GOOD HEAVENS!
Our astrologer Lilly Roddy charts the year ahead. Shields up, Virgo!

LOOKING AHEAD

For more than 10 years, Lilly Roddy has interpreted all things astrological for Up & Out Communications readers (both OutSmart and its predecessor publication, Uptown Express). On January 16, she will forecast 2003 in greater detail during a lecture at the Ramada Plaza Hotel (2828 Southwest Frwy. near Kirby). The fee for the 7:30–9:30 p.m. lecture is $15 per person. For more information and/or reservations: Lillycath@aol.com. Lilly Roddy has been a professional astrologer for 19 1/2 years. She counsels individuals in personal, business, and financial matters and teaches classes in astrology. Her website is www.hermesfoot.com.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: David Eduardo Flores Perez is a mixed-media artist, specializing in illustration and portraiture. He has illustrated and written a comix, The 4th Dimension, for Hentai Magazine, distributed in his native Spain and throughout South America. Flores Perez is also a musician and computer technician. He lives with his partner, the poet and author A.C. Coleman, in southwest Houston. Flores Perez does portraits on commission. For more information on commissioning a portrait visit OutSmartMarketPlace.

How to read your sign: You will notice that five planets affect each sign. These outer planets remain in a sign for an extended period of time and therefore have long-term effects. And each of these outer planets affects each sign differently. As you read your sign, you may find that different planets have opposite effects on the same sign. This is not unusual and gives rise to some of the dilemmas we face. In the best of circumstances, the planets will work together.

We are a combination of planets and signs. We are not just our Sun sign. Most people know this because the Sun returns to the same place in the sky on a rather regular schedule. But even that is not an exact process. In our calendars, we have “leap year” to help readjust the solar calendars for the deteriorating orbit of our Earth and the expansion of our Sun. These things affect the cycles of the planets. So some of you may have your Sun in the path of these outer planets. Others have had the influence, and others have yet to encounter it. But you may have other bodies in those degrees such as your Moon, Mercury, Mars, etc. And if you are not familiar with your astrology chart, you may not know this. But you may still feel the influence of the outer planets that I write about because of these other planets in your chart.

Those of you who know your Moon or rising sign should read those sections as well as your Sun sign. You will get a larger picture of what is going on for you astrologically. The Moon symbolizes your emotions. The rising sign reflects your outer personality. And the Sun determines your conscious path of your ego.

Mercury retrograde (techno talk): This is a process that occurs three or four times a year. The retrograde is an illusion but still has an influence on us as people. From a solar or heliocentric point of view, the planet Mercury and the Earth are conjunct. Astronomers refer to this as an inferior conjunction. There are two points that represent the start and stop of Mercury retrograde. The first point is Mercury going Stationary Retrograde. On that day Mercury “stops” its forward motion and begins to move backward. And at the end of the retrograde, Mercury goes Stationary Direct and begins it forward movement once again. On these dates, Mercury is stationary or not moving at all. These are usually considered the more negative times of the Mercury retrograde period. So, on these dates, both Stationary Retrograde and Direct, it is best to allow a few days before and a few days after the dates to avoid the influences of the retrograde period. Mercury goes retrograde this year from January 1 through January 22, April 26 through May 20, August 28 through September 20, and December 17 through January 5, 2004. I will elaborate more on each of these periods during the year.

This year, three outer planets change signs. This tends to mean a change of direction of people’s attitude, moods, and what they are drawn to as a whole population. And of course these things affect us individually. This year, Uranus, planet of change, inventiveness, and rebellion, moves into Pisces on March 10. Saturn, planet of responsibility, long-term goals, and public judgment, moves in Cancer on June 3. And Jupiter, planet of growth, travel, and expansion, enters the sign of Virgo on August 27. We do have another planet going retrograde that will affect us very strongly this year. That planet is Mars. And Mars will be retrograde from July 29 through September 26.

Enough of the technical astrological stuff. Let’s get to what really counts. What will happen to me?

