In 2007, we are faced with the biggest spiritual challenge ever: How can we create a new, holistic worldview? This vision requires gentle stewardship for us to thrive on our planet as the population approaches 6.5 billion. Recognition and action are required.

An overview of five of the most influential cycles gives us insight into what we face and the changes we can make within ourselves as we strive to live in harmony in our rapidly changing world. These are the five most influential cycles:

1. Jupiter in Sagittarius
Now is the time to recycle outmoded ideas and methods of operation, whether they are within us or in our relationships. How we handle our beautiful planet Earth is tremendously important. “Green” is now mainstream. Jupiter (the Expander) in the sign of administrative Sagittarius opens us to tremendous personal and social opportunities. We can handle our responsibilities better, but we must be pro-active. Sagittarius is collective in nature and encourages us to see the larger picture; we have the ability to join forces easily. When we seek to determine our roles, we learn how to be better team players in a new, whole-system thinking way.

Sagittarius (the Centaur) is the mythical blending of two different halves. The upper human portion represents the mind-spirit connection, while the horse’s body of the lower portion represents combined instinct, nature, and good grounding. We must harness mind with matter, not over matter. Good intention accompanying action is one of the true aims of the Sagittarian principle. Since Jupiter brings “bigness” to everything, let’s take the first big step for improvement by working on ourselves. Quality of action is emphasized, not quantity.

Our busy lives tend to be overrun with quantity at the sacrifice of quality. Jupiter is at home in happy Sagittarius. We may not have been in the habit of thinking about the consequences of our actions, personally or globally, but a change in thinking is now necessary. The bigger picture becomes clear by exploring current planetary cycles. We gain perspective on how to interact more wisely on issues, ranging from planetary resources and investments to the more intimate domains of romance, career, and relationship. We must refine this emerging vision so that we are co-creating the concept of life as we know it in order to interact better and support each other on this planet. We have the ability to change quickly now, with the current cycles, even though change may make us uncomfortable. With Jupiter (the great benefactor in the zodiac) in Sagittarius (the sign of expansive overview and increased awareness), we have an opportunity to reestablish and reset our ways of doing things. These effects are exponential. Our biggest opportunity this year is to learn about change itself, and to navigate it well.

2. Pluto and Ceres
As we near the end of an important cycle of Pluto in Sagittarius, our ability to become more adaptable comes to the fore. Sagittarius gives the bigger philosophical overview for this transformation. Pluto (the great transformer) moves from expansive, flexible Sagittarius into Capricorn (the determined controller) at the beginning of 2008. This heralds a new way of managing ourselves and handling social interactions. Capricorn is a cardinal (initiating) sign, which calls for establishing a new life order.

Our American nation is based on the ideals that we are the land of opportunity for all as the land of the free and the home of the brave! Our nation has been at its peak astrologically with this idealistic view since the Revolutionary War almost 250 years ago. This is this is the length of time it takes Pluto to fulfill its cycle and return to its point of origin in our birthchart. Now the great transformer will insist that we examine our personal liberties, our resourcefulness, and our resources as we are being reborn. Exciting interactions have come into play—remember the Boston Tea Party sparking the Revolutionary War? This is the homework period, preparing us for the new tests that we will face through the coming cycles. Fortunately, we have Saturn (the great determiner) in Leo (perpetuation of inner light through self-growth) leading us to reexamine our own inner thoughts for individuation. Reforming our lives is Pluto (the total transformer who raises new life from the ashes of the old) in Sagittarius (loftier perspective) near the Galactic Center. Here we align ourselves, finely attuning with all of Creation. With both Saturn and Pluto in fire signs, we have the creative will and impetus to do so!

