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January 2008
By Norma Jean Ream
Looking toward 2008, we can expect the
most noticeable change to show in how we become more practical and
reserved in our spending and more cautious and skeptical in our
planning. We are coming out of a period that has been very fiery,
adventurous, free-spirited, and a bit extravagant. There is a deflation
about to occur that will cause Americans to take a serious look at
spending, saving, and wasteful habits. The potential for practical
change is endless and worth striving for. It will become the prevailing
mood in coming weeks.
The impact of a few important 2007
astrological cycles is only beginning to come to the surface of our
general awareness. Not surprising, the keyword will be ‘fraud’. We will
learn some harsh lessons around trustworthy business practices from our
hindsight experiences. Various aspects of government will also begin to
tell the truth as we delve into cover-ups and frauds. What we learn will
take us to greater consciousness of honest practices by the route of
awareness from painful experiences. Watch what comes to the surface
later in the year that will reveal the truth about the boom from the
fall of 2007 housing foreclosures.
We can look forward to transformative
events, some good, some difficult. The year 2008 will be a year of
cultural changes that will make important history. It is a time to ask
harder questions of our leadership. Many secrets are still to be
revealed of the Bush-Cheney administration. Paying attention to the
strategies at play will make a big difference in maintaining the POWER
of the people. I have repeatedly written about the power of “we the
people” this year. It is important for us as citizens to participate in
the legally established process of elections and to press our government
to uphold the legal process. Record-breaking turnouts at the election
polls will make it more difficult to achieve another questionable
election.
The Winter Solstice chart set for
Washington, D C gives focus to communication, near and far. The contrast
will be strong between the local perspective, and the international
reputation of our country. The United States has an image problem that
is going to be very hard to correct and will result in the continued
failure of the dollar on the world market. It will be hard to shake off
the ‘bully’ image and our allies may be hesitant to support our
continued efforts to expand our war further.
The Solstice chart connects with the
USA chart bringing attention to the President and the Congress. With a
new “spin master” in place, it is a major effort to sell the practical
achievements of this administration as they prepare to leave the White
House. The President is likely to sign some important bills into law
that focus around ecology, where he has vetoed such bills in the past.
He might even give a little on bio-fuels and address global warming
measures that he has previously ignored.
Resources in 2008 are in poor
condition. The value of the dollar is in trouble, but the American
people seem to be in denial. The leadership of the country is putting on
a false front that it can all be handled by infusing liquidity in
foreign markets. Yet, before spring, we could see difficult times as the
world rejects the dollar. The continuation of the war for oil is
depleting resources, including our young people. There is strong
potential for very big cuts in military spending, which will translate
into our troops not having the level of equipment and training they need
to be safe.
One of the most disturbing issues
ahead of us is the collusion of media and government. We witnessed this
when the news media finally had to release the story of illegal
wiretapping. The toll of this activity, the suppression of information
from the people, is a serious movement toward martial law. When it
begins to look like government officials can intimidate or buy complete
collusion, we are in big trouble. The only difference between the Bush
administration and Nixon’s is how brazen Bush is about his conduct. The
solstice chart has a serious signature of control through propaganda.
People should seek alternative news sources on the internet to get any
truth about what our government is doing. Be alert to times when public
interest stories take over the news for days and weeks. Honestly,
something more serious is happening.
The Spring Equinox brings out the
strong elements of power. There are strong influences stacked around
leadership and the President. In fact, the equinox and solstice points
each have the Sun in hard aspect to the planet of power, influence,
force, and enforcement. The links with the USA chart emphasize military
action. Economics will be generally changeable for several weeks in the
spring. It will take some time to see whether it hits the common people
with loss, or whether there is some economic relief.
The Summer Solstice again emphasizes
the USA making a strong display of force, perhaps in a domestic way.
July and August carry some heavy astrological patterns that bring out
the contrast between honor and abuse of power. We must strive to call
our government leaders to their higher actions. We must not allow force
and intimidation to replay history in our great nation. An eclipse in
early August makes direct contact in the President’s chart. Let us hope
that he is making wise choices to protect our democracy. The eclipse to
the USA chart symbolizes a collective event, most likely to affect our
economy.
The Fall Equinox appears to be calmer
waters. There is less intensity around government controls, although
there continues to be a picture of military activity. Over all, the year
ahead seems to me to be a pivotal time historically. It may be that our
President has good reason to protect the nation. I would just like him
to do it in accord with the Constitution.
It will be better to focus our lives
to be more practical and thrifty. As citizens, we need to be alert, not
sleeping through the slow disintegration of civil rights. Having
stronger community bonds will help to maintain our local governments.
Stay informed and be proactive in 2008.
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