Hi Friends,
Here we are in a New Year and a new vibration. As many of us are discovering everything is made of up light and sound frequencies and this year we will come to understand this even more. The Numerology for 2023 breaks down to a Seven year (2+0+2+3= 7). Seven years are usually associated with; introspection, emotions, analysis, intuition, reflection, seclusion, research, seeking truth, wisdom, dignity, fulfillment, perfection, and faith. As Numerologist Christine DeLorey puts it “No matter how spiritually or materially ‘advanced’ you think you are, the reflective power of 7 will expose an empty space in your life which can make you feel quite lonely. Accept that this emptiness exists, and you will discover the fullness of your true capabilities. You see, that emptiness is your own unfulfilled potential”. She is correct in my opinion …“Look within and you shall find God’s kingdom”.
We will be much more sensitive this year, choosing to surround ourselves with more people and things that make us feel safe and cozy. In the Chinese astrology we will be in the year of the Water Rabbit. According to Chinese astrology, this Chinese New Year starts on January 22, 2023 and ends on February 9, 2024. The year 2023 is symbolized by longevity, peace, prosperity, benevolence, feelings, responsibilities, resourcefulness, creativity, adaptability and fertility. It is time to explore our spiritual side as the Year of the Water Rabbit is also the year of hope.
In western astrology the year begins with two planets in retrograde, Mercury and Mars. This has been the theme for the past few years as we’ve started each New Year with an inner planet in retrograde motion. Mercury’s backspin mode began on December 29, 2022 and will last until January 18, 2023. This reversal is offering one last look at the past before we make our way into the new the world of 2023. There are three more Mercury retrogrades in earth signs to come in the New Year: The first spanning from April 21 to May 14 in Taurus; the second from Aug. 23 to September 15 in Virgo; and the third and finale from December 13 to January 1, 2024 in the signs of Capricorn and Sagittarius.
The other inner planet that begins the year in retrograde motion is self-directed Mars. Mars retrograde began on October 30, 2022 in Gemini and will last until January 12, 2023. This reversal means that our resolutions will get off to a slow start, since the energetic planet is going to be taking its time catching up to the new world. Mars represents our motivation and since it’s been retrograde for so long we have not had the desire to achieve our goals. But once it starts picking up speed the second half of January 2024 our drive will return. I think the New Year will officially start the second half of January.
Approximately every eighteen month or so, the Moon’s lunar nodes of destiny retrograde into another set of signs on the same axis. The Nodes represent a point at which the Moon’s orbit crosses over the ecliptic. This year, they will enter the signs of Aries and Libra on July 17, 2023 until Jan. 11, 2025. When the North Node slips back into autonomous Aries and the South Node into partnership Libra, relationships plunge into a new evolutionary cycle as we work to balance our desire for independence with the necessity of interdependence.
In the spring is where a lot of the cosmic activity begins. Two of the three outer planets will make their move in March 2023. The first planet to change signs will be Saturn on March 7, 2023 when it makes its way in the mystical sign of Pisces. Saturn will stay in Pisces until February 2026. Saturn is the sign that represents karma, discipline, structure, foundation, and restrictions. Saturn knows the limits of time and matter. It reminds us of our boundaries, our responsibilities, and our commitments. Essentially, Saturn brings definition to our lives. This planet, through its placement and connections in our charts makes us aware of the need for self-control, boundaries, and limits.
The realm of Pisces is a never-ending sea of mysticism, creativity, and fantasy. It is a beautiful space where we birth the mental forms of our most heartfelt desires. But left alone, that is where they may stay. During this transit we will find ourselves becoming more spiritual and with Saturn’s help we can bring our dreams into reality. In fact, our intuition is more grounded and our fantasies flow seamlessly with reality. This is when we lay the groundwork for manifesting our highest purpose.
Since Pisces is so sensitive to other’s needs, one of the down sides to this transit will be taking on the pains and joys of others as their experiences interplay with your own. Fortunately, with this balanced combination of practical idealism it will make sure we’re not lost in that energy for too long. Who knows we might even come out the other side with actionable ways to share healing and inner wisdom with those around us.
