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Creative writing or speaking projects occupy your mind up to Jan 20. This is also a time of increased communication, or travel with a romantic partner, children, or social groups. A vacation is apt to include a guided tour, or feature some other type of educational experience. Plans, discussions, and even business transactions may involve entertainment projects, social events, children's education or activities, or speculative ventures.

Mars opens the year in your sixth house of health and work, in conjunction with the malefic fixed star Castra (destruction; uncontrollable temper; malevolence). With sensual Venus in square aspect on Serpentis ("the accursed degree"), this is a clear warning. Romantic escapades will be very powerful and exciting, but may be damaging to relationships at work, or place undue pressure on your health. If there are problems, you either enthusiastically confront them and seek a solution, or give in to angry outbursts or rash actions. There is potential to experience headache, fever, inflammation, or flare up of chronic illness. You are inspired to begin a program of physical fitness. Be sure to consult a physician and other health experts before you start. Under this influence enthusiasm can easily get out of hand. If your body is not used to regular or vigorous exercise be careful not to overexert yourself.

Saturn Direct  

Mars moves into relational mode on Jan 5, so enthusiasm centers around partnership and other alliances, cooperative efforts, and interaction in general. Inspiring people stimulate you to physical action. You can ignore this energy focus of course, or other factors may prevent you from taking advantage of it, but there is every likelihood that getting things done will be easier with a partner or partners. Even if you want to be left alone, others will find a way to intrude. Other people tend to make the first move and more than one open confrontation is likely under this aspect.

On the night of January 11, Saturn, Lord of Karma, turns direct in motion in your ninth house, easing the pressure on further education, publishing, publicity, advertising, politics, foreign travel, matters of the higher mind and cultural pursuits. Nevertheless, with the Great Taskmaster at his station all month, it may still be difficult to enjoy life for one reason or another, as pleasure of any kind will be accompanied by additional responsibilities. 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 may be required to confront past disappointment, failure, or neglect in these areas. However it can also mean you will get a second chance at something.

If circumstances prevented you at an earlier time from receiving an education or specialized training, engaging in cultural pursuits, or having a more active interest in religion or politics, this period encourages you to do so. A second marriage, in-laws, or a court decision may also have an important role to play in what happens. Long-distance travel plans may be delayed or circumstances surrounding such travel become more serious in one way or another. Your responsibilities may increase, especially if your work is in education, computers, publishing, broadcasting, promotion, advertising and direct-mail. You may also be concerned with the job or health of a parent, or other family member.

Solar Eclipse  

Later in January and in February concern shifts to your health and work. This period is likely to focus on schedules and assignment of tasks and responsibilities related to your own work, as well as to those who may work for or with you. Your daily routine is filled with an increasing number of details, messages, and information. Whether or not your focus is on employment, you will (or should be!) more concerned with organization, methods and planning in general. It's a good time for gathering information about health and physical fitness, or consultations with professionals in these areas.

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 colleagues and employees, perhaps leading to separations. Resolving old issues and laying the groundwork for a new, perhaps unorthodox, beginning will need to be resolved in the run-up to the Grand Mutation at the end of May.

Mercury Retrograde  

Mercury retrograde between Feb 21 and Mar 14 brings the focus of your ideas and discussions to lawyers and legal matters, debates, contract negotiations, partnership or other alliances, and joint ventures of any kind. Be sure to keep very careful records and read the fine print. Appointments must be double-checked. There is increased potential under this influence for meeting with various consultants and for sharing spontaneous conversations with people you happen to meet.

Spiritual Development, Personal Growth and Travel  

In mid-February, shining Jupiter enters Taurus, your solar ninth house, just as glorious Mars ascends his day-throne, Aries, your eighth house of sex, power and other people's money. Energy can be intense during this period, as likely areas of your concentrated efforts include sex, money, and financial as well as psychological analysis. A partner's income, or jointly-held property may require more attention than usual. You may be forced to collect debts and favours owed to you, or make arrangements for repayment of your own debts. Issues concerning insurance, taxes, inheritance, or money that you manage for others may also demand more of your time and attention. With regard to sex, there are several possibilities; the physical act itself, counselling, or surgical procedures. Close attention to detail and enhanced awareness of subtleties mark all your physical efforts. A big shakeup can be expected in the early weeks of March, especially once Pluto turns retrograde on the 15th, when circumstances become less amenable to your conscious control.

