Happy New Year!
The Great Transit of Pluto in Aquarius:
2024 – 2043
Because of the significant and even profound nature of this transit as we enter the Age of Aquarius, which lasts about 2100 years, I have mentioned the arrival of this planetary transit in previous newsletters. Of special importance is that this Pluto transit will harmonize with other new important planetary transits soon to arrive. Neptune will go into Aries and Uranus will go into Gemini between now and 2026, making supportive aspects with Pluto as he makes a dramatic entrance onto the stage of human history.
The last time Pluto transited this sign marked the American Revolution, The French Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution. The Moon is in Aquarius in the chart of the USA Declaration of Independence. This is impressive in and of itself, but this time around, it is especially important as human civilization as a whole is at a crossroads. The question is: will we go extinct due to our selfish, shortsighted, and violent tendencies – or will we make an evolutionary leap in science, technology, and emotional/spiritual consciousness, not only preserving life on earth but enhancing it?
As Hamlet so profoundly stated: “To be or not to be – that is the question.”
In 2023, between March 23 and June 9, Pluto briefly transited into Aquarius before it went back into Capricorn for the rest of the year. We got a taste of what was to come when the public started talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications, uncertainties, pitfalls, and advantages. Aquarius is interested in genius, new inventions, and scientific breakthroughs. It is also interested in the challenge of Democracy, and whether or not humans can have a hand in their governance or whether we are destined to be governed by oligarchs and fascists.
It is my opinion that this transit, combined with the transits of Neptune and Uranus, will either blow us apart or bring about the next evolutionary leap in human civilization and, in the process, both “save the world” and usher in the emergence of a new and more advanced form of human life.
What lies ahead in 2024?
Capricorn is a sign concerned with the establishment, the governance by “old men”, and the dominance of extremely wealthy persons and families who have influenced economies and governments for generations. It is a sign of “the elites” and the question looms as to who they really are. Recently Ivy League universities’ presidents were severely sanctioned for not clearly condemning antisemitism. As Pluto transits the last degrees of Capricorn, the elites everywhere are being “grilled” and criticized as so many people are enraged at widening economic and social inequalities. Others are severely threatened by the emergence of a multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-religious society that challenges peoples’ tribal instincts” that lie historically ingrained within the matrix of human emotional reflexes. In 2023, we lost many elder people who formed significant economic and political policies in the 20th Century, in addition to those who were geniuses in arts and entertainment. The old ways are passing, leaving room for new ideas and frameworks of consciousness.
Recently, NASA announced it is sending out a spacecraft to study the asteroid Apophis, the God of Chaos, which will have a close flyby to Earth in April 2029. This is certainly appropriate to the times we are currently navigating.
The challenge is to rebuild an advanced society without demolishing what is foundational to our existence. In short, not to “throw the baby out with the water. I like to refer to “The Zodiac by Degrees” by Martin Goldsmith. The last degree of Capricorn is described as: “A military pilot radios his superior to tell them he is disobeying orders and leading a squadron of airplanes through a hole in enemy lines. After synchronizing watches, they proceed, and change the course of history.” The first degree of Aquarius is described as: “A traveler comes upon an ancient temple in the desert, part of it fallen into ruin and part of it adapted for modern use.” The second degree of Aquarius is described as: “Crying for joy, a man stands in the pouring rain outside his girlfriend’s window and shouts his love to the rooftops.” These images certainly ring true in the present. In one format or another, this is where we are going.
Two Wars:
The war in the UKRAINE challenged Western powers in a similar way that Hitler and the Axis powers challenged the world in WW II. If Putin is allowed to win this war, adjacent nations, especially those contained within the NATO Alliance, will likely move to conquer the rest of Eastern Europe. The F-16s, sent by the US and other nations may be ready to use between January and February. The money needed from the US Congress to finance this war has been held up by the Republicans. Pres. Biden and the Democrats will agree that a new immigration policy package which the Republicans insist must be in the package, needs to be passed. Mercury goes direct on Jan. 2 square Neptune, still confused, until it goes into Capricorn on Jan. 14 and makes a better aspect with both Saturn and Jupiter that week. Things will clarify at that point as to where this war is going. Pluto in Aquarius is square (in conflict with) Putin’s ascendant in Scorpio which poses a real threat to his power. However, it also is trine (harmonizes) with his natal Moon, so he will not back down.
