The Elements in Astrology - how they affect you

The differing ways that charts favour some elements over others gives us clues as to the karma the person is trying to deal with as well as the approaches they might use to do this. Thus – because of the elements – we can see how someone is likely to act in a given situation. For example, someone with lots of Fire is apt to explode easier, be more impatient and take a proactive stance towards life’s challenges. Someone with lots of Air is likely spend more time thinking about their situations, considering their options and studying their consequences before acting. Too much Air, however, can make you flighty, irresponsible and someone who avoids making commitments.

What if you are missing a particular element?

No Air:
People with no Air tend to plod through life, doing things that may seem the hard way, for they lack identification with thought on three very important levels:
They have difficulty expressing themselves (lack of Gemini Air)
Balancing comparisons (lack of Libra Air)
As well as contacting universal thought (lack of Aquarius Air)
Thus, they tend to exert more physical and emotional energy to almost everything they do, because it is difficult for them to conceptualise as well as objectively view themselves in relation to their environment.

No Water:
These people often have difficulty understanding the feeling side of life. They might practice expressing emotions, but they don’t know how to feel them or trust them. They miss the psychological sensitivies as well as the psychic essence of life. They have difficulty being in tune with how people feel about them, which makes their relationships unbalanced. For example, Bill Clinton has no Water planets, which explains why many of his emotional relationships got out of hand. It also explains how he would keep trying to reach people to become an emotional part of them. He married Hillary who is a Scorpio. Her emotional depth might help him to find the emotional depth he felt he was missing. This reaching to fill the void can be felt in his speeches and his mannerisms as an almost pleading for emotional acceptance.

No Earth:
These people have a great deal of difficulty in their relationship with physical life and earth matter. There is a tendency to lose themselves in concepts and aspirations. They can lack good common sense.

However, those who are not that much in touch with the earth plane are much freer to dream and rise on Air, alternately fueled by the fire of their enthusiasm with emotions not contained. They tend to lack an anchor to earth reality and have difficulty understanding how much the consequences of their actions influence others. The cause and effect relationships that occur because of missing element charts are very interesting, since each of these individuals feels impelled to depend on another or many others to fill in the missing element.

No Fire:
Babe Ruth had no Fire. To make up for this, he expended great amounts of energy to enthuse and excite others.

No Earth:
Angelina Jolie has no planets in Earth. As most Geminis tend to live vicariously through others, she keeps trying to fill this lack of Earth in her own chart, by adopting children from underdeveloped countries, who have almost no Earth matter possessions, as she gives them the security they never could have known. Yet, because she travels to do this so frequently, while defending the numerous causes she believes in, it is difficult for her to control any sense of earthly stability in her own life.

Bill Gates has no Earth – yet his efforts to compensate for this missing element have resulting in him becoming one of the richest men in the world. At some point, the amounts he earned began to far surpass anything he could possibly spend in a lifetime for even the most extravagant need. Yet, Gates is not an extravagant soul. He has become a philanthropist, spending most of his time reaching out to charity.

The mysterious missing element brings a life of unexpected exaggeration, starting with attempts to make up for a sense of lack, but often winding up as the sole consuming force that envelops the person’s life.

2010 Astrology Forecasts for the Signs

Astrological Predictions for 2010

Aries
Themes: Relationships, romance, friends, career and work
This year there will be a great focus on your relationships – both personal and business. With Saturn in Libra for most of the year, you will be looking at the relationships in your life and redefining them. You will be asking yourself questions like: “does this relationship satisfy my needs?” “am I the one giving all the time?” “Is the balance of our relationship equitable?” “What needs to change?” You may start to notice what is missing in your relationships and there will be some of you who will end a major relationship over the next year or so. If your relationships are not solid, you will need to strengthen them or let them go. You will find that the people in your life will test you to the limit and will make demands on you. It is important that you keep your agreements with other people during this time. For those relationships that survive this transit of Saturn, they will come out better than ever. So if you do have to go through the pain of a separation, just remember that you are making the way for something new and more nourishing.

Saturn briefly retrogrades into Virgo between April and July, so this is a time when you could find that you need to take care of a health issue or that a work situation comes to an end. There will be some completions taking place in your work.

Jupiter, the planet of good fortune is in your twelfth house between January and June and again from September to the end of the year. This emphasises the spiritual side of you and many Aries will delve into metaphysics, philosophy and occult studies during this time. You may have a spiritual teacher or an old friend who acts like a mentor to you. There may be a feeling that something inside of you needs healing and by delving into the mystical and the unseen you will find some new answers.

Between June and September, Jupiter goes into your sign, Aries. This will be a time of immense growth for you where you begin to discover who you are as an individual. It is a great time to learn something new, to embark on a new course of study and to grab any opportunities that come to you with open arms. You will feel in an expansionary mood and you will draw to you some new and exciting experiences. Jupiter comes again into Aries at the beginning of 2011 – so there will be goodies coming next year too!

Uranus is in your twelfth house between January and May and from August until the end of the year. This is a time when you need to look at your inner self – what motivates you, what drives you into action? Aries is known for taking action – but you need to think more about your actions and how you can make them more productive for you and for those around you. Uranus goes briefly into your sign, Aries between June and August in 2010 and again in 2011. This will force you to redefine your relationship with the outside world, to free yourself of old limitations. A close relationship that has restricted you may end, but a relationship that allows you to be yourself will be changed and not destroyed. There will be an even bigger drive for freedom within you. This transit can be upsetting rather than invigorating – so it’s important to ask yourself – what am I holding onto that is limiting me?

Mars is in your fifth house of creativity for the first six months of the year. This is a great time to make a hobby into your work, to start a new business, to make sure that you take time out to enjoy yourself.

Neptune in your eleventh house means that you need to be careful with the people you choose as friends. Make sure they don’t take advantage of you and don’t become a martyr. Make sure you help people who are worth helping and don’t waste your energy on people who don’t appreciate you.

With Pluto in your tenth house, you will strive to achieve more than you ever have. You want to make your mark on the world. Pluto gives you the power to achieve your life goals. For those of you who are unsure about your purpose in life, don’t get discouraged – this is a very long transit – over ten years, so take the time to find the right course. Don’t allow yourself to be rushed.

Overall this will be a year of finding yourself, freeing yourself of people and things that have held you back and restructuring your relationships so that you feel valued and able to move forward with confidence.

Taurus
Themes: work, health, dreams and wishes, friends, learning
With Saturn in your sixth house for much of the year, this is a critical time in your development. During 2010 it is vital that you put everything into order in your life. This will be a time of heavy responsibility and hard work, but in the long run this will pay off very well for you. You need to conserve your energies during this period and not scatter yourself. This is the house of health and you do need to take care of your health at this time. Make sure that you get all the vitamins and minerals you need and also regular exercise. Fresh air and nature suits Taurus – so take time out to enjoy some peaceful walks or rides into the countryside or seaside. You may find that your work situation becomes more restricted, or that your finances are limited. However, if a particular job comes to an end, remember that this will be making the way for something new for you. I realise that Taureans don’t much like change, but it is likely that there will be changes in your work in the coming year.

Between April and July, Saturn goes briefly back into Virgo into your fifth house. This could be a time when those of you who are looking to get married or go into a long-term committed relationship could finally make the choice. You may have a love affair with someone who is older or acts like a parent to you. This will not be a time to take risks or to gamble.

Jupiter is in your eleventh house for much of the year which means that your hopes and wishes for the future will play an important role in your life. You are likely to become more involved in group activities and it is not a time when you should try to do everything alone. There will be people and friends around you who want to be supportive and you may make many new friends who will be extremely valuable to you in the future. For those of you who are involved with teaching and training other people, or with public speaking in any way, this will be a beneficial time for these activities.

Between June and September, Jupiter moves into your twelfth house. This could spark an interest in metaphysics and subjects like astrology. You will feel more empathy for others and will want to help in some way. You may find that a mentor, teacher or a spiritual person comes into your life to guide you.

For most of the year Uranus is in your eleventh house which indicates that you will be attracted to new kinds of friends, people who challenge your old ways. Even people who have been your friends for a long time may challenge you and involve you in new experiences. You may well resist this at first as it will feel uncomfortable. The more you can go with the flow, the easier this transit will be for you.

Between May and August, Uranus is in your twelfth house and this is a time when skeletons can jump out of the closet – expect the unexpected. Anything you have hidden from others may be revealed and demand to be dealt with. This is a good time for clearing up old issues that have been floating around for a while. They can be dealt with once and for all.

With Neptune in the tenth house all year, this can bring some confusion into your life particularly in relation to your life path. It can make you feel unsure of where you are going and why. If you are already doing work that has meaning to you, then this transit will enhance that in a positive way for you. If, however, you are not doing meaningful work, you may find that you become very disillusioned with your situation and decide that your present calling is not adequate and that you should change direction. This transit favours particular kinds of work like helping people, working in the community, dealing with the public and the media, working with people with emotional and psychological issues. It can also bring out an interest in psychic and spiritual affairs and you may even become involved with these subjects in your profession.

