Jupiter-Uranus Conjunction: What It Means To Be Human
By Anita Chauhan
It’s true: we’ve been on quite a ride since the beginning of this Aries season. What we were astrologically spared from earlier this year has arrived this April. Just as we round the corner following a monumental solar eclipse, enter Aries decan III, and begin to wind down this cardinal fire sign season, we welcome another big shakeup: the conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus in Taurus.
This April 20th, at 10:27 p.m. ET/7:27 p.m. PT, Jupiter and Uranus will form a conjunction in fixed, earthy Taurus. Collectively, personally, these two planets may bring about massive shifts. The melding of these planetary archetypes – expansion (Jupiter) and rebellious progress (Uranus) – only arrive together once every 14 years, in every two signs.
When Jupiter, the greater benefic – which brings expansion, luck, and wisdom, into our lives (for better or for worse) – meets Uranus, the planet of innovation, chaos, rebellion, and sudden changes, in the earthy, stable fixed sign of Taurus, the earth may quite literally shake (see last week’s earthquake in NYC).
In Taurus, this alignment signals an opportunity for us to review. I have seen a collective reevaluation of our shared values, financial systems, and our relationship with the natural world at large. I deeply hope that it may encourage a period of significant innovation and transformation in these Taurus-ruled areas of life. Could this lead us to new ways of consumption, a reformation of our capitalist culture, rethink of how we amass wealth, and how we consume? Might we reexamine and take a deeper look at how we live, or promote more sustainable living?
A Catalyst, a Spark for Change
In the past, these moments brought an accelerated pace of growth. As Richard Tarnas states in Prometheus the Awakener, page 63, “When Jupiter and a second planet enter into alignment, Jupiter’s archetypal influence seems to be magnifying and supporting the second planetary archetype—expanding it, granting it success, bringing it to fruition.”
This fusion of energy brings a period where growth and upheaval meet. Where Jupiter expands and grows, Uranus shatters comfort zones; it pushes us to the edge. Uranus embodies revolution, sudden shifts, and the shock of the new. Combined with fixed Taurus’ desire for security, we find a dynamic catalyst for growth. This beautiful tension between the stability Taurus craves and Uranus’ push for change compels us to redefine worth and security. We are learning that true stability doesn't come from clinging to the familiar but from our capacity to adapt, innovate, and reimagine our path.
Perhaps this conjunction serves as a much-needed global wake-up call. We are encouraged to step up, to innovate and to take action against the things that have long plagued us. This could be the time that we finally address issues related to sustainability, the environment, and our consumption habits. It’s deeply contextual: the conjunction set against a backdrop of ongoing conflict (in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan), a devastating genocide in Palestine, Xinjiang and Myanmar, and ever-increasing inequities may usher in a time of slow-building revolution.
Understanding the Conjunction
Conjunctions are strong aspects, for better or for worse. When two planets meet in one sign, to an exact degree, we can expect an outpouring of energy and influence. Think of two musicians playing in a duet: individually, each brings their own unique tone and skill, but in unison, the result is a rousing melody. In this way, energies come together to create a new, more powerful sound, resonating more deeply than either could do alone. The conjunction amplifies and blends its unique qualities into a focused force, most potent at the exact meeting.
Not a traditional planet, Uranus’ impacts have been reviewed retrospectively since its discovery in 1781. This conjunction can herald massive change or the spark of something greater. Jupiter-Uranus transits can typically hold space for massive social revolution and political reform. For example, the two planets were in close conjunction in Leo the day the French stormed the Bastille on July 14, 1789 – setting the stage for a new political and social era. According to Richard Tarnas, in Prometheus the Awakener, pg 69, "...the Jupiter-Uranus alignment served as an activating trigger, as it were, for the more massive and sustained revolutionary impulse that coincided with the longer Uranus-Pluto opposition that continued through most of the 1790s."
This resonates. Around the world, people struggle to exist within existing systems – cracks in the armour have been revealed. Collectively, we are ready to break free from the chains of systemic oppression, of white supremacist colonial structures, and move towards a more peaceable, equitable lifestyle. This is the conjunction that may impact the foundation of the world we know, and the systems that have governed us for the last five centuries.
At 21 degrees, this conjunction brings Sagittarian energy into focus. Bright and expansive, it conjures an image of a new road or place, all the potential of a wide, clear blue sky. The future is bright, and our opportunities are vast. It is ripe for the taking, and together, with a desire and a will to change, we can shape the world into something that works for us.
What We Can Expect – Looking Back to 1941
Looking back at 1941 for a deeper analysis of the conjunction, we're reminded of a world in great turmoil, not unlike our own. Astrologer Anne Whitaker highlights this period as a cosmic shift, balancing energies and catalyzing change amidst global strife. It was a tumultuous time; WWII was still raging, Europe was in shambles, and the world was held captive by massive human loss and the unspeakable horrors of genocide, We could only watch with bated breath as we allowed those with power and capital to make decisions that rarely reflected the will of the people.
We’ve been here before. Our current worldview, accelerated by technology and forming an unbalanced playing field, has similar consequences. We are amidst the world's first live-streamed genocide. We are reviewing how we interact with brands, with those in power, and newly identifying the sustainability and affordability of our day-to-day lives.
