The Astrology Podcast: "Bad Bunny, Puerto Rico, and the Saturn-Neptune Conjunction"

Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Chris Brennan
Guest: Ashley Otero

Episode Overview

This episode explores the historic significance of Bad Bunny's recent Spanish-language Super Bowl performance in the context of the rare Saturn-Neptune conjunction. Chris Brennan and guest astrologer Ashley Otero connect this astrological event to pivotal moments in Puerto Rican and broader Spanish-speaking American history, examining repeating cycles of cultural transformation, ambiguity over identity and borders, and the ongoing dialogue around sovereignty, colonialism, and cultural representation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Recent Super Bowl Performance & Astrological Context

• Bad Bunny Performed Entirely in Spanish at the Super Bowl on February 8, 2026—a cultural milestone that Chris and Ashley connect to the Saturn-Neptune conjunction.

• Saturn-Neptune Conjunction: Occurring roughly every 36 years, currently at 29° Pisces (Saturn) and 0° Aries (Neptune).

• Bad Bunny’s Saturn Return: Born May 10, 1994, Bad Bunny has Saturn in Pisces. His career milestones align with his Saturn return, illustrating classic astrological timing.

  "This is like the tail end of... a really successful Saturn return story, right?"
  —Chris Brennan (03:10)

• Saturn Return Symbolism: Initial setback in 2023 (lost Grammy for Album of the Year to Harry Styles), then triumphs in 2026 with big wins and global recognition.

  "There’s this funny like inversion that took place where he had the classic... a loss at the beginning of the Saturn return... but then later at the very tail end... there’s an inversion and he ends up winning the Grammy."
  —Chris Brennan (05:14)

2. Saturn-Neptune Conjunctions & Puerto Rican History

• 1917: Puerto Ricans granted U.S. citizenship under a Saturn-Neptune conjunction.

• 1952: Ratification of Puerto Rico’s Constitution, also near a Saturn-Neptune conjunction.

• 1989: Unified movement for Puerto Rican self-determination and another major hurricane, both under this conjunction.

• Recurring Theme: Each conjunction marks a period of ambiguous national identity, struggles for autonomy, and recurring natural disasters.

  "Saturn Neptune often has to do with ambiguities and ambiguities over borders..."
  —Chris Brennan (15:02)

  "Who owns what?... What is your status and being on this land?"
  —Ashley Otero (16:23)

• Symbolic Ambiguity: Puerto Rico’s ongoing tension between statehood, independence, and existing as a U.S. territory reflects Saturn-Neptune themes.

  "There’s a lot of, I think, conflict internally. It’s a pretty tense topic..."
  —Ashley Otero (19:02)

3. Cultural Significance of Bad Bunny’s Performance

• Controversies and Reactions: The all-Spanish performance was divisive; some criticized it, others celebrated the representation and cultural pride.

• Jake Paul Incident: A celebrity disparaged Puerto Ricans as "fake Americans" (10:05), prompting a correction and discussion about citizenship granted in 1917—another Saturn-Neptune echo.

• Art as Political Statement: The Super Bowl show included subtle references to Puerto Rico’s crises (e.g., power lines referencing Hurricane Maria in 2017).

  "Some of the imagery... that was put on set... was just a really powerful statement... about the suffering and the grief and the loss that people have endured..."
  —Ashley Otero (28:17)

  • Bad Bunny’s activism: He has supported Puerto Rican independence and used his influence to raise awareness of local struggles.

    "He has also said... someone that is, you know, pushing for statehood for Puerto Rico is not someone that loves Puerto Rico. That’s his stance..."
    —Ashley Otero (22:26)

• "Una Velita": Bad Bunny’s 2024 song referencing hurricane losses and trauma, timed astrologically with an eclipse conjunct Saturn-Neptune.

  "He released that single... to coincide with the anniversary... of that hurricane in 2017."
  —Chris Brennan (32:15)

4. Broader Saturn-Neptune Cycles in Latin American History

• Colonial Backdrop: The 1486 Saturn-Neptune conjunction marks Columbus's first plea to the Spanish monarchy—planting the seeds of conquest.

• Independence Movements: Saturn-Neptune conjunctions recur during Venezuela’s and Cuba’s declarations of independence and the start of the Cuban Revolution.

• Cultural Othering and Assimilation: Spanish colonization and ongoing U.S. policies toward Puerto Rico and Latin America are reflected in cycles of "othering," assimilation pressures, and the struggle to define identity.