Pluto is in your ninth house and during the next several years your overall view of the world around you will change considerably. Whatever your interests and concerns were prior to this transit, you will want more depth in your life from now on. You may become involved in a group or movement that wants to change society for the better.

In conclusion, this year will be about changes and creating more joy and satisfaction in your work, experimenting and meeting new people and broadening your horizons in every way.

Gemini
Themes: career, work, finances, home and family
Much of the focus for this year will be on your career and your work. There are plenty of new opportunities on the horizon and it is important that you go outside of your comfort zone to access them. With Jupiter and Uranus in your tenth house for the first few months of 2010, you can be especially creative and effective in creating a new direction for yourself in the work area. For those of you who have been looking for a new direction, this is the year that it is likely to manifest. Some of you may find that you lose your job and very quickly find another one that is more satisfying and fulfilling. You do need to be willing to let go of the old and move forward with the new. It’s no use staying somewhere just because you are used to it and because the money is pretty good when you are really not enjoying yourself. If you continue to ignore your intuition, you will find that events take over and you will be forced to move before you feel ready. So use the creative energy of Uranus and Jupiter and open yourself up to new experiences. It promises to be a very exciting time, if you are willing to do what you do best which is to be flexible and go with the flow.

Between June and September, Jupiter and Uranus are in your eleventh house of dreams and wishes. This is a great time to think about what you really want, to be outrageous about it and not to try to diminish it in any way. You may meet some very interesting and unusual people who cause you to learn and grow in brand new ways. Be prepared to take the initiative and join new groups or organisations that interest you. This is going to be the time to meet new friends and these people can be instrumental in helping you to achieve your dreams.

With Pluto in your eighth house, you need to make sure that you have put all your finances in order. This is the time to ensure that you are in control of every aspect of your financial life. Do not leave anything to chance. You do need to be proactive and wherever possible, free yourself of debts. Pluto rules debt and this is not the time to be taking out more financial obligations, it is the time to be freeing yourself from them. There is also the possibility of an inheritance or some money coming to you from somebody else.

Neptune is in your ninth house all year which will stimulate your interest in the spiritual and the occult. This is a time for higher learning that is more intuitive than factual. You will may want to find out about other cultures, civilisations, and how they impact on your world today. It is a time of discovery and you may find yourself drawn to philosophy and a desire to understand and tune into the world around you.

Between April and July, Saturn is in your fourth house of home and family. This means that you still need to put work into this area of your life. You may find that you have serious responsibilities that need to be fulfilled. Some of you may feel that you are in restricted living conditions and you want to be freer, others will want to reduce your outgoings significantly and become much more frugal with your lifestyle. You may also have some issues from the past that need to be resolved now.

A period of several years’ preparation is coming to an end. You are ready to emerge from comparative dormancy and begin to move upward to fulfill your ambitions. It points to a time of new beginnings.

For much of the year Saturn is in your fifth house and you will learn more about yourself and how to express yourself in the best possible way. You may find that you withdraw from encounters with others. This, of course, is not typical of Gemini, but there will be situations where you will want to avoid a confrontation or difference of view. It is important that you face them and do not push the issues under the carpet. It is not a time to speculate or to take risks.

With Mars retrograde in your third house for the first five months of the year, you may feel as though you are going round in circles, especially in connection with the people around you. Communications generally can be challenging and you will need to be a little more patient than usual, as you may have to repeat some of your work and you may find that you have been misunderstood. The best way to deal with this transit is to check and re-check the clarity of your communication. Be sure that your computer has all the necessary virus protections in place and use your energy to plan and to study and to research. Then when Mars goes fully direct in May, you will be ready and able to move forward more easily and effectively.

Cancer
Themes: career, home, travel, study, relationships
The focus for 2010 will be concentrated around your home and your career. Saturn is in your fourth house of home and family for much of the year, so you may find that you have serious responsibilities to take care of connected with your home. You may feel as though you are restricted in some way and may want to renovate or upgrade your living conditions. Financially this is not a good time to move as you need to be conserving your wealth at the moment. Cancer naturally wants to protect what it has and you may find that you need to downsize or reduce your outgoings considerably. Take note of all the expenses you have in your home and try to negotiate better deals. You may find that you are overpaying without knowing it for certain utilities and you need to find other options. There are lots of savings you can make if you set your mind to it. It’s important not to allow your home to become a burden on you and ensure that you get any repairs that you have been procrastinating about completed as soon as possible.

The transit of Saturn through your fourth house is an extremely important one. Any problems in your domestic life come more sharply into focus and anything that you have been trying to put up with but not really handling very well will have to be faced head on. You cannot avoid it. Some of you will experience the effects of this transit as merely a reorganisation of your home environment, while others will experience a total transformation of your personal and family relationships.

You may find that you take on a parental role for someone, or you may seek out someone who takes on a parental role in your life. It will be a feeling of wanting to take care of someone or a strong desire to be looked after by someone who is solid and reliable. You are coming to the end of several years of preparations you have been making and you are about to emerge out of a cocoon and start a new path for the future. Any emotional issues relating to members of your family – from the past or present – are up for healing and you must give them your attention during this transit. This will set you up for success in approximately fourteen years’ time when Saturn will occupy your tenth house of career.

For most of the year, Jupiter and Uranus are in your ninth house which indicates that many of you will be travelling far and wide. This does not always mean physical travel, and can also mean spiritual travel and growth of the mind. It is a great time to learn about spiritual subjects and to expand your knowledge of why you are here and what you are doing. It’s a good time to meet people from different countries, to learn about other cultures and to see which positive aspects you can incorporate into your life. Flashes of inspiration and intuition will be appearing on a regular basis and it is vital that you listen to and act on the messages you receive. If you are a writer, or have any desire to be one, this is an excellent time for it, because the ninth house is the house of publishing and other communications media that span the globe.

Between June and September, Jupiter and Uranus are transiting your tenth house and your attention will turn to your profession, career, social status and reputation. It is a great time for moving ahead and making progress in these areas. It is a time to show your uniqueness and individuality in your work and to break out of old inhibiting patterns. You are a free spirit and you can achieve what you want in your career. Jupiter brings you many opportunities and Uranus forces you out of your comfort zone into new, exciting and uncharted territory. Don’t be afraid and hide your head in the sand, it’s a great time for exploring these opportunities and for trying out new things. You will be able to forge ahead in leaps and bounds if you allow yourself to move into new areas that you maybe thought were impossible to explore. This is the time to take more risks and to come right out of your shell. Expect a radical change in your professional life and also be prepared for possible conflict with people in authority. Overall, there will be new and sudden opportunities in your work.

With Neptune in your eighth house all year, an old order of your life is passing away and a new one is being born. You do need to be on the alert with anything connected with joint finances. Neptune in this house can cause misunderstandings with others concerning money or property. There is also the danger of misrepresentation and fraud. This is definitely not the time to borrow money.

Pluto’s transit through your seventh house indicates profound and significant changes in your relationships – this includes personal and business relationships and includes lawyers, doctors, dentists etc. and any other one-to-one relationships. It is important to avoid power struggles as they can be very destructive. You will be looking for more depth and understanding in your relationships than ever before.

Leo
Themes: finances, work, communications, health, travel, learning
For much of 2010, the focus will be on finance, money and work. Many of you will be embarking on a new course of learning that will enhance your skills and make you more marketable. It is a good time to take on serious study that may take a long while, but will produce results for the future.

With Saturn in your third house for much of the year, you’re going to be taking a long hard look at your environment, the people around you – what is working and what is not working for you. It’s time to look at the way you communicate with others, your attitudes, habits, and ways of listening to people. Normally you take these issues for granted, but they are going to be very important in forming the structure for your future. You may have to deal with issues concerning people in your immediate surroundings, especially workmates, relatives and neighbours. It’s important that you are honest and straightforward with your communication and that you don’t let anything fester inside of you. If it means losing a friendship or a particular relationship, then take that chance – if the person doesn’t accept your side of the situation, then it is best you know sooner rather than later.

Saturn is in your second house from April to July and it is important for you to take another look at what is really important to you. This does not only mean material things, but also spiritual and moral values. You may feel as though your finances are quite restricted and you have to watch every penny. This is true and you will find that you have to work hard, but it will pay off for you. The best way to deal with this transit is to organise your finances as well as you can, be frugal with your outgoings and then don’t worry about it. For those of you who are not happy with your current way of earning your income, you may need to consider working for less money, but for more job satisfaction.

For most of the year Jupiter and Uranus are in your eighth house which means that there is the possibility of a windfall coming to you from somebody else or from some investment or a property. However, Jupiter can also mean a large amount of money going out too, so it could go either way. Be sure to keep a tight rein on your joint finances. Don’t get involved in any “get rich quick” schemes that involve you putting up some money. Uranus adds an element of surprise into the equation, and this can mean sudden changes affecting your business partner or your intimate partner. If your financial situation is dependent upon your partner’s, it will probably be quite erratic for these months. However, there could also be a sudden change in your partner’s sources of income. It’s important during this transit not to become dependent upon anyone else’s money, even through a bank. You may also want to break out of a restrictive financial situation with someone.