The war in GAZA started by a horrific attack on Israel by Hamas and resulted in a bombing campaign that has virtually destroyed Palestine’s infrastructure and killed and/or displaced thousands of Palestinians, will likely move toward ending this month with Mars sextile Saturn. Israelis will want to remove Netanyahu from office. Global opinion has, unfortunately, moved against them since the world has watched Palestine razed to the ground, and many Americans are upset that Pres. Biden has supported Israel. It has been reported that Netanyahu knew these attacks by Hamas were coming in advance. Before this war started, he had corruption charges launched against him. Unfortunately, the current transit of Uranus in Taurus squares Israel’s planets in Leo, and are among the most disruptive in their history. In addition, the eclipses in October 2023 and the coming eclipses in March and April of 2024 hitting their astrological chart will likely coincide with many changes and upheavals in this nation. The only way this nation can redeem itself in the eyes of the world is to launch a rebuilding project in Palestine, define its territory, and finally come to a “two-state solution.” Recently, moves have been made toward a humanitarian pause and an actual peace agreement. Meetings will be successfully held in January toward this end.
Israel’s chief ally, the US is fighting a dangerous rise of antisemitism and has criticized or fired Ivy League presidents because of their lukewarm response to questions before Congress about permitting this hate talk on their campuses. College campuses all over the nation have been witnessing anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim protests. Mass shootings, often related to religious and ethnic hatreds have plagued the US in recent years and it is not getting any better.
CHINA seems to be preparing its military complex to threaten the US and its allies in the Pacific, over the continued existence of Taiwan as an independent democracy. Pluto in Aquarius is transiting China’s ascendant and natal Moon for the next four years. This configuration would point to a revolution in China, whose populace may wish to embrace some form of democracy. The current dictator, Xi Jinping, could move dangerously toward a war as a “remedy” for any rebellion against his current absolute authority. Their economy is in real trouble and is servicing huge amounts of debt and it is counter-intuitive for them to move against the US. When they took over Hong Kong, which was a thriving economy, they dashed the spirits of the people and the economy with it. An earthquake of 5.8 magnitude hit them last month.
Meanwhile, IRAN has been engaged in proxy wars with Israel, and nations like Yemen which are engaged in civil wars. They have attacked US military bases throughout the Middle Eastern region. All this will likely escalate as the US and its allies’ ships are being attacked in the Persian Gulf and Iran-backed Houthi rebels are attacking vessels in the Red Sea, to the point that BP has suspended its shipping operations there. Neptune is transiting their chart in a way that threatens the religious theocracy which tends to produce internal rebellions. This could motivate their leadership to be even more aggressive.
In February and March, transits in Aquarius, which symbolizes aviation, will coincide with accelerated air strikes.
The Catholic Church:
There is currently a civil war going on at the Vatican as Pope Francis has offended the Catholic establishment by “liberalizing” the church’s positions on divorce and recognizing gays are worthy of the church’s “blessings” but not the sacrament of marriage. A cardinal has been “fired” for the first time in modern history in disputes on these issues, plus the Pope’s uncovering of illegal financial transactions. The transit of Saturn in Pisces poses a threat to the Pope’s physical health. In addition, many people may be exiting the Church over these disputes. As the Pisces Age ends, Roman Catholicism is on trial for its life.
Politics and the US Presidency:
CONGRESS has four major pieces of legislation, including financing the budget, financing the War in Ukraine, financing the war in Israel, creating immigration reform, and agreeing on the budget it will take to do all this. None of this will get going until after Mercury goes direct (Jan. 2) and is trine Jupiter and sextile Saturn Jan. 14 – 19.
TRUMP’s planetary configurations (Saturn and Mars in Aquarius and Pisces) during the coming legal trials in March/April/May do not favor him. If they are not postponed, juries are likely to convict him, effectively removing him as a candidate. Trump, the former “star” of The Apprentice and Wrestle-Mania, will likely go crazy (not unusual) as the Libra lunar eclipse on March 25th hits his Neptune and the April 8 Solar Eclipse is opposite his Jupiter. He has already called immigrants “vermin” and stated he will become a “dictator” on day one if he is re-elected. Last month, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled him ineligible to be on the ballot due to his leading the insurrection on Jan. 6. The State of Maine followed. The Supreme Court will likely overturn these rulings.
Trump’s progressed Moon in Scorpio will square (conflict with) his progressed Saturn in May while transiting Neptune (illusions and disillusion) will inconjunct (destabilize) his ascendant. Uranus (disruption) in his 10th House of Career will square his progressed Mercury, trine his Solar Arc Mercury, and sextile his natal Saturn. He will keep on ceaselessly talking. His progressed Sun is sextile his Natal Mercury, further reinforcing his diatribes. The transiting planets in the chart of the Republican Convention in July 2024, are also very unfavorable for Trump. Transiting Uranus and Mars in his 10th House of Career are square his Mars. However, if he is removed from the ticket, there may be violent protests. The person running for the presidency with the most favorable astrological chart by far for the Republicans is Nikki Haley, with Jupiter trine her Sun in May and Pluto on her Sun trine her Natal Saturn September through November. Her political positions lean toward the far right.
