I read an article the other day that mentioned  “ubiquitous computing” which resonates so clearly of the mutual reception between Uranus in Pisces and Neptune in Aquarius that I had to do a little more research.  We call this “mutual reception” because both Uranus and Neptune are in the signs that is ruled by the other – Uranus in Pisces, ruled by Neptune, and Neptune in Aquarius, ruled by Uranus.  Mutual reception intensifies the strength of the astrological influence, which in this case combines the blurring of the boundaries that Neptune/Pisces inspires with the technological detachment of Uranus/Aquarius. (See these links for other articles on the subject.)

Neptune entered Aquarius in 1998, and Uranus entered Pisces in 2002.  Both planets change signs this year, but there’s no disputing the fact that the mutual reception between these two planets have created the sense that computing and living with electronic screens is absolutely ubiquitous.

Although the actual expression “ubiquitous computing” was first coined in 1988, we could argue that the idea became a reality with the release of the Iphone.  In an interesting astrological timing, Steve Jobs announced in 2003, with Uranus having just entered Pisces, that cellphones would become important instruments for computer access, and subsequently announced the Iphone launch in 2007.

The notion of “ubiquitous computing” has become a field of study in itself,  Financial giant Citi’s representative said, “Ubiquitous computing is about embedding computing into our daily lives, it is social, cross platform, cross device, cross OS by default. Today, email is ubiquitous and social graph-based apps are also ubiquitous. ” According to Wikipedia 27 countries currently host research centers in the field.

Now that Uranus is moving into Aries and Neptune into Pisces, it will be interesting to see what the field of computing will bring us.  Warfare (Aries) through technology (Uranus), certainly, but I suspect we are on a New Frontier (Aries) as well.  Neptune moving into Pisces will offer its own challenges, which we will be discussing this week here at Astrological Musings.