Saturn-Uranus Square of June 2021: Assessing (and Burning) Bridges to Build Fertile Foundations

On June 14 at 3pm Pacific Time, Saturn in Aquarius squares Uranus in Taurus. This square refers to Saturn and Uranus’ physical placement at a 90-degree angle in the sky. 

Astrologically, the square is understood as a tension-generating aspect. Squares touch on themes of frustration and pressure, both personally and in the collective, in order to generate fresh, forward movement. During its activation, square energy can feel to us like bare hands tightly gripping the slippery sides of a giant balloon. The square encourages discomfort as a vehicle for expansion. 

via GIPHY

(Note: All of the challenging major aspects - the square, the opposition, or the conjunction - can create these feelings of discomfort. Here, we focus specifically on the square.)

This particular Saturn-Uranus meeting is a follow-up from recent interactions between the two generational planets; we witnessed Saturn and Uranus square initially on February 17 of this year, and will see them square again later on in December. 

What’s up with Saturn and Uranus?

Fundamentally, Saturn and Uranus serve different cosmic purposes. 

Saturn represents the collective and personal structural forms in our lives, and relentlessly asks us (or forces, depending on how receptive we are to change) to examine how these structures hinder or support our truest, most authentic forms of growth. Saturn challenges us to ask the difficult questions of ourselves and the systems we live in. This includes questions like: do the structures in our lives - our professional communities, our social groups, our workplaces, our places and methods of worship - support our real visions for the future? Are we really living up to who and what we say we are, and how are we going about it? 

Saturn is unafraid, unashamed and decidedly devoted to bringing us face-to-face with the truest version of ourselves, even if that means pulling a few proverbial weeds along the way to get to the harvest. 

Uranus, on the other hand, serves as the rebellious mastermind of the Zodiac, wholly unconcerned with how “things have always been done”. On the contrary, Uranus seeks to create change, rapidly and unpredictably at that. Uranus understands that there’s no one right way to do something, centering ingenuity and creativity in everything it touches. Whenever Uranus is involved, expect the unexpected. For the thrill-seekers and consummate tastemakers among us, this energy can come as a welcome relief.

Both Saturn and Uranus are considered generational planets thanks to their long orbital periods - Saturn has a roughly 29-year orbit, while Uranus has an 84-year orbit. When these two titans form a connection, pay attention: major changes are in store.

A (brief) look in the rear-view

We can look at previous historical events which aligned with Saturn and Uranus’ connection as evidence of the planets’ impact on our social structures and expectations. This connection can heavily emphasize who gets to be in power and who doesn’t, and the backlash that erupts when said power struggle is realized. Events like the US Capitol insurrection in January 2021 spurred by Mars, the electric & defiant energy of the George Floyd rallies throughout summer 2020, and the 2008 Bush-Obama election (during which Saturn and Uranus were in opposition) are examples of this energy. 

In our current astrological climate, the square between Saturn in Aquarius and Uranus in Taurus shows us how the primary systems and structures in our lives (Saturn) are evolving (Aquarius) and being tested and transformed (Uranus) against traditional methodologies (Taurus), in order to bring us to spaces of authentic alignment and self-awareness.  

Practical Magic: How this relates to you irl

In a collective sense, this can look like: 

• Public displays of speaking truth to power

  • Political rallies, widespread support for community-run organizations, calling out big business on social media 

• Financial institutions radically changing the way they do business

  • The explosive rise of Cryptocurrency

  • The growing ubiquitousness of new FinTech tools to help us manage our money more efficiently without the involvement of traditional capitalist denizens

• How we use technology

  • Apps like TikTok where creators thrive via information sharing, even when that information is not necessarily reputable or supported by traditional “experts” or sources of expertise

• Corporate representations of socio-political expansion

  • Public celebration of LGBTQ+ communities to generate profits and appear “woke” or “socially savvy”

  • Public celebration of racially and politically-marginalized groups to generate profits and appear “woke” or “socially savvy” 

In a personal sense, this can look like: 

• Erecting and maintaining very specific boundaries in our personal lives after having those boundaries abused and violated over and over 

• Releasing fear surrounding what we feel we are allowed to ask for and have

• Feeling a sense of loneliness or longing for what we used to have, even if it didn’t really serve to make us feel good in the first place

• Creating space for new and exciting experiences in our communal lives (our workplaces, our friend groups, our spiritual groups, etc.)

• Feeling excited about new energy but not really knowing the best way to move forward in that newness 

A quick review of Aquarius & Taurus energy, respectively

Let’s briefly revisit how the signs of Aquarius and Taurus function in these signs, respectively, as a means to further understand how significantly the Saturn-Uranus square energy can show up in our lives. 

Aquarius is an unconventional placement for regimented, didactic Saturn. When Saturn transits into Aquarius, there is a push toward reinvention and a rethinking of what we know to be true. Fixed Air sign Aquarius wants us to think outside of the box and examine ways to create harmony by detaching from familiar patterns that no longer serve us. Creativity and experimentation is Aquarius’ lifeblood.   

Taurus, on the other hand, seeks comfort in all forms - physical, emotional, financial, spiritual.  Fixed Earth sign Taurus is steadfast, consistent, and primed for excellence and high-performance. This is impressive, to be sure, but can sometimes lead to feelings of stagnancy if things don’t go the way they’re “supposed to”.

So, when Taurus and Aquarius link up, it can create a push-pull between what we have and what we want to hold on to (Taurus) versus what we envision to make our world a more just and equitable place (Aquarius). 

In Summary

This Saturn-Uranus square is an incredible opportunity to reassess the structures that uphold our daily lives. It’s a challenging but beautiful time to ask ourselves the hard questions: what direction is my life moving into, and do I like the route it’s taking? If yes, how can I continue to move confidently in that direction? If not, how can I reroute my course in a way that better serves my aspirations? 

Bravely posing these questions and honestly listening for the answer can bring us the insights we so deeply yearn for during this time.