The next planet to make a significant move will be powerful Pluto on March 23, 2023 when it enters Aquarius for the first time in 240 years. Pluto will briefly spend some time in Aquarius from March 23, 2023, to June 11, 2023 and then it will retrograde back into Capricorn until the rest of 2023. Its uninterrupted 20-year journey through Aquarius officially begins on January 21, 2024. In astrology, Pluto represents themes surrounding destruction, death, and rebirth, while Aquarius represents revolution, rebellion, and reshaping humanity. “Pluto’s role is to keep the engine of the universe going, by eliminating what can no longer sustain life. If something is rotten, Pluto will eliminate it, to leave space for healthy growth.
Pluto in Aquarius means revolution, and with that comes a need to evaluate the current state of the world. As astrologer Robert Hand writes in his book “Horoscope Symbols,” the influence of Pluto is intrinsically linked with the cycle of beginnings and ends. “Pluto represents an evolutionary power built into the nature of things. Living things develop: they grow, die, decay, and are changed into something else. Cultures rise, fall, and become the seeds of new cultures,” Hand explains. The last time Pluto was in Aquarius was during a period of massive change all over the world. And after dealing with the authoritative and restrictive reach of Pluto in Capricorn, this change couldn’t come at a better time.
Pluto in Aquarius will spend its time shaking up all preconceived notions and beliefs around society, technology, social media, and more, and you can expect things to become even tenser when these transits ignite the flames of change and begin the decentralization of existing power structures. While Pluto hangs out in the sign of rebellious Aquarius over the next twenty years several other key planets will make their move through Aries, the sign of passion and aggression — first with Jupiter in 2023; then with Saturn from 2025 to 2028; and finally with Neptune from 2025 to 2039.
Over the coming years as Pluto gets entangled with planets in Aries conflict is sure to arise as humanity breaks away for the norm. The passionate connection between these planets will spark conversations around enlightenment, exploration, leadership, and new frontiers…..space travel anyone?
Pluto’s entry in Aquarius is by far the most important planetary shift of our generation. Pluto’s entry into Capricorn in 2008 was felt immediately with a global recession and the collapse of the real estate market in the U.S. During Pluto in Capricorn, cracks began to show in the facades of big everything: big media, big business, big gov’t, and big tech prove themselves to be the largely out of touch, while also becoming increasingly authoritarian, censorious and unjust to compensate and maintain a firm grip on their lapsing power.
In the previous Pluto in Capricorn era, which took place in 1762 to 1777, the British government levied many unfair taxes on the American Colonies, causing increasing unrest and skirmishes, leading to the signing of the declaration of independence in 1776. There’s been a lot of talk of this monument date with the U.S. Pluto return that occur in 2022, but it must be remembered that it was the beginning of the revolutionary war, not the end. Most of the fighting for freedom occurred during the last Pluto in Aquarius period, which span from 1777 to 1797. Are we in for a repeat? Only time will tell.
The third planet to switch signs in 2023 will be Jupiter. Jupiter begins the year in fiery Aries then on May 16, 2023 enters the earthly realm of Taurus. It will stay in Taurus until May 25, 2024. Jupiter is the largest and most beneficial planet in our solar system. It’s the planet of expansion, growth, and optimism, and has a reputation for blessing us with good luck and fortune. Jupiter is all about expanding our wealth, as well as our minds. This planet is associated with the higher mind, philosophy, truth, and religion, giving us a larger lens through which we can view the world.
Taurus is a hardworking signing, so this makes it an important transit to go after solid goals that will help build firm foundations for the future. Taurus is ruled by the planet of artists and pleasure, Venus, so it is also a positive time for anyone who is super creative. There may be a tendency to pamper oneself through pricey material items during this alignment. While a little indulgences OK, try not to overdo it, especially overeating…Taurus loves food!
There’s a calming and constraining effect on boundless Jupiter when it moves through pragmatic Taurus. Jupiter may be ready to expand and stretch its idealistic legs, but Taurus tends to add some stability to this cosmic combination. While Jupiter has big-picture ambitions, Taurus slows things down to a more realistic, patient pace. But we shouldn’t be discouraged by this! If used correctly, this energy can allow us to take those dreams and turn them into attainable goals.
And speaking of Venus, she will go retrograde from July 22 to September 3 in Leo. As the ruler of pleasure, love, and relationships, Venus has a big job in astrology, helping us attract what we most desire. When Venus is direct in Leo, a furor for living life to the fullest is our M.O.—however, when Venus is retrograde in Leo, just as explosive are the dramas we can expect to experience. After all, Venus in the bold sign of the Lion does everything loud and big.
