| The year
2002 begins the 9th year following
the great Capricorn Climax of 1988-1993. It
is also 6 years before the great Cardinal
Climax will commence 2008-2015. Thus we are
midway between two of the greatest geocosmic
celestial patterns that form in a lifetime. The Capricorn Climax
involved a conjunction between Saturn,
Uranus, Neptune, and the Moon’s North
Node, all in the sign of Capricorn. Each of
these cycles by themselves last anywhere from
18 – 171 years, so this was truly a rare
event to find all happening within such a
short span of time. This period coincided
with the end of the contraction phase of the
Kondratieff Wave, the 54-year year economic
cycle of boom and bust. It was the transition
to a New World economy, one whose foundation
was built upon technological advances in the
field of communications that would
revolutionize the way Humankind did business
– and even related – with one
another. Although the inventions to these
advances in communications took place prior
to 1988-1993, it wasn’t until this time
that these inventions began to be applied in
a powerful manner that would ultimately
transform daily life on the planet. It was
the application of the fax machine, the
personal computer, and eventually the
Internet.
In addition to these
modern advances in communications, 300
million new consumers entered the free market
economy as a result of the collapse of
communism. The Berlin Wall came down, and the
communist satellites became independent
governments on their own in 1988-1989. The
focus of world economy shifted to meet the
needs and new demands of this huge influx of
potential consumers. The fabric of the global
community began to change. In fact, the very
idea of a global community came to the
forefront. With this, the stock markets of
the world began to soar, as companies
throughout the world revved up their
production to meet the new growing demands.
New opportunities for investment and
speculation began to arise.
During this same time,
there was a threat to world peace as Iraq
invaded Kuwait. But the surprising result of
this was that nations from all over the world
came together in a cooperative coalition to
defeat the threat of Iraq. The result of that
victory was a "peace dividend,"
which again led to even more incredible
growth and economic opportunity to the free
market economies of the world.
The next great
celestial "Climax" will
occur in 2008-2015, when Saturn, Pluto, and
Uranus will all enter cardinal
signs, and form a T-Square to one another.
Most of this will take place in 2008-2010,
but the Uranus-Pluto square will not be
completed until 2015. The last time these
three planets came into a similar formation
was in 1930-1933, which coincided with the
Great Depression. It doesn’t have to
manifest the same way this time, although it
could. It simply means that life as we know
it will again be transformed. The cycle of
the Capricorn Climax, and all that it
represents, will give way to a new social,
cultural, political, and economic cycle. New
inventions will take place and be applied on
a large scale. Humankind will likely
transform once again in the manner in which
it relates with one another, and does
business.
In between these two
great "Climaxes" there is a midway
point in which Saturn will form hard aspects
(squares and oppositions) to first Neptune
(1998), then Uranus (1999-2000), and finally
Pluto (2001-2002). Since Uranus, Neptune, and
Pluto are not involved in a major aspect to
one another, it is not considered a celestial
"Climax." However, it is
nonetheless an important period because
Saturn – the next longest planetary
cycle in our solar system – aspects each
of these further-out planets during this
interval.
This
"midway" cluster of these
Saturnian aspects represents a crisis to the
movement that began with the Capricorn
Climax. And how this crisis is handled will
likely determine the nature of what the
Cardinal Climax will be like. So far, we have
seen a bursting of the technology bubble, a
sharp downturn in the technology-driven
economies of the world, and another threat to
world peace brought about through the
terrorist attack on America. Either these are
temporary phenomena that will be experienced
and corrected during this period (1998-2002),
or they represent the height of the cycle,
and the beginning of the downturn that will
last right into the Cardinal Climax period. I
would like to say I know for certain which it
will be. However, in truth, it depends not so
much on astrology as it does upon
Humankind’s ability to resolve the
issues presented before it – which
astrology has accurately described. The
ultimate outcome depends as much on
Humanity’s actions and reactions under a
given aspect, as it does upon the nature of
the aspect itself. In this case, the aspects
are considered difficult (Saturn, plus
squares and oppositions). But they leave by
the end of this year (2002). However, during
their presence, world leaders will make many
important decisions and policies, and the
consequences of those decisions and policies
could last for many years afterwards. In
fact, I expect the consequences to have an
effect right until the time in which the
Cardinal Climax period gets underway. What we
do not know for certain is whether these
decisions and policies will lead to an
escalation of war and economic hardship, or
peace and a renewal of economic prosperity.
Our knowledge of cycles will help us gain
insight into the possibility of each, as you
will see in this year’s Forecasts Book.
