For All Signs The economic downturn of the past year was predictable. It is simply in the natural order of cycles to flatten the economic spiral. Saturn and Pluto began their approach to an opposition in the sky last May. This is a long transit which continues through the second quarter of this year. Even beyond that, the economic pullout will be slow and many will not feel recovered until the second half of 2003. The cosmic message calls for economizing, stretching resources to do more, and making wise choices concerning our values. It is imperative we establish peace and structures within which to join together for the greatest possible cause: to save the earth's resources and thus, animal and humankind.
Aries Between January 18 and March 1, your self-confidence will be high and it is a good time to take initiatives. Relationships are touchy in mid-February, early May and December. March and early April are challenging, particularly in the arenas of finances and friendships. Control your temper and use caution with driving, tools, and people in this period, and again during the first two weeks of May. During June and July your attention is focused on home, family and property. From mid-July through August the focus is on children, play, and love life. It is a good time for a vacation. In September through mid-October you will be be giving attention to work, diet, and exercise. December brings focus to financial planning. Overall the fourth quarter is the best of the year.
Taurus Situations beyond your control are exerting pressure on your resources during the first two quarters of this year. You will find improved ways to manage your resources. During the first quarter it is best if you allow circumstances to bring ideas and opportunities to you, rather than taking the lead. From April 1-13, both Venus and Mars are in your sign and this is a good period to take action. In May, the financial and emotional pressure arrives at a significant turning point with an echo of repetition in late July, early August. There are signs of relief during the first half of June. You can resolve these challenges and will move on the better for it. From early August to the end of the year, you are likely to travel more frequently. During the last quarter it will be important to take time for solitude and restoration of energy.
Gemini This is an overstatement, but you may feel as though you are fighting for your life right now. The point is that to continue to be creative, you must stop and deal with certain realities that have been interfering with your forward motion. For some, the challenge is in the area of personal health, and for others it is career or relationships. You are pressured to resolve problems that have been long in the making. Periods in which this is emphasized are: the first six weeks of the year, mid-March, May-June, mid to late August, early October, and early December. Mercury, your ruling planet, will be retrograding at the following times: January 18-February 8, May 15-June 8, and September 14-October 6. Expect to slow your pace, retrace old territory, and maintain an attitude of flexibility about your schedule during these periods.
Cancer This year is one of deep thought and reflection upon your direction of life. The work in the world as you have known it in recent years is slowly moving toward a transformation. Boredom with the routine may be growing, or you may feel yourself drifting sideways, out of the loop. You are preparing for nothing less than total renewal of focus, but it won't happen overnight. Physical or emotional health issues may require treatment in order to facilitate forward progress. Eclipse periods are significant for Moon Children and often represent times of decision and/or turning points. The eclipse seasons of 2002 occur from late May through late June, and again from mid November through early December. May through September is the most challenging as you let go of the old and take steps to begin the new. The financial picture improves from September forward.
Leo Your career life should be in good condition. Areas of primary attention this year are focused around personal relationships and home/family life. Leos with children are challenged to be strong and hold steady through multiple trials and tests of patience. You cannot "save" them, but you can love them through it. Be flexible with other creative projects. Romantic relationships may try your patience. Aging property requires repair and elderly family members may have need of your attention. Times of special challenge are as follows: February 27-March 13, May 28-June 10, September and December. Jupiter, a benevolent influence, will be in your sign from August forward. It brightens your attitude and improves the spirits, and suggests increased travel, education, or other types of expansion into fresh life territories.
Virgo The issues in your life are in the areas of career and home/family. Though the circumstances that have brought on the need to reshape your life were not of your choosing, you want to reorganize in order to accommodate the present situation and move forward. If you are essentially happy with your career, you have reached a point in which you are now handling greater responsibility. If you have not been satisfied, then you are feeling a powerful need to escape and start over. Some of you will find the requirements of your family justify a departure from the career/outer life. Times in which these issues are emphasized are as follows: the first quarter, May-June, mid to late August, early October, and early December. Mercury, your ruling planet, will be retrograding at the following times: January 18-February 8, May 15-June 8, and September 14-October 6.