Today's challenges echo the past. They underscore our capacity for renewal and innovation. Post-WWII, the world saw remarkable growth and transformation, showcasing the resilience and innovation spurred by Jupiter and Uranus's energies. Saturn was co-present with Uranus and Jupiter, adding stability to the work that was to come. The nodes again were in Aries/Libra, albeit reversed. We witnessed the US embrace their role as a global power and saw women stepping into new roles while technological leaps marked the era, setting the stage for unprecedented innovation and advancement.
This month’s alignment encourages us to rebuild with sustainability and equity at the forefront, reminding us of our collective power to shape a promising future. New technologies may emerge that bring Taurean-related themes to the fore: financial and economic models, or even fresh perceptions around how we identify ourselves as humans when it comes to artificial intelligence.
Humanity and the Natural World
Long before the chaos of 1941, Jupiter and Uranus met in Taurus in 1858. We welcomed invention and new considerations around science. Charles Darwin ushered in two major theories on how we look at our collective evolution, by debuting a joint endeavour with Alfred Russel Wallace known as the Theory of Evolution. Darwin also completed his groundbreaking work that still informs much of our known, natural world today, The Origin of Species.
I can’t think of a more Taurean-themed discovery: the understanding of the natural world, our role in it, and how we grow, change, and build off of iterations of the self from the past. When in Taurus, Uranus takes the shape of a technological innovator, encouraging us to evolve and change our conceptions around what it means to be human. The expansiveness of Jupiter in tandem grows our consciousness in leaps and bounds – what is possible, what we can achieve, and how we can implement these changes, all seem more real than ever.
Humanity and Our Place in the World
In 2024, we face some of the biggest questions around technology and humanity. How will AI and gene editing impact our understanding of humanity? What role do religion and doctrine play in our growth through these innovations? I wonder, often, how we can retain our humanity amid all these changes. How can we bear witness to genocide and conflict, supported by many of our leaders and finances, and yet still find collective understanding and equity? How can we build a balanced future when we lack a base of dignity and equality now?
Taurus' shadow side enables power-seekers to twist change in ways they see fit. Technocrats and autocrats may be energized by this conjunction, using it for their own gain. This is your moment to harness that storm. Remember the Tower card: lightning strikes rigid, unyielding structures, demanding transformation at any cost. The coming lightning storm will destroy anything that cannot contain it. Seek out those who stand firm, and in alignment with you and your values. They will weather this storm with you, and create something lasting.
This conjunction may very well set the foundation for the next 83 years, as it has done every cycle, and give us all the opportunity to review what it means to be human. In accordance with Taurean themes, we are left to ponder, "What if our economy mirrored the cyclical, nurturing essence of our earth?" Can we reimagine prosperity, in the wake of devastation, not just as a measure of accumulation, but as a balance of giving and receiving? Could the next iteration of our world be one of harmony between human aspiration and the planet's well-being?
These are all questions that we are contending with, with the conjunction asking us to consider all aspects, good and bad as we enter into this new cycle, until the two meet again, next time in Cancer in September 2037.
Expect the Unexpected
The goal for the next few weeks, set against the backdrop of Mercury retrograde, is to expect the unexpected and enjoy things as they come.
When Jupiter is in Taurus we tend towards being more practical realists who can move beyond just dreaming; we are doers, motivated to build something sustainable that can grow over a longer period. We understand that change for the greater good takes time, and we have the patience for it, as long as we can see tangible results. Our efforts can be imbued with luck, thanks to Jupiter’s planetary influence; the harder we work, the luckier we may get. During this cycle, basic needs must be met before we dive into new goals – and this gets amplified tenfold with Uranus co-present.
We may feel a deep need to break free from limiting situations. Following the Full Moon and eclipse in Libra last month, there comes a process of rebalancing the scales, attempting to build more authentic connections and pathways while reinventing our lives – all in the name of sustenance, holistic self-understanding, and alignment. How are we contributing to a greater future? What injustices or justices are we directly and collectively involved in?
Above all: we can no longer sit around and wait for it to come to life - something tangible must take form. Something must emerge from our collective unrest. No longer can we sit by and criticize the structures that do not serve us, we must rebel, we must innovate and we must work together to make a shared, equitable reality.
About the Author
Anita Chauhan (she / her) is a heart-driven Toronto-based astrologer with a story that intertwines deeply with the stars. Her journey into astrology began as a cherished bond with her late mother, who introduced her to the wonders of the zodiac. This connection grew into a sanctuary for Anita, especially after her loss at the tender age of 12, guiding her through grief and igniting a lifelong quest for self-discovery and understanding.
With over 15 years of educational pursuit and 5 years of professional consulting under her belt, Anita's expertise in astrology is both vast and deeply personal. She excels in revealing the intricate layers of personality, fostering a deeper connection within and among individuals.
Website: www.adastraastrology.com
Twitter / X: @ astrologyAni
References
"Portrait of Charles Darwin; 'On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life', 2nd edition.
Also, not sure if you are aware of Biodynamic Agriculture? Steiner essentially envisioned a farm as an
alchemical "Taurean economy" in tune with the planets and stars and this has been helped along by researchers like Maria Thun. Perhaps your broader Vision of an economy in tune with nature begins by getting farming back in tune?
"In accordance with Taurean themes, we are left to ponder, 'What if our economy mirrored the cyclical, nurturing essence of our earth?'"
Great Question. This would be essentially an Alchemical Economy. Highly recommend Marlene Seven Bremner's Hermetic Marriage of Art & Alchemy in this regard, as it clearly demonstrates the Seasons as an Alchemical metaphor