Astrology and the Coronavirus
The Coronavirus has disrupted life as we know it, and I offer my healing light to those who’ve been affected. Over the past several weeks, we’ve seen this virus spread and the panic that has ensued. Markets have shut down, countries have closed their doors to travelers, and grocery store aisles have been left barren. Astrology can offer us some insight into this virus and what it might mean for us, socially, physically, and spiritually.
LOOKING BACK TO DECEMBER
The first case began on December 1, 2019, in Wuhan, China. Around that time, Jupiter, the planet of international travel, moved into Capricorn. Saturn, which can be a planet of limitation and restriction, rules Capricorn, and this influence placed a damper on Jupiter’s usually expansive nature. It also indicated there could be some delays or challenges with matters Jupiter rules, which, in addition to travel, also include gaming, gambling, higher education, and religion, to name just a few.
On December 31, the World Health Organization in China was informed about a cluster of novel coronavirus cases. By January 7, COVID-19 had been identified. This all took place in the two-week period between eclipses, the Solar Eclipse on December 25 and the Lunar Eclipse on January 10. Eclipses can speed up a timeline for concurrent events, and often we don’t see the full manifestation of those eclipse happenings until months later.
The North Node has been in Cancer, and since the nodal axis is involved in eclipses, those nodal themes become heightened. Cancer emphasizes the home and protecting the security of the family. In many places, we have little choice but to hunker down and spend time with our families. This will shine a spotlight on any family matters that may be unsettled or unresolved. We have a chance to rethink the value of our familial relationships and find ways to make them better, healthier. The South Node in Capricorn suggests all of our Capricorn themes, industry, economy, business, and ambition, must take a backseat at this time, as we nurture ourselves and protect our health.
January’s astrology included an important transit- the Saturn - Pluto conjunction on January 12, just days after the eclipse. This transit happens about every 34- years, and when they have in the past, we’ve seen significant economic shifts, recessions, and even wars.
They were also joined by dwarf planet Ceres, the goddess of harvest, fertility, and motherhood. Her involvement signifies some potential benefits for the environment, as we’re now pushed to move things online, slow manufacturing, and restrict travel. This pandemic has helped slow the rate of pollution.
I wrote in my 2020 overview:
We will likely see economic and social developments that lead to sweeping changes in all industries. We might see some market fluctuations or hiccups that will balance out by the end of 2020, but what happens in response to these will have consequences (for better or for worse) that will manifest later in the decade (by 2026).
We’re seeing this all unfold right now. These planets conjoined in Capricorn, which rules authority, government, rules, regulations, and economic systems. The Saturn-Pluto conjunction represented a breakdown and reconstruction of those social structures that we’ve had in place - ones that are faulty and no longer work. One of Pluto’s jobs is to transform anything with which it comes in contact. One of Saturn’s jobs is to build structures and enforce regulations. It’s kind of like the police chief of our solar system, but because it’s exalted in Libra, it is really more of a peace officer. It wants to hold people and institutions accountable for doing the right things in the right ways.
So, we knew there was bound to be big, sweeping change beginning in 2020. We knew it would come as a shock (especially with Uranus in Taurus stationing direct on January 10 in the midst of this excitement).
While these transits were completing, the Coronavirus was spreading from China throughout the world.
FEBRUARY
In February, Mercury, the planet of communication and ruler of the lungs, stationed retrograde on February 16. When Mercury is retrograde, it draws a lot of attention to itself. So, we have a chance to reflect on what we’re communicating, to whom, and about what. This past Mercury retrograde brought a lot to the surface for so many people, emotionally and spiritually. I saw this in my client practice. My clients were more interested in going deeper, and they were feeling emotions that were suppressed long ago. It felt intense.
Meanwhile, this virus is passed through the air and into lungs, which will be significant as Saturn moves into Aquarius this month, the North Node moves into Gemini in May, and Jupiter moves into Aquarius in December. All of this air-sign activity could mean we’ll likely be more sensitive to airborne illnesses. It could also mean this virus could continue to spread. More on that in a minute.
Back to February 16. On that day, Mars entered Capricorn, moving through the same degrees Jupiter was in as this virus began. Mars is exalted in Capricorn and likes to inspire action to help us reach our goals. It encourages ambition, and it will aspect most of the outer planets before it enters Aquarius on March 30, including Pluto on March 23. This is the indicator of the rapid escalation we’ve seen, and its influence as it meets with Pluto and Saturn (on March 31) could mean another flurry of activity surrounding the virus. It could also mean more closed borders or restricted travel.
As an eternal optimist, I like to think we will find ways to contain this bug. At the same time, I’m looking ahead into upcoming transits and thinking we could still be talking about ways to treat this virus into 2021.
