Astrology Helps Newsletter

January 9, 2012

Happy New Year! Its the first issue of 2012, in which we look at the year ahead, check out the signs for the week, and answer a relationship horary.

2012

The first thing I can say about 2012 is that its going to be a bumpy year. In fact, the astrology of the next 8 years easily through 2020 suggest that discord and volatility are going to continue throughout the country. To look at the year ahead, we use what are called ingress charts, in which the Sun is brought to zero degress of either Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn. As the nearest date for one of these is late December (Capricorn) the chart is cast for a location of Washington, DC. Its then contrasted to the birth chart of the United States (the inner ring).

So what do we see? In looking at countries, we pay close attention to the outer planets Uranus, Neptune & Pluto as they indicate more generational influences. In the ingress chart, Uranus and Pluto are both early in their signs and are making extremely stressful aspects not only to each other but to key planets in the U.S. chart. Worse yet, theyll continue to do so for most of this year and into next. Consistent with what we have seen going all the way back to 2008, the Uranus and Pluto aspects suggest enormous restlessness and an almost violent desire for change. Similar to earlier periods of disruption in this country, such as the 1930s and 1960s, there is a sense of rebelliousness for its own sake (Uranus in early degress of Aries). The Aries placement is significant as the sign is ruled by Mars, the god of war, and much of the political rhetoric focuses on culture wars and similar claims of being in a state of war. Between Mitt Romneys corporations are people too statement and the OCCUPY movement, we seem to be witnessing clashes (Aries) that are less about substance and more about whose Will (an Aries word if there ever was one) is going to prevail. With Uranus squaring Pluto, we see old structures falling or being challenged, but no clear vision of how or with what theyre going to be replaced. And if youre wondering what this kind of upheaval actually looks like, simply tune in to any of the Republican debates and witness the anger, bitterness and malice on display. Further, we can expect more polarization of religious groups and issues. (Please note I used the word religious, not spiritual.) Uranus, rules the 9th house of religion, and its tense aspects to the Sun and Pluto more or less guarantee that little compassion will be evident from our leaders in the year ahead.

If Im Mayan, Im Dyin

I ve never really understood the fascination with end-of-the-world predictions. A quick glance through history reveals that they arise pretty regularly, and, obviously, have not come to pass. As I m somewhat in the business of prediction (horary and year-ahead charts certainly fall into that category) I m surprised that anyone would be willing to go so far out on a limb to make a prediction that is so large and can so easily and publicly fail. At any rate, a number of subscribers have asked about the Mayan 2012 prediction. Here s my answer: stop worrying about it. There will be a 2013. But the real question is: what are your opportunities for the year? When asking for a year-ahead reading, a fair number of people say, I want to know what s going to happen to me this year . While I understand what they mean, the real question should be, What part of yourself can you develop in the coming year? . A year-ahead reading provides an opportunity to stop and see yourself from a different perspective. Not as a person to whom something happens ; but as a person who wishes to unlock their potential.

The Sky Ahead

Aries: Good week to flex your muscles, as your ruling planet, Mars, finds itself in good aspect to both the Sun and Moon. Find a way to creatively express both sides of yourself the masculine and the feminine by both maintaining attention to details and being willing to step outside your comfort zone. The opposition between Mars and Uranus (planet of unpredictability) is the universe giving you permission to be very, very different from those around you. Taurus: The unusual insight, the unexpected touch is what s required from you this week. Venus in Aquarius has a different perspective, and with support from Saturn (structure, discipline, ambition) you have the opportunity to make an impact, particularly with friends or groups that you might be working with in some manner. Resist any urge to passivity or emtionally checking out. Gemini: Your hopes can work out as planned as long as you don t get knocked off the path by people or events that want to claim your time. With Mercury entering Capricorn, we see the opportunity to set serious goals. If you re involved with other people s resources in some way either through money or property then proceed very carefully. Take advantage, or at the very least, be alert to sudden or hidden opportunities. But above all stay focused. Cancer: There s a conflict between what you think and what you feel and as long as you bounce back and forth between the two, you re going to be locked into tension and indecision. In this week s chart, the way out is very clear: through action. With Mars making a supportive aspect to the Moon, you need to make a choice. Avoid the fear of making mistakes. The only way to get from doubt to clarity is through action and if you do make a mistake, that s just one more that s behind you. Leo: Solid thinking and a willingness to be patient is the key to success this

