2008 Forecast

The unhappy events of the last few weeks of 2008 give us all grave concerns for the future of the Middle East. The effect a widening war could have on Western economies and daily lives have profound implications for our economies and the personal futures of those who choose a military life.

I fear that the US administration is still top-heavy with hawks who have convinced themselves that the only solution to the "Iranian Problem" lies in the use of military force. If they follow the course of expanded war, the outcome will almost certainly be horrific. The traditional associations for Mars and Pluto include "large explosions" and as we enter 2008, we have Mars Retrograde, opposed Pluto (at a critical degree). With Pluto also conjunct Jupiter, and recent events in Pakistan, it is no wonder more than one astrologer is concerned about the potential for nuclear terrorism in the Middle East.

There could be expanded home-grown terrorism. Atlanta and New Orleans are highlighted as potential danger areas. "Middle America" suffers from grave challenges and the possibility of war coming back home. This is unlikely to be outright rebellion, but it could take many forms. There are already signs of an epidemic of family and spousal abuse by returning vets struggling from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These men and women are not receiving the quality of care they have earned and deserve. Their resentment is rising like bile in the throat of America. I am concerned that more than one former soldier may snap, with terrible results in the heartland.

Russia and Iran will be implicated, openly or secretly, in meddling with the war in Iran. Russia and China could face diplomatic challenges related to oil, Internet technology or space exploration. There could be something of an arms race brewing between the two.

The Canadian currency should continue to remain strong in 2008. Gold will be volatile, but look for it to go higher. A big player in the gold markets could be found to be hoarding gold or somehow manipulating gold prices.

There may be an outbreak of violence in Turkey, related to Cyprus.

Hotspots to watch in Africa are Libya, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria.

I am actually optimistic about the year ahead in many ways. The interesting challenge this year will be for women. There are both challenges and renewals for those who consider themselves "feminists". What do women value? What really matters? From what source springs our authority? Do we take what we can from old, white men, following their lead, or do we decide for ourselves what matters most to us? Do we chart our own path, or follow in the footsteps of our ancestors, repeating the dances they taught us as children?

A woman will take over as the major new CEO of a large company, to try to bring them back from the brink of disaster. There will be a jump in the numbers of women in leadership positions, including the rise of women in political leadership, particularly in Europe.

An old technology in communications could make a comeback this year. Letter writing could become a retro-fad. People will be looking for new-old ways of making contact with family members and loved ones.

There could be a breakthrough in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. The treatment could involve stem cells in combination between embryonic and adult donors, together with drugs and some form of innovative or alternative treatment. A compromise between competing drug companies could lead to a major new treatment that includes some older treatments.

December 2007 Forecast

This month is all about medicine, healthcare, and wellness. Expect to hear many strange and unusual stories about the healthcare industry. There will be gender-specific angles in a flurry of stories about the different ways men and women should be treated in the art of medicine, especially where it comes to geriatrics. The truth is we do have different needs, and there is a lot of work to be done in women’s medicine in particular. Funding is being diverted from women's research, and there could be some kind of scandal revealed that could result in some high-profile individuals going to court or worse. The upside of these revelations could mean a balancing (at long last) of some long-standing inequities in modern medicine.

Another scandal in the medical field may involve a large company's medical or healthcare plans. There could be some kind of security or privacy compromise. This company most likely has large telecommunications, radio or Internet holdings. They will attempt to keep this breach secret, but the truth will hit the fan between the first and second weeks of the month.

If you are feeling confused the past few months, look to where in your life your desire for freedom is at odds with your need for freedom. Saturn and Uranus are opposing right now, giving many people fits of mutually incompatible desires. Where this will manifest depends on where these two planets hang in your transit chart. There is an opportunity around the middle of the month to use this energy for your personal benefit, especially if your "confusion of choice" happens to involve romance. You may find yourself with a lot of new choices and options, if you are prepared to move quickly on the opportunities that are coming your way.

Special Holiday Advice: If you are one of those people who volunteers to do it all, then ends up feeling resentful and unappreciated, go to Hawaii this year, and let someone else take over the family chores. Or hire a caterer to handle all the picky little details. Or just have a little less of the time-intensive goodies and preparations. You'll feel torn between your desire to impress others and the very real need to have some fun yourself. You can't be a joy to others if you feel resentful – and you folks are putting yourself in the position to feel that way by your own refusal to say "NO". Lighten up. No holiday will ever be "perfect". Let it be what it is and enjoy yourself! Santa will be happy to get by with one less rum ball or two, and everyone else will be happier if they know you are having some fun too.

November 2007 Forecast

This month starts off with a nice Grand Trine between the Sun, Uranus and Mars. Sudden, unexpected events and developments could change the face of modern warfare, and the way we go to work every day. Innovations and inventions, especially those involving water, like submarines, could bring a positive difference into the modern world. Of course some of these inventions could have a dark side. They could be found to have a negative effect on sea mammals, or on the oceans themselves. There could be negative psychological side effects, or a big story could come to light about drug use in the workplace or the military.