AIR SIGN ACTIVITY STARTING MARCH 21
On March 21, Saturn enters Aquarius, the sign of technological innovation. Aquarius wants us to progress into the future, and Saturn’s influence here suggests we’ll need to create new technological systems to address our global concerns. Aquarius is also the sign of community and collaboration. It’s the anti-border sign. We will be pushed to see ourselves as a global community, but this will take work and a lot of tearing down walls, metaphorically speaking.
With Saturn being in Aquarius, we could see a rise in new technology or AI to help us stay connected despite quarantines or other restricted activities.
Since Saturn tightens our belts, metaphorically speaking, and relates to restriction, with it in Aquarius, we could see more regulations on travel (air travel, specifically) and community gatherings.
We may also learn to better appreciate our communities and friendships. In the midst of this global pandemic, as we restrict our contact with others and limit our physical interactions, we may come to realize the importance of real-life connections. We will rely on technology for these connections more as Saturn (and later, Jupiter) move through Aquarius in late 2020 through 2021.
In May, the North Node moves into Gemini, and our collective attention will focus on how we communicate, how information spreads, and how we discern fact from fiction. We saw the South Node in Gemini at the height of the Spanish Flu in 1918. Certainly, we’ll be thinking about our responses to this pandemic. On a more esoteric level, we will be asked to examine the energetic “viruses” that we pass on to one another through our airwaves. What hate speech do we spread? What messages of fear do we pass on? We will be asked to understand how we can create immunity from fear-based news, untruth, and misinformation. We’ll likely see any deception about this (including biological warfare, bioterrorism, or things of that nature) come to light. I’m not suggesting I believe this is all happening — I’m saying if there are threads of corruption surrounding this virus, we’ll know about them.
All of this air-sign activity is heightened until Saturn goes retrograde and moves back into Capricorn in July, but then picks up again in December when Saturn moves back into Aquarius. Could we see a repeat performance of this virus then? Jupiter enters Aquarius then, too, and its Great Conjunction with Saturn on December 21 will be significant to set into motion societal changes we’ll see throughout the 20s. Jupiter’s influence can magnify anything up in the collective. Jupiter’s influence also shows we have opportunities for technological advancements that can be the remedy for the ongoing spread of the virus.
All this to say, I think it’s wise to remain cautious, as this virus is here to stay for a while. It’s also important to boost your immune system as much as possible.
The North Node indicates where we’re learning lessons and placing our priorities. As it moves into Gemini, things will shift. For now, though, we conclude the journey of the North Node in Cancer (since December 2018) with this message in our focus: Stay at home (home is Cancer’s domain) and regularly wash your hands. (Cancer is a water sign, after all.) As we wash the germs from our hands, we might imagine washing unclean thoughts or fears down the drain, too.
SOME FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s wise to be precautious (wash your hands, etc.), but don’t feed into the fear and hysteria. Fear is like a virus, too — one we don’t want to spread. Take time for stillness. In our fast-paced world, stillness isn’t always easy, but it offers us a gift. It’s time to pull inward and recharge. In times of stillness, you can better tune into your intuition and listen to your inner voice. Take the opportunity to disengage from the intensity of the news cycle. Try to unplug and relax your nervous system. (This will help your immune system!) Detox your body of those energetic viruses of fear, worry, and criticism that have spread. Boost your Vitamin C intake, and take other antioxidant supplements as a precautionary measure.
We have a chance to see ourselves as a global community, as we’re all being affected by this virus. I offer you this as meditation exercise:
Visualize the world as a small globe about a foot in front of your body. See the different countries illuminated in your mind’s eye. Place your hands out in front of you on either side of that imaginary globe. Visualize light streaming from the crown of your head through your arms and out through the palm of your hands. As you do, say the word, “Heal,” repeatedly in your mind. See the white light sparkle as it surrounds the entire earth. Hold this vision and intention for several minutes. You might find your hands are tingling as you do this exercise. If so, feel that sensation crescendo to a high point and then diffuse. If you don’t feel a physical sensation, you might feel something similar- a reverberation- in your heart center. If so, you will feel a swell of energy that will rise and relax. That’s your sign it’s complete. If you don’t feel anything like this, hold the visualization for five minutes before releasing it.
Sending my healing light, prayers, and love to all who’ve been affected. And sending protective light to those of you who remain healthy.
** For additional information, I highly recommend this article by astrologer Lee Lehman, PhD. I just received an email with a link to it this morning (Friday, March 13). Astrologer, Lee Lehman, offers incredible insights and details about the astrology of the Coronavirus.