This is a general overview of astrological events occurring during the year 2023. Some of the events mentioned below may affect us globally or nationwide, whilst others may only affect some of us on an individual basis. For details about the nature, strength, or duration of any effect that may take place, inception charts as well as natal charts of people in charge of the countries in question will also have to be taken into consideration. For events affecting the native on a personal level, the Natal chart, the Solar Revolution chart, as well as other charts will have to be consulted. In this astrological preview, the following information can be found:
Retrograde Motion of the Planets
Cazimi Planets
Noteworthy Sign Ingresses and Transits
Other Noteworthy Phenomena (Solstices, Equinoxes, Super Moons)
Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Solar Ingress Charts
For more detailed information, you may watch this space for in-depth articles to be published throughout the year. For personal requests, please contact me via Peter@stars-and-stones.co.uk
Retrograde Motion of the Planets
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be retrograde at times during 2023.
Mercury Rx
Will delight us, as usual, with interrupted communication, malfunction or complete failure of computers and other electronic devices and general uncertainty and confusion concerning any contracts, legal documents or agreements.
Mercury will be retrograde four times during 2023. The first phase will begin with Mercury in Capricorn, on 30 December 2022 and will end on 18 January 2023. The next phase will begin in Taurus on 22 April and will end on 15 May. This will be followed by another Rx phase in Virgo between 24 August and 15 September. The last Rx phase of the year will being with Mercury in Capricorn on 14 December. On 24 December, Mercury will move back into Sagittarius and the whole Rx phase will last until 2 January 2024.
Venus Rx
Venus will be retrograde in Leo between 24 July and 4 September. She will remind us of a past relationship or even tempt us to have a secret affair, when she will be the morning star!
Mars Rx
After an unusually long transit in Gemini during 2022, Mars will be retrograde until 12 January 2023. Which aspects of our lives will this long Rx spell re-enforce?
Jupiter Rx
Will remind us of his prudent side; with Jupiter’s help we are able to fulfil our potential but in his Rx phase, he demands that we obey the rules, follow our moral guidelines and show kindness and compassion.
Jupiter will be retrograde in Taurus between 4 September and 31 December. Retrograde Jupiter in Taurus brings a sober note to our search for meaning. In this introspective time, we may want to question and reflect we have achieved in the past.
Saturn Rx
Saturn in Pisces will give us a chance to re-evaluate what has become static and dogmatic in the past. It is likely that any unfinished but forgotten business will make an unexpected reappearance during this time, reminding us to bring old issues to a close.
Saturn will be retrograde between 18 June and 4 November.
Cazimi Planets
To remind ourselves: Cazimi or “in the heart of the Sun”, is the position of a planet in tight conjunction with the Sun within 16 minutes of arc. This planetary position is said to be one of great strength, as the planet is fortified by the Sun’s rays.
William Lilly wrote about a cazimi planet that it would be “wonderous strong” (CA, p300).
Below is a table, listing all conjunction between the Sun and other planets, except Moon. Mercury will be Cazimi 7 times, whereas Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will only have one close encounter with the Sun during 2023.
Noteworthy Sign Ingresses and Transits
7 March Saturn ingresses into Pisces
16 May Jupiter ingresses into Taurus
19 June Jupiter sextile Saturn
Other Noteworthy Phenomena (Solstices, Equinoxes, Super Moons)
Solstices and Equinoxes
Spring Equinox 20 March (21:24 UT)
Summer Solstice 21 June (14:58 UT)
Autumn Equinox 23 September (6:50 UT)
Winter Solstice 21December (3:27 UT)
Super Moons
There will be four Super Moons during 2023:
21 January 8:55 PM – Aquarius New Moon
20 February 7:07 AM – Pisces New Moon
1 August 6:32 PM – Aquarius Full Moon
31 August 1:36 AM – Pisces Full Moon
Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Annular Total Solar Eclipse April 20, 5:16:34 AM at 29 Aries 50
This eclipse may be of importance to Germany, Austria, and Italy. Parts of Africa may also be affected. With Mars being eclipse ruler, countries falling under the planet’s rulership will have to be taken into consideration, too.