You may have a new sexual relationship quite different from any you have been involved in before. However, don’t count on this being a long-lasting relationship because you are going through some big psychological changes at the moment and your needs will be very different a few years from now. Avoid new long-range commitments. If you can enjoy the relationship for the short-term, it will be very uplifting and enlivening. If, however, your emotions engage too deeply in a relationship, then it’s probably best to steer clear of the experience.

Between June and September, Uranus along with Jupiter is in your ninth house. This indicates the possibility of sudden trips abroad and new opportunities for expanding your knowledge. You may begin to study science and technology or new techniques in your work. Many people who study astrology begin under this transit. It’s a great time to write a book, to get it published and to be seen by the global community. There will be opportunities for learning and teaching others. You will probably do much more reading than usual and your views on life in general will change. There is the likelihood that you will become increasingly involved with foreign people or cultures either in your business or personal life.

With Neptune in your seventh house all year, many of you will be looking for that “ideal” relationship. If you are in a relationship, you will not be seeing it clearly and you will have rose-tinted glasses on. This applies to business relationships and people with whom you consult, such as lawyers, doctors, counsellors. There is a danger of poor communications and misunderstandings – so be sure to get two opinions and also have everything that is agreed put in writing. If you are in business, be very careful about forming a new partnership at this time. It is not likely to work out the way you want it to and your partner may be more of a hindrance than a help.

As Pluto is in your sixth house, you need to take care of your health and not overdo things. If you have been avoiding getting something checked out, now is the time to face it and book that appointment. It is a time when you can undergo complete physical regeneration. If you adopt a careful physical regimen now you can rebuild your body even if you have neglected it in previous years.



Virgo
Themes: dreams and wishes, finance, money, self-development, health
Many of you heaved a huge sigh of relief as Saturn finally exited your sign in October 2009. It makes a brief foray back into Virgo between April and July 2010, so don’t be overly concerned if you feel as though you are being pulled back and that nothing is moving very quickly for you. This three month period is just a checking time to ensure that you have outlined your priorities in life very clearly and that your plans are in alignment with your wishes for the future. It’s a final opportunity for you to get clear about what you are wanting, how you see yourself and to ensure that you are focused on what you want and not on what everyone around you seems to think you want. You may find that you want to withdraw from the world a little during this period in order to put the finishing touches on your goals.

For the rest of the year, Saturn is in your second house. Now it is time for you to learn what is really important to you, what you really value. This does not only apply to material things, but also to your spiritual, ethical and moral values. It is certainly a time when you will have to be quite frugal with your resources. You are not known for being very extravagant anyway, but this is not the time to splash out on big investments or grandiose business ideas. It is important that you don’t allow fear and financial insecurity to overwhelm you. The best course of action is to organise your finances as well as you can so that you don’t have to be thinking and worrying about them all the time. Try to reduce your expenses, look around for the best deals and negotiate on the price as best you can whenever you really need to buy something.

The main areas of focus for 2010 will be on yourself and your self-development and your relationships – both personal and professional. Jupiter and Uranus are in your seventh house for much of the year, which means that there could be some sudden changes in your intimate relationship – you may be feeling too restricted and you want to break out of old habit patterns, or you may just want something new. So you will either have to introduce more excitement into your existing relationship or you will want to move on. For those of you looking for a relationship, this is a time with great potential as Jupiter the planet of abundance in that house indicates the possibility of meeting lots of new people. However, Uranus can suddenly bring someone into your life and then just as quickly, they can disappear again.

For those of you who have been keeping an unsatisfactory relationship going for years, it will be difficult to hold it together during this transit. If you have been keeping a marriage going for the sake of the children, or because of financial dependency, you will find it increasingly challenging to keep it going with Uranus in your seventh house. Uranus frees you of ties that are not nourishing for you. However, if you have a secure relationship Uranus will not be the cause of a break-up.

Between June and September, Uranus and Jupiter are in your eighth house. You may receive an inheritance or a large amount of money from someone else. It could be from an investment you made or a property sale. Whilst Jupiter does mean abundance, it can also mean that the money is gone as quickly as it came in. So if you do receive some money, try to invest it wisely and if it means doing something differently than you might usually do, that may be the best way to protect it. Uranus can mean sudden changes in your financial situation, especially in relation to a partner or business partner. Their source of income may change suddenly or may become more erratic. However with Jupiter, usually things turn out for the best.

With Neptune in your sixth house this will affect both your health and your work. You need to pay attention to your physical health right now and if you can steer clear of drugs and alcohol. Try not to go on a radical diet, but make sure you are getting all the vitamins you need. You may find that you are looking after people in some way connected to your work. You can make achievements with this placement of Neptune especially if you are working in a spirit of service to others.

Pluto in your fifth house can indicate a love affair that is emotionally involved and intense. Be wary of a relationship in which you feel obsessed or totally consumed by that person. It is unlikely that a relationship in severe trouble will survive this period, but if it does it will be everlasting.

Libra
Themes: self-discovery, work, health, relationships, home and family
Saturn has finally made it into Libra, your sign, which means that a whole new cycle is about to begin. It goes briefly into your twelfth house between April and July and during that time you need to focus on finishing up anything that needs to be completed. I am sure many of you have already experienced important elements of your life passing away. You may have felt quite withdrawn lately so that you can get in touch with what is happening. It’s a time to be really honest with yourself and use the time to understand what you have accomplished and what is yet to be done. Try not to judge or evaluate, simply observe yourself. You may feel pressures for tremendous changes both in the direction of your life and the way in which you should proceed with that new direction. Cut your losses, if any, and look to the future rather than to the past.

Saturn is in your sign for the remainder of the year and in fact until October 2012, so this is a new beginning of internal growth. You may feel as though you have heavy responsibilities, but this is a time when you can accomplish great things. You have spent the last several years looking outward and developing social and work contacts. This period is about looking inward and learning about what you want and need in your life. It is time to understand yourself in a new way and not to settle for anything or anyone in your life who does not meet your new standards. It’s important that you do not scatter your energies in lots of different directions during this transit or you will find yourself exhausted. If however, you are able to focus inward, to listen to your inner voice and to act on those messages, you will find that this transit can be very beneficial to you. If work has to be done, don’t try to avoid it – face it head on and force yourself to knuckle down and accomplish your goals. Once you get going, you will find that you build momentum and it will become easier. The key is getting started and not procrastinating and making excuses that you cannot make up your mind. During this period, anything old that is inhibiting your forward progress will be taken away from you. If you can see this as a big lesson, you do not need to suffer, but rather you will feel freer and less weighed down with responsibilities.

Jupiter and Uranus are in your sixth house of work and health for much of the year. This is a very good time for any kind of work and for applying yourself to tasks that contribute to your personal growth. Your work should be fulfilling to you now and give you a sense of purpose and a structure for your life. Uranus could bring about a sudden end or a new beginning in your work. However, if you do have to move job, it is likely to be an improved situation with more opportunities for satisfaction and enjoyment. Jupiter in the sixth generally gives your body good health and vitality, however, you may have to watch out that you don’t put on too much weight. If for some reason your body has to heal or recover from something, this transit will help the process. With Uranus in this sixth house, you will be seeking out opportunities to become free of excessive demands of others. If you are in a dull routine, expect to be shaken out of it! You may encounter an increasing amount of work with computers and technology. If you go with the changes rather than resist them, this transit will be very beneficial to you. If you don’t, then you risk having accidents or mishaps so that you are shaken out of your complacency.

Jupiter and Uranus move into your seventh house between June and September. This indicates growth and new experiences with respect to your one-to-one relationships. Some relationships that have become boring or do not stimulate you will have to end. This will make the space for something or someone new and exciting to come into your life. If you are involved in a relationship which is not working out very well, this transit may just break it. However, if you have a strong partnership, you will be able to adapt to the changes. Even in the best relationship, however, this transit signifies a time to make much needed changes. You may see a new relationship as a way to escape from the daily routine of your existing ones. With Jupiter in this house as well, you will meet people who can help you in various ways. It’s a good time to look for any professional assistance, for example, lawyers, doctors, counsellors. This transit can also indicate a partnership or close relationship with a foreigner.

With Neptune in your fifth house all year, it’s likely that you will seek relationships with the opposite sex that fit a very romantic image. You are looking for an ideal and if you have children, you will not see any faults in them at all. Be careful not to become involved with someone who needs you to save them. For example an alchoholic or a drug-addict and you spend your precious energy on trying to reform their behaviour. Avoid getting involved in risky financial ventures as this is the house of speculation and Neptune tends to dissipate funds and you won’t know where your money has disappeared to.

Pluto in your fourth house of home and family can indicate that you have unresolved issues from your past that are coming up for healing. Many issues from your childhood may emerge and you will no longer be satisfied just to live with them, you will gain a new understanding of patterns that have been plaguing you for a long time and you will feel more in control of this area of your life.

