There's been rumors of war and wars that have been
The meaning of life has been lost in the wind
And some people thinkin' that the end is close by
'Stead of learnin' to live they are learnin' to die

BOB DYLAN

With 2020 marked by the austerity of the Saturn-Pluto conjunction in January, momentous events will likely dominate the world stage.

The UK’s exit from the European Union, the possibility of Queen Elizabeth stepping down from the monarchy, and an increasingly precarious situation — both politically and environmentally — in the USA will keep people’s attention firmly fixed on events they have no hope of affecting. Situations which they could do something about may seem challenging, or pointless, in the face of what may feel like impending doom.

The essential nature of this planetary pair points to the breaking down of the old order for something new to emerge. In Capricorn, that breakdown will occur in long-standing institutions — Government, Financial, Religious, Legal, and perhaps Royal. When Pluto entered Capricorn in 2008, we experienced the beginning of the banking crisis, the results of which are still playing out, as countries battle rising homelessness, poverty, and cuts to social support- a direct knock-on effect- while others, China among them, face the beginnings of a banking collapse of their own.

Pluto has always been associated with riches drawn from the depths of the earth: oil, gas, coal. The Industrial Revolution, which began in the 18th century, roughly coincides with Pluto’s last transit through Capricorn — and now, a full Pluto cycle later, it’s clear that stripping the earth of everything she contains in pursuit of further riches cannot be the way the human race continues. We are, however, conditioned to rely on the very things spelling disaster for our environment, and nothing less than a total revolution of thought can help us going forward.

The last Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn took place in 1518, at the height of the Italian Renaissance: the Protestant Reformation was changing the face of Europe, and it was the era of Copernicus and Michelangelo. Venetian influence began to decline after that, while Spain and Portugal expanded into the New World. Before that, a conjunction in 1284 heralded the rapid decline of the greatest empire the world had yet seen — that of the Mongols.

Looking back in this way helps us see that this conjunction often coincides with an implosion, or an overreach, forcing some kind of devolution or shift in the balance of power. Different values rise, and there’s a sense of the air clearing as a “brave new world” emerges from the rubble.

With most of the year’s retrograde activity taking place through August, September, and October, we might expect most “events” to have manifested by then — though the entire year is likely to feel like a disaster waiting to happen. With Mars retrograde from September to mid-November, moving back through its own sign of Aries and squaring the heavyweight team in Capricorn, sparks may well fly, as the faster planet on home territory taps into the collective muscle of Saturn and Pluto.

On a personal level, the year’s main astrological feature remains the Saturn-Pluto conjunction in January. It sets the scene for a year in which areas of life you might have thought were stable and reliable begin to change, putting everything in a new light. This can feel destabilising, particularly if you don’t enjoy a good challenge. You may experience some limitation, even hardship, as you’re tested in some area of life. But if you can steer a positive course, it could prove very rewarding — the energy is excellent for clearing out the old to bring in the new, rather like renovating an old house. Alongside the awareness that change is now possible comes the potential to tap into the energy you need to move closer to your goals.

Power will be a key word this year, though whether you feel powerful yourself, or cross paths with those who are, depends on when you were born. Taurus and Virgo are likely to benefit most from this transformative energy, while Aries and Libra may find themselves at the mercy of forces greater than themselves. Capricorn and Cancer are likely to have the most dynamic year of all, with things probably all systems go. Though things could feel overwhelming at times, used wisely, this year’s energies can help you achieve real change — perhaps even uncover things about yourself you never knew existed. The summer could feel like it’s dragging on, with problems multiplying and backing up through autumn, but the year should end on a stronger note, with a renewed sense of purpose in your responsibilities and the feeling that you’ve found a sensible balance in your life.

Here’s a quick tour around the signs for the coming year, and what you might expect. Read for your Sun sign and Rising sign, if you know it.

Aries: The year begins with attention drawn to your position in the world, and it may seem events are conspiring against you. You may be forced to look closely at your career/home balance, and motivated to examine whether you’re heading in the right direction. If you haven’t been entirely honest with yourself here, matters beyond your control may begin to force your hand. Power struggles at work, or increased demands on your time and abilities, will continue — but by year’s end you should be able to rebuild with more authenticity, finishing 2020 on stronger footing and travelling lighter than when you started.

Taurus: This year you’re likely to be drawn toward pushing boundaries and expanding your horizons — whether that’s going back to college or travelling to a longed-for destination. Taurus will undergo deep learning this year, though you may need to ask whether you really need that next qualification, or whether it’s time to put the three you already have to use. Early summer likely brings a period of deep introspection and soul-searching which, though challenging, may provide exactly the information you need for your next step. The end of the year could bring new earning potential, or perhaps that holiday you’ve been dreaming about.

