Astro-Services - 2003 The Year Ahead

The year 2003 may go down in the history books as the Year of Mars. One way or another the Red Planet is going to be prominent. Many of the trends this year may sound very ominous, because Mars certainly is associated with war, but remember too that Mars gives us energy and drive, and helps us accomplish great things. This year, on August 28th, Mars comes closer to the Earth than at any time in the last 70,000 years. That's a very long time, and this is a major astronomical event. And although August is well beyond the year's half way mark, we'll be feeling the approach of the planet known to the Ancients as the lesser malefic right from the beginning of the year.

2003 opens straight into a series of major events. On January 2nd comes a New Moon in Capricorn that sees the Sun and Moon in exact conjunction with Chiron, that part-asteroid, part comet, part planetoid, that represents the Wounded Healer. There is a close semisquare with Uranus too. It all suggests a strong element of governmental control, a time when strict regulations are being put into force as nations are seen to be fighting against unpredictable forces of terrorism or sudden natural disasters. We can expect to see the usual round of viruses and general mid-winter ill health, but there may also be alarms surrounding the risk of germ warfare and terrorist attacks. At the same time as the New Moon, Mercury stations before the first of its retrograde periods in 2003, so we know we must gear ourselves up for delays in transport and communications. Severe weather conditions are likely in January, and the risk of conflict escalates as the end of the month approaches.

At the time of writing, war between the USA (and the UK) and Iraq is widely expected, and, barring a miracle, seems very probable. Writing now at the end of 2002, it seems to me that the chances of war increase from January 14th onwards. On January 14th and February 4th Mars crosses the points of the eclipses of the November 20th and December 4th last year, and activates their long term effects. On February 1st, when the New Moon is exactly conjunct Neptune and opposite Jupiter, Mars is conjunct the Fixed Star Antares, opposite Aldebaran, and Jupiter is conjunct Kochab. These are all large Fixed Stars known from ancient times to be linked with war and destruction, though they have other significance too. There are many more such significators and portents during this period, right up to February 16th, the Full Moon, when Mars is closely conjunct Pluto and both planets oppose Saturn, so, whichever day war begins, or even if war, by some miracle, does not happen, this whole period in February is one fraught with the risk of conflict and trouble of one sort or another.

This Full Moon is conjunct the fixed Star Regulus and is directly opposite Uranus, bringer of sudden and surprising events. Thus it may possibly also indicate a sudden, maybe exciting event for the British Royal Family. With Antares and Aldebaran, Regulus was one of the stars known of old as the Watchers of the Heavens, and, with the other aspects of the times, may be a further indication of some kind of cataclysmic event or conflict.

Above: Chart showing the Full Moon on February 16th. Chart created using VegaSviri Expert.

March brings a serious risk of earthquakes, especially in the Far East and Asia west of the Himalayas. The month may see a worldwide increase in civil unrest, and general criminal-type behaviour, as well as contributing to the underlying military activity. On March 6th, Mars is very strong as it returns to its position on September 11th 2001. There could be exaggerated up and down swings to the world financial markets.

Venus links briefly with Uranus just as the latter prepares to move into Pisces in April for its seven year stay. This may well usher in a move towards freedom of women across the world, but, at first, may equally provoke strong resistance to any such emancipation. When Uranus was last in Pisces we saw women freeing themselves, gaining the vote just as Uranus was poised to enter the Sign of the Fishes,and leading ever freer lives during the 1920's. Eminent women may be very much in the news this month, for good or ill.

May sees events hot up in a serious way. From the opening Taurus New Moon square Mars, Jupiter and Neptune, to Mars' opposition to Jupiter on 8th and its conjunction with Neptune on 14th, to the Scorpio Lunar Eclipse on May 16th, all suggest a strong risk of conflict, especially at sea, involving possible naval battles. Floods and earthquakes mid-May are very probable, and could occur anywhere. Oil supplies may be at risk, or there could be a major pollution incident.

But let's not get too pessimistic! The annular Solar Eclipse on May 31st belongs to the Saros Cycle 5 North, and may bring new creative ideas and even prophetic visions or mystical experiences of a new and enlightening nature, for the good of the world. Nevertheless, the eclipse will inevitably bring a strong risk of severe weather conditions and probability of earthquakes and volcanic activity in the last week of May and the first week in June. So much of this year contains omens of conflict that I think we would do well to concentrate on the positive possibilities of this eclipse. This Saros cycle works in the background, bringing vision and insight and dreams that can be brought to fruition. The next eclipse in November will continue this theme, and so, in a dark and worrying year, I think we should concentrate on the hope contained in these eclipses, even though they will inevitably bring their physical share of weather extremes and seismic turbulence.

