in the thick of it
the august-september 2001 forecast
note: ordinarily, this forecast will be monthly. however, since this is being posted in mid-august, i want to give you the heads-up on what september has in store as well.
whether you know it or not, saturn and pluto have been sparring with each other on center stage all summer. however, we began to really feel their interaction about august 5th, when they reach their most intense point for the first of three times.
this may not mean much to you, but if i were to ask you if you have been feeling overwhelmed and not quite sure what's going on, i'll bet you'd agree. this is the initial and almost daily feeling that greets us with these planets. we might as well get used to this for a while, because they'll be interacting through june of next year.
the last time we had this exact pattern was in 1966-67, but we had similar energies to deal with in 1982-83 and 1992-93. you can get clues to what might be in store for you by thinking about what happened in your life at these times. if you (or a loved one) were born at any of these times, the coming year will be especially significant for you.
saturn + pluto = power struggle
where saturn and pluto walk, a power struggle cannot be far behind. we notice this in the
middle east and even in our own government. this is an especially difficult time for
relationships, because many relationships have a buried power struggle that has yet to be
resolved. the feeling of "i just can't take it anymore" is saturn-pluto talking.
we can leap to conclusions just to end the drama when we feel like this and later regret
our actions but feel stuck with them.
to overcome the struggle, it is necessary to clear the air and be patient. look for where you can apologize or admit to how you contributed to the situation. then withdraw slightly (but warmly) and wait for nature to take its course.
the good news
the good news is that things will work out in the end, because we have a miracle planet
influencing saturn and pluto--you might say, mediating the conflict. this power broker
comes with warm, fresh-baked cookies, not to deny that the problem exists, but to say,
"yes, it does exist, but while you're working this out, it's okay to be loved."
the thing is, the problem existed before it came to the surface, and it festered and created other problems that at first glance do not seem related. it could be the stomach ulcer that begins to improve once you can let got of your anxiety about your relationship or the colitis that disappears once you transfer to a new, healthier department at work. it could just be the new energy you feel with the renewal that allows you to start a new exercise routine after the release of deeply hidden childhood fear.
no matter what, we can work all planetary energies to our advantage, or as the i ching says, once you understand how it works, "all things further" (your growth). so, even if the planetary energies are tough on you, they can help you grow strong if you will embrace them.
september's planetary events will reflect back to us what the issues are that we will deal with over the coming 10 months. this is especially true of the week from the 2nd through the 10th. the intensity of the moment will gradually release from the 11th through the 16th, and the rest of the month is relaxed by comparison. don't be alarmed by the relative standstill during the week of the 23rd (peaking on the 26th). it's a natural part of the cycle. true, it has to be dealt with, but it's another step on the path.
sun sign forecast
aries
it's hard to take action when you feel caught in the middle between wisdom and emotion,
two elements you'd rather not deal with. you've been feeling like, in spite of others'
complaints, it's really not so bad, but now you're wondering. don't be so quick to
conclude that the good times are over. you're having a temporary period of hesitation (and
for aries this is never bad), but you'll feel like your old self (well, sort of) in a
couple of months.
taurus
if it's taken you longer than most to get over "the bubble", it's
understandable: it happened in your sign, and you're normally slower to move anyway (a
quality you're wise to appreciate). the secret behind the bubble is that, with hard work,
you can make it last, or at least come back. it won't be a bubble, actually, but more a
platform on which to build your house, and this time it won't burst. in the meantime, be
patient and enjoy the fact that this crisis is passing you by, at least for the most part.
gemini
what? you work? well, your press agent has had it wrong all these years, because you do
work, and you do have a serious side, and now this is coming out, much to the
surprise of even those closest to you. you're working, and hard, and you're about to be
recognized if you haven't been already. so it's not worth getting depressed about, all
those years you wasted being illegally blond, because it wasn't a waste. there's a truth
to having fun while you learn--and why not? who said life has to be a drag?
