The Modern Planets
As we move through 2026, we know that we are living in extraordinary times. From an astrological viewpoint, one of the major reasons for this is because the three modern planets, Uranus, Neptune & Pluto, have all changed star sign within the space of three years, 2023-2026.
This is unusual when you consider how long it takes for each of the modern planets to orbit the Sun. Uranus’ orbit is 84 years, Neptune’s orbit is 165 years and Pluto’s orbit is 248 years. This means thatPluto changes star sign approximately every 20 years, Neptune every 13 years and Uranus every 7 years.
Why are the modern planets important? Because they are linked to the collective and they tend to be disruptors. Anyone who’s experienced a transit of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto will know that they are often times of crisis, deep change and personal transformation.
Uranus and Pluto are now in air signs, Gemini and Aquarius respectively, and Neptune is in fire sign Aries. Air and fire are the ‘extrovert’ elements. Air rules communication, airwaves, technology and society while fire rules action, motivation and ‘just do it’ energy.
Air Sign Era
There’s another reason why we are primarily in an air sign era. For the last 200 years, the Jupiter/Saturn conjunctions fell in the earth signs, Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn. This coincided with the Industrial Revolution, an era of production, manufacturing and excavating the material that forms our earth.
The most recent Jupiter/Saturn conjunction took place in December 2020 in Aquarius, one of the air signs. This was momentous because it was a ‘Mutation Conjunction’.Â
This means we are at the beginning of a new 200 year cycle, when the Jupiter/Saturn conjunctions will fall in the air signs, Aquarius, Gemini and Libra. AI, data centres, information superhighways, space travel, robotics, flying cars, automation, etc. are all going to be the new normal moving forward.
The World Wide Web (WWW) began in 1989 during a rogue Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in Libra, an air sign. Since then, social media, cell-phones, global connections and online networks have exploded into our world. During this new air era, we may find out whether there are other living beings in the universe.
Air represents the breath too, so maybe we will have to learn to live with new airborne viruses during the next chapter of our time on this earth.
Also, the new ‘air’ era promises changes to the collective at a political, social, humanitarian and environmental level. Some of the changes taking place may need to be radical. Everyone may have to become less self-oriented and more concerned about what’s best for the whole.
It’s a new paradigm, an era when new solutions, rules and visions are required. This is true both on a collective level and in your personal life.
Working Together
This July, the three modern planets are starting to work together as a team. And, this is happening in their new star signs. This activity peaks between July 15 to July 25 when Uranus in Gemini, Neptune in Aries and Pluto in Aquarius are creating a Minor Grand Trine aspect – Uranus trine Pluto and Neptune sextile both planets. I like to call it the Big Pattern.
There’s been much talk within astrological circles about the significance of this alignment, some astrologers hyping it up hugely, others downplaying what it may bring. There’s been talk that this is the end of the old order and the beginning of the new era.
What’s important to remember with the slower-moving modern planets is that things don’t necessarily happen overnight. This is a transitional phase and, when you look at back at times in history, it can take years for a new era or age to be formed.
So what will the emergence of the Big Pattern bring and what it will mean? Here are some thoughts on how these planets could work well together. It includes the dates they align and, as you can see, this is only the start of a major shift in planetary emphasis.
Uranus 4° Gemini sextile Neptune 4° Aries – July 15
| Uranus Gemini sextile Neptune Aries |
| Aug 29 2025 Nov 20 2025 (Taurus/Pisces) July 15 2026 Jan 15 2027 June 6 2027 |
Uranus and Neptune make a conjunction approximately once every 172 years. The last time they came together was 1993.
This is the first sextile aspect after the conjunction. This is a similar theme to what was happening in 1966-1968 when the two planets were working hand in hand, i.e. the last time they were in sextile aspect.
Uranus is science-based whereas Neptune rules fantasy, dreams and the spiritual realm. At its best, this combination raises consciousness and tunes you into subtle frequencies.