week. As Mercury enters Capricorn, you have the ability to stay grounded even if those around you are getting a bit melodramatic. An approaching sqaure to both Jupiter and Saturn suggests that you ve got a rocky few weeks ahead of you. Don t let others bait you or get trapped into overreacting to misbehavior. This is a period where you need to rise above any pettiness and be the one everyone looks to for stability. Virgo: With Mars in Virgo in the 1st house, the right path will be found through strategic action. Good period to work any issues or confusion over joint accounts or shared resources. This is a good period for you to think about what makes you feel good. And whether you have enough good feelings in your life. With the Sun in Capricorn in the 5th house of pleasure and Mars in careful Virgo, remember that life has many pleasures and you re entitled to enjoy a bunch of them! Libra: You re going to be experiencing a push/pull period for a few weeks, as Venus makes aspects to Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune. The conjunction to Neptune brings a deep idealistic quality, which gets intensified by the sextile to Jupiter (reward). The Saturn aspect is a good too, but it indicates that events or situations are not quite as pleasant underneath the surface as they seem. Be willing to step forward and in your charming Libra manner, find out what s going on. Scorpio: You may be feeling some powerful currents of energy and imagination as Mercury conjuncts Pluto. With Jupiter also in the mix, there s an opportunity here for creative and emtional fullfillment. Don t let yourself get put in a box, but maintain flexibility over the next few weeks. Your hard work will pay off with recognition if you re able to maintain your energy. Sagittarius: The focus may be on finances for the next few weeks. Take the time to look at your earnings, your bank account and your future to see if you re economically heading in the right direction or took a wrong turn somewhere. While you re doing that, it s worth checking your self-esteem as well. If you re not as confident or bold or successful as you need to be, this is a period where you want to ask yourself why. Capricorn: If you feel like you ve got a lot of weight on your shoulders, it s because you do. With Saturn making aspects to nearly every planet in the chart, you may be feeling overwhelmed, overworked and underappreciated. If that s the case, the best antidote is to find small ways to cut down on the stress and while you re doing that, find some room for whatever pleasures are available. This period will end in a few weeks, but for right now, you need to take good care of yourself before others. Aquarius: Beware of communications being misunderstood this week. Uranus, the planet of unpredictability and co-ruler of your sign, is making a sharp square to Mercury (thought, communications) so be careful in crafting your emails or in any important conversations. Socially, this period should be very good, as Venus in Aquarius makes good aspects around the chart. Charm and magnetism are on your side, just remember not to say more than you should! Pisces: You have the chance to bring grace and kindness to situations this week, as Venus and Neptune (co-ruler of your sign) meet in conjunction. The aspect has the potential to bring a higher perception to people and events around you, so

you should use that to help situations move forward. Do not, however, let yourself get pushed around; people can misinterpret what you have to offer, so make sure that you put some strength behind your grace.

Casebook of Horary Astrology

Is He A Potential Mate?

Last year, a woman from Sweden contacted me with an horary. She lived in an apartment building and had a strong attraction to a young man down the hall. After making discreet inquiries, she found out that he was single, employed and by all observation, a proper guy as she put it. A few conversations had taken place between the two, but much more had taken place in the her imagination. So the question was: is he a potential mate? As always, chart and answer are below.

With Virgo rising, she is symbolized by Mercury (ruler of Virgo) and the Moon (always the co-ruler of whoever asks the question). Pisces is on the 7th house cusp, which gives him that sign s ruler, Jupiter. Pisces here suggests that he has an elusive quality. That doesn t sit well with her Moon, which is in Aries and indicates someone who is emotionally ready to make things happen. In fact, both Mercury which is just leaving Libra and entering Scorpio and the Moon are heading into aspects with his Jupiter. But these aspects are mixed as the Moon will conjunct (union) with Jupiter, but Mercury will be in opposition (conflict) to it. The delineation here is pretty straightforward there will likely be a relationship which she will find emotionally satisfying, but which may also be challenging in other ways, as the opposition indicates the two of them being at odds. However, it may be the kind of conflict that binds a couple. When last I heard from her, they were on their third date and she was, in her words, intoxicated .

I was not looking for my dreams to interpret my life, but rather for my life to interpret my dreams.
~ Susan Sontag, from The Benefactor

Thank you for subscribing to the Astrology Helps weekly newsletter. Please feel free to send questions or comments to me. You can find information on all my services at www.astrologyhelps.net. If you would like to unsubscribe from this mailing (but really, why would you?) just send an email with unsubscribe in the subject line to me. Copyright Chris Petrakos 2012 chris@astrologyhelps.net