2025 is a busy astrological year containing a shift of the lunar nodes, where eclipses take place, a beguiling Venus retrograde, and a transition of Jupiter and Saturn (the intermediary planets) into new signs (Cancer and Aries respectively). However, the big news of the year is the shifting of the outer planets, Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto (which technically and finally changed signs in November and is covered here). The outer planets, which are farthest away from the sun, have much longer orbits than the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, and Mars), and are thought of as symbolizing deeper processes and more complete transformations for larger swaths of the population. For instance, astrologers often consider the outer planets to have generational influences as opposed to more personal significance. In the practice of mundane astrology (the astrology of world events) the outer planets provide the overarching rhythm of environmental shifts.
There is also a bit of a “fake out” element to 2025’s outer planetary movement. At first glance it might look like there’s going to be an entire set change; like when a film crew strikes the old set and new pieces of scenery, lighting, and performers are introduced. Due to retrogrades, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune return to the previous signs they occupied by autumn of 2025. The effect, with respect to these planets, is similar to watching a movie trailer, and then having to wait a few more months to see the actual movie. All planets will officially be in their new homes by May 2026, which is when the stories that are being teased in 2025 will have full expression. Many astrologers are calling the spring of 2026 The Great Reset. But, 2025 is still a pivotal year for breaking up, and unearthing the last stubborn bits of structure, system, and organization that obstruct new foundations that need building. We’re in a construction zone—expect more chaos, confusion, and red herrings.
NEPTUNE
Neptune enters Aries on March 30th after approximately 14 years in Pisces. One of Neptune’s main jobs is to dissolve boundaries. Whether these are boundaries between countries, people, or fact and fiction, compartmentalization will be much more difficult. Expect mind-bending, heart-opening initiations this spring as this is concurrent with 2025’s first eclipse season with the moon’s nodes in Virgo and Pisces. March and April also host Venus’ retrograde through Aries and Pisces, and Mercury’s retrograde through the two same signs. Whether we’re trapped in a haze of love or fog of war, the fact is we can’t see. Delineation and demarcation might feel impossible. Our only option might be to trust and feel. Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, and Aries is the first. All of this back and forth traffic between the two signs serves to ensure that we put the last 14 years to rest so that we can truly have a fresh start. I see this activity as preparation for the most powerful transit of 2026, which is Saturn’s conjunction with Neptune at zero-degrees Aries. Zero-degrees Aries is always ground zero—a spontaneous arrival without precedent.
URANUS
Uranus enters Gemini on July 7th after approximately seven years in Taurus. Often referred to as “the great awakener,” it delivers swift interruptions to the patterns that lull us into states of complacency. Revolutionary Uranus is quite at home in the sign of Gemini. We can expect rapid advancement in AI-powered, large language models and massive changes to the way we communicate and source information. Since Gemini also symbolizes transportation, exchange, and the marketplace, we might also notice the beginnings of breakthroughs or breakdowns in our old systems of trade and travel. Gemini and Uranus govern networks, computation, and mechanics, they are also fond of division and synthesis. Abrupt splits between individuals and groups will be just as common as brilliant new methods of cohesion. Marked technological and social reforms are also indicated, especially because Uranus and Pluto form an aspect that continues stories that originated during their conjunction from 1964 to 1967. The way technology is used to advance the human condition will be passionately championed by some and protested by others who see endless optimization as inherently inhumane.
2025 might feel like we’re living in between two worlds that aren’t fully formed; one is in the process of disintegration, and the other is yet to be built. Instead of waiting around for more certain conditions, this is a time to act and experiment. We have a say in how the next world takes shape.
This article appears in December 2024.
