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Mars enters your ninth house of travel, cultural pursuits and charming strangers in early January, where he begins to make things Very Interesting until mid-February. A deliciously tantalising and energy-filled atmosphere inspires your enthusiasm. You take a physical approach to higher education, religion, politics, travel, cultural pursuits, foreign languages, writing and publishing. Other categories can just as easily arouse your interest and physical participation -- speculative ventures, sports, court decisions, a second marriage and activities or relations with in-laws. The most positive thing is to use these circumstances and activities as a way to broaden your spiritual and intellectual horizons.

Solar Eclipse  

In early February, there will be a partial eclipse of the Sun in Aquarius, but this will not be visible from most populated parts of the world. Nevertheless, the concentration of energies in Aquarius create tensions and deceptions in your relationships with joint venture associates, perhaps leading to separations. Potential problems in financial matters, inheritances, estates, investments, taxation and related matters, especially joint ventures will need to be resolved in the run-up to the Grand Mutation at the end of May.

Status and Image  

In mid-February, shining Jupiter enters Taurus, your solar eleventh house, just as glorious Mars ascends his day-throne, Aries, your tenth house of career and public image. Energy and enthusiasm for your career or other long range goals is overflowing. Important actions which affect your future can be taken and you work hard to get attention from the public and those with power and influence. Although you may not necessarily desire to call attention to yourself, your efforts will gain public attention one way or another now. Even if you have no access to a public forum, you'll still want others to notice the good things you are doing, even if only on behalf of another person, or a cause in which you believe. Activities involving superiors or authority figures are stimulated. You may either do a lot of extra work with your boss, or for the government, or those with similar authority. Largely because of your efforts, a male relative or superior may receive enhanced status at this time.

With Jupiter in your eleventh, your energy is high and while all events may not have fortunate consequences, or bring immediate satisfaction, the people, circumstances and actions you take (even those seeming failures) prove increasingly valuable during the twelve-year cycle of this new planetary vibration. Friendships increase and relationships with current friends are expanded; children in your life become more important. Membership and participation in organizations becomes more beneficial. Your success comes through an emphasis on the role you play in the lives of others, as well as a need for more freedom within those roles: as parent, lover, spouse, relative, friend and member of society.

Mars in Aries makes the fortunate trine aspect to Pluto in Sagittarius at the beginning of March, so research and investigation flourish, especially regarding your role in the work environment. You can really get to the bottom of things with the help of the intense, focused energy that surrounds you. Psychological analysis, assessment of property and financial investments are infused with a physical focus that gives keener perception to the intellectual efforts. Under this influence you have all the control you need if you do not take it for granted. You can also see how to apply its subtle, but deadly accurate force. Your recuperative powers, should you need them, are at a high level. A big shakeup can be expected in the early weeks of March, especially once Pluto turns retrograde on the 15th. Your attitude (and activities) regarding work and daily responsibilities becomes more intense and serious. You need more control or influence over your work, so consequently, power struggles occur with those who work for or with you. No matter what your job may be, one of the issues you must confront involves your willingness to be of service to others. Another major transformation concerns your past actions and attitude toward health and physical fitness. If you have been neglectful or abusive in these areas, you will suffer the consequences by slowly developing appropriate physical complaints. Even if past abuse has not been the case or physical complaints do not arise, you will (or should) seek greater control over your body through proper diet and exercise, as well as through preventative medical attention and check-ups.

As March draws to a close, Mars crosses the border into your eleventh house, part of the massive concentration of cosmic heavyweights gathering in May. This relieves the pressure on the career front, but increases the amount of attention you can lavish on friends, organizations and children, especially those who are not your biological offspring but for whom you have responsibility. Activities in general lead away from you as an individual and involve the role you play in the lives of others; as parent, lover, friend, spouse, or club member. Your schedule may become overloaded, making it necessary to place some restraints on the number of activities and people you decide to accommodate. This lively energy can make you more aggressive toward others and lose patience when things become too hectic, or don't proceed as planned. You may also be concerned with just what is (or is not) making you happy. You are stimulated to go after what you want, or get rid of what you don't want.

