It’s almost the end of 2021 and what does that mean for us appstrology Stargazers out there? It’s time to discuss the key astrological trends of 2022 and how they’ll affect you and your app’s growth! In this report, Astrologer Ariel Neidermeier will give a rundown of top technology trends based on the astrology of the first half of 2022. This year, we will be shifting our Stargazer report to a biannual reporting rhythm rather than quarterly.

Ariel is a professional astrologer and mobile marketer. She was first taught astrology by her grandmother and studied it formally at Kepler College. Alongside her astrological practice, she has spent 5 years working in mobile apps. You can learn more about her astrological practice on her website.

Stargazing in H1 2022

In comparison to the astrologically tumultuous year of 2021, there's a cautiously optimistic tone to the astrology of 2022. That being said, no time period is perfect when it comes to astrological alignments. It’s important to reframe challenging astrological transits and configurations as catalyzers of growth. This growth can also take an internally transformative quality rather than in the form of dramatic, external events in your life.

Here are 3 key astrological trends in H1 2022 and how to use them to optimize your mobile strategy, work life and beyond.

1. Expansion in the face of ongoing restrictions

A review of the clash between regulation & individual liberties in 2021

One of the ongoing astrological alignments we worked with in 2021 was a series of squares between Saturn and Uranus. The planet of authority and tradition (Saturn) made three squares to the planet of revolution and change (Uranus) in 2021:

  • February 17
  • June 14
  • December 24

These dates and the months surrounding them mark peak periods in which the collective balanced themes related to regulation and individual liberties. With Saturn representing rules and caution, this included public health mandates in response to COVID-19 and the collective’s negotiation with adopting new medical innovations, like the COVID-19 vaccine.

  • In February, COVID-19 vaccines first became available in US pharmacies.
  • In June, under pressure to address the global vaccine shortage, the US bought and donated 500 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to 100 countries.
  • Finally, at the end of last year, we saw a re-emergence of the vaccine debate. This came as citizens sought booster shots in the face of the rising omicron variant.

Expansion in H1 2022

Saturn and Uranus will continue to travel closely to each other through the end of February of 2022. But, their combined energies will be less aggressive this year. Jupiter also moved into its home sign of Pisces at the end of last year and will be traveling through the sign of the fish until May 10, 2022 (and again at the end of the year from October 28 to December 20).

Jupiter is the planet of abundance, expansion and blessings. It’s also the planet of travel. That being said, with it strengthened in its home sign of Pisces, a feeling of buoyant optimism in the face of ongoing restrictions will be at play in the first half of 2022. Jupiter will be making a conjunction with Neptune on April 12. Neptune is the planet of fantasy and transcendence, also disease and disillusionment. That being said, around that time we could see another variant arise or a spike in existing variant cases. With Jupiter the planet of blessings and expansion involved, I expect a hopeful outcome to whatever the situation arises; for example, an expansion of antiviral medications in response to new cases.

How this could affect your mobile marketing strategy through H1 2022:

The key thing to know is that the push and pull between regulation and individualism when it comes to COVID-19 public health mandates will continue into H1 2022. This also underlines the fact that the pandemic is far from over. It’s safe to say pandemic restrictions will not be ending in 2022. For apps and mobile-first brands, the upside is that mobile usage is sure to continue if not increase as we head into year 3 of the pandemic. Find ways to position your app to meet the ongoing challenges of a socially distant world. If you’re an ecommerce app, that means enabling BOPIS strategies for your customers. If you’re a game app, that means keeping your content fresh and evolving to maintain your retention rate.

2. Financial market disruption

In 2021, we ended an eclipse cycle in Sagittarius and Gemini. Eclipses are amplified full moons and new moons that catalyze major endings and beginnings. The Sagittarius-Gemini eclipse cycle from 2020 to November 2021 examined themes related to information, truth and belief. This was reflected in the increasing polarization of the news media, the discussion of fake news and the consideration of social media’s effect on the collective’s perception.

With the shift to an eclipse series on the Taurus-Scorpio axis, matters related to financial systems, supply chain management, the food industry and behind-the-scenes power dynamics will come into focus. This eclipse cycle started with the lunar eclipse in Taurus on November 19, 2021 and will continue until October 28, 2023.

Additionally, Uranus the planet of change and innovation has been in the sign of Taurus since 2018. In mundane astrology, Taurus rules the financial system, food industry and global supply chain. Massive shifts in these areas have taken place and will continue until Uranus leaves Taurus in 2026. Some examples include the normalization of meat and dairy alternatives, the rise of cryptocurrency and breakdowns in the global supply chain this holiday season. As Taurus is also the sign related to the environment, expect values around sustainability to be a major theme until 2026.

How this could affect your mobile marketing strategy through H1 2022:

It’s worth assuming that cryptocurrency will continue to evolve and gain traction. Uranus is the planet of cutting-edge technology. With this planet in the sign of tangible creation (Taurus), developments in fields related to NFTs, virtual reality technology and the metaverse are a sure thing. On a personal level, invest in all these areas. Follow this general advice when it comes to your app too. How can you integrate the cryptocurrency or metaverse technology into your app to not just meet the trends but get ahead of them? Know that the global supply chain will undergo tumult into 2022. Are there ways to shift your distribution system to be more efficient and self-reliant? Enhance your supply chain to fit the views of an emerging consumer bloc that values sustainability.

3. Social and political upheaval in the United States

One of the most impactful astrological configurations in H1 2022 is the United States’ Pluto return. A planetary return occurs when a planet returns to the place it was at the moment of birth. Pluto, the planet of power in astrology, is a slow-moving dwarf planet that takes about 225 years to complete a full rotation through the zodiac. As humans do not live as long as 225 years, it’s not an experience had by humans. It can happen for nations, however. For nations, a Pluto return is a time of intense transformation and extremes. On February 22, 2022, Pluto will be returning to the place it was when the United States was founded on July 4, 1776.

In mundane astrology, Pluto represents power, hidden influences and rebirth. Therefore, with the US’ Pluto return, the dark underbelly of powerful but hidden influences in the US government will come to light. Pluto is also associated with cleansing and purification. That being said, a proverbial reckoning about matters related to uneven power distribution and the values upon which the US was founded will also be themes. The US’ Pluto Return has been building since the beginning of 2021. In fact, its influence started just around the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol Building. It’s safe to assume those same themes of individualism and democracy will come up again on or around February 22 of this year.

How this could affect your mobile marketing strategy through H1 2022:

It’s safe to say that we are far from out of the woods when it comes to political polarization in the United States. Expect said polarization and the influence of social media to be major topics of discussion this year. Be intentional about your content and brand voice on your social media pages. You should also plan out a communications strategy in the face of political strife in the US. US media channels will likely be flooded with news of political crises this coming year. Strategize expanding your H1 2022 growth strategy into markets where there’s more share of voice available to your marketing activities.

Need Help Aligning Your Growth Strategy with the Stars in H1 2022?

After reading more about the H1 2022 horoscope, we understand that it can be a lot to take in at the beginning of the year! Reach out to us for support planning your app’s mobile marketing strategy in H1 2022 and beyond for maximum growth.