cancer
opportunity time is here, and if you're feeling more adventurous and
upbeat than usual, that's why. life is not a complete bowl of cherries, but others have
noticed you whistling under your breath lately and talking to trees. september brings
action to a situation that has been stalemated since late spring, possibly earlier. it
will either evaporate into nothing, or it will materialize into substance and you can
proceed. if it gives way, another initiative (maybe more) is on its way which will be able
to hold the weight of your loyalty and nurturance.
leo
life has been a thrill lately, but not necessarily the kind you like if we're talking
about august 15th. you've had to deal with considerable delay this year, and
you might even have had to skip the trips to the theatre or that annual vacation. patience
builds strength, and if you can add discipline to the mix, well, nothing will stop you.
september will find you working hard, but there's light at the end of the tunnel. you'll
be answering "yes!" to "are we having fun yet?" by the end october.
virgo
the ravages of stress due to overwhelm may be taking their toll, but if you will just take
the time to let others take care of you now, your health will be preserved. an acupuncture
treatment strategically timed for your birthday is a great way to launch your solar year.
what's more, you may be able to overcome the stress reaction (which is, after all, based
on our perception of events) and build a powerful new future for yourself now. expand your
vision and work smarter, not harder. by mid-september, you'll be in harmony with the
energies again and ready to roll.
libra
if you've been feeling stuck and stymied by your current circumstances, maybe it's time to
bite the bullet and take a class. whether it's a hobby you love, following a new interest,
or working toward a career goal, now is the time to act. your energy and focus are good
right now, as well as your level of dissatisfaction. yeah, it'll take you 3 years, but do
you want to be doing what you're doing now in 3 years, or something different--you're
going to get there anyway. strike while the iron is hot!
scorpio
love is not a four-letter word, and it's okay to think about it, even indulge in it. it is
not only one of the pleasures of being human, it is a necessity to health and happiness.
the trouble is taking the risk. if you can't even dare to look into his (or her) eyes, how
can you show you care? you think you're the only one with trust issues, but that's not
true. we all have them. so, go ahead, be a devil! throw yourself into life with careless
abandon. every cell in your body will wake up with astonishment, and you might even have
fun and more than a little romance!
sagittarius
you've felt the energies building, and watched the situations they relate to consume more
and more of your time and attention, but you had no idea that people could be as
irrational as they are behaving right now. you're wondering if this is a portent of things
to come. the fact is, you can't prevent people from doing what they want, including hating
you irrationally. to attempt this is to be controlling, and you don't even want to stick
around for that. just take your usual breezy attitude, and you'll get over it in time
(even though they may not--and that's their right as well).
capricorn
if people are warmer to you than usual, it's because jupiter has come into your life. it
may be tempting to turn this into a reward time and, you know, get that promotion or ask
for a raise. however, maybe you should think about it a little. maybe this is the time to
look for more rewards in your personal life. you're more likely to meet someone
you can really spend time with, who really stimulates you now. after all, everyone needs a
personal life, especially as we age and our need for other people grows. of course, maybe
you'll never age, but it's best to be on the safe side.
aquarius
if you've gotten sick of the politics, you're not alone. however, you may be alone in
caring so much about the finer points of justice and fulfillment of group intention (like,
the public trust). you may find yourself ranting about things that others just look at you
quizzically about, then shrug and move away. you're left holding the bag of your
principles with no support for your concerns. well, as usual, you're way ahead of the
game. where you can see the inevitable result, others are not so intuitive. be patient and
continue to work for a positive outcome.
pisces
your life could be a mess, but it's gotten way beyond that. in fact, you've gone through
"mess" and out the other side, and now you're doing really pretty well, you
could even say great. what's different is that you're finding new ways of handling the
slings and arrows of life, and it's called d-i-s-t-a-n-c-e. by distancing yourself instead
of throwing yourself into the turmoil, you've found out how to rise above, find what's
important for you, and use it to guide you to a good outcome. you're not even getting
upset. this is an invaluable life change, and it will stick as long as you remember to
choose it.
