Astrology Alive! - Free Horoscopes & Home Page - Click here!
Astrology is a language that is accessible, applicable, and even essential, to modern living because it gives meaning to our natural cycles. And what can we expect from these cycles, both collectively and individually, in 2000? A story may be the best way to give the flavor of what is to come:
A few years ago a circus came to Chicago. A local TV station scheduled an interview with the circus’s animal trainer, who chose to bring along his trained bear on a leash! (At the time, the studio was in the heart of downtown, on top of a well known office building.) The ride up the elevator was uneventful, but just as the trainer stepped out into the hall, the startled bear reared back, snapping the leash–and the elevator doors closed! The bear was whisked back down to the lobby where people were waiting. What will 2000 feel like? Those who saw the elevator doors draw back could tell you!
From a global perspective, the planetary energies of this year (especially Uranus in the last half of Aquarius, for the astrologically-informed among you) will continue the breakneck acceleration of discovery and technology that seem to dump something new in our laps every day. Like... evidence of other solar systems. Effective treatments for AIDS. Smart games. Digital satellite TV. Microchip-powered eyeglasses. And globetrotting "wired" entrepreneurs with mobile virtual offices, interacting in an electronic village of 30-million-and-growing. Uranus is the lightening-fast principle that blows apart stale, outworn structures that need to crumble in order to bring fresh, new options. This surge of discovery, technology, and information is a sort of creative chaos that will continue to feed upon itself in ‘00, making even more change inevitable. And the 400,000 of you born in 1962, who have many planets in Aquarius in your natal chart, are in for an extraordinary year of surprises and creativity!
But this intensified pace is not just what you see on the news–not happening to somebody else someplace far away, is it? You feel it, don’t you? And doesn’t everyone you know? The result, of course, is mental tension and bodily stress. 2000 is really the time for the exercise we’ve been putting off, the vacation we never seem to have time for, and even more specific remedies, like taking those Vitamin B-complex foods and supplements that nourish the nervous system. And take note you fire sign types (Sun or several planets in Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) or air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius)–your usual way of "burning through" or "rising above" such times may not be enough for this one.
Saturn is again moving into a square (90 degree angle) to Uranus on May 12, 2000. These are the most likely times of systemic disruptions of technology–computer glitches, and power outages. Use "Saturn" to counteract this Uranus energy. Get structured, exercise self-control, plan, schedule. Some may need to cut down time in cyberspace and spend it on earth, slowing down, committing only to what is essential, and striving to find a sense of daily calm and stability. Even a well-timed deep breath may ease our agitation–we know there’s a direct connection between the depth of our breathing and our psychological and emotional states. I have a friend who sets her watch to beep once each hour just to remind her to breathe. It works for her–and has begun to work for me.
Of course, every difficulty that an astrological configuration presents is matched by an opportunity, and this year is no exception. Jupiter is the principle of expansion, hope, optimism is in Taurus this year. When it touches your personal horoscope, it can ease the way and open doors to long-held and worked-for dreams. Jupiter in Taurus gives us all an opportunity to plant new seeds. Cultivate and work to stabilize those seeds from February 15 through the end of June, 2000. Too, this is a terrific time for individuals or groups to "revision" the future, to brainstorm new possibilities, or to initiate new products or ideas.
Let’s consider an influence that comes around much more often–the "Mercury retrograde." Mercury is retrograde three times every year for a three week time period. This means that, from the perspective of the Earth, Mercury looks to be moving backward in the zodiac. What can we experience during this time? Well, Mercury retrograde is a bit like Murphy’s Lawyer–if a thing can go wrong, he’ll make it go wrong, and we can expect increased frustration, interruptions, and snafu’s that make even simple projects seem impossible You will need more caution, more care, and a pinch more elbow grease to get things done. Typically there are delays, interferences, miscommunications (especially for those of us with strong Virgo or Gemini in our charts (Mercury is the ruler of these two signs). It is not a good time to launch or initiate new projects. You will be pushing off, symbolically, just when the tide is going out, and it will be more of a strain to make headway with your plan–better to wait until the current is moving with you.
These are the things to watch–1. Signing contracts, (if you must sign, check the details); 2. Making up your mind. (You are likely to change it after the period is over, or further details may come to light that make you realize another choice was better); 3. Sending out marketing or PR materials . (You get little response for your effort); 4. Encountering many last minute changes, canceled or missed appointments, or misunderstandings on an important matter. I have also seen both soft and hard crashes of computers hard drives during this time–I had one myself several years ago on a Mercury retrograde. And now that many of us are spending more time on computers and as our businesses become more computer-dependent, Mercury (as the ruler of communications) is affecting computer/technological situations. So I’ll give an added twist to the usual advice: Back up!–before Mercury sends Murphy to your place.
Mark these year 2000 dates on your calendar: Mercury is retrograde February 24 to March 14, June 23 - July 17, October 18 - November 8. How can you best use these retrograde times? It is an excellent time to finish projects already started, to refresh your memory about subject matter you have already learned, and to straighten up accumulated clutter–for example, that filing cabinet or computer desktop you’re always planning to get to. (If you question whether something is still of value to you, hold on to it and reevaluate after the retrograde). With a little foresight and care, you can still take advantage of this time period and then march forward again when Mercury doubles back and goes direct.
Uranus, Jupiter and the Mercury Retrograde are only a couple of next year’s patterns, but ones anyone can confirm by just paying attention. Keep in mind that how the planetary cycles will affect you depends on how they are affecting your own personal chart. Genuine astrology has little to do with the daily horoscope predictions in the newspapers. That is entertainment, at best. To use astrology as a guideline in your life‚ consult a professional astrologer. There are many competent ones around the world.
 |
Barbara Schermer |
Back to Astrology Alive! - Home
 |
|