2023-2026 is a cosmic transition period during which all the slow-moving or outer planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) change signs.
2025 will be the peak of this transformation process as it will be the first time when all outer planets will occupy their new sign. Pluto settled into Aquarius on November 19, 2024, and will stay there for 20 years. Then in 2025, Neptune and Uranus will ingress into their new signs (on March 30 and July 7 respectively). Adding to this profound shift, the lunar nodes change signs on January 12 and Saturn follows suit on May 25. These transitions signify an atmosphere of profound change, marking the beginning of a new chapter both globally and personally.
2025 in stages
The year 2025 unfolds in different stages, each highlighting different astrological energies:
January-March: Preparation and Introspection: The first quarter of the year is a time for reflection and preparation. With the Mars, Venus and Mercury retrograde periods the cosmic energy encourages us to pause before taking action. This period is ideal for recalibrating our goals and avoiding significant decisions or new ventures.
March-July: Acceleration and Emergence: Starting in late March, the pace of change quickens as Neptune moves into Aries and Uranus transitions to Gemini in July. This period is marked by the emergence of new trends, innovative ideas, and transformative events. It’s a dynamic and somewhat chaotic time, pushing us to adapt quickly and embrace fresh perspectives.
August-October: Harmonious Support: In late summer and early autumn, a rare harmonious energy prevails, supporting personal and collective transformation. This is a time when sudden insights or pioneering ideas might surface. It’s also a window for turning realistic dreams into achievable goals, thanks to the advantageous aspects between the outer planets.
November-December: Emotional Growth and Healing: The year concludes with a focus on emotional healing and personal growth. The closing months provide opportunities to process the year’s changes, fostering a deeper sense of inner peace and resilience.
The main astrological events of 2025
Jan till Feb 24 – Mars retrograde
Mars turns retrograde once every two years and lasting approximately 10-11 weeks. As we begin 2025, Mars has been retrograde since December 6, 2024, at 6° Leo. It moves back to 17° Cancer before turning direct again on February 23. During Mars retrograde, the planet is closest to Earth, appearing especially bright around January 15. This extended stay in Leo and Cancer signifies a period of internalized action and reflection. Mars retrograde slows forward momentum, creating a time for patience and reassessment. Actions and decisions made in the preceding months (September 4 to December 6, 2024) may require revision. It’s best to avoid starting new ventures if possible.
In personal relationships, this period can bring challenges in self-expression. Passive-aggressiveness, overreactions, and defensiveness may surface. Finding a balance between personal needs and those of others is essential. As this retrograde occurs at the start of the year (and begins in late 2024), it provides a natural pause to reflect and realign your goals with your authentic self and emotional needs.
Jan 3 and April 27 – Mars opposite Pluto
Mars forms three oppositions to Pluto during its retrograde journey. The first occurred on November 3, 2024, at 29° Capricorn-Cancer. The subsequent oppositions will take place on January 3 and April 27, 2025, at 1° and 3° Leo-Aquarius, respectively.
This aspect is associated with intense energy, power struggles, and potential conflicts. Globally, geopolitical tensions may escalate or new conflicts could arise. On a personal level, suppressed anger may resurface in destructive ways, leading to resistance and obstacles in pursuing your personal will. Self-control and aligning personal desires with a greater purpose are crucial to navigating this energy constructively. This period offers an opportunity for profound growth and transformation, depending on how we channel the intensity.
Individuals born between July 21-27, December 19-24, or with personal planets at 29° Capricorn-3° Aquarius (or 29° Cancer-3° Leo) may feel these effects more acutely.
March 2 – April 12 – Venus retrograde
Shortly after Mars retrograde ends, Venus begins its retrograde phase. This occurs every 18 months and lasts about six weeks. Venus stations retrograde on March 2 at 10° Aries and concludes its retrograde on April 12 at 24° Pisces.
Venus retrograde acts as a cosmic pause button on themes like relationships, love, values, beauty, and finances. It’s a time to avoid major decisions in these areas, including entering new relationships or making significant purchases. During this phase, past relationships or unresolved matters, particularly from about eight years ago, may resurface for reassessment.
This retrograde unfolds in two phases:
- March 2 – March 27 (Aries): This phase emphasizes independence, courage, and assertiveness in love and finances. It’s a time to reevaluate how you take action in these areas.
- March 27 – April 12 (Pisces): The energy shifts to compassion, emotional depth, and releasing unrealistic expectations. This period invites introspection and a more spiritual approach to relationships and values.
Together, the Mars and Venus retrogrades offer an extended period of reflection, urging us to reassess our goals, relationships, and priorities with patience and self-awareness.
March 30 – Neptune enters Aries
Neptune’s ingress into Aries heralds the start of a 14-year cycle where collective dreams and ideals (Neptune) are infused with the bold, action-oriented, and pioneering energy of Aries. This powerful shift brings both opportunities and challenges on a global scale:
- Disillusionment with False Leaders: The unmasking of leaders and ideals that fail to meet expectations becomes a prominent theme.
