The 2020s have unraveled with chaos, ushering in a decade of uncertainty and disruption. The combination of a Saturn/Pluto conjunction followed by a series of Saturn/Uranus squares has shattered our sense of normalcy. But amidst the turmoil lies a rare celestial configuration, known as “the basket” by S.J. Anderson, where every outer planet aligns harmoniously, except for Saturn conjunct Neptune in the middle part of the decade.
Saturn/Neptune alignments have never been cozy or comforting. However, the upcoming Saturn/Neptune conjunction in 2026 is an integral part of this unique alignment. Context matters. Saturn and Neptune will coexist, occupying the same sign for a five-year period, eroding the boundaries of what we consider reality. This convergence will bring about crises of faith, leaving us adrift in an uncanny valley of a new unfolding reality.
Surprisingly, the conjunction of these two planets occurs within an unusually stable, supportive, and cooperative assembly of the slowest-moving planets in the sky. Picture it as a UN meeting of the titans in the celestial realm happening in 2026.
In this analysis, it’s important to acknowledge that the Saturn/Neptune years will be both a gut punch and a gateway to new possibilities. We will experience disillusionment alongside the discovery of something genuine to believe in. It will be a time of bidding farewell to lost ideals while laying the groundwork for new abstract foundations. These years will exist in an indeterminate state, where reality itself will be both terrifying and thrilling.
A Timeline
Let’s take a look at past and upcoming celestial events to understand the significance of the Saturn/Neptune conjunction:
- Last synodic cycle began: 1989 (Saturn/Neptune conjunction in Capricorn)
- Opening square: 1998-1999 (Saturn in Taurus/Neptune in Aquarius)
- Opposition: 2006-2007 (Saturn in Leo/Neptune in Aquarius)
- Closing square: 2015-2016 (Saturn in Sagittarius/Neptune in Pisces)
The year 1989 marked a significant turning point in history. The fall of the Berlin Wall, riots in Tiananmen Square, and South African apartheid coming to an end were all happening while the Saturn/Neptune conjunction was still active. Existing boundaries and divisions were dissolved, blending uncertainty and celebration.
The opening square in 1999 amplified the feeling of the world as we knew it ending. With the Y2K concerns, we prepared for an apocalypse, while Google’s launch and Vladimir Putin’s election marked the beginning of a new era.
Leading up to the first exact opposition, Hurricane Katrina devastated the world, while platforms like Twitter and Tumblr emerged. The summer of 2016, during the closing squares, witnessed the rise of augmented reality with Pokemon Go, along with significant political events such as the election of Donald Trump and Brexit.
Stepping into the 2020s signals the beginning of a new cycle:
- Saturn and Neptune copresent in Pisces: March 2023 – March 2025
- Saturn in Pisces, Neptune in Aries: March 2025 – May 2025
- Saturn and Neptune copresent in Aries: May 2025 – Sep 2025
- Saturn and Neptune copresent in Pisces again: Oct 2025 – Jan 2026
- Neptune enters Aries: Jan 26, 2026
- Saturn enters Aries: Feb 13, 2026
- Saturn/Neptune conjunction at 0 Aries: Feb 20, 2026
- Saturn and Neptune copresent in Aries: Feb 2026 – Apr 2028
- Saturn/Neptune conjunction within 15-degree orb: March 2024 – May 2027
To summarize, this chapter in history will span from 2023 to 2028, intensifying Saturn/Neptune themes between 2024 and 2027. In February 2026, a new cycle commences.
Embracing Change: Loss and Transformation
Saturn and Neptune embody contrasting qualities. Saturn represents reality’s harshness, the boundaries of truth and limits, while Neptune symbolizes illusion, dreams, and the intangible. When these two planets unite, they cancel each other out in certain ways. Saturn debunks Neptune’s illusions, and Neptune erodes Saturn’s certainty, leaving us questioning what is truly real. Yet, this convergence also allows for the transformation and grounding of abstract ideals into tangible experiences.
Richard Tarnas, in his book Cosmos and Psyche, observes that Saturn-Neptune eras often intensify conflicts between religion and science, leading to heightened skepticism from both sides. Significant historical events, like Charles Darwin’s birth during the 1809 conjunction and Nietzsche announcing “God was dead” in 1881-82, continue to underline this theme.
However, this period is not solely about burying delusions; it also encourages us to manifest our ideals in the physical world. It can be a time when dreams die, but it is also an opportunity to anchor the ethereal into reality. Analogously, the famous “expectations vs. reality” meme finds resonance in this cosmic dance, which originated from a 1921 cartoon.
As we embark on the Saturn/Neptune years, we must brace ourselves for the dissolution of the known and the loss of our hoped-for realities. By confronting illusions and lies, we can emerge stronger, separated from fantasy, and more grounded in truth. The journey will be both disorienting and exhilarating, as we navigate this unchartered territory together.
Remember, the Saturn/Neptune years hold the potential for personal and collective transformation. Let go of what no longer serves you and prepare to embrace a new reality, where the boundaries of possibility are redefined.