Astrological annual forecast for 2023
Welcome to 2023, the Chinese Year of the Rabbit!
In general, the Year of the Rabbit 2023 promises to be more calm than challenging 2022, the Year of the Tiger, but whether we will be given rest remains to be seen.
It will be a year of transition.
According to numerology, the year 2023 is associated with number 7.
Number 7 is connected to wisdom, introspection, science, reality, reasoning, ambiguity, analysis, thinking and logic. This logical energy can also be critical, less involved and objective.
We want answers. Where do we stand?
This collective vibration has a significant impact on the year of The Rabbit 2023, but also enables us to face all challenges of this year.
As a society, we are in the middle of the painful birthing process of a new world, still in the eye of the eye of the storm…
The transition to the Age of Aquarius that paves the way to a better future for us all.
The Age of Aquarius brings a shift in consciousness of how we relate to each other when valuation of the individual prevails over possessions, money and status.
The year 2023 shows major changes.
In March 2023, there will be a crucial turning point, as the planetary heavyweights Pluto Saturn both change signs, indicating a huge shift, personally, culturally and politically.
The year of the Rabbit 2023 shows a slow start due to Mars retrograde in Gemini and Mercury retrograde in Capricorn.
Mars is retrograde in Gemini (ruled by Mercury) and Mercury is retrograde in Capricorn can lead to travel cancellations, delay and postponement of events until mid-February 2023, public unrest, disbelief in politics and media, extreme weather conditions, traffic chaos, strikes, logistical chaos and problems with the internet and infrastructure.
There will be disruptions in the rule of law, politics and the top of internationale business.
From January 11, 2023, red planet Mars will turn direct again at the critical degree of 8º in Gemini, but its annoying retrograde effect will remain noticeable until then end of March, 2023.
The direct orbit of Mars around the Sun will have a major impact on American society, with President Biden facing deteriorating health and former President Trump flexing muscles again.
The Total Lunar Eclipse at 16º56 in Taurus of November 8, 2022 conjunct reformer Uranus in Taurus has a major economic impact on the first half of 2023.
Taurus rules money, assets, global currencies, stock markets, procedures, structures and the real estate market.
In the first half of 2023, we will be facing a global crisis in the monetary system which could seriously reduce purchasing power, cause inflation and scarcity. A decision will be made about the introduction of digital currency.
It is advisable to convert money into something tangible such as real estate, land or gold.
The conjunction of the Sun and Pluto in Capricorn on January 20, 2023 can have a major impact on structural decisions that have previously been postponed in 2022.
We can say that the year 2023 really starts from February 2023, because all planets will be direct until May 1, 2023!
In the first half of 2023, there will be still upheaval in the UK, a period filled with obstacles, serious financial difficulties, changes in leadership, separatism and demonstrations against the political power structure. From the summer of 2023, the British financial and political system will recover.
On March 7 and 8, 2023, a new COVID-19 variant may be the source of great concern.
The Full Moon in Virgo (Health) on March 7, 2023 and the entry of Saturn into Pisces (testing) from March 8, 2023 may be the reason for another lockdown.
There is a chance that the Ukrainian war could be ended by splitting Ukraine into two zones of influence, Russia and Ukraine.
A change of power may well be possible, but widespread changes in power structures will also take place in Russia in 2023.
The geopolitical landscape will change dramatically as global influence shifts eastward, increasing tensions between the United States and Asian countries (China and North Korea).
The countries involved will engage in constructive peace talks, which are unlikely to bear fruit until the second half of 2023.
In France, opposition to President Macron’s policies will grow and he will lose some of his influence. In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz will also face opposition, which will weaken his position.
From March 8, 2023, Saturn will begin a new voyage of 2.5 years through the water sign of Pisces, which is associated with fantasy, dreams and imagination, but also of sacrifice and letting go.
The cold, limiting and realistic influence of Saturn, Lord of Time and Karma, may awake us from the dream. Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac and this is why we realize the need to let go of the old in order to make room for something new.
With Saturn in Pisces, the sign of sacrifice, the next 2,5 years can be a difficult period for Christianity, religion and Public Health. There will be reforms in the Roman Catholic Church. COVID-19 is here to stay and in addition to more outbreaks of new variants, new vaccines are constantly emerging, but there will be an increase in diabetes, chronic physical and mental illnesses and chronic fatigue.
In any case, with Saturn in Pisces until the end of May 2025, we will face severe test of faith.
In the vortex of stimuli and upheaval around us, in a world of algorithms, where everything is digitized and controlled, we need direction. Planet master Saturn brings order to chaos.
There will be a global code of ethics to combat sexual violence and harassment, including on social media and more regulation in the pharmaceutical industry. Use of cannabis will be legalized. A new form of reporting is emerging that dares to look ahead beyond conspiracy theories, political distrust and targeted advertising to be prepared for the challenges ahead.