Daily, we have more interactions with people and finances than ever before. We must find a good rhythm as we are enmeshed in this rapidly changing, expanding life. This year we create our own global view, daily incorporating this transformative “big picture.” It also gives us new ways to resolve conflicts. Previously, our western civilization followed a linear expansionist vision. As our resources are being shared more intimately, we need a new, broader, encompassing vision. This is not simply about increased physical recycling—although that is very important! It is about recycling our thought processes to gain new solutions to current problems. Pluto breaks down everything it touches. Its close alignment with the Galactic Center all year long insists that we continually recreate ourselves with this broader view. Recently the International Astronomical Union (IAU) demoted Pluto (power and wealth) to dwarf planet status, but that doesn’t diminish Pluto’s potency. Instead, it highlights the denial of transformative thinking in our current systems by a select few (only four percent voted for this change). Interestingly, another member of our solar system, the asteroid Ceres, was elevated by the same definition. This increases our attention to this new dwarf planet, named for the mythic goddess of the family, food, and agriculture—thus focusing on overall nurturance in our lives. Ceres rules the rhythmic seasonal cycles of life, death, and fertility and ensures our ability to nurture ourselves and all of the varieties of life. Where it falls in your chart by sign, house, and aspect is a key to understanding how you nurture and sustain both yourself and others.

3. Neptune and Saturn Opposition
Knowing about the polarization of Saturn and Neptune opposition in 2007 helps to identify and balance opposites. We are being pulled in two directions; everyone’s thoughts and deeds are being polarized. Peak dates are February 28 and June 25, when Saturn (planet of structure) in Leo 21° (the shine of the individual) encourages you to learn about where you are conflicted. The dynamic tension offered by this opposition of Neptune at Aquarius 21° provides us with the ability to solve complex social problems. Balancing the two ends of a child’s seesaw mid-air is the kind of skill needed in this cycle to find that perfect balance still-point. We don’t want to find ourselves on the “rock-hard bottom” or up in the air “high and dry” through polarizing blame and shame cycles. Instead, we can reawaken our stewardship, balancing these both by discarding old linear thinking. You can obtain better balance by using your sun sign (Solar) principle to face the shadow of its opposite. For resolution of these opposites, you may cultivate your own personal virtue by using your solar principle daily:

· Pioneering Aries - initiate clearly instead of acting impulsively
· Thorough Taurus - manifest productively, thereby thwarting materialism
· Thinking Gemini - gain knowledge through rational productive intelligence, deleting superficiality
· Feeling Cancer - carefully nourish while dispensing with maudlin insecurity
· Enthusiastic Leo - creatively seed love and dispel conceit
· Analytical Virgo - discern with clarity, thereby dissolving destructive criticism
· Social Libra - diplomatically balance while discarding indecision
· Secretive Scorpio - regenerate transformation, squelching the abuse of power
· Mobile Sagittarius - cultivate social wisdom through exploration, negating delusion
· Utilitarian Capricorn - organize for accomplishment, destroying opportunism
· Unique Aquarius - express originality through change, thereby channeling rebelliousness
· Imaginative Pisces - unify with compassion, thoroughly removing martyrdom.

4. Movement of Mercury
One of the best annual directives is to look to see when Mercury is direct or retrograde. When Mercury is direct, commerce and communications flow quickly. Therefore, it helps to know when Mercury, the planet of communication and transportation, goes retrograde (from Earth it looks like it is going backward in the sky). It can feel like things are going haywire. This affects us in our daily transactions and affords us a good time to recap. For approximately three weeks, three times a year, the messenger planet helps us to self-correct, especially in how we handle our emotional connections. This year, these periods are in the emotional water signs of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. When Mercury is retrograde, contractual agreements and purchases ought to be double-checked. If you are born with Mercury in retrograde, you have a unique sense of timing and an unusual ability to grasp the obscure, so these retrograde weeks are your power periods! In our high-pressure society, Mercury retrograde represents a good time to readjust and reset our clocks.
Mercury Retrogrades 2007: Appendix

