Overview of 2008
 

One outer planet changes sign this year, Pluto. It will enter Capricorn on January 26th but returns to Sagittarius from June 14 to November 27th, and then enters Capricorn where it stays until 2023. This is a major change -- since Pluto takes 248 years to circle the zodiac, the last time it entered Capricorn was in 1762 (it remained there until 1778). See Pluto in Capricorn for more details. Pluto entering Capricorn will color the entire year -- the two years after Pluto enters Capricorn have been times of major transformation the last two times.

Jupiter in Capricorn is a more serious placement than Jupiter in Sagittarius. Jupiter, which is usually more humorous, open-minded, and reasonable becomes focused on achievement and “bettering” the obstacles which Capricorn places in its path. “It may be a disaster, but we came out on top”, says Jupiter in Capricorn. Even when Jupiter is humorous, it is a very dark humor. “I can’t believe it is this bad” laughs Jupiter in Capricorn. Jupiter entered Capricorn on December 18, 2007 and will stay through all of 2008 -- it leaves for Aquarius on January 5, 2009.

Uranus and Neptune remain in their signs. Uranus is still in Pisces, Neptune is in Aquarius. Neptune in Aquarius gives us nebulous fears (and demagoguery about these fears) but also allows us to have faith in science and to bring together science and faith (personally, I believe in intelligent design -- the method: evolution!). Pluto in Sagittarius gives power to religion and makes those who are religious become fanatically proselytizing. However, it also makes people speak truth to power, explore new paradigms for power, and uncover the truth with zeal. See Neptune in Aquarius and Pluto in Sagittarius for more details -- but be aware that Pluto will only be in Sagittarius for its final run in the summer.

Uranus in Pisces lightens the Neptune in Aquarius. With Uranus ruling Aquarius where Neptune is placed and Neptune ruling Pisces where Uranus is placed, this puts them in "mutual dispositorship". This has some of the qualities of a conjunction of these two planets. Uranus is in the more humorous Pisces. Here the oddness of Uranus is looked upon with humor rather than fear (as it was in Aquarius). And revolutionaries are looked upon as freeing from the old rather than forcing change upon the fearful. For more information, see Uranus in Pisces. The nebulous fears of Neptune in Aquarius are punctured by Uranus in Pisces -- want to stop the fearmongerers, bring humor.

There is one Saturn aspect, but it is a major one. Saturn aspects last for about 2 weeks, a week and a half before the date given and a week after. Jupiter aspects, in contrast, only last a week total (3 or 4 days before and 2-3 days afterwards). Saturn opposing Uranus only happens approximately every 45 years, but lasts through three or four oppositions spread over three years. Prior times were 1918 - 1920 and 1965-1967. During these times people demanded change (the planet of change directly confronts the planet of conservative authority) and, towards the end, a youth rebellion was started that lasted for three or more years beyond the last opposition. The first opposition is the day of the American presidential election.

Three Jupiter aspects form throughout the year: Jupiter semisquare Neptune, Jupiter trine Saturn, and Jupiter sextile Uranus.

On January 21st, September 8th, and November 21st Jupiter in Capricorn trines Saturn in Virgo. This is a continuation of the Jupiter - Saturn cycle which started in May, 2000 and lasts 20 years. Here the first third of the cycle is complete. Since the conjunction was the last in an earth sign for 800 years, we are continuing a throw back to earth (the 1980 was in air, and we will be in air for the next 200 years). However, here we are experiencing earth (Capricorn and Virgo) which replicates the earth conjunct in May, 2000.

The intention you started in May, 2000 flowers here. You take practical steps to grow and expand your commitment and accomplishments based on practical, achievable steps. The only downfall of these trines is that they can become limiting -- you won't take any risks beyond incremental improvements when, perhaps, something more dramatic is called for especially as Pluto is trailing Jupiter through Capricorn. It is interesting that we had speculative credit on homes while Jupiter was transiting Sagittarius, and as it conjuncts Pluto and enters Capricorn we suddenly realize that there have been no controls, no oversight, no responsibility (Capricorn) as Sagittarian shuksters roped people into homes which they ultimately couldn't afford.

