Midlife Transits

This is the last Christmas/holiday season you’ll spend with an outer planet in your sign for more than a decade to come. You’ve had outer planet attention for so long that by the time Neptune leaves in spring 2011, you may feel oddly lonely at not being buffeted about by strange cosmic forces. Neptune in your sign, now on his goodbye tour, represents your sign’s intended disillusionment with cold hard rationality and intended embrace of the power of irrationality. We are near the end of the process of a major change in your style, and it’s all to the good. It allows other people to find you more accessible and helps you connect with them. What better time than the holiday season to embrace the irrational power of warm fuzzies, to dish them out and receive them in equal measure.

This is also Sagittarius month, which means it’s friendship month for Aquarius. This is when you discover the state of your friendships. At the new moon on the 5th, set an intention or make a wish that all your friends be true ones and that you may be a true friend to all those you care about. Mercury also happens to be retrograde in Sagittarius from the 18th through the 30th. This can mean re-connecting with old friends. Since Sagittarius is an international sign, you may also be connecting with friends from other countries.

Your ruler, revolutionary Uranus, is also active this month. He goes direct on the 5th. This is also the last Christmas he’ll be able to kick your finances around. He’s been trying to make them practically ungovernable for the last 7 years, and you’ll probably be happy to see him leave for more compatible Aries next spring.

Finally, there’s a lunar eclipse in Gemini on the 21st. It could affect your social life, your love life, your children, or even your creative output. It would normally do so in the form of sudden news or a surprise. This looks to be a rather energetic eclipse, so if it doesn’t affect you directly, you may notice its effects on others around you or on society at large.

There’s just a ton of Scorpio energy in the skies this month, a trend that began in October. You’ll want to take advantage of the sun in Scorpio from the 23rd of October through the 21st of November. This sun transit helps you employ various devices and stratagems to figure out what’s really going on in your career these days. Put on your detective hat if need be to uncover the straight dope.

I’m not saying you actually need to do any spying, but if you’re a supervisor it’s time to do a bit of the ‘undercover boss’ thing. If you’re an entrepreneur, it’s time to figure out how good your customer service really is. If you’re uncertain as to what your career should be, it’s time to check out educational programs. If none of those apply, it’s just time to look into career advancement.

Your annual career new moon takes place on the 5th or the 6th of the month, depending on where you live. In fact, it is during the first week of the month that the career energy is most potent, as Mercury and Venus are in Scorpio at this time also. This is the time to take charge of your own visibility. The Venus retrograde energy is a little different from the others, though, in the sense that it’s more of a seductress. Try not to give into temptation nor lead others into it.

Your most powerful time for combining adherence to duty with professional charm is around the 1st, when Venus connects with Pluto in Capricorn. Take advantage.

After the 21st, more of the energy is centered on your social life, but there will be more career energy in December, so don’t relax too much.

The sun starts out the month in Libra in your solar 9th house. This is the sector that Saturn’s moved into, and it’s the sector of beliefs. Saturn here can do a number of things. It can push you toward developing a set of rigid beliefs that it wants you and everyone else to adhere to. It can encourage you to push your already existing beliefs onto others. Or it can bring you into contact with others who are dogmatic about their beliefs. If you’re getting the idea that Saturn is kind of pushy here, you’d be right. With the sun moving this sector, a new moon here on the 7th, and Mercury traveling through, you’ll get a chance to take a conscious look at what Saturn is doing in this sector for you so far. If what Saturn is doing is getting on your nerves (or other people’s), you have a chance this month to talk to him rationally and take charge of the situation. You need to decide how comfortable you are with Saturn’s pushiness and adjust accordingly.

On the 23rd, the sun moves into Scorpio and your solar 10th house. The 10th house is the house of greatness, or delusions of greatness depending on the situation. It’s also the house of ambition, the desire to succeed and so on. If you aspire to greatness and success, you’ll have help from more than the sun this month. You’ll have Venus and Mars here almost all month long. This happens more rarely than you might think. Time to go after what you want and maybe make a little money in the process. Your prime opportunity time to go after riches is the 20th through the 26th. Yes, there may be a little delusion involved, but if you don’t get too carried away, delusion can function as inspiration and vision.

Jupiter and Uranus fuse in your money house this September. It’s tough to say whether they will want to lure money to you or spend it on neat stuff. Pisces is a spiritual sign, and Jupiter loves animals. When the two energies get together, they may like to purchase something like an animal totem or some sort of lucky talisman for you. If you do feel the urge to buy stuff, try to keep it within bounds. Jupiter has a tendency to feel that if one of something is good, then two would be even better! Not always the case.

On the other hand, Jupiter and Uranus may just want to tell you that your best resource lies in your ability to escape and enjoy yourself for awhile. Pisces is also a nature-loving sign, so a retreat into nature might refresh and restore you. If you can’t get away, another possibility is that your spiritual clan will help bring money to you.