ARIES

(March 21–April 19)

Jupiter. Jupiter inspires growth and inspiration in people, and in the first half of the year, you will find that your creative juices are flowing. You are in a playful mood and may not be work- or goal-oriented. If you can motivate yourself, this can be a time when you can sell your ideas or yourself to a company or to other people. Your children can be a real source of illumination and enlightenment. They can show you how to be more playful overall in your life and how to find joy in mundane events. You will really want to be an escapist during the last week of January and the first week of February and the last week of May and the first week of June. Keep that time very flexible in your life. Get away from routines and boring habits. In September, you will be ready to make those life patterns all new and different. And you will pay extra attention to your diet and all health regimens. Be prepared: Your work area is going to expand, and you may be taking on additional work.

Saturn. You are getting your day-to-day routines and habits in order. You can expect your communication skills to remain clear until June. You have been paying more attention to details than you usually like to. But it has not seemed like a burden, but rather a chance to get your life more cleaned up. You have been a bit resistant to changing your routines. You have been getting messages all along that you could do better. And you will continue to be extra careful before you alter anything you are doing. Some of this will show up as your childhood patterns being challenged. You had a “truth” that you were holding onto from your adolescence. But is it currently fitting into your life pattern? After May, you begin to focus on home and family. And the deficiencies there will be glaring back at you. Some of you will move. Others will redo the abode you are currently residing in. And still others will be drawn back to the old home place. Elderly parents will need more care this year. And you will have to have better rules around the place where you live. Otherwise, you will be feeling resentful for having to be in charge of everything. Bottom line is that you want your nest to be like you want it and not littered with the expectations of others.

Uranus and Neptune. Friendships and group associations are not as easy as they used to be. You are feeling out of place or that you just don’t belong. Even old friends may seem to have moved away, and you are not as connected as you once were. One part of this is that you are more open to being an individual than you have been in the past. Or these groups and friends once reflected who you were and what you wanted in your life, and now they don’t. Especially toward the summer, you will want new friends in your life. And you may even be joining some different organizations. Those of you born April 1 through the 5th will be on an individualist path, or that of a loner, as we would see you. And you may still not want any more of a group association than you have now. You may compensate for these energies by drawing in people who feel that they don’t really belong anywhere either. These friends are likely to be short term, so don’t put too much into the relationships.

Pluto. Education and expansion of your reality makes it way into your brain this year. You were very resistant to new ideas last year. But in 2003 you will be much more interested in the different way people are rather than how similar they are to you. And if you want to travel this year, it will be much easier. You will not run across as many blocks as you did last year. If you travel for work, you can expect much more of that. And even those of you who don’t will have much more contact with people from different areas of the country than you usually do. And some of you need to consider that where you work will be moving. This should arise between September and December of 2003.

TAURUS

(April 20–May 20)

Jupiter. The first half of the year you will be trying to figure out just what gives you that sense of internal security. Some of you will want to move to a new location, others will want to redecorate, and still others will have legal problems connected to the family property. But all of you will crave to get away from it all and avoid all the hassles. Deep down you are digging up those angry emotions about having to make everyone happy and sublimate your own feelings. In September, you are more calm and looking for pleasures and sensual experiences. And this would be the time for over-indulgence and lavishness. If you are interested in having children, this would be a great time for that. You will feel fertile to almost anything that feeds your creative senses. And prepare for some travel at the end of the year. You will not want to follow the customs you have observed in the past.

Saturn. In the first half of the year, you are not letting your cautious eye off those finances. Every dollar, every piece of yourself, every part of your energy investment has to have a return. Some may think you are being miserly. You are just so unsure of what you want exactly and what you are going to invest yourself in. After June, you begin to get a handle on the direction of your life, at least on a daily basis. You will have more order in your life. In fact, you will demand it. Daily relationships will be under your judgmental gaze. They have to give something back to you or you will not have them around. Your examination and change of habits will also fall into this discriminating period.

