Zodiac New Year Forecast

Examining the major social changes that lie ahead in the astrological new year

by Jeff Jawer

The astrological new year begins when the Sun enters Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, on March 20, marking the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Of course, one doesn't need to be an astrologer to know that we're in the midst of a significant period of change. Economic pressures, political gridlock and earthquakes around the globe give us the sense that something's going to pop. The planets support this idea, leading us into a new age of transformation that's going to look very different from the world of our parents and grandparents.

We're likely to sense a hastening pace when revolutionary Uranus enters pioneering Aries on May 27, joined there by expansive Jupiter on June 8. This uncommon conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus signals breakthroughs and surprises that will open our eyes wide and awaken a new sense of what's to come. As these two slow-moving planets separate and then reconnect on September 18 this year and Jan. 4, 2011, minds may be blown with brilliant revelations through technological leaps and intellectual discoveries. It would be nice if all these surprises were benign, yet these explosive conjunctions can also topple institutions, rattle the earth and shake our belief systems.

Stern Saturn began a series of powerful oppositions with Uranus in the fall of 2008 that corresponded with crises in the financial world and the election of the first mixed-race president of the United States. The aftershocks of these events continue until this pair's final opposition on July 26, increasing the tempo of change and likelihood of shakeups for individuals and organizations. Some of these shifts may sweep away outmoded attitudes and institutions, leading to real reform. Others may seem less beneficial as the gap widens between progressive forces and those opposing changes to the status quo.

Another major piece in the astrological puzzle is a series of stressful 90-degree squares between planetary heavyweights Saturn and Pluto on Nov. 15, 2009, January 31 and Aug. 21, 2010. This is an intense alignment that builds pressure, especially on the economy and the environment. Individually, it can feel as if options are limited and that darker days lie ahead. Fortunately, this is only one side of the story. Saturn in the relationship sign of Libra squaring off with Pluto in authoritative Capricorn has, thus far, been most obvious in the failure of U.S. politicians to make progress in heath care reform. It also reflects the safety issues heretofore reliable Toyota has been facing. Yet it reminds us that when we take responsibility for how we interact with others by addressing unpleasant issues, truth will prevail. It may not be pretty, but it's a powerful step toward cleaning up private and public messes.

An amazing facet of these significant planetary alignments is that most of them occur in the early degrees of the cardinal signs that initiate the four seasons of the year: Aries (spring), Libra (fall) and Capricorn (winter). These are the primary points of change in the astrological calendar, reinforcing the significant transformations that are now underway and will continue through 2015. Some astrologers have coined the term "Cardinal Climax" to describe this uncommon alignment, however, this can be a misleading name. Technically, we're seeing a T-square in which opposing planets (Jupiter-Uranus to Saturn) form 90-degree angles to a third planet (Pluto). But cardinal signs mark beginnings rather than endings, and it would be a strange story indeed if the climax occurred at the start. Although it's likely that we will see the end of some systems and organizations, these are only to clear the way for a brighter future ahead.

While it can be hard to be optimistic when faith in both government and business is falling, the power of these cardinal alignments lies in the intentions and actions of each one of us. The wheel of history is coming to a major turn, and it is us who are at the helm. While we do not personally control our biggest and most powerful institutions, the individual acts of intention where we take responsibility for our personal lives produce major shifts that affect us all. Our private acts of courage, creativity and integrity contribute to a collective wave that is greater than the force of any political, business or religious leader. The great breakthrough of this time is that we are each leaders who will steer humanity through our current crisis to a more meaningful tomorrow with every constructive step we take.

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