Well, it looks like a better year, doesn't it??? No heavy duty Saturn, Pluto, Uranus transits. ....Saturn opposite Uranus at the end of the year seems to be the only fly in the ointment. Yet there are planets that are close. Uranus has had the asteroid, Pallas, close, most of 2007. It's still there til March. Uranus is the higher octave of Mercury, indicating a genius mentality when aspected positively, and Pallas is all mental - the goddess was born of Zeus' head, so she's not in touch with emotion - this conjunction will see children born at this time genius in the field of computers and math.....Uranus rules computers and Pallas rules the ability to think in patterns and put things together others wouldn't see.

At the same time, Chiron is keeping close on the heels of Neptune....in fact it will do so til 2014! Chiron is the wounding and Neptune is illusion/delusion....even sabotage sometimes. How are these two going to work? They are in Aquarius - and will move to Pisces before they split up an opportunity to move beyond our limitations. The last time Chiron and Neptune met up, it was 1945. I've heard from people who were children in that time that they were fed some propaganda of sorts from their parents, which, since they were their parents, they believed, and built their life on. It behooves nurturing parents of children born in these years to watch for negative programming by someone. It would depend on which house it's in, who the probably culprit might be.

When Saturn opposes Uranus in November, it will also oppose Pallas, of course, as well. Those who think within the box are not going to cotton to people who think outside the box....and so far outside the box most of us can't comprehend the genius (sort of like "Charlie (David Krumholtz) " on "Numb3rs").

During the first few months of the year, Mars flits back and forth opposing Pluto before it moves on. Mars is the god of war, and the previous ruler of Scorpio before Pluto was discovered. It's usually a time of dark forces. Mars also represents cars, and Pluto is anything with an RE before it, so REpair works here. Keep your car repaired. ...there are 3 types of policemen. #1 is the Virgo type who wants to serve and protect, #2 is the Saturn type where they want you to follow the rules and stay within the box, and #3 are the Pluto types that want dominion and control.....the latter is more likely to be behind the bush just waiting for you to make a mistake.....so watch your p's and q's (literally! that's shorthand for pints and quarts!!) and don't give them anything they can complain about.

Pluto enters Capricorn in January, with Jupiter nearby, and then Jupiter takes off, staying in Cap for the year, to make the ingress a bit more easy. Saturn starts off the year aspectinig a number of planets, and close to opposing Uranus, so we can feel a little of its non-appreciation of Uranus' hippie qualities at that time. In June, Saturn gets close to trining Pluto again, as it did in August of 2007. In July, Saturn and Pluto are still in a pretty close trine, but Mars joins them, conjuncting Saturn. As we saw with the bridge collapse, even a trine isn't good with Mars in the picture.

As we start into the summer months, Uranus is starting to move in to square Pluto, which it won't do til June of 2012, but it'll be hanging in close proximity the whole time. When Uranus conjuncted Pluto in 1966, it started the whole hippie, free love, uncommitted relationships, and being more open in sexual expression.....which brought in Roe v. wade, in 1973. In the coming years, culminating in 2012, we'll probably see more individualism again, and the people standing up to power.

For you Capricorn:

Jupiter trines Saturn from the 1st house of Self to the 9th house of religion/travel. Jupiter is opening opportunites, and since Saturn is in Jupiter's house - the 9th - you should be able to bring them into a tangible reality.

Jupiter sextiles Uranus from the 1st house of Self to the 3rd house of siblings, lower education, neighbors, community. In some way communication/writing is going to open up some opportunities for you.

Jupiter sesquiquadrates Saturn from the 1st house to the 9th. As the faster planet moves away from the trine at 120 degrees, it creates a sesqui at 135 degrees....a little blip on the radar screen to see if you handled the positive energy right.

Saturn Opposes Uranus/Pallas, from the 9th house of religion/travel/law to the 3rd house of siblings, communication and community. Saturn wants you to be serious about your writing endeavors and tests you to see if you're ready.