Scorpio
Themes: study, creativity, business, work, home and family
This year will focus around deep learning experiences, understanding the nature of your mind and how you can use it more effectively to get what you want. Work and play will come under the spotlight and many of you will need to learn how to relax more, take it easy and enjoy the simple things in life. You do everything with maximum intensity and this year will be a mixture of internal growth and deep psychological change and inner regeneration that will continue for many years to come. You will find it increasingly difficult to keep problems buried and you will need to face challenges head on and find ways in which you can maintain your power in your relationships.

Saturn is in your twelfth house for much of the year and you will find yourself completing many things in your life. Important elements in your life may begin to pass away and activities that used to work well, no longer do. You may wish to withdraw a little and analyse your progress over the last few years. What is impeding you from moving forward? Are there any unhealthy relationships, situations that need to be handled? This is the time to do it. This is the end of a cycle so it is important to clear away leftovers from the past and clear the decks for your new start. You will probably feel great pressure to make changes and being a fixed sign, you do not particularly relish change. However, anything that is in your way of your positive growth needs to be cleared away. You are going through a cycle of defining who you are and what you want. It’s a time to cut your losses and look to the future instead of harking back to the past.

Saturn makes a brief foray back into Virgo between April and July and this will be the time to finalise any plans you have been making with respect to your dreams and wishes for the future. It’s time to be concrete and physical and to actually start taking actions towards your goals. Completions with groups that no longer serve you or excite you could take place as well as endings of friendships that no longer foster your growth.

Jupiter and Uranus are in your fifth house of creativity and entrepreneurship for much of the year, so for those of you who are looking to start your own business, this is a great time to do it. For those of you who already have your own business, the influence of Uranus will bring you new and exciting opportunities. Jupiter can make you go over the top and be too optimistic, so long as you steer clear of get-rich-quick schemes, you can make a lot of money and be very successful at this time using your own creativity and innovativeness. You will find your creative self-expression is stronger than ever. Your relationships with others should improve considerably. If you have children, this transit will improve your relationship with them and you will probably feel very proud of them. If you have any artistic skills, use them in your work. If you already work in a creative or artistic field, you may make more money than usual.

This should be a very exciting time in your life and some of you may embark on an unusual relationship. As long as you don’t expect the relationship to last, you will be fine. It may last but it is best that you don’t expect it to. If you begin a relationship during this period, it will not easily settle down into a daily routine – so be prepared for change and go with the flow and you will maintain the excitement and passion you so desire.

Between June and September, Uranus and Jupiter move into your sixth house of health and work. It’s very likely that many of you will change your job and you will want to break out of an established routine. You may have to work increasingly with computers and new technology. If you are feeling confined and restricted, Uranus will help you to break out of old patterns and move into something completely new and stimulating. You will have lots of new ideas about how to improve the efficiency of your workplace. Although there will be much change in your work, it’s also a good time for success and growth in the work area. You will be able to make progress as long as you don’t feel stifled. Your health will be enhanced if you allow new things to come into your life and don’t resist them. The more you can go with the flow, the better this transit will serve you and you will have more opportunities in your work than ever before.

Neptune is in your fourth house all year and you will be dreaming of how you would like your home to be. There could be some confusion about your living situation – should you move? Should you stay where you are? Try to take time out to meditate and listen to what your inner voice is saying to you. It will not be easy to take a logical, practical view, rather it will be your emotions and intuition that will guide you in the right direction.

Sagittarius
Themes: finances, work, relationships, home, dreams and wishes
Much of the focus for 2010 will be around your finances, your work and your love life. With Pluto transiting your second house of money and values you are experiencing great changes in this area. There may already have been some kind of breakdown in your finances and you may be forced to get along with much less than you are used to. You may find that you have difficulty borrowing money – take this as a sign that you are not meant to go into debt at this time. You might have to consider changing the source of your income which may result in less income during the changeover. If you own property, you may need to invest money into repairs or modernisation. Your material base is going to change considerably, but you will not be poor. It is a temporary phase and your attitude towards your belongings will start to become healthier. You may find that physical things are not as important to you as they were – your priorities will change. This is a slow transit and will take many years to complete its course. Try not to be overly concerned if your finances feel like they are on a rollercoaster. One of the advantages of this transit is that once you have broken down old habit patterns that have been restricting your finances from increasing, you have the potential to make a huge amount of money and wealth. So hang in there!

Neptune is in your third house all year and you may find that you have to pay much more attention to the way you are communicating with people around you. There is a tendency for Neptune to fog issues and you may find that there are misunderstandings. Enter into any kind of negotiation with extreme care. Don’t jump into anything too quickly. Take your time to clarify all the small details before you make your decision. You may find this is a time when you become much more interested in metaphysical subjects such as karma and reincarnation. You will learn how to apply these lessons into your everyday life.

Jupiter and Uranus are in your fourth house of home and family for most of the year. This is a time when you will be seeking inner peace and security, but with Uranus there you need to expect the unexpected. Jupiter will make you want to buy a piece of property so that you can have stability for the future. However, if you do this while Uranus is there too, you may find that you have made a rash decision and maybe you should have waited before investing. So don’t get attached to a particular deal – it could be taken away from you at a moment’s notice. Also be careful not to invest too much into the property, with Pluto in the second house, it is not a good time to take out a large amount of debt. Uranus can indicate a sudden move of home. Old ties with the past may be severed which may give you a feeling that you have lost your roots. In the end, however, this break may free you from old patterns that have stopped you from moving forward. You may later be able to re-establish those connections, but they will be much more balanced and you will not feel quite as dominated by them. If your living situation does change, it may take a while for it to settle down again. When you do, however, you will feel much freer and lighter than ever.

Between June and September, Uranus is in your fifth house with Jupiter. This is an exciting period when new opportunities for growth in your work can appear, especially if you are self-employed. There is the possibility of starting up a new relationship, but don’t expect it to be like anything you have ever experienced before. If you try to pigeon-hole it into a neat little box, you will find it will disappear on you. If you allow it to evolve and change – maybe from a friendship to a love affair or vice versa – then you will feel exhilarated and rejuvenated by the experience. Jupiter in the fifth indicates a possible windfall. Just make sure that you don’t spend it all too quickly. It’s a fortunate placement of Jupiter so if you are an entrepreneur, it’s a good time to expand your business or to move into something new.

Saturn is in your eleventh house for much of the year. This is the house of your hopes and wishes, your ideals and objectives in life. During this transit you will find out whether or not you have worked effectively to reach these ideals. If you have prepared well, you will find that you achieve the results you have been working for. If you have not prepared well, then this will be a time of clearing out and making way for new things to come into your life. An older person who acts as a mentor or advisor to you may appear.

Between April and July Saturn briefly goes back into your tenth house – this is a time to ensure that you are not too focused on your external life that you overlook what is happening in your personal life. This is a good year to move into new areas with your work, to be innovative and creative and to take a few more risks.

Capricorn
Themes: career, finances, home and family, success, personal growth
With Pluto now firmly entrenched in your sign for the next sixteen years or so, many Capricorns have already felt huge changes in their life. You are embarking on a rebirth of yourself and in that, you have to let go of the old. You cannot continue with your old patterns of behaving and expect new results. You have to let go. The year will focus mainly on career, finances and your home. The effect of Pluto is to make you want to have control over every single thing in your life. This could make relationships with others very challenging. You will be driven to learn more about yourself, to understand how you tick, what motivates you and what interests you. You will be attracted to the mysteries and hidden aspects of life and this may lead to the study of astrology or other metaphysical subjects. It’s a time of deep self-examination and empowerment. Don’t expect everything to be revealed to you in a short period – this is an unfolding that will take many years to complete – but at the end of it you will be a much richer, stronger and more powerful being.

With Neptune in your second house all year, you will experience a change of attitude towards material possessions and your values will change. The more you are attached to what you own, the more likely you are to lose it. This doesn’t mean that you are going to lose everything, but you may experience confusion regarding property and you may be deluded into making costly mistakes. Use your solid Capricorn judgment and take your time before jumping into any business deal. You must be even more careful about managing your money and possessions than you already are and avoid getting involved in any risky ventures that other people want to involve you in.

Jupiter and Uranus are in your third house for the first half of the year which means that more people are likely to come into your life. It’s a great time to network and to join interesting groups that could be receptive to the work or business that you are in. It’s a good time to embark upon a course of study or to start a new teaching project. Your mind will be especially receptive and retentive so research ways in which you can extend your skills. Uranus in the third house indicates that you will change some of your habits. Anything that you are involved with on an intellectual basis will be very exciting. If you are involved with Uranian subjects such as technology, science, metaphysics you may become very well-known in your field. Expect the tempo of events in your daily life to accelerate. Try to be as flexible as you can so that you can benefit from the new things and people that will come into your life during this transit.

Between June and September, Jupiter and Uranus are in your fourth house. This could mean some upheavals and changes in the area of your home and family. There could be an unexpected move of home or a new person come to live with you or near to you. Someone from the past could turn up without warning and it will be exciting. You may find that you want to move home or at least invest in a piece of property. If you are able to do this without taking out very much debt, then fine. But if you have to burden yourself with a heavy debt, then this is not a good idea. You may want to enlarge the property you are living in or make some more space in some way. It’s a good time to throw out or sell your clutter so that something new can come into your life.