The Grand Mutation

May sees a gathering of all the major planets in the fixed, earthy sign of Taurus. Only the three outermost, transpersonal planets are elsewhere. This certainly is a year of big changes and confrontations, when Jupiter and Saturn now form the Grand Mutation, their final conjunction in an earthy sign for hundreds of years. Some astrologers hold that this is really the first light of the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. This massive conjunction at 22° Taurus opposes the fixed star Unukalkhai (Alpha Serpentis), which at 22° Scorpio was associated with the gigantic earthquake in Turkey after the solar eclipse of August 1999. Unukalkhai was rising over Istanbul at the point of greatest eclipse. It will be setting at the end of May.

Uranus glowers in his retrograde station during May 2000 at 20° Aquarius, in conjunction with the malefic fixed star, Castra (destruction; uncontrollable temper; malevolence). This squares both Saturn and Jupiter, the aspect being partile (exact) just days before their Grand Mutation. The strongest potential is for instability and unpredictable developments likely to bring about significant change in your role in the lives of others: as a spouse, lover, friend, child, parent, or member of a group or organization. New roles may suddenly begin, while old ones abruptly come to an end. If you were once content to be a loner, you may now decide you need the friendship of others. If you have always had many friends, you may now prefer the company of very few, or even none at all. Change may be expected in the status of finances, and in particular, joint income and property, payment of debts you owe as well as the collection of debts owed to you, insurance, taxes, legacies and assets you manage for others. Reversals may be expected, but they reflect gain as well as loss. Your attitudes to sex, psychological analysis of motivation and behavior, use and development of your personal skills as well as family resources and connections will change in quantum leaps. The changes in your use of personal skills and resources are motivated for assessing your personal worth as a unique individual and/or to become more financially independent. Outside forces over which you have no control are the inspiration for drastic or unexpected changes. These may, at least in part, be triggered by the actions of those around you, new people you meet, or situations you never expected to encounter.

Stay Out of War Zones

Mars slinks into your twelfth house early in May and the energy becomes more inward-looking. Past actions, good or bad, may catch up to you. You may prefer others not to pry into your activities, either because these efforts actually concern secret matters, or because you accomplish more by working alone. Opposing forces you encounter during this period have a paralyzing effect. A contest of wills is to be avoided, for efforts to gain control of any kind will probably fail. This is not the time to change or interfere with the status quo. Avoid secret romances and covert liaisons and do not antagonise people (especially colleagues, employees and physicians) without a clear idea of where things are heading. Manipulations are a waste of time, but then, so is the direct approach! Keep a low profile and stay out of war zones. Under this influence you can explore and develop inner strengths, and gain a deeper understanding of your childhood conditioning, subconscious mind, fears, and dreams. The opportunity arises for increased involvement with charitable organizations, hospitals, prisons, and institutions concerned with minorities and the underprivileged.

Personal Vitality  

June and July are Cancer's focus, through the solstice, though this year the energies seem somehow more fated, with the three transpersonal planets retrograde. Notwithstanding, the entry of Venus, Mars and the Sun into your own sign between the 17th and the 22nd makes the solstice even more potent than usual. It is time for a positive assessment of your willpower and ego, as you renew your inner vitality and energy. How determined are you? What is your purpose in life? How much personal influence do you wield? You can be more forceful and dynamic now, but reconstruct any tendencies towards demanding arrogance! The charm of your personality, willingness to cooperate with others and sense of humour will make a big difference in the way things turn out. You'll catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. It is a time to indulge in a new hair style, beauty treatment, or other ways to enhance your appearance. Look as neat and attractive as possible, since your physical appearance will have as big an impact as your personality. Too much self-assertion can make it difficult to accept (or ask for) the advice and opinions of others. The urge to develop your personality, appearance and personal skills brings a greater need to be more successful and independent. A strong, healthy self-image makes you more productive, which in turn encourages you to treat others with more generosity and sensitivity. Take care of things personally. Don't allow others to speak or act for you. It is your personality, behavior and physical presentation that can make the difference between success and failure.

