Planetary Cycles
Sun Signs For January 2008 & the Coming Year
Winter solstice ignites a New Year of high hopes and major changes
The sun entered Capricorn at the Winter Solstice on December 21, inviting us to find inner stillness and joy. The Solstice creates a symbolic “pause in time” when the days and nights are of equal length, and in perfect harmony; as such, it is a powerful time to gain clarity on one's life and on the year ahead. This Solstice is particularly powerful as the sun joins expansive Jupiter and challenging Pluto in an almost exact conjunction, igniting a year of huge hope and major changes. As we enter the New Year, we embrace all that has transpired in the last cycle, hopefully learning from our experiences and benefiting from our previous efforts. We also look forward to imagine what we might wish to create in the coming year. Numerologically, 2008 is a “1” year, a new beginning that initiates a new ten-year cycle of experience for all of humanity. As a world community, we will see exponential change in the coming decade; how we wish to create this will be up to us. Meditation, visioning, and intention are a potent force for change, but only when accompanied by inspired action. The question of the moment is: What will I do personally to assist with the coming global changes?
Capricorn energy calls for high performance and integrity
People born with the sun, moon, or rising sign in Capricorn will have a particularly potent year as the powerful planet of transformation enters their sign along with expansive Jupiter. Expect change, and lots of it. To navigate this new cycle, you will need to be in touch with the highest possible expression of your Capricorn energy, which includes inspired leadership that leads by example and teaches only what one has mastered. For the rest of us, as the sun moves through Capricorn this month, we have the opportunity to get in touch with what drives us to accomplish in this world. We become aware of our loftiest goals, and see what needs to be transformed in our consciousness in order to achieve our goals. A new moon in Capricorn on January 8 underscores this theme, inspiring us to seek practical solutions and take effective action. During the first two weeks of the month, a tense aspect to the planet of love and values, Venus, compels us to scrutinize the motivations behind our choices and to make significant changes where needed.
2008 brings wide-scale change and deep transformation for humanity
The New Year begins with several important planetary shifts that will affect our experience over time, the most significant of which is Pluto's entry into Capricorn after spending the last twelve years in expansive Sagittarius. Pluto brings transformation through a death-and-rebirth cycle. While in Sagittarius, Pluto challenged our philosophical and spiritual beliefs, and, in the past decade, we saw huge challenges on a worldwide scale stemming from a clash of ideologies which is yet to be resolved. As Pluto enters Capricorn, where it will travel for the next sixteen years, we will see major challenges with all the worlds systems, including the banking industry, education, health care, the environment, political process, and religious institutions. Uprooting the foundation of any system that no longer works to serve the people is Pluto's unique role as it makes its way through Capricorn in 2008 and over the next fifteen years. The expansive planet, Jupiter, joins Pluto in Capricorn for the entire year of 2008, acting to magnify the issues that need transformation and helping to anchor the more positive aspects of Capricornian energy and leadership. Saturn, known in astrological lore as the “Lord of Karma” and great taskmaster, has entered Virgo for a two and one-half year stay during which we will be shown clearly the areas of our life and world community that are in need of improvement (or complete reconstruction). Fortunately, Saturn in this sign will work well with transformative Pluto, offering viable and practical solutions to complement the changes Pluto wreaks. Additionally, the global “soul path', or collective purpose for humanity has moved into Aquarius, the sign of the humanitarian. For the next eighteen months, we will be guided to follow the highest possible dream for humanity. Hopefully, world leaders will heed this guidance.
Sun brings inspiration as it enters Aquarius, the Sign of the Humanitarian
The sun completes its journey through Capricorn, entering the sign of the humanitarian, Aquarius, on January 20. Idealism runs high toward the end of the month as the sun in Aquarius stimulates a vision for a better humanity. A full moon in Leo, opposite the sun in Aquarius, happens on January 22, highlighting the theme of idealistic possibilities, yet reminding us of the element of desire for personal gain that is not bad in itself, but can certainly taint the political process as well as our own individual pursuits, if we fail to remain clear and on-purpose. During the last week of January, the planet of communication, Mercury, joins visionary Neptune in forming a positive aspect with action-oriented Mars in Gemini. This aspect can very well translate into positive, inspired and effective communication and choices that lead to implementing the creative solutions that Pluto and Jupiter have revealed. On January 30, Mars returns to direct motion after having been retrograde since mid-November. This releases creative energy from its recent need to complete past concerns, freeing us to move forward with inspired action aimed at fulfilling new goals.
