One of 2021’s most important aspects — a Jupiter-Uranus square pumped up by Mars and Saturn — highlights the second half of January. We also have an astrologically potent Inauguration Day, with a Saturn-Neptune semi-square and a Mars-Uranus conjunction!

And it doesn’t stop there. We also have Mercury turning retrograde and the Sun entering Aquarius … in addition to a new Grand Cross and a peaking Triple Thor’s Hammer!

This forecast covers this half-month’s most important astrological events. For bonus events, check out my award-winning This Week in Astrology audio podcast and YouTube video forecasts — updated weekly!

Click astrology graphics to see larger images. Some resource links may occur more than once. This is because many people link to a specific day’s forecast from social media, and might not see an important resource link elsewhere on this page.

1/17 (Sun)

Jupiter Square Uranus

One of 2021’s most important aspects, Jupiter square Uranus (6°43′ Aquarius-Taurus), is exact today at 5:49 pm EST. It came into orb (close enough to connect) on 12/6/20, and leaves orb on 3/6/21.

We’ve already seen this square’s shocking influence with Trump inciting the mob of rioters that stormed the US Capitol. This led to several deaths, and endangered the House and Senate members who were formalizing Biden’s presidential victory.

This square is further energized by Mars, which is about to make strong aspects to both planets. Mars will conjoin Uranus in 3 days, on 1/20 (Inauguration Day in the US). Mars will square Jupiter in 6 days, on 1/23. Mars is less than 2 degrees from his aspects to both planets today, putting him solidly within the “orb of power”.

On the challenging side, as we saw in Washington, Mars can bring attack, aggression, violence and murder. The life-affirming potentials of Mars include striving for a worthy cause, as well as embodying the initiator, sexual being, athlete, and entrepreneur. For more specific Mars interpretations, click the links above or just keep reading this forecast.

One Archetypal Pairing, Fired Up Three Ways

The themes of this Jupiter-Uranus square will be in the air, one way or another, throughout nearly all of 2021! This is because this archetypal combination will also be energized by a multi-month Jupiter-Uranus quintile, and by Jupiter transiting Aquarius. Uranus and Aquarius have the same meaning, so all these events carry similar energies.

Let’s take a brief look at the quintiles between Jupiter and Uranus. The quintile is a 72-degree aspect, one-fifth of the circle. It’s positive and inspiring, associated with magic, inspiration, divine connection, and fairy dust.

There will be exact quintiles between Jupiter and Uranus on 5/5, 7/3 and 12/24. And the quintile will be in orb (close enough to connect) 3/30 through 8/8.

Regarding Aquarius, Jupiter entered the lightning bolt sign on 12/19/20, and will remain there until it enters Pisces on 5/13. Jupiter retrogrades back into Aquarius on 7/28, and re-enters Pisces on 12/28. This, along with the Jupiter-Uranus quintiles and square, explains why Jupiter will be connecting with Uranus and/or Aquarius all year, except for the final 4 days of 2021.

Quintiles tend to inspire positive events, while the Jupiter-Uranus square and Jupiter in Aquarius can catalyze both positive and challenging situations.

Shadow and Light

What follows is an extensive list of shadow qualities between Jupiter and Uranus/Aquarius, followed by lots of positive qualities. These are drawn, with the author’s generous permission, from Renn Butler’s magnificent book, The Archetypal Universe: Astrological Patterns in Human Culture, Thought, Emotion and Dreams.

Shadow Qualities

• manic and impulsive excesses
• going too far
• intolerance of any level of structure or commitment
• unrealistic urges for freedom outweighing everything else
• unwillingness to cooperate
• flippant arrogance
• unbridled eccentricity
• unreliable and impractical nature
• ongoing wanderlust and impatience
• irresponsible or ineffective rebellion
• shallow or incomplete rebirth
• false breakthroughs
• flash in the pan delusions
• attraction to get-rich-quick schemes
• pie-in-the-sky overoptimism
• fool’s gold
• religious or New Age ideals promising liberation without effort or pain
• potential for hubris and overweening pride
• Christ complex
• cravings for glory
• delusions of genius
• philosophical conflicts
• philosophical or intellectual elitism
• self-righteous genius

Positive Potentials

• Dramatic breakthroughs and quantum leaps
• rebirth and awakening
• surprising resolution of problems
• unexpected openings and opportunities
• expanded horizons
• changes of fortune or philosophy
• incurable and infectious optimism
• heightened aliveness
• Access to new layers or realms of experience
• transcendence of petty problems and attachments
• urges to share your light
• the light at the end of the tunnel
• Eureka moment
• feelings of universal redemption
• collective epiphanies and awakenings
• breakthroughs that benefit everyone
• everything around you coming vibrantly alive
• higher emancipation
• freedom for all
• “the truth shall make you free”
• maximum liberation
• moments of genius or brilliance
• divine inspiration
• create a frenzy
• to “become as God”
• flashes of greatness
• ascendancy of the liberal, humanitarian and progressive impulses
• surges of cultural flowering

We’re not done! The interpretation continues after this message.

