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Magazine
Ushering in the New Year
THE highlight of 2002 will be the final opposition of Saturn and Pluto on May 25, 2002. All other events this year will revolve around this seminal alignment, which has catalysed the energy for the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington DC, the fighting in Afghanistan, social unrest over globalisation, restructuring of the world economy and a telecommunications revolution for both good and ill. The outcome of all Saturn-Pluto oppositions is a higher order emerging from a previously chaotic situation.
The New Year may start out on a slow but peaceful note with the Sun conjunct Venus in Capricorn on January 14 and Mercury retrograde in Aquarius on January 18. The Sun also joins Mercury, Venus, Neptune and Uranus in the humanitarian sign of Aquarius on January 20. The second two weeks of January also feature harmonious alignments, with Venus conjunct Neptune on January 25, Mercury conjunct Venus on January 26 and Mercury conjunct Neptune and the Sun on January 27.
The pace quickens in February when both Mercury and Saturn turn direct on February 8, bringing nebulous plans to a more concrete conclusion. The New Moon in Aquarius on February 12, ushers in the Chinese New Year of the Horse. This is a year in which the qualities of steadiness, patience, loyalty and bravery will be richly rewarded.
Then, Saturn squares Venus on February 18, Pluto squares Venus on February 25 and Saturn squares the Sun on February 26. These rigorous alignments will bring individuals face-to-face with their greatest fears and challenges. The solution to this confrontational period will be to state clearly your intention, vision, or truth. Even if you think you will "lose" something by standing up for your beliefs, you have everything to gain by taking a courageous stand.
Jupiter then turns direct on March 1 just minutes after Mars enters Taurus. This will open the way for an energetic month in which you may experience many forces pulling you in diverse directions. Resolution will come when you harness the energy of Mars in the Sign of the Bull, and remain steadfast with your awareness centred in your spinal column. This will help you connect with your own personal truth and a higher spiritual reality.
March also features the Sun square Pluto on March 8 and Mercury conjunct Uranus on March 9, when subterranean tensions could surface and be expressed. Previously expressed conflicts will have the possibility of resolution with fair and honest negotiations during the week of March 17, when Mercury squares Saturn and Pluto.
The constellations of Aries and Taurus are high in the sky in April and include the passage of Mercury through Aries, Taurus and Gemini, while Venus transits Taurus and Gemini, and Mars moves through Taurus and Gemini. While the energies of Aries, Taurus and Gemini are emphasised, expect accelerated activity in the quadrant of your chart where springtime energies are represented. You will feel that celestial support is especially strong if your birth date falls under the signs of Aries, Taurus or Gemini.
Expect intransigent or stubborn energies to predominate during the first two weeks <147,1,0>of May. Mars hits Saturn in Gemini on May 3, Venus hits Saturn in Gemini on May 7, Mars in Gemini opposes Pluto on may 8, Venus in Gemini opposes Pluto on May 9 and Venus conjoins Mars in Gemini on May 10.
The Moon was in Gemini when the terrorist attacks occurred in New York and Washington as well as when fighting began in Afghanistan. The accent on Gemini will stir energy from September-October, 2001. Mercury retrograde in the air sign of Gemini on May 15 also will incite memories from the past and a fervent desire to set the record straight.
Additionally, the final of three oppositions between Saturn and Pluto occurs on May 25. This alignment occurs once every 35 years and is responsible for bringing repressed ideas to the surface in sometimes violent ways. This alignment also occurred in 1965-66, which coincides with the outbreaks of race riots and civil unrest across the planet, which resulted in greater equality and civil rights for many repressed minority groups. Saturn and Pluto first aligned in opposition on August 5, 2001, and again on November 2, 2001. The resolution of Saturn-Pluto issues can be time-consuming but transformational.
Hours after the Saturn-Pluto opposition, the Sagittarius Moon will eclipse the Gemini Sun. Expect unexpected events that could alter the course of your life. Use prayer and affirmation to insure that a path is open for you to use this energy in a positive way.
The Sun will eclipse the Moon in Gemini two weeks later on June 10, just days after the Gemini Sun opposes Pluto in Sagittarius on June 6. Mercury also turns direct in Gemini on June 8 and the Sun conjoins Saturn in Gemini. Expect frenetic action. Practise contemplation and meditation to bring about a coherent result.
Another Lunar Eclipse follows on June 24 with the Sun in Cancer and the Moon in Capricorn. This eclipse will re-awaken issues from the summers of 2001 and 1983. Look back to those periods to give greater meaning to your current life experience.
Mars moves into fiery Leo on July 13, just weeks before Mercury enters Leo on July 21 and the Sun enters Leo on July 23. This concentration of energy in the sign of Leo will stimulate the energy of the Fixed Grand Cross Solar Eclipse of August 11, 1999. This is a date referred to by Nostradamus and obliquely referenced in the Biblical Book of Revelations as the beginning of the end of time as we know it. Spiritual practise and prayer are powerful tools for gaining greater consciousness.
Jupiter, the planet, of good luck, also moves into Leo on August 1. Jupiter will remain in the fiery sign of Leo for one year, until August 2003. Under the influence of Jupiter in Leo, issues of the personal ego versus surrender to the will of the group will predominate.
The Sun enters the sign of Virgo on August 23 and Mars enters Virgo on August 29. It is rare for Mars and the Sun to move so closely in tandem, and this celestial dance is likely to accentuate the male qualities of aggression and determination. Each individual will have the opportunity to choose for him — or herself the way to manifest this raw energy. Pluto also turns direct in Sagittarius on August 26, after more than five months in retrograde motion, paving the way for the expression of previously repressed energies. Again, consciousness is the best guide to directing these powerful forces.
Mercury turns retrograde, this time in the air sign of Libra, from September 14 to October 6. This celestial transit opens the way for re-examining and healing of the past. The Harvest Moon, the Full Moon that falls closest to the Autumn Equinox and appears to rise closest to the horizon, occurs on September 21 in Virgo and Pisces, just as Saturn in Gemini squares the Virgo Sun, presenting challenges to unrealistic plans.
The Fall Equinox follows on September 23 and will usher in a period of greater balance and global harmony. Mars enters the diplomatic sign of Libra on October 15 and Venus squares Jupiter on October 17. This combination could bring new solutions to old conflicts. When the sun and Mercury enter Scorpio later in October, deeper levels of pain and conflict may be healed.
Finally, a series of eclipses at year's end create the opportunity for new patterns and paradigms. The November 19 Lunar Eclipse with the Sun in Scorpio and Moon in Taurus opens the way for a redistribution in wealth and dramatic changes in material fortunes — both up and down. A New Moon Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius in December 4 opens the way for new ideas, travel and foreign exchange by year's end.
Numerologically, the transition to 2002 will be marked by a shift in consciousness to the balance represented by the two 2s and two 0s in 2002. The year 201 showed you where you were out of balance. The year 2002 will give you the chance to heal any imbalances that you discovered. With consciousness, diligence, patience and determination, you may use any adversity you encounter in 2002 to bring you to a state of greater awareness, strength and balance. Have a happy and blessed transition to 2002.
The author is not available for personal consultations.
LAURIE BAUM
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