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January 2004
By Norma Jean Ream
Creativity can be a keyword for 2004. As we start the New Year under a
bit of strain in areas of communication and liquid resources, the best
thing we can do is be creative in approaching the problems. Try the
unconventional, inspired idea. Revisit intentions and direct attention
to the primary basics.
The Winter Solstice can be seen as a defining point in the year. The
longest night gives more attention to the inner personal level of life
that nourishes the center of our being. The lunar phase at the Solstice
was Balsamic, that last sliver of light before the dark of the Moon.
This phase relates to distillation, transformation and envisioning the
new cycle. Think of it as a summarizing that helps to point the way to
the next steps in one’s personal process. It is a good time for
reflection and meditation that brings insight. We can carry this idea
into January.
There will be creative tension in the first weeks of 2004. After 7
months of the planet Mars swimming through Pisces, it can feel like we
can get our feet on dry land, now that it has entered its own sign of
Aries. It stimulates initiative and the drive to take action. On January
1, the impulse is great for planning and preparing to take constructive
action. Yet, it will take some time for us to see things come to
fruition. The first week of January is transitional. Old projects that
have been dragging along will get a final push to completion in some
form.
New projects may not expand very quickly over the winter months, as
Jupiter turns retrograde on January 3 until May 5. The planet of
philosophy and abundance will be challenged by Pluto, the planet of
corporate power on and off through next September. That suggests that
the year will be marked with some dramatic swings in the financial
world. We will see some wild ups and downs that will affect jobs and the
general economy. Translate the influence of these planets to the arena
of religion and politics and we can expect more drama in the world over
clashes of philosophical differences. The high side of this may bring
common people more into an acceptance of diversity and inclusiveness. We
may have to be more community oriented, the way people were in rural
communities during the depression era; people helping people for the
sake of a healthier community.
The first quarter of the year brings the impulse to initiate new ideas
and projects. The Spring Equinox (March 20) will seem to open the way
for projects to really get going. When Jupiter turns direct in early May
the expansive energy will again serve financial and material growth.
Yet, Venus, the planet of values will retrograde on May 17, just before
the new moon in Taurus, Venus’ sign. This planet only reverses direction
every 20 months and moves backward for 6 weeks. It marks a time of
financial reorganization. It can also be used as a time to redecorate or
in some way enhance or improve the value of our homes, businesses, and
our relationships.
Mid-June will be the time to watch as Saturn comes back to the point
where it turned retrograde in October. This point is on the Sun of both
USA chart and the President’s chart. This will bring the government and
the President to a point of disclosure and accountability. It’s anyone’s
guess how this will manifest. Thirty years ago, when Saturn last crossed
the USA Sun, President Nixon resigned after months of cover-up and
disruption of government business. 2004 will be a year that draws on us
to be creative and optimistic in the face of uncertainty and
instability. |
