The beginning of 2009 is actually symbolized  by the New Moon of Dec. 27, '08.  Fresh news about more reality will be on the table, along with a renewed enthusiasm toward tackling solutions.  The years 2009 through 2012 will not be easy.  The cosmic arrangement over these years is almost a replica of what astrologers call "The Depression T square."  The road to recovery requires significant patience and adaptability from each of us.  It will alter our values and renew our lives.  Materialism as the false god will die.  Good riddance.

During the first two quarters a general focus in the news will be about making a fresh commitment to expand our global awareness and develop a more inclusive attitude toward our fellow humans, wherever they are.  Class wars in some version may be just beginning.  As individuals we need to evaluate what beliefs we retain that cause us exclusive postures and promote prejudicial attitudes.  In the world arena tensions around economic and resource issues will press us toward searching for favorable communal solutions of age old problems.  During the last quarter we will see the frank evidence of damaged infrastructure.  In the latter two quarters the symbols suggest an attitude of "Let's get to work.  Let's repair or remove old foundations so that new ones can be built." 

It is interesting that Mercury is retrograde during the months of Jan and early Feb.  What we do best during a Mercury retrograde period are things that begin with "re", such as "redo" and "reflect".  Among the finest of this planet's retrograde specialties are "repeal" and "rescind".  We already know these acts are top on the agenda of President Elect Obama.  The other two Mercury retrogrades during this year will be in April-May, followed by Sep-Oct.  Because the big Bailout in Sep '08 was forced to a vote on a Mercury retrograde, each of those that follow will require a "return" to issues generated by Bailout problems.

We have a Venus retrograde period in Feb, Mar, and April.  This energy occurs about every two years and is best used to reform relationships.  It shows us our bad habits so starkly that we beg forgiveness and attempt to begin again.  In the world picture, we likely will see the first steps in the direction of restoration of relationships with other countries.  It is best we swallow a chunk of humble pie to hold open the doors.

Pluto has finally changed signs and will remain in Capricorn for another 15 years.  Pluto digs up the dirt wherever it goes.  Its purpose is to show us the truth.  While in the sign of Capricorn, the truths will be tied to our government, all corporate bodies, and financial institutions.  At the end of '08 there were multiple crashes, but those are not yet finished.  Because Capricorn is a sign of the earth, we will be seeing whatever is wrong with the basic structure of any human design or building.  It is in Pluto's nature to hang us on meat hooks until we agree to the principle of transformation.  Once we accept the changes that are required and do the work, it often presents us with a gift.  Before the end in 2024, there likely will be movement of tektonic plates that may uncover a totally new source of power, hidden below the earth's crust.  (That is my fantasized version of the gift Pluto leaves as it departs Capricorn.)  Another finale will be a totally revised money basis.  We will have created an entirely new economic system. 

It is important to take exceptionally good care of our bodies throughout 2009, in order to have strong immune systems.  Symbols suggest a pandemic in 2010, probably airborne.  Look for ways that you can do this personally, rather than depending strictly upon medical doctors.  Their jobs are about treating pathology.  What we need now is a thoroughly reinforced body, able to take exposure and not succumb.

The market will continue to be swinging around by its tail.  The average citizen will be unable to make any sense of it.  Consult those whom you trust if you must make new purchases.  Otherwise wait it out for about 5 years.  As an astrologer, I find it amusing that only 1 year after Pluto was "demoted" in August '06, its motion began to represent wild gyrations in the stock market.  I recognize my own anthropomorphism here, but its just too easy to think of Pluto as returning a "gotcha" for its 2006 insult.