Hidden Benefits  

Mars in Cancer during July arouses your competitive spirit and inspires you to be more aggressive, perhaps even physically combative, than you may ordinarily be. What a busy bee! Less patient and more restless, many of your physical activities are directed to satisfying personal needs and goals. If you have an accident or experience illness at this time, it is apt to involve your head or face. Be careful when handling sharp objects and hot or explosive materials. Jupiter enters your twelfth house at the beginning of the month. Benefits you accrue during this period may be hidden, or at least not obvious to others. This can include such situations as being given a raise in salary for certain efforts, but not the title or recognition that should have accompanied the promotion. Resist the temptation to indulge in self-pity and unnecessary guilt. Using guilt as a weapon to get others to do what you want is a particularly unpleasant side of this aspect, especially since you can develop inner strength and power through expanding your psychic energy, intuitive ability and by overcoming your darkest fears. Help is likely to arrive just in time to save the day, and it may come from hidden or unexpected sources.

Financial Action  

Physical efforts in August are likely to focus on financial and business matters. You may be inspired, for example, to give more physical organization to your bank and financial papers. Bills and accounts, payments and action regarding debts, assets, and income occupy your attention. Another focus is directed to increasing income; working overtime, seeking an additional job, or doing whatever necessary to earn money. Your relationship with something or someone you deem highly worthwhile should be preserved. You seek ways to stimulate or increase your physical energy, since you may have more of a tendency to view energy itself as a valuable commodity.

Reward of Sacrifice  

Saturn, Lord of Karma, enters Gemini on August 11th, restimulating the Grand Cross aspect of the August 99 solar eclipse. This influence has as much to do with the past as it does with the present. It will force you to throw out what is wasteful and to abandon unsuccessful situations, replacing them with something more solid and useful. You confront issues which are hidden from others, either deliberately or inadvertently, consciously or subconsciously. You must face your fears and worries, resolve issues from the past that continue to weaken you and deal responsibly with loss and disappointment. If you have covered yourself in self-pity and unnecessary guilt in the past, you now have the responsibility to rid yourself of such destructive habits.

This is not the time for others to notice or applaud your struggles and successes. These are private affairs and meant to be handled on that level. Inner strength and understanding are gained, so you emerge better prepared to deal with the present and the future. Under this influence you may be required to assist a family member experiencing a serious health- or work-related difficulty. Rewards now come for any previous sacrifices you have made, or lonely confinement you have endured to achieve an important goal.

Fabulous Potential!  

With Venus in her own sign Libra in early September, in good aspect to Saturn and Jupiter, this is a splendid time for long term success! Entertaining at home and encouraging social gatherings within your family are high on your list of priorities. Venus favours redecorating or enhancing the physical appearance of your home; perhaps adding books, music, or art to improve the quality, as well as the looks of your domestic environment. Harmonious relationships between family members should be encouraged. Real estate negotiations, legal matters connected with a family business, or the artistic endeavors of a parent are stimulated this month.

Establish solid, long-lasting relationships in the first week or two of the month, especially around the 8th and 9th of September. Mark these days! There's no telling what good thing can happen under this fortunate influence. Try your luck at the races and other sporting events, or with lottery tickets. You could be the winner in a beauty or photography contest, or emerge the favourite in an audition. Artistic and musical ventures are successful, especially those connected with your work, or your partner's occupation. Interactions, even on a casual basis, stimulate deeper responses than usual. They may lead to a closer examination of your reactions and motivations in dealing with others, although you may or may not choose to share this self-analysis with anyone. Your personal influence and control in a partnership, other alliances and with other people in general, especially with employees and colleagues, comes under the microscope. This is an excellent time to test your ability to plan, control, and execute the detail of social events, negotiations, debates, diplomatic overtures and legal matters.