What About Saturn?

As we’ve just seen, Jupiter and Uranus can generate a huge variety of outcomes. But there’s even more going on here.

Saturn is also involved in the Jupiter-Uranus square. In fact, Saturn is conjunct Jupiter and square Uranus the entire time! (As noted above, the Jupiter-Uranus square is in orb 12/6/20 thru 3/6/21.) Once again, I borrow from The Archetypal Universe to explore how these three archetypes might combine:

Shadow Qualities

• self-righteous extremism
• hard manic energies
• premature rebellion or attempts at change
• chronic lack of focus
• preference for New Age gimmicks over real inner work
• consequences of unchecked experimentation
• impulsive excesses followed by negative feedback
• ongoing pattern of hubris and punishment
• philosophical rigidity or inertia which precludes deeper breakthroughs
• delaying or mitigating rebirth

Positive Potentials

• responsible freedom
• incremental liberation and expansion
• disciplined experimentation
• a talent for solving difficult problems
• awareness of both rights and responsibilities
• restraining overoptimism
• progress within established structures
• holding tension internally until a resolution presents itself
• sudden lifting of pressure
• laying the groundwork for future quantum leaps
• tremendous freedom earned over time
• balanced philosophical approach to spirituality
• suffering leading to liberation
• effort leading to ecstasy
• chronic symptoms unexpectedly leading to divine consciousness
• breakthroughs in consciousness which redeem all possible life circumstances
• lead turned into gold, emotionally speaking

Conclusion

The universe is a hologram, and is powerfully influenced by your thoughts. The more you focus on the high side potentials above, the greater the chance that they’ll show up to make your life more wonderful!

This interpretation of the Jupiter-Uranus square is a revised excerpt from my 2021 astrology forecast. To watch that video, click here.

1/19 (Tue)

The Sun enters Aquarius at 3:40 pm EST. This gives you a month to focus on the highest expressions of this sign. These include embodying and expressing your unique human self, following your intuitive hits, and serving others using your special gifts and talents that you most love to use.

1/20 (Wed)

Inauguration Day: Saturn Semi-square Neptune & Mars Conjunct Uranus

What’s the astrology news as Joe Biden is sworn in as the new US president? First off, Law of Attraction work and embodied awakening are energized by a Saturn-Neptune semi-square (3°55′ Aquarius-18°55′ Pisces) at 11:58 am EST.

This minor hard aspect came into orb on 12/9 and remains energetically connected through 3/12. If you want to eliminate something from your life, this aspect can also assist with conscious dissolution.

Inauguration Day also features a Mars-Uranus conjunction (6°44′ Taurus) at 3:38 pm EST. On the challenging side, this aspect is associated with sudden or unexpected violence or aggression. So it’s appropriate that Biden’s swearing-in will take place under extreme security precautions, including an empty National Mall! On a personal level, do your best to avoid potentially violent people or situations.

On the high side, a Mars-Uranus conjunction is a wonderful combination for innovative leadership, sexual experimentation, or taking immediate action on your intuitive flashes. In politics and other areas, with Uranus in Taurus, this conjunction can represent rapid, radical change to existing structures.

This Mars-Uranus conjunction is further empowered by its squares to Jupiter and Saturn, as noted in my 1/17 Jupiter-Uranus square interpretation.

1/23 (Sat)

At a basic level, a Mars-Jupiter square (7°59′ Taurus-Aquarius) has Jupiter amplifying the potential expressions of Mars. I discussed the Red Planet in my 1/17 forecast for Jupiter squaring Uranus. There I noted that the challenging side of Mars can bring attack, aggression, violence and murder. The life-affirming potentials of Mars include striving for a worthy cause, as well as embodying the initiator, sexual being, athlete, and entrepreneur.

With Mars in Taurus, this aspect can amplify endurance and persistence. It encourages you to slow down and enjoy the full-body sensuality of sexual connection. And it can also help to expand your material or financial resources.

1/24 (Sun)

New Grand Cross Supports Compassionate Partnership for a Worthy Cause

Your noblest instincts can flourish more easily, thanks to a Grand Cross that starts today (1/24). It includes Juno, Vesta, Neptune and the lunar nodes. This aspect pattern peaks on 2/20 and ends on 3/14.

Vesta represents selfless service to a higher cause. Juno represents committed partnership. This could represent you and someone else joining forces to support this cause, or could stand for your partnership with the cause itself.

Neptune adds the compassion and unconditional love you may feel for this worthy cause. And the lunar nodes steer you toward supporting a cause aligned with your life purpose.

Optionally, Neptune could add spiritual or creative elements into the mix. And the lunar nodes’ placement in the Axis of Communication – South Node in Sagittarius, North Node in Gemini — could encourage you to learn more about this worthy cause, or share information about it.