Uranus and Neptune. For those of you born on or who have planets in the latter parts of the sign, especially those born May 18 through the 20: You are very restless, especially in relation to your career. You are very volatile and may feel like you have to get out at all cost. Make sure you have a plan beyond how you feel immediately. If not, this will come up again in May, and you can make a choice then. Those of you born on or with planets in the early part of the sign, and especially those born April 29 though May 3, are looking around and asking yourself the cosmic questions of “Why am I here?” and “Does anything I do count?” Many of you will feel disenchanted with your career and relationships. There is a hole inside of you, and you are feeling empty. Taking Zoloft or going to the gym more often will not take care of it. Time to find your personal connection to the Cosmic Creator. For both groups, keep your decisions reasonable and based on short-term time periods.

Pluto. Intimacy is the issue here. You will want to know what’s behind that mask that your partner, best friend, or business associate is wearing. Sometimes this can be a truth-at-all-costs cycle. You are ridding yourself of the barriers you have built up, which others have to leap over to get to your heart. If you are in a relationship, take your partner and run to a therapist. Don’t be surprised that some of the people you have invited into your life are accustomed to this barrier and don’t want to tear down the Berlin Wall. If you have people like this in your life and they don’t want to change, this would be a message to move on. December is a tense month regarding these intimacy outlets.

GEMINI

(May 21–June 21)

Jupiter. During the first half of the year, your daily activity level is really expanding. And there always seems to be some thing to do or to have to do. Be careful because you may reach burnout during February and at the end of May. This is a great year for school or continuing education classes. You are open to all sorts of ideas and people. This is great energy for job or relationship hunting. Your possessiveness is like a magnet. After July, you will want to move to a larger place. Old wounds with your family can be healed during this time. And they will be extending the olive branch. Relationships are rather tense in December. Keep an open mind and an open heart during that month.

Saturn is certainly making you get your life in order during the first half of the year. You are in an assessing period. If what you have is not getting your life advanced, then you have to rework that idea or get rid of it. And this can be an especially difficult time for relationships. You are holding your partnership up to a lofty set of standards. And this is particularly strong for those of your born June 12 through the 20th. Relationships may become unraveled during May. After June, you are ready to get your financial house in order. And ready or not, this is what you will be doing. You will want more respect from others and more money for the services you perform at work, and you will be held just as accountable by everyone else. Of course, if you want to get yourself out of debt, this is the time to get it done. Others may even see you as driven. I hope they cross only at the crosswalks.

Uranus and Neptune. A career shift is in the air. You are ready for a new project and precisely something that is on the cutting edge of the field you are in. Routines are not working for you. Even the business that you work for may take on a whole new department that will spark your interest. If this doesn’t happen, you will be looking for some place that offers this. If you are holding on and trying not to create waves, the Cosmos will send you a big one during August and September. And this is super strong for those of you born May 21 through the 25th. You really want something that fills your soul. And you will have to feel that you are making a difference. Some of you will want to travel to fill this part of you. Others will go back to school to follow their dreams. For those of you born May 31 through June 5 or have planets in those degrees, you will be impacted the most potently.

Pluto is just taking your relationships and turning them inside out. I consider this one of the more difficult aspects to have influencing you. If you are born June 6 through the 11th or have planets in those degrees, you may feel that you are going through a meat grinder. Relationships have to be very strong and built on the most solid and ethical standards to survive this. Some of you will see the writing on the wall and know that it is time to bring the relationship to an end, no matter how right it seemed in the beginning. August and September will make you apprehensive. Be real. That is all Pluto will allow you to be.

CANCER

(June 22–July 22)

Jupiter is visiting your money sector for the first half of the year. You will want to earn a lot of money and spend a lot, too. You can anticipate a raise from your current job or an increase in your fees. And this can help you market yourself to a new job or promote a new product that you are offering. The only negative effect is that you can be too indulgent with yourself—like that is a bad thing. By August you are speaking and writing more. There is a greater amount of day-to-day activity in your life. You will have a very full dance card. And the masses will just want to be around you. And what a great time this is to take or teach a class. You have lots of information to share with extra helpings of optimism and enthusiasm and a cherry on top.

