Midlife Transits

Happy Birthday, Sagittarius! So this is a month when the sun starts out in your sign and then slides into Capricorn right around the same time as a lunar eclipse in Gemini, on December 21. So far, this looks to be a very energetic eclipse, and its field of influence extends into late January. This is the first eclipse in a series that will fall in your sign and Gemini over the next couple of years.

So this eclipse is the one that puts the series in motion. Theoretically, it will put you in motion too. The motion would come via some external force, in this case presumably a spouse, partner, best friend or the like. You won’t know which way the wind is blowing until it gusts in, and then you’ll be off and moving.

Not everyone is affected by any given eclipse, even if the series is energetic. So those of you who aren’t moved by a gusty eclipse will more likely be moved by money, as there’s a lot of action in your financial sector this month. Mercury starts out the month in Capricorn, your money sign, but then it withdraws back into your own sign at mid-month. One interpretation of that, Mercury moving retrograde through your financial sign, would be to keep your friends close and your wallet closer.

Hide the credit cards in the freezer and don’t spend what you ain’t got. Mars is in Capricorn too for most of the month, and he may try mightily to pry open your purse strings (it is the holidays after all), but you’d still be wise to avoid the malls, the ads, the deals, the bargains, and the general desperation of retailers and make all your purchasing decisions based on strict logic and evaluation of value, not ‘savings.’ You aren’t saving anything if you didn’t need to buy it in the first place. If I sound kind of grinchy, of course I am being in tune with these recession-stricken times.

The thing is, these recession-stricken times (which ain’t over yet) have special meaning for your sign. Pluto’s in your money house for so many more years that you won’t recognize your financial self by the time he leaves in the 2020s. And the implication of this is that you are being asked to think of your financial future in the most serious possible terms. Maybe that’s because you have elderly parents that need caring for. Maybe it’s because you’d like to retire one day. Maybe it’s because you have responsibilities and obligations. But when it comes to money, Pluto doesn’t want you to live for the moment any more.

Now, you’ll have plenty of fun in the next 12 months most likely. You’ll get happy vibes from Uranus and Jupiter during 2011. You’re just going to learn how to be happy while honoring your inner ant and admonishing your inner grasshopper to be responsible and grown-up when it comes to what you own, what you spend and what you really value.

If you’re one of those Sagittarians who likes the shamanistic powers of Scorpio-ness, you’ll like November. Scorpio in your chart is half doctor, half religious figure, with a little bit of psychologist in there too. The sign heals your subconscious in some magical way. There will be Scorpio energy this month until the sun enters your own sign on the 22nd.

The new moon in Scorpio takes place on the 5th or the 6th, depending on where you live. Feel free to use it to examine your own psychology. You’ll get extra help from Mercury in this sign until the 8th. Venus also retrogrades through Scorpio until the 7th and will help you ferret out emotional information that may otherwise be hidden in your subconscious. If all of that sounds like too much work, you can just curl up by yourself and indulge in a good detective story. Scorpio does love a good detective story.

All of this, by the way, resonates with the placement of Pluto in your second house of finances and values. Pluto is doing detective work too, this time about your morality around money. You may need to reject some financial practices as not being in keeping with your own sense of what’s right and wrong.

You’ve got plenty of energy in your own sign, too. The sun enters on the 22nd, Mercury on the 8th, and Mars is there all month long. These influences highlight your natural curiosity and desire to gather information through your own efforts.

There’s a lot of energy this month in Scorpio, the sign that represents your solar 12th house. The sun doesn’t enter Scorpio until October 23, but Venus and Mars will be there most of the month. Mercury will also enter the sign on the 20th.

The 12th house is where one’s inner child is said to hang out. It’s the infantile subconscious mind, the one without any manners or civilization yet, the primal instincts. With Mars here, don’t be too taken aback if sudden irrational spurts of rage come up, or if you don’t feel like being too polite. The influence will pass. Of course, it may turn into sudden rational spurts of rage when Mars enters your own sign on the 28th. On the good side, Venus in this position can be quite helpful if you need a doctor, some form of therapy, or prescription drugs. You’re likely to get good care.

The other main energy of the month is Libra energy, which focuses on your solar 11th house. Saturn has settled into this part of your chart for the long haul, and this month the sun, Mercury, and the new moon join him. Saturn is about dealing with restrictions, in this case restrictions on things like your friendships or your goals.

The sun and Mercury this month just make you more aware of what is actually a long-term trend. Sometimes this kind of energy also means bossy friends or friends who try to exercise authority over you. This can actually be quite helpful if you’re looking for a mentor. Maybe you should consider searching one out around the new moon on the 7th.