Venus and Mars switch from Libra to Scorpio this month. Venus leaves Libra on the 8th, Mars on the 14th. Libra is your travel sign and you have Saturn in residence there for quite a while to come. Saturn rules mountains, so if you do manage to swing an escape from your abode into a natural environment, a trip to the mountains could really clear your head.

Scorpio, the sign of power, is also your career sign. Therefore, from the 8th on, you have more magical powers in your profession than usual. Use them for good.

Something in your chart is paranoid about your reputation in August, as Pluto in Capricorn makes nasty angles to other planets all month, and scours the skies for hidden enemies. Fortunately, relaxed Neptune in your own friendly sign somewhat counteracts the vibe. Neptune-y people (artistic and/or spiritual types, for example) are still likely to be attracted to you or hold you in good regard. Healers may also give assistance, or you may be able to help others heal.

Meanwhile, your ruler Uranus moves from Aries back into Pisces mid-month. Theoretically, while Uranus is in Aries, he wants to help you achieve some goal or gain some results in the area of communication. He’s planted some seeds in that area, and now he’s going to go leave them alone and let them germinate for awhile. In Pisces, he comes back to take aim at your finances once again. 7 more months of Uranus taking aim at your finances and then you won’t have to deal with him in that spot again unless you live to be really really old. (It takes Uranus 84 years to circle the zodiac.)

Your first instinct will probably be to want to hide your money from Uranus, since he’s spent a lot of time trying to snatch it away from many Aquarians. However, since this is his last tour in Pisces (until March 2011), you may want to consider that perhaps his real aim now is to increase your income, not destroy it. That should probably be your goal anyway, to make more money.

The headline news is that a new moon eclipse in Cancer on July 11 can bring a new job your way. With so many people out of work in this economy, that’s good news indeed. Cancer is a home-oriented sign, so the new job may involve working from home or work that is related to houses, real estate or the like. Eclipses are really personal in their effects, so it’s hard to say much more than that about how this one will affect you (and it may not show up until about a month from the actual eclipse date), but it will hopefully bring soothing news of some sort.

Even if the eclipse does not seem to affect you, there is Cancer energy until July 22, so don’t give up if you are looking for a job. Another area of improvement could be your health. Mercury in Cancer can also help until the 9th. Cancer is a nature-loving sign, so if you need a perk-me-up, get out and enjoy the outdoors, or at least put some flowers in your home to bring beauty into your life.

There’s also energy in Leo all month long, and this puts a spotlight on your personal life. Someone that you care about needs your attention. You may also need to tone down your typical Aquarian uniqueness around the time of the full moon in your sign on the 25th.

Speaking of uniqueness and its opposite, conformity–there’s a battle brewing between your uniqueness-loving ruler Uranus and Mr. Conformity himself, Saturn. Pluto in Capricorn also squares off against Jupiter in Aries, echoing the same theme. This battle takes place in relatively weak areas of your chart, but you might as well know that the entire dang globe is trying to figure out how to manage these competing impulses. You may be a bit buffered from some of the angst by vague Neptune in your own sign, but the issues will probably be on your mind.

Here’s the global riddle of the month: Is being unique a good thing if it’s not useful? If not, how can uniqueness be made useful? Figure this out, and you’ll be way ahead of everyone else.

On June 6, Jupiter joins Uranus in Aries in your solar 3rd house of communications. This is an extreme combination and it’s hard to say how it will play out given the other influences of the month. Normally, Aries is a very enthusiastic sign and Jupiter is a very enthusiastic planet, so enthusiastic that their zeal knows no bounds. Put them together with Aquarius and I suppose one of you could suddenly start a new religion (Jupiter represents establishing religions) and start trying to convert the entire world–with goodness knows what consequences.

On the other hand, we have a lunar eclipse in Capricorn this month on the 26th, and that could be churning up chunks of lava from your subconscious mind that prevent you from going all the way off the deep end regarding whatever it is that Jupiter and Uranus in Aries are so enthusiastic about. You may have other things to deal with. Also, this volatile combination of enthusiasm and zeal are taking place in your solar 3rd house, and typically whatever planets land here are subject to Aquarian scrutiny before natives start letting them throw wild pitches. Furthermore, Mars enters Virgo this month (on the 7th), which means Aquarians have to start paying attention to their finances and their health again and have to remain at least somewhat focused on practical matters.

Still, in spite of all the factors that take away from the focus on Jupiter and Uranus, the underlying fact is that the universe seems to be encouraging Aquarius to speak up with a certain amount of energy. Uranus and Jupiter both look at the big picture and social issues, so the guessing money indicates that Aquarians are being prodded to express their opinions on issues like religion, politics, and so on. Bottom line: if you can find someone or something to support, it seems you can make a contribution to the world now.