As Leo is ruled by the Sun, Leo is all about creative self-expression and the fiery passions that drive us. Venus retrograde in Leo, in the heart of the summer, is bound to feel like our inner fire has somewhat extinguished. At times, we will feel like our creativity has dried out, with no sign of return. Don’t worry—it will, but it will have a very different flavor to it. This retrograde is about dancing to the rhythms of new melodies and finding new avenues and ways to express ourselves.
People from our past will return in the form of old flames and lovers, some wanting to stay but most of them for closure. And since Venus also happens to rule money, do expect finances to be up and down this summer. Burning cash on extravagant dinners and outings could easily end up in big next-day hangovers, so avoid buying a round of shots or picking up the bill on Friday happy hours! It’s still a wonderful time to manifest love, money, and romance. The retrograde is teaching us how to care for others as well as ourselves — a sentiment that is essential to maintain our own personal happiness.
The eclipses this year also indict matters relating to partnerships. All four of them:
Solar eclipse in Aries on April 20
Lunar eclipse in Scorpio on May 5
Solar eclipse in Libra on October 14
Lunar eclipse in Taurus on October 28
The first eclipse on April 20 will have us in a feisty mood as it will not only be in Aries (the sign of battle) but will also be aspected to powerful Pluto. Rebellion and fighting against someone or something can be indicted during this New Moon. However, with a loose connection to Saturn, this can be an excellent time to start building local structures and independent networks outside of the normal channels. This eclipse represents a major new beginning and sets the tone or theme that we’ll be working on until mid-2025.
The second eclipse on May 5 will highlight the sign of power and transformation, Scorpio. This Full Moon will be full of surprises as the luminaries will be activating wild child Uranus. This volatile energy could lead to misunderstandings and incorrect assumptions and create emotional instability. Embrace the change, as Venus in Gemini will be forming a positive sextile (favorable) with Jupiter. Positive surprises could be in store if we go with the flow.
The third eclipse on October 14 will highlight partnership-oriented Libra. This lunation will offer us an opportunity to connect with new people as well as remove some that don’t belong in our lives anymore. This New Moon will activate the South Node in Libra; this will prompt us to stop seeing ourselves through someone else’s eyes. With Venus in her fall in Virgo, opposing Saturn in Pisces, some relationships are meant to end now, so don’t try to hold on to them. With its connection to Chiron (the wounded healer) we can move past hurts by surrounding ourselves with positive, uplifting people who bring joy to our world.
The last eclipse of 2023 will occur on October 28 highlighting the sign of values and stability, Taurus. The energies surrounding this lunation will be quite intense. With the Sun, Mercury and Mars all in passionate Scorpio opposing Jupiter and the moon, this is setting the stage for conflict or restlessness. Furthermore, the Nodes squaring Pluto in Capricorn, a significant purging is taking place now as we experience the last eclipse in the Taurus-Scorpio axis. Expect big shifts in relationships, business, and money manners now. These endings will give way to new beginnings that are more in line with concepts of expansion and freedom.
2023 Video Horoscopes
Major Transits for 2023
Mar 7 – Saturn enters Pisces
Mar 12 – Jupiter Conjunct Chiron
Mar 23 – Pluto enters Aquarius
Apr 14 – Saturn sextile North Node
Apr 20 – Solar Eclipse in Aries
Apr 21 – Mercury Retrograde in Taurus
May 1 – Pluto Retrograde in Aquarius
May 5 – Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio
May 14 – Mercury direct in Taurus
May 16 – Jupiter enters Taurus
May 17 – Jupiter Square Pluto
June 1 – Jupiter Conjunct North Node
June 11 – Pluto retrogrades back into Capricorn
June 17 – Saturn retrograde in Pisces
June 19 – Jupiter sextile Saturn
July 17 – North Node enters Aries
July 22 – Venus retrograde in Leo
July 23 – Pluto square North Node
Aug 23 – Mercury retrograde in Virgo
Aug 28 – Uranus retrograde in Taurus
Sept 3 – Venus direct in Leo
Sept 4 – Jupiter retrograde in Taurus
Sept 15- Mercury direct in Virgo
Oct 10 – Pluto direct in Capricorn
Oct 14 – Solar Eclipse in Libra
Oct 28 – Lunar Eclipse in Taurus
Dec 13 – Mercury retrograde in Capricorn
Dec 30 – Jupiter direct in Taurus
Have a great year folks!
Joseph P. Anthony