Jupiter is in the sector of your chart that relates to play and playfulness until the 9th. Jupiter’s idea of play is to expand your boundaries and take you on an adventure beyond what you would normally do. It could be happy with anything from rockclimbing to hot air ballooning to taking a stab at surfing to a more intellectual adventure. But it would like something that gets your adrenaline going. If you have any time to schedule in a day of excitement, it would do you good. After the 9th, Jupiter and Uranus in Pisces will team up to clear up any old business in the part of your chart that relates to home, family, roots, etc.

Mars also changes signs this month. He starts the month in Libra, the area of your chart that deals with your long-term desires, your wants, wishes, hopes, and aspirations. Typically, with Mars in this sector, you will want what you want more intensely than normal. That’s good, because you’re going to have energy in this sector for a long time due to Saturn in Libra. So it’s good to know exactly what desires Saturn is building the foundation to pursue.

Mars moves into Scorpio on the 14th. This is the prototypical spiritual warrior position. You’ll need to decide for yourself what that means to you.

Just a reminder: Pluto is still in your 2nd house of money. Pluto’s not saying much this month, except around the 25th, when he talks to the sun in Libra. He’s got the same old message. If you want to pursue your desires, you’ve got to figure out how to get the resources to do it.

Career month for Sagittarius! Here’s the lowdown. Saturn, which has been messing up your career progress since late 2007, is finally gone from this sector of your chart for good. Well gone for around 29 or 30 years at least. Yay!

Career month actually begins on July 21, when Saturn leaves Virgo, your career sign. At this point, Venus is in your career sector. She stays through August 6. Mercury enters your career sector on July 27 and stays all the way through to October, thanks to a retrograde. Conflict-y Mars leaves on the 29th of July. And the sun enters Virgo on the 23rd of August.

Mercury’s long stay in this sector can used to put attention on any type of vocational or business endeavor. The Venus energy through the first week of the month focuses more on the people involved in your profession and on building relationships with them. The sun can be used to build up your reputation.

The kink in the works might be Pluto in Capricorn in your 2nd house of income. Pluto’s on something of a rampage with many of the other planets this month, although not your career-related ones. Pluto in Capricorn relates to reputation by his nature, and he spends the first week of August glaring at Jupiter, who represents the part of your chart that just wants to have fun. At the moment, necessity or at the very least protecting your reputation requires that you put work before fun for the month. Pluto’s equally unhappy with planets in your social life sector, and it seems he really wants you to concentrate on bringing home the bucks right now. So, like I said–career month!

Most of the big outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto) are going to be yelling at each other in July, and we’re all going to be overhearing their arguments. The only one not screaming is Neptune and he’ll be in a couple of mild tiffs with planets in Leo. Your job is going to be to remain somewhat detached from all the hubbub while avoiding getting your undies in a bunch.

In your chart, the planets are scheduled to be yelling about money, your kids and your friends, for reasons that aren’t entirely clear to me. If you don’t have kids, they may be yelling about your boyfriend or girlfriend or your legitimate attempts to have some fun in your life. Whatever they’re yelling about, you can still remain your friendly, cheerful Sagittarian self if you remember that this too will pass.

The underlying tension seems to be financial, but on that front you may get a bit of good news in July. A new moon eclipse in Cancer on the 11th could bring a minor windfall of some sort in the form of an insurance payout or some other bit of non-ordinary income. It’s probably not going to solve all your problems, but if it shows up, it could help a bit.

Even if you don’t get a windfall, Mercury and the sun in Cancer during the first eight days of the month could bring some helpful information to light. There’s also lots of energy in Leo throughout July, another influence that could bring helpful information your way. Bottom line: ignore the planetary angst to the extent possible and focus on harvesting information you can actually use.

On June 6, your ruler moves into Aries. Here it will be eager to plunge itself into a new area of activity. This area could be simply having fun. It could be a brand new love affair. It could be greater involvement with your children and their activities. It could be a brand new creative project. Whatever it is, it will want to jump right in, like a kid cannonballing into a summer swimming pool. Go ahead, make a splash.

In a way, this transition of Jupiter into Aries keeps the excitement in your chart going. For about 8 months, Mars in Leo has been in an adventurous part of your chart. Whether you’ve listened to its urgings or not, it has been eager to explore, to expose you to new things, and challenge you. It’s been in recreation mode. Now Mars gets back to business, moving into your career sector on the 7th. Here it joins Saturn. This is much more serious stuff. Whenever the pressure heats up at work, remember that you have fun-loving Jupiter at your side.

