Saturn–Uranus Waning Square: 1970s vs 2020s

Saturn–Uranus Waning Square: 1970s vs 2020s

I mentioned the Saturn-Uranus waning cycle here ages ago and as I’m more interested in the longer-termed trends (I’m a fundamental guy), I thought I’d wade in on this once more. I queried Co-Pilot about this and he delivered the hard data as follows…..

1970s Context

• The waning square between Saturn and Uranus occurred in 1976–1977, a period marked by stagflation: high inflation, slow growth, and rising unemployment.

• This astrological tension mirrored real-world instability:

• The end of the gold standard (1971)

• Oil shocks (1973, 1979)

• Declining productivity and confidence in institutions

• Hard assets like gold, silver, oil, and real estate soared as investors sought inflation hedges.

• Astrologically, Saturn (structure, control) clashing with Uranus (disruption, rebellion) reflected the breakdown of post-war economic norms and the rise of alternative systems.

--------------------------------------

2021–2022 Echo

• Saturn and Uranus squared three times: Feb 17, Jun 14, and Dec 24, 2021, with lingering effects into 2022.

• This cycle, seeded in their 1988 conjunction, entered its waning phase, often seen as a “crisis in consciousness” — a time to reassess the legacy of past systems.

• The world again faced:

• Inflation spikes post-COVID stimulus

• Supply chain disruptions

• Institutional distrust and social unrest

• Astrologers noted this square as a symbol of systemic breakdown and awakening, urging a shift from rigid structures to more innovative, decentralized models.

Just as gold and energy surged in the 1970s, many investors today are revisiting commodities, real estate, and even crypto as modern hedges. If you're tracking Canadian industrials or chemical stocks, this cycle could offer a symbolic lens for timing and strategy.

-------------------------------

Spin-Off Surge in the Early 1980s: Key Drivers

•  Deconglomeration Trend: After the diversification boom of the 1960s and early 1970s, many conglomerates underperformed. The 1980s marked a strategic reversal — companies began shedding non-core divisions to refocus on specialization.

•  Hostile Takeovers & LBOs: The rise of leveraged buyouts and hostile takeovers forced firms to streamline operations. Spin-offs became a defensive strategy to unlock shareholder value and fend off acquisition attempts.

•  Regulatory Shifts: A more relaxed antitrust environment allowed firms to restructure aggressively. The Reagan administration’s deregulatory stance encouraged market-driven reorganizations.

•  Capital Market Innovation: Junk bonds and new financing tools made it easier to fund spin-offs and acquisitions, fueling the restructuring wave.

-----------------------------

🔮 Saturn-Uranus Cycle Connection

•  The waning square of 1976–1977 may have acted as a pressure point — exposing inefficiencies and setting the stage for radical change.

•  By the early 1980s, Saturn had moved into Virgo and Uranus into Sagittarius, shifting the tension toward practical reform (Virgo) and visionary expansion (Sagittarius).

•  Spin-offs reflect Uranian liberation from Saturnian constraint — freeing divisions to innovate while the parent company tightens its focus.

---------------------------------------

2025 Spin-Off Surge: Key Drivers

• Strategic Streamlining: Companies are increasingly shedding non-core divisions to sharpen their focus and unlock shareholder value. This reflects a broader shift toward specialization and agility.

• Investor Pressure: Activist investors and institutional shareholders are pushing for clearer business models and better capital allocation, often favoring spin-offs as a way to surface hidden value.

• Innovation Acceleration: Spin-offs allow emerging technologies and niche units to grow independently. For example, FOXO Technologies spun off FOXO Labs to focus on AI-driven saliva diagnostics and health coaching.

• Market Conditions: Despite some M&A contraction due to trade policy uncertainty, spin-offs are thriving as a lower-risk restructuring strategy compared to full acquisitions.

---------------------------------

The rise in spin-off activity in 2025 aligns intriguingly with patterns seen in past Saturn-Uranus cycles — especially during phases of tension (squares and oppositions) or transition (conjunctions). These cycles often mirror periods of structural redefinition, where institutions, industries, and ideologies are forced to adapt or fragment.

--------------------------------

Why Saturn-Uranus Tension Fuels Spin-Offs

• Saturn = structure, control, legacy systems

• Uranus = disruption, innovation, decentralization

When these two clash, companies often respond by:

• Breaking up bloated conglomerates

• Spinning off agile units to pursue innovation

• Reorganizing around new technologies or social expectations

-------------------------

📌 2025 in Context

The current wave of spin-offs reflects:

• A desire to separate legacy operations from high-growth AI or ESG-aligned ventures

• Investor demand for transparency and focus

• A broader Saturn-in-Pisces theme of dissolving outdated boundaries and reimagining institutional purpose

------------------------------

Source

Co-Pilot