Jupiter, Lord of Fortune, moving into your ninth brings an interesting and fortunate period, with many potential areas for success and personal growth. Broaden your intellectual horizons through higher education, advanced training, study or the use of foreign languages, or long distance travel. Under this influence you may develop a desire to expand your spiritual awareness, political interests and cultural appreciation. Opportunities for success arise through writing, publishing, arts and entertainment (especially the performing arts), finance and investment, advertising or promotion. The health and /or job prospects of a parent or in-law may be improved. You tend to be favoured in most decisions, especially court decisions. Restrain the tendency to overestimation and exaggeration, especially as it manifests throug intellectual arrogance, name-dropping and shameless social climbing. You may succeed in games of chance.

As March draws to a close, Mars crosses the border into your ninth house, part of the massive concentration of cosmic heavyweights gathering in May. Physical efforts now focus on higher education, religion, politics, travel, cultural pursuits, foreign languages, writing, and publishing. Speculative ventures emerge, while sports, court decisions, a second marriage, and activities or relations with in-laws also come to the fore. Use this dynamic energy to broaden your spiritual and intellectual horizons

The Grand Mutation

May sees a gathering of all the major planets in the fixed, earthy sign of Taurus, your solar ninth house of cultural pursuits and travel. 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. Long distance travel, international business, or diplomatic endeavors, cultural events, court decisions, higher education, advanced training, study or use of foreign languages, religious or political interests, publishing, direct-mail promotions, or advertising are all affected by these changes. Increased correspondence or discussion comes your way regarding a second marriage, in-laws, or a relative's health or job, especially earlier in the month, since Mercury changes sign to Gemini after the 14th. After this date you are likely to seek a public forum to express your ideas or share your knowledge and skills. This can involve writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper, making a speech, or expanding the use of your skills and knowledge beyond your immediate circle. Circumstances increase your communications with superiors, clients and a parent. Be sure to comply with government regulations or those imposed by other authorities.

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. Things may become frustrating during this period, especially when dealing with older people. You'll be in trouble if you are too liberal, and yet stymied by taking a too conservative approach. Too much emphasis on the future with no consideration for tradition and past experience is apt to be as unsuccessful as being stuck in the past unable to consider the future. Stand back and let things settle of their own accord to a level that seems comfortable for everyone. It doesn't matter whether you are employed at a job outside the home, or occupied with other types of tasks and daily responsibilities. You are likely to change jobs or work habits during this period. You may be the one to initiate changes in your work, or quit a job because of a need for greater independence. You may unexpectedly be fired, as well as offered new employment by others. The character of your work at this time is likely to be unusual or nontraditional. Activities and relationships with those who work for or with you are also subject to change and separation. Your health is vulnerable to the same unpredictable pattern as your work. You may seek or be introduced to unorthodox health and physical fitness methods. A key element of the influence during this period has to do with outside forces over which you have no control. Change or unexpected developments may be triggered by the actions of those around you, new people you meet, or situations you never expected to encounter.

Dreams Come True  

Mars strides across your mid-heaven from early in May, so enthusiasm is heightened for your career or other long range goals. You can take important actions which affect your future. You work hard to get attention from the public and those with power and influence and 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. What you hear or read is likely to motivate you to take some sort of physical action, although your more or less public actions may be carried out on behalf of another person, or a cause in which you believe.

Plans and methods can be put into action and ideas turned into physical reality. You may also have a much greater urge, or some pressing practical need to travel. Business transactions at this time are apt to include the sale or purchase of an automobile or other vehicles, computers, and communications or sports equipment. Activities and discussions can involve you one way or another in education, military service, hair cutting, dental work, or surgery and cctivities 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 recognition or status.

