2010 will be a year of continuing radical change in life as we've become accustomed to it. Saturn, the planet of the status quo, is heavily challenged this year by Pluto, which promotes transformation through destruction and reconstruction, by Uranus the revolutionizer, and even by Jupiter, the planet of growth and prosperity. Expect change to "soon shake your windows and rattle your walls", as Dylan put it in "The Times They are a'Changing", especially during the summer months of July and August when there is a multi-planet face-off in the early degrees of the cardinal signs which are the signs most given to making waves and instigated the new.

In spite of the challenges to the structures of our world, there is in the midst of all this, a lovely Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in early Aries and late Pisces. This conjunction provides a strong spark of inspiration leading to cultural innovation, social inventiveness and scientific breakthroughs. Recent conjunctions of these planets have coincided with the first moon landing, the birth of rock-and-roll, the first viable cloned animal. One astrologer has carefully elaborated the connection of Jupiter-Uranus conjunctions in history to great innovations in the film industry (http://astro-noetics.com/jup_uranus_film.html). Maybe a revolution in independent (Aries) movie-making will fully de-throne Hollywood this year. 2010's conjunction bridges the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces, with the first sign of the zodiac, Aries, and this reiterates the overall theme that this is the year of a major paradigm shift which is a new beginning for our world. Bold independence and a creative, pioneering spirit will be born from the stresses of these changing times.

The year starts off with both Mercury and Mars retrograde, which means lingering issues from late last year both involving communications and paperwork matters and motivational, action taking matters, are carried over and unresolved. Mercury goes direct on January 15th, so after this date, contracts and negotiations, communications and mobility are able to go forward. Mars, the action planet, remains retrograde however, until March 10th, indicating an excellent time to work on inner motivation and since the sign involved is Leo, focus on ways to improve and enhance creativity, appearance and children's lives. The timing for acting decisively may be hampered by this retrograde but Mars' good aspects with Venus during this period bode well for taking advantage of some down time to improve relationships, artistic abilities and beautification projects.

January through mid-April is likely to be only mildly stressful for most by 2010 standards, since Jupiter will transit into Pisces, a sign where it is quite at home using its bountiful and benevolent energies to enhance spirituality, adaptability and compassion. However, an excess of water is possible in the form of much precipitation which could create problems. The second of three Saturn-Pluto squares takes place on January 30 also, which continues to rock the economy and create irrevocable change and transformation in social stability, but with positive Jupiter and Mars aspects during this time, support for those undergoing difficulties is likely to keep pace.

As late spring arrives, stress levels begin to rise with the Saturn-Uranus opposition creating revolutionary dissatisfaction with the status quo. Growth-oriented Jupiter comes into direct conflict with Saturn in late May making it hard to proceed with business as usual. Uranus enters Aries, the sign most geared toward dynamic action, and patient forbearance is likely to fly out the window. This blends into a very hot summer of Mars conjunct Saturn (no holding back) opposing Jupiter and squaring Pluto by late July and August. Major transformation is possible out of situations involving confrontation and powerful insistence. All the while, the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction will be in play as well, promising that lasting innovation, social and scientific breakthroughs will be contributing a positive direction to ongoing changes.

For the later part of the year Jupiter and Uranus have retrograded into Pisces, suggesting a retrenchment into spirituality and compassion as a way of healing problems that may have arisen from the volatile squares and oppositions of the summer. It is not until January 2011 that these planets make their way back into Aries and return to instigating action and pioneering energies. The planets are much less confrontational and intense after August; even Mars takes on a more gentle demeanor for a while with a positive trine to Neptune in September and sextiles to Saturn and Neptune in November and early December. By the end of December however, Mars may get a little pushy again as it conjuncts Pluto and then a little later squares Saturn.

The year promises to be an exciting, event-filled and highly significant one. Look for ways to innovate and express creativity as it progresses because there is great opportunity along these lines. Prepare for stormy times in July and August. Be open to the spiritual growth that is very strong and beckoning throughout all the changes this year. 2011 promises to build on the spirituality developed in 2010 as Neptune enters Pisces and Jupiter moves on into bucolic Taurus.

Remember...
"When you walk though the storm hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark.
For at the end of the storm is a golden sky and the sweet, gentle song of a lark..."

GOOD LUCK IN 2010!  Love, Lucy Ogden of Claralucia.com