MAJOR
PLANETS IN SIGNS FOR 2002:
THE
"TONE" OF THE YEAR
In this section, we
will analyze the astrological principles of
the further out planets in our solar system,
as they transit through their respective
signs of the zodiac. Each of these planets
will take 2-1/2 – 14 years to transit
each sign. We will start from the furthest
planet, Pluto, to the closest one observed in
this section, which is Saturn.
Pluto in Sagittarius
(1995-2008):
Pluto represents the
principles of change and transformation. When
such changes and transformation are made or
accepted willingly, then there tends to be a
sense of improvement over conditions that
existed prior to this planet’s presence.
When changes are resisted or forced, then
there may be the accompanying sense of threat
to one’s status quo. In extreme cases,
it can represent danger to one’s very
existence. Pluto transits tend to coincide
with very powerful forces, and some of the
key words generally associated with it are
power, death, termination, censorship, and
debt. Emotionally it tends to be very
intense, even vindictive, jealous, or
hateful.
Sagittarius governs the
domains of foreign matters, ideology and
religion, long distance travel, education,
and publishing.
Pluto in Sagittarius,
therefore, appears to be coinciding with the
intense emotions that are centered around
religious ideologies. It can be the stuff
that terrorist actions are made from.
One’s beliefs can be so strong, and
one’s hatred of those who oppose or
threaten those beliefs can be so strong, that
one would be willing to die or kill for the
"cause." Consequently the lives of
many innocent people may be at risk during
this period. Those risks may exist especially
to those who travel abroad, and from those
(or towards those) from foreign countries.
This can be a very
polarizing combination. It is as if sides are
formed, and either you are on one side or the
other, and the two sides are at intense odds
with one another. Neither side wants to
yield, because the "beliefs"
don’t allow for both to co-exist
peacefully. They would rather fight to the
death.
Forces of reform may be
dominant now, particularly in the fields of
education and religion. Many previously held
ideas and concepts may be challenged, and as
new ideas are considered, the old ones are
transformed, or viewed in a new light. In
this regard, some very good things can
emerge. Ultimately, at its best, Pluto can a
healing of old wounds that have their source
in events of a long-standing nature. If both
sides are willing to give a little, then
great progress can be made, and the threat
can turn into a healing experience. Until
then, however, there is apt to be a sense
that only one side can win, and the other
side must lose.
In the final analysis,
Pluto in Sagittarius relates to a period of
extreme (even excessive) conviction of the
rightness of one’s belief, to the point
that others who do not share these beliefs
are seen as a threat that must be destroyed.
It is, in a sense, a "holy war."
The solution, of course, is to accept and
appreciate the diversity of beliefs that make
up this world, and to find common ground.
Neptune in Aquarius
(1998-2012):
Neptune represents the
principles of sacrifice, peace, gentleness,
compassion, sympathy, idealism, intuition,
vulnerability to deception, and helpfulness.
In the mundane world, it rules entertainment,
music, the sea, drugs, pharmaceuticals,
poisons, hospitals, prisons, and other
institutions. It coincides with fads,
glamour, and whatever captures the
public’s imagination. It can also
coincide with periods of mass confusion,
delusion, paranoia, uncertainty, rumors,
hoaxes, and hysteria.
Aquarius pertains to
the domain of media, technology, computers,
and humanitarian pursuits. The combination of
Neptune in Aquarius can refer to all of the
viruses that seem to constantly infect
computers worldwide. It can also relate to
chemical and biological warfare that spread
hysteria throughout the masses. And it can
relate to the huge swelling of willingness to
help masses of humanity who may be suffering,
or in need of aid. The combination can be
extremely human, a tremendous surge in
humanity’s desire to attain a world of
peace and compassion. It can be extremely
idealistic and imaginative, creative and
mind-boggling in new inventions.
Neptune in Aquarius
coincides with the wonderful means by which
technology has allowed people from all over
the world to communicate so easily with one
another. There is the sense that indeed this
world is just a small, intimate village in
the grand scheme of things. In that regard,
there are many instances in which well-known
people (in the entertainment field) will
reach out and use their influence to help
others. Concerts and benefits to provide aid
will likely be numerous (they have been). It
also relates to vulnerability of these people
to hoaxes and deception by others who would
take advantage of any situation. It is a time
that suggests swindling and hoaxes on a grand
scale, and a time in which rumors may be
started, or erroneous information
disseminated, that result in periods of mass
hysteria.
