When I first discovered Zodiacal Releasing (ZR), the tiny letters “LB” caught my eye, Loosing of the Bond. I had no idea what it meant, but I was instantly hooked. I started digging, researching, and applying it to charts… and fifteen years later, not only do I understand it more deeply, but I’ve personally lived through several Loosings of the Bond myself. And yes, they change things.
If you’re new to Hellenistic astrology (or astrology in general), Zodiacal Releasing is one of the most powerful timing techniques we have. It was brought back into modern use by astrologer Chris Brennan, and it’s used to map out the major chapters and turning points of your life.
ZR divides your life into time periods ruled by different zodiac signs. Each sign represents a different area of life: career, health, relationships, purpose, prosperity, etc.
It’s most commonly used in two ways:
- Lot of Spirit → to understand your life direction, career, calling, and purpose.
- Lot of Fortune → to examine your body, health, fate, luck, or events outside your control.
In this article, we’re focusing on the Lot of Spirit, because that’s where we see destiny-shifting periods, especially the Loosing of the Bond, those moments when life doesn’t just move forward… it pivots.
How It Works
- You calculate your Lot of Spirit (a specific zodiac sign based on your birth chart, astrologers or software like Astro-Seek can do this).
- Each zodiac sign is assigned a number of years:
- Leo = 19 years
- Virgo = 20 years
- Libra = 8 years
- Scorpio = 15 years
- Sagittarius = 12 years
- Capricorn = 27 years
- Aquarius = 30 years
- Pisces = 12 years
- Aries = 15 years
- Taurus = 8 years
- Gemini = 20 years
- Cancer = 25 years
- You start in the sign of your Lot of Spirit, and that sets the tone for the first chapter of your life journey.
- Each sign you move into afterward marks a new phase in life, with different challenges, achievements, and themes.
What Is the Loosing of the Bond?
A Loosing of the Bond is when the Zodiacal Releasing timeline suddenly breaks from its normal flow and jumps ahead. Normally, Zodiacal Releasing moves through the signs in zodiac order (Aries → Taurus → Gemini → Cancer → etc.). But during a Loosing of the Bond, this rhythm breaks. Instead of moving to the next sign, it skips ahead to the sign directly opposite.
A Loosing of the Bond typically occurs when:
- The releasing is in a sign ruled by the Moon or the Sun (the two “Lights”).
- In those cases, the sequence doesn’t continue normally, it jumps to a Saturn-ruled sign.
So:
- Cancer (ruled by the Moon) skips to Capricorn (ruled by Saturn)
- Leo (ruled by the Sun) skips to Aquarius (ruled by Saturn)
It’s not that Loosing of the Bond only happens with Cancer or Leo, those are just the most common examples because of their rulership by the Lights. The actual timing depends on your zodiacal releasing periods and sub-periods.
What Does It Feel Like in Real Life?
A Loosing of the Bond often brings:
- A major plot twist
- A change in career or life purpose
- A breakup of an old path and beginning of a new one
- A feeling of “I can’t do things the old way anymore”
These periods are not always negative… they can be breakthroughs, not just breakdowns.
LB can occur on any of these four levels.
- On Level 1: It can mark a life-changing turning point (new career, marriage, relocation, identity shift).
- On Level 2 or 3: It feels like a redirection within a chapter, a shift in plans, jobs, relationships, or mindset.
- On Level 4: It’s more subtle and temporary, a mood shift, sudden insight, emotional release, or important conversation.
Yes, Level 1 Loosings are rare and dramatic, but the smaller levels happen more often and still bring that feeling of the story shifting or the script changing, just on a smaller scale.
Example: Lot of Spirit in Scorpio (Day Chart)
Let’s say someone has:
- Lot of Spirit in Scorpio
- Day chart (Sun above the horizon)
Level 1 Zodiacal Releasing Periods (Career/Life Purpose):
| Age Range | Sign (ZR Level 1) | Themes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–25 | Scorpio | Intensity, crisis, survival, ambition |
| 25–44 | Sagittarius | Expansion, adventure, higher learning |
| ~32–33 | Loosing of the Bond, jump to Gemini | |
| 44–66 | Capricorn | Hard work, legacy, public image |
What Happens at Age 32–33? (Sagittarius – Gemini Loosing of the Bond)
By normal ZR order, Sagittarius would be followed by Capricorn…
But instead, around age 32–33, the period “breaks” and jumps to its opposite sign, Gemini.
This marks a dramatic turning point, where your life direction pivots.
Examples of What Might Happen:
| Before Loosing of the Bond (Sagittarius Phase) | After Loosing of the Bond (Gemini Phase) |
|---|---|
| Studied law/philosophy/traveled extensively | Quits to become a writer, journalist, or speaker |
| Working abroad teaching or coaching | Moves back home, starts a podcast or media project |
| Pursuing higher education or academia | Drops out, starts freelance or multiple small jobs |
| Big-picture thinking | Now focused on communication, networking, dual roles |
Real-life example:
- Someone spends their 20s traveling the world teaching English.
- Around age 32, they burn out, move back home, start an online business or become a content creator.
- Their identity shifts from “explorer/philosopher” to “communicator/advisor/business owner.”
What Does This Shift Feel Like?
A Loosing of the Bond feels like:
- “I can’t keep living this way, something has to change.”
- Suddenly quitting a career path you thought was permanent.
- Divorce, relocation, spiritual awakening, or a complete identity shift.
- A sense that life is pulling you in a different direction, and you can’t ignore it.
How To Know When Yours Happens
You’ll need:
- Your exact birth date, time, and place
- A tool like Astro-Seek or Astrodients (both are great!)
- Look for the moment the releasing period jumps from Cancer to Capricorn or Capricorn to Cancer, that’s your LOB.
When You Step Back and Look at It…
In Zodiacal Releasing, the Loosing of the Bond marks moments when life shifts lanes. When the old story ends and a new chapter begins, often without warning.
It doesn’t mean disaster. It means change.
And sometimes, change is exactly how destiny finds us.
