UPDATE: 27 Feb 2010
Thank you for all your enquiries concerning the Year Ahead Forecasts for 2010. I’m working on them now and will do my best to get them published this week.

Just one note—-I refer to Solar Eclipses as being cosmic fingers that point to certain areas of the Earth. Over the past few years that finger has been pointing to Asia where many earthquakes. This year that finger has shifted eastward closer to the west coast of the Americas – North, Central and South. The earthquake in Chile today seems to confirm that.

THOUGHT FOR THE YEAR 2009
The heavens are making it abundantly clear. Life on Earth is entering a dramatic period of change. Pluto, the ruler of Hades in Greek mythology has left Sagittarius and is now in Capricorn, the sign of business until 2024. The most serious world economic crisis since the Great Depression has begun.

Capricorn represents stability and success in the material world. Pluto is the planet of death and rebirth. It brings transformation. When it blows, it does so with volcanic intensity. The world financial markets in recent months have been rocked by a series of major earthquakes. As a result, the corporation entity is facing its greatest challenge in its history.

There is yet another astrological configuration with an extremely potent punch that is moving into position. Astrologers call it the Cardinal Climax. Imagine a clock face. Uranus (revolution) is in Pisces at 9. Saturn (status quo) is in Virgo at 3. The ancient gods are locked in a tug-of-war. Pisces and Virgo are known as mutable signs in astrology. They bring change and facilitate transition. In the meantime, Pluto is slowing inching towards Noon. When it arrives there, it will form what is called a T-Square configuration with Saturn and Uranus.

The climax will come as Saturn, in October 2009, and Uranus, in May 2010, move into cardinal signs. When that happens, the big three – Saturn, Uranus and Pluto will be in Libra, Aries and Capricorn respectively. That’s the Cardinal Climax. Cardinal signs are a fount of energy. They like to take action and initiate. The tide is now rising. The path of humanity is about to be re-directed in a huge way. The last time these 3 planets got into a similar caustic arrangement was from 1929 to 1932. Yes, that’s right. It was during the Great Depression.

These are tough times, but by no means do they spell disaster. Alarm bells are ringing on the cosmic clock. The situation is potent and intense, but essentially it bodes wonderfully well, if wise leaders come to the rescue and guide us through the storm. Make no mistake about it. They will appear if we are passionate in our desire to improve the world.

You may be wondering if there is anything good coming in 2009. There most certainly is! Jupiter, the planet of expansion and hope enters Aquarius, the sign of change, on January 5th and will remain there all year. This is good for the air signs of Aquarius, Libra and Gemini, and the fire signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Ultimately, though, everyone regardless of their zodiac sign will be buoyed by a sense of hope.

Jupiter’s highly auspicious journey through Aquarius in 2009 will be magnified by the close proximity of magical Neptune, the planet of ideals, altruism and inspiration. The close liaison between these two planets all year will almost certainly bring a growth in the arts. Dialogue between nations will be enhanced. The opportunity to bridge the gulf between opposing viewpoints is distinctly possible. There is hope and a strong belief that positive thinking and constructive change will undo the woes of the world.

Here in Canada, there is quite the political drama unfolding. An historic coalition is ready to confront the government. The Liberals have responded to the urgency of the situation with alacrity by choosing a new leader.

There is a fascinating link between Venus cycles and recent Canadian general elections. Venus rules relationships of all kinds, for example love, business, politics, person to person, the individual versus society, humanity versus environment etc. Even the relationship between an electorate and their government is ruled by Venus.

All planets periodically appear to zig backwards before zagging forwards from our geocentric point of view. It’s called retrograde motion. The rhythms vary. Venus for example turns backwards once every 19 months for about 6 weeks. It brings an unsettled period when relationships require re-evaluation and re-assessment. The last two Venus retrogrades each coincided with the Canadian general elections of June 2004 and January 2006. Both produced uneasy minority governments. The Canadian electorate just couldn’t make up its mind.

Following this celestial precedent, one would expect a third general election to take place during the next Venus retrograde between March 6 and April 17, 2009. But Stephen Harper pre-empted it in a bid to gain a majority last October. Hmm, but his attempt failed. So, the odds are back on for an early spring election after all. Venus seems determined to send Canada to the polls until we get it right.

Uncertainty most definitely lies ahead for the entire world, but great success can be achieved during times of stress. In many ways, your chances are now better than ever. The sky is taking you on a journey of exploration that will lead to many exciting surprises. Keep your eye on the vision of the best possible future you’d love to create. This is potentially a wonderful year that will provide an unprecedented chance to move a giant step closer to what you most cherish.