Saturn Retrograde  

Saturn, however, is at his station all month in conjunction with Alcyone and the Pleiades. He turns retro in your twelfth house on September 12th. Beware of injuries, especially to the eyes, through accidents while travelling, or violence and trouble with the opposite sex. Jupiter is in conjunction with Aldebaran, a royal star which brings ego-based conflicts, especially with people in authority, or in powerful institutions. Jupiter too turns retro in opposition to Pluto (at the end of the month). Retrograde planets tend to generate the events that seem more fated, less under our own control than they do when direct. So the world seems to have a mind of its own.

Mars enters Virgo on the 18th, so the physically energized atmosphere surrounding you brings more than the usual volume of communications and activities, especially with siblings and neighbors. Swamped with information and ideas, you can still come up with an increasing number of your own. Travel and transportation are highlighted and can involve anything from increased concern with public transportation to planning or taking a trip, or the purchase and sale of a car. By choice or circumstances, you may develop new skills with machinery or computers at this time. Other projects include writing, or design, as well as arts and crafts geared toward business enterprises or that serve a definite function (rather than just as a way of passing time). Under this influence you are apt to be more of a doer than a thinker-- eager to turn your ideas into physical reality, more than ready to speak your mind. If words will not suffice, you will not hesitate to use physical means to express yourself. Should unfortunate elements arise, you may be tempted to physically demonstrate your anger and frustration, or become the victim of those who resort to physical retaliations. Rash action now can cause accidents, especially burns, cuts, or mishaps while driving.

Venus enters sexy Scorpio on September 25th. If you'd like to put a little more romance in your life this is the time to try it. Vacations, socializing, hobbies, pastimes (and taking a few risks!) are likely these days. Establish or improve relationships with children, strengthen rapport with a romantic partner, and expand social contacts. Remember to curb that extravagance, or overindulgence in your pursuit of pleasure. Your imagination and artistic urges are stimulated and can make this a successful time of fabulous creativity, either on your own, or with a partner.

Awkward Aspects  

Mercury in Scorpio turns retrograde in the middle of October, just as Venus moves into Sagittarius and Saturn retrogresses once more into Taurus. This is an awkward time. Creative writing or speaking projects may be part of the scenario, so make sure all your papers are in order. It is also a time of increased communication or travel with a romantic partner, children, or social groups, so the potential for confusion as Mercury goes into reverse is intensified. A vacation is apt to include a guided tour, or feature some other type of educational experience. Plans, discussions, and even business transactions at this time may involve entertainment projects, social events, children's education or activities, or speculative ventures, but check all the fine print!

As the Sun prepares to dive into Scorpio on the 23rd, Saturn causes the strange feeling that something is out of joint, leading at the end of the month to a fortunate trine between Mars in Virgo and Saturn in Taurus. Time seems to expand to suit your needs. The maturity and experience behind your actions is the key to their successful outcome. Should you fail to apply such wisdom, you may still benefit from the actions of those who do. This is a most favourable influence -- not just for the potential success of your efforts, but because they are likely to produce meaningful, long-lasting accomplishments. It is an auspicious time to initiate projects geared toward bringing benefits at a later time in your life.

New Beginning  

As Mars enters your fourth house of domestic and family matters in the beginning of November, the focus of energy is likely to turn to your personal possessions, home or domestic arrangements, family relationships, family-owned property or business, and real-estate transactions in general. More enthusiasm for doing things as a group may encourage an increase in family activities. You may be inspired at this time to rescue or restore heirlooms. This is a time for sweeping away the debris and making a new beginning. If you have been thinking about a new business venture or achieving some physical goal, put such plans in motion. Make sure your household insurance is in effect, check your home for possible fire hazards. Watch your step to prevent falls, cuts, and others mishaps around the house, and go out of your way to avoid angry domestic scenes.

Creative Drive  

As the year draws to a close, Mars swings into your fifth house. You need little urging to put your effort and physical enthusiasm into speculative ventures, social events and active forms of entertainment, such as a vacation. Creative juices flow during this time and there is no telling exactly how or where you will direct them; nevertheless your inspiration and imagination catch fire and you can produce creative output. Romantic notions can be pursued to their physical conclusion! Children and their activities claim your time and attention. Do not permit physical aggression to intrude into any of these situations. Overindulgence and risky adventures can generate unwelcome after effects!