BIDEN’s chart is destabilized by Uranus in his fifth House of children at this time, connecting with his son Hunter’s trial for tax evasion, and squares his progressions in Aquarius in the second house of the economy. Things will improve in the Spring when it will harmonize with his Jupiter and progressed Mercury and Saturn will trine his Mars. Biden’s accomplishments as president will be known but rarely appreciated. The Republicans have launched an “impeachment inquiry” based on nothing. His biggest problem is that he looks his age (81 years) and his speech is limited by his chronic asthma and a stuttering defect. The public is still very discontent concerning inflation, even though it is subsiding. The economy, although improving, will be in a mild, but necessary recession to bring inflation further down and the Feds will stop raising interest rates. Pluto in Aquarius will trine his natal Uranus, helping him gather support, but will inconjunct his natal North Node in Virgo, raising questions about his health. In addition, Neptune is square his Ascendant all year long, weakening his constitution and worsening his appearance. Vice President Kamala Harris will not tend to contribute positively. The Democrats need to come up with a younger candidate will charisma and vitality.
GO Girls!
Super Star, Simone Biles was selected “Athlete of the Year” and Taylor Swift was proclaimed “Person of the Year” by Time Magazine. Taylor is a Sagittarius Sun with Scorpio rising and Mars on her ascendant. She is smart, athletic, and creative, and has a chart resembling many successful billionaire CEOs who tend to have a prominent Mars. Personally, however, I love that she is a “cat lady”. Her picture in Time showed her with her beloved cat draped around her shoulders.
Science and Technology:
In the online publication “Up First” last month it was posted: “The FDA has approved the first gene-edited treatment for a human illness. The landmark decision approved two gene therapies for people 12 and older suffering from the most severe sickle cell disease, a blood disorder that affects about 100,000 Americans. Jennifer Doudna, who helped discover the CRISPR gene editing technology used in one of the treatments, said she was ‘elated, excited, and in awe’, but said there is more work to do. The treatments are very expensive and require complicated procedures many hospitals may not be equipped to provide.” Gene editing technology is the wave of the future and, like other breakthroughs, will take time to permeate the healthcare system and become financially affordable.
As my readers all know, I have been predicting the rise of NUCLEAR FUSION – the “Holy Grail” of energy, that will eventually end the age of fossil fuels. In December, Livermore Laboratories announced that they have achieved ignition for the third time, moving them closer to their goal of achieving nuclear fusion supplying energy at that site for California. Battery technology will improve. Wind and solar will be upgraded and more widely used in locations where they work. Unfortunately, all this will come too late for many locations on Earth, experiencing climate catastrophes, especially in the global South. Places that are located inland, elevated, and have plenty of fresh water and farmland will likely survive.
Space travel, rocketry, and another human landing on the Moon all lie ahead. Major problems have to be solved as to how astronauts can live under these conditions with exposure to the Sun, loss of bone tissue, and problems with space junk and asteroids coming into our orbit before we take the next step of landing on Mars. Until then, robots will do the job for us. Robot technology will develop as the need for assisting humans in multiple scenarios is on the increase.
The fears around AI will eventually die down, as we realize it is a tool providing information that is bigger than ever before. It will eliminate some jobs but will stimulate us to use our talent for creativity, using this giant data bank and computing availability to come up with new ideas. However, AI information will have to be regulated. Since we created the internet, the mandate to tell the truth and nothing but the truth has been severely abused. Laws to take care of this will have to be passed.
Quantum computing may be the biggest breakthrough of all. This is so massive, that most of us can barely conceive of what this will do for human civilization when this technology is completed and widely available. How we will re-imagine economies including job creation, corporate re-design and regulation, and government assistance in this brave new world, is currently undecided.
The Economy:
I am predicting a mild recession with lowered rates of inflation and slightly more general unemployment this year. With Saturn in Pisces, there will be an increased demand for people in medicine and healthcare, and a need to economically reorganize our healthcare system, which is currently not working. There is currently a serious shortage in the labor force in general, with the retirement of the Baby Boomers. Ironically, the mass immigration crisis could add to the badly needed labor force. Legislation addressing these concerns will have to wait until after the election in November. The recent attacks of vessels in the Red Sea, causing oil prices to rise, threaten to create inflation all over again. However, this month’s aspects of Mars and Mercury to Saturn may tap this down.
Recently, Japan’s Nippon announced they are acquiring US Steel. Although this may be a psychological blow to Americans, Japan is a major ally in the Pacific and has proved its ability to work with the US economically for decades. They are making progress with the development of nuclear fusion. Currently, their economy is doing extremely well.
