2007: A Quick Look at the Year AheadBy Ellen Zucker Welcome to 2007. Here are some of myimpressions of what the coming year is likely to bring.
Just as one looks to the birth chart to glean information about a person, one can cast a chart for an event.
And so I cast a chart for January 1, 2007 at 12:01 am, the very beginning of the new year. I chose Washington DC. as my location to emphasize the US and its government.
We continue to go through major shifts, but their full effects are not yet visible.
The good news is, on the surface, this is a year of relative stability and a time of finishing old matters such as the 'lameduck' Bush administration.
The bad news: I do not expect to see fundamental problems addressed in any substantial way in 2007.
Real change begins in 2008.
So, let's take a look at our New Year's chart.
Eight planets are concentrated on the very bottom, occupying only one quarter of the chart. These range from Jupiter in Sagittarius to Uranus in Pisces.
Only Saturn and the Moon are outside the lineup, looking down from above the horizon.
Saturn is the planet of structure. In mundane astrology, the study of world events, Saturn rules the government in terms of its institutions of authority and enforcement. This planet has been sitting in Leo since July of 2005.
Leo, a fixed sign, is also the sign of royalty. Planets in Leo tend to stay the course. Andstay the course.
Many astrologers view Saturn in Leo as a representation of the current U.S. presidency. Coincidentally, George W. Bush has Leo rising in his birth chart.
In my opinion, the image of Saturn gazingdown upon the planetary cluster on the bottomof the chart graphically represents the distance between the current administration and itscitizenry.
As Saturn hovers above, it makes no contacts to inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars) suggesting a lack of any personal connection to the populace.
Nor does it make any contacts to the Moon, the planet that represents the people of a country.
The contacts it does make are with Pluto, planet of power and control, and Neptune,planet of ideals and disillusionment.
Neptune and Saturn will continue to face each other down during 2007 as it did this past year.
The opposition will become exact again at the end of February and late June. During their contacts in late 2005 and 2006, much of the American populace became disillusioned with Administration's leadership, in large part due to the worsening situation in Iraq.
While continuing disillusionment is one possibility, Neptune/Saturn contacts by transit have also been correlated with economic downturn.
When the New Year rings in, the Moon, representing the people of a nation, is in Gemini. Moon in Gemini excels in taking in and processing information. The Moon is located in the 9th house, the area of the chart dealing with philosophy and belief systems.
This Moon - the public - is unhappy. The Moon is part of a stressful configuration called a 'T' square. It stands opposite Mars and Jupiter in Sagittarius and forms a tight 90 degree angle to Uranus in Pisces.
Mars is the God of War and the Jupiter deals with value systems. Both planets are in Sagittarius, a sign that deals with foreign affairs. Uranus represents the desire for change.
The public has been processing mass mediaand internet coverage as well as the spate of books that have come out regarding the conduct of the Iraq war. It doesn't like what it has been learning and it is upset with the administration.
In September, Saturn leaves Leo for Virgo.
Virgo is a mutable sign. Like all mutable signs it is resourceful and quick to adapt to change. Unlike Leo who regards itself as royalty, Virgo is modest, even self-effacing.
Mercury ruled Virgo is detailed oriented and analytical. Government may take a greaterinterest in personal and public informationit has at its disposal, especially in 2008 and beyond when Pluto enters Capricorn.
From the standpoint of business, Saturn's two-and-a-half year journey through Virgo puts a highlight on a specific set of industries.
Mercury ruled Virgo deals with editing, writing - particularly about technical subjects. It also deals with training, systems management, and employee benefits.
The sign also rules health, and the health care system, exercise, even pets. Health care reform anyone?
Virgo is also concerned with the environment. Expect environmental concerns to get increasing attention.Also, Labor, labor concerns, and unions will garner more of the spotlight.
These areas may experience pressure to pare down and restructure.
Pressures on Leo ruled industries such as the special events industry and gaming will ease. Nonetheless, Saturn in Virgo may move people to be more value conscious, but not at the expense of quality.
If you have planets or sensitive points in the early degrees of any mutable sign (Virgo, Pisces, Gemini, and Sagittarius), you may find yourself prodded to embark on an exercise regimen or make improvements to diet.
From mid-November to the end of January, Mars goes retrograde. Retrograde Mars is associated with a decline in business activity. It is strongly recommended not to beginnew enterprises then, but instead to reexamine strategies.
Some financial astrologers feel that an economic downturnis possible in the second half of the year.
In 2007, we also finish up a Pluto cycle.
Pluto cycles are long-term trends. During its stay in Sagittarius we witnessed, among other things, the growth of political power of religious fundamentalists of all stripes. Pluto reveals the dark side of all it touches, ie., the Catholic Church's pedophile priest scandal.
As we get to the end of Pluto's travels here, it seems that the fundamentalists' push for power is losing steam. Their 'values' driven agenda did not noticeably affect November's mid-term election. Prime mover Ralph Reed lost his clout as a result of his involvement in the Jack Abramoff scandals.
In many ways, 2007 lays the groundwork for 2008 when change will become more pronounced. At year-end, Jupiter exits Sagittarius for Capricorn, and in early 2008, as we diiscussed, Pluto leaves Sagittarius after 13 years in the sign.
As a cardinal sign, Capricorn stirs action. In 2008 and going forward, you can count on people to act on their dissatisfaction and count on the 'powers that be' to be less than pleased.
It will get very interesting. Stay tuned.
© 2006 Ellen M. Zucker
| 