Libra You have a need to redirect your habitual thought patterns into more positive channels. You are likely dealing with issues of education, legislation and corporate politics. Problems concerning your local environment may demand attention. These arenas press you to operate on the highest ethical plane. Months which require special focus in these areas are: February, May, and the end of July. Be prepared for multiple changes of schedule between late August and mid-October. New contacts and fresh starts in relationships are prominent in January, May-June, and August. During the last quarter of the year Venus, your ruling planet, will be retrograding. Slow down, prioritize your values, and economize your expenditure of all resources.
Scorpio During January and February you have the opportunity to reestablish your personal sense of security. It will require that you rebuild or recreate something from the past, and it will be worth the time and effort. The time frame of February 26 through March 6, and again early in April may be stressful on relationships. Let the past go and concentrate on the present for best results. The financial picture is tight much of the year, but this is because you are engaged in a long term reconstruction of your life, which requires time and effort. July is complicated and involves difficult work or especially long hours. Your adrenaline surges from mid-September through mid-October. The energy is best used toward addressing your goals. From mid-October through the end of November the usual routine will prevail and this is a good period for rest and reflection. In December your energy will be high.
Sagittarius You are accustomed to leadership and normally expect others to cooperate. But during this period you have a formidable challenge that doesn't bend so easily. There may even be those who are actively opposing your wishes. You must listen carefully to their grievances and allow yourself to learn from the problems. A dash of humility would be helpful to your cause as well. The arenas for the standoff are in career and partnerships. Do the best you can and maintain absolutely pure ethics, in spite of the environmental pressures. You can only control yourself under these circumstances, and cannot force anyone else to do anything. Beginning in August, the stressors become a bit lighter and problems will find resolution as the year draws toward a close.
Capricorn In some ways you have been experiencing a "recession" in your life, being pulled in two directions, trapped in the middle, and unable to make a final leap of change. The Goats have been under stress for six years or more, definitely beyond what could be called "fair." Give attention to any physical symptoms that appear. Considering the length of time you have struggled, it should be good news to read that there is relief in sight. Major effort must continue through the first two quarters of this year, so pace yourself. Schedule as lightly as possible in May and June because multiple extras are likely to fill in the calendar gaps. Improvement develops in finances after the beginning of August. The smaller cycles suggest improvements will occur during the following periods: January 24-early February, end March-early April, August, early September, late October, and mid-December.
Aquarius You begin the year in a restless frame of mind and may be tempted to make impulsive moves aimed toward increasing your freedom. Mercury will be retrograding in your sign from mid-January-February and this suggests frequent changes of mind, so take your time on decisions. Focusing attention on improving work conditions will create fortunate developments with employees or coworkers. It is possible you have been undergoing trials in relation to your larger community and social life. The issues in this area will begin to dissipate in June. A new social picture emerges by August, which will bring improvements in the arenas of love and friendship for a full year.
Pisces You are primarily concerned with your career or life direction, and your personal sense of security. If you use external measures to define your security, you may feel you are at the bottom of the heap. In the world of externals you are, but the good news is that you are turning a corner on a 28 year cycle now. Your life direction is being tested. If you have pursued your heart's vocation, after the testing process you will be given a gift, a leg up, or a boost. If you are headed in the wrong direction, then it likely will come to a natural close. Aging property may be in need of repairs particularly in May, and elderly people or ill friends/family members may need your help during this year. Use great caution when driving or handling tools in late July. Love life shows promise all year, particularly in June, and reunion with one or more former lovers may be part of that scene.
An expanded version of the 2002 annual horoscope is available at www.horoscopesbyvivian.com. Vivian Carol, a licensed counselor, may be reached at 704-987-2258 for private counseling or astrology appointments.