ASTROLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE FIRST HALF OF 2009

Some Valuable information from Marielle Croft in Canada.

marielle

www.croftastrologer.com

A “GO” THAT IS A “NO GO”

Several people are using my “Good dates for your planning” (http://www.croftastrologer.com/e_astr_news.php#good_dates). This guidance, of course, is based on Mercury’s activity only. It would be far too complex to include the influence of all the other planets. And, there is always something else going on to color, one way or another, what Mercury is doing. In general, though, the information in “Good dates…” is a good rule of thumb.

Now, an exception to this is coming up in the winter 2009. Indeed Venus will interfere with the Mercury “Go” period. Mercury represents communication, signing contracts, launching projects, publications, and such. Venus is associated with love, money, and the arts.

When Venus goes Retrograde it is a good time to pay debts, to learn more about budgets and finances, to research and to work more actively in creative or artistic projects, to revive romance in existing relationships. On the other hand one should avoid: investments, buying new and expensive items, any surgical procedure meant to enhance one’s aesthetics, beginning new love relationships, creating new associations or partnerships of any kind.

Here are the dates for both Mercury and Venus going into their mutual critical phases:

MERCURY

· Pre-Retrograde: December 26th, 2008, to January 11th, 2009

· Retrograde: January 11th to February 2nd, 2009

· Post-Retrograde: February 2nd to 21st, 2009

VENUS

· Pre-Retrograde: February 2nd to March 6th, 2009

· Retrograde: March 6th to April 17th, 2009

· Post-Retrograde: April 17th to May 21st, 2009

MERCURY

· Pre-Retrograde: April 22nd to May 7th, 2009

· Retrograde: May 7th to 31st, 2009

· Post-Retrograde: May 31st to June 15th, 2009

So, as you can see, one should remain busy empowering what is, rather than forging ahead for the first half of the year. The NEXT GOOD AND FREE SPACE (yes, it means “GO”) will be from June 15th to August 17th, 2009. That’s when one can move forward with projects and goals.

2. WINTER SOLSTICE (or Summer Solstice in Australia): Sunday December 21st, 2008, 3:52 am, PST

The solstice begins under powerful influences. The Sun at zero degrees in Capricorn is conjunct to Pluto (newly established in the sign since November 28th, 2008) and still at zero degrees as well!

Capricorn represents the structures in society as well as in our personal life. Political systems, cultural or educational organizations, conservatism, long term planning, traditional leadership are now coming up to the surface for examination. Pluto is known to work deeply and thoroughly. He doesn’t hesitate to use chaos and even destruction to achieve the desired cleansing and rebirth. The newly elected leaders in USA and in Canada and wherever else in the world will be facing conditions for which they have no training. They’ll have to move slowly and with as much practical wisdom as possible. It is possible. Flexibility and a sense of collaboration will be necessary to avoid uncontrollable chaos. Citizens must be supportive of their leaders as we are now entering a time when individual responsibility is essential for the best evolution of the larger community (society). Leaders must be open to ruling with a constant attention to citizen’s reactions and feedback. The new themes coming with Pluto in Capricorn are about creating a team between rulers and ruled.

Things may get hotter when “warrior” Mars enters into Capricorn to join forces with Pluto on December 26-27-28-29, 2008. These two planets together could be quite catastrophic in their manifestation. Are we going to face more terrorist attacks? More natural cataclysms? Perhaps! It certainly is a time when one wants to be flexible and tolerant about differences in belief, values, and lifestyles. Try resisting the temptation to choose aggressive responses to frustrating triggers as it could degenerate into very unfortunate explosions of violence. Instead try to use the positive side of these two planets which are courage and slow persistence toward higher goals.

Let’s make this Solstice a celebration of Light, not of darkness. Days begin to be longer in the northern hemisphere and days are the longest in the southern hemisphere. So, then, everywhere we can celebrate Light!

Be well and powerful, dear friends!

Marielle Croft, Astrologer

Phone: (604) 873-5963, Burnaby, B.C., Canada

Website: www.croftastrologer.com

Email: marielle@croftastrologer.com