With Pluto in Aquarius, we are moving away from printed money and toward a “digital currency” inspired by Bitcoin who invented the blockchain technology that makes it nearly impossible to “hack.” There are disputes among Wall Street traders as to whether Crypto is a currency or a commodity. There is a general agreement that it needs to be “regulated” and better defined. At present, it is a playground for drug cartels, human trafficking, and huge transfers and transactions of “dark money” throughout the world. My take is that it is here to stay.
Real estate markets that have taken a break recently, because of high interest rates, will take off again under the Jupiter/ Uranus conjunction in Taurus and sextile Mars and later Neptune in April. There will also be the emergence of new ideas about building low to moderate-income housing since we have an epidemic of homelessness not seen since the Depression of the 1930s, the last time Uranus was in Taurus. An idea that may gain traction is the re-purposing of older vacant housing to accommodate people without financial resources to buy into this very expensive market. These aspects are also positive for the stock market. I will discuss these matters in future newsletters.
Weather and Natural Events:
Jan. 1st through the 9th, Mercury is square Neptune, presenting storms and flooding, especially in coastal regions around the US. This is not a good time to travel. The Icelandic volcano is still erupting and there was a big earthquake in China, all last month. More serious weather events are likely in March and April as Mars transits Pisces, including volcanic activity. Saturn and Neptune both transiting Pisces would symbolize tremendous storms and massive flooding along island nations and coastal regions around the world.
Final Thoughts:
There are far too many people in our nation, today, that are discouraged, demoralized, and ready to give up. Others are so submerged in hate that they are “selling out” to violence, arming themselves, shooting people down in public places, and willing to get on board with political platforms that would end democracy. Economic disparities, distrust of nearly all of our institutions and the people who control them, weather and environmental catastrophes, and a curious loss of need for the beautiful, the spiritual, and the compassionate seem to be pervasive in our cultures across the landscapes of America.
Readers who have been following my books and newsletters for the past 20 years know that these trends and events were forecast extensively. Very few people were situated or able to prepare themselves for this environment. In the present, I frequently get calls from people who remind me that I was “right” about these historic trends, even though they were unable to grasp their significance at the time. I am concerned about the escalation of wars in the Middle East, The Ukraine/Russia war, and especially involving China, since we entered WWII when Uranus last transited Gemini and will be in this sign starting in 2025.
Now, I am predicting the emergence of a new age of scientific breakthroughs – in outer space, energy, AI technology, aviation, medicine, and health — many of which will solve the seemingly intractable problems we now face. Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus entering new, bright, and optimistic signs will also usher in a new human presence with a better set of ideas about how democracy – the rule of the people – can successfully operate. We will begin to leave the present severe “tribalism” tendencies behind. We may begin to see our species as one that respects diversity, looks to provide equal opportunities for all its members, and would prefer critical thinking and clear communication as an alternative to mindless violence, hate, and war. Together, we will grow to respect nature and the environment as sacred and will work together to preserve and enhance it.
Will you believe it? We shall soon see.
Have a wonderful 2024 with many blessings to you and your families!
Linda
Important points of reference for Astrologers:
January:
New Moon is at 20 degrees Capricorn square the Nodes and trine Uranus on Jan. 11; Full Moon is at 5 degrees Leo, is inconjunct Venus and Saturn, is square Jupiter, and is opposition Pluto on Jan. 25; Mercury goes direct Jan. 2, is square Neptune Jan. 8, goes into Capricorn Jan. 14, is sextile Saturn Jan. 18, is trine Jupiter Jan. 19, is square the Nodes Jan. 28, and is trine Uranus Jan. 28; Venus in Sagittarius is square Neptune Jan. 19, goes into Capricorn Jan. 23, is sextile Saturn Jan. 27 and is trine Jupiter Jan. 28; Mars in Capricorn is sextile Saturn Jan. 9, is trine Jupiter Jan. 11, is square the Nodes. Pluto goes into Aquarius on Jan.20, until it goes retrograde and goes back into Capricorn September 2 – Nov. 19th when it is back in Aquarius for the remainder of its transit (through March 20, 2043.)
February:
New Moon at 20 degrees Aquarius semisextile Venus Jan. 9, Full Moon at 5 degrees Virgo opposition Saturn and Mercury Feb. 24; Mercury in Aquarius is square Jupiter Feb. 10, will sextile the Node Feb. 15, is square Uranus Feb. 16, and is conjunct Saturn in Pisces Jan. 28; Venus in Capricorn will square the Nodes Feb. 6, will trine Uranus Feb. 7, will sextile Neptune Feb. 13, goes into Aquarius conjunct Pluto Feb. 16; Mars in Aquarius will conjunct Pluto Feb. 13 and will square Jupiter Feb. 26; the Sun is conjunct Saturn Feb. 28.