With Saturn in your tenth house for much of the year, this will be a time when you are working assiduously towards success in your career. If you have prepared well during the previous seven years or so, then you will be reaping the harvest of your hard work now. In your professional life, you will gain responsibilities. If you want a leadership position, it is likely to happen during this transit which lasts until October 2012. If you are ambitious, this is a time of great achievement. At this time you have the greatest opportunity to make your unique impression on the world. Make sure that you are not too focused on external affairs and that you pay enough attention to your personal life. Make sure you find a good balance between the two. If you have prepared well, however, this can be one of the most rewarding times in your life as you have definitely earned it.

Between April and July, Saturn makes a brief backward move into your ninth house which means that you may take a long journey for work to fulfill certain obligations. This can be a year of self-discovery and success in your career.

Aquarius
Themes: finances, self-development, travel, values, study
With Pluto in your twelfth house, you are undergoing deep psychological changes. This transit activates the hidden side of you and makes you learn how to understand and control it, but it also activates issues that you have not faced in the past. These may be relationships that have failed or actions that you are aware of but want to sweep under the carpet. It is vital that you confront anything that is hidden or unpleasant and bring it out into the open. By avoiding them you have created a situation in which they control you. Pluto wants you to have control over your life and only by facing these issues honestly can you clear them away and move on productively in all areas of your life. It may feel frightening at first, but the more emotional risks you are prepared to take, the more empowered you will feel.

With Neptune in your first house, you are being very idealistic at this time, often acting on the basis of what you want to be true rather than what is actually true. Watch out that you don’t get involved with any unrealistic projects that have no basis in reality. This transit will increase your compassion for others. You may take care of someone you love who needs help. Make sure you don’t allow them to become too dependent on you as that will not allow them to grow. Ensure that you don’t become too dependent on someone either during this time – there is a tendency with Neptune to meet someone who seems amazing and you put them on a pedestal only to find that you are disillusioned with them later on.

Uranus and Jupiter are in your second house for much of the year which means that you could have a sudden windfall or a great opportunity to make a lot of money. However, Jupiter means a lot of money either coming in or going out. Just make sure you are not over-spending and that you are keeping a tight rein on your finances. With Jupiter there, however, you are likely to be fortunate not matter what you get involved in. It’s a great time to be creative and innovative with respect to your finances. Think up new and interesting ways to make money and they will have the potential to succeed. You will feel very generous towards others, but make sure you don’t spend too much money in the process. Your generosity can be expressed in ways other than spending money and buying gifts.

Uranus and Jupiter are in your third house between June and September, which means that many of you will undertake a new course of study. It is a great time to increase your skills and for learning something new. Anything connected with the internet, new technology, electronics, space, aviation, astrology and metaphysics are all areas that would be very worthwhile for you to study. Often people who become well known in these fields began their course of study during this period. You may find that you want to socialise a lot more and meet new and interesting people. It’s a good time for writing, filming and anything connected with the media. The tempo of events in your life is likely to increase. You may find that it is challenging for you to stick to a routine – you will want much more freedom with your time. Think carefully about ways of creating a passive income for yourself so that you do not have to have too many restrictions on your use of time.

Saturn is in your ninth house for much of the year which means that many of you are approaching a peak in your life. You may have to make long trips for your work or for learning. These will be huge growth experiences. Between April and September, Saturn briefly goes into your eighth house and you do need to ensure that you have all your financial issues in order. This is a last opportunity to clear up anything connected with joint finances, loans, insurances, investments and make sure that you understand what your obligations are. If you are uncertain about anything, then get professional advice from at least one consultant.

Pisces
Themes: relationships, joint finances, money, self-development, friends
With Jupiter and Uranus in your first house for much of the year, this promises to be a time filled with new opportunities and success. You are beginning a major new cycle of growth in your life. You will feel less need to withdraw from people or hide your talents. People and resources are likely to be drawn to you now and you should take advantage of them. The spiritual part of your life will grow as well. This year should be quite fortunate for you and your relationships and encounters with others should be very fulfilling for you. It’s a time to work on increasing your self-confidence and enjoying the good things that are coming your way. Uranus has been in your first house for several years now, and you have almost become accustomed to the sudden changes that keep happening in your life. Fortunately, being a mutable sign, you are able to be more flexible than many of the other signs, but you do need to ensure that you have freedom and do not feel constricted or controlled by others.

Between June and September, Jupiter and Uranus move into your second house. This can indicate a windfall – a sudden amount of money coming into your life unexpectedly. There is also the possibility that the money can be going out of your life unexpectedly too. The main thing about this transit is that your finances and income can be erratic. With Jupiter there, however, you are not going to be short of money, but you may have difficulty hanging onto it. Try not to be extravagant and to take advantage of any new business opportunities that come your way. It’s a good time to study anything connected with finance and business and to learn new ways of making money. It’s very important that you get clear about what you need and want financially. It doesn’t mean that you cannot go out and buy something you’d like, just make sure you really do want it and that it doesn’t set you back financially or put you in debt in order to have it.

Saturn is in your eighth house for much of the year which will bring into focus any finances or possession that you hold with other people. Other people’s resources or money may be cut off from you for a time. Your partner may find their income is reduced. You will not be able to count upon others for any kind of material support. It’s a good idea to get into a position where you don’t have to depend on anyone else for your money. One of the most important things about this transit is that you need to ensure that your finances are in order and that you do not take on any heavy financial obligations. It’s also a time to look at the institutions and people who take care of your money: your banks, your insurance company, the professionals – lawyers, financial advisors etc., and to ensure that they are acting in your best interest. You may need to make some changes in order to conserve your wealth. Be prepared to walk away from a long-term relationship if necessary.

With Pluto in your eleventh house all year, you will undergo changes in your long-range goals and hopes for the future. The kinds of people you associate with as friends will change. Activities that you once enjoyed may no longer appeal to you. You may decide that the goals and ideals you had are no longer worth pursuing. Your friendships will change dramatically and you may meet someone who affects you so deeply that the whole course of your life changes. Shallow, old friendships may end during this transit and new, deeper ones may be created. It’s a good time to set new goals and dreams – take the time to think deeply about what you want to achieve.

Neptune is in your twelfth house all year and you will be examining your life from a spiritual perspective. As a Pisces, you are good at escaping into your own dreamworld, and Neptune will encourage you to withdraw from the rapid pace of your everyday life. You will be concerned with the meaning of life and how you can make a valuable contribution to the world. Try not to isolate yourself in the process – make sure that you find the balance between looking inwards and moving outwards.

This promises to be a lucky year for you with plenty of opportunities for growth personally, financially, emotionally and spiritually. You will put energy into helping other people and many of you may become involved in the health and healing field.

Astrology Predictions for 2010

Astrology Blog 12 12 09

Astrological Predictions for 2010

The world economy is currently undergoing a huge transformation and that change will continue into 2010 and beyond, eventually creating the way for something new and better. The fear and uncertainty that has been prevalent throughout 2009 will be gradually replaced by a determined call for action throughout the world during 2010. The economy, politics, ethics, the role of government, our banking systems and our use and understanding of money in general will begin to change dramatically.

It is an important year to plan and restructure in order to create a positive future for yourself and your family. It will take a conscious effort on the part of each individual to rise to the challenge and not be overcome by doubt and too much caution. On a national and international level, governments and their structures will start to crumble and they will have to accept huge changes if they are to stay in power.

2010 begins with not only Mars retrograde in Leo where it stays until March 10th but also Mercury retrograde in Capricorn until January 15th. Don’t expect travel, communications, technological and business interactions to go smoothly, especially during the Mercury retrograde. This is a great time to plan carefully for the upcoming year and to wait until at least January 16th to put your plans into action. Your momentum will start to gather when Mars goes direct on March 10th, so for the first three months of the year it is best to plot out your plan of action and the execution of your plan will most likely begin after March 11th.

You will need to work hard and plan ahead intelligently. With Saturn in Virgo for much of the first half of 2010, the focus will be on health and wellbeing and the protection of the Earth’s natural resources. There will be actions taken regarding carbon emissions and more environmental safeguards will be put in place.

Saturn and Uranus oppose one another on April 26th 2010 which could signify more upheaval and strife. There will be more public scandals with more people discovering they have been ripped off. Governments will have a very difficult time during May and June and confidence in our leaders will nosedive. Corporations and banks will resist regulation and reform while the public will become increasingly disillusioned with the government’s unwillingness to force through more reforms.

Jupiter makes a conjunction with Uranus on June 8th. At this point it is likely that governments will have to reform and change radically. Social unrest and riots are on the cards and people will become much more vocal in expressing their political and religious beliefs. We will see much more extremism coming to the fore. On the positive side, we are likely to see some enormous breakthroughs in the field of science, technology and medicine. Our investigations of space, other galaxies and aliens will be heightened and we will make discoveries that will be life-changing for humanity. This can be a very exciting and productive time too.