Last month I spoke of a woman in leadership coming to prominence, and of course the story of Benazir Bhutto fits nicely with the aspects I was watching then. Her potential is great, but I am afraid for her safety with the aspects I see right now. I would urge her to be more cautious than she has been in the past. The same for other women leaders who have polarizing or controversial pasts, who want to transform the world quickly or in radical ways. This is not the best time to push past people's prejudice. They will want to fight to hold on to the "old ways", and some of that push-back could be violent. I feel some of this energy could peak mid-month.

All women in positions of leadership would do well to avoid unnecessary risk and drama through the early part of the month. Focus on building consensus rather than pushing through any radical agendas. All people, men and women alike, will feel torn between their desire for newness and the comfort of the old. It is best to find different venues to express these different desires. Have one project that emphasizes the old, and another to bring in the new, and you'll find the energy smooths out dramatically.

Look for unique and interesting new methods of communication this month. A "next big thing" could be some kind of web site or electronic communication device that facilitates better productivity and connections between people in the workplace.

September 2007 Forecast

September may start off on an overly optimistic note, with a lot of sexy energy in the air. There is what I’d call a "second chance" aspect that would bode well for those with on again, off again romances. If the re-attraction lasts into the second week of September, then you may have something. If not, well, a summer fling is better than nothing, right? It could go either way, but regardless of the stage your relationship is at, by the middle of the month you will notice that your partnership has developed a new way of communicating. The relationships with the staying power will be those where both parties are open to new and unusual forms of non-verbal communication. If you are already reading each other’s minds, that will make for some interesting experiences in mid-month.

The daily workplace will be no less interesting, but it is likely to be a heck of a lot more challenging. Stressful aspects plague the Sun almost the entire month as it travels through Virgo. If you work in a hospital or alternative healthcare, stock up on supplies, this isn’t probably the best month to take a vacation. People are going to be stressed out and vulnerable to more than just aches and pains right now. If your health is vulnerable or you have strong planets in Virgo, Pisces, Sagittarius or Gemini, this could be a challenging month either in your daily workplace or health. Don’t neglect one for the other. Find a way to balance your responsibilities to others with your responsibility to yourself.

Expect to hear a lot of strange religious proclamations this month. There is a strong negative energy that is stirring up fundamentalists of all stripes right now, and very little available to ease the pressure. They feel under attack, and the truth is, the more rigid one’s religious beliefs right now, the more likely you are being forced to realize some hard truths about not only the leadership of your faith, but its very founding principals may come under the shadow of doubt.

August 2007 Forecast

August 2007 Forecast

You may have noticed all this summer that there have been new and unusual medical or healing opportunities. There is a big push towards alternative medicine that could really pay off for those who are not afraid to try new-old things. Look to alternative therapy for help alongside traditional medicine, it can be highly effective right now.

Romance is heating up this summer with the early part of August being a peak period for weddings, proposals and new romances. People will feel a powerful “urge to merge”. At the same time, there is a strong “He-Said She-Said” aspect in the heavens, giving an edgy flair to some romances. It is the men who will feel the pressure the strongest, leading up to late August when there will be some kind of high-profile media case involving men and “foot in mouth disease”. Men, take my advice, around August 24, keep your traps shut unless you want to cause big trouble for yourselves. If you can’t keep quiet, oh well, there is always early September when you can make amends with the standard flowers and chocolates.

A powerful human rights movement may get started this month. Look for the advent of a strong leader, possibly a woman, who emerges to set a new global effort with the potential to change many lives for the better. A big entertainment event could prove to be part of a catalyst to bring change to the lives of women around the world. There could be restructuring to political or large-scale organizations, or a change to healthcare that addresses women’s issues in a much more positive manner.

Astrology Overview May 2007

This month starts off with some encouraging aspects related to work, career and finances. There will be breakthroughs in communications and technology soon that could help boost some lagging businesses. If your business or career is a bit slow, you may benefit from installing a new computer system, network, or getting some advice from a trusted friend or partner.

The big challenge right now is hidden agendas in global politics. Some frightening secrets may come to light this month that could renew and energize conflicts and terrorist attacks. Expect explosions aimed at “home, hearth and family”, the attacks will also be aimed at Western culture, its financial institutions and its freedoms.

The New Moon on May 16th takes place in Taurus, so a good deal of the emphasis this month will be on finances, creature comforts, personal security and values. The unstable political and social climate will have people reaching out for quick fixes. There will be high-profile celebrity rehab meltdowns (again), which are a metaphor for what is wrong with the rest of us.

The upside to these challenges is that they will make us all take a good, long look at what we value, what we believe, and why. When we come to the other side, it will be hard for us to relate to our old belief systems. By mid to late may, a woman in political leadership may open up some secrets that will open up a whole new can of worms involving the chaos in Africa or the Middle East. This scandal could propel her career forward and higher in a spectacular manner.