There are already so many new developments taking place in energy work, frequencies and sound. What’s possible within our world and in the universe could be profoundly awakened over the next generation.
This combination favours scientific development, also inner consciousness – the inner and outer working together to take us beyond what we thought was possible.
It’s a big concept and you may not experience this deeply on a personal level. Yet, it’s worth noting where this aspect falls in your horoscope and which areas of your life are being triggered.
Uranus 4° Gemini Trine Pluto 4° Aquarius – July 18
| Uranus Gemini trine Pluto Aquarius |
| July 18 2026 November 29 2026 June 15 2027 Jan 13 2028 May 10 2028 |
The Uranus-Pluto cycle has an odd orbit. Uranus is the planet of change and revolution and Pluto is the planet of death, loss and transformation. Together, these two planets represent radical social change.
The last conjunction of Uranus and Pluto took place in the 1960’s and was exact in 1965 & 1966 as the planets came along to disrupt the establishment. The 1960’s were a key period for civil rights, black power, the space race and the Big Bang theory.
Then, the two planets, Uranus and Pluto, squared up to one seven times from 2012-2015, following on from Time magazine naming ‘The Protestor‘ their person of the year and coinciding with the Arab spring.
This year is the start of their first trine aspect since the conjunction in the 1960’s. There’s obviously more change and protests to come, some good, some not so good. These are volatile times but they also offer an opportunity to stand up against corruption, injustice and the misuse of power.
Uranus rules technology and, in Gemini, this potentially gives everyone a voice and a chance to be heard. When ideas trend on social media and go viral on the internet, they can rouse mass support extremely quickly. At its best, this combination could promise awakening, empowerment and deep transformation. It may well be a cosmic wake-up call kicking in.Â
Neptune 4° Aries Sextile Pluto 4° Aquarius – July 25
| Neptune Aries sextile Pluto Aquarius |
| July 25 2026 September 16 2026 June 29 2027 October 16 2027 June 9 2028 November 8 2028 May 22 2029 Nov 30 2029 May 4 2030 Dec 26 3030 April 12 3031 Feb 10 2032 Feb 29 2032 |
Neptune-Pluto cycles last about 495 years, half a millennium, and the last Neptune-Pluto conjunction took place in 1891-1892.
The Neptune-Pluto sextile aspect which will be exact this year involves the two slowest moving planets. To put this into context, most people born between 1945 to 2032 are born with the sextile aspect in their horoscope. This was especially close from 1950-1957 and again from 1977-1985.
Between now and 2032, there will be thirteen sextile aspects between Neptune and Pluto. And, this will be the last time they will be in exact sextile aspect in the 21st century.
It’s hard to say what this will mean on its own and it may become more obvious when the faster-moving planets link into the pattern.
What we do know is that Neptune is God of the sea and Pluto is God of the underworld. Neptune rules fantasy and life beyond the ego while Pluto’s linked to deep transformation and the inner psyche.
Therefore, this combination could see great strides in our awareness of consciousness and transcendence. Or there could be greater and deeper connections via the collective unconscious.
This invokes themes of spiritual awareness, psychic experiences, moving beyond timelines or physical planes. What’s possible may be miraculous and unbelievable as we all go on a deeper journey into the self and the universe’s mysteries.
How will it play out in reality?
It feels special that the three modern planets are working together in 2026 and beyond. The last time all three planets came together in conjunction was in the 6th century BC coinciding with the Golden Age in Greece.
As the three modern planets work together this year, consider who’s teaming up in the world or around you. Aries is the role of the individual, Gemini’s a community star sign and Aquarius represents society and the collective. Therefore, this could be about the importance of the everyday woman and man recognising their part in world events.
Already around the world, people are standing up against corrupt and power-hungry leaders who are letting down their countries. We’re likely to see more of this moving forward. And, we’re moving into an era of mass digitalisation with its Big Brother themes and consequences.
