As we head in to 2010, a series of extremely dynamic planetary constellations start shaping up, setting the scene for five or six years of dramatic change for the world. These patterns are reminiscent of the 1930’s when the world was struggling with economic depression on the one hand and political extremism on the others. The years of ideological battle, religious extremism and uncertainty connected with Uranus, Saturn and Pluto in mutable signs will soon be definitively over, and a new philosophy of decision-making and action will become dominant.
Major world capitals will undoubtedly go through important power battles and transformation processes in the coming years, as on every New Year’s Day the sun will be conjoining Pluto and square Uranus, especially between 2012 and 2016. In 2010 the Sun will constellate with Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter and Pluto at every major ingress – the spring and autumn equinox, and the summer and winter solstices, which form the Cardinal Cross of the horoscope.
The first major long-term planetary cycle to consider is the Saturn/Pluto square, which is part of a 36 year cycle that started with the conjunction in 1982 – 1983. Saturn enters Libra, where it is exalted, on October 28th 2009, and already makes its first square with Pluto on November 15th at 1.41 Libra/Capricorn. Subsequent squares take place on 31st January 2010 at 4.19 degrees and August 21st at 2.56 degrees. This square signifies colossal battles in trying to impose principles of justice and fairness. We can certainly expect the pressure to pile up on Iran and North Korea at this time, and this will probably result in a successful limitation of both countries nuclear ambitions.
It is worth remembering that the 1991 horoscope for Russia has the sun at 3.26 Capricorn. If there is anyone who thinks that the balance of power between Prime Minister Putin and President Medvedev will remain in harmonious, they will be proved wrong. (Note 1) With Putin thinking about becoming re-elected as president in 2012, there will almost certainly be an enormous power struggle taking place beneath the surface… and only one of them will survive it. Medvedev is said to be mild-mannered, but with a Sun conjoining the Uranus/Pluto conjunction in Virgo, and Mars in Scorpio, he is definitely a force to be reckoned with. And with his progressed Mars in a protracted square to Uranus and Pluto in these years, he is probably involved in a long battle for survival.
The other fascinating planetary cycle culminating in 2010 is the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction, which first takes place in Aries, when Jupiter and Uranus simultaneously enter that sign in May/June 2010. Jupiter just reaches Pluto where it dwells in a tight square aspect in July and August, bringing a high degree of brinkmanship and ideological extremism. We can expect some dangerous threats at this time, and an enormous indignation about the abuse of government power. This presages a period of world revolution that takes place between 2012 and 2016.
Jupiter returns to peaceable Pisces to make its last two conjunctions with Uranus in Pisces in September 2010 and January 2011, which I am sure will be excellent for idealistic climate initiatives, and innovative technologies that help the planet.
The Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in Aries however makes the period from the end of May to the middle of August extremely explosive. Considering that the (Sibley) horoscope for USA has its IC at 1.04 Aries, this can be uncertain times, perhaps dangerous times, for the White House. There is very likely to be domestic unrest in the USA at this time, and the rise of right-wing extremism in the form of militias will become a growing threat to the system.
But how will these dramatic planetary cycles affect the individual horoscope? To get a general picture, it works to make a solar horoscope for each sign, and then see which solar houses the outer planets find themselves in. Clearly this will be a major time of change for Saturn-ruled Capricorn and Aquarius… more so for Aquarius as co-ruler Uranus also changes sign. With Saturn exalted in Libra the trends will be positive, but power battles are inevitable because of the square to Pluto.
Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius and Pisces can also expect major changes, and with Jupiter most of the year dignified in its own sign, this will also be a positive year, but with unpredictable events in the summer as Jupiter enters Aries and conjoins Uranus.
This will also be an interesting year for Mars-ruled Aries and Scorpio, for Mars will be in Leo until June, completely untouched by aspects to the outer planets, which sounds like a lot of fun. For Venus-ruled Taurus and Libra, the most challenging period will be the retrograde cycle when Venus is in detriment in Scorpio from September to December.
This month’s article will deal with developments for the first six signs of the zodiac in 2010, and the following article next month will deal with the last six signs:
Aries
The main issue for Aries in 2010 is the placement of Saturn on the solar Descendant up until April and then again from July onwards. This shows a series of challenges in relationships that require hard work and commitment, but the likelihood is that the demands of other people are reasonable, and because Mars in Leo repeatedly sextiles Saturn in early 2010, the wise Aries knows how to live up to responsibilities. In fact this position of Mars is excellent both for love and children… also in the long term. With Pluto positioned on the Aries Midheaven, where is has been for a year or more, the effect of the Saturn square will be to evoke major professional power struggles. Autocratic leaders can try and impose their will on you, and this can lead to important restructuring at work. And with Jupiter and Uranus affecting the Ascendant from June to August, there are also likely to be radical changes in life generally. This could show a long and exotic summer holiday, but the summer break can very well result in radical career change or a move, which may take effect immediately, or may manifest at the end of the year when Mars conjoins Pluto just before Christmas.