Gemini: It’s all about building up your personal self-worth this year, and there could be big changes on the money front. Don’t rule out a family inheritance, though how beneficial it ends up being can’t be foreseen. On some level, you’ll be focused on developing your skill set and making things more secure for yourself — whether by adding more strings to your bow, or simply resolving to be better to yourself in 2020. The year ends with a renewed sense of connection in your local community, and the sense that you have something genuinely valuable to give.

Cancer: For Cancer, it’s up to other people to bring the big changes this year, and you could find yourself at the mercy of others’ decisions. It may feel as though choice is taken out of your hands, but it could well be exactly what you needed — so don’t panic when everything seems to be falling apart. By year’s end you’ll be gathering everything back together, relieved that there’s now far less to worry about, and with more time to spend where you’d rather be: with those you love best.

Leo: For Leo, health and the importance of good daily routines move to the forefront this year. Prompted by a desire to get a better handle on things that have felt out of control, you may find yourself having to get better at managing yourself. Famous for enjoying the good times, Leos will now need to put real effort into looking after themselves, and to find a better health and fitness balance if they’re to carry on in the style to which they aspire. The hard work should pay off, leaving you in fine fettle just in time for the party season in December.

Virgo: For Virgo, expect big changes in the areas of personal creativity and children. There’s a powerhouse of energy available to you this year, though you may find yourself investing most of it in your little ones, if you’re at that stage. This could prove challenging, especially if you’d rather be out in the wider world pursuing your own goals — but be reassured that the time invested now won’t be wasted. By year’s end, you should be able to put into action all the plans you’ve had for a change of diet, exercise programme, and new work practices.

Libra: For Libra, home life is where the disruption lies — you’re the sign most likely to be undertaking major structural changes this year. Now is the time to make sure the foundations of your life are on firm ground, whether that means literally renovating your house or, more metaphorically, spending time with family and loved ones. Either way, you’ll benefit from reflecting on your personal life with a view to building firmer foundations for the future. By year’s end, things lighten up, and you’ll realise that all work and no play makes for a dull person — feeling more able to express your sense of fun and creativity.

Scorpio: Your daily activities take up more attention than usual this year, and your communications with others take on a more serious note. Relationships with siblings may cause some difficulty, and you may find yourself working harder than usual to keep things on an even keel within your family of origin. The end of the year brings more attention closer to home, with a desire to expand your home, move to a larger house, or renovate the one you have. A new enjoyment of family blossoms towards the end of the year, and celebrations may be in order to welcome a new member through birth or marriage.

Sagittarius: Financial restrictions could prove a problem this year, particularly if you’ve made irresponsible decisions with your finances in the past. Your resources may feel stretched to the limit, which could in turn affect your self-esteem. On a more positive note, you have the ability during this time to work hard and build up your personal value. The end of the year sees you getting more involved in communications of all kinds — taking a new course, making new friends, or simply finding time to catch up with old ones.

Capricorn: During this period, you reap the benefits of the hard work you’ve done in recent years. Achievement comes as a result of facing your responsibilities — something that could be highly rewarding or overwhelming, depending on how you’ve played your cards. If you’ve spent years working behind the scenes, now is the time you’re likely to take on a more public role and receive recognition for your efforts. By year’s end, your sense of well-being increases, whether through growing self-esteem or increased wealth. Money flows during this period, but spend it wisely, or you may later find your increased income has simply slipped away.

Aquarius: This is likely to be a year of working hard behind the scenes to achieve an important ambition, and you may find yourself testing your ideals and how far they can be used to further the goals of others. It could be a difficult year in ways others won’t notice, but by the end of it you’ll experience a far greater sense of optimism and self-confidence, finally feeling capable of achieving the goals you’ve been working toward. You may find that over the course of the year you develop a larger-than-life presence with the ability to inspire others — and, as a result, the opportunity to travel and spread the word of your personal mission.

Pisces: Group commitments feature strongly this year, and you could find yourself taking on an official role, or your commitments to a group increasing. It’s also possible that friendships and groups that have featured heavily in your life, end during this time. There’s likely to be a deep interest in clarifying your goals this year, with much soul-searching along the way — a desire to seek meaning in life from deep within yourself. By year’s end, you’re likely to realise you need to recharge your batteries quietly behind the scenes rather than seek the limelight, trusting that recognition will come later, and that for now it might be better to take the time to reflect.

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