On June 4th Saturn enters Cancer, suggesting the start of a period when money must be carefully handled and big spending should be reined in. But sound business practices can be built on, and Saturn here may be able to establish strong foundations for any new venture. Mars joins Uranus in Pisces and links with that unpredictable planet on June 23rd, trining Saturn at the same time. This is an explosive mix of aspects, and could bring about a major accident or calamity of some kind, possibly involving electrical equipment or even nuclear energy. The possibility of serious military activity or terrorist incident cannot be ruled out. Later in the month, financial markets could be particularly jittery, and there may be political unrest and uncertainty in the Indian sub-continent from now through to nearly the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the trine between Saturn and Uranus may also produce sound developments of new and even revolutionary ideas, with institutions prepared to back them, although they may have to fight against established resistance to change. This may refer to technical inventions, or new ways of thinking, and will not only affect early July, but characterise 2004 and beyond. Later in July, on 26th, Saturn reaches its perihelion, the point in its orbit where it is closest to the Sun, and a worldwide sweeping clean of outworn ways of doing things may result. Such a process may well include upheaval and the removal of very large national or international institutions, but it will not happen overnight, and its influence will be felt throughout the rest of the year and beyond, as Saturn moves ponderously on its way.

Above: Chart showing the New Moon on August 27th, showing Mars opposite the Sun. Mars is at its closest to Earth. Jupiter is exactly opposite Uranus, and Mars is conjunct Uranus. Mercury is poised to go retrograde. Chart created using VegaSviri Expert.

If 2003 can be called the Year of Mars, then August might well be the Month of Mars. It will be at its closest point to the Sun, and will be prominent in the sky as a bright red body; the New Moon at 4 Virgo on August 27th will oppose Mars at 5 Pisces. Simultaneously, Jupiter will be opposing Uranus, Mercury goes retrograde and Pluto turns direct. An exceptionally intense and complex planetary line-up too detailed to describe minutely here makes the end of August potentially a flash-point; a dangerous time indeed! It would be wrong to assume that the only war likely is in the Middle East. Other areas of the world are at risk too, notably the Far East. Aside from military scenarios, there is a maximum risk of seismic activity, extreme weather conditions and accidents resulting in pollution, and all of this is so throughout the month.

However, while I cannot ignore all these very worrying signs, nothing is set in stone, as I so often say, and these same aspects involving Mars, Uranus, Mercury, and indeed all the planets one way or another, can also bring about new creative thinking, new ideas, technological breakthroughs, and most of all the capacity for humankind to reach new understandings. All possibilities are there. The risk of serious and explosive conflict is very high. But all things can be turned to good if minds are disposed to do so. This is NOT a reason for panic or despair, but it is a time when each of us can individually and collectively make a difference to our own corner of the planet by meditating and acting calmly. If groups of spiritually like-minded people join worldwide in calm focussed meditation for peace and healing of the planet, who knows what might be achieved?

In September, all forms of communication are likely to be tense. Personal arguments may flare up from nowhere, and international negotiations will have to be conducted with utmost diplomacy if they are not to founder. Perhaps surprisingly, the financial markets may do rather well, especially towards the end of the month.

Above: Chart showing the Full Moon on October 10th 2003. Note the opposition between Saturn and Chiron, and Mars still conjunct Uranus. The chart is created for the moment of the Full Moon in London. Mercury is trine Neptune, and Jupiter trine Chiron. Mercury is retrograde, and is the ruler of the hour. Chart created using VegaSviri Expert.

Chiron comes into greater prominence as the year moves on into October. Always an indicator of anything concerning health or healing, its opposition to Saturn, and the square formed with the Sun and Moon suggest challenges that can be effectively met in this area. New structures may be put into place in the UK health service. Elsewhere in the world, it suggests that conflict or trouble may bring about new structures in governments that will ultimately be for people's welfare, as Saturn challenges us individually and collectively to look at ourselves anew, shake off what is holding us back, and grow. This theme last for the rest of the year.

There are two eclipses in November, the lunar eclipse on 9th and the solar eclipse on 23rd. They continue the theme of restructuring, that may include organisations and even governments, and will certainly enable individuals to build for the future. Both eclipses form part of the Saros 5 South series of eclipses, that have a history of joyful happenings that create opportunities that will last for a long time to come. Here is a paradox. In a year that is notable for its extremely vigorous Mars activity, with prospects of wars and upheavals and disasters of all kinds, we see bright signs of hope for the future. The message must surely be that for those with vision and the courage to act upon it, we can move forward into a true New Age. The chart for the lunar eclipse on November 9th is very remarkable, with a set of 6 close sextiles, two grand trines, an opposition between Chiron and Saturn, and a T-square involving Mars, Jupiter and Pluto. It looks like a recipe for very uncomfortable and sweeping changes, but with hope for future if only we can make that giant step forward to new ways of thinking and understanding.

Above: Chart showing the Full Moon Eclipse on November 9th 2003. The unusual aspect patterns of the chart are very clear to see. Jupiter is the ruler of the hour. The chart is created for the moment of the Eclipse in London, at 1.13 AM GMT. Chart created using VegaSviri Expert.

Finally, as the year draws to a close, things look a bit more hopeful in the short term too, although financially they may be uncertain. A process of reform and restructure of major organisations and government institutions is likely to be underway within nations such as great Britain, and internationally I suspect that the world may not look exactly as it does at the time of writing at the very beginning of the year. All in all, we may breathe a collective sigh of relief that the year is over, but the more perceptive and enlightened amongst us may also be able to discern signs of hope for the future.

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

2003 Forecast... the year ahead