Sun Signs for January 2008 & the Coming Year
Aries – The scenery is changing for you with Pluto now bringing more than a decade of transformation to your sense of life-purpose and career. This is your year to improve your life in many ways as Saturn brings a renewed focus to your work, your health, and your daily routines. In January, develop friendships and associations with groups that support your long-term goals and objectives. As we enter the New Year, you may have questions about your living environment or issues with family members that are up for review; these get resolved by the end of January. Jupiter in Capricorn journeys through the career sector of your chart, and, with a push from Saturn in Virgo, sets in motion a year of expansive growth.
Taurus – Pluto's entrance into your ninth house sets off at least a dozen years of deep soul-searching as your previously held philosophical and spiritual beliefs are challenged. Jupiter joins Pluto there during 2008, emphasizing spiritual inquiry and higher learning, and perhaps bringing foreign travel that expands your horizons, opening you to new ideas and beliefs. Saturn in Virgo in your fifth house brings practical solutions and improvements to your interactions with children, and/or in your creative pursuits this year. You may have some challenges with loved ones over the use of mutual resources, or choose to make short-term changes in pursuit of longer term goals. During January, focus on the big picture in your career or profession.
Gemini – The planet of healing and transformation, Pluto, enters its' home territory in your chart, and will travel there for approximately fifteen years, bringing your internal, subconscious drives to the surface. Working with issues of shared resources and emotional intimacy, you will come to know yourself much more deeply and profoundly over the coming years. Jupiter joins Pluto there for 2008, bringing phenomenal personal growth this year. Saturn in your house of home and family means you will have increased responsibilities this year, at the same time you are investing in higher learning and spiritual growth. Home and career changes in January may bring some necessary adjustments in your primary relationships.
Cancer – Your primary relationships are highlighted this month, bringing your awareness to the factors that contribute to successful partnership. The agent of transformation, Pluto, enters your relationship sphere and will remain there for over a decade, stimulating deep change in the way you interact with others. The planet of expansive growth, Jupiter, joins Pluto in 2008, adding emphasis to the need for a practical approach to improving relationship dynamics, and Saturn supports you to be very clear, simple, and purposeful in your communications. . The New Year begins with a review of how you bring your energy into the world. As you step into 2008, your priorities shift, and it becomes even more important for you to be in alignment with your higher principals in thought, word and deed.
Leo – After more than twelve years of tapping deep inner resources to access your creativity, you are ready to put all that inspiration into a form that can be released into the world. This year, you will be laying the foundation for your creative work by forming a business structure that sustains you and shaping new routines in your daily life that will support your endeavors. Some old habits must die so that new, healthy routines can be formed. While monetary resources are a bit tight, with proper management, there is a steady flow that sustains you, and helps you to rebuild your life in some substantial way. As busy as you are, much of your attention is needed in your primary relationships this year, as you seek to find new ways to balance your own life with the needs and desires of those you love.
Virgo – Saturn in your sign means you carry additional responsibilities at the same time you are working hard to refine your personality and outlook on life. The planet of expansion, Jupiter's entrance into Capricorn provides inspiration for practical yet creative new ways to manage your life. After over a decade in the arena of home and family, transformative Pluto shifts into your house of creativity, stimulating a transformation of your characteristic manner of self-expression. The old ways are on their way out to make room for something new to be expressed. During the next sixteen months, you will be discovering how to implement healthy and effective daily routines for yourself and the people with whom you share daily life. 2008 promises to be a year of great focus and discipline, along with heightened creativity.