On July 11th there is a total solar eclipse in the Southern Hemisphere which will speed up the pace of change worldwide. At the end of July, there is a T-cross with Saturn in Libra, Uranus and Aries and Pluto in Capricorn. Human rights and the law will come under the spotlight and in some countries civil liberties will be compromised. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and flooding may occur during this period.

With Saturn in Libra, there is the potential for building bridges and forming productive partnerships based on mutual respect that will be for the good of all. On a local level this may involve communities coming together and helping one another. There may be more mergers of national and multinational companies resulting in more streamlined and productive ways of operating.

On August 7th, the Moon in Cancer forms a Cardinal cross with Jupiter, Venus and Pluto. This is an emotionally charged time when people may feel they need to protect their way of life. There could well be mass protests and riots. Even when the Moon moves out of Cancer, there is still a t-square between Jupiter, Venus and Pluto. This will result in governments and entrepreneurs trying hard to improve business relations and practices.

By September, many people will be heaving a great sigh of relief as balance will start to be restored to many nations. As long as the world leaders have been acting for the good of all, then we may see a more stable economy slowly starting to return. However, if there have been ulterior motives in our leaders, then we will see more stagnation and a much slower path to growth.

In many ways, it’s up to us. We need to start taking much more responsibility for our own lives and not rely on the nanny state to look after us so much. It’s time to reconnect with other people, to link up with our communities and to follow our passions and our dreams. Whilst 2010 will undoubtedly be a bumpy year, there will be opportunities for growth and prosperity for people who have a plan and who can think ahead and move forward with determination and confidence. Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

Planetary Degrees - their importance in your life

If you have ever wondered how much the degree of a planet matters – the answer is – a great deal!

Whenever a planet transits a sign, it starts at the beginning or lowest degree of the sign, then traverses through all 30 degrees until it finished the sign.

At the beginning of anything there is unfamiliarity. Individuals experiment to find their way, often guessing in the dark as to their course of action. This is true of planets in low degrees – as a result thoughts and actions tend to be primitive, exaggerated and sometimes excessive. I have met people with a preponderance of planets in low degrees who are real pioneers – they want to do things their way and they work hard at thinking things through for themselves. They don’t like interference from others and often have to learn the hard way. At the other end of the scale, I have clients with many planets in higher degrees – these people tend to procrastinate quite a lot and it takes numerous outside forces to precipitate actions. They often feel quite uncertain about their course of action and can be afraid to jump in case they make a mistake.

One of the most consistent issues that people with 29 degree planets often say is that they “cannot get enough” of the particular characteristics of that planet. For example, a client of mine with Venus at 29 degrees Sagittarius openly admits that she cannot get enough fun. She gets overly enthusiastic about anything in the way of a hobby or entertainment. For others, Venus at 29 degrees may mean that they feel they never get enough love or enough money.

As a planet traverses through a sign, it slowly evolves into familiar experiences, until it gradually matures as it reaches the higher degrees of the sign. It is in the higher degrees where we find the most understanding and wisdom and the greatest evolution takes place there.

A person with low degree planets might get things done quickly, but might have to do them over again because of a lack of foresight. People with planets at higher degrees might be slower to act, holding back until they know a situation better and feel safe in acting. The highest degree planets tend to be the most thorough with the fullest understanding of the sign they are in.

Most people, however, have some lower and some higher degree planets. This is why we seem so evolved in some areas of our lives and so childlike.

Mars Retrograde - How Will it Affect Us?

On December 20th 2009, Mars reaches its retrograde station at 19 degrees Leo. This lasts until March 10th and will continue to be felt until Mars goes into direct motion on May 17th 2010. The fixed signs will probably feel this the most: Taurus, Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius – but for those of you who are familiar with your own charts, look at any of the personal planets in fixed signs: the Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars – if they fall around 19 degrees, they too will be affected by this upcoming Mars retrograde. Mars goes retrograde every two years and two months.

That’s the technical part. Now let’s take a look at how this might affect you on a personal level. During a Mars retrograde people’s thought patterns tend to become more introspective. Because Mars in Leo is generally fearless, independent, generous and honest in any dealings with other people, we can expect some dependence or even trickery and people in positions of responsibility or authority had better watch their backs during this period.

You may be required to draw on your strengths to assert yourself in some area where you have been reluctant or reserved in the past. You might need to find new ways to become empowered. During the retrograde you may be hyper-sensitive to disagreements, conflict and power issues. You may need to examine how you deal with aggression and power in your life. It is a great time to explore the issues that trigger a knee-jerk emotional reaction inside of you. It is about learning a healthy way to integrate and respond to aggression and fear.

If you do find yourself overwhelmed by powerful feelings of anger and aggression, it can be important to have a trusted person in whom you can confide. Don’t let your price or embarrassment stand in the way of reaching out for help and support if you are having a challenging time.

While Mars is retrograde it is a wonderful time to go within yourself and to plot out a course of action from where you are now to where you want to be, and then start to move towards it when Mars goes direct. During the retrograde, is it best to research, plan and go beneath the surface of whatever your situation is, before you actually take concrete steps in your new direction.

To summarise, here are the issues to examine:
How do you deal with aggression? Are you assertive enough? What are you afraid of? How can you move out of your comfort zone and feel empowered at the same time?

Saturn Square Pluto and other aspects - how will they affect us?

Do not expect security, consistency, and predictability during this time. Not only is Saturn coming to square Pluto, but Uranus will move into Aries, Saturn is still opposite Uranus, Jupiter is conjunct Neptune..... Your reality will change rapidly, so it is better to go with the flow, while staying aware of what is going on around you. Flexibility is one of the most important assets during this period. Imagine a huge wave forming…you can ride on that wave and go farther than you ever expected and experience a powerful transformation that can elevate you to new levels. But this wave can also destroy much of what you are currently attached to.

You may wish to redefine yourself in different fields. I have many clients who come to me who are dissatisfied with their current job and are looking to change vocation. There are those who know they need to move on in their relationships, others want to move location, to name but a few. New people will move into your life, current ones may leave. New ideas and projects will develop and you may feel inspired to completely reinvent yourself. This is an awakening: both globally and internally for everyone.

From November 2009 until August 2010, nothing will stay still. Try not to force everything to be “just right.” One thing is for sure, you will have to let go of your security during this time. It is a time for risk, reinvention, new ideas, new concepts, new vision, and the impetus to make it happen. Marriages may break, jobs and possessions may be lost, people may get sick, and at the same time, new relationships may be struck, new passions may be stirred, a completely new lifestyle is in the making...You are embarking on an adventure whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not. My suggestion: make peace with the idea, don’t resist the adventure. If you are accepting it, you will make the best of it. If you fight and resist it, you won’t come out on top.

Risking does not succumbing to every little possibility, it is about hearing a calling for truth…things you have denied, postponed, avoided, feared, but things you know are true. This is a time to be more truthful with yourself and listen to your inner voice.

More scandals will hit the news, corruption will be unearthed and brought out to the surface. Natural events will continue to shake the earth. On a personal level, last night, I was rudely awakened from a deep sleep by the sound of a truck driving into my house – it was a small earthquake about 40km away. At worst, a war may break during summer 2010 or later because these sudden changes can bring fear and conflict.

As you go through these changes, it is vital to take good care of your immune system. Try to eat healthily, avoid alcohol and mood-altering drugs, take exercise and don’t allow yourself to become negative. Be an ambassador of good and avoid wasting time in the weeds.

The world economy is unlikely to settle any time soon. The same will be true of your life – don’t get too concerned if you don’t get immediate answers. Be patient and keep on doing your best. You cannot rush these changes. This period is a great time for us to restructure our lives on both a personal and collective level.

The Aspects December 2009 - 2010

The two key aspects that are going to affect us all in one way or another are the Mercury retrograde from December 26th 2009 until January 14th 2010 and also the Mars retrograde from December 20th 2009 until March 10th 2010. Forewarned is forearmed so I thought I’d write about the possible effects of these retrogrades.

I have spoken at length about Mercury retrograde in the past but to summarise:

What to avoid during Mercury retrograde:
Signing legal documents
Closing big deals
Launching new projects
Scheduling meetings to make a big decision
Backup your hard drive before the retrograde
Avoid installing new computer software during the retrograde
Do needed repairs on machinery before the retrograde

It’s a good time to:
Do follow ups on a project already started
Complete a project already started
Research a new project thoroughly
Catch up on paperwork
Hold an information-sharing meeting

While Mercury goes retrograde between 3 and 4 times every year, Mars only goes retrograde on average every 2 years and 2 months. During this time, our approach to conflict, anger, assertiveness and taking action often requires rethinking and reassessing.

You may be required to draw on your strengths to assert yourself in some area where you have been reticent or cautious. The weakest links in your life may break apart or need to be repaired. You might need to find new ways in which to feel empowered. During the retrograde we tend to be much more sensitive to disagreement, conflict and power issues around us. For those of you who are already very sensitive to this – dear Librans and Pisceans in particular – you will feel this retrograde even more keenly.

