Getting Down to Business!
Hang in; another spin around the Sun is about to begin. The astrological New Year begins at the Winter Solstice, and this year’s chart is full of challenge and promise. As the Sun stills before veering northward, it stands in close conjunction with Jupiter, planet of opportunity and growth, and Mercury, planet of communications and commerce, in the prudent and pragmatic sign of Capricorn. Pluto’s in on this line-up, too, while still in the last degrees of Sagittarius…but we’ll get to that later.
Jupiter spends about a year in each sign; it enters Capricorn on December 18, 2007, not to leave until January 5, 2009. Jupiter is singing a much different tune this year than last. This year Jupiter is traveling through cautious and conscientious Capricorn, whose qualities of constraint, practicality and accountability definitely cramp Jupiter’s expansive and happy-go-lucky style. In Capricorn, Jupiter offers us the opportunity to gain and grow through exercising deliberation, restraint and perseverance.
Amplifying the pragmatic and productive Capricorn themes in the solstice chart is a supportive trine aspect to the planets in Capricorn from its ruling planet Saturn as it transits through Virgo. Saturn entered Virgo on September 2, 2007, where it will remain for the next two years. Saturn whistles while it works in Virgo, as a love of productivity and diligence are traits they share. With Saturn in Virgo and Jupiter in Capricorn teaming up, we would be wise to employ the adage “less is more.” Last year Jupiter and Saturn were in the big spending fire signs of Leo and Sagittarius. This year they are in frugal earth signs and are zipping up their wallets. It’s time to simplify, cut back, get our ducks in a row, and become more responsible and fiscally fit.
While taskmaster Saturn resides in Virgo, it’s time to focus and work on the areas of life in Virgo’s domain. This is especially true for Virgos, but we all stand to benefit by heeding Saturn’s current lesson plan. Some of Virgo’s themes are work and vocational calling, self-development, the acquisition and refinement of skills, apprenticeship and mentorship, improvements in organization and efficiency, health, diet and exercise, and the mind/body/spirit interrelationship.
It’s a great time for beginning a new business, or getting an existing business reorganized and running more effectively. It’s time to seriously consider our work lives and make necessary adjustments and changes. Useful and meaningful work is of the essence to Virgo. For some, it may be time to change course, get more education and enter a new field; others may stay on course but get more training and hone their skills. While Saturn was in Leo for the last two years, many may have discovered a stronger sense of purpose and something that they would love to do if… Well, now is the time to get busy and do it. The Force is with you.
As mentioned earlier, Pluto is also conjunct the Sun in the solstice chart in late Sagittarius. Pluto will be making its entry into Capricorn on January 25, 2008 for the first time since 1762. There it remained until 1778, coinciding with the American Revolutionary period and the birth of our nation. Pluto will now be in Capricorn from 2008 through 2024. The Pluto in Sagittarius super-size me, gas guzzling, nothing succeeds like excess decade is definitely over. Pluto is passing into the most down-to-earth, conservative and economical of signs. It’s time to pay the piper.
We have been experiencing a long series of major Pluto transits to the U.S. chart, which began in 2001 and will continue right up to 2022, when Pluto will be coming home to roost to its natal position in the U.S. horoscope. We are in “interesting times,” to say the least. Its transits coincide with power struggles, extreme situations, upheaval, uprisings, breakdown, destruction, reformation, evolutionary crisis and the need to transform. Pluto signifies power and its uses and abuses, all things covert, underground and behind the scenes. Pluto symbolizes the shadowy, denied, repressed and rejected parts of people, institutions, governments, etc. Pluto represents the riches and resources within the earth. Capricorn is the sign of authority, law and order, patriarchy, hierarchy, government, business, corporations, economics and security systems. Capricorn’s sphere of influence is in for a magnum overhaul. For better or worse, Pluto’s (planet of power and influence) return to Capricorn (sign of accountability) will be a time of reckoning for the U.S. Our country will be confronted with how responsibly, recklessly or ruthlessly it has employed its wealth and resources and wielded its power in the world.
The mandate of Pluto in Capricorn – for us as individuals and as a people – is to grow up and take greater responsibility for ourselves, our government, our world and our planet. We must become a more informed and empowered citizenry and stop being manipulated by fear and greed and passively abdicating our power to the big daddies of government, corporations and institutionalized religion. Under Pluto in Capricorn, it is imperative that governmental authority and financial powers be questioned and challenged, as our forbearers did just a Pluto cycle ago when they started a revolution. CHA
Colleen holds a BA in psychology and sociology. Her practice of astrological readings and counsel integrates 30 years of study of astrological, psychological, metaphysical and spiritual knowledge. Visit her website at www.celestialnavigation.info – Colleen can be reached at 774-722-2449.