Relationships: the Journey to the Heart  

The stars show this is the year of fabulous temptations, especially in the romantic arena. Restrictions seem to lift on your lovelife, your hopes and your dreams... Venus and Mars engage in a dance of deliciously sexy, risque proportions, as friendships turn to liasons and liasons become partnerships. This is a year of big changes in your relationships at work and in your attitudes to health and fitness, as Chiron and Pluto meet for the first time in sixty years. New Year's Eve, with the Moon in sultry Scorpio and the Sun in horny Capricorn, should be wild! With Mars on parade in your ninth house, from Jan. 5 to Feb. 12, you are inspired to make your moves! Physical efforts focus on higher education, religion, politics, travel, cultural pursuits, foreign languages, writing and publishing. Other categories too can just as easily arouse your interest and physical participation -- speculative ventures, sports, court decisions, a second marriage and activities or relations with in-laws. You can broaden your spiritual and intellectual horizons now, but Mars and Venus getting together at the end of the month still signal some wild times.

Venus dives into Pisces from Mar. 14 to April 7, so any higher education, religious activities, political interests and cultural pursuits seem imbued with a more social atmosphere this month. Romance, marriage, or any type of cooperative venture involving a foreign country, or someone of another culture or race is stimulated. Issues connected with a second marriage, or a court decision may also arise. You may write, publish, or purchase books: perhaps art, music, antique or very expensive books. Advertising or mail campaigns, especially those aimed at romance or relationships may occupy your time or attention. Joint efforts related to the health or employment of a parent may emerge. Socializing or establishing more cordial relationships with in-laws are on your agenda.

April, May and June are times of extraordinary activity, as the Grand Mutation in your solar eleventh house of friends, hopes and wishes causes you to assess your satisfaction with a career, efforts involving long-range goals, and the role you play in the lives of other people. Perhaps more than anything else that happens, you must now confront the status of what you actually derive from being someone's child, lover, spouse, parent, friend, business associate, or club member. A strain is to be expected in the relationships and activities that are not making you happy. Your talents and skills must now be used for the benefit and satisfaction of others. The concept of sharing is important. A lack of friends in the past can bring the urge to develop friendships, but if you already have many friends, you may realize that some of these associations lack the affection and commitment that accompanies fewer but more meaningful friendships. Friendship is only one example. The same may apply to any of your relationships. You may have to take responsibility for a child that is not biologically yours, or become more responsible as a member of an organization or group effort. Under this influence, the answers you need are not found within yourself, but by reaching beyond yourself and understanding your place in the outer environment.

New Moon and Solar Eclipse  

The Cancer New Moon and partial solar eclipse at the beginning of July takes everything that happens in a very personal way. You are more aggressive and certain than usual in the expression of your creativity and imagination. Do not allow self-centeredness and stubborn pride to bring difficulties with supervisors or authority figures. Dealing with women, babies, handling domestic matters or participation in family activities are apt to be on your schedule. Old things will pass away. This time would be ideal to mark the beginning of a new venture that you either initiate for yourself, or one in which you play a prominent part.

Jupiter moves on into Gemini (your solar twelfth house) at the beginning of July too, so whatever benefits you accrue or gains you make now may be hidden, or at least not obvious to others. Avoid indulging in self-pity, laboring under the burden of unnecessary guilt, or using guilt as a weapon to get others to do what you want. You can develop inner strength and power through expanding your psychic energy, intuitive ability, and by overcoming your hidden fears and worry. This is also a period when if you need help, it is likely to arrive just in time to save the day, and it may come from hidden or unexpected sources.

Venus in your third house from the first week in August shows that flattery, charm, and a sense of humor on your part can be most persuasive during this period. You should have no trouble in gaining favors from others. You'll have pleasant relations with neighbors and people with whom you come in daily contact. If such contacts have been troubled in the past this is a good time to improve them. You may also have a greater urge or perhaps opportunity to increase contacts or improve relationships with brothers, sisters, cousins, and in-laws. You may visit or contact nieces or nephews away at college, yet you'll find that some of your best social opportunities these days are right in your immediate environment. Potential items on your agenda also include actions to either attain, or as the case may be, hold on to something or someone you deem highly worthwhile. Other activities may be geared toward achieving priorities or establishing new ones. Under this influence you seek ways to stimulate or increase your physical energy, since you may have more of a tendency to view energy itself as a valuable commodity.