An eclipse usually affects only a small number of people. To establish the possibility of any effect to take place, the birth chart should be scrutinized for any of the following:
Sun or Moon are in or around 29* Aries
Sun or Moon are in or around 29* Libra (opposition)
29* Aries is culminating in the birth chart (conjunct Midheaven)
29* Aries is ascending in the birth chart (conjunct Ascendant)
Should it be the case that one or even more of these factors apply, an in-depth reading of the birth chart may be necessary to find out if, how and to what extent the native could be affected.
(NB: My Annual Prediction Reading now includes an eclipse check-up, investigating the potential impact the current solar year’s solar and lunar eclipses may have on the native.)
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse May 5, 6:22:48 PM at 14 Scorpio 52
People with Scorpio or Taurus rising, either in their birth chart or in their Solar Revolution for 2022/23, could be more affected than others. Furthermore it should be investigated if natal Sun or Moon are conjunct the eclipse point. If it should be the case that one or even more of these factors apply, an in-depth reading of the native’s charts may be necessary to find out which particular areas of life are likely to be affected the most.
(NB: My Annual Prediction Reading now includes an eclipse check-up, investigating the potential impact the current solar year’s solar and lunar eclipses may have on the native.)
Annular Solar Eclipse October 14, 6:59:18PM at 21 Libra 08
This eclipse may be of importance to North America. With Libra being eclipse ruler, countries falling under the planet’s rulership will have to be taken into consideration, too.
An eclipse usually affects only a small number of people. To establish the possibility of any effect to take place, the birth chart should be scrutinized for any of the following:
Sun or Moon are in or around 21* Libra
Sun or Moon are in or around 21* Aries (opposition)
21* Aries is culminating in the birth chart (conjunct Midheaven)
27* Aries is ascending in the birth chart (conjunct Ascendant)
Should it be the case that one or even more of these factors apply, an in-depth reading of the birth chart may be necessary to find out if, how and to what extent the native could be affected.
(NB: My Annual Prediction Reading now includes an eclipse check-up, investigating the potential impact the current solar year’s solar and lunar eclipses may have on the native.)
Partial Lunar Eclipse October 28, 16:23:49 at 5 Taurus 09
People with Taurus or Scorpio rising, either in their birth chart or in their Solar Revolution for 2022/23, could be more affected than others. Furthermore it should be investigated if natal Sun or Moon are conjunct the eclipse point. If it should be the case that one or even more of these factors apply, an in-depth reading of the native’s charts may be necessary to find out which particular areas of life are likely to be affected the most.
(NB: My Annual Prediction Reading now includes an eclipse check-up, investigating the potential impact the current solar year’s solar and lunar eclipses may have on the native.)
Solar Ingress Charts
2023 Solar Ingress Chart for the United Kingdom
Shown here is the Aries ingress chart, cast for London, representing the United Kingdom. With Scorpio, a fixed sign rising, this chart will be valid for the whole year. From the chart above, we can see that Venus will be the Lady of the Year. She is prominently positioned on the 7th house cusp in Taurus, and promises
“… the salvation of women”, according to Bonatti (BoA p964)*
2023 Solar Ingress Chart for the United States of America
Shown here is the Aries ingress chart, cast for Washington, which is representative for the United States of America. With Virgo, a common sign rising, this chart will be valid for six months only. The Libra ingress chart will have to be taken into consideration, too.
From the chart above, we can see that Mars will be Lord of the Revolution, which gives a first indication of what is to come. He is Lord of the 8th house, and is prominently positioned in the 10th house. Generally speaking, this suggests that the main themes during this solar year will be matters concerning conflicts, arguments and divisions. Bonatti writes that Mars in the 10th house:
“… signifies wars and contentions over matters which do not belong to those who seek them, nor pertain to them” (BoA p951)*.
(Libra Ingress Chart)
A detailed analysis of the ingress cart and a prediction of the outcome of the presidential election will be posted on my web log at a later date.
*Bonatti, Guido: Book of Astronomy (BA), translation B Dykes, Cazimi Press, 2007
Peter Stockinger's Traditional Astrology Weblog 