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Meet Your Fate in 2008
Mercury Enters Aquarius at the New Moon in Capricorn
Venus and Juno Conjoin in Sagittarius
By Shelley L. Ackerman
[From Shelley's weekly Shimmering Stars' column in
The Westchester Guardian, © 2008]
Fate or Free Will?
and
The Iowa Caucus, The NH primary & Dancing With the Stars:
After the volatile aftermath of the assassination of Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the riots in Kenya following what is rumored to be a rigged election and the surprising victories of Barak Obama and Mike Huckabee in the Iowa Caucus, we gear up for the first full work week of 2008.
As discussed in this column in the weeks leading up to this point, the opposition between Mars and Pluto, so close to the cardinal world axis, promised turbulence and drama on the world stage and the aspect has delivered the goods: Pluto’s involvement always raises the age-old issue of fate versus free will. Astrologers are divided as to which runs the show. Most modern-humanistic astrologers subscribe to a belief that free will overrides all else. I agree but also believe that there is a subtle dance between the two that is always at play.
I think that there is a plan for all of us, but depending on the choices we make, the awareness achieved, how well we do, and how much we grow, that plan is constantly being revised and reformatted to adapt to the morphing needs of our soul and spirit. There are always choices: Do you go forward day by day unconsciously? Do we, when tempted, take the low road? Or do we size up a situation, refer to your experience and choose a more refined path? Astrology, when used correctly, offers insights that empower us by enabling us to understand ourselves better and to then make more rewarding choices.
Pluto is associated with fate. And as the Lord of the Underworld prepares to leave Sagittarius and enter Capricorn in a little more than two weeks, we will each be faced with a little bit of Fate 101 to deal with and respond to. Is it our nation’s fate to have the first black president, woman president, one who will take on big business, or revert back to the familiar with a bible totin’ former Baptist Minister?
The 2008 Presidential election has been in motion for 2 years now. It’s as much a reality show as it is a race for the leader of the free world. It seems as if the competitive entertainment culture of Survivor and Dancing With the Stars has become one with political coverage and we can barely tell the difference between the two. It’s all too soon, and happening with Mars still retrograde.
Since Mars has a lot to do with drive, competition, and leadership, it’s almost laughable that so much has been placed on the results of these early caucuses and primaries. Though the pundits have been going nuts with their post-Iowa Caucus and pre- Super Tuesday analysis, astrologers are sitting here laughing about the ridiculousness of trying to call anything about the November election this early. Truth be told, we need to wait at least until the end of May when Mars leaves Cancer and Saturn goes direct to have a clear sense of where all of this is heading. And even then, in this world-wide climate of rigged elections (Kenya, Pakistan, and possibly India) we have a much bigger problem to deal with here: Does anyone’s vote really count or are election results now determined by those in charge of tabulating the ballots? Our main concern must be- will each vote count as cast?
Chart: New Moon Capricorn 2008
Click for larger view
ARIES: Though the year begins with your ruling planet Mars still slowly creeping backwards, you can accumulate enormous strength during this ‘recharging’ period. It’s similar to taking a very long and deep breath in preparation for singing a huge aria. Mercury enters Aquarius on the 7th- before the new moon in your career house: Friends you didn’t even know you had pop out of the woodwork and rally to assure success in a new endeavor. Be willing to delegate. A partner may need to travel at an inopportune time. Don’t hold it against them.
TAURUS: Two spots vie for your attention this week: The first involves a conflict between a partner’s desire to have some delightful but expensive fun on your dime and your pressing need to bear down and focus on a project that must get done NOW. Guess who’s gonna win? YOU! Though it’s much less sexy than what your buddy has in mind, you can’t afford to blow this on a momentary diversion. Next up, is a bright idea that comes by way of an inspired superior: Though it needs fleshing out, pay attention to this baby. It could work out and line your pockets nicely.
GEMINI: Though it’s impossible for most of us to have our cake and eat it too, you generally have a way of pulling it off, but not so, not now. The new moon in your 8th house of loans and other people’s money makes it very likely for you to get approved for a chunk of change to tend to a little home improvement. But there’s a caveat: In exchange, you must stay put and TCB as family needs arise. Delaying some romantic gratification is but a small price to pay for the love and stability you’ve gotten and will continue to get in return.