You will need to examine what you do when you feel frightened – what are your automatic responses? Do you immediately run for cover or do you face your fears? Mars retrograde is a great opportunity to explore the deeper dynamics and issues that trigger intense reactions inside you.

The idea is to learn a healthy way to integrate and respond to aggression and fear. If you find yourself overwhelmed by feelings, passion or anger, it can be important to have a trusted person or mentor to whom you can confide in. Don’t let your pride, embarrassment or guilt get in the way of reaching out for support if you find you are having a hard time.

You may, on the other hand, find yourself inspired and motivated in new ways. Don’t let yourself be held back by inhibitions, expectations of others or past history. Mars motivation is a gift. However, don’t expect immediate results. Mars energy tends to move fast and gets frustrated easily if things don’t move along as quickly as they are planned. Find ways to keep your Mars energy occupied – either by physical activity or multi-tasking.

It’s a great time to plan a course from where you are now to where you want to be, and then start to move toward it when you feel ready. For new or long-term projects this is often best done after Mars goes direct. During the retrograde it’s best to research, plan and delve under the surface of whatever situation you are in before you actually take steps in your new direction.

This is a wonderful time for discovery and exploration of uncharted territory in your life. Think of yourself as a warrior, setting out to new horizons and experiences. It may be dangerous at times, but it sure is exciting!

Saturn square Pluto - what does it mean?

On November 15th, Saturn makes its first square with Pluto at 0 degrees Libra and Capricorn.
What does this mean?
We are going to see more power struggles around the world especially governments wanting to take control of the economic and financial status in their countries. We will see upheavals in taxation - the laws will change considerably and it is important to keep yourself abreast of changes and how they may affect you on a personal level. I mean taxes from all angles: personal tax, property tax, goods and services taxes, and many more new taxes that will be imposed on the people. Those who are good with mathematics and accounting will fare well during this recession/depression. People are going to need help understanding the new laws and those who are true professionals in this area will make money.
Libra is connected with anything concerning relationships - Saturn is exalted in Libra which means that it has the potential to be used very beneficially for everyone. However, with the square to Pluto this can result in secret liaisons, undercover agreements, hidden agendas - so in your personal life, make sure that you are dealing with people and organisations that are open about their activities, that are telling the truth and that are honourable. Integrity will be a keyword in the months and years to come. Already the bankers are being berated about their lack of integrity as they have had huge bailouts from taxpayers and yet they are still paying themselves enormous bonuses.
Watch out for this not only on the macro scale, but also in your personal life. Is someone taking advantage of you?
Is your bank a safe one?
Is your insurance cover adequate or have you got too much cover and are you over-paying? These are a few of the questions that you may want to ask yourself.
The fact that the planets are in cardinal signs gives them more potency and more action. While in mutable signs there is a lot of talking, discussion, changing of minds and uncertainty - but once in cardinal signs we will see more action - for better or for worse. And you will also be taking more action in your own life. You will not be satisfied to sit on the sidelines and watch - you will want to participate.
There will certainly be more turbulence - but remember that the conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune takes place on 21st December 2009 and this brings great hope and belief. It is about the masses wanting to believe that everything is going well - that the worst is behind us and we are moving forward with confidence. So we will still be seeing the "irrational exuberance" to quote Alan Greenspan and many will be unsure as to whether we are in a serious depression or not.
The squares to Pluto and Saturn continue into 2010 and by the middle of 2010 when Uranus goes into Aries, we will likely see more military action and strife, more terrorism, more earthquakes and possibly with Pluto in Capricorn, some kind of catastrophe involving tunnels or something underground.
Squares are not always pleasant, but they do indicate change. So be ready for change in your own life - and with Pluto in Capricorn - don't hold onto things or people that are past their sell-by date. You will need to look at your relationships in the cold light of day and be really honest with yourself.
Saturn in Libra either breaks up relationships that are unhealthy or it strengthens those that are willing to be honest, to be fair and to make sure that there is balance and cooperation between the parties.

Mercury Retrograde - some interesting tales

We are about halfway through this Mercury retrograde and it's very interesting to see what's been happening around the world:
Firstly, the u-turn from the White House announcing its intention scrap its missile-defense plans. There are those who claim this a huge step backwards that will jeopardize the USA safety and that of its closest allies. But, true to form, with Mercury retrograde, this is a major change in policy.
With Mercury retrograding back into Virgo now, expect some reversals to be announced with respect to the Obama's health care proposals.

On a lighter note, in the UK, an assistant in a medal shop was very pleased with herself for selling some medals while her boss was out at lunch. He, however, was not so pleased as she had misread the price. She had sold the precious metals for GBP18.50, instead of GBP1850.00!! Another case of Mercury retrograde causing our mental accuracy into question.

On a personal level, I bought a very expensive software a couple of months ago. It has always had various niggly problems that the engineer has been unable to sort out. However, this week, he came out and sorted everything easily and quickly. Again, Mercury retrograde helping to complete a problem that had been ongoing for several weeks.

A student of mine lost her keys just prior to Mercury going retrograde. She lost them somewhere in my Astrology class. We looked high and low to try to find those keys - she must have had them to drive to school and open up the classroom - but to no avail. I kept on insisting that they would turn up when Mercury went retrograde. And, yes, in the most unlikely place, they had fallen behind a pile of books and papers, we found them a couple of days ago!!

So Mercury retrograde works on lots of different levels. You can use it positively to help you with your life, but if you go against it, beware of the consequences! Enjoy the rest of the retrograde!

Saturn opposing Uranus yet again

This week, Saturn and Uranus oppose one another. Once again, we are going to see the battle between the old and the new, the conservatives and the radicals and the possibility of a total paradigm shift. With Saturn being in Virgo, it is not surprising that the focus in the US is on the health care reform - with Obama receiving much resistance from his own party let alone the Republicans. It is important that Obama does not try to push through his reforms too hard at the moment as his Mars is being transited by Saturn - so he will have to be extremely patient, tolerant and not too forceful. Otherwise, he risks the whole thing backfiring on him and he will not achieve what he wants to do. Within two to three weeks, this conjunction will be behind him and if he can hold out until then, he will be more likely to achieve success in his goals with healthcare.

The last two oppositions of Saturn and Uranus were very powerful with stock markets around the world plummeting about three to four weeks after the opposition. So I would expect some dips and falls to occur within the next month or so.

Gold is at $1005 an ounce at the end of this week, as I predicted in October 2008 that it would go over $1000 an ounce and would go up to at least $1500 an ounce.

Watch this space!

Death in Astrology

I am often asked about whether I can see a long or short life in an astrology chart. Let me give you some pointers as to what one would look for:

Eighth House
The eighth house rules all things usually hidden which include, sex, death, and taxes. As it rules "other people’s money" it rules inheritances, insurance, and joint monies between spouses and/or business partners. If there are no planets in your natal eighth house, you look to the ruler of the cusp of your 8th house and note its condition by aspect, sign, and house placement in your chart.

Sun and Moon Aspects
If the Sun and Moon, are very harshly aspected by Mars, Saturn, Uranus, or Pluto, this can indicate a short life. Others with less threatening aspects will likely have a life of medium length. A well aspected Saturn is an indicator of a long life. But there have to be other supporting aspects to fulfill this promise. It is important to remember that length of a life does not necessarily correlate with soul advancement. Some people start out being unpleasant and they become more unpleasant as they get older.

Saturn
Before the three outer planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were discovered, Saturn was the indicator of death. Saturn constricts and restrains (remember there are a lot of constricting rings around it). Saturn rules the religions that are full of a lot of "Thy shalt nots...". There are lots of rules of what you can’t do but there is very little emphasis on what is good to do for soul development.
Saturn slows down any process, especially the process of the use of energy by your physical body. Therefore if Saturn is involved, it usually indicates a slow death due to a long illness. The soul usually has time to prepare for the exit. This is normally an expected death, therefore the native has time to say good-bye and to better prepare for the soul’s journey. The sign Saturn is in your natal chart indicates what part of the body is the weakest. The parts of the body that rule the signs in square and opposition to your natal Saturn will also cause health problems. The movement of the planets through the sky (transits) and how they aspect the planets in your natal chart are very important in matters of health.

Mars
Mars poorly aspected in the chart can indicate accidents and wounds by gunfire, knives, or any sharp instrument.
Mars is most dangerous when in difficult aspect (conjunct, square, or opposition) to Uranus. Uranus is sudden events, like lightning striking. Uranus is unexpected and often involves cars, planes, and trains. The soul exits the body very quickly and suddenly when Uranus is involved.

Neptune
Poorly aspected Neptune often indicates alcoholism or damage by drugs. Neptune is associated with a slowly wasting disease or condition as Neptune dissolves. It can indicate the wrong medicine given by a doctor. It is the planet associated with the sea, therefore death by drowning. Neptune is also prominently aspected during earthquakes.

Pluto
Pluto harshly aspected indicates a conflict concerning power. Pluto rules the underground, figuratively and symbolically. Pluto ruled Enron’s abuse of other people’s money. Mining, ruled by Pluto, is regarded as the most dangerous job on this planet. Mining is usually underground and it is also messing with "Mother Nature" and she usually gets her own back.