Saturn has been testing your ability to be with others. She wants the people in your life to have similar spiritual goals. And if they don’t, she will be just like your mother and won’t let you play with those nasty dirty kids down at the end of the block. And you had better be working on your spiritual rituals. She doesn’t want you in heaven with holes in your underwear. Saturn enters your sign of Cancer in June and will be visiting for the next 2 1/3 years. Now Saturn is very different from Jupiter. Saturn wants results, long-term plans and goals that you must follow, and precision about being right and successful. She can be a wet blanket for all that Jupiter optimism. But by combining Saturn and Jupiter’s aspects, you can experience a lot of growth with a substantial sense of using what you gain to help provide for a more secure future.

Uranus and Neptune. You have had a strong interest in understanding the emotional motivation that drives people. And this goes beyond a psychological understanding but reaches out to find the ethereal urge that is hidden from all but the most perceptive person’s view. Those of you born July 1 through the 6th or with planets in those degrees are the most influenced. Other who are born July 19 through the 22nd or with planets in those degrees are stepping beyond what is safe. This is quite a step for the tentative Moon Kids. Tradition will only be something that you build on and pass on to the next generation. There is nothing to hold you back. Your friends will see you as brave, but you will see it only as the next step. And you will be educating those around you, causing no factions to rise up against you. Make sure that you take the time to share your life with those around you. You will generate more change than you know.

Pluto. You have been changing your health and work habits for quite a while now. This all started in 1996 and slowly continues. Those Crabs that will be influenced this year are born July 9 through the 13th or have planets in those degrees. Pluto roots out negative and toxic behavior patterns and allows your essence to shine through. She will change your work environment and make it a happier and healthier place to be. Some of the changes could be upsetting to you, especially during August and September. But resisting only makes it worse. Eventually you will give in to the forces around you. This is your year to change health and work patterns and environments. Embrace the force that took Persephone to the underworld to show her the gold.

LEO

(July 23–August 22)

Jupiter, planet of growth and expansion, begins the year in your sign and will be there until the very end of August. During this time, you will want to grow beyond any limitations that you or others have placed on you in the past. You are encouraged to travel, go back to school, or have children. Relationships should go well during this time, too. You are more optimistic than usual and will be able to ignore those slight hurts that you encounter through the day. Look out for limitations in your career when you will feel unappreciated from the end of April through the end of May. After September, you want to spend more money, and you don’t have a good handle on the long-term effects of overspending. Watch for signs of that so that you can avoid the problems.

Saturn is having you review all your friends and group associations. They must have a purpose in your life and give back something significant to you for being affiliated with them. Don’t be surprised if long-term friends leave your life during this phase. It is just a case of you outgrowing the relationship. After June, you are beginning to shift your critique to your spiritual life. And with group associations, you will find that you are not as connected to the larger source as you would like to be. You may experience some depression about this. This may just generally cause you to feel isolated and alone, even if you are not connected to the spiritual questing. All belief systems may fall short since you are looking for some tangible evidence that life does have a larger purpose.

Uranus and Neptune. Those of you born February 15 through the 18th or with planets in this area can expect to feel very restless in relationships. You are looking for excitement, and you are not willing to tolerate the boredom of the routines that you and your partner have established. And there are many outlets for this boredom, such as changing routines, couple’s therapy, or seeking out a new partner. But you will not tolerate the past terms. Those of you born January 31 through February 4 or with planets in those degrees are looking for your soul mate. The connections that you and your partner need have to go way beyond what most people expect to find in a partnership. We could call this psychic bonding. Be careful, you could feel it even if the person is unconsciously projecting. February and June will be times when your psychic sensitivity is especially strong.

Pluto. Personal creativity and the expression of an inner power are combining this year. They are motivating you to look for outlets that display your talents to show others just what really lies deep inside of you. You will be attracted to large projects and to teachers that appear to be larger than life. And your charms are especially magnetic all year. At work or in relationships, you will be able to influence others to do more than they normally would for you. During the month of December, you may have taken on more than you can handle. Watch for over-commitment during this time.