Aries:  Your life's work is heading for transformation.  Jan is for activities involving revisions and repairs.  From mid-March through April 22 it will be best if you do not initiate new starts or anything that could be construed as an "attack" on another.  From late April to early June do not follow impulses concerning money.  July is restful and a favorable month to travel.  Aug. is low cycle.  Accidents or health issues could become prominent in the days surrounding the 10th and the 26th.  Take care with travel in Aug.  Activities related to home, hearth, and family will be prominent from Sep through mid-Oct.  Issues concerning partnership or relationship to superiors may require your attention through the last quarter.  Do what you can to prevent an explosion in these areas at the end of Oct, and through Nov.  Kick back and go with the flow through Dec. 

Taurus: 
You yearn for freedom in your relationship(s), but the rules or customs get in the way.  This factor is especially noticeable in Jan, July and again in Oct.  Make an effort to find the unique and novel within a permanent relationship.  Former relationships may reenter your life during Feb-Mar-Apr and again in Sep-Oct.  Mercury retrogrades in your sign in May.  Do not force any decisions at that time.  In the big picture, your life will be encouraging you to expand through travel, the internet, and education.  You likely will hear good things about yourself via life's work connections throughout the year.  You could be among the fortunate whose career remains fairly stable, in spite of the global situation.  During the last quarter career circumstances become less challenging.
 

Gemini: You are ruled by the planet Mercury, whose path retrogrades 3 times per year.  During each of those times you will backtrack, rethink your situation, and gather information for the future.  Jan-Feb, May-June, and Sep-Oct have these features.  Don't make decisions during these periods unless everything feels "just right."  A financial concern that explodes in Aug will require nearly two months of attention before it is resolved.  Following that reorganization, you will choose to tighten your wallet.  Those with children will expect more responsible behavior by the end of the year.  Throughout 2009 you may have a stronger need to connect with your spiritual beliefs.  Activities on the internet will probably expand.  Beware of what is offered May through Aug.  Anything too good to be true is too good to be true.
 

Cancer:  The theme of probing deeply, searching for truth in relation to your spirit, and thinking about the other side of life continues through the first half of '09.  The first quarter includes reorganizing shared financial and property issues.  March is busy, with frequent shifts and changes of daily plans.  During April you will be in a physical low and your temper may be short.  May is quiet and good for a vacation.  June-July is a time for an important closure.  You may leave a job, move, or close a relationship.  During the second half of the year the theme gradually shifts to your partner(s) and your closest inner circle of friends and family.  It is possible that you will move toward developing a new partner-like relationship during the next two years, even if with the same person.  You are more sensitive and emotional during eclipse seasons.  Check your moon calendar.  The first eclipse series occurs in late Jan to mid-Feb.
 

Leo:The year begins laden with projects throughout Jan.  Feb will allow you time to play catch-up.  In March you may polarize in favor of the new, unique and rebellious.  Oddly, on the other side of the year, in Sep, you will be on the opposite pole.  In Apr though June there could be changes concerning your career or workplace.  Your partner will be receiving good news that improves life for both of you through the summer.  In late Oct the action picks up considerably around the areas of home, hearth, and family.  Repairs are needed.  Finish important projects before November, as Mars turns retrograde in your sign from Nov through Jan 2010.  This generally decelerates all forward motion.
 

Virgo: This is the third year of your identity makeover.  Now is the time to pull yourself beyond that to a bigger vision of how you will interact with the world around you.  Things have changed by necessity since 2006 and will never be the same.  Allow your world view to grow.  By the 4th quarter you will be putting all your personal resources to use in service of the "new" in your life.  You are ruled by the planet Mercury, whose path retrogrades 3 times per year.  During each of those times you will backtrack, rethink your situation, and gather information for the future.  Jan-Feb, May-June, and Sep-Oct have these features.  Don't make decisions during these periods unless everything feels "just right."  Good fortune and positive developments concerning your employment, employees, and renters will follow all year.

