​Astrology and Coronavirus

This article first appeared in March 2020 in response to the emerging COVID19 crisis.

It describes the major influences linking astrology and coronavirus, and also refers to predictions made at the end of 2019 on this website (plus elsewhere) that accurately outline the massive changes ahead. 

Over one year later, (updated April 18 2021) the epidemic continues to worsen and the huge implications for our global community are still unfolding. The emergence of new variants tells us that we cannot simply go back to how things were

As predicted, Australia has had extraordinary events happening at a political and environmental level that fit precisely with the need for transformation described below.

Fortunately the climate in the US has improved after horrendous scenes at Capitol Hill. But there is much work to do on this planet if we want to live the lives of prosperity and peace we are capable of…

Original Post –

A New World is Coming

2020 always looked like it would be be somehow cataclysmic. For several years now, astrologers have been describing the likelihood of an intense, transformational period that would shift our relationship to eachother and the world we live in.

In 2015, astrologer Maurice Fernandez wrote “When we look back at that period, we may find ourselves dividing the times between life before 2020 and life after 2020.”

Despite the astrological indications, no one could have predicted how rapidly, or completely, things would change.

Yet many of us have been very, very close to the mark. We have known for a long time that the conjunction of Saturn and Pluto occurring in January of this year would likely trigger massive change.

How did we know this? By simply looking at the evidence available based on past events.

The Saturn/Pluto Cycle

This cycle – commencing when Saturn and Pluto appear in the same area of the sky from our perspective on Earth –  occurs roughy every 30-40 years and is synonymous with historical periods marked by structural reform on a global level and sometimes upheaval. Yet many of us knew that 2020 was always going to be different.

In 2015, astrologer Maurice Fernandez wrote about the lead up to 2020, making some very astute predictions. You can read more about this cycle here, and the planetary influences unfolding in the year ahead.

Pluto and Saturn conjoined at 22 Capricorn in the second week of January this year under a Full Moon / solar eclipse, just as news of the coronavirus epidemic started to emerge. What makes 2020 so different from previous Saturn Pluto cycles is that a build up of additional planetary triggers have gathered, pinpointing this year as one of likely massive global change.

When planets meet they mark a point in the Zodiac that becomes sensitive to further triggers. For the scientifically or technically minded, think of this as a term or query being highlighted within a search engine. When the same term is activated, a predictable set of responses will occur.

A Sensitive Degree

This 22nd degree of Capricorn has become highlighted and may remain so for the duration of this cycle – which will be until 2053. What is important for us now however is the fact that several other plants were also clustered around this degree – including Mercury, Ceres, Jupiter and now Mars.

In fact, as the astrological New Year begins (writing this March 20 2020) Mars and Jupiter are conjoined at 22 Capricorn and will also conjoin Pluto in the next few days. As March draws to a close we are reaching a critical point in terms of collective wellbeing. The events which unfold in the next few weeks will set the tone for the next 12 months. Great courage is required.

Astrologers have already pointed to the likelihood of 2020 bringing a pandemic and major global recession.

According to Fernandez

On January 12, 2020, Saturn conjoins Pluto at 22° Capricorn for a single, and dramatic, pass. With the Sun, Ceres, and Mercury within a degree, and the respective South Nodes of Saturn and Pluto close to this degree, we can expect this cycle to have an exceptionally powerful effect, from the year leading up to the conjunction and approximately two years following it. As previously mentioned, this cycle is bound to stimulate significant geopolitical dynamics that will affect the distribution of power in many structures on a global scale. Angular aspects between Saturn and Pluto are also known to reflect pandemics and natural disasters, particularly seismic and volcanic activity……

We understand that the initial intention of the Saturn–Pluto conjunction is to increase value and empower systems, but it is easy to mismanage these influences because they demand high ethical leadership, and therefore we must consider the prospect of a severe economic recession. At worst, with Mars in Aries retrograding later in 2020 and squaring the Saturn–Pluto conjunction, serious political conflicts and even a global war are possible.

Countries that feature this 22nd degree will be especially vulnerable. These include Italy (Venus and Saturn 21-23 Capricorn), Australia (Midheaven at this degree) and Greece (ASC 22 Capricorn). Just looking at these countries alone reveals how intricately connected the web of planetary pattern really is.

