2001 Forecast... the year ahead

This could be seen as a year of hot tempers, financial upheavals, and weather conditions as unsettled as the human affairs on the planet. There is a greater risk of earthquakes than last year. It's not all doom and gloom; there are plenty of opportunities for adventure, if the mood takes you. Still, if you're the cautious sort, draw in your horns. Remember, hard times do not last, and the good things that lie ahead are often based on times when all seemed turmoil. Which is not to say that the year will be of unrelieved turmoil; just that at times it may feel like it.

Once again, Jupiter and Saturn are going to colour developments, with much of the emphasis on the Gemini Sagittarius axis. At the beginning of the year, on January 9th, the eclipse of the Full Moon in Cancer, (the Red Moon of dire portent in olden days), presages a time of change, of being shaken painfully out of any rut we may be in.

Jupiter in Gemini opposes Pluto in Sagittarius on 16th February; huge religious upheavals are likely, and we should expect to see revolutionary ideas in education taking hold. Avoid financial speculation. On 19th February, Jupiter and Mars oppose each other, increasing the chance of confrontation in the world and between governments and individuals alike. Go carefully, watch out for accidents, take your time and double check everything. Unrest and military confrontation are on the cards.

March sees Venus go retrograde on 10th. It's going to be more difficult to maintain good relations between people. It could be a time when feelings run high, and with the best will in the world, normally peaceful people may lose their cool. If the early to middle degrees of Aries and Libra, and to a lesser extent Cancer or Capricorn, are significant in your chart, or if you have any planets in those degrees, then take extra care. Look at the international scene, and expect to see attempts to reach agreement just missing their mark.

On 21st April, Saturn moves into Gemini, the sign of communication, and close on its heels on 23rd comes the exact conjunction of Mercury with the New Moon. Throughout the world, economic factors become increasingly uncertain. The Internet market is likely to see great changes, maybe with sudden unexpected swings, and possibly some important takeovers.

Jupiter opposes Pluto again on May 6th. Organised crime may surface, possibly international crime involving the Internet, and there may be gigantic upheavals on the world markets. At the same time, there could be brilliant hi-tech developments, but wait until the dust settles before deciding if something will be permanent. In your own personal relationships, remember everyone is likely to be on edge at this time.

Unfortunately, things don't let up in June, as the red Planet Mars goes retrograde on 2nd, and then opposes the Sun on 13th. Where you see Mars, look out for short tempers and possible violence. With the Sun opposing Pluto on 4th, the Full Moon conjoining it on 6th, and then an eclipse of the new Moon on 21st, deep reaching changes are likely. It could be a painful time, with violence and criminal activity to the fore, but it is worth remembering that change and revolution, painful as they are, can bring about the conditions for a new and better order of things. Where Pluto is involved, dark turbulence is inevitable, but always with the promise of bright regeneration.

Early July sees an excellent opportunity for international negotiations, with Venus, the promoter of harmony, joining forces with Saturn on 15th, giving structure to peacemaking initiatives. However, the next day, Venus opposes Pluto, testing to the limit undercurrents and unspoken wishes.

Saturn comes to oppose Pluto in August and then again in November. From this time onwards, the money markets are going to be at their most volatile. There is a real danger of widespread organised criminal activity right now, and also of trouble on the streets.

The pattern continues into September, but the beginning of the month could see things ease for a while. In the financial markets, there could be signs of panic up to the end of the year.

In October, Neptune comes to a station before going retrograde. Religious fervour may be much in evidence, and as always that may mean outbreaks of fanaticism, in personal actions or in unrest in sensitive parts of the world. Watch out for ecological accidents at the end of the month.

Mars and Neptune in aspect to each other in November could mean a risk of warfare or action at sea, especially combined with Saturn re-opposing Pluto. By the time we are into December, many people may be breathing a sigh of relief, but as this astrologer said at the beginning, times of change and revolution come before things improve. Remember, what is so on the world scene may be true for you. If things are hard for you, look to the future not in despair but in hope.

Special note: mention was made at the outset of increased earthquake activity during the year. The most likely times will be in early January, early February, and around the middle of June, July, August, September and December.

If you would like a look at your own year ahead, or would like to discuss anything with our astrologer, simply view our services.