You know how sometimes you have to let things fall apart entirely before you can start over? That has essentially been the energy of this pandemic-filled year, which is now drawing to a conclusion and ushering in the transformational Age of Aquarius as we leave behind the Age of Pisces. (Yes, the Age of Aquarius, which is referenced in the song “the dawning of the” from the musical Hair.) But what exactly is the Age of Aquarius?
Every 2,150 years, as the Earth rotates into a new zodiac sign around the spring equinox, an astrological “age” changes.
There is some disagreement over when the Age of Pisces comes to an end and the genuine Age of Aquarius begins, but given the significant transits that occurred in 2020, the general consensus is that we will enter at the start of 2021. Consider the fact that seven celestial bodies will enter Aquarius in February 2021, and Jupiter and Saturn will form the Great Conjunction on the approaching winter solstice (December 21, 2020). Let’s just say it’s been a wild journey during the Age of Pisces.
According to transformative astrologer Corina Crysler, “The Era of Pisces shaped many belief systems, but now it’s time to combine our practices into a way of life that keeps us linked, not divided, to construct a foundation that may move us into a new age.” “Pluto and Uranus did much of the heavy lifting this year, tearing down any constructions based on antiquated customs. Many of Saturn’s structures were made visible by Pluto for our individual development. However, a number of transits will nudge us in the direction of the Aquarian influence.
Learn more about the Aquarian energy that will shape this new age in the sections below, and then hear from astrologers explain what the Aquarian Age is and what it means for you (and the rest of the world) through 2021.
Characteristics of Aquarians that’ll guide the Age of Aquarius
Let’s review the spirit of Aquarius and the characteristics that persons born under its sign share before delving further into the question of what the age of Aquarius is and implies as a period. With their inventions, “[aquarians] channel from the collective awareness and ether, and bring the intangible to life,” claims Crysler. Although they can have a tendency to come across as distant, they frequently anticipate our needs and have our best interests at heart.
“[In the Age of Aquarius,] the power is turning over to the individual, and giving the freedom for you to choose your own reality based on what aligns with your soul.” —Adama Sesay, astrologer
The progressive, forward-looking, “we versus I” mindset of visionary, rebellious, inventive, and quirky Aquarians is consistent with the Age of Aquarius. It emphasizes the humanistic goals of respecting each person’s uniqueness, holding and caring for one another as a group, while also upsetting the system. According to astrologer and founder of Lilith Astrology Adama Sesay, there will be a significant change in the dynamics of power in this time period. According to Sesay, “traditional, repressive hierarchical systems have held power for ages, and their ideologies have governed our reality.” “Power is shifting to the individual in the Age of Aquarius, allowing you the ability to create your own reality based on what resonates with your spirit.”
What to expect as we enter the Age of Aquarius
1. Three Mercury retrograde cycles in air signs
According to astrologer Colin Bedell, author of Zodiac Signs: Gemini, “What’s exciting me [about the start of the Age of Aquarius] is Mercury will retrograde in all the air signs,” alluding to quick-witted Gemini, prudent Libra, and, yes, Aquarius. Therefore, put the following dates on your calendar for the three retrogrades that will occur in 2021: January 20 to 30, May 29 to June 22, and September 27 to October 18.
These circumstances may have an intriguing effect on communication and possibly present a chance to improve mutual understanding. As fixed-air Aquarius transits Jupiter and Saturn, Bedell says, “I’m hoping we’ll learn the skills to perceive our experience more accurately, holistically, to listen more carefully to our loved ones, and to give voice to the emotions and thoughts that need to be discussed with the people who determine our life quality.”
2. Emphasis on technology
According to astrologer Alex Caiola of High Priestess of Brooklyn, “We’ve seen flashes of transitioning into the Age of Aquarius [in 2020], as we’ve grown less reliant on old structures, like walking into an office from nine to five, and more reliant on technology and flexibility to develop.” “This has a lot of really beneficial implications, including being able to immediately gain from shared knowledge or interact with people in distant areas. In The Social Dilemma, it is said that “If you don’t pay for the product, you are the product.” This has some not-so-great consequences.
Therein lies the tension caused by our growing adoration for and reliance on technology: The Age of Aquarius offers the chance to communicate more digitally than ever before, but it will be interesting to watch how society functions after a pandemic. Our downfall could be deepening our disconnection from the world.
3. Economic disruption
Given that Caiola claims the transit has historically been associated with economic struggle, Saturn in Aquarius square Uranus in Taurus may indicate some discomfort for the upcoming year. She adds that this transit occurred between March and April of 2020, and we all know how that turned out. “As we look back in history, this particular transit has implications of major economic disruption as an Aquarian Saturn rules connective structures, like banks and large scale financial institutions, which brings tension to Taurean Uranus, indicating loss of personal wealth.” During the Great Depression in 1929, it also occurred a few times. Therefore, major yikes. Huge.
The transit’s critical dates are February 17, June 14, and December 24, 2021. In light of this, take care of your belongings, hold on, and make an effort to anticipate what may come next. After the Great Depression, there was a period of rebuilding and reorganization, which was followed by a flourishing period, according to Caiola. History could repeat itself so often because evolution is necessary for humanity. However, if something isn’t broken, don’t try to fix it. Maybe things have to really blow up for us to realize that a revolution is necessary.
4. Community care
Maria Sofia Marmanides, an astrologer and tarot card reader, agrees that Saturn squaring Uranus is meant to demolish outdated buildings and establish something better—something that everyone can enjoy together. According to her, there is “great possibility for advancement and paradigm shifts to make these systems operate more fairly for everyone.” “With such a strong emphasis on Aquarius, astrology suggests that if we want to create a more equal society, we have work to do. Reminding ourselves of the fact that different groups of people view progress differently and that we all need to work together to make the status quo something that benefits everyone is part of that task.
We may thus conclude that the start of the Aquarian Age in 2021 will merely herald the beginning of the vast healing that is still to come. There may be an increase in social services and a greater focus on helping one another. Despite the fact that there are still hard days ahead, there is something genuinely lovely on the horizon since wellness for all is the very essence of the Age of Aquarius.