Astrological Events and Their Impact on Global Markets
Yesterday’s Full Moon occurred at 13 degrees Leo—a degree is a way astrologers measure where a planet is located within a sign, with each sign covering 30 degrees. This Full Moon sets the stage for a week of significant movement, where issues that have been stalled may finally start to progress.
On Tuesday, February 3, Uranus (the planet associated with sudden change and innovation) turns direct at 27 degrees Taurus. When a planet “turns direct,” it ends a period called “retrograde,” where it appears to move backward in the sky from our perspective on Earth. Retrogrades are often linked to delays or revisiting old issues. As Uranus resumes forward motion, we enter a phase—lasting until April 26, 2026—where its influence in Taurus intensifies. Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of values and finances, so Uranus here often brings unexpected shifts in financial markets and questions about self-worth and value systems. Recent volatility in tariffs and commodity prices, such as the sharp rise in gold, can be understood as manifestations of these astrological trends.
Turning our attention to Pluto, this Friday, February 6, the planet returns to its “shadow position” the exact degree in the zodiac where it last turned retrograde in early May 2025. In astrology, the shadow position is particularly significant because it often signals the return of unresolved matters from the previous retrograde cycle. This means that issues left open last year may come back into focus as Pluto revisits this degree.
To see this influence in action, consider the political and economic turbulence that accompanied Pluto’s retrograde last year. At that time, we witnessed a flurry of international tariff changes—many were imposed, lifted, or revised in quick succession. This created a confusing environment for businesses trying to plan ahead. One particularly notable development was the decision to cut federal funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The intent was to stop taxpayer dollars from supporting NPR and PBS, including beloved, listener-supported programs. Many of us grew up with children’s shows like “Sesame Street” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” the latter of which famously secured congressional funding for educational content. Adult audiences have benefited from programs such as “Masterpiece Theater,” Ken Burns documentaries—including the recent “American Revolution”—and “Finding Your Roots.”
As Pluto returns to its shadow position this week, specifically at 3 degrees—it’s as if the astrological stage is set for us to revisit and address these lingering issues. The connection between Pluto’s retrograde shadow and ongoing policy debates becomes clear: upheaval in the skies often mirrors uncertainty in public life, reminding us that what happens above can reflect and even influence what unfolds here on Earth.
Personally, I find the reduction of funding for educational programming deeply troubling. For many, these programs have been a source of learning and inspiration across generations. Yet it’s important to recognize the broader context: policy changes affecting public broadcasting have far-reaching impacts. They not only influence the content available to children and families but also shape the educational and cultural resources accessible to the public as a whole. In other words, education is limited. As these decisions come to the forefront again, we are reminded of how astrological cycles and public policy can intersect in ways that affect us all.
There is an imbalance in the sky right now with several planets in Aquarius traveling with the Sun (which rules world leaders). An image that may drive this point home is that of a Seesaw where one of the participants is so heavy, the other participant is left dangling in the air. Some of the weight must be removed at the heavy end to get things back into balance and this holds true in many personal decisions this month along with larger, global decisions this month. The ‘heavy’ must go – or we can never get back in balance. One point illustrating this is that the chaotic environment surrounding tariffs has led to unpredictable market conditions. Businesses struggling to make long-term decisions are rendered impotent particularly if they are in smaller industries where resources are based on your ability to make money in your industry, service, or product. Gold soared to over $5,000, often a historical marker of investor fear of a coming recession (I do think we are heading in that direction) unless some of the ‘heavy’ can be removed from the weighted end of that Seesaw. We see more trepidation as issues around the usually solid bond market are no longer considered solid. Such economic turbulence often correlates with Pluto’s retrograde cycles, as this planet is associated with deep transformation and the surfacing of hidden problems. Pluto rules wealth and power and its use and misuse.
As Pluto nears its shadow position and Uranus moves direct in Taurus on February 3, we may see significant decisions from courts or governments regarding trade policies. For instance, new tariffs are being imposed on countries like Canada, and last week’s confusion over Greenland—a situation that subsided as Neptune ended its cycle in Pisces and entered Aries—shows how astrological shifts can coincide with changes in global affairs. Neptune’s transition out of Pisces also helped ease some of this unnecessary chaos since there were already security treaties in place set by President Truman in the form of the 1951 Defense of Greenland act, an agreement that allowed for more security and safety against the early Cold War by setting up US air bases for further security. Wasn’t anyone reading a history book? Why all the miscommunications and false narratives creating a fear trance all over the world and where, thankfully, other world leaders finally said NO!
Looking ahead, a powerful Solar Eclipse in two weeks in Aquarius is coming. Solar Eclipses often affect world leaders and mark major turning points. This eclipse is hitting quite directly the current president of the United States’ horoscope. This eclipse forms a challenging angle to Uranus in the final degrees of Taurus, suggesting sudden separations surprises and disruptions between February 16 and 18. The current post–Full Moon activity, with so many planets in Aquarius, could destabilize large organizations—changes that may become more evident by May, when Pluto retrogrades again, and at the 90-days after the eclipse position.
In summary, these astrological events—Uranus turning direct, Pluto returning to its shadow position, and the upcoming Solar Eclipse—provide a framework for understanding recent and upcoming shifts in global markets and political developments. By connecting planetary movements to real-world outcomes, astrology offers a unique perspective on why certain patterns and changes may emerge at this time.
