Uranus Retrograde 2022
URANUS TURNS RETROGRADE: August 24 2022
Uranus, the planet of freedom, change and the unexpected, turns retrograde on August 24, at 18° Taurus. It goes direct again on Jan. 22 2023, at 14° Taurus.
This year, Uranus is still involved in a tense tangle (a square) with Saturn, so we will feel the impacts of this retrograde on a global level as well as on a personal level.
Let’s Start with the Economy First
As an interesting look back, I called some of the impacts of the Saturn-Uranus square in my astrology forecast for 2021, posted on Facebook (I didn’t have my AstroLoggia website back then).
This is what I wrote at the time:
“Back to the Saturn-Uranus squares. A square is a tense energy, pushing us out of the comfort zone and into a new territory. It generates massive personal growth. But, experiences that lead to change and growth can feel stressful. Uranus is the planet of change, and Saturn is the planet of conservative “status quo”. So 2021 could become a transitional year, when out of last year’s experiences comes a new way of living and interacting as a society, that will last for a number of years. That’s on the spiritual and societal level.
On a practical level, Saturn-Uranus squares are associated with financial instability (hopefully not!). Considering Uranus is currently in Taurus, we can also experience shortages, real or perceived. Something could be in short supply – or we think it will be! What’s interesting is, the first time we felt this square (even though it was at a wide 5 degree orb – not very powerful), was in the spring of 2020, with its infamous toilet paper shortage. At the time I was growing up in the former Soviet Union, some of the foods, such as butter and meat, were rationed. I remember taking time off school for a food line-up, as a 13 year old! So the first thing that went through my mind last spring was, “food shortages could be next”.
But, potential disruptions of the supply chain brought on by this square don’t have to be about food. As I’m watching real estate in smaller communities in Canada, there has been a growing buying frenzy and bidding wars – caused by low inventory of detached houses and low interest rates! Your mortgage could buy you a bigger house these days – except that in many communities, those detached houses with a nice work-from-home office are in short supply. I write this as the Saturn-Uranus square is gaining strength in the skies”.
In my 2022 forecast, I wrote about upcoming shocks in the financial sector, including the stock market. My other prediction was for continued supply chain disruptions that could intensify again in the fall of 2022.
Unrelated to the Saturn-Uranus squares, I also predicted that oil and gas prices would skyrocket starting in April 2022, with a potential smaller spike in the fall of 2022. And that inflation would peak in the early summer (May or June), but could prove stubborn and still stay high until early to mid 2023.
On the other hand, I didn’t see the war in the Ukraine… ☹
Back to Uranus. Saturn and Uranus will come very close to a square one more time this year. The energy will be at its peak (within 1 degree orb) between Sept. 16 – Oct. 24 2022. It will be retriggered by the Lunar Eclipse on Nov. 8 2022.
I must say, it’s all lining up to a likely economic downturn between September 2022 and early 2023. Employment data in the US is still strong, companies reporting their second quarter earnings are doing better than the stock market expected, but….this could change in a few months. Aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Bank could in fact have a further negative impact on the economy (even though they are needed to control inflation). Or, there could be another type of a global event that triggers further economic instability.
For the Soul-Searcher:
OK, so that’s about the global economy.
On a personal level, when a planet is retrograde – appearing to go backward in the skies – it’s time for a review. It’s time to sort out any surprises and changes that came into your life this year. It’s also the time to look for adjustments or changes you need to make, if some of your areas feel stagnant and unfulfilling. Uranus forces us to look at things in a different light.
Review your personal life. Review your work, business or finances. What adjustments do you need to make? What new opportunities are you seeing?
If your life is filled with uncertainty right now, as unsettling as it is, Uranus is encouraging you to review your relationship with change. Are you prone to a knee-jerk reaction? Do you resist change with all your might, because it’s uncomfortable and, therefore, scary? Or do you consciously recognize and seize the opportunities it brings?
And on the Practical Level: Read if You Are a Capricorn, Aquarius, Taurus, Leo, Virgo or Scorpio
While it’s always interesting to know of the impact the planetary energy can bring to the world at large, when it connects with YOUR natal chart, it becomes very personal. With Uranus, a period of intense change in your personal life is possible (and sometimes there are unexpected surprises).
If your Sun, Moon, the Angles (Ascendant, Descendant, IC or MC), or the personal planets are between 14-18° Capricorn, Aquarius, Taurus, Leo, Virgo or Scorpio – you’re getting a fantastic opportunity to ride this powerful wave of energy coming into your life.
Has there been an inkling of changes brewing in your life since April 2022, when Uranus first got to 14° Taurus? If yes, consider what’s become stale, and what you need to do about it. Once Uranus turns direct on Jan. 22 2023, those changes might very well start happening. If you don’t drive them, they (manifesting as external events) can take charge of your life – whether or not you want them!
What Kind of Changes?
Well, it depends on the House (area of life) Uranus is moving through in your chart. Is it visiting your 7th House of Relationships, and you happen to be happily married? Well, start thinking of a new adventure that your spouse and you can embark on together, to bring some fresh air into your marriage. Or….your marriage could go through some changes you don’t want. I have seen divorces – but also long-awaited marriage proposals – happening when Uranus goes through the 7th House.
Is it going through your 6th House of Work and Health? Introduce some healthy lifestyle changes, shake up your routine at the office a bit (mind you, we all had enough of that with COVID) – otherwise, again, there may be some unexpected surprises.
Uranus moved into my 6th House while I was on a maternity leave. When I came back, I couldn’t recognize my job! I had a new boss who introduced so many changes, and who had such a different style, that it became a wild ride.
These are just some of the examples. Uranus can bring disruptions and experiences that feel electrifying and chaotic at the same time. It’s like life is filled with nervous, jittery energy all of a sudden. Well, life under a Uranus transit is not boring, that’s for sure!
Yes, But…Are These Changes Good or Bad?
EVERY planetary energy has upsides and downsides! It’s all about how we respond to it.
But, if you want to know if the changes promised by Uranus are supportive of where you are in life, look at the aspects Uranus makes to your natal chart. If it’s a trine – as it is for Capricorn b. Jan. 4-10, and Virgo b. Sept. 6-12 – you might get an easy, speedy resolution to a pressing issue in your life. Or an issue you didn’t even know was pressing!
If it’s a square – as it is for Leo b. Aug. Aug. 6-19 or Aquarius b. Feb. 2-8 – changes coming into your life might feel quite unsettling at first (but then, change usually is). I’m looking at you, Leo and Aquarius, when I ask this: What has become stagnant in your life? Where do you need a change? What have you been neglecting (Your spouse? Your health? Your finances? Something else?) Make the necessary changes now, so they are not out of your hands when the Universe “serves” them to you.
The Uranus energy is neutral – neither good nor bad. It’s the energy of change, meant to keep us evolving and moving forward.
If you’re a Scorpio b. Nov. 6-12, you may have a choice to deal with, a decision to make. The options will be staying with the status quo, or introducing a change into your life.
And if you are a Taurus b. May 4-10, you may be in for one of the most eventful years of your life!
Aquarius, Taurus, Leo and Scorpio in particular have MANY impactful planetary energies all converging in 2022. If that’s your sign, you might like this reading.
Or you might be interested in my post "Working with Uranus: Is it Time for Change?"