The astrology of 2012 has some big moves, but no more so than recent years, and certainly not to the degree that we can expect "the end of the world".

There will be some wild stories circulating in 2012. From June on, Jupiter is in Gemini, expanding communication and exchange. Jupiter in Gemini loves to talk, report, share bits of knowledge gathered from here and there. With Jupiter squaring Neptune in Pisces as it enters Gemini, the mystical, magical and far out is a big part of the talk, talk, talk.

There may be so much social interaction and daily buzz that it is hard to know exactly what is true, especially since lots of the talk involves the mysterious and the mystical, the areas of life that evade rational knowing.

In addition, a great sense of public outrage pervades the year and is likely to manifest in great waves of protest. A series of Uranus-Pluto squares, which began last year, really gets going this year. This square is the very astrological signature of social protest and the coming summer especially, is awash with this protest energy.

Saturn changes signs in October, from Libra where it has been stress-testing relationships, to Scorpio where it will stress-test survival fitness and the ability to transform oneself when needed. Outcomes from the protesting and calling for changes and accountability in our institutions are likely to begin hitting home when Saturn goes into Scorpio. A strong counter-response to the protest is possible then, for instance the state clamping down hard on protesting, or perhaps deciding to prosecute criminal economic activity that has gone unpunished. In some way, the game changes to one of more directly facing consequences.

One significant positive use of the Jupiter in Gemini (square Neptune and Chiron in Pisces) which takes place from June 2012 to June 2013 would be to grow through imaginative writing and also through music. It would be an excellent period to take up a musical instrument and learn by interacting with others. It is a good time to communicate through creative writing, as well as develop a spiritual practice through a daily reading or writing. Learning a new, exotic language would also be a good way to keep the Gemini mind well-engaged. On the other hand, much of how this energy could be experienced depends on the individual chart and the position and importance of Gemini there.

From January to June, Jupiter makes its final pass through Taurus. Since June 2011, Jupiter in Taurus has promoted the simple, practical approach, It has benefited our finances, sometimes with last minute salvation. With the planet of faith in the sign of material substance, we have gotten by okay by trusting that we would. This last pass of Jupiter through Taurus continues that experience, but is also is an opportunity to gather substance and resources that you can use later. Due to its trine with transiting Pluto in Capricorn as it passes through Taurus, and also Mars, in the third Earth sign, Virgo, for the first quarter of the the year, opportunity lies with ultra-practical planning and building resources for the long haul.

Here is a brief look at the year from a more timeline approach.

In January Mars in Virgo goes retrograde. Mars in Virgo describes activity and energy applied to health matters, daily routines, maintenance and good functioning. Retrograde Mars turns the activity and energy inward or makes it reactive, possibly signifying a need to streamline health and daily procedures in response to a specific crisis or need. Mars in Virgo is excellent at ordering and at focusing on the core issues in great detail. Mars stays retrograde until April 6. Jupiter remains in Taurus until June, so it supports Mars in Virgo, since both are in Earth signs. This enhances and adds additional benefit to any reconstructive or reorganization efforts you make regarding health and organizational procedures, during these first months of the year.

Venus goes retrograde in Gemini from May 15 to June 30. Unusual alliances, people connected by circumstance become best friends, romance or love takes a strange twist. Shamanic astrologers and those who base their astrology on the observed sky, consider such Venus events as this, as important cyclic markers of earth's destiny.

The summer is very active and full of group interactions, especially protests (the Uranus-Pluto square is exact in June and August), but also efforts to build an innovative, self-sufficient and individualistic social order. Original ideas and approaches regarding personal freedom take hold and remain with us for years to come. Uranus in Aries, until about 2018, gives independence and boldness a social allure.

Saturn's change of signs in the fall is likely to bring a more serious mood, an increase in self-protective attitudes, and a calling for true grit or fortitude or emotional strength for accomplishing a goal or living under strict conditions. Discipline is more easily accepted under Saturn's Scorpio transit. Control of the emotions, bearing up under stress, hidden strengths and powers, are themes of this placement. Saturn will remain in Scorpio until 2015.

It is said by many people that on December 21, 2012, the Earth and Sun will align at the Galactic Center, a 26.000 year event. There is debate as to whether or not this is a fact. This is also the date that the Mayan Calander is said to end, and there is lots of debate about that, too. It is easy to dismiss these propositions as wild ideas, and, if you decide to explore them, to get hopeless lost in the debate about them. From a purely astrological perspective, the aspects on this date do not support the idea of an end, or a totally transforming event, but of course, it wouldn't. Astrology is about cycles, and they keep going. On the other hand, astrology does support the idea that something very big is going on these days in general.

The Cardinal Cross of summer 2010, was a major astrological sign of big change and about as intense as a configuration can be. It continues to reverberate. One of the arms of the cross was Pluto in Capricorn, signifying a total transformation of the administration, structure, order of society or the established order. This change does not take place fast, however, and there are many battering rams to come in this slow transit, so the idea of an instant end or overnight transformation on this year's Winter Solstice is out of the picture. Yet there are compelling aspects on that very day to suggest that it would serve well as a day to commemorate our dedication to being a responsible human being and custodian of the Earth. We are likely to all be working very hard to keep things from coming apart after all the Uranus-Pluto squares as the year ends and the new one begins.