VIRGO

(August 23–September 22)

Jupiter is influencing the area of spiritual connections during the first two-thirds of the year. And you are able to make connections to all belief systems simultaneously. Your personal guides and angels are very close to you this year, so you will be getting some guided help along the path even if you aren’t asking for any. You can attract some very supportive spiritual human being types. After August, you will be coming back from your spiritual journey and ready to live among the human beings again. You are open and optimistic to all kinds of new experiences. You will want to travel, go back to school, or re-infuse your current relationship.

Saturn has been making you toe the line when it comes to getting your career path in line with what you are doing. Either you are doing what has to be done to make a difference or you are noticing just where you are wasting your time and effort. You will only be interested in moving toward the path of completion. You may also feel very judgmental about yourself and your past accomplishments. And you will experience some sense of depression or valuelessness. After June, you are feeling less oppressed and are rebuilding your connections to groups and friends. Saturn’s judgment will move into this area of your zodiac. Now friends will have to serve a purpose in your life, and if they don’t, you will end those friendships.

Uranus and Neptune are continuing their awakening of your life patterns and habits that usually exist below your surface of consciousness. Old or pre-existing health problems may surface, as they represent issues of physical and emotional neglect. There could be confrontations in your work environment that rub up against loyalty issues. Be loyal to you first. This is strongest for those of you born September 1 through the 6th or with planets in those degrees. Those of you born August 23 through the 26th or with planets in those degrees will be having a relationship crisis. You will not be as tolerant of relationship patterns that make you feel constricted or trapped. This can be a very critical year for some of your relationships. In a phrase, this is a make-or-break time for you. And this time is extra sensitive during August and September.

Pluto is stirring up trouble in your family. She is grabbing you by the base, pulling your roots out of the ground, shaking off the dirt, and shoving them in your face. This is where you come from. These are your secrets. Do you like having them out in the light? Pluto is just helping you detoxify your emotional-based system. She is so helpful. There are big changes happening with your family. Parents are retiring; you are doing home repairs and changing your whole base of operations. Stressful times are sure to come during August and September. Keep your shields handy.

LIBRA

(September 23–October 23)

Jupiter is bringing you all types of new friends and associates. You will have a busy social life with many people wanting to meet you. This can be a great time for business networking or community organizations. And some of those people may affect your life in a very spiritual manner during February and June. They have some special gift for you. After August, you are a bit more reflective about your personal path. You will want to do some volunteer work or help your favorite charity. And you are really in the mood to give back to people around you. Just make sure that they will be appreciative or that you give without strong expectations. Work will be overwhelming during August and September, and you will be without that Libran balance you are so well known for.

Saturn has been urging you to learn more and expand your horizons about the way the world operates. This may mean going to school to get updated on computers or to learn new ways of doing your business. And you have been very receptive to this process. In June, you become very much more goal-oriented. And whatever you have been learning will now have to have a usable outcome. Your time and resources will mean more to you. And you will be more strict about who you give those parts of yourself to. You will also want to totally revamp your career path. You will question what you are doing and whether it really brings you the satisfaction that you want. If it does, but not to the extent that you want, you will be cleaning house. Watch for struggles with authority figures. There are indications that you are not being appreciated. Ask for what you want and base your next decision on what to do after that.

Uranus and Neptune are stimulating your inventiveness and artistry. Your inner child is being awakened, and she really wants to get out and play. And she doesn’t want to wait in line for other people in front of her. If you have children, this is a time of separation from them. You want them to be more independent. And some are holding on for dear life, creating more drama in their own lives so that you are drawn back in to rescue them. If you don’t have children, you will have friends in this role. And they seem to be especially needy at this time. Work environments are due for a change in March for those of you born September 23 through the 28th or with planets in those degrees. Look for new equipment or computers or restructuring of the divisions in your company. August and September are especially fertile months for this activity.

