Midlife Transits

Abundant energy in generous Sagittarius and in your own sign this month. Plenty of hubbub if you care to participate in it, gifts to buy, frivolity to indulge in.  You’ve also got a lovely influence this month in the form of Venus in Scorpio, which represents your friendship sector. For susceptible Capricorns this can mean a hook-up with a friend or getting back in touch with a friend from the past. For all Capricorns, it should bode well for your social life.

Yet more hubbub is on tap in December courtesy of Uranus and Jupiter in the sector of your chart that deals with errands and your daily schedule. When Uranus goes direct on the 5th, you may feel as though your schedule is suddenly speeding up. To get everything done, you may need to examine your daily planner with the eye of scientist, rationally plotting out what needs to be done and when exactly you can do it. After Christmas, things get potentially even busier, as Jupiter and Uranus conjoin for a festival of frenetic activity.

There’s also a lunar eclipse in Gemini on the 21st, the day the sun moves into your sign. This is a work-related eclipse for you, potentially quite energetic, and apt to strongly affect those Capricorns in technical or scientific fields. Normally it would mean that something you thought was true about your workplace or co-workers isn’t. It could indicate things like exaggerated layoff rumors or the gossip mill spreading wild speculations that turn out to be untrue. I won’t necessarily say that all will be revealed at the time of this eclipse, but something is likely to be revealed within a month of this date, something that puts a new spin on your work situation.

There’s a little bit of career energy for Capricorn this month via Venus in Libra, but mostly the month revolves around the energies of psychological Scorpio and philosophical Sagittarius. Scorpio is a strategic sign, canny and observant of what’s below the surface. The Scorpio new moon energy around the 5th and 6th of the month can help you adjust your own strategies for reaching your long-term aspirations by having you pay attention to what’s really going on in your wider environment. Mercury in this sign until the 8th can especially help you direct your attention to what’s relevant.

Venus is retrograde in Scorpio too, until the 7th. Her function is a little different. She’s more the type to bring someone into your circle who absolutely hypnotizes you or fascinates you. This may even be someone from your past to whom you’ve always had some sort of strange attraction.Her powers are especially potent around the 1st of the month when she contacts Pluto in your own sign. If the timing is otherwise right in your chart, you may enter a hypnotic state that lasts for a very long time.

The Sagittarian energy is a little hypnotic too because it falls in your dreamy solar 12th house. The sun will be there as of the 22nd, Mercury as of the 8th, and Mars the whole month through. You are especially susceptible to the influence of other people and especially their principles and ideas while there is so much energy in this sector of your chart. Remember to keep your wits about you.

Oh, the sun is in your lordly solar 10th house this month until the 23rd. The 10th house is the sector that reflects your rank in society, status, perks, privilege, prestige. If you like these things, now’s the time to go after them. The new moon in this sector (in Libra) on the 7th can help you gain more authority at work or elsewhere if you set an intention and follow through with the work to match the desire.

Saturn is also in this sector of your chart for the next couple of years, and it’s true he could be causing you some problems. As Mercury passes through this sector and over Saturn you may become quite aware of someone in your world who takes the authority trend too far by being downright authoritarian. If there’s no one of this description in your vicinity, it’s also possible that Mercury will nudge you to let you know that you yourself are behaving in an authoritarian manner. If you get hints to this effect, it’s a clue to back off a bit. Authority comes naturally to your sign, but Libra is all about balance and not carrying things too far (not that I’m implying that you usually do; Saturn may have just gotten a bit carried away). If it’s someone else that’s bedeviling you, this month’s stars are also a clue to back off. It’s a sign you need a bit less work time and a bit more not worrying about work time.

Jupiter starts the month in Aries, in the sector of your chart that deals with your deep self. It’s been calling to your inner warrior, a part of yourself you’ll need to get accustomed to and hopefully comfortable with. That’s because Uranus will re-enter Aries next year and stay there for about 7 years. Jupiter’s a mild warrior compared to Uranus in Aries. The root theme is ‘defense of the home’ so see if you can think about how to use that energy wisely.

Jupiter will retreat into Pisces and your communication sector on the 9th, where he is not nearly so concerned with warmongering as he is with spirituality and such. He’ll rejoin Uranus there, and the two of them will help you get stuff off your chest if you need to.

Otherwise, the month is much more quiet than August was. You still have a lot of career energy, and Mars and Venus will make nice angles to Neptune in your money house before the 9th.  For best financial results, just let things unfold without interference.

Once Venus moves into Scorpio on the 8th, your best financial strategy involves aligning yourself with others. Keep your own counsel, of course, but try to see the needs of the whole as well. And stick to your budget, taking care not to overindulge on expensive items or outings.

