Astro-Services - 2002 The Year Ahead

The Year 2002 opens right on the heels of the Lunar Eclipse in Cancer on December 30th, 2001. The protective, defensive energy of Cancer combined with the harsh square between Mars in Pisces and Pluto in Sagittarius, makes a volatile mix. One of the major factors in 2001 was the Pluto-Saturn opposition. These two powerful planets will be drawing back to an exact opposition at the end of May, and the effect is likely to be seen on the world stage. Other parallels are the Gemini-Sagittarius emphasis in at least the first part of 2002, and the influence of Mars. But, of course, this is a New Year, and the details and emphasis will still be on change and transformation, but in its own way.

January starts with two interesting absolutes. The Earth is at its closest to the Sun, about 2.6 million kilometers closer to the Sun than its average distance of 150 million kilometers, (and that seems odd if you are shivering in the northern hemisphere!) Jupiter is at its closest possible to Earth on January 1st. The fiery, warlike energy of Mars square Pluto will be exaggerated, and people will be more than ready to fight for religious and political ideals. The more so towards the end of January, when Mars in its own sign of Aries powerfully squares Jupiter on 28th, at a very strong Full Moon. Now and throughout the year, the Middle East, including Israel and Iraq, could be potential flashpoints. Mercury going retrograde on January 19th until February 9th won't help things run smoothly!

Above: Chart showing the Full Moon on January 28th ...chart created using VegaSviri Expert

Humanitarian themes are likely to be strengthened by a refugee crisis. The world will have to face up to the effect that war has on the weakest and most vulnerable people. But just as humanity is capable of appalling atrocity, so it produces miracles of kindness and unselfish generosity, and there will be great international appeals to help the needy. Financially, the signs are that there could be a short-lived boom with people looking to put their money somewhere for solid but quick profit, as normal investment patterns suffer from a widespread feeling of insecurity.

February opens with a heightened risk of nuclear accident or even use of nuclear power. There's a strong risk of earthquakes, particularly in the region around the Pakistan/Afghanistan/Indian border, and possibly also in New Zealand or Japan. Mercury and Saturn turn direct around 8th, and we could see some interesting developments in the communications industry. Severe weather may disrupt communications in Britain and Europe later in the month, and we could also see social unrest in Europe and in the United States.

Mars moves in to Taurus right at the beginning of March, and some of the high ideals of the turn of the year may now get put into practice. West Africa is added to the parts of the world where the risk of conflict runs high. In Britain, the Government may choose this time to implement reforms and changes in the National Health Service.

One of the most interesting aspects at the beginning of April is Saturn trine Neptune. At the end of last year we saw military action as people fought one way or another for their beliefs. Neptune's influence also affects ideals. Expect to see a reworking of some of the same themes that were in everyone's minds in mid-December, in world affairs and in your own life, especially if the degrees around 10 in any of the mutable or fixed signs are strong in your own chart. (If you don't know your own chart, see my range of personal reports.) This month we may see people trying to put their dreams into practice. On a world scale, there may be an escalation in areas where conflict was building up last year.

May brings us to a time of great potential conflict. There is no getting away from it. The planetary set-up is one of the most formidable in the whole year. Once again, the Middle East is a potential area for great unrest and conflict, but anywhere in the world could see a breakdown in diplomatic relations. On May 4th, Mars and Saturn, both close to Venus, join forces, trining the Moon in its last quarter as it conjoins Neptune. Look out for floods, criminal outrages, and possible naval action. There is a risk of large accidents, perhaps at sea.

All through May, Saturn and Pluto are drawing towards the final exact opposition in this cycle that began on August 5th last year, repeated itself on November 30th, and now culminates, close to the North node, at the time of the Full Moon. The risk of armed conflict at this time is very high indeed, and it is very likely that the USA will be involved. President George W. Bush's own chart is very powerfully affected by these planetary configurations. Possible areas involved could include Iraq as well as other sparkpoints almost anywhere in the world.

The New Moon on June 10th forms a solar eclipse that will be visible from northern Australia and eastern Asia to much of North America. It further activates the Saturn-Pluto opposition, even though these two planets are moving apart with much more determination than they did last year. It's a high risk time for earthquakes. In Britain the Royal Family take centre stage as we celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee; festive events will continue right through the summer. At the end of June there is a risk of sudden accidents on a large scale.

This risk, and that of military action, continues to be high right through July and August, including US naval action in south east Asia. An unusual feature in July is Uranus's conjunction with a black hole called Cygnus X-3, when Uranus is quincunx Mars. Tentatively, this suggests to me that however unsettled and destructive this difficult astrological period may be, when we emerge from the belligerent upsets, we shall be moving towards a new era of peace and justice. That is certainly my hope.

Jupiter moves into Leo at the beginning of August, and on 8th the New Moon joins Mars, making war very much something that we should be prepared for. Particularly turbulent areas are likely to include Israel and just possibly the Caribbean. There could also be some kind of big pollution incident. In your own chart, take especial note if the middle degrees of Leo and Aquarius are emphasized, either by planets or as one of the angles. Click here to find out how to learn about your chart.

The New Moon on September 7th sees Jupiter opposing Neptune and trine Mercury, suggesting that there could be some deception or financial fraud, and also a lot of woolly thinking when it comes to trying to sort out plans and ideas. This can be in your personal chart, and also, worryingly, in international diplomacy.

In mid-October Saturn and Venus turn retrograde within a day of each other, not a common occurrence. This may indicate a problem time for Librans, with Venus in its own sign, and it could be difficult to make advances with financial plans. All kinds of investments may slow down at this period, but on the whole they should pick up as the weeks move on. War or military engagement of some kind remains possible.

Above: Saturn stations on October 11th before turning retrograde. Venus has just turned retrograde ... chart created using VegaSviri Expert

Some kind of technological breakthrough is suggested early in November as a T-square forms between Jupiter in Leo, Neptune in Aquarius, and a Venus-Mercury conjunction in Scorpio around the time of the New Moon. Once again the Fixed signs figure strongly.

The year draws to a close with a New Moon Eclipse on December 4th, and although Christmas will be approaching, once again the last month of the year is not likely to see any let-up in strife and discord. Much as in December 2001, a year of financial uncertainty could promote social and political unrest, not least in the Far East, where Japan may also be subject to earthquakes. However, as December moves on, things become calmer, and it seems that 2002 could end on a more peaceful note than last year. So be it!

If you would like a look at your own forecast, or would like to learn more about your chart, you can

2002 Forecast... the year ahead