Jupiter inconjuncts Neptune from the 1st to the 2nd....Be careful not to think too large. Jupiter can have grandiose dreaams and Neptune's mirage can feed them.

THE OUTLYING PLANETS

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are called the 'major' planets because they move slowly. They are the 'directors' of our play of life, and dictate the set and the scenery and outline the major direction of the play.....they would be the ones who write the 'bible' for soap operas - the long range direction of the stories. Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars, on the other hand, are the "personal" planets: they are the actors who trigger the events, and can also be looked at as the 'daily writers' of our individual soap opera who write the daily events. So, in astrology, we look to the outlying planets and see what they are doing to get a sense where the action is going to take place.

For you Capricorn, you had a relatively quiet period as Pluto traversed the 12th, the hidden, behind the scenes. Your mates may have had power struggles on the job. However, you may have had someone plotting behind the scenes against your best interests. Did you discover who that was?

Now, as Pluto moves into Capricorn, you are moving into a time of empowerment. There may be a challenge here and there, but ultimately, it's like Pluto in the 10th - Capricorn's house - time to ascend the throne and accept your power. You can move in to a position of authority and control, now. You can be challenged by someone already there who fears the competition, but you've been thru enough Saturn/Pluto aspects to know what you're getting in to. Pluto brings a power figure, maybe a narcissist, into whatever sign it goes in to....just make sure that isn't you. You want Pluto to empower you, not turn you into power freak. Hold your own, don't be intimidated, and you'll be fine. Just watch your back.

Pluto goes retrograde on April 2nd and goes direct on September 8th.

Neptune is now in Aquarius. Combined with Uranus, it's been a bumpy ride the last 8-15 years. There have been upsets and jobs lost, as you've been encouraged to get out of the rat race and pursue more personal goals. The nebulousness of Neptune, has found carving a niche for yourself rather difficult. Now that it has followed Uranus into Aquarius (as Uranus moves into Pisces), the ride should be a little easier, as the energy is more to Nep's liking....Aquarius is a transcendant sign of higher vision much as its own sign, Pisces.

For you, Cap, Neptune is now in your second house of money. Well, that's not so good. Uranus shook up your finances and Neptune is schmoozing them. Neptune rules oil....oil makes plastic....plastic creates credit cards....that's why Neptune rules the 'plastic' which underwrites our lives. With Neptune here for a sustained period, it would be wise to bring your practical Cap attitude to the fore, and not get carried away with credit. However, some Capricorns can be induced to loosen the purse strings at this time and use it to enjoy the symphony, the opera, or other cultural endeavors that will enrich the soul, which they haven't seen the need to 'indulge' in before.

Neptune goes retrograde on May 26th, and goes direct on November 2nd.

Uranus- On March 11, 2003, Uranus moved into Pisces after 8 years in Aquarius. It then retro'ed back to Aquarius on Sept. 16th,2003, and then back to Pisces by Dec. 31st to continue on it's way thru Pisces for the next 7+ years. Uranus rules Aquarius, which is an air sign, and Pisces, of course, is water. Water and air don't work too well together. Just as Uranus got 'stuck' in Capricorn, it dives into the unknown areas of emotion, and gets confused....that objective, logical air quality doesn't understand emotion, ala "Mr. Spock" and "Data" of Star Trek. Triggering emotional buttons can have Uranus moving into uncharted areas, and acting inappropriately, even for itself. As a friend of mine, the late actress June Ellis (herself an Aquarian) once said, "How can you predict Uranus, when it is unpredictable?" When Uranus enters a new house (new room, more specifically) it throws on the lights, and exposes all that is in that 'room' to be be cleaned out, pulling the rug out from under as it goes, forcing you to move forward in new directions.

Capricorns will find Uranus shaking up the 3rd house of communication, lower education and siblings; the next one after you in particular. You can have opportunities to travel short distances. You can be gifted with the insight to see what others have yet to see. Your sibling can be getting restless and itchy, and causing issues with the family. That's not all that bad. They might get catapulted into a position they've always dreamed about.

