The Astrology of 2023 - Collective Liberation
When I think about the overall picture of the transits for 2023, liberation comes to mind - collective liberation. This may not come easily or immediately, but many of the transits this year and laying the groundwork for this liberation to come. After two challenging years of Saturn square Uranus, this year feels like pause and reprieve from that intensity - especially as these two planets eventually sextile each other in 2025. There’s actually SO much I could say about April 2025… but I don’t want to jump to far ahead! But for those of you who are curious with a keen astrologer’s eye, I definitely encourage you to take a peek at that month.
Below I have shared some insight into the major transits of 2023, including Mercury retrogrades and Eclipses. To personalise these transits, you always want to look at the house this sign corresponds in for you.
January 12th - Mars stations direct
Have you been feeling rather stuck, frustrated and like your wheels have been spinning since the 30th October? Mars has been retrograde in Gemini these past few months, and we’ve all been feeling a little flat, with low energy and even burnt out, particularly related to themes of our own Gemini house. Once Mars stations direct next week until 16th Mach, day-by-day Mars will begin to gain momentum again as it traverses back over it’s retrograde degrees. This will bring more clarity, more direction and more energy to take action and implement the change that this Mars retrograde cycle has instigated.
23rd January to 21st April - all planets direct!
That rare sweet spot of the year begins this month, with all planets direct until Mercury stations retrograde in late April. Everything is moving forward - often quickly - and we can really take the reign and make some exciting leaps into what we desire to experience and work towards in 2023, especially once the new astrological year begins on the 20th March at the Spring Equinox.
7th March - Saturn moves into Pisces
Saturn begins a new cycle of mastery and self-discipline when it moves into Pisces early this year. After two consecutive Saturn cycles in Saturn-ruled signs, this change of pace is quite welcome. We tend to think that planets in domicile are all positive, but a planet in its strength can also exacerbate the shadow of the sign too, and it’s been a very harsh few years collectively. I feel with Saturn in Pisces we’ll be faced with how much we have been dissociating, and it will be a big wake up call to engage in the world in more meaningful ways - particularly with social media. Music, arts and culture will come into greater focus, as this transit is often a powerful time of seeding new genres of music and creative expression that has a lasting impact.
23rd March - Pluto moves into Aquarius
A whole new 20 year cycle begins this year, when Pluto hits 0 Aquarius for a brief glimpse into what this next evolutionary cycle will bring to the table for the collective, before a final retrograde into Capricorn over the summer. Expect drastic change around technology and social media, science and revolutionary events.
I was part of a fantastic 2023 Astrology panel called “Spilling the Astro Tea” where I spent over an hour speaking on this very topic. I adore the transpersonal planets and their cycles, and you can watch the interview in full here for more insights into this powerful cycle.
16th May - Jupiter moves into Taurus
Honestly, I think this is my favourite transit for 2023! Our Taurus house has been absolutely slammed by the eclipses since 2021, as well as the repeated Saturn-Uranus square during 2021 and 2022. Jupiter arrives to bring us opportunities for growth and joy this year, and this will feel extra cosy and comforting being in Venus-ruled Taurus. Jupiter here loves to indulge and seek out sensual pleasures. Good fortune comes to making wise investments, taking the slow and meandering path and being resourceful. Jupiter will also conjunct Uranus during this cycle. This is an exciting, expansive yet somewhat unpredictable transit, but being in a Venus-ruled sign there is great potential for sudden financial and romantic blessings, enjoy!
22nd July to 3rd September - Venus rx in Leo
Venus is retrograde in Leo this year, and begins it’s 40 day journey through the underworld from 28 degrees back to 12 degrees, so locate this area of your chart to highlight and foresee how this retrograde will affect you in your Leo house, including relationship and financial patterns. Being in Leo, when can expect some high-key drama, theatrics and little dose of extra affection and validation needed. Just be mindful of letting one’s pride stand in the way of deeper connection - and hearing our partners needs as well as being upfront about our own.
Mercury Retrogrades
18th January - Mercury SD in Capricorn
21st April to 14th May - Taurus
23rd August to 15th September - Virgo
13th December to January 1st 2024 - Capricorn & Sagittarius
Mercury retrogrades are moving through an earth element cycle this year, and I really welcome this after a year of air element Mercury retrogrades. Air can really whip things into a bit a frenzy, and those retrogrades last year really amplified a lot of the chaos and confusion that can come along with a Mercury retrograde if we’re trying to push, hurry and force rather than rest, reflect and pause.
In earth signs, that frantic energy is really dialled down and it will be much more supportive for getting into that retrograde flow of going slow. Themes around finances, work, service and goals will be the main focus for these cycles in 2023.
The final retrograde also has a brief stop in Sagittarius, which begins the shift into fire retrogrades for 2024. The latter half of this final Mercury retrograde for 2023 will have you reflecting on your beliefs, and feeling rather restless and idealistic around the life themes of your own Sagittarius house as the calendar year comes to a close.
Eclipses
19th April - Solar eclipse in Aries
5th May - Lunar eclipse in Scorpio
14th October - Solar eclipse in Libra
28th October - Lunar eclipse in Taurus
This year is the final year of eclipses on the Taurus/Scorpio axis as well and ushering in a new 2 year cycle of eclipses on the Aries/Libra axis - the first time since 2015. Most affected during eclipses are those with planets/angles at the specific degrees of each eclipse.
2023 eclipse season kicks off with a total solar eclipse at 29 Aries on the 19th April - opening the door to themes of self vs others than will be prominent between 2023-2025. Life will throw some curveballs on this axis for us to find balance in this area of our life, specific to where these signs show up for you by house.
The lunar eclipse on the 5th May is at 15 Scorpio, and sees a culmination/ending of what you have been actively releasing during the past 2 years in alignment with your own Scorpio house. Be open to the transformation taking place.
The solar eclipse on the 14th October is at 21 Libra, and begins a new focus of healing, change and release particularly around relationship dynamics relevant to your own Libra house. This cycle of relationship healing will end in 2025.
The lunar eclipse on the 28th October is at 5 degrees Taurus, and is the final eclipse on this axis. What you have been working towards in your Taurus house will be fully in motion now, and you will see return for the effort made and chances you have been taking in this area of your life. It’s a great moment to recognise how much you have grown, integrated and evolved around these themes.
