Astrology provides a good framework for understanding, anticipating, and dealing with change. As a symbolic language, it describes the archetypal nature of planetary energies and their mathematical relationships to each other within cycles— daily, monthly, annual, and beyond.
By engaging with astrology, we can better prepare for seasons of growth, illumination, discontent, and decay.
And when you’ve lived long enough, you’ll notice a pattern. In general, you’ll begin to recognize four types of change— maturation, awakening, disenchantment, and transformation.
Although astrology isn’t limited to these four, I believe these are the most impactful for human and societal development.
Let’s dive into the four types of change and what to do about it.
1. Maturation and Saturnian change
Maturation occurs slowly over time and can go undetected for a long while. Like the aging process, it sneaks up on you. This slow concentrated pressure can create diamonds in the form of wisdom.
Saturn is the crucial planetary energy associated with maturation. It symbolizes self-discipline, limitations, solitude, and integrity. When Saturn triggers a change, it’s time to grow up. You’ll need to leave immaturity behind.
How to approach Saturnian change
When experiencing a Saturian-influenced change, life gets a reality check. The rose-colored glasses come off so you can look soberly at the situation. Over time, the forms and structures you’ve created have been worn down and now need tending to for restructuring. Some questions to tackle during Saturnian changes:
- What needs your concentrated attention and efforts?
- What do you need to get serious about?
- What have you mastered?
- What will require some discipline?
- What needs to be conserved?
Mantra
“I can do hard things.”
Possible pitfalls
- Denial of the need for change.
- Rigidity and getting overly focused on the structure of things.
- Failure to reemerge once the maturation process is completed.
2. Awakening and Uranian change
We move from slow change over time into sudden, rapid change— a period of awakening. During this change, you can feel wired, excitable, restless, and eager to be free at all costs. A new insight takes hold, and you’re forever changed.
The planet Uranus is associated with awakening. It represents freedom, disruption, brilliant insights, rebellion, and modernity in astrology. Like lightning in a storm, its erratic nature shocks us out of outdated and entrenched ways of being and thinking.
How to approach Uranian change
During periods of awakening, the body takes the brunt of it. Your nervous system gets overstimulated. Sleepless nights and chaotic thinking are typical.
Find body-based practices (qi gong, yoga, acupuncture, massage, etc.) that help calm and ground what you’re experiencing mentally. A healthy diet and lots of water can provide relief. Finally, experiment with new activities, groups, and ways to rebel against what’s kept you repressed and oppressed. Questions to tackle at this time:
- How are you not free?
- What has been disrupted?
- How are you being a source of disruption for others?
- What area of life is calling for innovation or a new way?
- What old baggage keeps dragging you down?
Mantra
“I’m open to the unexpected.”
Possible pitfalls
- Hurting people you love due to a need for space and freedom.
- Creating traumatic experiences due to the speed of change.
- Fanaticism; brought on by extremes in thinking.
3. Disenchantment and Neptunian change
Feelings of confusion, spaciness, sensitivity, and futility mark our third common type of change— disenchantment. Often this type is initiated by grave disappointment in someone or something, leading to a cascade of emotions and a retreat from the external world.
The spiritualizing planetary energy of Neptune is linked to this type of change. In astrology, Neptune dissolves, clouds, and sensitizes anything it touches— leaving people and situations confused and unable to rely on their physical senses.
Neptune also represents the urge to lose oneself. In the best case, one is left more open to the creative, mystical, and transcendent. At its worse Neptunian changes can launch one into a restless seeking of a new ideal.
Helpful questions include:
- What people, places, and things can you no longer tolerate?
- What practices allow you to unplug or disconnect from the everyday?
- Are you getting enough sleep?
- What has recently left you heartbroken or weepy?
How to approach Neptunian change
Simply put, let go.
Neptunian change will bring you into a period of existential crisis. Things that once held significant meaning will likely fade away. Your relationships, career, and beliefs will be scrutinized as attachments dissolve. Consider this period of “emptying” and spaciousness as the universe readying you for a deeper level of conscious connection. The best response is to surrender, requiring less of you on the physical plane.
Mantra
“I flow with life.”
Possible pitfalls
- Neglect of the physical body.
- Addictive behavior in an attempt to fill a void.
- Deception due to the nebulous nature of the period and your willingness to trust more.
4. Transformation and Plutonian change
The fourth type of change is one of the hardest to discuss because it is the biggest threat to the ego.
Transformation sounds great, but it’s the hardest thing to do. During it, you’re often confronted by the worst human experiences that threaten who you know yourself to be. Further, transformation will require you to give up something you thought you could never live without.
The planetary energy connected to transformation is Pluto. In astrology, Pluto represents power, control, death & rebirth, and secret/hidden things. Some topics that may arise during Plutonian changes are death, psychological trauma, ancestral traumas, abuse, or anything suppressed.
Here are some helpful questions when you think you may be experiencing this kind of change:
- In what ways does fear control you?
- What are you clinging to?
- Which relationships have unhealthy power dynamics?
- How can you begin to reclaim your power?
- How is your mental health? And are you needing support from a mental health practitioner?
How to approach Plutonian change
In a single word, confront.
When Plutonian changes arrive at your doorstep, you must open the door and let it in. The good news is (and I wholeheartedly believe this) Plutonian change occurs when you most need it. The rot and decay that is already present can get transformed if you dig deeper than you’ve ever done before.
Once you’ve done the critical work of confronting, it’s time to release. Plutonian changes also require eliminating what no longer serves you. Go ahead and take out the trash!
Mantra
“This too, I release.”
Possible pitfalls
- Overidentification with the dark due to the heavy topics encountered during this type of change.
- Obsessions due to the need to either feel a sense of control or to finally get to the root of an issue.
- Power tripping when you’ve reclaimed your personal power and may briefly overcorrect for the past.
Wrapping up— the 4 types of change and what to do about it
You’ll likely go through all types at some point in your life. Whatever your response to these changes, know you’re doing your best and that it will eventually end.
All types of change will benefit from patience and support. Because these changes involve slower-moving outer planets, it can take up to 3-4 years to complete. Therefore rushing through will only cause more harm and confusion.
Finally, whether it is psychological, emotional, physical, or spiritual, it’s advisable not to go it alone. Seek astrologers, therapists, coaches, and other healing professionals for help and support.
Which type of change have you been through or is currently underway?
If you’re currently going through one of these changes, or you’re seeking to consult with a professional astrologer? Check out Ask Me Anything, here as a first step.
New here?
Thanks for visiting my website & remember to subscribe to my monthly newsletter, Connected Pieces, here.