Uranus goes retrograde on June 26th and goes direct on November 27th.

After a rough 2 1/2 years in Leo, Saturn left the lofty sign and moved into Virgo on September 6, 2007. Leos in particular, breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't a good time for Leos. Michael Richards (Kramer on Seinfeld) had his meltdown, Isaiah Washington of "Grey's Anatomy" had a long drawn out meltdown (just quit while you're ahead, Isaiah! He must have Snake energy in his chart somewhere - has to be right, can't be wrong and has to have the last word! - Let it go, for heaven's sakes!). Barry Bonds proceeded towards the home run title under spurious circumstances....if Saturn hadn't been in Leo, the last two and a half years would have gone better, but as Saturn made travel plans to move on to the state of Virgo, the energy lightened up and he got his tying home runs and went on to add to the total. For others, like Steve Carell, his career took off. For Leos, who like to live large, found Saturn more onerous than most planets traversing it. They started to part-eeeeeeeeeee when it left. they felt a sense of relief and 'let out of jail'. That ponderous cloud over their head moved on and the sun came out to shine a bit...yet it went into their money house, so hope you didn't part-eeeeeeee too much, Leo, the bills will come due at some point, and Saturn will wonder why you didn't put something aside in the savings account.

The Baby Boomers of the 40's found that Saturn was going over the same territory (Leo) it did in 1946-48. The problem there being that Saturn caught up with Pluto in 1947, and in 1948, Chiron squared them as they broke up. There was lots of angst during those years, and now, as Saturn moved thru it again - their second Saturn return, and revisiting the S/P conjunct, those in and around their 60's were feeling the aches and pains and emotional blocks of the traumas of those days.

Saturn went thru Leo again from 1976-78, so Baby Boomers had a fresh look at the wound again, and those born later, experienced it for the first time. Those born in the late 60s and early 70's experienced the recycling of the energy as they went thru their first Saturn return, and found the body manifesting the emotional blocks which occurred in their early years. In the 70's, Saturn was squaring Uranus - the 'cop' knocking heads with the "hippie" of the zodiac, but at least not causing the angst of the Pluto connection. For all signs born after the late 70's, this was the first time they felt it going thru Leo, the sign of ego and self worth, so they all felt some ego denying in relation to the house position it was in. Leos particuarly, those born in the early 80's are now in their mid 20's and they had never experienced Saturn riding rough shod on their need to shine.

Now, Saturn is in Virgo. In modern times, it went thru Virgo from 1948-51, and 1978-81. Virgo energy works better with Saturn, for it rules Capricorn and is part of the earth trine. Doesn't mean there aren't lessons to learn and karma to address, but it's a cadent sign and thus, lighter energy. Those who are recycling the energies from the late 40's and late 70's, will find issues coming up again to heal. Emotional blocks which were created during those times can manifest as illness. This is where we can thank Saturn instead of cursing him, because it brings into manifestation what we have been harboring in our souls for all this time, in a tangible expression which, if we detect it right, leads us to the answer.

Taurus and Capricorn will benefit most from this transit, as it will trine their sun sign during this juncture, and they'll find that the 'gods' are approving and bringing rewards for work well done. Virgos will be tested, but they are such workaholics that they probably won't know the difference. Sagittarians, Pisces and Geminis will feel the square energy, and find they have to stand up to authority figures who would like to mold them to their will. Leos, Aquarians, Aries and Libra will find themselves making 'adjustments' as Saturn quincunx (30 degrees) and inconjuncts (150 degrees), their signs. That leaves Cancer, Scorpio in a sextile position to Virgo, which will create a YOD pointing to Aquarius and Aries, respectively; when Saturn tests, your "answers" are in those houses, Moon baby and Scorp....it's up to you to figure it out. *

Now, Saturn is in your 9th house. That's a trine from Virgo to Cap. Saturn's always playing Scrooge....nosing around, trying to find something to complain about, but it's an easier 2 1/2 year spell for you. Maybe you'll manifest a trip, or find the money to go back to school. ...if you work hard for it. Saturn is your planet, Cap, so you know the energy and work better with it than anyone.....maybe you're the one that's the authoritarian in this area, so pull in your horns and try to work with people. Uranus and Neptune going thru Cap in the late 80's moved Caps out of their structure into a higher level of consciousness, so go there in your dealings with people, and don't get mired down in this effort to control your world.