June and July are a time when many of your dreams can come true. The entry of Venus, Mars and the Sun into your eleventh house between the 17th and the 22nd makes the solstice even more potent than usual. Social situations can be ego-massaging experiences. Even better, they may be opportunities leading to wider recognition of your personal integrity, special talent, and efforts. This potential is not a sure bet, mind you. It represents a chance to create your own opportunity. Climb into the driver's seat when it comes to gaining co-operation and support from a partner, or other allies. A chance encounter may lead to a position of leadership, enhancement of your social status, or other personal success, but one should bear in mind that Mercury, your life-ruler, turns retrograde this month on June 23rd.

Mercury Retrograde  

An increase in communications and activities with friends means you'll need to be especially attentive after the 23rd to small items and details which may become confused, or go astray. You'll take more interest in clubs and associations, so activities such as fund raising, membership drives, or newsletters may be on your agenda. Since there may also be increased interactions or travel with children, especially children that are not biologically yours but for whom you have responsibility, travel and accommodation bookings must be double-checked, certainly until Mercury turns direct on July 17th.

Fortunate Roles  

Mars in Cancer during July holds energy and enthusiasm to the role you play in the lives of others; as parent, lover, friend, spouse, or club member. Your schedule may become overloaded, so little gets accomplished, making it necessary to place restraints on the activities and people you can accommodate. You become more aggressive 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. Go after what you want, or get rid of what you don't want.

Jupiter crosses into the mid-heaven at the beginning of the month, energising and inspiring greater ambitions for the future, as his benefic influence expands your career and other long range goals. Go after what you want: promote yourself and your interests. A family member may be given a special promotion or recognition at this time, so your own reputation and status is enhanced. Expect the recognition or rewards you have earned. However, it is also possible now to receive recognition or rewards that you really have not earned. Success and other rewards are unlikely to be accompanied by responsibility. At first it may seem a stroke of good fortune to carry off a prize, or gain an exalted position with no strings attached, but the very lack of accountability poses the danger that what has been gained so easily can be as easily lost.

Trust and Authority  

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. If you have not established long-range goals, nor clarified a perception of what your ultimate destiny should be, circumstances will generate the need to take a more responsible attitude toward your direction in life in the future. Though you can and should seek the wisdom and guidance of others, letting them make decisions for you would be a serious mistake. Nor should you be tempted to blame others for failure, or wrong actions in the past. You may find consolation in doing so, but others will not allow you to cast blame -- except on yourself. This is especially true if you have abused a position of trust or authority. Accepting the consequences of your own actions and taking charge of your own life, you can achieve a level of responsibility and maturity that places you on the level where true success and fulfilment are now possible.

Virgo New Moon  

The Virgo New Moon on the 29th brings more than a few obstacles, especially with regard to the axis between your career and domestic life. Red tape, rules and regulations, delays, authority figures who insist on being given their due, will all test your determination and distract you from the business at hand. Do not be discouraged; take good advice from those who are older and wiser. If you hold a position of leadership, it would not be prudent to use it to defy tradition and authority. Pay attention to what is necessary and proper, but continue on a steady course, because your timing is out. Systems and schedules do not function as well as they should, nor as you had planned. You may not be feeling well. Household tasks are endless and boring. Family and other close relationships become strained by unnecessary nagging and nit-picking. Older machinery or appliances break down, possibly because you failed to maintain them properly, or should have replaced them long ago. Vitality seems to be low in your environment. This is not the best time to buy or sell a home. Children are more vulnerable to illness and may become more fearful or frustrated than usual during this period. Nevertheless, most of what goes wrong, or at least does not go well, is likely to be temporary. Refuse to admit defeat. Resist depression and discouragement. Your efforts will be rewarded.

Solid Relationships  

As Mercury teams up with Venus in her own sign Libra in early September, good aspects to Saturn and Jupiter make this is a splendid time for long term success! You really begin to appreciate the organization you have established and the knowledge you have managed to acquire. Others may reward you handsomely for your advice and consultation. Information and ideas you receive will be a valuable addition to what you have already learned, and you may acquire knowledge or develop basic skills you were unable or unwilling to learn when you were younger. Others will support your promotion, or increased authority. Attempts to find practical, long-lasting solutions are successful, as are endeavours related to social security, insurance, taxes, and government officials, or similar authority figures.

