Dec 2020 Solstice Grand Conjunction

Saturn returns to airy Aquarius today after it’s brief return to Capricorn in July. It will be joined by expansive Jupiter on 19 December – just in time for their Grand Conjunction on December 21 – the first time these two social giants will come together in a new element in 400 years.

This occurs on the day of the solstice when the light in the northern hemisphere begins to return to the skies and the days start lengthening again. Like the rainbow which appears after a storm, this astrological event, taking place on the shortest day – represents the darkness before the dawn, the first glimmers of hope appearing on the horizon after what has been a very difficult year for many.

With Jupiter in Aquarius for the first time in 12 years, I suspect that we may see an explosion of so-called ‘disruptive innovation’ – technological or innovative solutions to some of our most pressing problems, from the decline of soil quality to environmental degradation to the intermittance issue that’s been plaguing the green energy sector – that is, until Tesla’s recent battery day announcements! It’s also a great time to expand your mind and your social circle to include more like-minded individuals who share your beliefs and vision of the future.

With regards to Saturn, there is a very close relationship between Saturn & Uranus, Capricorn & Aquarius – as symbolised by their mutual resonance with the number 7 and their co-rulership of science and technology. Indeed, as I mention in my Solar Eclipse Cosmic Weather Forecast, which also looks at the astrology of the upcoming Grand Conjunction, although we tend to associate Saturn only with Capricorn, it’s worth remembering that the planet of discipline and deliberation once co-ruled Aquarius before rebellious Uranus was discovered in 1781.

Engineer and Space X founder, Elon Musk (who some astrologers, including myself, suspect has Aquarius rising) serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when innovation and progress (Aquarius/Uranus) is combined with gritty determination, rigorous self-discipline and a work ethic that’s second to none (Capricorn/Saturn).

That said, there are definitely a few downsides to both science and technology, especially when coupled with a tendency to ignore the more humane – or spiritual – side of the equation. Indeed, if unbridled progress is left to go unchecked without any due consideration being given to things like heart, ethics or the environment, we often end up with dystopian results. Take AI or social media by way of example. As Adrienne LaFrance recently pointed out in her article on social media for The Atlantic:

There’s a notion that the social web was once useful, or at least that it could have been good, if only we had pulled a few levers: some moderation and fact-checking here, a bit of regulation there, perhaps a federal antitrust lawsuit. But that’s far too sunny and shortsighted a view. Today’s social networks, Facebook chief among them, were built to encourage the things that make them so harmful. It is in their very architecture.

Facebook Is a Doomsday Machine

And this is where Saturn comes in. Having the planet of social responsibility and healthy boundaries in Aquarius during Jupiter’s year-long tour of this air sign should go some way to ensure that tech companies live up to their moral obligations to users, and that industries key to the green revolution such as lithium mining, is conducted in a way that doesn’t lead to further environmental degradation.

And so we begin to see the value of Saturn – healthy boundaries and safe limits or careful planning are an important check against unbridled greed or reckless expansion. Freedom comes with responsibility – this is the paradox of Saturn in Aquarius – something that big tech companies like Facebook are about to discover…

For a recap of some of the key themes of Saturn in Aquarius, check out my video forecast below, or watch it on IGTV.

And for ideas and tips on how to take back control of your relationship to technology, visit the Centre for Humane Technology.