There’s some exciting astrology coming up in 2024, with the planets challenging you to embrace new, liberating ideas. As the stars offer unprecedented opportunities, you’re encouraged to expand your horizon, take some risks, and make some major breakthroughs.
We picked a few key dates to remember so you can go into the new year as prepared as possible. These transits will affect everyone a little differently, so be sure to mark your calendars so you can check back in and see how it’ll impact you!
Don’t Miss These Retrogrades!
The new year starts out with Mercury stationing direct in Sagittarius on January 1. Unlike 2023’s earth-heavy year, every Mercury retrograde will occur in fire signs in 2024. Where you previously noticed changing ideas around structure and organization, you’ll now be pushed into action. Mercury will stay direct until April 1 when it begins backspinning through Aries until April 25. It’ll remain forward-marching until August 14, when it’ll move backward from Virgo to Leo before stationing direct in the fire sign on August 28. The final Mercury retrograde of the year is in Sagittarius on November 25, where it’ll retrograde until December 15. Mark your calendars so you can make room for your usual retrograde prep! With time on your side, the communication planet’s usual chaos can be worked to your advantage.
The closer the planet sits to Earth, the stronger we tend to feel its retrograde cycle. While these outer planets retrograde annually, you might not always notice their stalled energy. But just because they don’t wreak havoc on your life, doesn’t mean you should forget these planets’ retrograde cycle! Make sure to note these dates early, so you don’t miss any retrograde lessons these planets have to offer. Transformative Pluto stations retrograde in Aquarius on May 2 (more on that below!) before righting course in Capricorn on October 11. Saturn will complete another retrograde cycle through dreamy Pisces this year, from June 29 to November 15, continuing its lessons on creativity, work ethic, and boundaries. This pairs nicely with Neptune’s backspin through Pisces from July 2 to December 7. Both Uranus and Jupiter begin their retrograde this year (on September 1 in Taurus and October 9 in Gemini, respectively) and remain moonwalking throughout 2024, before finally stationing direct again in early 2025. Don’t forget to check back in to see how these retrograde cycles will be impacting you throughout the year!
Mars Retrograde in Leo
The most significant retrograde of 2024 occurs at the end of the year when Mars backspins through bold Leo. The action planet stations retrograde on December 6, lasting through the end of the year before righting course in nurturing Cancer on February 23, 2025. Mars retrogrades roughly every two years, so it tends to be noticeable when its energy falters. The hustle that’s usually present in the action planet fades, making it more difficult to get motivated. Prepare for faded passions, sleepy movements, and confusing actions from those around you.
But this retrograde won’t just be your time to rest and recalibrate! This slowed motion also means that the extra push it takes to get you moving can bring your goals into sharper focus. With less energy, you’ll have to triage your priorities, making it crystal clear what has your number one spot. With Mars reversing course in Leo, you might find your actions gaining less recognition than you’re used to, which will force you to celebrate your wins privately. Does a lack of public validation discourage your motivation? Make note of what comes up for you during this period of stalled action.
Pluto Enters Aquarius (Again!)
Pluto made a big splash in 2023 when it first entered Aquarius—leaving Capricorn for the first time since 2008! During this time, the transformative planet stirred up progressive ideas in the air sign, shifting how we view humanitarian issues, interact with science and technology, and form communities. This was short-lived as Pluto soon retrograded back into Capricorn’s familiar skies, but it gave a sneak peek at what we can expect to develop further this year.
Pluto is making a longer appearance in the earth sign in 2024, re-entering Aquarius on January 20. Here, you’ll notice a similar evolution to how you see societal structures as a whole. Thoughts and ideas that were planted last year are beginning to grow, and you’ll be inspired to explore new perspectives to help you expand your viewpoint. Have fun exploring and innovating before May 2, when Pluto’s retrograde will bring its transformative energy back inward, where your new ideas turn more reflective.
Pluto’s moonwalk brings it back to Capricorn on September 1, where it’ll complete its retrograde cycle and march forward through the earth sign again. This is the powerhouse planet’s final return to Capricorn before it re-enters Aquarius a third time on November 19, where it’ll remain until 2043! As Pluto gets comfortable in the innovative air sign’s skies, you’ll notice your changing ideas begin to firm up, helping you narrow in on what you think, value, and want to explore further.
2024 Eclipse Season Preview
All but one eclipse will take place along the Aries-Libra axis this year, continuing last year’s themes surrounding partnerships, boundaries, and unity. Here’s a preview to help you prepare for what 2024’s cosmic shake-ups will bring:
There are two seasons of eclipses – one in the spring and one in the fall – each with a lunar and solar eclipse. The first round of eclipses begins on March 25 with a lunar eclipse in Libra. Its pair follows soon after, with a solar eclipse in Aries on April 8. These eclipses will illuminate which areas of your life you desire interdependency and alliance, and which areas you must traverse solo.
The first eclipse of the fall season is on September 17, with a partial lunar eclipse in Pisces interrupting the Aries-Libra cycle. Expect big realizations surrounding your dreams and aspirations during this time, though you’ll have to wait until 2025 to see these themes develop fully. On October 25, the annular solar eclipse in Libra asks you to explore your group dynamics. Where can you play with personal agency and codependency? You’ll likely realize something needs to shift.
Jupiter Enters Gemini
Abundant Jupiter is expanding your worldview this year! When Jupiter enters curious Gemini on May 25, your thoughts speed up, and you’re eager to feed your intellectual mind. A dynamic connection with Mars on August 14 will empower your words, so make sure you have something good to say! You may soon realize you need information to back up your viewpoints, so don’t be afraid to hit the books and educate yourself fully. Gemini is stimulating your desire for conversation and debate, so you’ll want to make sure you can stand behind the argument you’re making.
You’re invited to play around with your new wisdom as Jupiter stations retrograde on October 9. When the expansive planet turns its energy inward, it encourages you to ground your more idealistic beliefs in everyday, real circumstances. Jupiter in retrograde will then square off with Saturn on August 19, helping you reframe your opinions to deepen your understanding of them. This is a strong year for you to experiment with knowledge, opinions, and the way you express your values. By the time Jupiter ends its retrograde in 2025, you’ll likely have a firmer grasp of your adopted viewpoints.