There is a theme of alliances with the new planetary pattern and this may not only be about the people but leaders in power as well. New alliances being formed to create more strength and power.
And, lest we forget, the psychological archetypes of the modern planets are dissociation (Uranus), dissolution (Neptune) and destruction (Pluto). The three planets are disruptors even when they’re working in unison.
Perhaps, on a personal level, the modern planets are going to bring awakenings and breakthroughs although some things may have to fall apart or break down first.
Jupiter Joins In
The Big Pattern really takes off when expansive Jupiter joins the planetary party. The key dates are July 20/21.
Most importantly, Jupiter and Pluto, two planets with big reputations, will oppose one another in the zodiac on July 20, Jupiter at 4° Leo and Pluto at 4° Aquarius.
Jupiter and Pluto’s characteristics are poles apart but together they wield huge power. However, this is a major opposition so consider where you’re in a an extreme situation or who or what is opposing you. There’s a theme of ‘double or quits’ with this combination, one last gung-ho effort to achieve your goals and aims.
Both planets are linked to wealth, although Pluto’s domain is hidden wealth. If you have these two planets in major aspect in your horoscope, there are often themes in your life around wealth or financial loss, status and power, hidden riches or intense experiences as the pendulum of fate swings wildly.
Will the people (Aquarius) take on the rulers (Leo) during this period in the year demanding less corruption and wealth inequality? Will the elite (Leo) try to dominate the masses through technology (Aquarius)?
Who will win and who will fall? What happens mid-July could be the start of a major shift in the world moving towards a fairer society and we find more about what the Big Pattern means in the world. Let’s see what unfolds…
Cradle Pattern
Neptune at 4° Aries and Uranus at 4° Gemini are both supporting Jupiter at 4° Leo & Pluto at 4° Aquarius during their opposition. This creates a ‘cradle’ pattern in astrology, a symbol that evokes support or a sense of ‘being held’.
On a personal level, this combination feels collaborative. Whatever your personal desires, passions or ambitions, you may find the support you need to make great strides. Leo is a creative star sign so consider what you might be ‘giving birth to’ and who’s got your back.
There is a potential theme of ‘now or never’ to this build-up of major planetary activity. The ‘cradle’ pattern falls just two days before communication planet Mercury turns direct on July 23.
This is another reason why it’s an ideal week to push things through, take a risk, be bold and courageous. Be inspired and inspire others and embrace the spirit of the Lion, Leo’s zodiac symbol.
Star of David/Grand Sextile Pattern
There’s one more thing to add to the major planetary pattern in the skies this month. On July 19, the Moon will move through air sign Libra and, when it reaches 4° Libra, the Moon will create a powerful Grand Air Trine with Uranus at 4° Gemini & Pluto at 4° Aquarius. Plus, Jupiter at 4° Leo will be in trine aspect to Neptune at 4° Aries – see chart below.
(The chart shows the cradle pattern starting from the top and moving clockwise – Jupiter at 4° Leo, Uranus at 4° Gemini, Neptune at 4° Aries & Pluto at 4° Aquarius. You can see the Moon at 4° Libra top left.)
This means that if you have any planets/angles at 4° Sagittarius, alongside the other five planets, this will create a Star of David Pattern, also called a Grand Sextile Pattern. It’s a rare and unusual planetary pattern.
Sagittarius is the archer, truth-teller and explorer of the zodiac. And, if you have any planets/angles at 4° of the air (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) star signs or 4° of the fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) star signs, it could be a time when something extraordinary happens.
Although to be fair, any planets/angles between 3-5° of the 12 star signs are going to be under the cosmic spotlight. July’s gearing up to be a pivotal month and this major planetary pattern will continue to be triggered over the next few months when the faster-moving planets are in alignment.
It’s going to be fascinating to see how this plays out in the world. And, on a personal level. Let me know what it brings.
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