Establish solid, long-lasting relationships in the first week or two of the month, especially around the 8th, 9th and 14th of September. Mark these days! There's no telling what good thing can happen under this fortunate influence. Information, ideas, and activities boost your economic or social status. You may be in just the right place at the right time with the right information. Ideas tend toward the dramatic and grandiose, but they have their place in the scheme of things. Avoid overconfidence and being too far out of touch with reality and practicality. Favorable outcomes are possible in such areas as religious or political activities, court decisions, publishing, advertising, long-distance travel, cultural pursuits, and dealings with those of another race or culture. Try your luck at the races and other sporting events, or with lottery tickets. 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. Watch for information and ideas related to self-control and willpower. Opportunities which lead to improvement in mental health and physical fitness encourage organizational skills and effectiveness at work or at home, through greater levels of self-discipline. Such opportunities may not come automatically or appear in an obvious way, so you may have to go out and find them.

Saturn Retrograde  

Saturn, however, is at his station all month in conjunction with Alcyone and the Pleiades. He turns retro 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). Control will be the issue! 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. Expect some obstruction at home and a subsequent transformation of your domestic situation, with a probable restructuring of your career environment as well.

Mars enters Virgo on the 18th, which arouses your competitive spirit and inspires you to be more aggressive, perhaps even physically combative, than you may ordinarily be. You are likely to want to give others the impression of being very busy. You may be less patient and more restless. Action can be taken towards attaining 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.

Venus enters sexy Scorpio on September 25th, in opposition to Saturn. There is no doubt a certain pleasure in thankless tasks, self-discipline and staying home alone! Things seem to be tough, surrounded as you are by a bunch of humourless gits. There are few pleasures to be had now without also incurring responsibility. Others may regard you as too serious, too old, too formal, or too inflexible. Do not take unnecessary risks of any kind because Lady Luck is not on your side, for the next few days. If something good does come your way, hold your breath and hope it will still be there in the morning. Nevertheless, all is not grim. As the days flow on and Venus continues her journey through your third house, you should have no trouble in gaining favours, for the use of flattery, charm and a sense of humour can be most persuasive. You'll have more pleasant relations with neighbours 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'll find that some of your best social opportunities these days are right in your immediate environment.

Retro Mercury Again!  

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. You are no doubt going to be busier than usual during this period, so pay careful attention to the mail, especially incoming orders, or other communications. Some of the more likely targets of your increased efforts include business projects (particularly sales), contacts with siblings, correspondence, educational meetings, neighborhood activities, errands, or travel. Information and ideas are flowing, but creative energies can be thwarted or important documents go astray. Under this influence your time and attention may also be taken up with such concerns as cars and other vehicles, computers, or mechanical and electrical equipment for home or office. Transport will be unreliable, so make arrangements that you can fall back on if necessary.

Finances and Values  

Mars enters your second house in the beginning of November, so physical efforts focus on financial and business matters. Give more physical organization to your bank and financial papers; go through bills and accounts and make payments. Some action is needed regarding debts, assets and income, which can readily be increased under this transit. You'll be working overtime, seeking an additional job, or doing whatever necessary to earn money. Hold on to something or someone you deem highly worthwhile and act to achieve priorities, or create new ones. You'll have a new lease of life after the 8th, when Mercury turns direct, but it will take a few more days for your communications and creativity to really get into gear.

New Beginnings  

December sees the potential for major transformations at home and at work. Sudden upheavals may threaten relationships and cause your health to suffer. Please take care over this period and prepare for a brilliantly romantic and fulfilling Christmas, as Mercury and Mars move into more favourable positions on the 24th!

Relationships: the Journey to the Heart  

You'll find pleasure in foreign lands and perhaps develop a serious attachment to someone you meet while travelling. Friends among unique, original or ingenious people bring benefit. Caution should be maintained, due to the potential for sickness or injury connected with journeys.