  "The base chart that seems to be tied in with... modern political history... is in 1809..."
  —Chris Brennan (63:06)

  "It’s interesting if you think about that stance and right now sort of the discourse that’s happening about whether... Puerto Ricans are Americans or not."
  —Ashley Otero (39:18)

• Astrological Mirror: The charts of Columbus and Bad Bunny share Saturn-Neptune conjunctions, symbolizing repeating archetypes of exploration, ambiguity, and cultural change.

  "Columbus... was born with a Saturn Neptune conjunction."
  —Chris Brennan (35:03)

5. Art, Language, Fear, and Ambiguity

• Saturn-Neptune Archetype: Fear or anxiety over "the unknown" (language, cultural difference) mirrored in both historical and modern reactions.

• Language as Division or Connection: The push to assimilate versus celebration of diversity; the unease when dominant groups experience 'othering.'

• Art’s Role in Change: Artistic expression—especially during conjunctions—plants seeds for social shifts that later manifest politically or culturally.

  "Culture and music and art can influence politics and influence the direction of politics, which then can very concretely influence people's lives..."
  —Chris Brennan (68:51)

  "People in power... are afraid of art because of its ability to move people in such a strong way..."
  —Ashley Otero (70:16)

6. Looking Forward: The Current Astrological Climate

• 2026 as a Seed Moment: The conjunction (and accompanying eclipse cycles) suggest the performance has historic significance yet to be fully realized.

• Potential Developments: Watch for continued cultural and political shifts in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Venezuela, and across the Americas as new cycles unfold.

• Astrologers as Pattern Finders: Recognizing these cycles helps anticipate coming changes and appreciate the depth beneath newsworthy events.

  "Conjunctions are always like a seed moment... and it takes part of the rest of the cycle before you understand..."
  —Chris Brennan (57:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Saturn Returns and Inversions:

  "That’s a pretty classic Saturn return thing... there’s often some sort of obstacle... at the beginning... But... at the tail end... there’s an inversion and... end up winning."
  —Chris Brennan (05:14)

• On Cultural Belonging:

  "If we have to be under your rulership... we’re American too. We belong here too. We’re allowed to take up space too..."
  —Ashley Otero (21:02)

• On Puerto Rico’s Tension:

  "It’s a pretty tense topic. For example, my husband believes it’s more tense than it is here, even politically, if you can imagine that."
  —Ashley Otero (18:46)

• On Recurring Symbolism:

  "There’s that theme of that Cancer. When you look at the chart for the United States... and then moving forward, it’s like becoming integrated into the US..."
  —Ashley Otero (12:23)

• On Patterns & History:

  "It’s hard to dismiss that when you see it. It’s hard to unsee it... Fascinating to see it unfolding and to speculate or even just wonder, how will it continue to unfold?"
  —Ashley Otero (65:43)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Saturn-Neptune Conjunction Overview & Performance Setup – 01:32–03:52
• Bad Bunny’s Saturn Return & Career Milestones – 03:52–07:38
• Birth Chart Analysis & Grammy Inversion – 07:38–09:55
• Social Reactions & Jake Paul Incident – 10:05–12:23
• Saturn-Neptune Cycles in PR History – 14:03–16:13
• Impacts of Colonial Ambiguity & Internal Tension – 16:13–19:38
• Bad Bunny’s Political/Cultural Messaging – 21:02–24:34
• Symbolism: Hurricanes, Power Lines, Intergenerational Trauma – 24:34–35:03
• Historical Saturn-Neptune Cycles in Spanish-Speaking Americas – 35:03–51:54
• Broader Cycles & Latin American Independence – 51:54–63:06
• Art, Identity & Language as Saturn-Neptune Themes – 63:06–70:16
• Looking Forward: Seed Moments & Zodiacal Patterns – 70:16–72:16
• Astrology & Pattern Recognition – 72:16–77:11

The Episode’s Significance

This episode demonstrates how astrology—particularly recurring Saturn-Neptune conjunctions—can illuminate the repeating cycles of ambiguity, struggle, trauma, and creativity in the history of Puerto Rico and the larger Spanish-speaking Americas. By weaving together modern events, personal stories, and centuries-old history, Chris and Ashley offer listeners a powerful perspective on the astrological dimensions of culture, language, and change.

For complete charts, historical references, and visual aids, please refer to the episode’s notes at theastrologypodcast.com.