As a side note, Neptune will be moving out of your money house for the first time in a way long time next year, in April. Neptune may have expanded your self-confidence, but he’s also prone to imagining that you have resources that you don’t really have. Soon, you will not have that complication to deal with anymore.

This month, there’s an awful lot of energy in the sector of your chart that relates to profession and respect. Venus enters Libra, your career sign, by the 7th, while Mars and Saturn spend the whole month there. I wish that I could tell you that these planets will conspire to give you a well-deserved good reputation in your field or with the public at large, and that they will bestow upon you the respect you have undoubtedly earned. This could happen, but the somewhat greater likelihood is that you’ll need to fight like a dog to win back your reputation from threats of your own devising or maybe even from volatile family members.

The problem is that 2 of the planets at the top of your chart, Mars and Saturn, are not always easy to get along with. Mars is prone to outbursts of temper. Saturn’s a bit better but can seem stand-offish or correlate with career and reputation stress. Neither of these things is the end of the world, but Pluto in your own sign is picking fights with all 3 of the planets in your career sector this month as well as with Jupiter in your 4th house of family. Something inside you seemingly wants to sabotage all you have worked for. Hold your temper in August and don’t let it. If you can make it through August, you’ll see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel in September.

July is one of those out of the frying pan, into the fire months. Planets that were hanging out in mild-mannered, weak houses of your solar chart continue throughout July to mass in the strong angles where they’re capable of making a lot of unruly noise. Let’s break down what’s going on.

#1: Sun in Cancer until the 22nd, Mercury in Cancer until the 9th, and new moon solar eclipse in Cancer on the 11th. Translation: news about your close relationships. Somewhere, somehow, some way, most Capricorns are scheduled to get some sort of news re: partners/mates. For most, the news will be good, maybe even wonderful, and that makes this the best thing about the month.

#2: Pluto in your sign squaring Jupiter in Aries. Jupiter would normally want to bring good news too, but mean old Pluto wants to snatch it away in July. Boo Pluto! Translation: don’t get your hopes up too high for improvements on the home front.

#3: Saturn moving into Libra on the 21st to oppose Uranus in Aries. Saturn in your career sector attempts to put the damper on Uranus energy in the home and family sector. This could actually be a blessing in disguise, although it may lead to tensions. Saturn will attempt to keep your family members from exploding with whatever long-standing rages they’ve been nursing for years, while you attempt to keep the peace and maintain politeness. Translation: someone in your family or inner circle is likely to be hopping mad, and you’ll need to be diplomatic to defuse the situation.

Fortunately, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Saturn all spend some time this month in compatible Virgo, and they can be really helpful. Virgo is a communication sign in your knowledge house. Translation: your knowledge of communication skills can make everything easier as we all navigate through July’s tensions.

Jupiter and Mars change signs this month and there’s a lunar eclipse in your sign. First, let’s talk about Jupiter moving into Aries and your solar sector of house and home. Here he joins Uranus, which entered this same sector on May 27. Together, these two planets in Aries stand for the antithesis of everything that Capricorn is supposed to be about.

They hate forethought. They hate caution. They want to do things impulsively without thinking them through, without regard for the consequences, without patience, without preparation. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. This puts your sign in something of a dilemma.

Is their approach a good one? Could you use a little of that verve, courage and boldness in your life? Or are they trying to ruin everything you’ve worked for? Are they insane? Or crazy like a fox? You’re going to have to figure that out over the next couple of months, especially if you were born at the very beginning of your sign. (If you were born at the very beginning of your sign, you may be mighty tired of having to figure things out, I’ll grant you.) This is a tough question, because the answer depends on your own circumstances. The energy is neither good nor bad. It is different from the energy of your sign’s reputation, but it is neutral in and of itself. It is how you choose to integrate it that determines whether you like it or not. It’s all in how you look at it.

Mars also changes signs this month. It moves from Leo, where it’s been hanging out in your mysterious 8th house into Virgo, where it joins Saturn in your 9th house. Here we have another strange juxtaposition. Mars is an Aries planet, lacking caution and forethought. Saturn is your ruling planet, and is the patron saint of caution and forethought. It’s the same conflict repeated–because the 9th house is the house of beliefs or perspective. Which is the right way to look at it? The Mars way or the Saturn way? A combination way? Calculated risk? Boldness with backup? Courage with Plan B? Stuff to think about.

Then we have a lunar eclipse in your sign on June 26. This may or may not affect you. If it does, it will usually signify the universe’s attempt to rattle you and get you to make a decision really quickly. (As if the universe wasn’t already trying to rattle you.) It’s the universe’s version of “Quick, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?” It’s trying to get a spontaneous answer from you to some sort of a question, so it can get your true feelings. The question could be anything of personal significance to you. Often the answer will surprise you, or sometimes just the question will.