Venus dives into Capricorn from January 25 to February 19, so this is a great time for a romantic adventure! With Saturn now moving forward through the zodiac, you take a serious approach to commitment and long to establish more formal relationships, perhaps while travelling or with a dashing and probably older stranger. Many a question will be popped in the first week of Feb! Children's activities are especially favoured at this time.

March sees Mars in Taurus and Venus in Pisces, so the sensual thermometer is running high, especially in the last week. The emphasis shifts away from you to other people in your life. It is a period in which partnerships are heavily emphasized. In addition to increased focus on those with whom you are already allied in marriage or business, the potential circumstances also include the possibility of establishing new partnerships and joint ventures. Should negative circumstances exist in any of your alliances, this is a time of increased pressure to resolve disagreements. Under this influence you are also likely to be concerned with legal matters, contract negotiations of one kind or another, public relations, the income of a relative, and various situations in which you must seek as well as offer cooperation.

April, May and June are times of extraordinary activity, as the Grand Mutation in your solar ninth house of travel, the higher mind and cultural pursuits brings a fabulous creative energy and intensifies your love of travel, learning and personal growth. You may have the good fortune to rid yourself of restriction in one form or another during this period. The influence likely to prevail in your current circumstances is one of easing the burden of responsibilities, though perhaps not removing them altogether. Whenever and wherever you demonstrate careful planning, hard work, organization, patience, maturity and the wisdom of experience, you are likely to be favored with the success and recognition you deserve. On the other hand, if your free-spirited nature has found it difficult to acquire or apply these qualifications in the past, this influence may be just what you need to develop a more practical, responsible attitude. If you have managed to acquire any position of seniority, this is a period in which such seniority may prove most advantageous.

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. A tug-of-war exists between desires and emotional needs and your practical ambitions. Those in charge may make impossible demands without knowing, or perhaps without caring what dislocation it may cause you. Trying to appeal to them on emotional terms will only result in a waste of your time and energy. Nor are you likely to be successful in direct confrontations with family or female associates. Appreciate whatever positive circumstances you encounter, and don't be misguided enough to believe you can easily overcome any negative ones.

Jupiter moves on into Gemini (your solar tenth house) at the beginning of July, so the nature and scope of your public or political life and career-related responsibilities expand during this period. You can achieve great leaps forward and family members can benefit too.

Venus in Virgo from the first week in August shows it pays to make an effort to exert your personal influence. The charm of your personality, willingness to cooperate with others and sense of humour make a big difference in the way things turn out. Go on! Indulge in a new hair style, beauty treatment, or other ways to enhance your appearance. It is important to look as neat and attractive as possible this month, since your physical appearance will have as big an impact as your personality. Of course, after the 22nd, it's your month of months! Take advantage of the potent boost to your ego that this period brings. It's a time to travel, communicate and present your ideas and opinions with confidence and enthusiasm. You may benefit from the ideas and experiences of those in charge, so consult them. They may even be the ones who ask you for information, or advice. Your creative thinking is stimulated under this influence, so you can devise some very clever solutions. Though there is greater generosity in sharing your knowledge or mechanical skills with others, there can also be increased intellectual competitiveness.

Something of a financial focus takes over in September, as Mercury and Venus visit Libra, but with the Sun in your sign until the 22nd, it is time for an unemotional assessment of your willpower and ego. Renew your inner vitality and energy. How determined are you? What is your purpose in life? How much personal influence do you wield? Too much self-assertion makes it difficult to accept (or ask for) the advice and opinions of others. The urge to develop your personality, appearance and personal skills is combined with a greater need to be more successful and independent. A strong, healthy self-image makes you more productive as an individual, 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 in many situations during this period.

Mercury retro in Scorpio foreshadows romantic excitement, especially in the local environment after mid-October, as Venus moves into the fourth house. With the Sun in your second house from October 23, an you may need to reassess your personal values as you deal with the inevitable confusions that can develop under retro Mercury. Money, material assets and the type of life style or personal status they can provide stimulate an honest assessment of what things are really important to you.You may be tempted to use money or status as a wedge to elicit cooperation or affection from others, but money may be lost because false pride won't let you back away from unwise financial commitments. Nevertheless, financial gain is on the cards, whether from your own efforts or the assistance of a parent, boss or other authority figure. Responding positively to the energy surrounding you now will motivate you to improve your income and personal status.