Take heart in knowing also that Venus will move into your vacation sector on the 14th and stay there through the end of the month. In fact, the 14th and 15th are really great days for a fun family vacation with the kids. If school is out, treat them to a day at the amusement park.

Around the 26th, you may experience a temporary financial setback. Although perhaps upsetting, it is unlikely to be permanent. Guard your valuables while traveling.

Yes, you’ve got some job energy in May, and yes there’s some energy in the part of your chart that governs marriage and relationships. But what your chart really wants you to do is express yourself. Mars is still in Leo until early next month, busy trying to help you express yourself in the astrological sector that relates to writing and  publishing. And  at the end of the month, mighty Uranus moves into your solar 5th house of self-expression to really amp up the energy. If you’ve got something to say–say it!

This is part of a long-term process designed to fuel your creativity. Uranus is the awakener of new ideas and concepts, a planet bursting with insight and revelations, and he’s going to spend a lot of time in good angle to your natal Sagittarian sun. Part of his intent will be to incite your originality. This does not mean you have to run  out and get a job in a creative field like advertising. Simply adding touches of creativity and fun to your daily life will get you into the astrological spirit.

There is one little thing to watch out for with all this fire energy. Uranus in Aries is wonderfully enthusiastic but not always as right as he thinks he is. You might want to be a little cautious about going all the way off the deep end, especially in June, as your ruler Jupiter joins Uranus for what will amount to a super-blast of energy.

Yes, Saturn and Uranus are going to be fighting again this month. Just when you thought it was safe to enjoy your home in peace, mean old Saturn has to sneak back into your career house to try to stir up some conflict, probably around family members. That’s okay, you’ve got the tools to deal with it. Your ruler Jupiter is on your side now; Saturn has less power now.

Even better perhaps, you’ve got Pluto in Capricorn on your side too. Pluto’s in your values house, and he values truthfulness. That’s handy, because so does your sign! Even better, Pluto makes good angles with a mess of inner planets in Taurus this month. Taurus in your solar chart represents your job sector.

So if Saturn tries to be mean in your professional life–hah! Pluto and the Taurus planets have got your back. If any planet can penetrate Saturn’s blockages, it’s Pluto.

Admittedly, the month does have a strange mix of energies. Planets in Pisces and Neptune in Aquarius are resonating in an odd sort of harmonic, and things could get a little hard to figure out. There is a tendency for boundaries to blur, for people to mesh and merge and not be able to separate themselves from that which is influencing them.

Here again, Pluto is helpful. Pluto values cutting through the crap to get to the heart of the matter, and if you follow his lead, you should be able to discern the light in the forest. Or something like that.

Same old, same old for Sagittarius in March. Which is kind of a good thing. More happy home vibes for Sagittarius, especially from mid-February through March 6.

Mars continues its stay in your solar 9th house, turning direct on the 10th. This can help energize your enthusiasm for almost anything in your life. Saturn continues its stay in Libra–pointing out potential problems with your friends, with groups, or with a sense of belonging. Some susceptible Sagittarians will also be very annoyed with the direction that society is taking these days.

Money continues to be a major area of transformation for Sagittarius folks as well. Neptune in Aquarius meets up with Chiron in that sign again this month. This potentially means that you will find yourself repeating thoughts or ideas or things you said way back in the middle of 2009. This is part of a kind of a rehearsal process, wherein you learn what your healing vision is by re-imagining it several times.

The one thing that’s kinda sorta new is an emphasis on your love life, your children, your creativity, or play. Venus spends most of the month in your love life house, helping to make you attractive to those very people you want to attract. Money could also come through creative projects or even through your children. Love of anything and everything is in the air, including love of a hobby. As far as these trends go, March is just the opening round in a volley of energy that’s going to come your way on these subjects in 2010.

It’s winter, and in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere that means it’s stay indoors time. That’s just fine for the Sagittarius chart, because it means you get to exercise your mind just the way you might otherwise exercise your body. It also means you get to enjoy your home, and no one will object to that. If you’re of a mind to, this would be a great month to do some decorating that expresses your unique taste.

Not that your chart doesn’t have the traveling bug; it does. It’s just that you can profitably travel in your mind or imagination right now instead of through physical travel with all its hassles. You can indulge in a perhaps rare chance to cozy up at home and dive into a good book.