All in all, an interesting month.

May is supposed to be your play-time month, so take a little time to enjoy yourself for no good reason. Doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Plop yourself down on the couch and pop in a good DVD and kick back. Go on a date or get in a little intimate time in with a significant other. Go to the theater or catch a movie. Other outlets for the Leo and Taurus energy in your chart this month could include physical exercise or making an extravagant purchase (if you can afford it of course). Taurus favors getting out in nature, so a trip to a state park might be in order.

On the work front, things will supposedly be rather relaxed, with Venus in Gemini during the first 3 weeks of the month. You may be doing a lot of reading or there may be a lot of gossip swirling around. It is possible, with Mars being in Leo and your sector of hidden stuff, that the gossip will get rather melodramatic at times.

Another potential, as Mars wraps up its tour of Leo, is that you will be actively involved in some sort of fundraising efforts. Saturn sliding back through Virgo in the sector of your solar chart that governs your religion and belief systems could also have you getting serious (again?) about your religious practice or church activities. It would not be a bad use of your skills to combine some of the energies in your chart by getting involved in organizing a church fundraiser to benefit those less fortunate.

April is big on earth signs like your own. Saturn moves back into Virgo, and the inner planets hang out in Taurus. Meanwhile, the big Kahuna of demoted planets, Pluto, is not only in your sign, but stationing. Stationing is astrological shorthand for super-powerful.

Now, you may not be thrilled to hear that Pluto is super-powerful right now, since it can be a hard planet to handle. Pluto is the supremely selfish planet in its own way, ruthlessly truthful, and unwilling to let others lie to it. So when Pluto shows you the truth, it can be a bit more than you wanted to hear. If you’re a December born Capricorn, you may feel like you’ve already had a dose or two too much of Pluto.

Still, Pluto is your friend, because the re-entry of Saturn into Virgo represents your chart’s struggle for meaning. Uranus in Pisces in opposition to Saturn represents your chart’s struggle to answer the questions that Saturn puts to it. Questions such as ‘what’s the use, what’s the point?’ It is the frustration angle par excellence.

Pluto is teaching you that the meaning  comes from within you. It’s all about your own experience of life. There is no meaning from outside, no official meaning, no grand point that others can provide. You’re the one, the man, the woman. The significance of your activities comes from you.

Again, admittedly, for December born Capricorns or those who have planets in early degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn, it can seem as though you’ve wandered into a dark and impenetrable forest that you can’t find your way out of. Perhaps you have. But Pluto can find the way out, and during the week of the 5th he’ll try to prove it to you.

Energy is very concentrated around the angles of your chart in March. What that means is that this is a very high energy month indeed, one of many for Capricorn in 2010. It’s also a month (and year) of alternatives. So let’s lay some of them out.

One alternative in March involves concentrating on home, family, your emotional needs, habits and routine. All those homey things that are supposed to give you security and a firm base to stand upon. Another involves concentrating on your career. A third involves concentrating on your own personal interests and fulfillment. Put another way, everything’s competing for your attention.

So how to resolve the competition or choose your path? Well, I’ll suggest that the main focus in your chart is really on your own personal transformation right now, transformation that may involve many areas of your life. Mars is just burning up with energy in your transformation sector and transformation planet Pluto is plunked very solidly in your sign, barely moving all month. When Pluto plunks himself anywhere, he gets very powerful.

The key is just to figure out what area of your life to start transforming first. You could do that by analyzing where your greatest power really lies these days. One thing that could help is that March’s emphasis on family could mean that you can attract desirable assistance and help from family members, including parents. Another thing that could help is using all that Mars energy to get some very vigorous exercise. Moving is its own form of meditation, and just moving your body could help break up any logjams or indecisiveness you feel.

Finally, eat some chocolate. This has nothing to do with your chart, but it’s almost always good advice anyway.

Lack of money doesn’t look to be a problem in February for Capricorn, as planets crowd into Aquarius and your solar house of income. If actual cash doesn’t come in, then you may receive gifts or other tangible items. Aquarius is a mentally oriented sign, so they may be gifts for the mind, such as books and so on, but one way or another your chart is in receiving mode. Of course, it may also be in spending mode, too, as Mars in luxurious Leo is not much of a bargain hunter. Do try to exercise reasonable caution and make sure you’re not overpaying for what you purchase this month.

Your chart isn’t lacking in skill this month, either. Venus and Jupiter (and eventually the sun) all converge on your solar 3rd house of the skills necessary to succeed in daily living. What you might need, however, is a sense of connection with someone. Contentious Mars is in your solar 8th house of intimacy, thrashing around and perhaps trying to work out problems that may have been triggered by the eclipse in Cancer at the end of December. Some Capricorns experienced a breakup around then (or perhaps around the end of January), and they are in full-on missing someone mode. Toward the end of the month, you may seek solace in church or a spiritual practice or in a trip to someplace far away.