Global Changes Astrologically Speaking

I mentioned over the last couple of weeks that we were likely to see many important and serious events connected with the earth, people, politics and the economy. There were four tropical storms in the Caribbean and the Atlantic, there was a devastating typhoon in Taiwan, forest fires in California and in Australia and earthquakes in Japan. The Neptune conjunct Jupiter caused great sadness with the death of yet another Kennedy in the space of one month. This time it was Edward Kennedy, a very significant senator in US history. Financially, President Obama announced the re-appointment of Ben Bernanke as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. This was a well-timed decision as the markets needed assurance and consistency and this appointment produced that result.

There are no major changes until Mercury goes retrograde on September 6th. This lasts through September 29th and this potentially will have a great impact due to the fact that Saturn is in direct opposition to Uranus on September 15th. This also coincides with the one-year anniversary of economy panic around the world.

When Saturn makes its third opposition to Uranus on September 15th we are likely to see more huge changes and upheavals. Let’s look at what happened on the previous two occasions. The first was on November 4th 2008 as the United States elected a new president. The second passage was on February 5th 2009 and the stock market at that time was on a major cycle crest. In both cases the Dow Jones Index dropped over 2000 points within the next 3-4 weeks. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the pattern will repeat again this time, but it is best to be forewarned.

This opposition could be most significant because there is a new moon on September 17th-18th which will conjunct Saturn. The new moon may coincide with a sense of building something constructive and long-lasting. But what exactly is being built especially as Mercury is retrograde? What kinds of decisions are being made? Last year, after the September 15th full moon and start of the crisis, Mercury went retrograde and the TARP programmes were passed by Congress and the White House and then had to be altered over and over again. This is typical of a Mercury retrograde cycle. Government leaders need to be careful about rushing into decisions before the time is ripe. The new moon and Saturn in Virgo, the sign of health may indicate that issues of health care and insurance reform proposals will be at the forefront.

On a more personal level, while Mercury is retrograde here are a few tips:
Avoid:
Signing legal documents
Closing big deals
Launching new projects
Scheduling meetings to make a big decision
Backup your hard drive before the retrograde
Avoid installing new computer software during the retrograde
Do needed repairs on machinery before the retrograde

It’s a good time to:
Do follow ups on a project already started
Complete a project already started
Research a new project thoroughly
Catch up on paperwork
Hold an information-sharing meeting

Death in Astrology

During the course of my week as a professional astrologer, I am often asked about whether I see death in a chart. Here are a few pointers that I consider, however, each case is distinct and must be taken as a whole. It is not enough to look at the natal chart – you need to take into account the transits and the progressions. Sometimes death can be seen in a chart, but it is not necessarily physical death – it can mean the end of an old life and the opening up of a new life.

The eighth house in the natal chart rules all things usually hidden, sex, death, and taxes. Since it rules "other people’s money" it has rulership over inheritance, insurance, and joint monies between spouses and/or business partners. If there are no planets in your natal eighth house, you look to the ruler of the cusp of the 8th house and note its condition by aspect, sign, and house placement in your chart.
If the Sun and Moon have challenging aspects with Mars, Saturn, Uranus, or Pluto, there may be a short life. Others with less challenging aspects will have a life of medium length. A well aspected Saturn is an indicator of a long life. But there have to be other supporting aspects to fulfill this promise. It is important to remember that length of a life does not necessarily correlate soul advancement. Some people start out awkward and crusty and just get more awkward and crustier with age!

Before the three outer planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were discovered, Saturn was the indicator of death. Saturn constricts and restrains. Saturn rules the religions that are full of a lot of "Thou shalt nots..."

Saturn slows down any process, especially the process of the use of energy by your physical body. Therefore if Saturn is involved, it can indicate a slow death due to a long illness. The soul usually has time to prepare for the exit. This is normally an expected death, therefore the native has time to say good-bye and to better prepare for the soul’s journey. What sign Saturn is in your natal chart indicated what part of the body is the weakest. The parts of the body that rule the signs in square and opposition to your natal Saturn will also cause health problems. The movement of the planets through the sky and how they aspect the planets in your natal chart are very important in matters of health.

Mars having challenging aspects in a chart can indicate accidents and wounds by gunfire, knives, or any sharp instrument. Mars is most dangerous when in difficult aspect (conjunct, square, or opposition) to Uranus. Uranus is sudden events, like lightning striking. Uranus is unexpected and often involves automobiles, planes and trains. The soul will exit the body very quickly and suddenly when Uranus is involved.

Neptune with difficult aspects can indicate alcoholism or damage by drugs. Neptune is associated with a slowly wasting disease or condition. It can indicate the wrong medicine given by a doctor. It is the planet associated with the sea, therefore death by drowning. Neptune is also prominently aspected during earthquakes.

Please note, this is not a definitive list, and each case must always be examined on its own merit.

Uranus, Mars and Jupiter - what lies ahead this week and beyond?

This next week is going to be one of the most volatile we have seen for a long time. Why? Mars, Jupiter and Uranus are making powerful aspects to one another and anything involving these three planets is very unpredictable and often painful. Earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, storms, terrorist activity, aviation disasters and electric cuts have happened during similar combinations of these planets. Last week there was a typhoon in Taiwan that killed over 100 people, two earthquakes in Asia and wildfires in California. On August 18th-19th Mars will square Uranus which can be very dangerous and affect the safety of people around the world.

We are currently in a Saturn/Pluto waning phase between 2001-2020. Historically this is a time when, capitalist economies go from budget surplus to government deficits, accompanied by increased government spending, increased taxes, higher interest rates. When these policies take effect, there are more and longer-lasting recessions. If governments around the world want to change the historically trend, they need to start delivering policies that help put people back into employment so they add to the government’s tax income, instead of take from it.

Another way to change the course we are on would be for corporations to take much more social and ethical responsibility. We are in a 30-year transit of Saturn through the signs of Virgo and Libra – the middle of the zodiac, and a sector in which financial disparities can often give rise to class warfare. In today’s world of high unemployment, there is huge resentment against corporate executives and bankers who receive pay and bonuses that are in excess of $10 million and in many cases, over $100 million. These compensation packages have been given even in spite of poor performance by corporate executives.

Pluto is now in Capricorn, 2008 through 2023. The unethical relationship between business, financial institutions and governments that has taken advantage of societies throughout the world and given rise to resentment and rage over the income disparity between the “haves” and “have nots,” is now due to collapse – unless business leaders become aware of their moral responsibility to their employees. Until that happens, this “so-called” economic recovery is not likely to produce the number of new jobs – and new taxpayers - needed to sustain economic growth for any period of time.

Michael Jackson's Astrology Chart

Michael Jackson’s life has involved great self-transformation. He had many surgeries to his face and was never quite satisfied with the way he looked. This is represented in his astrology chart by the conjunction of his Sun and Pluto in Virgo. He was meticulous, he worked very hard and he was an absolute perfectionist. He was always fine-tuning his life in one way or another and particularly his physical appearance. Sun conjunct Pluto also can indicate massive wealth as the 2nd House is the ruler of Pluto and also of Mars in the 8th House.

The conjunction of Pluto and Mercury in the 11th House would denote the huge amount of people who followed him regardless of the rumours and stories in the media.

Libra ascendant made him very artistic and creative with the conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune in his first house giving him an imaginative and visionary ability. This gives him a compassionate heart and a generous spirit. He gave much to charity.

Mars in the 8th House in Taurus gave him great sex appeal and probably stimulated the erotic content in his work.

Uranus conjunct Venus in the 10th House in Leo would show his unusual dance moves and his androgynous nature. This conjunction was square to Mars in the 8th House meaning that he was always at war with himself. He was a very defensive person who had a great deal of difficulty expressing himself to the public and setting appropriate boundaries in his life.

The Moon in Pisces in the 5th House shows a delicate and sensitive person with tremendous creativity. The Moon is square to Saturn which means that no matter how rich or successful he became, he always had to work very hard. This also shows loneliness and a feeling of being misunderstood. The Moon is quite alone in the chart making an opposition to the Sun – this shows that he felt quite isolated and abandoned during his life, despite his great following.

I am often asked whether it can be shown astrologically whether he was a paedophile or not. There are a few possibilities that I would like to share here:

Pluto is conjunct Mercury – Pluto represents the sexual force and Mercury symbolises youth, so this is a possible aspect. Mars is square to Mercury which shows sexual energy towards children possibly being misdirected. He did not know how to behave correctly around young people. Finally, the Moon opposite Pluto also would show that he had some kind of attraction to young people. So whilst the possibility exists it is not shows definitively in his chart.

Nothing much in the transits showed his passing and astrologers had to dig deeper to find the causes. Perhaps the most significant aspect is Progressed Mars in the 8th House square to Natal Pluto the ruler of death.

His contributions to the world of music and dance will live on and he is now freed from a life that was very painful physically, emotionally and financially for him over the past few years.