The Major Cycles of 2008
by Bernie Ashman
www.bernieashman.com

        In this article are the cycles I covered when speaking at the Raleigh, NC chapter of the Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship on January 3^rd 2008. The talk was titled: New Cycles in 2008 For Self-Discovery and a Rebirthing World.

Pluto in Capricorn

        This is the by far the biggest astrological event of 2008! Pluto spends between 12 to 30 years in an astrological sign due to its eccentric orbit. It takes this planet about 240 years to return to a sign. The previous Pluto in Capricorn cycle was from 1762 to 1768. The American Revolution was of course fought during the last Pluto in Capricorn cycle. It’s interesting that Pluto symbolism is associated with taxes and that the Revolution was triggered by the excessive taxes imposed by the British Empire. The world changed dramatically during the 18^th century. Could it change in a big way during this current Pluto in Capricorn cycle?

        There are two critical dates you might want to keep in mind during 2008. The first is January 25^th 2008. It’s actually at 9:38 PM, EST, on this date that Pluto will enter Capricorn. However on June 14^th, shortly after midnight, Pluto will retrograde back into the previous sign, Sagittarius, until November 26^th at 8:04 PM, which is when it returns to the sign of Capricorn and will remain there until 2024. So, January 25^th and November 26^th mark two key dates in the sands of time when the world will have a bit of a different beat.

        The sign Capricorn is associated with government and leadership. This would seem to indicate that this next presidential election in the U.S. is a big one. Why? Because the next president will likely be quite influential in not only affecting change in the U.S., but on a global level as well. A good diplomat and negotiator with good old-fashioned common sense would be a great asset. Another key theme about Capricorn is business. It appears that there will be new trends on the horizon in how businesses operate as well as perhaps the birth of new types of businesses. Since Pluto is symbolic of health insurance, the future will reveal just how governments may adopt new policy regarding this subject.

        Pluto is the planet of transformation and rebirth. Perhaps a change in thinking about many topics will find new clarity and openness. The tax structure in the U.S. is likely to get revised in the near future and may be of benefit to lower income earners in particular.

        Pluto is connected to fuel emissions and Capricorn has rulership over cooling and ice. It does point to a wake up call for humanity on global warming.  2008 could be the year of planting a more intense problem-solving mode in this vital area. Pluto is even connected to our immune system and cells in the body. Stem cell research will get a boost with a president more open to innovative thinking.

Jupiter in Capricorn

        In 2007 Jupiter was in the lofty and idealistic sign Sagittarius. In 2008, Jupiter is no longer in the happy-go-lucky fire sign Sag. Oh Jupiter, where have you gone? Into the more pragmatic and not as idealistic sign of earthy Capricorn. At the end of the Al Gore film, The Incovenient Truth, there is an African proverb: “When you pray, move your feet.” Jupiter is the praying, and Capricorn is moving your feet! In other words, don’t forget to put your beliefs into action.

 You can easily see there is a repeating theme of Capricorn in 2008 with both Pluto and Jupiter being housed by this sign. Jupiter is the part of our psyche that seeks inspiration and enthusiasm. Have you ever had a wonderful creative idea and shared it with someone expressing great doubt in your beliefs? It’s much different than when someone fans your goals with faith in you, isn’t it? It’s not necessary to put your hopes and wishes on the back burner for a future year. It might be required that you carefully think through your creative steps to make sure they are sound enough to walk through a new door of opportunity.

        The presidential candidates who can articulate clear plans for the future rather than flowery promises are more likely to gain in the polls. The US electorate in 2008 is a bit tired of being dragged into wasteful wars and stale, outdated foreign policies. Also, people are looking for the next president to roll up her or his sleeves and do something about the US economy. People are really looking for a fairer playing field in the job market and in the distribution of wealth in the coming years. That’s what some of this Capricorn stuff is all about in 2008.

        Jupiter rules foreign policy and how the various countries perceive each other. It is essential that the new leaders in the world be better at talking and showing clarity regarding diplomacy. Jupiter is the planet of good fortune and Capricorn has connections to business as stated earlier. It would seem that this sign placement in Capricorn for this expansive planet is a good omen for the economy to somehow get better in 2008.

        Speaking of foreign policy, the wasteful spending on the Iraq war and the loss of lives is going to grow even more objectionable to the American public. Capricorn is about economizing and re-evaluating situations. It would seem that bringing the troops home is going to grow in impatience by U.S. citizens.

        Transiting Jupiter will move directly across (oppose) the Cancer Sun in the U.S. chart during the months of February, August, September and October 2008. It does look like the energetic Jupiter is really going to fire up the U.S. electorate. This mixing of Jupiter with the Cancer Sun sign of the U.S. chart could give a boost to the economy or keep it moving forward.

