Beginning with a new term for the U.S. president, a baby for Kate, a hockey lockout, a world economy still on the brink, the Middle East still in turmoil, and the hard sell on tar sands and oil pipelines continuing, 2013 delivers the third year of Uranus square Pluto.
On the clock through 2016, this planetary alignment leaves no stone unturned. It is one that radically reinvents individual and collective reality.
Saturn in Scorpio began in October of 2012 and will continue into 2015. The influence is sobering, recessionary and task oriented. While this transit continues we will come to realize that resources are limited and dwindling, that we must make the best use of them we can. Positively, Saturn in Scorpio assists astute management and can reveal hidden advantages. It can be a strengthening, regulating and refortifying influence. When Saturn exerts its authority and agenda, it will employ whatever tough measures and added pressure is necessary in order to get the job done.
For the year ahead, Saturn works well with Pluto, so we should be able to put realism, necessity and sovereignty to productive work. In actuality, we have no choice.
Wiped out by Jupiter retrograde, who knows what will happened for hockey once Jupiter in Gemini resumes direct motion on Jan. 30, but know that the first quarter of the year is a mobilizing, forward thrust time for all.
Februarys start is ideal for address changes and new initiatives, but the preliminary window is short due to Mercury in Pisces in retrograde from Feb. 23 to March 17. Aim to avoid or work around it. There can be loss, confusion, epidemics or difficult weather. Mercury retrograde cycles also occur June 26 to July 20 (in Cancer), and Oct. 21 to Nov. 10 (in Scorpio).
Jupiter advances into Cancer on June 25. This one-year transit puts a greater emphasis on home, family, real estate, nurturing, nesting and security matters. Expect food prices, household debt, national debt and sea levels to rise even more. Although more isnt always a good thing, Jupiter will be well aligned with Saturn, Neptune and Chiron. On the plus side, theres greater emotional unification and potential for healing, building, securing and preserving. As we have seen since our national birthday fell on an eclipse a few years back, Canada is gaining a more prominent influence in the world.
Marking the intensification periods of the year, note the five eclipses of 2013, three in the spring April 25, May 10, May 25 and two in the fall: Oct 18, Nov 3. The exact alignments of Uranus square Pluto on May 20 and Nov 1 will add dynamic extra fuel.
Overall, 2013 appears to be a productive year ahead. Our leaders have faced enough to know that they cant afford to coast, to cheat, to sweep it under the carpet, or to fall asleep at the wheel. We must recognize this also.
ARIES (March 21 - April 19)
The year ahead can keep you working hard for recognition and reward, but trust its on the way it is. Saturn in Scorpio through this year and next keeps you in the thick of major career, financial and relationship transformation. This is a constructive influence, but its not an overnight process. Rather its slow and fermenting and often laborious. Along with Plutos hammer and nails, Saturn puts added pressure on your time-has-come moment.
Uranus in Aries aims to shatter through the ceiling once and for all. Those born March 25 to April 1 will get the fullest jolt from Uranus in 2013, but of course each of us will feel the intensity of this revolutionizing and accelerating influence. Uranus can be disruptive, sudden, extreme and awakening. If it isnt meant to be, it wont. Dont hang on to the bare thread. Instead, place your bet on the upgrades.
TAURUS
(April 20 - May 20)
Watch for Saturn in Scorpio to tighten the squeeze where it will get your attention best. It can reduce your options, place added restrictions on your resources or support, and hold you more accountable. Progressively, this streamlining will serve to chisel you and your life to a rock solid state where you cant falter or fall, no matter what challenges arise. Saturn signals a time of karmic and actual contract endings, or of partnership and professional solidification.
By choice or by force, your social life will continue to downsize, just as it has over the year past. You can do no better than to prioritize the material, health and relationship tasks set before you. Make the commitment, do the work, get the results. Its the formula that works. Dont delay on the necessary undertakings, and by late June you should find that life and love starts to hum along quite nicely.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)
Through the end of June, Jupiter in Gemini keeps you busy with one thing after another. The growth and increase planet finishes its four month retrograde tour on Jan. 30, so use the month to get ready and set, and aim for the full throttle in the first week of February. Note your opportunity is especially short. By Feb. 18, the good momentum will disintegrate thanks to both Saturn and Mercury starting retrograde. Pause or coast until March 20 when Aries month begins and youll quickly regain what was lost and then some.
Setting actual or karmic contracts into play, the May 24 lunar eclipse is particularly catapulting for birthday folk, and also for those born June 8, 9. Of course, all of us will feel its intensity to some degree. Watch for a key person to be instrumental in designing your future, whether a new arrival or someone who is already familiar to you.
CANCER (June 22 - July 22)
Use the first half of February to scout, broaden, travel, broadcast or to scoop it up. By design or circumstance, April is also an ideal springboard month. A new personal life or career direction awaits you.
Through June, Jupiter in Gemini keeps life motoring along a double track. It may be hard to get clear on whats possible and whats next. Youll have to trust that the universe is conspiring on your behalf no matter what hand you are dealt. While Pluto in Capricorn aims to deliver the final blow to relationships and circumstances that are long past their expiry date, youll receive benefit from Saturn in Scorpio, a time-is-ripe influence that is well aligned with your sign. Make a fuller commitment to yourself, to love, to bettering your best as a parent, and professionally too. Starting in July, Jupiter in Cancer puts you on the plus side of life.
LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22)
Saturn in Scorpio will force you to break old habits and to change to the way you live with yourself. A renovation, real estate, family or business matters can be especially burdensome. Unrequited needs become harder to live with too. Help to the rescue: Neptune and Pluto in favour to Saturn through the better portion of the year will loan you the patience to work through what you need to and to bide your time as necessary.
