As we enter 2008, we are leaving behind a global nine-year cycle where we collectively move from a Nine Universal Year in 2007 into a One Universal Year in 2008. You may have noticed things coming to an end or completion in 2007. Perhaps they were relationships, career or other things you tried to hold onto but they disintegrated. Perhaps you realized these things had outrun their course. Perhaps now you are still winding down one phase of your life as you enter another. This is as it's meant to be. We are all, as a human family, stepping into a new beginning.

2008 is a year when you have a blank canvas to paint your life and your future as you see fit. It's a year to begin things you haven't dared before; to promote yourself; to initiate things; to leave the tried and true and go out on a limb. It's a great year to begin a new business. Above all, it's time for us all to adopt a whole new, fresh set of attitudes based on spiritual values and principles.

Leading up to 2008

2007 ended with the Sun in Capricorn as well as Jupiter and a Full Moon, Capricorn to Cancer axis on December 24. What does this mean? When planets are bundled together it brings external results, i.e. global activity as well as things happening in all of our lives in the area specifically we have Capricorn located in our charts. Generally, however, Capricorn is the sign of tradition and families so it brought a traditional feel to this Christmas season.

However, Mars was also retrograde in Cancer, bringing back personal and emotional issues from the past connected to family and home that we did not deal with. The Full Moon compounded this so there may have been a tendency to overreact. It was actually a good opportunity to deal with those issues from the past and put them to bed once and for all so that you can clear the decks for new beginnings and new attitudes in 2008.

Pluto Enters Capricorn - 2008 - 2024

However, there is one very important thing to remember, and that is to be very practical. With the emphasis in Capricorn right now and throughout 2008, as slow-moving Pluto moves into Capricorn on January 25 until June 14, 2008 and then from November 26, 2008 right the way until January 21, 2024, staying in this Earth sign for a total of 16 years and really making its impact felt.

Because Pluto is so slow-moving its profound effects are global and generational ones, in that it influences and characterizes an entire generation. The Pluto in Capricorn youngsters will be those who learn how to really value the Earth and Her resources, perhaps through crisis and ultimately, spiritual revolution. They will learn to understand this great Goddess and treasure Her in a way that previous generations have not.

Both the Earth Herself and governments are ruled by Capricorn and, since Pluto represents change and upheaval, one can predict that both will be in upheaval and even anarchy. Since Pluto also rules nuclear power, governments will have to keep even closer watch on this throughout this period. However, the good news is that ultimately Pluto urges towards spiritual transformation. Those things that change are those things that are outdated and can no longer be sustained, whether they are attitudes, beliefs or failing structures.

What is happening is that the Universe is moving us from a place of idealism (Sagittarius) to a place of practicality (Capricorn.) Sagittarius is hopeful and optimistic about the future whereas Capricorn sees things as they are. A giant Cosmic reality check is about to begin in all our lives. The Universe is urging us to look at what really is going on not what we would like to be happening. While it's calling us to take that step into the unknown it's reminding us not to forget to bring a detailed road map, warm coat, sturdy boots and supplies.

Pluto in Capricorn - Spiritual Transformation

The most important thing to remember for all of us in 2008 is to work hard (Capricorn) to create a future for ourselves and for all who share this beautiful Planet with us, different from the past; to be determined to go up a notch. Let's leave behind all those outworn attitudes and fears and step into the unknown with the full force of our spiritual power.

We should also remember that America itself was born with Pluto in Capricorn (27 degrees) and it has managed to maintain a reasonable democracy though many feel the power is in the hands of a secretive elite.

While the year brings reality checks and responsibility, it is also important that we realize that the most real part of us is actually our spiritual self and this too needs to be nurtured. When we strive to look at things as they are, we should remember our vision is pretty limited unless we take into account that there is a Cosmic Plan bigger than all of us. To cooperate with this Plan, it's important to be practical but not fearful. We should keep our psychic antennas up for positive opportunities for growth and new challenges. Although Capricorn urges us to take responsibility and to take stock, it is also the sign of Wisdom. In astrology, the ruler of Capricorn, Saturn, is regarded as the wise teacher. It teaches us that everything we think, say and do has an equal and opposite reaction (the law of karma). 2008 will necessitate that we, as a human family, will have to toe the line in the future and become more mindful, more loving, more compassionate, less self-centered and more interested in the whole not just in our own small lives.

The Beginning of the End

The next few years are critical years for humanity that will define forever our future on Earth. It will be the end of an old era and the beginning of an era of peace for those who are ready. Each of us has the responsibility to make it a wonderful future, each of us has enough power if we will allow it to shine. So, although Capricorn is sometimes associated with limitation it is about the limitation of the more basic parts of us so that the spiritual aspects can guide us.
Think of the Master who is about to go into an enlightened state of consciousness. He can only do this and gain the great states of bliss, if he controls his physical and mental aspects. This is what the Universe is calling us to do. To control our lower selves and reach upwards into our higher selves, following its promptings towards love, forgiveness, justice, compassion, integrity, healing, prayer and service to others. While 2008 is not going to be an easy year, each of us can determine that it is a great one. Good luck to you and God bless you.

Chrissie Blaze
December 2007