The turbulent year now behind us was a prelude to an accelerated phase of the upcoming transitional years into a new world order. As we enter 2010, four major planets—Saturn, Jupiter, Rahu and Ketu—have shifted their positions. In addition, Uranus will be entering Pisces, and Neptune will be re-entering Aquarius. These combinations, which will remain in the sky until May, 2011, will usher in a new time of brotherhood on earth, one in which structure will be re-established from a higher state of consciousness and a closer connection to divine order.

This momentum, which began in the summer of 2008, will break down old economic and political structures based on excess, overproduction, over-consumption, greed, oppression, manipulation and disregard for the good of all and the environment. This melting down of the old, though destabilizing and painful, will nevertheless assist in the elevation of human consciousness and will bring about a new era.

Jupiter, the indicator of prosperity and expansion, has been debilitated in Capricorn and under the destabilizing influence of the two lunar nodes, Rahu and Ketu. This has played a major role in the financial and economic turmoil we witnessed throughout the past year. Jupiter, however, is now in Aquarius for the next five months. From this position, it will awaken in many the urge for unity, cooperation, tolerance, sharing, justice and protection of the common good. It will also promote emotional and spiritual healing, community life and new and creative ways to prosper.

In May, Jupiter moves to Pisces where it gains more strength. This will expand the spirit of cooperation, compassion and sharing on the level of mass consciousness. But, due to Saturn fully aspecting Jupiter, there will also be much resistance to change. Jupiter will remain in Pisces for twelve months and will go retrograde from July 24^th through November 17^th. It will retrograde back to Aquarius for nineteen days. We will see more people grouping together, networking and organizing themselves in a common cause for the common good.

Saturn, fully aspected by Uranus, is in Virgo until December 1^st of 2011. This placement is more favorable than its last in Leo. Virgo is the sign of health, healing, diseases, food, diet and agricultural. Saturn’s 2.5-year transit here will impact the healthcare system, the medical industry, medical research and discoveries, diet, nutrition and healing methods. Being an earthly and practical sign, it will provoke the reassessment of production and profitability in many industries and businesses. Saturn will be retrograde from January 9^th through May 29^th.

The north node of the moon, Rahu, is now in Sagittarius while the south node is in Gemini until June 3^rd 2011. These placements could be quite challenging for people with those two ascendants; however, conditions will improve in May when Jupiter goes into Pisces.

The four eclipses this year will occur on the Gemini/Sagittarius axis since Rahu and Ketu are, in fact, the eclipse. The first, an annular solar eclipse, will be on January 15^th. The second will be a partial lunar eclipse on June 26^th. The third will be a total solar eclipse on July 11^th and the fourth, a total lunar eclipse on December 21^st.

Mars, which has been in Cancer, its sign of debilitation, since October 11^th, will remain there until May 27^th. It is also currently retrograde and will remain so until March 11^th. Because Mars is the transmitter of conflict, anger and violence, we are witnessing intensified terrorist activities and military retaliation. Since it is also the planet of energy, enthusiasm and action, its passage through the watery sign of Cancer is bound to disturb home, emotions, happiness and family life.

Mid-July and August may bring extra tension when Mars and a debilitated Venus will join Saturn in Virgo while Jupiter and Uranus are fully aspecting them. This period will be intensified by the first total solar eclipse of the year on July 11^th.

Among the faster moving planets, Venus will go retrograde in Libra for forty days on November 8^th.  Mercury, currently retrograde, will travel its yearly path, changing signs every 15-24 days. It will be retrograde three more times in the coming year, for periods of 19-22 days, in April, August and again in December. Since Mercury is the ruler of both Virgo and Gemini where the transits occur, the fields of education and learning will be stimulated as will communication with an emphasis on truth. This should engender new and creative ways of doing business.

In 2010, the 360 starry nights will once again present their grand show. Venus will be brightly visible in the evening sky in June and July while the bright red Mars can be seen in the evenings from February to May. Jupiter is still glowing brightly now, heading towards the western horizon; it will appear again in the evening sky from October to December. Gazing up at the stars for even a few minutes cannot help but strike us with awe.

You can find more detailed astrological and astronomical reviews for the upcoming months on my website.

Happy New Year to you all!

Dalia Cahill  530-692-0214

www.gracevedicastrology.com