Libra – The new moon January 7 highlights home and family, an area of your life receiving great emphasis this year as Jupiter expands your home life while Pluto enters for an extended stay. Pluto brings transformation, not only to your home and family life, but also to the very foundation of your being, asking the compelling question: Upon what are you basing your life? Some deep soul-searching is in order this year as Saturn in Virgo's transit compels you to tie up loose ends, complete old chapters of your life, and move on to new creativity. But the past must be integrated and understood before you can truly move on. You may find the need to review educational material, legal issues or travel experiences before you continue with your current career path or choices. You will find new and innovative ways to access and express your creativity this year, have fun trying new things.
Scorpio – A review of contracts and commitments ends in late January with you having reached a clarity that allows you to move full-steam ahead with new and exciting projects. The planet of expansion, Jupiter, stimulates communication this year, and Pluto joins it, bringing deep transformation to the way you express yourself and connect with your environment. You are propelled into the world in a new way, and must find innovative new ways of interacting with others. While bringing intense focus to bear on reaching your goals, Saturn may limit the amount of free time you have to spend with friends, but will also ensure that the time you do spend is mutually beneficial. Having recently found what truly makes you happy, you set about this year to concentrate your energies on creating and grounding the life you choose.
Sagittarius – The transformative planet, Pluto, which has been in your sign since 1995, is leaving Sagittarius late January, entering Capricorn for over a decade, but it will dip back into Sagittarius from mid June until late November, 2008. What this means for you is: all those years of deep healing and transformative work on yourself are coming to a close. With Pluto (and Jupiter) in Capricorn, you will begin focusing more energy on your values, resources and financial well-being. Saturn has entered your career sector where, for the next two years, you will be concentrating on building and further developing your work, especially as it related to your life-purpose. During 2008, much attention will be directed to further developing your communications skills. This January, you may find yourself reviewing the merits of certain intimate relationships or partnerships; this will resolve and you will have clarity by the end of the month.
Capricorn – Pluto enters your sign after spending twelve years in Sagittarius where it worked more subtly on completing old karma, prompting you to let go of old baggage so you could become fully present to your life. Joining jovial Jupiter in Capricorn, Pluto begins working on transforming the way you see yourself, and how you present yourself to the world. Over the next decade, your life will change so much that you may not recognize yourself, but don't get overly serious about this, it will be fun! After over two years of introspection, delving into your psyche, you are now ready to begin exploring the bigger picture, and are drawn to developing your spirituality. You may need to briefly revisit a health issue or concern, but you will have closure by the end of the month. You will certainly benefit from travel, study, and philosophical inquiry this year, as well as from taking the time to look deeply at your current values. Do they reflect who you truly are?
Aquarius – The new moon in early January falls in your 12 house, inviting you to create time and space for inner spiritual renewal. This is an important theme for the year ahead as Jupiter expands your experience of the sublime, and Pluto begins a sixteen-year cycle of deep transformation of your relationship to life, God, spirituality, and the mysteries. Having completed a twelve-year cycle in which you explored every aspect of your highly social nature, developing friendships and associations that will serve you for many years to come, it is time to turn inward to discover your inner core being. Saturn in Virgo for the next two years invites you to become very clear in your dealings with mutually held assets and debts, make safer investments, and complete outstanding obligations. This month, you may need to complete issues with either a creative project or with children in your life; once done, life can move fully move forward. With the soul path shifting into your sign now, focus on developing your highest and best qualities.
Pisces – Pluto completes a 12-year cycle in which you have experienced a “death and rebirth” cycle in your career and sense of life purpose. Expansive Jupiter highlights your social life all year, and Pluto in Capricorn joins in, making this a year in which some friends leave your life, and new ones enter. You also experience changes within clubs or associations that you belong to, and your own future plans may get altered. Saturn in Virgo highlights your primary relationships, requiring you to look with more scrutiny at the quality of your most intimate contacts, and perhaps make changes with lovers or business partners. Creative projects may temporarily be on hold, but will move forward again at the end of January. Your life continues to change in unexpected ways, and this year, it will be important to devote some time to inner spiritual reflection.
Carolina Eastwood provides in-depth personal astrology readings that open the doorway to fulfilling your life-purpose. Offices in Solana Beach and Poway. www.earthstarconsulting.com. or: Phone: 858/259-1590