The Great Conjunction kickstarts the 'Arc of Aquarius'.

At the Solstice

On Monday, December 21, the day of the solstice, a celestial event that last took place over half a millennium ago will be seen in our night sky. At the moment in the year when the Sun appears to slow to a halt, two celestial giants - creative Jupiter and pragmatic Saturn, meet in the sector of the zodiac called Aquarius. I take a closer look at the extraordinary event many are hailing as the true dawning of the Age of Aquarius.

The Great Conjunction, a rare convergence of two astrological heavyweights, is an extraordinary way to end this impossibly challenging year. Whenever Jupiter (representing freedom and optimism) connects with Saturn (authority and structure) they create a transformational energy that can shift worldly systems. They usher in revolutionary change and deliver ground-breaking progress that will benefit us all.

Arc Of Aquarius

Their convergence, at the Solstice, marks the beginning of an event I've called the Arc Of Aquarius - a period which extends across 2021 in which a remarkable gathering of celestial bodies takes place in the sign of the water-bearer; when almost all the planets move in the same direction, working to influence and excite aspects of our lives. Like a new puppy, this Great Conjunction isn't just for Christmas! It's an event that will echo throughout 2021 and beyond.

While progress may not always take the most direct route, as the Arc of Aquarius comes into effect throughout next year, different planets will add their own spin to the way things develop. And our response to the opportunities they bring will have considerable influence on how the celestial events play out in our daily lives. The Great Conjunction will shake up our world in ways we can't even begin to imagine.

Down the Ages

There are moments in time that echo down the ages, some are shocking news events, some are moments of international joy and others are jaw-dropping natural phenomena - from VE-Day and VJ-Day, the Kennedy assassination, 9/11, volcanic explosions, even the wedding of Princess Diana or the opening of the London Olympics. These huge events make people remember where they were when they heard the news. That is the scale of happening that we can expect; and there is no reason to believe these events will be negative. Indeed, the first of these is happening now: the arrival of Covid vaccines is a cause for world celebration. the Great Conjunction and the Arc of Aquarius is the promise of a string of such times.

That the vaccine arrives at this moment comes as no surprise to those of us interpreting the magic of the cosmos. The renowned renaissance scientist, astronomer and astrologer Johannes Kepler suggested this phenomenon was responsible for the Star of Bethlehem. And we can say with mathematical certainty that this Great Conjunction is the closest in alignment, as seen from Earth, since Kepler observed it in 1623.

For thousands of years we've been looking to the skies for explanations of earthly events. Wise elders would have devoted hours of prayer and study to discern the potential of its effects on the world. Both Shakespeare and Dante referred to these great cosmic occurrences. And two thousand years ago, when a Great Conjunction led the Wise Men to a stable, they witnessed the birth of a religion that changed the world. But what might the Great Conjunction mean for us? Like all 21st-century astrologers, I've found much to get excited about. Here's why...

Welcome

Saturn is the planet of hard work, discipline, authority and restriction. Its entry into Aquarius, a sign connected to societal reform, alliances and independence happened in March, just as the first lockdowns were being announced. It could hardly have been more fitting - authorities imposing limits on freedom is a perfect example of this energy in action. Since then, Saturn has appeared to be moving backwards in the sky, and has only just re-entered Aquarius. But it would be a mistake to worry that its convergence with Jupiter might amplify the trouble we've had this year. The Great Conjunction isn't something to be feared. There's every reason to welcome it.

Jupiter, planet of optimism, justice, wisdom and wealth is in Aquarius for the first time in twelve years. When it meets with Saturn at the Great Conjunction, it will kick-start growth and usher in an era of hope. In many ways, the two planets are opposites: if Saturn represents the stick, Jupiter's is a bright orange and juicy carrot! But more importantly, they are, at last, working together to achieve their goals. The results of their combined effort will manifest in a myriad of ways, but what's certain, is that the effects of this paradoxical energy-mix will create a positive spirit of progress that shines over 2021.

Aquarius governs the part of the sky associated with progress and invention. It sees what others overlook, and finds solutions to problems no matter how outlandish the puzzle may be. So, be it at a personal level, or for society at large, technology, innovation and change lie at the heart of the solutions we seek. A key element of Saturn's influence on the Arc of Aquarius is its emphasis on practicality. Saturn's not concerned about presenting theories and calculations - real-world actualisation is key. That's why Saturn's arrival in Aquarius will coincide with a deeper understanding of how to use and build on knowledge we've recently gained. Its last visit to this part of the sky came when the first websites were being built; and we can expect similar themes to emerge in 2021.

Vaccine

Rolling out a vaccine for Covid-19, just as Jupiter and Saturn converge, is a perfect example of the celestial dynamic. While gene-editing has been around for some time, we're now seeing an academic and embryonic branch of science applied on an unprecedented scale to deliver a vaccination in record speed.

Apart from a successful approach to largely reduce the threat of the virus, there are many ways in which the Great Conjunction and the Arc of Aquarius will combine to shape our lives. Other developments, using graphene, and artificial intelligence, will benefit from years of theoretical groundwork, and manifest as tangible ways to make progress with real-world applications.

Opportunity

As we start to rebuild our lives following the paralysis of multiple lockdowns, the Great Conjunction and the Arc shower us with opportunities to do better and realign our priorities to focus on what really matters. We can't ignore the lessons the pandemic has taught us; we've made important realisations about what we can and can't live without, and have real understanding about the value of the way we spend our time. As we start to explore and adventure once again, we can set out to build a world full of meaningful purpose; and seek ways to live that bring rewards on a deeper level. We'll find we're better equipped to recognise and take care of our responsibilities, with greater awareness of what we need to do to create fulfilment and meaning.

This will involve a tangible effort to look after our planet. As long as we focus on what we're building, rather than what we can knock down, we can create a more holistic society and a healthier world. Despite the divisiveness of politics, and the prevalence of extremism, if Covid has taught us anything it's that when the chips are down, people from across the political spectrum band together to take action. Jupiter's creativity and vision can be harnessed by Saturn's pragmatic realism to create a future built on strong foundations.

There's a saying astrologer's love to use, 'as above, so below', and if enough of us choose to follow our better nature, there's no telling what will come to pass. The Great Conjunction is a sign that we can build a brighter, more optimistic future. We can look forward to bursts of creativity, enjoyment and exciting opportunities throughout 2021 as the benefits of the Arc of Aquarius become reality. We can rise from the ashes of 2020 to burn brighter and fly higher than we ever thought possible.