As a final note, career concerns take precedence over family this month. Not everyone may like that, but that’s the way it is.

January 2010 marks the end of the astrological emphasis on Aquarius and your finances. Neptune will still be in the financial sector of your chart, fogging things up and influencing your tastes, but Jupiter leaves Aquarius for Pisces on the 17th. You’ll need to work harder for what you get this year than last. With Saturn in Libra up at the top of your chart, matters relating to your career or employment situation are on your chart’s mind, perhaps because you’re anticipating a change in finances.

Not to worry, though, there’s plenty of energy in your sign for the time being and it’s your birthday month. Not only is it your birthday month, but there’s a new moon solar eclipse in your sign on the 15th that is supposed to bring you goodies. It is part of a series of eclipses this year that are supposed to set you on the path you’ll be following for a decade or so. Jupiter in Pisces will be beneficial in its own way also, mostly in matters regarding your mental development.

As for 2010, it’s an unusual year. The only two planets that stay in the same sign all year are Neptune in Aquarius and Pluto in your own sign. Everything else moves around, including Uranus, Saturn, and Jupiter. Usually things are a bit more stable.

In spite of the instability or perhaps because of it, 2010 is going to be a big year for many if not most Capricorns. Capricorns born during the first 5 days of the sign will have the most to deal with from the stars, but others will see big changes as well. Capricorns around the same age as Obama will see some help from Pluto, who will be their best friend during the year.

Overall, though, it’s a year when things can change so rapidly that it’s probably wise to check your horoscope at least every month. This may even be the year to get your personal chart done, so that you can have a shot at figuring out what the heck is going on. Change can be very exciting, but it’s nice to have some kind of map as to where it’s leading you.

The month starts out with sun, Mercury, and Venus in philosophical and optimistic Sagittarius. This could have the effect of making you feel both philosophical and optimistic. Sagittarius is also the sign in your solar chart that indicates the need to rest and withdraw a bit before your birthday. Thus, you may want to take a day off to spend at home catching up with stuff or you may want to remind yourself not to push yourself too hard right now (especially if you’re dealing with nasty December weather!).

The planets in Sagittarius clash a bit with Uranus in Pisces in your more sociable and active solar 3rd house. The week of the 13th sees your chart trying to balance the need to go out and get stuff done with the desire to stay home and take it easy. The tempers of people around you may be a bit frayed that week, or you may feel yourself becoming a bit snappy. The feeling will pass.

Adding to the mix is Mercury in your own sign from the 5th of December on. Mercury in your sign generally indicates a lot of phone calls, errands, and minor tasks to keep you busy. Enjoy the attention you get this month, but avoid overcommitting yourself.

Finally, at the end of the month, there’s a lunar eclipse in Cancer. If this eclipse affects you, it will most likely affect a key relationship. Something may need to be changed, adjusted, or flat-out eliminated for your maximum happiness. Eclipses don’t always seem like they’re going to make you happy when they occur, but their long-term effect is to keep you from going down a path that wouldn’t suit you in the long run.

November is a heavy month, Capricorn, going from major planetary activity to your traditional season of withdrawal and the need for quiet time. The month starts out pleasantly enough with Venus in Libra wrapping up a tour of your 10th house of career  (Venus is in this sign from October 14 to November 8). Expect to be visible and even popular throughout the month, as Venus moves from Libra into Scorpio and your house of popularity for the rest of November. The Thanksgiving weekend may see your phone ringing off the hook, or alternatively, you may be the one reaching out to others.

Scorpio is also the sign that represents your hopes and wishes, and your wishing new moon occurs on the 16th. You may need it by then, though, because the day prior Pluto in your sign will have been in exact square to Saturn. To be blunt, this is a rather scary aspect, as it makes you examine yourself in the kind of deep and thorough way that most of us spend our lives avoiding. What’s truly important in life tends to come into focus during these major aspects, and what’s truly important is almost never the stuff we start out thinking it is.

As it so happens, Mars will be in your Pluto-ruled 8th house, and he may persuade you that you need physical or psychological healing. Wouldn’t be a bad time to enter a short course of therapy to reinforce your insights. I’ll put it another way, Cap. Saturn in Virgo has spent the last couple of years trying to get you all wise and stuff so that you could take your place in society in a visible and important way. This is the month when you need to call upon that wisdom.

As for the rest and withdrawal, the need for that will start as soon as that wishing new moon passes. Take a break, you will deserve it.