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.