5. Lunar Rhythms
By following the lunar cycles, we align with natural powerful rhythms. If we plant seeds of intention and action at the time of a New Moon, we can know two weeks later at the Full Moon whether our seeds have rooted well. Good timing helps our seeded desires to grow. This law of resonance is now faster than ever, again thanks to the good will of galloping Jupiter in Sagittarius. You make the difference when your intention is carefully planted at each New Moon; these seeds grow quickly. Check to see if these seeds of initiative action have sprouted at the Full Moon; then they will need to be nurtured or culled, and then reseeded, to flourish for the next cycle.
. New and Full Moons 2007: Appendix

This year’s placement of the Moon’s Nodes shows our collective directions and the subconscious thrust. The Moon’s North Node (where we are heading) is now in Pisces (compassion) and the South Node (what we bring with us from the past) is in Virgo (clarification), which means we clearly contrast faith and larger vision with decisive action. Opportunities arise as we can handle facing our deeper emotions better. Our water systems reflect the collective care we give the planet Earth (Pisces). The important counterpoint is in Virgo, where we are clarifying our decision-making. Our understanding of how things used to be is changing fast. Flexibility is called into play with these two Nodes of the Moon, clarifying our view of how we ground ourselves and how we share our resources with a Virgo South Node This is the correct Virgo-Pisces balance. We can dissolve our preconceived notions of how things are and or how they should be (Pisces) now, balancing them with new thoughtful choices (Virgo). Globally, we can be more respectful of our agricultural processes (Virgo) and of our water systems (Pisces).

In Summary
The year 2007 is about recycling our outdated notions and then re-seeding the necessary changes. This is the year of creative form. We have tremendous opportunities to initiate these changes. We celebrate our Sagittarius freedoms and recognize clear alternatives through choice. When we step away from the shadow of Sagittarius where a “lick and a promise” can leave too many things undone, we find that “The Divine is in the details.” These opportunities are supported by the astrological cycles and give us true alignment to our personal centers and with the center of the galaxy. Opportunity is knocking; are you listening? If so, then the Saggitarian-Jupiterian guiding question for 2007 is: “Is my aim true?”

Mercury Retrogrades In 2007
(All times in Eastern Time)
February 13 10 Òœ14’ Pisces 23:38 EST Ó
March 07 25 Ò›25’ Aquarius 23:45 EST Ô
March 27 10 Òœ14’ Pisces Passes Shadow Point Õ

June 15 11Ò” 36’ Cancer 19:40 EDT Ó
July 09 02Ò” 28’ Cancer 22:16 EDT Ô
July 24 11Ò”36’ Cancer Passes Shadow Point Õ

October 12 09Ò˜05’ Scorpio 00:00 EDT Ó
November 01 23Ò—22’ Libra 18:59 EDTÔ
November 17 09Ò˜05’ Scorpio Passes Shadow Point Õ
New & Full Moons ¡ 2007
January 03 Full 12”48 08:57
January 18 New 28š41 23:01
February 02 Full 12•59 00:45
February 17 New 28›37 11:14
March 03 Full* 13–00 18:17 Lunar Eclipse
March 18 New* 28œ07 22:43 Solar Eclipse
April 02 Full 12—35 13:15
April 17 New 27‘05 07:36
May 02 Full 11˜38 06:09
May 16 New 25’33 15:27
May 31 Full 10™12 21:04 Blue Moon
June 14 New 23“41 23:13
June 30 Full 08š25 09:49
July 14 New 21”41 08:04
July 29 Full 06›31 20:48
August 12 New 19•51 19:02
August 28 Full* 04œ46 06:35 Lunar Eclipse
September 11 New * 18–25 08:44 Solar Eclipse
September 26 Full 03‘20 15:45 Harvest Moon
October 11 New 17—30 01:01
October 26 Full 02’23 00:51
November 09 New 17˜10 18:03
November 24 Full 01“55 09:30
December 09 New 17™16 12:40
December 23 Full 01”50 20:16

Elizabeth C. Wilson *Energy Integration*
twilson851@aol.com
(919) 602-6507 www.ntastrology.org