Uranus in Aquarius
(1995-2003):
Uranus is the natural
ruler of Aquarius, and thus many of the
themes suggested in Aquarius (above) are
repeated here. Uranus therefore represents
the principles of "the future,"
excitement, newness, originality and
inventiveness, suddenness of events, the
unexpected. It governs the areas of computers
and technology, but also outer space. It is
very modernistic, futuristic, and even
revolutionary. It is independent and
doesn’t place great value upon
tradition. Wherever it is in the chart, it
tends to disrupt the old, and bring in new
conditions.
It is now in Aquarius,
the sign that it rules. Thus it is said to be
strong here. This is a period in which the
thoughts about the future are actually
realized. The future is now! This period is
highly inventive, exciting, and given towards
speculation. It is characterized by high
technology, and instant communication and
immediate news. During this period,
"talk radio" and "all news
stations" became a cultural phenomenon.
This also coincided with the Internet, which
changed the way we communicate and did
business with one another. It was, in
essence, a revolution in the field of
communications. It was also the period in
which everyone started communicating via
portable cell phones. It was a
telecommunications renaissance. It was also
the peak of the technology bubble followed by
the burst, for Uranus represents extremes
– extreme heights and extreme falls. The
NASDAQ stock index between 1995-2001
testifies to this. So although this has been
a very inventive and exciting time, it is
also one in which Humankind’s fortunes
have risen and fallen in extremes. This is
likely to continue through 2003. It is not a
time in which one can rest and feel very
totally secure and stable, for sudden
unexpected events are likely to continue to
occur which disrupt and cause us to make
changes in the way we live. The key will be
to adjust quickly if one wishes to experience
the most positive qualities of this dynamic
combination. Inflexibility could now be a
detriment.
Saturn in Gemini
(2000-2003):
Saturn has more
psychological correlates than perhaps any
other planet used in astrology. Such
principles as guilt, repression, fear,
denial, and control are all under the
auspices of Saturn. When viewed as a
transiting body, Saturn tends to coincide
with a sense of struggle, difficulties,
delays, loss, and obstructions according to
the areas of life to which it pertains in a
chart. On the other hand, it also deals with
responsibilities, accountability, attainment,
focus, discipline, honor, integrity, and
completion of tasks.
Gemini rules the field
of communications. Its domain includes
writing, speaking, sales, all modes of
transportation, and basically any matter that
comes under the heading of communications.
With Saturn in Gemini,
then, there is a propensity to obstacles,
delays, losses, and disappointments connected
with the field of communications. The sudden
decline of value in the telecommunication
stocks fits with this combination. In fact,
the sharp decline in the NASDAQ itself, which
is comprised mainly of companies in the field
of technology, can be associated with Saturn
in Gemini. After all, technology and the
computer essentially were at the base of the
entire communications revolution that took
place in the 1990’s. Commerce via the
Internet was severely depressed shortly after
Saturn entered Gemini in the later half of
2000. As of this writing, many dot com
industries that took of in the late
1990’s, are barely struggling to survive
as we begin the new decade. Not only that,
but automobile manufacturers throughout the
world have also suffered greatly. This was
initially started when Firestone and Ford
Motor Company became the target of probes
related to hundreds of driving deaths, caused
either by the faulty tires of Firestone, or
the engineering of Ford Sports Utility
vehicles that ran on those tires. Even the
means of terrorist attacks can be related to
Saturn in Gemini. Airplanes and cars and
trucks are used as weapons of destruction,
oftentimes containing dangerous explosives.
As a result, many companies related to travel
industry have suffered markedly during this
transit.
On the positive side,
Saturn in Gemini correlates with serious
thinking and planning. Through the extra
effort being dedicated to the problems
confronting the fields of communication, cars
and tires are being made more safely.
Automobiles are addressing issues of greater
fuel efficiency too. And technology and
telecommunication businesses are
re-organizing in a way that may actually
result in profits, and not just espousing
wild dreams of future success with no basis
in reality. There is even talk that the media
may adopt more responsible attitudes in the
reporting of news, particularly with regards
to sensitive military and political
strategies of the government.
Beneath it all, Saturn
in Gemini has been – and will likely
continue to be – a more serious time for
business, financial investing, and the
governments of the world. The collective
attitude is one of more seriousness, and less
frivolity. It is a more somber mood today
than it was prior to Saturn transiting
Gemini. People demand more accountability for
what is spoken and written, and they respect
those who can deliver accuracy and the truth
more than they did before. There is less
tolerance for "fluff" and
exaggeration. People want facts.
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