Taurus
For Taurus, 2010 promises to be somewhat more stable than for the rest of the zodiac. With Jupiter and Neptune in Pisces for most of the year, the emphasis will be on friendships and group allegiances, which can be very idealistic and very favorable too. With sign ruler Venus conjoining these two planets in February, this should be an excellent month for your social life, especially if you consider joining environmental groups or creative organizations. The long transit of Mars through your 4th house until June shows dynamic developments at home, with the emphasis on live-in partners who know how to live life, and on children. The Saturn/Pluto square may only affect you indirectly, mostly from restructuring in the work environment, perhaps due to draconian job cuts. With Venus conjoining Mars in Libra in August, love will happily be on your terms, but the last four months of the year are more challenging, and at this time the focus in on power structures in relationships. You will have to tread very carefully. As Venus is in Scorpio at this time, you will probably not feel secure enough emotionally, and you may obsess about not having enough control in your love life. As Venus slows and makes a long conjunction with Mars in Scorpio in September and October, relationships will be passionate and you will be dependant on the will of your partner. If you don’t mind a bit of domination, this can be quite rewarding.
Gemini
For Geminis, 2010 starts with intense mental pressure that culminated over the preceding Christmas period. With Pluto in your solar 8th house in this period of your life, you are moved to uncover your inner demons and work on psychological complexes that are normally buried. The Saturn/Pluto square brings power battles on an inner level, perhaps evoking anxiety about relationship security and your erotic life. This square aspect may also affect children, with whom there can be intense battles of will. When Jupiter and Uranus come into Aries in the summer period, there can be dramatic developments in your relationships, but because so many exciting events happen socially at this time, you can probably seek refuge with friends and exciting groups. This is an excellent time for personal development. This is also good year for career expansion, particularly if you can work on something idealistic, either socially on an ecological front, or creatively via art, film or music. There is a growing sense that you are not getting job satisfaction with what you are currently doing. The end of 2010 is eerily similar to the beginning, with deep self analysis which hopefully will make your relationships more meaningful and deep.
Cancer
As a Cardinal sign you will be profoundly affected by the placement of Pluto, Saturn, Jupiter and Uranus in cardinal signs in 2010. Furthermore, the lunar eclipse falls on 4 degrees Cancer/Capricorn – exactly on Pluto – on June 28th, which suggests that there will be significant developments for partners and in relationships generally, probably in the form of a transformation of power balance. With Saturn affecting your 4th house of home and family, you can expect a favorable consolidation of your domestic situation, but because of the aforementioned relationship developments, there can be considerable upheaval or a specific family crisis, which recedes towards the end of the year. The Pluto/Saturn square can also indicate implacable enemies, and you will need to mobilize total family solidarity to handle them. The Uranus/Jupiter conjunction in Aries brings a foretaste of amazing career changes from May to August, and this is the time to go for independence and innovation, especially in terms of technological advance and radical international initiatives. The end of July and beginning of August is likely to bring you and your family to an exotic location. This is also a time when there can be a sudden move because of career developments, which will become even more exciting in 2011.
Leo
With saucy Mars in Leo until June, 2010 will prove to be a very stimulating year for you, and there is a good chance you will be spared the upheavals that affect many of the other signs. The first part of the year is excellent for creativity and for love, and you do your best to live life to the full. The solar eclipse in February in Capricorn emphasizes the many upheavals that take place in your working environment this year, and it is likely that some colleagues will disappear as major restructuring takes place. It is unlikely you will be in agreement with the general autocratic line at work, which may incline you to change your work environment after the summer. This is an excellent year for studies and travels, and the summer will almost certainly bring a journey to a distant and exotic destination especially in late July and early August. If your education is important to you, there can be a radical change of direction at this time, perhaps because you cannot bear to be limited by the system. This is also an interesting time for partnership, and exotic possibilities may arise – especially when you are on your travels.
Virgo
The Saturn transit through Virgo ended in late October 2009, and this, along with the opposition to Uranus probably brought a lot of challenges and changes in personal relationships. With Saturn now in Libra, the focus is more on averting financial crisis through taking new initiatives. Love involvements at this time tend to be very erotic and intense, bringing considerable psychological insight, especially in the summer, when you can be involved with someone who is untraditional but also rather unreliable. Saturn actually returns to Virgo from April to July, and this may be a time when you have to put the final touches to lifestyle and relationship changes that began a few years back. As Virgo is an Earth sign and Mercury ruled, and the three retrograde cycles of Mercury take place in Earth signs, this will be a very constructive year for you, when you consolidate your footing and are ready to make the most out of the future. As Mercury conjoins Pluto at the very beginning and the very end of the year, it will nevertheless be a very intense period, especially in connection with children, or, if you like to live on the edge, love affairs. Having said that, with Jupiter in your opposing sign Pisces most of the year, this is an excellent time for a harmonious relationship with a kind, creative and generous person.
Adrian Ross Duncan 20.10.2009
Note 1: Putin is born on 7th October 1952 at 9.30 in St. Petersburg and Medvedev is born 14th September 1965 in St. Petersburg.