The Turning of the Ages: Reflections on Crisis, Change, and Cycles

How the Great Saturn Jupiter Conjunction, Pluto in Capricorn & Lockdowns are Shaping Our World and Future

On March 23rd, 2020, the world as we knew it came to a sudden stop. Lockdowns were announced, and society was thrust into an era of unprecedented uncertainty and isolation. At that time, I was working closely with some of the most vulnerable members of our community—individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges, and their caregivers. For many of them, the isolation was more than an inconvenience; it was a profound disruption to their already fragile lives.

While some were able to weather the storm financially, thanks in part to the furlough scheme, others—particularly the self-employed—found themselves suddenly reliant on benefits. This harsh reality exposed the fragility of our social safety nets. Although my perspective is rooted in the UK experience, this story unfolded in various ways across the globe.

In the beginning, there was a sense of solidarity. The government stepped in with financial support, and communities rallied together in remarkable ways. But as 2021 drew to a close, that support began to wane. Just as we started to emerge from the shadow of the pandemic, we were hit with a cost-of-living crisis, compounding the mental health struggles I saw daily in my work. The lingering effects of these overlapping crises will be felt for years to come.

By the end of 2021, the weight of my work, combined with the relentless pressures of the ongoing crises, led me to take a step back. I decided to take a year off—a much-needed time to pause, reflect, and recalibrate.

On a personal note, the lockdowns, despite their challenges, offered unexpected silver linings. With the world on pause, my family and I explored local beauty spots, undisturbed by the usual tourist crowds. We set up a badminton net in the garden, creating cherished memories during those sunny days. We also managed to move to a larger home, a small victory in a year filled with uncertainty.

Fortunately, we were not furloughed, allowing us to maintain financial stability. But this period was not just marked by personal changes; it was also a time of significant cosmic shifts.

In December 2020, the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21st marked the end of a 20-year cycle and the beginning of a new one. This alignment in Aquarius also signaled the start of a 200-year cycle of conjunctions in air signs, known as the Great Mutation. These Mutations, occurring every 800 years, are harbingers of profound societal change.

The last cycle in earth signs coincided with the Industrial Revolution, a period of immense material and technological advancement. Yet, these developments didn’t occur in isolation. Each cycle plants the seeds for the next, creating a complex tapestry of progress and regression, innovation, and inertia.

Although I had not yet formally studied astrology in 2020, I intuitively sensed the gravity of that moment. The world was shifting, and while the immediate impact was evident in our daily lives, the astrological forces at play hinted at deeper, more enduring transformations.

Fast forward to August 19th, 2024, when we experienced the first square between Saturn and Jupiter in this new cycle. This astrological configuration often represents a moment of tension and challenge—a time when the promises of a new era are put to the test. The upcoming squares on December 24th, 2024, and June 15th, 2025, will further shape how these challenges manifest in both personal lives and larger society.

During the lockdowns, Pluto was in Capricorn, a placement that speaks to the dismantling of established structures—both personal and societal. Pluto first entered Capricorn in 2008 and remained there, off and on, until it transitions fully into Aquarius on November 19th, 2024. This period saw significant shifts in authority figures and institutions, symbolised by events like the passing of Queen Elizabeth II near the end of this cycle. As Pluto returns to Capricorn on September 1st, 2024, these themes are likely to resurface, bringing further changes in personal, financial, and societal realms.

Already, there are concerns about new health crises, with some speculating about the possibility of future lockdowns due to threats like MPOX. However, whether the public still trusts the authorities enough to comply with such measures remains an open question. The solidarity of March 2020 has faded, replaced by a more fragmented and skeptical society.

Looking ahead, Pluto’s move into Aquarius on November 19th, 2024, where it will remain until 2043, signifies a new era. Pluto in Aquarius is expected to bring transformative changes in technology, social structures, and collective ideologies, potentially reshaping society in ways we can only begin to imagine.

Reflecting on these past few years and looking toward the future, I find myself filled with anticipation. The world is changing, as it always does, in cycles. While some may fear the rise of leaders like Keir Starmer, whom critics have labeled as "two-tier Starmer," I am intrigued by the growing willingness of people to challenge authority.

In countries like Sweden and Germany, we are witnessing policy shifts that restrict mass immigration, making these nations less attractive to newcomers. The cynic in me might suggest that the powers that think they be have achieved their targets in regards to immigration but the idealist in me wants to see Pluto at work, breaking down old structures like the wrecking ball it is. The old agendas are faltering, and with them, the authority that once seemed unshakable.

One thing is certain: change is coming.

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Caroline is an accomplished Astrologer, Mentor, Meditator, and Educator living in the Scottish Highlands. 

She possesses extensive experience in personal and business transformation, having worked with luxury brands, higher education institutions and the UK's employability sector. Caroline has also held roles within the banking industry and has experience as a business owner. 

Specialising in neurodiversity, Caroline leverages her background in education to bring a unique and informed perspective to her work. She is passionate about sharing her expertise in personal development, astrology, history, mythology, ancestry, and neuroscience.

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