Why This Date Was Chosen

The Between The Worlds Conference is held when there are powerful astrological aspects that can be used in group ritual for the good of our communities. This means that we are not an annual event and several years can pass before we reconvene the Conference.When the astrological dates that determine when Between The Worlds are close enough to the Sacred Space Conference’s usual dates we join forces rather than competing and hurting each other. The 2026 joint event was selected because of the Saturn-Neptune conjunction in Aries but in addition to the main ritual at the conference, attendees will be encouraged to do additional workings at home in July during a second powerful configuration in July of 2026.

Saturn and Neptune come together in a conjunction (same position in the zodiac) roughly every 36-37 years. There are 360 degrees in the circle of the zodiac and the cycle of Saturn-Neptune conjunctions eventually occurs and recurs in all of the possible positions. The next Saturn-Neptune conjunction will occur February 20, 2026  at 0° degrees Aries. The last time it was in Aries was March 27, 1703 but at 11° degrees Aries. Using astrology software, I found this conjunction was also in Aries in 1380, 555, 232, 91 bce, 593 bce, and I looked more than 5000 years back and still did not find another Saturn-Neptune conjunction at 0° degrees Aries. When there are powerful astrological markers it is useful to study what the historical records shows about previous iterations of the same aspect. We are entering unprecedented territory.

That alone would be intriguing but landing on the 0° degree Aries takes it to another level. Aries is the first sign in the zodiac and the 0° degree, sometimes called the world point, represents the beginning of creation. Cardinal fire at the 0° degree is the driving force that turns the wheel of the zodiac. Moreover, the whole world is affected more strongly by this conjunction because of its position. If we look at the two planets involved in this conjunction, they are truly opposites. Saturn is structure, linear time, the limits and boundaries of matter and incarnation. Neptune is essence, eternal at oneness, and the mystical merging and connection between all things. Reality unravels a bit when you bring these two polarities together at the world point in Aries. This applies to the personal, the collective, the spiritual, the mundane, the political, the social, and all sets and subsets of reality. The amount of power and ripples of change made available by this conjunction will be huge. The goal is to use this power to bring a better future into being. Our focus is not to predict the future but to shift its course. It is harder to be clear of perception and purpose during this conjunction so the first goal of the main ritual will be to reinforce clarity and connection to our divine sparks and greater will. The second will be be to harness the power of this special time. 

We will be in a rolling constant liminal state of possibilities for most of 2026.

The brilliant astrologer André Barbault said of this time period:

"The peculiarity of the turning point of 2026-2030 is represented by the centrality of the Saturn-Neptune conjunction at the beginning of Aries… Nucleus of convergence of the verb Neptunian, vital priority reinforced by the concurrence of deep Saturnian foundations…
We are faced with the possibility of a change such as to make the terms "change" or "upheaval" seem too weak to define the breadth of what could transform in the known world."

The Barbault Basket

In the second half of July 2026, Saturn and Neptune are still co-present in Aries and thus still interacting.    Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto have moved into alignment to form what is being called the Barbault Basket. All the outer planets are engaged! It is composed of 3 sextiles, 2 trines, and one opposition (See diagram). André Barbault viewed it as potentially bringing the world to its next stage of growth and evolution. That may be so, but Astrology never guarantees positive outcomes; those only come when we choose to use the celestial influences wisely.  You are encouraged to do rituals in July to help coax and shepherd things into being that you desire for yourself and the greater good. Please engage with the change, work hard, and dream big.