Play time comes a bit early to the Aquarius chart in 2010. Venus in Gemini kicks off your early summer season of frivolity in the beginning of the month and then sun in Gemini picks it up during the last 10 days.

Play, of course, can mean many things. It can mean games, including video games. It can mean things like going out and attending concerts. It can mean getting outside and enjoying your yard. It can mean hanging with your kids. It can mean taking an art class, learning an instrument, exploring your community, reading a book, going to a party. Bad movies and hokey community theater qualify too. The idea is simply to have fun. The sun and Mercury in Taurus will want you to have fun at home, but really it’s your call.

Mars meanwhile is very close to finishing up its long tour of your solar 7th house. Mars has theoretically been bringing drama to your close relationships, adding emotion and perhaps causing unexpected conflicts. If so, you will probably be glad to see him go early next month. For some of you, however, Mars simply adds life and playfulness to your activities with others. If that’s the case for you–take advantage in May while you’ve still got the energy.

At the end of the month, Uranus moves into Aries for the first time in your life.  Here it takes pressure off your finances and brings a certain amount of creativity to the part of your chart that is supposed to be in charge of logical analysis. If you write, it may add a touch of unexpected verve to compositions that would normally be more cut and dried.

Saturn moves back into Virgo to face off against Uranus in Pisces again this month. Ho hum. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt that says ‘By now, I’m kinda used to being broke.’ No point in worrying about it at this stage of the game; your financial prospects will theoretically improve by the end of the month.

Meanwhile, Pluto is digging around in the part of your chart that relates to becoming conscious of your old patterns of thought and behavior. He’s making goo-goo eyes at inner planets in Taurus in your solar 4th house of the soul this month, too. In short, you have a chance to ‘get it’ on a soul level this month–whatever the ‘it’ in question may be in your own life.

On the other hand, Pluto’s also a bit of an obsessive-compulsive. So he may have you repeating old patterns so compulsively that you’re finally convinced that the time has come to stop them; you can’t take it anymore. Pluto can be a bit devious that way.

Pluto is also about the primal survival instinct. He knows that you’re relying on old patterns because you have needed them to survive. He also knows that now you can survive without them. You may not realize that you can survive without them, but he does. Look for an insight or a bit of a turning point during the week of the 5th. The inner planets in Taurus can help you integrate your new understanding on an emotional level.

Mars is the planet of the month for Aquarius. It stations (gets powerful) this month and then it moves direct (gains energy). It gives you the opportunity to take the initiative in matters of love or money or whatever it is that you desire. Since it is in the sign opposite yours, you could also feel that it is just taking you to school in March and teaching you stuff that you didn’t really realize you needed to know.

So your first step is…to take your first step in whatever direction you want to go. If you want to sing–start singing. If you want to stay home and out of the spring rains–stay home. If you want to go out with your siblings, neighbors, or acquaintances–go out. In other words, practice doing what you actually want to do–and see how other people react. They may react with alarm or anger, or they may react with admiration and support. Mars’s job is to let you know what effect doing what you want has on other people. Only by getting this feedback can you learn where you really stand with the people in your life.

Your second step is to communicate. Let people know your thought processes. Actually reach out. If no one calls or no one reacts to your initiatives, make the calls yourself. This month is very much oriented around other people, how you relate to them and how they relate to you.

Finally, if all that relating gets a little tense–get some exercise or play a game. That’ll help burn off some of the excess Mars in your chart this month.

All righty, time to budget! Jupiter is officially in your income sector now. Venus is in your sign. Saturn has left your debt sector for the time being. Time to plan your financial life.

Do two budgets. One is the hopes and wishes budget (good time for this is around the 8th, when Neptune and Venus in your sign are feeling all glowy together). The other is the worst case scenario budget. Your actual year should land somewhere in between of course, but however you slice it, things are looking up for you astrologically in this area. Since this is your birthday month, if your budget allows, you might want to invest in some clothing, accessories, or other items to spruce up your appearance.

Your birthday wish new moon is on the 13th. Valentine’s Day looks decently romantic, with Neptune and the sun getting together in your sign. As for the year ahead, there are two distinctly different trends. Trend #1 is more of the same. Pluto’s in your reclusive 12th house all year, pondering things by himself. He spends much of the year challenging Saturn in Libra, which is also pondering things. Somehow or another, your beliefs are being tested and perhaps your relationship to God or the spiritual world too. This trend started awhile back and is an important theme for the year ahead. Neptune also continues to wander through your sign, periodically getting lost and perhaps confusing you in the process. That’s been going on for so long that many of you are used to it by now.

