2020 has been a year of intense and unusual astrological activity. Multiple retrogrades, upcoming eclipses, and other major transits are creating a lot of stirring energy. With so many planetary influences shifting, it can be difficult to know how to respond or where to focus your attention.
What can we do to work with these forces?
We spoke with astrologer Christopher Renstrom to understand what the months ahead might bring and how to navigate this period.
Who is Christopher Renstrom?
Christopher Renstrom is a professional astrologer and writer. He began studying astrology in 1980 and became a full‑time astrologer in New York City in 1985. Early in his career he read charts in a wide variety of settings and eventually moved into writing horoscope columns for print and online media. He later created the Ruling Planets website and has continued to write and consult professionally.
Many people are worried about the fact that we’re in a period of four Retrogrades (Pluto, Saturn, Venus, Jupiter) occurring all at once. What does this mean astrologically?
Retrograde motion is the apparent backward movement of a planet from Earth’s viewpoint. Astrologically, a retrograde often indicates that the planet’s usual energies are turned inward, slowed, or reworked. That can feel disruptive because familiar patterns shift or come under review.
For example, Venus retrograde can highlight relationship friction and values under scrutiny; Jupiter retrograde may test our optimism or sense of expansion; Saturn retrograde invites reconsideration of rules, limits, and responsibilities; and Pluto retrograde can prompt deep internal transformation. Rather than simply bringing negative outcomes, retrogrades function as tests and opportunities to reassess. Losing patience or encountering setbacks can reveal where adjustments are needed and can ultimately lead to stronger, wiser choices.
What should people do or avoid during this time?
Think of “retrograde” as a time to slow down, revisit, and refine rather than an outright reversal of progress. Backtracking to retrieve lost information, reworking plans, or reviewing commitments can feel frustrating, but these revisions often produce better results.
Practical approaches during retrogrades include pausing major irreversible decisions when possible, revisiting unresolved issues, double‑checking communications and contracts, and allowing extra time for travel and planning. Use the period for reflection, repair, and careful reassessment rather than impulsive moves.
Where do you see 2020 heading astrologically?
Expect heightened clashes around authority and structure in the coming months. Mars moves into Aries late in June, and its subsequent retrograde extends its influence dramatically — turning what might have been a brief phase into a much longer one. Mars in Aries brings direct, combative energy, while Saturn in Capricorn enforces discipline and limits. When these energies form challenging aspects, tensions can erupt.
Mars–Saturn squares on August 24 and September 29 suggest potentially stressful and confrontational periods. These transits can feel explosive, especially if people are unclear about who or what they oppose. The result may be heated disputes that resemble chaotic confrontations.
Are there any other transits people should be aware of in the upcoming months?
Mars retrograde from September 9 to November 13 is significant. When Mars appears to move backward, it can create the illusion that a threat has withdrawn while it actually remains poised. That “Trojan Horse” quality calls for vigilance—don’t let your guard down prematurely, especially with ongoing public health concerns and other real‑world risks.
Although 2020 presents challenges that may continue through autumn, there is a hopeful alignment later in the year: a Jupiter–Saturn conjunction in Aquarius on December 21. This conjunction points to new structures and clearer skies ahead. It won’t resolve every problem, but it can signal the start of a more constructive phase and the possibility of gradual improvement.
What is your Primal Triad (Sun, Moon & Rising sign)?
Christopher says he is a Capricorn Sun with a Pisces Moon and identifies as either Aries or Taurus rising, depending on the chart and interpretation.
Tell us about your upcoming book: The Cosmic Calendar: Using Astrology to Get in Sync with Your Best Life.
The premise of The Cosmic Calendar is that astrology functions as a calendar for timing. Rather than treating astrology as fate or purely symbolic language, the book emphasizes its practical value in marking cycles and helping people act in sync with natural rhythms. Across civilizations—Middle Eastern, Indian, Chinese, and Mesoamerican—astrological systems emerged as ways to track time and organize human activity.
Viewing astrology as timing changes the relationship to it: instead of surrendering to destiny, you can plan with the cycles in mind. The book encourages using astrological timing to make choices that align with your goals and the larger flow of events.