Nodes of the Moon in Leo and Aquarius

        The Nodes of the Moon are not planets. If you like technical explanations then here is a brief one. The points where the Moon’s orbit intersects the Earth’s orbit (known as the ecliptic) are known as the lunar nodes. There is a North and South Node. They move backward or retrograde through the signs. They journey through a sign for about a year and one half taking about 19 years to get through all 12 signs of the zodiac.

        What do they symbolize? They are a dynamic polarity that shows what the collective unconscious is trying to tell us. It’s said the North Node reveals the direction we need to be going toward and the South Node the land from where we came. My own feeling is that both of the Nodes show how we might further develop our intuition and spiritual dimensions of life. The North Node can be easier to access in a conscious way while the South Node requires a bit of soul-searching. These two celestial points are always opposite by sign. In 2008, the North Node is in Aquarius and the South Node in Leo. This is a blast of creative power in that these two signs show the Nodes of the Moon are saying “don’t hide your light under a bushel.” Follow your hunches as they might lead to opportunities. Be persistent in making bold statements about your creativity.  Let the inventor (Aquarius) in you ring loudly, let your will power (Leo) break down the obstacles to your happiness. Let your heart (Leo) and mental brain synapses (Aquarius) stay in balance. Let your heart chakra (Leo) show love for those you care about and let your independent streak (Aquarius) beat to a unique drum. Balancing needs of the self (Leo) with that of others (Aquarius) is an underlying theme for a person or a country.

        Aquarius is symbolic of friends and allies. This could be pointing to a renewed sense in the U.S. of making new friends and showing more tolerance for differing opinions which has not been true of the Bush Presidency. The candidates seeking the Presidency are going to be preaching to the electorate the need to form strong bonds with other countries.

Neptune Pow Wow with Nodes of the Moon in 2008: Spirit Power

        One last thing about the Nodes of Moon in 2008 is their rendezvous with that god of the oceans, planet Neptune. This is important for those of you wanting to deepen your intuitive, healing and artistic capability. If you already know how to meditate, then you might want to be sure to do it a little more than usual during April and May. These are the two months when there is a strong conjunction formed by the Nodes and Neptune. This energy will not be as intense but will still linger from June through November, 2008. Since Neptune is associated with healing energy and the arts as well, perhaps you will have a deeper or mystical experience in these areas. Creative inspiration will be quite high. All of us can travel deeper into our inner selves.

        These are months where a renewed vision and a deeper faith in your beliefs can occur. Countries at war may find a way to work out their differences if they really want to do so. This is a great time to heal old wounds and to tune into your purpose for being here on the soul level. If you are already an emotional person and very idealistic, then stay grounded. If you are too reality-oriented, then lighten up and let your intuition reveal more of it’s nature to you.

The Saturn and Uranus Opposition Cycle

        There are certain years when planets might sit directly across the sky from each other. It just so happens that in 2008 that Saturn and Uranus face off with each other for the third time in this century. This will happen in October, November and December of 2008 and carry over into the spring of 2009.When planets are in opposition they often get acted out in the way we relate to others. This can be true of a person or a nation. Saturn is quite different in nature than Uranus. Saturn represents tradition while Uranus denotes progressive trends. A successful presidential candidate probably will be one able to capture the imagination of the traditional-minded (Saturn) and at the same time know how to reach out to the unconventional (Uranus) types. It would be wise for each of us to perhaps keep one foot inside of the box and definitely one outside to get the most mileage out of 2008. 

        Revolutionary thinking and political unrest is not so unusual in this cycle. In the United States, this can be indicating that grass-root political movements could be on the rise. Groups like MoveON.org, political blogs and other political action groups might actually have greater influence in the election of 2008.

        The aging population (Saturn) in the U.S. might get very inventive (Aquarius) in lobbying for better health benefits and ensuring their social security benefits stay intact. There could be innovative thinking on how to keep more jobs in the US in this cycle. This cycle points to the baby boomers as a distinct group with their own goals and needs. This same Saturn/Uranus opposition occurred in 1920 and lead the way into the decade known as the Roaring 20's, and returned in the mid 1960's. It’s interesting that the musician, Stephen Stills, is credited with having written the first protest song, For What It’s Worth, in November of 1965, when this cycle was peaking! Saturn with both of it’s feet in the traditional world was at odds with the rebellious Uranus, feet that dance to a unique and unpredictable drumbeat as was reflected in the Still’s song and other counter-cultural events of that wild 60's decade. These were two intense decades. It’s here with us again in 2008!