1/26 (Tue)

Peaking “Triple Thor’s Hammer” Highlights Selfless Service

Vesta is the star of a rare and complex aspect pattern that peaks today. This Triple Thor’s Hammer — 3 interwoven Thor’s Hammer aspect patterns — started on 12/16, peaks today (1/26), and ends on 2/14.

The power of this aspect pattern is juiced up by two guest appearances (not pictured). Jupiter (conjunct Saturn) amplifies its effects 12/16 thru 1/27, while Mars (conjunct Uranus) boosts its potency 1/8 thru 1/25.

The heart of this configuration is a single Thor’s Hammer. It has a Saturn-Uranus square on the back end, pointing to Vesta at the tip. This could generate flashes of intuition, showing how to take the structures supporting this cause to the next level.

What if something about the cause, or how you’re approaching it, needs release or adjustment? In that case, the existing structures will be destabilized. To find the best way forward, listen to your intuitive hits and be willing to think outside the box.

That’s the message of the Vesta-Saturn-Uranus Thor’s Hammer. This Triple Thor’s Hammer also contains two other individual Thor’s Hammers: Vesta-Uranus-South Node and Vesta-Saturn-North Node. To keep things simple, we can simply focus on the fact that this adds the lunar nodes into the mix.

The lunar nodes, which are always directly across from each other, create the Axis of Destiny. Think deeply about the higher cause you’re allied with. Is it truly aligned with your life purpose? Are you passionate about serving it?

If so, give it everything you’ve got. If not, consider shifting your allegiance to a higher cause that truly inspires your enthusiasm!

1/28 (Thu)

Leo Full Moon

January’s Full Moon lines up at 2:16 pm EST (9°5′ Leo). Any Leo Full Moon is good for release or adjustment in how you’re stepping out as a leader or performer. Also consider changes in how you’re working with children or your inner child. And how about your approach to fun, rest and relaxation?

Aspects

T-square

This Full Moon’s major feature is that it squares Mars and Uranus, and opposes the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn. This forms a T-square, adding even more fuel to the huge bonfire that Mars, Jupiter and Uranus have already ignited!

Rather than repeat so much material, here are links to the three interpretations where I discuss these planets’ interactions.
1/17: Jupiter square Uranus
1/20: Mars conjunct Uranus
1/23: Mars square Jupiter

Kite

This Full Moon also contains a harmonious Kite. This aspect pattern includes the Moon, Sun, Juno, Jupiter and Chiron. It offers healing, mentoring and hope to committed partnerships.

Sabian Symbol

The Sabian Symbol for this Full Moon is, “Early morning dew salutes the sunlight.” This image radiates hope and optimism. It speaks of new beginnings, nurturing moisture and life-giving energy. It reminds us that, however crazy things may seem, each day dawns with wonderful new possibilities!

1/30 (Sat)

Mercury Retrograde

Mercury turns retrograde at 10:52 am EST (26°29′ Aquarius). The winged messenger will turn direct again on 2/20 at 7:52 pm EST (11°1′ Aquarius).

Aquarian Contemplations

This retrograde takes place entirely within Aquarius. This sign has gotten a lot of attention lately, especially with the Jupiter-Saturn Great Conjunction happening in the first degree of Aquarius on the Winter Solstice. (I facilitated a special Awakening Plus online meditation at that moment, and felt a major influx of Aquarian Age energy!)

With Mercury retrograde entirely within the sign of quantum leaps, it’s a great time to reflect on how you can best embody positive Aquarian qualities.

For starters, have you accepted everything about yourself that’s unconventional or outside the box? And are you expressing those unique qualities into the world? Can you “fly your freak flag” all the way up the flagpole all the time, or do your circumstances require you to express your uniqueness more selectively?

Aquarius rules intuitive hits. These come directly from your higher self. It created you and always knows your optimal course of action.

You can recognize an intuitive hit with absolute certainty. You “know in your bones” the instant it pops in. How consistently are you following this life-affirming guidance?

Finally, each of us is born in response to a need of the collective. What are your special gifts and talents? How fully are you using them to serve others in a way that delights you?

Standard Advice

Mercury retrograde is a better time to reflect than act. Make sure you’re understanding and being understood. Be prepared for more glitches than usual. Double-check any travel arrangements. If possible, delay important contract signings and major purchases until Mercury is direct again.

Mercury retrograde is ideal for reflection, contemplation and planning. It’s also a great time for repairs, or completing projects that were already underway. Tie up those loose ends!

Whatever your Sun Sign, my forecasts can help you make the best use of the current astrological energies.

All dates and times are in the U.S. eastern time zone. Events are most powerful on the dates listed, but their influence will be active for at least a week before and after.

Everyone is affected by these global transits. However, you’ll be most powerfully impacted when moving planets activate sensitive points in your natal chart. Discover how these transits will personally affect you by booking a session with me.

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