2002 and You!

by Elizabeth C. Wilson

December heralds a questing mood after recent traumatic events. Currently, we are being affected profoundly by major transits-a set of three Sagittarius-Pluto and Gemini-Saturn oppositions. These oppositions began on 8/5/01, occurred again 11/2/01, and conclude on 5/25/02, and are cosmically "fine-tuning" us on many levels. They create polarized push-pull effects where social and political injustices are being adjusted through the corrections in the uses of power. They are "wake-up calls" for greater understanding. We ask, "Who are our neighbors, friends and allies? And most importantly, who are we?"

During the Solar Sagittarius month, we are drawn into more global tension as the Sun conjoins Pluto on 12/6. We are already coping with the negative expression of this opposition-threats of toxicity, terrorism, potential biological complications and social injustice abound. Even our (Gemini) media seems fixated upon showing repeats of horror. We do not have to "buy" into this version of reality.

Saturn/Pluto dynamics are "earth shaking" in magnitude, even causing tectonic plate movements or weather pattern shifts. The opposition is meant to "shake up" the existing world order to help us spiritually adjust our viewpoints. During the last Saturn/ Pluto opposition, there were similar cataclysmic changes- World War. Hopefully, we have learned from the past and are not destined to repeat it! Already, there is wonderful, positive social action through greater personal discernment. Newly strengthened personal and international identities are emerging. Hurray for the calls for World Peace, a clear surge of compassionate patriotism, and acts of astounding heroism-fire tempers steel.

Sun and moon eclipses are "trigger points" of the Zodiac, so use the two December eclipses to clear debris. The New Moon Eclipse on 12/14 (@ 22° Sagittarius, 3:47pm) seeds social action. Follow through with your instincts and nurture yourself and your community during the Full Moon Eclipse on 12/30 (@ 8° Cancer at 5:40am). Also during that time, welcome back more daylight after the Winter Solstice on 12/22 @ 2:22pm. Enjoy the sweet ease of tension of a lunar/solar trine during 12/25, making for a harmonious Holiday season.

We are evolving quickly because of the "hard-boiling" nature of the pressure cooker Gemini/Sagittarius transit. Communicating effectively while empowering one another is imperative. Astrologer Donna Cunningham considers this period a perfect opportunity to correct abuses.

Rebel Uranus and idealistic Neptune in socially altering Aquarius for 2002 affirm that the individual is as powerful as the group is collectively. Our actions are more forthright, with fully-direct Mars quickly moving through the zodiacal sequence of Aquarius through Scorpio, adding unique stamina and perseverance. Venus starts the year in Capricorn. Direct in motion for most of the year, it increases our understanding of one another's differences. Jupiter remains in Cancer for the first half of the year, connecting us intimately with our families and nation. On August 1, Jupiter waltzes into Leo, shifting the focus to our individual strengths and creative ability.

The 2002 New Year brings a balancing of work, home, and economics, with the Capricorn Sun opposite Cancerian Jupiter. Security becomes a greater issue. Yearlong, our adaptability is the focus of the eclipse cycle, with 3 of the 5 usual eclipses in mutable signs. Flexibility is key, especially when the 6/10 eclipse "rocks" the nation and President Bush's charts. Fortunately, the New Year Moon is in courageous Leo. Enhanced by a trine with Sagittarian Pluto, it capitalizes upon our ability to use personal resolve. In January, we may begin building anew on the Capricorn New Moon on 1/13 (at 8:29am). Hard work is rewarded during the 1/28 Leo Full Moon (at 5:50pm). But, remember Mercury turns retrograde 1/18/02 for 3 weeks. Take care in what you sow!

We increase personal awareness through spiritual focus, and change ripples out exponentially. Usher in the New Year using the ancient wisdom from sage Lao Tzu from the Tao Te-Ching:

Cultivate Virtue in your self and virtue will be real.
Cultivate it in the family and Virtue will abound.
Cultivate it in the village and Virtue will grow.
Cultivate it in the nation, and Virtue will be abundant.
Cultivate it in the universe, and Virtue will be everywhere.

Cultivate your personal virtue by using your Solar Principle daily. YOU can make the difference!

• Pioneering Aries uses the Principle of Activity through Initiative instead of acting impulsively.
• Thorough Taurus uses Manifestation by Steadfast Productivity and thwarts materialism.
• Thinking Gemini gleans through Rationality and encourages Productive Intelligence instead of superficiality.
• Feeling Cancer uses Nourishment to Care and disperses with maudlin insecurity.
• Enthusiastic Leo Uses Creativity to Seed Love and dispels conceitedness.
• Analytical Virgo uses Discernment for Clarity and dissolves destructive criticism.
• Social Libra Balances to apply Diplomacy and discards indecision.
• Secretive Scorpio uses Transformation for Regeneration squelching the abuse of power.
• Mobile Sagittarius Exploration Cultivates Social Wisdom to negate delusion.
• Utilitarian Capricorn uses Order for Accomplishment destroying opportunism.
• Unique Aquarius uses Change to express Originality while appropriately channeling rebelliousness.
• Imaginative Pisces uses the Principle of Unity for Compassion and removes martyrdom.

Applying these simple, positive virtues in mindful daily choice is powerful. So together may we bring in the New Year with Hope, Love and Peace. Namaste!

Elizabeth C. Wilson, an astrologer in the Triangle Area, is available for astrological consultations. Contact: www.ntastrology.com or 919-942-9699.