Even more of a financial focus will emerge in November and December, when Mars enters Libra, your second house. Mars boosts energy and enthusiasm now for organising your financial life. The romantic agenda really picks up when Mercury moves into Capricorn and Mars enters Scorpio just before Christmas on the 24th. Look forward to a lively holiday!

Career and Finances: Stake Your Claim  

Inheritances, estates, insurances and financial issues connected with partners (or former partners) are resolved, with Jupiter having turned direct just before Christmas 99 in your eighth house. You should benefit by legacy, or estate. Some loss of honour or dignity may occur through business associates working against you behind your back, but there should be gain through journeys, writings and your siblings. The study of arcane, or metaphysical matters will relieve the presssure and could lead to valuable opportunities.

January is prime time for Virgo, with Sun and Mercury in your fifth house of speculation for the first three weeks of the year. Saturn turns direct mid-month, bringing a lifting of some unpleasant restrictions that may have been dogging your footsteps, especially with regard to matters connected with travel, cultural pursuits and foreign investment. Venus cruises into Capricorn on Jan 24, bringing good luck and a more relationship-centered approach to speculation (as well as lifting your love-life!). Internet and technology issues look good after that, especially if you work in these areas, your sixth house being stimulated. However, do not get too cocky! Mercury is retrograde between Feb 21 and Mar 14, with confusion, misunderstandings and breakdowns in communication being likely right up to April 3, particularly with partners and competitors. Moreover, Saturn remains in your ninth house for some months yet, so a serious approach is needed to foreign investments and financing trade and educational activities, although late March and April sees Mars and Jupiter in your ninth house, bringing energy to such matters. Venus boosts your working relationships during March and brings charm and aplomb to your joint ventures and shared financial matters in April.

As the Grand Mutation in May approaches, mixed energies both stimulate and depress your dealings with faraway places, cultural issues (such as publishing), education, spiritual development and travel. May will bring matters to a head regarding work and relationships with colleagues and employees. You can expect sudden upheavals at work as Uranus struts his stuff in your sixth house. Avoid confrontations with family members and those in authority, especially over your career and public life.

June should be a month of consolidation and making sense of the developments and the New Moon in the beginning of July brings the opportunity to create a new atmosphere surrounding friendships and associations, or social groups of whichg you may be a member. July will be full-on, with Jupiter in Gemini bringing power and expansion to the career environment. The full Moon in Capricorn mid-month brings opportunities for investments of a risky nature, romantic escapades and children's issues, but watch for potentially stressful confusion developing under the influence of retrograde Mercury earlier in the month.

Mercury' retro influence ends with July, so August will be exciting, as Venus brings more personal magnetism, especially after the 22nd, when Mercury and the Sun enter Virgo, inspiring your intellect and bringing increased acumen, despite the influence of those who may be trying to drag you down. Saturn's move into Gemini on the 10th brings a more stable influence to bear on career issues, as information and ideas have to be gathered, methods discussed and choices made. You may experience difficulty and frustration when you try to get organized, simply because of the volume of things that come your way now. Details can easily slip away, so make sure you get all the information you need, and that the information is accurate, because it becomes difficult to see the overall picture. Resist the tendency to exaggerate. All in all, progress is likely.