- Increased Spiritual Activism: A rise in movements that merge spirituality with action, inspiring collective efforts toward meaningful change.
- Focus on Climate Protection and Sustainability: Bold, actionable ideas take center stage, driving significant advances in addressing environmental challenges.
- Advances in Cybersecurity and Cyber Warfare: Technological innovation intensifies in the realm of digital protection and conflict.
- Intensified Migration Trends: Climate change, war, and socio-economic disparities drive mass migration. Host countries face the challenge of balancing compassion and integration with cultural preservation.
- Idealization of War and Heroism: A romanticized view of conflict, aggression, and heroism may emerge, influencing cultural narratives and societal values.
- Weaponization of Polarization: Ideological divides deepen as beliefs become a focal point for conflict, leading to heightened tensions and ideological clashes.
This period invites us to harness the fiery energy of Aries to pursue collective ideals with courage and innovation while navigating the challenges of polarization and ideological extremism.
May 25 – Saturn enters Aries
On May 25, Saturn will follow Neptune into Aries, marking a significant astrological moment. Both planets will share the early degrees of Aries for several months, coming closest (within 1° orb) during the summer. Although their exact conjunction won’t occur until 2026, the proximity between these two planets will be palpable. The line between fiction and reality may blur, making it increasingly challenging to discern what is real.
Constructively channeling this energy can lead to greater courage and the willingness to take bold steps toward your dreams. Success, however, will require hard work and discipline. This is a time of profound self-discovery, encouraging you to shed outdated self-concepts and embrace a more authentic version of yourself.
Those with personal planets (or Saturn) between 25° Pisces and 2° Aries will feel this transit most intensely.
June 9 – Jupiter enters Cancer
Jupiter transitions into Cancer, its sign of exaltation, bringing a sense of abundance and prosperity, particularly in areas related to home, family, and emotional security. This transit emphasizes nurturing—both self and others—and highlights the importance of creating safe, supportive environments.
Jupiter will form a tense square with Saturn and Neptune in June, making growth and tangible results harder to achieve. However, as the year progresses, Jupiter forms a harmonious trine with these planets in November and December, paving the way for smoother progress and greater ease in achieving goals during the second half of 2025.
July 7 – Uranus enters Gemini
On July 7, Uranus begins its seven-year journey through Gemini, ushering in a period of revolutionary breakthroughs in communication technologies. Upon entering Gemini, Uranus forms a (not yet exact) trine with Pluto in Aquarius, enhancing the potential for groundbreaking innovations. Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, new media forms, and revolutionary technologies are likely.
Education systems may undergo transformation, with efforts to decentralize or adapt to the growing need for intellectual freedom, flexibility, and innovation. This transit invites us to rethink traditional learning methods and embrace a more adaptive and forward-thinking approach to knowledge-sharing.
March and September – Eclipses
In 2025, we will experience four eclipses, as is typical each year. The March eclipses will conclude the Aries/Libra eclipse cycle that began in April 2023. This signifies a shift away from themes of independence versus partnership (“me vs. you”). With the lunar nodes moving to the Virgo/Pisces axis, the cosmic focus will transition toward a more service-oriented and compassion-driven mindset, a theme that will influence us until early 2027.
Eclipses signify major endings and beginnings, acting as catalysts for change and prompting us to release the past. If you have personal planets or chart points within 3° of the eclipse degrees, you may feel their effects more profoundly.
2025 Eclipses
- March 14: Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse at 23° Virgo
- March 29: New Moon Partial Solar Eclipse at 9° Aries
- September 7: Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse at 15° Pisces
- September 21: New Moon Partial Solar Eclipse at 29° Virgo
The 3 annual Mercury Retrograde periods
- March 15 – April 7: Retrograde from 9° Aries to 26° Pisces
- July 18 – August 11: Retrograde from 15° Leo to 4° Leo
- November 9 – November 29: Retrograde from 6° Sagittarius to 20° Scorpio
During Mercury retrograde, challenges in communication, travel, and technology are common. However, these periods offer excellent opportunities to slow down, reassess, and correct your course. Paying close attention to details can help reduce misunderstandings or miscommunications. These retrogrades encourage introspection and fine-tuning your plans for better outcomes.
In 2025, we will witness a significant shift from the “old” (the final degrees of a sign) to the “new” (the early degrees of a sign). Those with personal planets or angles at the very beginning or very end of a sign are likely to feel this shift most acutely, experiencing a strong urge—or an external push—to embrace brand-new experiences.
The encouraging news is that the second half of the year will be marked by abundant supportive and harmonious planetary energies, providing a boost to help us navigate and make the most of this transformative time.
There is no need to fear these upcoming changes. They present valuable opportunities to realign our lives where needed. We are not passive bystanders to these cosmic events but active participants with the power—and the responsibility—to shape our path forward.
If you’re curious about what these shifts mean for you personally, consider booking a consultation with me. Together, we can explore how to align with the cosmic currents and make 2025 a year of growth and empowerment!.
Wishing you a wonderful 2025!