Pluto is directing you to be more true and authentic with your communications. You are not beating around the bush, as you are apt to do. And you are less likely to avoid confrontations to keep the peace, as you usually do. This may be hard on those closest to you, but you won’t mind telling them about it. And if you are on a path to get something done, people had better not stand in your way. Watch for car problems in August and September and December. You may have to buy a new vehicle. Relationships with siblings can be tense, as you no longer want to live in the past with them. They are just not sure how to talk to you. But, you will be happy to tell them about it.

SCORPIO

(October 24–November 21)

Jupiter is really providing you with fabulous opportunities to expand your career. You are ready to step out into the world and make yourself a place. You will be attracting people to you who have status in the community in which you live. You can also expect to be extra busy at work. Take advantage of this time to promote yourself or your product. Raises and promotions are right there for you to take advantage of. After August, the spotlight shifts from shining on you to shining on the groups that you are involved with. Friends that you have not seen for a while will re-emerge. You will be offered leadership positions in any group that you belong to. Others feel the enthusiasm that you emanate. And they will want to bask in the afterglow.

Saturn has been challenging the authenticity of your relationships. You will only allow real encounters with people. Since you are inviting them into that most personal of space that Scorpios guard vigilantly, they had better be ready to meet the real you. You will expose your expectations. And just the consideration that they might be reluctant to appease will close the door to your heart. Are you sensitive? You would give most psychics a run for their money. After June, you take a deep breath and give your romantic partners a break. Now it is time to explore life philosophies. And just how do those dovetail with your partner? OK, breathing time over. Reasoned doctrine meets with concrete life. Mental concepts won’t suffice. You want genuine feelings. And be prepared for your partner to challenge your male bovine offerings.

Uranus and Neptune are visiting your family and emotional roots. Those of you born November 20 through the 22nd or with planets in those degrees will be cutting the umbilical cord from your psychological roots. You may be moving, your parents may be retiring, or you may just feel that home makes you feel ensnared. This could be especially tense at the end of August. Those of you who feel that you are floating in space wishing you could find your connection to the ethereal essence are those born between November 2 and the 7th or with planets in those degrees. For you, no place feels familiar. You are hiding out because you just don’t know what to think or feel or do. Your eyes are open wide.

Pluto is transforming your value system. You question everything about yourself that you once thought had value. Security is more difficult to define. Last year forced you to really look at the concept of money and how it had you. And now you are looking for fresh ways to utilize your aptitudes and gifts. And it won’t be just something to fill in that hole for an immediate fix. It must typify your version of integrity and truth. Others may see you as hard to please while you know you are just looking for that precise candy bar. And you won’t take anything less.

SAGITTARIUS

(November 22–December 21)

Jupiter, your ruling planet, is bolstering your desire to travel, write, take classes, and generally expand your knowledge of life. You are more open-minded about almost any new idea. And you are ready to share your knowledge and information with those around you. This can be an especially good time to meet with others and promote your business or products. And you can make an excellent impression on your boss with your wisdom. After August, you will be sending those arrows in the direction of your career. And get ready, because it is going to be very busy. Some of you will be starting a new career or relocating with your current company. This will cause some problems with your family during August and September. Eventually they will let go of their resistance and support your decisions.

Saturn is making you sit and take notice about how you manage your relationships. And overall, Saturn is concerned with practicality. So in the case of those relationships that you have to put too much into with too little response, you are putting them on notice. They either respond to your expectations or you will bring them to an end. This is also having an impact on those who you deal with at work or in business. And you are reacting to them in the same way. For the relationships that do live up to your expectations, you are reconfirming your commitment to them. After June, you dive even deeper into your expectations in relationships. Now you look at what you and your partners hide behind when you wear those masks. Money problems may show up in business and romantic partnerships. Bring them to the surface and get them solved.