For most of September, Mercury and Venus stimulate your financial sector. Most of the paper work, writing, meetings or discussions during this period will involve finances. Transacting business, increasing income, conserving monetary assets, monitoring expenditures and comparison shopping should be on your agenda. You need to discuss, or perhaps defend or reassess your priorities and values. However you should be extra cautious around the 10th, when, despite the more conducive influences of Venus and Mercury in Libra, you are less likely to be able to control the circumstances. Your normal schedule or plans may be disrupted by the weather, war, or other forces in your outer environment. Disruptions may stimulate you to adopt a more unusual or different approach on a personal level, especially through friends at work.Towards the end of the month, Venus cruises once more into Scorpio, where she began this landmark year. Social attitudes and behavior are strongly influenced by your emotional needs. You come out of yourself and seek the company of others, especially neighbours and siblings. Control the passionate side, if you wish to avoid being possessive, obsessive, or jealous. Many of your interactions with others, even fleeting or superficial contacts, are more tinged with a certain intensity. Social instincts can be remarkably keen, and your actions in this regard are direct and purposeful though not always obvious or open. September also brings career opportunities where you can use your energies to their best advantage. October's new Moon conflicts with Neptune and Uranus, presenting you with some sudden and probably unwelcome choices, especially in financial dealings with or through friends and colleagues, although the conjunction of the Sun and Moon with the fixed star Princeps reinforces the potential for benefit through those in high places, which is the vibration of the year. You need to be aware that not everyone is on your side and some may even be covertly working against you.

For the remainder of the year, you can expect plenty of energy in the career and work environments until Christmas when Mars surges into Scorpio, bringing a big boost to your creative energies, communications, local travel and relationships with siblings and neighbours. Your actions can lead to furthering your career, or to gaining recognition of your individuality and talent. Demonstrate courage, integrity, and loyalty, or vigorously defend your principles. The ultimate ego satisfaction, or goals you attain may come through men or a male individual, or from being in competitive situations. Success means you cannot sit around waiting for things to happen. Put yourself physically in different situations and activities; circulate among a wide variety of people to attract the opportunities you're looking for.

Health: Balancing Your Energies  

A dangerous illness may be contracted abroad, or while travelling. Beware sickness through overwork.

The main issues will be psychological stresses and fears, especially connected with secret enemies, or institutions. The solstice (the beginning of the astrological new year in December 1999) saw a Full Moon, exposing you to a great deal of emotional conflict over the year, as well as some wonderful opportunities! 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) and may be connected with travel, or overseas matters. Inlaws may suffer. Since the New Moon in Cancer (July 2) this year brings a solar eclipse, there will be particular pressure on your children's health in June and July. A lunar eclipse also occurs on the Full Moon (July 16), so be prepared for upsets from emotional problems, especially through stress from partners, lovers, children, property matters and issues to do with women, or social events.

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 ninth 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, especially in January, when physical confrontations may bring trouble. There is potential to experience headache, fever, inflammation, or flare up of chronic illness this year. In February, surgery or counselling, especially in relation to sex, is likely. April and May bring risk while travelling and potential throat and respiratory problems. August and the first two weeks of September see you more vulnerable to depression, secret fears and the machinations of opponents behind the scenes. August 29 to September 6 are particularly stressful, following the Virgo New Moon.

Home and Away: Family and Children  

Children bring pleasure and valuable knowledge. Your offspring may become preachers, scientists, or environmentalists. Travel should also be profitable and pleasant, especially in matters to do with work and career, although you must take special care of your health en route. Avoid travel in retrograde Mercury periods (see next sector) and in September, if possible.

Family and domestic issues are important this year and you can expect some deep cleansing of your relationship with your parents, where the childhood conditioning process is placed into perspective and ancient issues are resolved. This will not be easy, but it is a case of necessity.

There is also some likelihood of gain through marriage, especially in property. An inheritance or other legal legacy should emerge, although there may be some trouble connected therewith.

Children's interests will be prominent during January, February, June and July, with a lively interest arising again in December 2000. However, in May, with Mars in Gemini when Uranus, Saturn and Jupiter exchange thunderbolts, children's health and financial wellbeing will be threatened. June and July bring a needto keep a watchful eye on them, while August through to mid-October will see Saturn weakening their vitality and opening them to the possibility of infection, especially in the lungs and related areas. This effect is most noticeable after September 11, when Saturn goes retrograde.

Mercury Retrograde  

Since Mercury is your life-ruler, being both exalted and enthroned in Virgo, Mercury retrograde gives particular 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

partnership matters, legal issues, open confrontation Feb/Mar

friendships, clubs and associations, social activities Jun/Jul

communication, local travel, close relationships Oct/Nov.

Read more on retrograde Mercury.