Chinese astrology - Saturn went thru your Dog area the last 2 1/2 years. You tend to be reserved in sex, most times, Cap, and with Saturn going thru the house of Sex (8th) in the Dog overlay, you may have been more reserved in your sexual expression than usual.

Now, Saturn is in the area of the Boar. You're warming up, but you may be down in the dumps, too. This is the area where you get down on yourself, and you don't need Saturn reinforcing it. You need to buoy yourself up, be with positive people and keep your spirits up during this time. Focus on the glass being half full.

Saturn is retrograde at 8 degrees of Virgo at the beginning of the year, and goes direct on May 3rd, goes retro on December 31, 08, goes direct on May 17, 2009, moves into Libra on Oct 30, 2009, retrogrades on January 10, 2010, rx back into Virgo on April 8, 2010, goes direct on May 30, 2010 at 27 degrees of Virgo, and then goes back into Libra on July 22, 2010.

JUPITER in Capricorn - December 19, 2007 - January 6, 2009

For you, Cap, Jupiter is in your first house of self. This is a powerful combination with Pluto in your sign, too. This would be a great year to get yourself established on a high note. You can travel, or go back to school, or study law, or become a minister, go into advertising and/or public relations. This is a time for expansion and growth in your life, don't let your fears run away from it. Embrace the opportunities which come your way.

Jupiter goes retrograde on May 9th at 22 degrees and goes direct on September 8th at 12 degrees.

Baby Boomers - You have an extra aspect going on in your chart that is affecting you most dramatically Click Here

HEALTH ISSUES

With Pluto in Capricorn, it's the Dragon/Stomach area of the Chinese overlay. Money is important to you, Cap, and now you want the power that goes with it. You'll be more ambitious to get what you want and keep it. There's usually a little dip in finances at the outset of a Pluto ingress, and it may sock you right in the stomach til it starts to right itself again.

With Neptune in Aquarius, it's in the Snake/Spleen area of your Chinese overlay. This is your second house of money, and so you can be feeling like your monetary area is less than solid and stable. The Snake is nervous and scrambling around trying to corral all the money and keep it safe, but it's squeezing out here and there.....so much to keep track of and just soo much snake to go around. You may seem to hoard your money now because you just can't trust it outside that bank! you long to be recognized and hate being rejected. You will go a long ways not to have that happen....and yet, the other side of you will test the limits to see just how far others will go before they cut you off. Your spleen needs protection here.

With Uranus in Pisces, it is in the Horse/Heart area of your Chinese overlay. You tend to have siblings who are different from you, because they reflect the Pisces energy, and now Uranus is here to make them even more eclectic. This is the heart section of your chart, and sometimes Uranus will cause palpitations. So, if that happens, just know that Uranus is shaking up the electrical system a bit. Be sure and check with your physician, but knowing what it is can keep it from being too scary.......and it doesn't have to happen, but sometimes it does.

With Saturn in Virgo, it is in the Rat/gall bladder area of the Chinese overlay. It's your 9th house of travel, religion, sports, politics. You are very sensitive to people in this area of your chart, and can feel abandoned or betrayed when Saturn's energy criticizes you. Your temper can flare during this stime. Saturn recycles events of 30 and 60 years ago; the late '40's and '70's....Look to events at that time for your feelings of anger now.

This information is based on my "Chinese Power Animals" book. This interprertation is for the sun sign and not for the rising sign.

By Pamela Leigh Powers, © 1999-2007 all rights reserved