The Jupiter semisquare Neptune is a minor aspect. In mid-January you take practical steps to expand your ability to concentrate and accomplish -- you pull away from your groundless fears.

Finally, Jupiter sextile Uranus on March 29th, May 21st, and November 13th is a time to take mass fads (Uranus in Pisces) and turn a profit from turning them into practical applications that people can use in real life (Jupiter in Capricorn). Another way we will see this is that people are aware of those on the edges of society, the poor and downtrodden, and find practical ways to have them accomplish and improve their lives.

The Mars retrograde ends on January 30th, we can again move forward with vigor -- throughout January your brain (and tongue) may be a bit sluggish, you just don't have the zip you usually have because Mars is retrograding in Gemini, which rules speed, local transportation, and mental abilities.

Of course, throughout the year Mercury retrogrades happen. January 28th through February 18th, May 26th through June 19th, and September 24th through October 15th. During these times it is best to work on thoughts and writings that have already occurred, not a time to start new ones. Better to edit than to write new prose. Better to fix than to create. Better to take a writing class than to write. People's communications, personal gadgets, and mail all break down. Of course, vows and contracts would be best put off until the retrograde ends (ie, bad time to do your wedding vows unless, perhaps, you are both editors or critics).

Planets Changing Signs
Jan 26 Pluto enters Capricorn
Jun 14 Pluto enters Sagittarius
Nov 27 Pluto enters Capricorn
 
Major Aspects
Jan 12 Jupiter (5 Capricorn 38) semisquare Neptune (20 Aquarius 38)
Jan 21 Jupiter (7 Capricorn 37) trine Saturn (7 Virgo 37)
Mar 29 Jupiter (19 Capricorn 47) sextile Uranus (19 Pisces 47)
May 21 Jupiter (22 Capricorn 9) sextile Uranus (22 Pisces 9)
Sep 08 Jupiter (12 Capricorn 32) trine Saturn (12 Virgo 32)
Nov 04 Saturn (18 Virgo 58) opposed Uranus (18 Pisces 58)
Nov 13 Jupiter (18 Capricorn 50) sextile Uranus (18 Pisces 50)
Nov 21 Jupiter (20 Capricorn 19) trine Saturn (20 Virgo 19)
 
Mercury Retrogrades
Jan 28 (23 Aquarius 53) – Feb 18 (8 Aquarius 19) 
May 26 (21 Gemini 32) - Jun 19 (12 Gemini 59) 
Sep 24 (20 Libra 50) - Oct 15 (7 Libra 34)

Mars Retrogrades
Nov 15, 2007 (12 Cancer 27) – Jan 30 (24 Gemini 5)

Jupiter Retrograde
May 09 retrograde (22 Capricorn 22)
Sep 07 direct (12 Capricorn 32)
 
Saturn Retrograde
May 02 direct (1 Virgo 41)
Dec 31 retrograde (21 Virgo 46)
 
Uranus Retrograde
June 26 (22 Pisces 39) - Nov 27 (18 Pisces 44)
 
Neptune Retrograde
May 26 (24 Aquarius 16) - Nov 1 (21 Aquarius 28)
 
Pluto Retrograde
Apr 02 (1 Capricorn 9) - Sep 08 (28 Sagittarius 30)
 
Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Feb 08 17 Aquarius 44 Solar (Annular)
Feb 20 01 Virgo 53 Lunar (Total)
Aug 01 09 Leo 32 Solar (Total)
Aug 16 24 Aquarius 21 Lunar (Partial)

To see how this relates to you personally, we offer taped astrological consultations both in person and over the telephone at $150 per hour (see Astrology Consultations or Wendy's qualifications). We also offer computerized predictions of the year ahead for $35 or interpretations of the birth chart for $30.

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