The last time Saturn transited Pisces from 1994 to mid-1996, was a period marked by the rise of the Internet, computer science, the digital world, media, film and video games.
During this transit of Saturn in Pisces, virtual reality increases and we see new forms of art and music emerge.
Due to the influence of Saturn in Pisces, the world of spirituality is being scrutinized and there will be an ogre critical approach towards the metaphysical world and the role of gurus, mediums and lightworkers.
Due to Saturn retrograde in Pisces from June 17, 2023 to November 3, 2023, there may be delays.
Saturn in Pisces moves slowly, but steadily. Three steps forward, two steps back.
However, this slow pace is just what we need in order to get used to the many changes and challenges ahead.
Saturn will form a conjunction with Neptune in Pisces in March 2025, and that recurring 36-year cycle could greatly influence events in Russia. In 1917 there was the Russian Revolution with Saturn/Neptune, in 1953 there was Stalin’s death and the birth of Putin and in 1989 there was the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Putin’s presidency will officially end in 2025, but the switch of power is unlikely to go through unchallenged.
Shortly after Saturn has left Aquarius, powerful and transforming Pluto crosses the threshold of revolutionary Aquarius on March 24, 2023 and makes a stopover until June 11, 2023. This is the beginning of its long transit of about 20 years through Aquarius.
Since the end of January 2008, the long transit of Pluto through Capricorn has literally and figuratively shook the entire world to its foundations. Since 2008 the old and familiar, but no longer usable social structures have been demolished and transformed.
Banks, governments, kingdoms and leading figures fell from grace.
The old world is no more.
The temporary shift from Pluto to Aquarius (social justice) from March 24 to June 11, 2023 gives us a sneak preview of what to expect over the next several decades.
The spring of 2023 can have a major impact on countries, governments, institutions, large companies and power relations in the world due to this preview.
In the first half of 2023, the temporary transit of Pluto in Aquarius may already lead to major technological developments related to the worldwide web and virtual gadgets.
For example, the development of ultraviolet light can take off as a protective measure against new variants of virus infections.
The previous transit of Pluto in Aquarius from 1778 to 1798 was the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the French and American Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment, a period of fundamental political, economic, social reform and the birth of our current monetary system.
Due to retrogradation, Pluto will temporarily return to Capricorn from June 12, 2023.
Until the end of 2024, transformation planet Pluto will continue to commute between Capricorn and Aquarius.
From November 20, 2024 Pluto will continue its voyage through Aquarius without interruptions.
The 20-year transit of Pluto through Aquarius, which officially begins November 20, 2024 and ends January 19, 2044, are turbulent years of social revolution, systemic change, technological innovation, and a massive shift in collective consciousness. Pluto in Aquarius is the final doorway into the Age of Aquarius, a new world order, the years of massive shifts around social justice, community and technology, aerospace, aircraft, industry, potential technocracy and robotics.
The first half of 2023 shows a merciless continuation of the complicated war between Ukraine and Russia, the confrontation between East and West, the rivalry between the United States and China and the world’s financial and economic crises with major consequences for banks, companies and the entire world population.
In many Western countries there are demonstrations, protests and other expressions of dissatisfaction.
The conflict between Russia and the West is becoming even more complex, forcing the United States and the West to take action.
Normally, Eclipses occur in two of the same zodiac signs.
However, the year 2023 marks the transition between eclipse cycles, so this year’s Eclipses are in four different zodiac signs: a Solar Eclipse in Aries on April 20, 2023, a Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio on May 5, 2023, a Solar Eclipse in Libra on October 14, 2023, and finally a Lunar Eclipse in Taurus on October 28, 2023.
On April 20, 2023 there will be the Total Solar Eclipse at 29º in Aries which will be visible in South East Asia, the Pacific Ocean, Australia, Indian Ocean and Antarctica.
This Total Solar Eclipse affects Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn and the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
This first Solar Eclipse of 2023 in Aries is like a new beginning, but also marks the absolute end of what has already ended.
On May 5, 2023, the penumbral Lunar Eclipse falls at 14º in Scorpio and then there may be a cover-up about cryptocurrency, banking and the economy.
From April 21, 2023 to May 14, 2023 Mercury turns retrograde in Taurus 2023. Including the shadow period, April and May 2023 are months of adjustment, revision, reorganization and cancellation in the areas of money, gold, the stock market, banks, mail, courier services, insurance, currency, trading, shopping, selling, charities, real estate.
Jupiter in Aries can lead to major droughts and fires in the spring of 2023, which will be a destabilizing factor in the spring of 2023.
When Jupiter moves into Taurus on May 17, 2023, there will be a more grounded practical energy focused on wealth, interest, spending habits. With Jupiter in Taurus, we can expect significant improvements in agriculture. Investments in agricultural production and better harvests can offer a solution to the food crisis.
