Freedom and the way it manifests in our lives can be seen in different combinations of planets in individual birth charts. But there’s one planet that universally symbolizes freedom in astrology: Uranus. It moves slowly, which is why its influence is felt across entire generations. Let’s take a journey around the zodiac with Uranus and explore how the concept of freedom varies between generations — and how different kinds of freedom have come to the forefront during different time periods.
Uranus takes 84 years to complete a full cycle through the zodiac, spending roughly seven years in each sign. So we’ll be looking at generations in 7-year spans. A quick note: for the sake of simplicity, I’ll list only the years, not specific dates or months. If you’re interested in a cusp year, it’s best to check where Uranus was on your exact birth date — the first and last two years of each period are generally considered “borderline.” Feel free to message me — I’ll be happy to help.
Uranus in Aries (1927–1935, 2010–2018)
The generation of revolutionaries.This generation has a bold, striking craving for freedom. They’re willing to take risks without always thinking about the consequences. They’re visited by sudden, unconventional ideas — not always realistic, but almost always pursued. They may have a powerful inner drive, though sometimes it gets tangled up in recklessness and the Russian avos’ (sort of fatalistic attitude that dismisses potential problems while trusting that thing will somehow work out by luck, in a world seen as inherently unpredictable). The challenge of Uranus in Aries lies in how purity of the concept of freedom can go to extremes — turning into absurdity, leaning more toward “freedom from” than “freedom for”.
During this period freedom struggles paradoxically often lead to intensified authoritarianism — and the resistance it provokes. During the last century, this was the era in which fascism emerged: a dictatorship rooted in the idea of “freedom” for the Aryan nation. We’re currently living through Uranus in Aries again, and we can witness how sharply and unexpectedly social transformations occur, all in the name of defending various freedoms — political, speech-related, sexual minority rights, and more. What matters most now is not the nature of the freedom, but the fight for it.
Uranus in Taurus (1934–1942)
The generation of deal-makers, primarily focused on achieving material independence. This generation sees freedom primarily in terms of financial and material autonomy. For them, freedom is the ability to pioneer new, progressive ways to manage resources. These are people who can implement systemic reforms — administrative or industrial — that bring stability and elevate standards of living.
Along with persistence and discipline, however, comes stubbornness and a hunger for control, which can sometimes lead to overstepping boundaries and infringing on others’ rights.
Of course, World War II erupted under a complex planetary setup, but Uranus had its say. Old values had to be swept away to make room for a new world order and the systematic seizure of resources. This was a time when the ideals championed under Uranus in Aries began to take shape — and only now, after 2018, can we truly begin to grasp the outcomes of that struggle.
Uranus in Gemini (1942–1949)
The generation of free thought and free speech. This generation values intellectual freedom above all. They are quick and agile thinkers, able to navigate huge amounts of information and come up with new ways to process and analyze data. They tend to be emotionally detached and are willing to abandon traditional ties — even family — in favor of free-flowing exchanges of ideas.
They are natural boundary-breakers when it comes to social norms, as free thought rarely fits into conventional molds. This might be one of the most freedom-loving placements of Uranus, rejecting any form of mental slavery.
When Uranus was last in Gemini, fascism came to an end; in the 19th century, this was the time of the abolition of slavery and serfdom. The defining moment of this era was the founding of the United Nations — something that would’ve been unthinkable without a tremendous capacity for communication. For the first time, so many different nations found a way to speak a common language and exchange ideas constructively, despite cultural and social divides. It was also the era when cybernetics was born, revolutionizing how information is shared, paving the way for the development of computing as we know it.
Uranus in Cancer (1948–1956)
The generation of spatial freedom. This generation breaks boundaries — especially geographical and familial ones. These are the people who give humanity a sense of vastness and connectedness, but at the same time, they may weaken traditional feelings of security by severing ancestral ties. They deeply value independence and personal space.
It’s no surprise that this was the period when the structure of DNA was discovered — the very code responsible for generational continuity. Of course, national borders are constantly shifting, but this era was particularly “fruitful” in that regard: Germany, Korea, and Vietnam were divided, many colonies gained independence, and Tibet was annexed by China. One of the most striking examples of territorial reshaping was the creation of the State of Israel: for some — a true return to their roots; for others — a permanent loss of them.
Uranus in Leo (1955–1962)
For these people, there are no limits when it comes to expressing their talents. They’re free in how they present themselves to the world and bring bold new approaches to art and creativity. They don’t feel the need to conform to others’ tastes or expectations — instead, they often impose their own vision of beauty, and of reality itself. They have a striking confidence in knowing what others should want. And if others don’t want it? Well, they’ll just have to learn to. These are creative dictators.
This was the era of The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and the miniskirt — no one saw them coming, but the world embraced them instantly. It was also during this time that the early seeds of the hippie movement were sown within artistic circles — a movement that wanted everything to be different, yet still widely accepted. Later, the hippie movement would evolve into a full-fledged peace movement, more closely aligned with the gentle energy of Uranus in Virgo.
Uranus in Virgo (1961 – 1969)
A generation with a free and practical approach to work and the material world — including the body.
For them, freedom needs to be useful. It should yield tangible results, preferably right away. This is a generation that finds happiness in the opportunity to create freely. To feel truly free, they need to be professionals — and to have the space to apply their skills and expertise. Perhaps that’s why Uranus in Virgo is considered one of the most peaceful placements — after all, it’s easier to express your talents in peaceful times. But this practical approach to freedom also has a shadow side: individualism. It can show up as successful entrepreneurship — or, on the flip side, as selfish hoarding and consumerism.
This period can truly be seen as the beginning of the consumer era in Western civilization — an era that has since reached its peak and spread across much of the globe. At the same time, the sexual revolution was gaining momentum, calling for a redefinition of bodily freedom and, in many ways, reflecting the emerging consumerist approach to life. The practical spirit of Virgo-style freedom is well illustrated by the Second Vatican Council, which took place during this time. The Council was convened to reform the Church in light of modern realities — in other words, to make the Catholic Church more accessible and “practical.”
The continuation about generations and events after 1968-1969 follows…. I intentionally published half of the article so that there would be a strong incentive to finish it. Thank you for that )))