CANCER: The possibility of a date with a sweet friend at work is a colossal turn-on and sounds like a fabulous thing to do but transportation issues may make it impossible. Bummer. This is one time where a pied a terre close by would (sigh) solve everything. Economic opportunities arise with romantic and/or business partners on the new moon of January 8th and these have legs. Make sure that you have wheels and a plan B in place should anything go wrong with your vehicle. And while you’re at it, take that darn thing to the shop already.
LEO: The build up of planets in your 6th house of work, and day to day routine puts the focus squarely on scheduling and your health. Do not neglect your teeth, your bones, or making sure that you have the ergonomic support you need to work those longer hours that you’re suddenly required to put in. You’re being tested like crazy, and if you’re able to gracefully handle the ridiculous indignity of being treated like a newbie slave, you’ll never have to go through anything like this again.
VIRGO: Here’s a multiple choice to cheer you up: Though retrograde Saturn in your sign feels like 1. A noose around your neck. 2. An uncomfortable girdle that you can’t get out of. 3. Tight shoes that are making your feet blister in several places. 4. All of the above. You must do your best to not be a complete stick in the mud. Pretend that the Publisher’s Clearing House truck is about to pull up to your home and give you a check for $10 million. It’s not that far fetched. Some fabulous energy is hovering around your front door. Keep the latch on but look through the peephole.
LIBRA: First things first. You can’t let your home go one more day without beginning to clear it up so that you can do things differently. The new moon in your 4th house says that it’s time for a BIG change. Do not allow a charming neighbor or a demanding or possessive sibling to ‘bogart’ (monopolize) your time and distract you from what you must get to now. Shut your cell phone and take your landline off the hook, but treat this as the priority that it is.
SCORPIO: Privacy is your middle name and those who know you are sensitive to your need to withdraw and retreat: And if they’re smart, they respect it. But on the new moon, you could be called upon to revisit your role as a responsible and caring neighbor and/or sibling. You may be asked to leave your comfort zone behind for a while and tend to the needs of one or more persons fairly close by. Yes, it’s an inconvenience. But it’s possible that it’s time for karmic payback for a debt you incurred many centuries ago.
SAGITTARIUS: On January 7th, when (the asteroid) Juno’s desire for commitment merges with Venus’ passion eroticism, all bets are off. You’re in heat darling, and extremely magnetic to all in your sphere. Use this hypnotic power wisely and for heaven’s sake don’t accept the first offer you get. This energy can also jumpstart a political pursuit or prompt you to book a trip to a destination you’ve longed to see. The new moon in Capricorn on Jan 8 will yield a new financial template (Thinking about incorporating, perhaps?) Welcome it and work it!
CAPRICORN: At first glance, your birthday month should be off to a great start with the new moon on the 8th and Mercury in your 2nd house of cash and carry. What could be more wonderful? Well nothing. But if you don’t tend to a little problem with someone from your past who wants your attention now, it could grow into something harder to handle. Take emotional responsibility for your part in this situation (which by the way, may or may not be sexual) and don’t be dismissive of this person. All anyone really wants or needs is to be heard, understood, and validated.
AQUARIUS: On the outside you’re effervescent and chatting up a storm but inside you feel completely pulled in two directions and are hard pressed to figure out exactly why it’s bothering you so. On the one hand, your social life is revved up and you seem to be on everyone’s “A” list. But your co-ruler, Saturn is retrograde in Virgo in your 8th house of deep self-analysis. There’s no riddle here: the bottom line is that you have less to give now and that’s OK. Who said that you must be the life of the party and in a mood to relate 24/7?
PISCES: With Venus and Juno on the top of your chart, you have the allure of an irresistible fashion model (or leading man). The new moon in your 11th house puts you in a whole new league of fine and influential people who are not only in a position to further you, but who actually would be honored by the chance to do it. The fly in the ointment is your partner’s (or best friend’s) legitimate lack of energy or enthusiasm about this fortunate turn of events. Don’t let their lack of joie de vie sink you, it shouldn’t. But do, work on the relationship, he/she/it needs TLC. Be patient and expect little short term and you’ll be surprised by how much you get.