Have you noticed a distance growing between you and another, or between you and the lifestyle you have set up for yourself? Consider it a natural progression. The first half of February and second half of March through April will push the reboot button for you. Use it as your window of opportunity. A new home address, marital, or career status is quite possible around this time. July forward, youll feel better ensconced.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22)
Last year, this year and next, Jupiter signals an ideal time to make a major career and lifestyle switch. Pursue formal education or train on the job. What you learn now is only a stepping stone to so much more.
Saturn in Scorpio, a two-and-a-half year transit, can reduce your circle of friends, but its appropriate for now. Time is a precious commodity best used on the friends, relationships and activities that deliver best. Support and bonds will grow once Jupiter advances into Cancer at the end of June. Your best clients and customers will stand by you too.
The start of February can find you submerged and going strong, but Feb. 23 to March 18, be forewarned that Mercury retrograde can unravel, disintegrate, dilute or pollute. Both the solar eclipse on May 9 and lunar eclipse on May 24 mark a peak time for significant transitions and undertakings.
LIBRA (Sept. 22 - Oct. 22)
By the time Jupiter ends retrograde on Jan. 30, you should be past a good percentage of the roadblocks and onto a more productive page. The first half of February keeps you completely immersed in work and personal and health upgrades. You can see good progress, but mid-February to mid-March, Mercury retrograde can cause a temporary backtrack. Avoid major decisions and dont push what isnt coming naturally during this time. Aim for a major thrust ahead during Aries month.
Through late June, Jupiter in Gemini offers an ideal time to broaden your knowledge base, to upgrade your website and expand your marketing, to scout for better professional opportunities, a new relationship or new location.
July and August is an ideal time to start a new life or a new business venture. You should feel you have reached a good destination point. Itll be time to drop anchor and to make it grow from there.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 22)
Scorpio is a tenacious and strong-willed sign by nature. For the next two years, Saturn in Scorpio steels you even more. The time is especially ripe, and you have plenty of experience to pump up your confidence. Aim to make a name for yourself and/or nail it down once and for all. By your own handwriting or by destinys pen, your personal and professional agenda is well laid out. Youll make good progress from the end of January through the middle of March, but take note of Mercury retrograde and recalibrate as necessary from Feb. 23 to March 17.
April can keep you busy. The lunar eclipse on April 24 can bring a significant ending or fruition point, especially so for those born Oct. 30 to Nov. 2. The solar eclipse on May 9 can prove a fruitful launch point for love, creative projects, career and financial ambitions. Mid-July onward delivers a smooth sail.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 - Dec. 21)
For the past several months, you have been at a major professional, personal or social crossroad. As January rolls along, youll come to recognize that you are so much further along than you were only a short time ago.
February and March is a time to stay out of sight, and/or keep what you are working on under close wraps. Home, health and your private life keep you especially occupied. Jan. 31 to Feb. 18, and March 20 through April are fortuitous for a new endeavour, relationship or a new address. Late May through June can put you on the move too, this regarding your public profile, relocation, a legal matter or the money chase.
The second half of the year finds you in need of, or giving out more, financial and emotional support. Jupiter in Cancer puts even more concentration on building a nest or a nest egg. Cozy up for love.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)
It seems you are outgrowing a previously cherished ambition and/or way of life. Saturns tour through Scorpio aims to underscore how absolute and final that statement is. No matter how bittersweet, you are likely to be the first one to admit that you have been ready for this major lifestyle shift for quite some time. Youll gain added stellar support from Pluto and Neptune for the better portion of the year. The combination helps you to relinquish, transcend and rebuild from a position of strength and security. The time is right and theres no reason to hold off any longer.
Through the end of June, Jupiter in Gemini keeps you negotiating, juggling and working it from both ends. This is an ideal transit for tackling study, research and paperwork; also for honing skills, ideas or strategies. July onward, youll find yourself on the road to even more peace, comfort and contentment.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)
Through January, Mars in Aquarius keeps you freshly refuelled and ready for action. Get cracking on a new health regime, update your website or Facebook profile, or scope out a new agent.
On the hunt for love or better financial prospects? Youll gain even more traction through the first half of February. Venus in Aquarius bestows added attention and favour your way. The creative spurt will continue through spring.
Through June, Jupiter in Gemini guides you toward the best pathways and inroads. Your ability to convey, negotiate, demonstrate, create, synchronize, link-up, learn, teach and sell is at peak.
The lunar eclipse in Scorpio on April 25 can signal an eventful transition or culmination time regarding your career, real estate, family or home life. This is especially so for those born around Jan. 26. The solar eclipse on May 9 signals an especially lucrative launch time for those born around Jan. 20 or Feb. 8.
PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20)
You have been exposed to plenty of home and family transition since Jupiter turned retrograde last October. The result is leading you to a new way of living with yourself and of making your way in the world too. By Februarys start, you should feel youve gained a good handle on it all.
Saturn began Scorpio last fall and will continue for the next two years. This confidence-builder placement provides you with the courage and security of knowing that youve become older and wiser at just the right time. This is the it moment you have been waiting for.
Jupiters advance into Cancer, starting in July, launches an optimum creative and romantic cycle. It is a fortuitous and abundance-generating influence not only for you, but your loved ones, children included. Look to the dynamic configuration of planets at the end of July to bring all the right elements together for you.
Interested to hear more or to have a personal astrology consultation? Public lecture Jan. 22, 7 p.m. at Unity of Vancouver, 5840 Oak St. Info: [email protected] or visit rosemarcus.com/astrolink
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