The year Ahead - January 2001

Looking ahead to 2001

This coming year is characterised by several unusual astrological events. Both Venus and Mars will be retrograde and Pluto will be opposed by Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter will move into Cancer and Saturn will move into Gemini after a backwards move into Taurus after briefly entering Gemini in 2000.

There are a normal number of eclipses - two lunar and two solar. The solar eclipse on 21st June may be one to watch, being at zero Cancer and very close to the Moons perigee - the Moons closest point to the earth.

Mercury will be retrograde three times a year, every year for three weeks but it will be in a different element each year; this year it is in Air. It will be retrograde in February, June and October. February will bring issues around rigor and discipline as Mercury aspects both Saturn and Mars during its retrograde period. The flexible energy of last year is moving towards a more exacting level. This is in tune with the energy of the year as a whole. Where 2000 demanded that ideas be rooted in reality and radical ideas be used for real needs and causes as represented by the Jupiter Saturn conjunction in Taurus and the Jupiter Pluto opposition this year demands that the actual means of communication be capable of what they claim.

Communications continues and the development of the Internet and communications innovations will be a major theme. The maxim for this year could well be "Just because we can do it, doesn't mean we should do it". Major discoveries in communications and travel will be forced to take ethics and values into consideration. Venus retrograde during March and
April will force us to look at what we value and consider what we would be prepared to fight for. March also see Pluto's station direct conjunct Mars and trine Venus which could be quite unpleasant. The question of what we value enough to fight for could be answered by action and not just by words.

Mars is retrograde during May, June and July starting at the end of Sagittarius, where it is also conjunct Chiron, and finishing with its station direct at 15 Sagittarius - where it was conjunct Pluto in March. It is likely that any incidents begun in March will continue into the middle of the year but are unlikely to continue any further as Jupiter moves into Cancer just as Mars stations direct and Mars does not conjunct Pluto a second time as Pluto is now retrograde.

May sees the last Jupiter Pluto opposition which will almost certainly see fuel crises or other issues which were current in September 2000 when the first opposition took place. This is also highlighted in the full Moon the day after the opposition is exact where it is on the MC/IC axis of the full Moon chart set for London.

August sees the first Pluto Saturn opposition, the second being in November and the third in May 2002. This is a much more unforgiving energy that Jupiter Pluto. Where Jupiter Pluto gives a promise of resources discovered and depths plumbed for riches and resources, Saturn Pluto demands that we be called to account and stand up and be counted. What was initiated under Jupiter Pluto will be examined and accounted for under Saturn Pluto. This is no time for smoke and mirrors, over optimistic advertising will come undone, the truth will out and the consequences of our actions must be faced.

The start of this cycle was 1982 - when the last Saturn Pluto conjunction took place. What ever was started in that time period can be expected to flower over the next few years.

There are many difficult energies in focus this year and it should not be forgotten that Sagittarius is also to do with foreigners. It would not be surprising if nationalism and problems with refugees were highlighted.