prefer to practice with Mercury retrograde instead of in resistance to it.
You can learn more about Mercury retrograde in my Mercury RX archives here and check out this article to start to get a sense of how you might deepen your retrograde experience. If you are what I call Mercury-sensitive you will want to make a note of the things to do BEFORE Mercury goes retrograde and join up with the Mercury RX Survival Kit.
In 2021 the Mercury Retrogrades all occur in Air signs. When Mercury retrogrades throughout our aerial friends we see a tendency for our thoughts to run away with us, verbal communications to go sideways, and a perception that we are more concerned with our ideas than we are with the way they actually play out and affect other people. Mercury retrograde in Air signs brings up the usual tech and transportation issues in an even greater way and can leave us feeling ungrounded. These retrogrades also often bring up synchronistic learning opportunities and the just right and needed books so be on the lookout for that!
Here are the dates for the 2021 Mercury Retrogrades:
January 30th – February 20th, 2021: Retrograde starts at 9:52 AM in Aquarius and stations direct on February 20th at 6:52 PM.
Ask: Is my vision of the future and what is possible relevant and up to date or does it need a review/revision?
May 29th – June 22, 2021: Retrograde starts at 5:34 PM in Gemini and then stations direct on June 22nd at 5:00 PM
Ask: What teachings and lessons need to be revised and reconsidered?
September 27th – October 18th, 2021: Retrograde starts at 12:10 AM in Libra and stations direct on October 18th at 10:17 AM.
Ask: What relationships need to be reformed and recommitted to?
Inner Planet Awesome: Mercury, Venus, and Mars
These three inner planets move through the sky and around the zodiac relatively quickly which means that they make many transits throughout the year. I post a Star Story for each month on Canto, my blog, that covers all the transits and aspects that the inner planets are up to so for the full scoop make sure you check out those posts. Besides the Mercury Retrogrades listed above we do have a Venus Retrograde in 2021.
December 19th 2021 – January 29th 2022 Venus Retrograde begins at 4:36 AM in Capricorn and stations direct on January 29th at 2:46 AM.
Ask: When I re-examine my relationship to work, what do I find?
For more on Venus Retrograde please see this article.
Outer Planet Amazement: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto
Big Events in 2021
Saturn + Uranus Squares
In 2021 we have three squares between Saturn in its native sign of Aquarius and Uranus in Taurus. These squares do not occur often and the next ones will happen in 2043. Squares represent two energies that are in a tension with one another. In the case of these three squares there are many areas that will be brought to a head by the interactions including: technology in service of the collective good and specifically the idea of a free and fair use internet for all versus technology as a means for personal gain and corporate enrichment and a highly regulated, pay to play internet, the collective vs. the individual, rule of law vs. anarchy and utopian ideals, and tradition vs. innovation. In some cases there will be a clear “right” side but in others there will not be or there will be multiple sides, factions, and facets that need to be considered. As always with squares, the hope is that we take the best of both sides and build something beautiful and useful from them, but in the case of 2021, whatever we build will have absolutely gone through the alchemist’s fire first.
Ask: What extravagance no longer serves? What discipline is required to create a better future?
Here are the dates for the Saturn + Uranus squares of 2021
February 17th
June 14th
December 24th
Jupiter in Aquarius and Pisces
Jupiter in Aquarius: Jupiter’s tour through Aquarius will begin with a bang when Jupiter and Saturn conjunct one another. Jupiter in the sign of the Water-bearer will support those who have messages that they wish to broadcast into the world gain greater clarity on how to do that. It will be a time when change is well-aspected and given a cosmic blessing and when significant decisions that will have long-term effects on the future come into being. In 2021 while Jupiter is in Aquarius it will lend its strength and blessing to erstwhile buddy, Saturn, as Saturn squares up against Uranus in Taurus. Expect extravagance, expansion, greater scrutiny, and luck when it comes to global activist causes.
December 19th, 2020 – May 12th, 2021: Jupiter blesses all projects that deal with expansion, connection, technology, and broadcasting. Congregations and groups of all kinds are especially auspicious now.
Ask: Where am I ready to expand my horizons?
Jupiter in Pisces: When Jupiter enters Pisces, initially in mid May and then for its long tour in December, it is returning home. Long before Neptune was discovered, Jupiter was the ruler of the sign of the Fish. Jupiter in Pisces can usher in a period of great personal creativity and artistry. Those who make a living as artists can see their industries expand, change, and stand to profit from the changes that occur. It is a time when everyone is interested in their dreams and psychic intuition and so learning about those areas is an ideal endeavor during this transit. Jupiter in Pisces can also encourage deep healing on both personal and collective levels. However, as always Jupiter can be a double-edged sword. This planet of excess in the sign of Pisces can encourage harmful habits such as drinking in excess, unbridled drug use, and the telling of lies and spreading of deception. Working with Jupiter in Pisces at its best literally has the capacity to make our world more gentle, kind, and beautiful but Jupiter in this sign unchecked and in excess can lead to the worst kind of hangover.
May 13th, 2021 – July 28th, 2021 ~ Jupiter enters Pisces at 5:36 PM and departs Pisces on July 28th at 7:43 AM.
December 28th, 2021 – May 10, 2022 ~ Jupiter enters Pisces at 10:09 PM and departs on May 10 at 6:22 PM.
Ask: What does a prosperous creative life look and feel like?
Jupiter Retrograde: There is a Jupiter Retrograde in 2021 in the sign of Pisces and Aquarius.