Uranus and Neptune are making sure that the people who you deal with in your everyday life are pleasant and kind. You are more susceptible to harshness and intolerance than usual. And you won’t be able to just breeze over it as you usually do. Those of you born December 1 through the 8th or with planets in those degrees will be particularly affected during February and June. And those of you born November 21 through the 25th or with those degrees are getting ready to cut that old family umbilical cord. Psychologically, you may feel rootless, want to move, or redecorate the old same place. You may feel trapped by antique feelings of guilt or the drive to do the right thing. You will be putting all that trash out by the side of the road this year.

Pluto has been metamorphosing your life over the last several years. And those of you born December 7 through the 12th or with planets in those degrees will be experiencing Pluto’s wrecking ball as it crashes through anything that needs to be taken down. Simply put, you are going through a psychological death. And your old ego is being detoxified. Many of the things that you thought were important may not be anymore. And anything that you once defined as a part of that ego structure will go through this testing period. Some of you will let go of your current career path, your relationship, possessions, and friends. And the things that remain will really reflect who you are. And August and September show up distinctively as very intense periods.

CAPRICORN

(December 22–January 19)

Jupiter is making you look at the money you have invested in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and resources shared with a partner. And you will want to feel more secure in these areas of your life. Part of your life creativity surges from this area of the zodiac. And if you are not feeling confident about this part of your life, you will feel that your creative juices are being stymied. This may simply show up as feeling that your partner spends more money than you do. And while you are being parsimonious, your actions are unappreciated and ignored. You will not be keeping these feelings to yourself during February and June. After August, you are more calm and organized. You will have fixed the hole in the dam. Achieving your goals will be easier. And you will want to extend your intellectual wisdom. School or travel will become a part of your plans in the fall or winter.

Saturn, your ruling planet, has been spending a lot of time getting your work environment organized. An antiquated method of doing business or interacting with coworkers has improved. You are not willing to be the big parent at work and solve all the problems that your coworkers have. And you are not willing to take the responsibility for the laxity of the company that you work for. Essentially, you are finding out what to be responsible for and what not to be responsible for. After June, you shine this light of judgment onto your relationships. There are big overhauls headed your way in this arena. Couple’s counseling would be a good thing to consider even if your primary partner is your business associate. And those of you who have been sitting on the fence about commitment in a relationship will be taking the plunge. You are ready because you will not feel that you have to be in charge of everything.

Uranus and Neptune are also creating some havoc in your money sector. You are just not sure if you are using your capabilities and resources to make yourself most contented with your life. There is certainly a strong longing to make sure that what you are doing extends from your soul. This is being most strongly felt by those of you born December 30 through January 4 or with planets in those degrees. For those of you born January 18 through the 21st or with planets in those degrees, you will want to free yourself of debt and emotional obligations. And you are interested in living life to its fullest, not restricted by shoulds and oughts. You will free yourself of those conditioned constraints.

Pluto is helping to revamp your spiritual world. You are looking for real connections in your life on earth with the spiritual life that you want to have. You will not be willing to wait for death to bring you internal happiness and release. You want those things now. Parts of the fears that surface are that you will be seen as irresponsible. So you over-react and take a stance that sometimes seems rigid. This year, you are being forced to let those old truths go. Those of you born January 7 though the 11th or with planets in those degrees are going to be the most influenced by this. These issues will be very strong during August and September. Stay connected to your body so that you are not accident prone.

AQUARIUS

(January 20–February 18)

Jupiter is influencing your relationships in a most positive way. You and your partner are getting closer than ever. And if you are not in a relationship, then Jupiter will certainly fill up your dance card so that you have plenty of choices. This activation may show through your relationships. Your partner may be extremely busy traveling, through work or increasing the social arena. And as long as you are asked to go with them, you are happy. You don’t really want to go; you just want to be asked. Try to get away from it all with your partner during February and June. After August, you are looking for a deepening commitment from your partner. There could be better money conditions, which would help both of you to be more open. And you could find that your partner is being very supportive of you during the end of the year. If you are not in a relationship, someone will enter your life to play this role for you.

