While our neurodivergence is a constant, how it impacts us changes from one day to the next. Sometimes, we may be sociable, full of energy, drive and determination. At other times, solitary, sluggish, scatter-brained, with even the most basic of tasks overwhelming. You may have come across astrology, read your horoscope in a newspaper, have dabbled in it; or you may be thinking it is a load of spiritual “woo-woo”. But what if I suggested there is wisdom in the planets? What if astrology has many insights to give us? Through understanding, might we find acceptance and see the ebbs and flows of our life through a compassionate lens?
What is astrology?
Astrology is more than just your zodiac (or sun) sign. It relates to when you were born and where the planets were at that precise point in time. While your sun sign is your core identity, you also have a moon sign, which represents your inner emotional world, and a rising sign, which is your outward personality. There are many other important planetary placements that influence who you are. For example, the planet Mercury is traditionally associated with communication, Venus rules how you love, and Mars drives your energy and ambition. Planets live within 12 different houses that represent specific areas of your life. Beyond our birth charts, the planets are constantly moving, and many view these transits as mirroring the emotional weather of their lives.
Watery Pisces and the impact on Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
Pisces is the deep ocean of the zodiac. People born under this sun sign are often described as compassionate, intuitive and highly creative beings, thus sharing the traits of a highly sensitive person. On the flipside, they avoid confrontation, can be daydreamers, are too trusting and moody. An interpretation of a Piscean with ADHD might include heightened struggles with concentration, procrastination or manifest in limerence. The feeling of being submerged in water could be interpreted as adding to their forgetfulness. Therapy might help a Piscean individual learn how to give less and avoid burnout.
Earthly Virgo and the impact on ADHD
The opposite sign to Pisces is Virgo. Those born under this sign are often interpreted as being reliable, hardworking, analytical and intelligent. The shadow side is that they might often struggle with perfectionism, anxiety and being overly critical of themselves. For some Virgos with ADHD, this might feel like a constant battle between the need for order and the novelty the ADHD brain thrives on. The chaos of ADHD might be construed as leaving Virgos with feelings of shame as they struggle to live up to their own impossibly high ideals.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Through an astrological telescope
ASD affects everyone differently, and the stars might be interpreted as playing a role in how this presents. It is a common misconception that autistic people always struggle socially, but some actually thrive on it. Heavy placements in expressive signs like Gemini or Leo might, for example, create a highly sociable, communicative energy. Meanwhile, placements in secretive signs like Pisces, Scorpio or Capricorn might lean into a strong desire for introversion. Yet, these same signs can also drive a deep interest in human psychology, allowing an autistic person to be highly social by focusing on meaningful, one-on-one conversations and truly understanding the people around them.
Saturn: The ruler
In astrology, Saturn is often associated with rules and structure, which are things that can be a nightmare for ADHDers. This heavy demand for organisation goes directly against a neurodivergent need for novelty and the daily executive functioning issues faced. Saturn might be interpreted as being like a strict headteacher with high expectations. Not being able to live up to these ideals can leave people feeling deeply inadequate.
The time at which the planet Saturn passed through the zodiac sign of Pisces might have been seen as a difficult transit for many individuals. Several clients with prominent Pisces placements shared with me that, for example, they felt depressed and stuck. It was like being fed a regular spoonful of life lessons, while thoughts of the past resurfaced. The planet may have been demanding boundaries in a sign that is perceived as naturally fluid, imaginative and boundaryless. It might have felt like trying to build a house on water: the bricks were ready, but the foundation felt shaky. The race-car brain with bicycle brakes was met with roadblocks.
Saturn has since moved into Aries, arriving mid-February 2026. Aries is often interpreted as being about speed and rushing into things. For an ADHD individual, this transit might make the pressure to do everything all at once even stronger. Having an awareness of this might help both ourselves and our clients avoid burnout.
Mercury: The planet of communication
Perhaps you are familiar with the term “Mercury in retrograde”. It happens three or four times a year when this particular planet appears to move backwards. Each cycle lasts roughly three weeks, with pre- and post-shadow periods. Because Mercury is suggested as ruling communication, this transit is traditionally believed to coincide with technical glitches and lost belongings. These glitches and losses can be a nightmare for anyone with ADHD who already battles executive challenges like this daily.
Mercury was recently retrograde in Pisces, combining, it is suggested, its watery nature with the haziness of this retrograde energy. When I spoke to ADHD and AuDHD friends and clients during this time, many described feeling discombobulated and low, with brain fog and sensory overload intensifying. This transit might, for instance, result in lost phones, double bookings and arriving late to appointments. Even more so, when it takes place in Pisces and the race-car brain with bicycle brakes has stalled then restarts its movement in the wrong direction.
Mars: The planet of success
The planet Mars is traditionally linked to energy, ambition and drive. It goes retrograde every 26 months, with the last cycle running from December 2024 to February 2025. During this time, that internal motivation might completely disappear. You know that sensation when you have too much to do but feel paralysed, staring into the distance, unable to motivate yourself. It leads to a lot of frustration and a start–stop energy that makes even small tasks feel exhausting. For an ADHD individual, this can heighten procrastination and feelings of inadequacy.
During that last retrograde, Mars started in fiery Leo, potentially affecting outward expression and confidence, before backing into watery Cancer, possibly influencing emotional security, home life and our internal world. In an ADHD context, this mirrored for many a transition from dopamine burnout – brought on by a prolonged period of masking, hyperfocus and chronic stress –to internalised emotional paralysis and dysregulation.
Astrological houses
In astrology, there are 12 houses that represent the specific themes, including relationships, career and home life. Everyone is born with planets in different houses.
Saturn, in the fifth house, is interpreted as governing spontaneous joy, play and creativity. Saturn’s heavy presence here can act as a cosmic gatekeeper, restricting access to easy dopamine and making dating and fun harder. If you have an astrologically minded client who has struggled in relationships, understanding this might help to remove some of the shame and self-blame. You might even prefer to use their birth chart to see how they can bring a relationship into their life by looking at where they are heading, bringing about a sense of hope.
Neurodiversity: A moving picture
Many astrologers see the birth chart as a symbolic blueprint for individuality, highlighting the importance of viewing neurodiversity as a spectrum. By looking at your stars, you may perhaps tune into the different parts of yourself, aspects you might work with and understand without judgement. We are not one-dimensional beings but rather a hotchpotch of thoughts, feelings and emotions that change like the weather. Current transits might help some of us to make sense of difficulties during times of struggle, while offering the hope of impermanence.
For the curious, this blog post serves as a snapshot into astrology with perhaps some thought-provoking links to yours and other neurotypes. To have a look at your birth chart in more detail, you could check out a website such as https://cafeastrology.com for example.
Click the links if you'd like to visit Sarah’s therapy website or her directory entry on Attention Allies.
Published 30 May 2026
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