Looking forwards to the year ahead feels a little strange as there is so much happening in the present, and it seems almost incomprehensible to see the path ahead with much clarity. Yet at the same time, it is by looking forwards that we can start to make sense of the present...
We begin the year with Mars and Mercury in retrograde, and these set the tone of 2010 very well indeed. Retrograde Mars is helping each of us to find the strength and power within, and to have the courage of our convictions to follow our dreams. Mercury in retrograde is helping each of us to address our inner dialogue and to start thinking more positively and loving ourselves.
Power is not about asserting power over others, but in accessing the power within – our inner strength.
In January, Saturn moves retrograde encouraging each of us to take more responsibility for our lives and for the decisions we make. Saturn wants us to work hard now towards the fruition of our goals. It by taking more responsibility, that we can gain more control over our destinies...
Also in January, Jupiter moves into Pisces. This will enable each of us to feel more connected and in tune with the Divine and with one another. In addition, this inter-connectedness will start to build a more collective feel to humanity – unity rather than segregation.
February sees the Chinese New Year and the year of the Metal Tiger – a year for strength and focus. Metal brings great clarity and vision, and this combined with the prowess and clarity of Tiger, signifies great change. Tiger does not place great value on either power or money, but takes pride in the power within and its own strengths. This suggests a turn away from materialism towards living more spiritually and creatively. Tiger brings protection and wisdom, and working with Tiger will help each of us to find our own power and strengths.
This old Tibetan proverb fits in nicely with the themes for 2010 – ‘it is better to have lived one day as a tiger, than a thousand years as a sheep’.
March sees Mars move direct, and this is another sign that personal strength and courage are needed in order to propel each of us forwards and closer to our destinies. This is not a time for self-doubt or second guessing, but a time to feel empowered. In fact, personal empowerment seems to be the key theme for 2010.
Pallas Athene moves retrograde in March and this is also connected to personal power and courage. This warrior queen is the power behind creative thought and wisdom; she is the goddess standing above law courts holding the scales of justice. She is no minor force though, and her retrograde phase is likely to be felt quite deeply. This is a time to think outside of the box, and to find creative solutions to challenges and obstacles in life. It is also a time to feel proud of our strengths and gifts. It is not necessarily a time to go out in full battle dress and face the world, but the ‘battle’ is within where we will be challenged with letting go of self-doubts and fears...
April and May brings a wealth of celestial events including Pluto, Mercury, Ceres and Neptune all moving retrograde, as well as Saturn moving direct and Uranus entering Aries.
Mercury retrograde will see further need to correct our inner-dialogue, as it seems that our good intentions from the beginning of the year are beginning to slip. How we speak to ourselves is very important if we are to have the self-belief, courage and confidence to move forwards with our dreams. Ceres retrograde takes this to the next level by asking that each of us nurture not only our minds, but our bodies and souls as well.
It is all too easy to focus on helping and healing others, but if this comes at the cost of helping ourselves, then we will not be able to continue with our work for long. Balance is essential if we are to continue with our work...
Pluto retrograde steps up the inner transformation process, and asks that each of us take a long, hard look at ourselves and our lives to finally let go of those last dregs of the inessential in our lives. This is not meant to be callous or uncaring, but Pluto wants us to be as free as possible in order to be willing and able to focus on change, and also on our dreams. If we are cluttered up with ‘stuff’ – physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually then we become slow and cumbersome, and find it hard to be flexible and able to move freely in life.
Neptune retrograde is a very different kettle of fish. Neptune is a subtle, ethereal planet, and his energies are difficult to discern by most people. Yet when retrograde, these energies internalise, and the mists and watery depths of Neptune can wash over us, leaving us feeling alone and confused. The key to handling this is trust and belief – fear will hold us back, and so it is time to use our newly found inner power and courage to keep going and to ‘feel the fear but to do it anyway’ – this is a time for personal achievement.
Saturn moving direct is an interesting event betwixt all of this retrograde action. Saturn will focus each of us towards making some major and long-lasting decisions in our lives. Saturn will continue to push the hard work, and his expectations connected to us taking more responsibility for our lives and choices continue – he takes this as given now.
Uranus enters Aries in April; initially he will be there for just a couple of months, and then he will be back again in 2011 for about 7 years. So this first spell of Uranus in Aries is a taster of things to come. Free thinking and new directions are strongly associated with Uranus in Aries. Intuitive gifts heighten, and individuals feel more able to express themselves. Akin to a new spiritual revolution, this is a time to be tigers, not sheep (and following the flock).