However, the second half of May 2023 will also be a time of challenges, as Jupiter in Taurus will square retrograde Pluto in Aquarius on May 17, 2023, backed by war planet Mars in Cancer. Because of this influence, we have to take into account disaster scenarios, terrorist actions and global turbulent developments with governments.
We are also confronted worldwide with the impact of climate change, inflation and financial instability.
At the beginning of June 2023, Jupiter aligns with the North Node in Taurus and this conjunction brings another glimmer of hope for economic progress.
In the second half of 2023, Jupiter in peaceful Taurus continues to cool down.
In Taurus, Jupiter will search for Uranus. Jupiter and Uranus will form a conjunction in mid-April 2024. This conjunction will then have a major impact on our resources, values and what is needed to ensure stability and security.
From July 23, 2023, retrograde Venus in Leo takes us back in time. In the Summer of 2015, Venus was also retrograde in Leo. Venus in Leo is about giving and receiving love, about being accepted or not in our unique BEING. What has changed since then in relationships and the way we are allowed to express our uniqueness in society?
At the time of the New Moon in Cancer, July 17, 2023, the Lunar Nodes (Karma) will shift to the Aries/Libra axis. The Nodes will remain on the Aries/Libra axis until January 11, 2025.
There will be a shift from global economy, inflation, purchasing power, energy market, energy producers of oil and gas to a more personal level.
In the next 18 months it will be about individuality versus relationships, both personal and business. Will we do this alone or together? Life goes in cycles, so do the Moon’s nodes. Choices from 18/19 years ago return in the form of life lessons from which we can reap the benefits, whether they are sweet or sour.
The second Mercury retrograde in Virgo of 2023 in August and September 2023 can lead to strikes, reorganization, redundancies and extreme weather conditions, transport or infrastructure problems, delays and interruptions in daily life, in the field of care and welfare, paid or unpaid work.
Even though it seems that the second half of 2023 will be quieter, we still have to take into account the strong influence of Uranus in Taurus. Taurus symbolizes life and nature, Uranus is the symbol of renewal through destruction.
Uranus in Taurus is the common thread in our cosmic story and will remain so until July 2025.
Old structures must be destroyed to allow renewal.
A painful process that will eventually lead to the birth of a new, modern world, heading towards 2025, the Age of Aquarius.
On October 14, 2023 there is the majestic, annular or angular Solar Eclipse at 21º in Libra.
This ‘Ring of Fire’ is visible in West Africa, North and South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean. The second Solar Eclipse of 2023 will greatly affect the Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
This annular Solar Eclipse in Libra is followed by a partial Lunar Eclipse on October 28 at 5º in Taurus. It will be shown in Africa, Oceania, America, Asia and Europe.
Both eclipses are ruled by Venus and emphasize what brings beauty and meaning to our lives.
In October 2023, there will be the fourth and final Pluto Return for the United States of America.
This three-year process began in February 2021 with as many as four exact conjunctions of Pluto at 27º Capricorn.
The first was in February 2022, the second in July 2022, the third in December 2022 and so now for the last time Pluto at 27º Capricorn passes the moment of birth of the United States.
We can see this Pluto Return as a kind of ‘rebirth’ that can only be possible after a major systemic restructuring. The old generation of politicians must pass the torch to the new generation.
The last Mercury retrograde of 2023 from December 13, 2023 to January 1, 2024 falls in Capricorn declining to Sagittarius.
The year 2023 started with Mercury retrograde in Capricorn and thus ends with Mercury retrograde in Capricorn, so we are dealing with a repeat of what happened at the top of business at the beginning of 2023. So we see companies falling over again, relegations, mergers and departures in business, politics and the business world, but also royal houses and the rule of law are affected by this.
With Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius from December 24, 2023, delays and strikes at airlines and cruises, a new outbreak of viral diseases and extreme weather must be taken into account.
Mercury retrograde at the beginning and end of a year of transformation and planetary shifts shows that we are due for a timeout on the threshold of 2024.
Dear readers, we live in an era of great change in which historical events leave their mark on our personal lives.
The first half of 2023 is therefore characterized by economic, political, social and personal crises. In the second half of 2023, the transit of Jupiter in Taurus from May 17, 2023 will slowly bring some light to the end of the tunnel, but before we get there we still have to take a lot of complicated hairpin bends in the Summer of 2023.
The transition to the Age of Aquarius is a gradual, but often painful process.
But there is hope that life will change for the better.
However, that process takes time.
Life will never be the way it was, but eventually we will see the new road ahead reveal itself.
Wishing all my loyal and valued readers lots of love and a safe, but especially resourceful 2023.
Marlies Goovers
