Welcome to the year 2023, and congratulations on surviving another trip around the sun. This year brings a plethora of retrogrades and a scattering of potentially life-disrupting eclipses. And, of course, all the planetary transit which uniquely affects your star sign. While there are many crucial dates to be aware of, try to enjoy the act of reading your own horoscope. The whole point is to have fun, after all, and no matter how scary any retrograde or eclipse sounds, you can rest assured that you’ve survived such cosmic occurrences before and will undoubtedly thrive past them once more. You get stronger each year, so 2023 is just an opportunity to continue manifesting your dreams into reality.
If you’re interested in learning more about the zodiac, check out our guide to each sign’s unique personality traits and tendencies from renowned astrologer and author Aliza Kelly. Now, keep reading for the low down on the year’s retrogrades, eclipses, and how the stars impact your sign.
In this story:
- 2023 astrological events calendar
- Retrograde dates in 2023
- The significance of planets going retrograde & direct
- Eclipse dates in 2023
- 2023 horoscope predictions for each zodiac sign
2023 Astrological Events Calendar
Throughout each and every year, there are some major dates that hold astrological significance. Often, these include retrogrades, solar and lunar eclipses, planets going direct, full moons, and new moons. Mark the following dates on your calendar, then read up on exactly what they’ll mean for your sign.
- Thursday, January 12 Mars goes direct
- Wednesday, January 18 Mercury goes direct
- Sunday, January 22 Uranus goes direct
- Friday, April 21 Mercury goes retrograde
- Monday, May 1 Pluto goes retrograde
- Sunday, May 14 Mercury goes direct
- Saturday, June 17 Saturn goes retrograde
- Friday, June 30 Neptune goes retrograde
- Saturday, July 22 Venus retrograde begins
- Wednesday, August 23 Mercury goes retrograde
- Monday, August 28 Uranus goes retrograde
- Sunday, September 3 Venus goes direct
- Monday, September 4 Jupiter goes retrograde
- Friday, September 15 Mercury goes direct
- Tuesday, October 10 Pluto goes direct
- Saturday, November 4 Saturn goes direct
- Wednesday, December 6 Neptune goes direct
- Wednesday, December 13 Mercury goes retrograde
- Saturday, December 30 Jupiter goes direct
When 2023 begins, Mars, the warrior of the gods, is retrograde. Mars is associated with “divine masculine” energy, which we all contain, regardless of our gender. (Conversely, Venus is associated with “divine feminine” energy). Because Mars rules assertiveness and aggression, don’t be surprised if you understandably feel lethargic during the first few days of 2023. When it stations direct on Thursday, January 12, you’ll be caught up on emails and, hopefully, sleep and ready to take on the new year.
Mercury, the communication planet infamous for its backward dance, is also still retrograde when the clock strikes midnight. It goes direct on Wednesday, January 18. Mercury is also retrograde from Friday, April 21, to Sunday, May 18, Wednesday, August 23, to Friday, September 15, and Wednesday, December 13, through Monday, January 1, 2024. During these dates, allow extra travel time, proofread emails and texts for typos, and beware of exes sliding into your DMs. But don’t worry too much. You’ve survived many Mercury retrogrades and will handle them just fine.