In early June, Jupiter enters Aries and moves conjunct to Uranus a few days later. This will be the catalyst that many of us have been waiting for to connect to higher wisdom and ancient knowledge in order to help us to (collectively as well as individually) truly understand the nature of the Universe and our places within it. The expansive nature of Jupiter combined with the intuitive, free-thinking Uranus in the energetic and feisty Aries will see a strong surge of energy and enthusiasm to help each of us move our lives forwards in ways we had not dared to even think about before. This is an important time to honour our individuality.
Pallas Athene moves direct in June, and so the challenge of letting go of doubts and fears will come in very handy. It truly is time to have the courage of our convictions...
Chiron moves retrograde, and with Neptune and him still entwined in their Sacred Dance, the impact of this will be felt quite deeply indeed. Our healing gifts look set to become stronger and more in demand as more and more people will be looking for spiritual guidance, healing and higher ‘meaning’ to their lives. Therefore working with those traumas that we have all suffered and using those experiences to help others, is an important way to honour our suffering, but also to stop them having negative power over us anymore.
In July, Saturn returns to Libra, signifying a period of decision making, focus and hard work – this is a time to roll up our sleeves and get stuck into those projects and ventures that really mean a lot to us.
Both Jupiter and Uranus move retrograde in July, taking the focus back within to help each of us to check that we are still on the right path, and to ensure that we remain in touch with our dreams, ideals and intuition.
Also in July, we have a total solar eclipse visible across the South Pacific and parts of South America. Easter Island, Tahiti and the Cook Islands are directly in the path of the eclipse. Whilst most of us will not be able to witness this event, we will all be affected by its power – eclipses bring great change. They were once seen as harbingers of doom, and whilst I generally do not connect with that idea, please see below...
In August, Uranus moves back into Pisces giving us an opportunity to sense the interconnectedness between ‘all there is’. There is a sense that world events will pull people together – united in grief and anger, but ultimately creating harmony and new thinking...
Also in August, Ceres moves direct which also has a more global flavour – nurturing and caring for others. Ceres is also goddess of agriculture and the harvest, and so nurturing others with the gift of food is likely.
In September, Pluto moves direct enabling us to take another leap forwards on our paths ahead. The intensity of the year’s celestial events will be quite noticeable for many of us as we start to pull away from the material, consumerist world looking for something more simple and harmonious with the earth.
Venus moves retrograde in October, and this couldn’t be better timed. This is a time to love and honour ourselves, to see the beauty within and to really feel the love we (should) have for ourselves. Venus is also connected to the material, but when retrograde, she helps us to see the riches that each of us has within. This is certainly a time for seeking enrichment and fulfilment from within, and a sense of a realisation that money and ‘stuff’ cannot bring happiness and joy (something that some of us have long known, but that most people have not understood).
In November, both Jupiter and Venus both move direct enabling each of us to explore new horizons (on many different levels) and to realise that the love we have for ourselves is key to how we can help and heal others. Love has to come from within first, and Jupiter can help each of us to find the way to spread this love. In addition, direct Jupiter will see a surge of enthusiasm as we become more and more empowered. This is the time for reaping the fruits of what we have sown.
The year ends with Neptune, Chiron and Uranus all moving direct. This final thrust of outward movement will propel each of us forwards with our lives, as long we have faith and believe in ourselves and our gifts. If we live in fear and doubt, then this may multiply now as confusion and inner tension overwhelm us. However, as most of 2010 has been leading up to this, then we have had ample time to prepare.
At the winter solstice (December 21st) we have a total eclipse of the Moon. Visible mainly from the USA, but parts of Europe will get to see some of the eclipse. This should be a visual spectacular (clouds permitting) lasting over an hour – expect to see a bright red or orange moon...
This is a powerful end to a very powerful year. This midwinter eclipse marks a time to contemplate the path ahead as well as acknowledge the progress that each of us has made.
So, 2010 looks set to be a year of taking responsibility and truly standing in our power and individuality. It is also a time to move even closer to the Divine.
Whilst, the path ahead may feel challenging, with 2010 as the year of personal empowerment, keep hold of that and believe in your Self and your gifts, trust your intuition and have the courage of your convictions. Your destiny is now in your hands...
As the weeks and months progress, I will write in more depth on these themes. Please check out my blog to read more...
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