The other theme of the month is your desire to be an individual while still belonging to some sort of group. This desire, represented by Saturn in Libra, is being vigorously challenged by Pluto in Capricorn this month. Somehow or another you can’t quite make up your mind how to handle this situation. Perhaps you don’t quite fit in, but you don’t want to be left out. There’s no easy answer to this question, but I will just point out that every person has their role in a group, and although certain common elements are necessary for cohesion, no two individuals need to be alike. Everyone has their own preferences, strengths, and weaknesses and there’s no need for you to copy anyone else to gain a feeling of belonging.

January is mostly a very common sense month. It’s all about the practical decisions of daily life. For Sagittarius, this includes decisions about individual and joint property as these are two areas highlighted for you in 2010. This month, some new energy comes in with regard to individual property via an eclipse in Capricorn on the 15th. Joint property matters were highlighted at the eclipse of December 31, but some of the energy may be present this month as well. Use your natural intelligence in all financial matters.

On the other hand, your sign is also benefiting from the long stay in Leo of fiery Mars. This is more interesting to you because it highlights the non-common sense your sign is blessed with and highlights your prophetic powers.  Jupiter also leaves independent Aquarius this month, on the 17th, a shift that will tone down your revolutionary rhetoric somewhat. This shift also decreases the emphasis on language and words in your chart, as well as on public-minded or community activities. Hopefully, you have found some acquaintances who share your interests during the past year that Jupiter has been in this sign.

As for 2010, at last there’s some good energy in your home and family sector. Your home can now be your fortress, your refuge, your haven. If you haven’t found your dream home yet, you have until June 2010 to find it. Get cracking!

This is the time of year when planets in your own sign clash with Uranus in Pisces in the sector of your chart that deals with home and family relationships. The week of the 13th is the trickiest. Decide to do what you like for your own enjoyment even if other people don’t like it. On the upside, clashes with Uranus can actually increase inspiration and creative solutions to life’s problems.

This is also the time of year when planets in your own sign make nice angles with Neptune and Jupiter in Aquarius.  The week of the 13th and the week of Christmas are particularly nice for this. More potential inspiration and creativity. Chiron gets in on the act too, during the aspect-packed week of the 13th, teaming up with your ruler Jupiter. Jupiter will take the hits so you don’t have to. Your birthday new moon also falls that week, on the 16th. Make a wish!

The week of Christmas also sees some difficult meet-ups between the sun in Capricorn and Pluto and Saturn in Libra. The holiday week could be labor intensive, or you could be concerned about finances. And end of year eclipse in your marital finances sector may make hashing out differences challenging but important.

As for your year ahead, 2010 will not be a typical year because so many placements are moving into new signs and then retrograding back into previous ones. People born at the beginning or end of your sign will feel the most effects. Chiron will confuse some of you with a move into Pisces, bringing a fresh attempt at healing family wounds.

Uranus, on the other hand, will delight some of you when it briefly leaves Pisces for Aries. This should make cantankerous family members easier to deal with and may bring good or exciting news about one or more of your children. Problems with your house may also briefly disappear.

Saturn will move back into your career and reputation sector for about 4 months in the spring and summer, which ain’t great. But then it will leave that area of your life alone for close to three decades. And that is great.

Jupiter will move into Pisces and then Aries. If you haven’t moved in the past 7 years, 2010 may be the year when you actually do it, as aspects are good for buying or selling a home. Jupiter in Aries just adds to the good fortune surrounding your children (or, if you are single, your love life). Quite the mixed bag!

Energy moves into your sign this month, yay! Mercury enters on the 16th and the sun on the 22nd. Your sign is associated with enthusiasm, foresight, and last but not least, the holiday season. By the end of the month, you’ll probably be having lots of family contact, including contacts with siblings, cousins, and other relatives. By the beginning of next month, a major residential matter is scheduled to turn a corner. Things will be falling into place and you’ll start feeling productive and achievement-oriented as soon as you get a dose of energy in your sign.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. The month starts out well with Venus in Libra in the sector that governs your social life. Venus actually enters this sector on October 14 and stays until November 8. Fun times. After that, all of society sort of falls apart or gets into a screaming match with itself (we’ve seen a bit of that already this year, haven’t we?). You may find yourself having to educate yourself on the issues of the day, because many people will apparently be upset about them.

The madness and mayhem continue right up until Mercury enters your sign and your Sagittarian optimism brings a ray of hope to the beleaguered. The major aspect in question involves Pluto in Capricorn (in your 2nd house of finances) squaring off with Saturn in Libra (in your 11th house of society at large). The signs most directly affected will be Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. Maybe you’ll want to hide in your bedroom until the storm blows over or maybe you’ll want to participate in cheering up your friends in these signs until they get a grip on things. Your choice.