Cotton shrinks, I knew that. As I get older, I’ve come to learn that lots of other materials shrink too. For example, during the pandemic lockdown when my shoes lay dormant the lack of usage appears to have made them shrink — so few fit now.

While some of my shirts shrank a bit, the sleeves of many definitely did, maybe because they are hanging around not being stretched by my elbows.

And most surprising of all is that I never knew silver could shrink. Amazing, but that choker that sort of fit years ago now has shrunken to the point I can’t wear it.

My grandmother warned me when young that when we got older gravity would take over and that’s clearly happening to my body. It’s not much extra weight (honestly) so much as the shift of muscle and bone which are not contracting but expanding.

Saturn is contraction; Jupiter expansion.

Does “contraction” sound bad to you and “expansion” good?

If so, that might be a bias of culture. We all want our money and assets to expand, but how about our bodies? How about that body of water that is moving closer to the walls of the house?

Contraction of muscles allows us to move, even to jump in the air against the force of gravity. Contraction is necessary for expansion, like a spring wound up then released. Contraction and expansion are the yin and yang of the body.

And so it is in society as well.

What is the stock market besides the observing of contracting and expanding cycles?

My astrological advice to you – never reject an energy or it will lob itself at you like a spitball. Dig deep into your desires and you will find your areas of contraction and expansion.

What are the current cycles of contraction and expansion?

Saturn has been in Aquarius, the fixed air sign associated with friendship, group ideals, technology, innovation and rebellion since March 2020. This is a point-in-time that might feel familiar.

Social interaction was definitely contracted at that time and will continue through spring of 2023. As Saturn contracted physical social interaction, Jupiter in Capricorn (combined with Pluto in Capricorn) expanded government and authority reach over the globe. All governments did the same thing at the same time, an earth first. And if the government won’t let you work, then you must rely on it to survive.  This is Capricorn at its worst – fear and control.

In December 2020 Jupiter moved into Aquarius expanding social interaction and also the technology that supports non-physical interaction. Many workers in corporate environments need not return to the physical buildings. While this is seen as a godsend by many, it’s a good time to decide if this is how we want to live forever as Pluto will enter Aquarius in spring 2023 and we may not have a choice about how we want to interact physically as Pluto is the destroyer and transformer. We’re willingly but not consciously walking into a technology point of no return.

Jupiter is now in Pisces meeting up with Neptune in Pisces. As an astrologer friend says, you may not feel like you’re quite in your body right now. The combination of Neptune escape (often through drugs and alcohol), excessive media and reduction in physical interaction, it makes sense that we may start to feel disconnected both physically and spiritually.

Jupiter is moving into Aries – the first sign of the zodiac – in May. Aries is fire, aggressive, and competitive. Jupiter in this sign will light the fires of self assertion. Masses of humans being controlled (contracted) will have its resulting expansion of the need to assert which can include anger and warfare.

Neptune will enter Aries in a couple years and this Jupiter cycle is the harbinger of what is later to be glorified — those who assert and challenge in the forms of warriors, heroes, and champions. These last degrees of Neptune in Pisces will most likely produce some martyrs who will become posters and screen backgrounds on digital devices during Neptune in Aries.

How to avoid silver shrinkage

On the physical level, Saturn is contracting our nervous systems, breathing and circulation. Avoid “shrinkage” in these areas by physical and breathing exercises. Saturn rules bones, teeth, and knees. As with Saturn, these are the structures of the body also going through transformation. Staying home more may mean sitting more for some which affects the knees and the “standing up for oneself.”

In Pisces, Jupiter has been expanding our feet and water in the body. Ruling the kidneys, it’s important to hydrate with good, old-fashioned water. We have lots of liquid choices these days but many add to the problems of the body rather than reduce.

And if you find, like me, that your silver continues to shrink, you can engage in some disciplined Saturn activity to contract those parts of your body where the silver no longer fits.