Saturn is defining your sense of creativity and giving it a definition that has been lacking in the past. Some of you will feel judged by this process since you just can’t create the thing in your brain. It has to have physical manifestations. So this is a great time to give your ideas form and fashion. After June, you are organizing your health and work habits. Every thing must have its place. Be careful that the people in your immediate environment and especially those who you work with don’t think you are being rigid and anal. You are sure to show signs of that. And this is the year to pay a visit to the doctor, dentist, and all health-care practitioners. Don’t be surprised if your dentist has a desire to restructure your mouth. You most likely are overdue.

Uranus and Neptune are really making their dominance felt since they have been in your sign over the last few years. Those of you born February 16 through the 19th or with planets in those degrees are feeling as if you need to make a break from anything that is old, boring, and not personally challenging. You will not allow yourself to be restricted in any way. And this would include intellectually or through unconscious family patterns or controlling mates. Those of you born January 9 through February 4 or with planets in those degrees are on a spiritual pilgrimage. And it would be best if you could just take the year off and seek your connection with your holy monad. The most you will know this year is what you don’t want to do. Making a choice about what you want to do over the next year will be very difficult at best. Keep life-altering decisions to a minimum.

Pluto is cleaning out the friends sector in your zodiac arena. One thing that you seek in friends is the truth. They don’t have to agree with you or your philosophy, but they have to tell you the truth. Even if that truth is to go take a one-mile walk on a half-mile pier, they must be honest. And with anything less than that, you will give those former friends their walking papers. This is very difficult for you since you pride yourself on the notion that you are open to all types of people. And you almost are that open. But you are establishing new boundaries. You will see examples of this in your life during August and September and during December. Out with the old and in with the new!

PISCES

(February 19–March 20)

Jupiter is increasing your workload but not necessarily your wages. However, there are promises being made to you about good things to come if you can ride the waves. And you should ride them out if you can. There are good things on the horizon for you, even though you may have to wait until August to see them. You are just likely to be more tired than usual since you are doing more that you really can do energetically. Make sure you get some time to yourself so you can rest. After August, relationships look really good in your life. If you are in one, prepare for it to be better. If you are single, be prepared for that special someone to come into your life. The relationship could go very well and very quickly. So a commitment could be generated during the end of the year.

Saturn is kicking your family around in the first half of the year. You are learning how they have taken advantage of how sweet and nice you are to them. They don’t realize that you are being good to them. But this year they have been learning. You are not doing as many things for them without some sense of appreciation. And you are doing major house cleaning where you are living. There must be an order to all things in your life. After June, you are lighter. You now will be directed to putting your creativity into a goal-oriented enterprise. If you have children, then you will be expecting them to act more maturely in their lives. And they will definitely take on more leadership roles in their lives either at school or work. You will want more time to play and enjoy your life.

Uranus is entering your sign for the first time in 84 years. The process is under way as the year opens and only intensifies after March. Uranus drives us to be more individualistic. She wants us to break the chains that bind. Any part of your life that makes you feel restricted or bored will have to change or be gotten rid of. This is strongest for those of you born February 19 though the 22nd or with planets in those degrees. August and September could be a very tense time. Neptune, remaining in Aquarius, is making you question your core universal truths. And she is exposing those “truths” that have led you astray. This can be a time when you are really questioning the substance of your spiritual and religious beliefs. You may not know what to believe in. This is strongest for those of you born February 28 through March 4 or with planets in those degrees.

Pluto is and has been affecting the career area of your horoscope for quite a while. She has been administering her colonics to a small group each year. And this year, the Fishes that will be the most cleaned out by Pluto will be those of you born March 7 through the 11th or with planets in those degrees. Pluto effects great change in your career life. She can create mergers and downsizing. She can bring an end to what you have been doing for decades. And this could be a great time to consider where you would like to take this energy in your life and use it to your best benefit. If you begin a new career path in which you are cleaning up an old mess and making it all new, then you are probably in the right area. Just don’t expect things to be calm and consistent.

Lilly Roddy has been a professional astrologer for 19 1/2 years. She counsels individuals in personal, business, and financial matters and teaches classes in astrology. Her website is www.hermesfoot.com.

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