Trend #2 is the opposite: lots of changes. Uranus changes signs this year and darts into Aries for a peek mid-year. This gives your brain a shot of energy it hasn’t seen in quite awhile. Indeed, your mind gets more of a muscle-building workout in 2010 than you’ve seen in years. Jupiter also darts into Aries mid-year, tripling the mental energy. Your solar chart keeps switching from looking at the big picture to the small picture and back again, trying to sort it all out. Partly this is because most of your astrological resources don’t have to go toward sheer material survival. It is so much more up your sign’s inventive alley to be pondering and learning and getting excited about ideas than to be figuring out what to do about out of control debts or similar matters. In many ways, your chart is going to like 2010 a lot more than it’s liked the last 2 or 3 years. Rejoice!

Good new for Aquarius. Although Jupiter is leaving your sign on the 17th, he’s moving into Pisces and your second house of material needs. Your ability to provide for your own such needs should get a significant boost from what it’s been over at least the last couple of years. If you have any important personal tasks to finish up, try to get them accomplished before Jupiter leaves your sign. On a related note, buy yourself some new clothes and put forward your ideas while Jupiter is still on your side.

Jupiter in Pisces, meanwhile, has a number of implications. One is that it increases not only your financial abilities, but your other resources, including your physical powers. Jupiter is also related to mental growth, legal issues, and ethics or basic morality. All of these will play a role in your values over the next 6 months.

Saturn in Libra will also be affecting your abilities in 2010, but he’ll focus more on your competence or skills, especially as they relate to areas like writing or publishing. The other big news for 2010 is that Uranus will leave Pisces for awhile and enter Aries. This will also take a big load off your financial situation and will energize your writing or communicating abilities even more.

Lastly, a note about the eclipse in Capricorn on January 15. It occurs in the part of your solar chart that relates to withdrawal and retreat, so you may experience a desire to isolate yourself for awhile and just chill out alone. You may also get some insight into your own unconscious drives. Repressed issues can have an effect on your long-term health, so you would do well to pay attention to anything that surfaces. Finally, a hidden enemy sometimes comes to light during this type of eclipse.

Mercury spends most of December in practical Capricorn (from the 5th on). This gives you a chance to test your theories and plans to see how they work in real life. Note especially any challenges that come the week of the 6th; they could give you valuable information for the future.

Meanwhile, Venus spends most of the month in Sagittarius (until Christmas). This gives you a great opportunity to see old friends, contact people near and far, and generally renew your connections with your favorite folks. This influence also inclines you to be generous with your gifts to others. The week of the 13th could see you experiencing some conflict between generous impulses and your unstable financial situation. Try balancing the two energies by giving inexpensive gifts or giving something hand-crafted that reflects your spirit.

After Christmas, you’ll need to get away by yourself for awhile. Getting outside if possible and enjoying nature (rugged, wintery nature if you live in the Northern Hemisphere) could refresh both body and soul.

At the very end of the month, there’s a lunar eclipse in the sign of Cancer. This sign represents your solar house of employment and health. If you’ve been struggling with a health problem, now’s the time when you may finally hit upon a reasonable solution to it. If you’ve been looking for a job, you may find one. If you’re in a job that’s ill-suited to you, it may come to an end.

Career and visibility month! This is the time in the annual cycle of your solar chart when you are intended to be highly active in pushing yourself forward to the front of the career or visibility line. It’s quite the hopping month, too, from an astrological standpoint, and things don’t really slow down for your chart until early December or so.

So, regarding career–grasp all the clarity you can regarding your career when Venus moves into Scorpio (your career sign) on the 8th and then sproing into action. Venus will be your best friend for the rest of the month, although she will be  getting bushwacked by all the other annoying planets in the sky this month.

One such annoying planet is Mars, which will start out the month squaring Mercury in Scorpio and being all grumpy about your career thoughts. Then there’s the full moon in Taurus on the 2nd. This full moon falls in your family sector, so your mother or some other family member may need your attention then. The full moon’s a bit grumpy, too, although not fatally so.

Then there’s Jupiter in your own sign, normally friendly and optimistic, who is a bit dismayed to discover all the planetary activity in Scorpio cutting into his fun time. The grumpiest planet of all though is Saturn, who is somewhat grumpy during the best of months, but who is in a really sour mood with Pluto from about the 9th through I don’t know, maybe the 22nd, depending on how sensitive you are to these things. The thing to remember throughout this month is that Saturn is not mad at you–he’s mad at Pluto.

Nobody’s mad at you, actually, even if they pretend to be.They’re mad that the skies are all misaligned and going through earthquake-y type adjustments. Everybody loves you actually.  And the nicer you can be to all your many friends and acquaintances during their trying times, the more they will love you. Pick up the phone and comfort someone, even if they’re too disgruntled to say thank you. A little good karma never hurt anyone.