A Sign of Things to Come

The face of modern Australia has been irrevocably shaped by both Greek and Italian immigrants. Despite its English heritage, modern Australia owes as much to its cultural ties with Greece and Italy. The national charts for these nations reflect not so much their starting point, as their evolution onto the contemporary world stage. Now all three nations face major crises that will shape their destiny for years to come

Already this year, Australia saw unprecedented fires that ravaged lives, the countryside and the economy. With Pluto and Saturn conjoined on the national Midheaven,  Australia must adapt and change. 

Italy has Venus and Saturn in its 9th house. The intensity of the coronavirus outbreak there may well trigger another mass exodus of its citizens to foreign shores, similar to the post WW2 period.

Greece is facing another massive challenge trying to rebuild its economy, whilst refugees continue to try and enter the country and tourism (the lifeblood of the economy) is threatened by massive downturns.

In many ways, working to support eachother may be an eventual outcome here, as the fate of all three nations is intimately linked.

We can also see signs of what this Saturn/Pluto conjunction means globally by looking at what is right now happening to Australia.

As symbols, Saturn and Pluto represent a diverse set of experiences including governments, banking, corporations, hierarchies, structures, fear, reprisals, power, abuse, truth, massive wealth, transformation and regeneration. 

The Midheaven in any chart symbolizes how an entity will be perceived publicly. The world watched with horror and great empathy as a billion animals burned in the summer of 2019/2020. That tragedy in Australia has made the horrifying reality of climate change impossible to lie about (the vested interests of corrupt elites)  or ignore (facing up to painful and uncomfortable truths).

Now the world watches as Australians strip their supermarkets bare of needed resources. Panic-buying and fear have triggered collective hoarding that unnecessarily threatens the most vulnerable in the community.

At a symbolic level, Saturn and Pluto represent the management of resources, as well as how power is used to control or stabilize society. Saturn is about setting boundaries and self-protection. Pluto is symbolically linked to elimination, and deep fear. Both planets are linked to toilets and sewers.

The lighthearted image of Australians trying to protect themselves from COVID19 by wrapping themselves in toilet paper currently doing the social media rounds is says much about a Saturn/Pluto response triggered by misinformation.

It’s a prime example of where the misuse of power and tendency for vested self interest harms us all. As a society, we need to evolve past this point.

Despite the impulses of our deepest dreads and anxieties, we cannot continue to abuse eachother or the planet through the inequitable distribution of wealth. If we do, we face massive disruption – extinction perhaps?

Fernandez described the influence of the Saturn/Pluto conjunction in these terms

This meeting of forces represents, among other things, the redistribution of power in the world or, in other words, which faction will make the decisions that affect the greater collective, whether this occurs in plain sight or behind the scenes. From a spiritual perspective, this cycle reflects a rite of passage determining who is most qualified to be the custodian of resources, and thus regulates who will be in a position of influence. In its purest form, this cycle is one of the highest tests of integrity and morality for those in authority, along with a test of capacity and resilience. Beyond the management of power, this cycle is also about the skill to increase power and the value of resources.

2020 – What’s Next?

In the weeks and months ahead, major structures are likely to fall as a massive redistribution of resources starts to occur.

Rather than trying to predict what will occur, perhaps a better question to ask is why?

Why are we being forced to rebuild our society, and how can we do that in away that is more responsible, resilient and realistic for the future?

We can’t live in this false economy of excess consumption and greed. Climate change and coronavirus teach us this.

We must transform the way we relate to eachother and the natural world

The smartest place to begin then is with your own self. In fact – you can only ever be responsible for your own responses and this is the only change you can really ever make. 

So ask yourself – what am I good at?  What do I enjoy sharing with others and what gives me energy in return?

This is the best thing you could do in a post COVID19 world. Be the person you were born to be as you take care of family, friends and neighbours.

Damian Rocks

I’m a professional astrologer, coach, and Ayurvedic consultant, originally from Australia but now travelling the world. At Stars Like You, the focus is on happiness. We publish great astrology articles, as well as well-researched pieces on nutrition, wellness and Ayurveda drawn from years of clinical experience.
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