Mercury retro in Scorpio foreshadows romantic excitement, especially with charming co-workers after mid-October, as Venus moves from Scorpio into Sagittarius. With the Sun in your fifth house from October 23, an intenser edge to your sexuality emerges to deal with the inevitable confusions that can develop under retro Mercury. Fun is on the run, as flamboyant creativity strikes! Mundane responsibilities seem tedious and uninspiring, so pay extra attention to any paperwork, or appointments, epecially with romantic partners, children, or social groups. You become rather more interested in fun and games than taking care of business, or other serious matters, but gambling or off-the-cuff investments could be very risky. Diets are thrown out the window in an orgy of self-indulgence; moderation is not the key-word of the moment. Even if not usually a sensualist, your capacity for enjoyment increases. You see children more as extensions of yourself than as individuals in their own right and you perceive their actions, whether good or bad, as being a direct reflection on you. Romantic encounters involve more ego-gratification than emotional commitment. Should your creative projects be criticized, or romance become difficult, your suffering arises more from the bruised ego than the broken heart..

More of a family focus will emerge in November, when Mars enters Libra, your fourth house. Your personal possessions, home or domestic arrangements, family relationships, family-owned property or business, and real-estate transactions in general become the subject of action. Under this influence more enthusiasm for doing things as a group may encourage an increase in family activities. You may be inspired at this time to rescue or restore heirlooms. This is an ideal time to clear the debris and make a new beginning. If you have been thinking about a new business venture or achieving some physical goal, put your plans in motion. It would be a wise idea to make sure your household insurance is in effect, check your home for possible fire hazards. Watch your step to prevent falls, cuts, and others mishaps around the house, and go out of your way to avoid angry domestic scenes.

In December, joint income and social status, acquired either through marriage or business partnership, are two issues likely to surface. Common goals and values must be taken into account. You feel more intense with regard to social contacts as well as romance or sexual encounters, especially from the standpoint of the psychological motivations and behaviour patterns involved. This can be a productive period to participate in group therapy. Pleasures are bound to be more deeply felt, although a certain light-heartedness may be missing. If there are no obvious impediments to prevent you from doing so, this is a good time to ask for loans or favours, as well as to collect those you are owed. The romantic agenda really picks up when Mars enters Scorpio just before Christmas on the 24th. Look forward to a lively holiday!

Career and Finances: Stake Your Claim  

Gain and honours come through joint ventures, handling other people's money, inheritances and estates. Faithfulness pays off. Fortune should smile on you through official and governmental activities. However, prospects are good for changing direction on the career front, especially now that Jupiter has turned direct. Sorting out the financial and other rewards should be easier after Jan. 12, when Saturn too turns direct.

Mid-February will bring increased energy and personal magnetism as Mars marches across your midheaven for over a month. Now you should take important actions which affect your future. Work hard to get attention from the public and those with power and influence. Although you may not necessarily desire to call attention to yourself, your efforts will gain public attention one way or another now. Even if you have no access to a public forum, you may experience an increased urge to have others notice what you are doing. Your more or less public actions may also be carried out on behalf of another person, or a cause in which you believe. Activities involving superiors or authority figures are stimulated. This means you may either do a lot of extra work with your boss, or for the government, or those with similar authority. Largely because of your efforts, a male relative or superior may receive recognition or enhanced status at this time.

Late March and April sees Mars in your eleventh house, bringing energy to friendships and group activities. Networking will pay off and your increased drive to attain personal goals will be very useful. Nevertheless the cosmos is getting pretty unstable now, so watch your p's and q's.