Libra:  You have been pinned down by circumstances for a couple of years.   During Feb-Mar-Apr you may fall into outdated habit patterns in relationships.  You know better, but occasionally the cosmos just wants to remind you about what not to do.  During this period former loves may reappear.  Tred lightly and beware the disappointment in Mar or May.  The first three quarters will remain fairly quiet, but take a deep breath and prepare for the major changes rumbling in Sep.  Take excellent care of yourself throughout this year. You're on tap to create a new personal identity as you head into 2010.  "Home" is soon to become an issue.  Some may discover literal problems within or below the foundation of the dwelling place that require repair.  For the whole year life will be expanding in the areas of creativity, children and maybe a new lover.
 

Scorpio: 
Pluto, your planetary ruler, has moved into Capricorn.  This represents your need to adopt new patterns of thought and change daily habit patterns.  Practicality is to become your byword.  Circumstances involving these matters will be prominent through Jan., followed by the need to attend to home, hearth, and family through Mar. 15 and then throughout '09.  April is a month in which an explosion between yourself and a lover or a child will clear the air.  April 22 through May 31 will be devoted to work that soothes the soul.  From here to July 11, your energies will be applied to a partnership.  Do your best to enter Aug with your financial nose clean.  A move or change of jobs may be necessary in the early fall.  In Oct. there will be challenges concerning lovers and/or children.  In the last quarter you may choose to seek solitude.  Take good care of your health during this highly emotional year.
 

Sagittarius: 
For all of '09 your planetary ruler is in the sign of Aquarius.  This highlights the areas of neighborhoods, roommates, siblings, organizations, nearby friends, and groups gathered for a purpose.  You are especially drawn to projects that will help many and those which are spiritually satisfying for yourself.  The idealism will be very strong with you from June to the end of the year.  Punctuation points will occur the end of May, July, and Dec.  Travel is accented.  Extroverted Sagittarians are likely to be in a leadership role in more than one activity this year.  The introverted Sagittarians will be knee deep in the arts, music, or other studies that feed the soul.  Some will be studying a skill.  The summer may slow you down, but activity picks up again in the fall.  Your work status will change for the better in the last quarter.  Beware of any deals that seem too good to be true.
 

Capricorn On Dec 27  Mars entered your sun sign which promises rapid activity for two months.  However, your forward motion will have interference from mid-Jan through mid-Feb while Mercury retrogrades through your sign.  During Mar-Apr you will have tests and accomplishments to prove, which may be either formal or informal.  Throughout most of the year you will be making realistic changes related to your work, your health, and your self-expectations.  In late Oct your planetary ruler, Saturn, enters the sign of Libra, suggesting major change related to your work in the world.  Those who do not love their work will be ready to escape, while those who are happy in their careers likely will be given more responsibility position or title.  Pluto, now in your sign for the next 15 years, will be turning over the topsoil of your life, to find the truth underneath.
 

Aquarius:   The year begins with Mercury retrograding in your sign.  You will be rethinking or redoing previous projects and laying the groundwork for the future.  You will be concentrating upon a fair balance between your own and another's resources.  The "other" in your life may be feeling that you are spending too freely.  Perhaps it is you arguing with yourself.  Money owed to you could be lagging.  An episode in the first quarter may clear this issue.  Throughout the year you will have Jupiter floating through your sign.  Jupiter represents a lighter attitude, belief in hope, and positive expectations.  You likely will travel more than normal through the year.  This is a time to take the reigns and step forward to manage a pet project.  Your humanitarian idealism will be fired all year, but in particular during May, June, and July, and then again in Dec.
 

Pisces: The Fish will be taking a deep water swim through much of '09.  You will be giving far more attention to quiet time, to things contemplative, meditative, or spiritual.  The summer season will be notable for dream work, psychic perceptions, and intuitive flashes.  The artistic Pisces will find a wealth of material in the deep water.  Something new is bubbling beneath the surface of your mind.  It is your next cosmic "assignment."  The trick here is to find ways to develop this new gift that can be acceptable to regular folks.  Create a bridge from the old to the new.  It is not beyond you.  If you see genuine value in projects asking for your time, you will give.  But you may become thoroughly fatigued with long term friends or groups that no longer serve a meaningful purpose.