June 20th, 2021 – October 18th 2021: Retrograde starts at 10:06 AM, retrogrades into Aquarius on July 28th at 7:43 AM and stations direct on October 18th at 12:30 AM.
Ask: What aspects of my daily devotional and spiritual practices are still relevant and what needs to be released?
For more on Jupiter Retrograde, please see this article.
Saturn in Aquarius
Saturn in Aquarius: Although in modern astrology Uranus is listed as the ruling planet for Aquarius, in classical Astrology it was Saturn, not Uranus (which had not yet been discovered) that ruled over this sign. This combination gives rebels a cause and can infuse needed discipline and responsibility into ideals that have been seen (up until this point) as too “out there” or “fringe.” It ushers in a new era of technological developments, some of which may have hard effects on the current economy and job market as we know it. We have seen all of this come to pass as both work and schooling went online in a massive way as a result of the novel Coronavirus. Saturn in Aquarius can also call in more oversight and legal obligations for big tech companies. On a personal level this alignment is a time to take the discipline of Saturn and harness it to the future facing energy that is present within Aquarius. In 2021 Saturn in Aquarius squares up three times with Uranus in Taurus. The is Discipline vs. Spontaneity but it is also old vs. new with typically conservative and restrained Saturn putting its energy behind the new. Expect both more discipline and more intolerance from change agents. Knowing where you stand and why you stand there is the way to meet this moment.
March 21st, 2020 – June 30th, 2020 and December 18th, 2020 – March 8th, 2023
Ask: How can my activism benefit from more discipline?
Saturn Retrograde: There is a Saturn Retrograde in 2021 in the sign of Aquarius. For more on how to work with Saturn Retrograde, refer to this article.
May 23rd, 2021 – October 10th, 2021: Retrograde starts at 4:21 AM and stations direct on October 10th at 9:17 PM.
Ask: Where am I being too rigid?
Uranus in Taurus
On March 7th of 2019, Uranus moved into Taurus. This marks a seven-year cycle that is going to shake up our most solid institutions and assumptions in both the personal and global spheres. To give you an idea of what Uranus in Taurus can look like, the last time it occurred was between the years of 1935-1942 – that was the Great Depression and beginning of WWII. While this transit may not be easy, it will absolutely re-orient some of the fundamental assumptions we make and the basic ways we engage with life. Expect to see tech on all fronts including AI and Robotics gain ground and importance in both global economies and everyday life while at the same time basic skills like growing our own food, mending clothes, and canning also gain in popularity. In 2021 Uranus in Taurus squares up against Saturn in Aquarius three different times. As stated above this is old vs. new energy and taking Uranus in Taurus at face value and renewing your personal relationship to the natural world is one of the best ways to navigate through it.
March 7th 10:28 AM – July 7th 2025 and November 7th 2025 – April 25th 2026
Ask: What basic skill is ready for innovation?
Uranus Retrograde: There is a Uranus Retrograde in 2021 in the sign of Taurus.
August 19th, 2021 – January 18th, 2022: Retrograde begins at 8:40 PM and stations direct on January 18th at 9:27 AM.
Ask: What has gotten out of control and needs to be grounded?
For more on Uranus Retrograde, see this article.
Neptune in Pisces
Neptune continues moving through the sign of Pisces, giving us plenty of deep ocean to swim around in and go diving for treasure. Neptune in Pisces both supports our ability to dive deeply into our intuitive selves and also to heal not only on a personal level but on a global level. It also stirs up the waters so that problems and issues that need to be seen are able to float to the surface. On the flip side, as Neptune swims through its favorite sign we can all engage in more fantasy and problematic escapism – this is a time when it is especially easy to run up those credit card bills and engage in creative storytelling that allows us to escape accountability. How to do Neptune in Pisces well? Don’t lie, trick or deceive – yourself or others, note your addictive tendencies, and focus on healing. In 2021 Neptune in Pisces offers up some profound opportunities for collective healing but can also ratchet up feelings of victimization in all corners as well as deception on a massive scale. Be super selective in the information you take in and vet it thoroughly, the lies are becoming harder and harder to separate from the truths.
April 4th 2011 – March 30th 2025
Ask: What vision am I ready to see?
Neptune Retrograde: There is a Neptune Retrograde in 2021.
June 25th, 2021 – December 1st, 2021: Retrograde starts at 2:21 PM and stations direct on December 1st at 7:22 AM.
Ask: What deception am I no longer willing to participate in?
For more on Neptune Retrograde, see this article.
Pluto in Capricorn
Capricorn works hard and Pluto goes deep so this pairing cannot help but leave an impact wherever it happens in your chart. Capricorn is often thought of as the career sector of the chart but I think of it more as craftsmanship. The difference is that for many of us career is a notion tied distinctly to our jobs, while craftsmanship is a virtue that we can apply to many areas of our lives. Pluto relentlessly tears down whatever is not working and Capricorn has the good sense to continue moving forward and refining all needed skill sets. In 2021 Pluto in Capricorn makes its presence known as workplace habits and cultures begin to shift quickly and power dynamics, especially in politics began to be increasingly visible and winner takes all.
January 25th 2008 – March 23rd 2023
Ask: Where do I locate my power?
Pluto Retrograde: There is a Pluto Retrograde in 2021 in the sign of Capricorn.
April 27th, 2021 – October 6th, 2021: Retrograde begins at 3:04 PM and stations direct on October 4th at 1:29 PM.
Ask: What elements in my work and career need to be re-examined?
For more on Pluto Retrograde see this article.
Sync up with the stars
Sync options for google calendar and ical coming soon!