April brings Venus onto your mid-heaven, so you get the attention of others right now by emphasizing whatever is most attractive about yourself: physical beauty, artistic talent, or a charming personality. Don't wait for others to notice you (even though they may); take every opportunity you can to be in their direct line of vision: "If you have it, flaunt it ". The next few weeks are ripe for promoting cordial relationships and socializing with older family members, superiors and authority figures. Allies, spouses, or other partners may receive recognition or special promotion at this time. Just don't overdo it and turn the whole situation into little more than the pursuit of ego-gratification, as the Grand Mutation in May approaches. May will bring matters to a head regarding financial and speculative issues, with the potential for big shakeups in joint ventures and investments. Avoid confrontations with friends, partners and children.

June should be a month of consolidation and making sense of the developments and the Cancer New Moon in the beginning of July brings the opportunity to re-establish your personal energies. July will be quite reflective, with Jupiter in Gemini, bringing hidden benefits.

August will be exciting, with communication and finances in the forefront of your mind. Family members, especially siblings, will have input. Local issues will be prominent. September brings real estate opportunities, while October favours speculative action, especially in artistic or fashion areas. Later in the month you'll be putting energy into workplace relations and generally getting into shape. October's Scorpio new Moon conflicts with Neptune and Uranus, presenting you with some sudden and probably unwelcome choices, especially in joint ventures, or where close relatives are involved. Shifting alliances and lack of confidence can eventually lead to the recognition of what is truly important to you.

For the remainder of the year, you can expect various ups and downs, mainly concerned with family and domestic issues until Christmas when Mars surges into Scorpio, bringing a big boost to your creative energies.

Health: Balancing Your Energies  

There is a chance of your suffering a dangerous illness this year, especially if you place yourself under undue pressure. Death may unexpectedly visit your circle, perhaps there will be a loss among friends. The solstice (the beginning of the astrological new year in December 1999) saw a Full Moon in Cancer, exposing you to a great deal of emotional conflict over the year, as well as some wonderful opportunities! The Moon rules Cancer, so her aspects are always important with regard to your health. May will be stressful, due to the concentration of heavy duty aspects, but any health issues will most likely be sudden and unexpected (though no less severe). Since the New Moon in Cancer (July 2) this year brings a solar eclipse, there will be particular pressure on your health in June and July. A lunar eclipse also occurs on the Full Moon (July 16), so be prepared for digestive upsets from emotional problems, especially through stress from partners.

Saturn and Mars are the planets which bring the most stress regarding your health. Saturn in September is at his retrograde station all month in conjunction with Alcyone and the Pleiades, fixed stars which bring difficulties. He turns retro in your twelfth house on September 12th, so beware of injuries, especially to the eyes, through accidents while travelling, or violence and trouble with the opposite sex. Jupiter is in conjunction with Aldebaran, a royal star which brings ego-based conflicts, especially with people in authority, or in powerful institutions. Jupiter too turns retro in opposition to Pluto (at the end of the month). If you have been neglectful of your body, or abusive to your health, you will suffer the consequences by slowly developing appropriate physical complaints. Seek greater control over your body through proper diet and exercise, as well as through preventative medical attention and check-ups.

Mars brings fevers and injuries, and sometimes violence. Danger through overwork is likely in February and through rashness and aggressive behaviour in September. Take care while travelling at this time and do not get into unneccessary confrontations.

Home and Away: Family and Children  

Expect some long journeys and good fortune in matters of the mind, foreigners and cultural pursuits. Children do well; benefits come through parents and older people too. You may experience some sickness or injuries through journeys, so pay careful attention. Avoid travel in retrograde Mercury periods (see next sector) and in September, if possible.

Children's interests will be very prominent during late September and October. Family and domestic issues will generate a lot of stress, especially in February when there will be an inclination to focus more on the career to the neglect of the home and in November when more focus on the home may generate stress. In May, when the Uranus, Saturn and Jupiter exchange thunderbolts, children's health and wellbeing will be threatened.

Mercury Retrograde  

Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray, or awry.

Periods of confusion affect

concealed things, institutions, secrets Feb/Mar

home and family, real estate, domestic issues Jun/Jul

joint ventures, shared investments, inheritances Oct/Nov.

Read more on retrograde Mercury.