By Catherine Carlson
Uranus! It’s a funny-sounding name to go along with a quirky planet. It’s preferable to pronounce it with the stress on the first syllable. As you’ll see, this planet’s physical nature and astrological significations all go together.
Uranus is unique
This electric-blue colored seventh planet even looks crazy! It is tilted on its side, and it spins the opposite direction of almost all other planets (in our known solar system). The unusual orbit means the sun shines on each pole for long periods, making the rest of the planet dark for years at a time. The atmosphere also has many stormy areas.
Like a bolt of lightning, the discovery of Uranus in 1781 cracked open our knowledge of the solar system beyond Saturn. The original name Georgium sidus (George’s Star), after King George III, was disliked by other astronomers who offered the name Uranus, the father of Cronus (Saturn to the Romans) in Greek mythology, making it the only planet to use the Greek name instead of the Roman one. Uranus didn’t follow the pack from the get go, and that’s exactly what it permits and pushes us to do as well.
Uranus is unusual.
Uranus is really “out-there” and exemplifies personalities or lifestyles that are a little different. This energy shows up in people who dress differently, live in an unusual home, or drive a particular car. These are originals—people that do not follow the status quo. Artist Pablo Picasso’s paintings were seen as radical during his time. Yet, the Cubist movement, of which he was a large part, had a ripple effect inspiring innovations in dance, music, and architecture.
Uranus is unconventional.
Uranus encourages the rebel inside of you to deviate from the beaten path. You may play an atypical sport, attend an exclusive school, or work in a rare career. Worldwide sensation Jacob Collier is a music genius who is showing us a new way of composing. His live performances take creativity to the next level, including spontaneous arrangements and audience participation.
Uranus spends seven years in a sign, so it is shared with those in your age group. Those born with Uranus in Libra (1969-1974) have been pioneers in pushing the boundaries of traditional relationship models. So many were influenced by growing up in unconventional (at the time) households of divorced parents and developed a need to break out of the mold set before them.
Uranus is uncommon.
A big reason for going against the grain is to experience freedom. Routines may become stagnant and stuck. Uranus is the modern ruler of the sign Aquarius, one that is anything but common. If you have an Aquarius sun, moon, or rising sign, or have a strong Uranus placement, you may feel like you have an electrical current running through you sometimes. Such planetary aspects can bring on flashes of insight and eureka moments. This is the influence associated with discoveries and breakthroughs, and propels inventions of all kinds, like those seen in Leonardo DaVinci’s detailed sketches. It shows up in new technology, such as the Apple products created by the late Steve Jobs—a man with over 450 patents.
Uranus is unpredictable.
Revolutions were occurring around the time Uranus was discovered, so the two go hand-in-hand. The rebellious act of The Boston Tea Party was a surprise that inspired similar acts leading up to the American Revolution. Rosa Parks was another radical that created shock waves by making a spontaneous choice to refuse to give up her seat on a bus, defying segregation laws. Who could have predicted that her actions would spark similar ones and eventually, an entire movement? Time and again, it is the Uranus-type mavericks who help bring us into the future.
Uranus is uncomfortable.
We like things to be certain, and it can be so unsettling when our carefully curated way of life, or the structures that we rely upon, shift gears, and we didn’t get the memo ahead of time. When we come into our early forties, Uranus reaches the halfway point from when we were born. This is the astrology behind the midlife crisis, a time when something that we wanted in our early twenties resurfaces. The discomfort may reach a tipping point, and we initiate a sudden change toward individuation. This change can show up as the stereotypical break-up of a long-term relationship but also could be getting married for the first time, having a child, or starting a business. Sometimes a Uranus transit can throw a curve ball in your life, forcing us to make a change we probably didn’t want, even though it might be ideal for our personal growth.
Uranus moves into Gemini.
On April 25, Uranus is moving into the mutable sign of Gemini until 2033, leaving Taurus, where it has been since 2019. Gemini was the constellation in which Uranus was first discovered, clueing us in to how things may play out. Gemini sun and moon signs will experience the energy of Uranus most significantly during this transit. Uranus in Gemini could influence revolutionary changes in learning and education systems and how we communicate, as well as media, social activity, and traveling short distances. This sign of the twins represents siblings and could reflect changes to our family systems. Gemini’s influence can already be seen with new developments in the music industry using AI to alter our singing voice through technology.
Uranus has the power to shift the masses. Movies such as Strictly Ballroom, or Pleasantville, are great examples of how the dull and stodgy become colorful and lively when something never-seen-before suddenly enters the picture.
Catherine Carlson is an Astrologer who offers consultations for adults and children. She is an Ann Arbor native who enjoys living locally with her family. She can be reached at catherine-carlson.com or catenka@mac.com.
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Uranus! It’s a funny-sounding name to go along with a quirky planet. It’s preferable to pronounce it with the stress on the first syllable. As you’ll see, this planet’s physical nature and astrological significations all go together.