Added to this website on January 3rd 2005

On our last talk of 2004, we reviewed our predictions for the outgoing year and looked ahead to what 2005 might bring.

Planets:

2005 sees few of the major aspects between Jupiter, Saturn and the outer planets that characterised the last few years (remember Saturn opposite Pluto in 2001-02?). That is, apart from two Jupiter-Neptune trines, at 16°29' Libra/Aquarius in mid March (14th), and 15°49' Libra/Aquarius on the 17th August.

The first of this triple series of aspects took place at the end of November 2004, coinciding exactly with the peaceful protests in the Ukrainian capital, against the rigged Presidential elections. In a sense the trine is in operation for this whole period, November 2004 to August 2005. Jupiter/Neptune aspects often coincide with peace movements (remember the anti-war protests of the weekend of the last Jupiter-Neptune opposition in February 2003?), humanitarian and charitable impulses. Jupiter was also opposite Neptune when the Berlin Wall came down.

2005 is thus likely to be characterised in general terms by hope, peace and charity rather than conflict and destruction. Let's hope that that is the case.

On the 8th April there is a solar eclipse at 19° Aries (Saros Series 7 North, with a Pluto = Venus/Mars flavour), followed by a Lunar Eclipse on 24th April, at 4° Scorpio. On the 3rd October, there is a Solar Eclipse at 10° Libra (Saros Series 7 South). followed by a Lunar Eclipse on 17th October, at 24° Aries. If you have planets within 1 or 1.5 degrees of these points, an intense spotlight may be thrown on that area of your life at these times.

Jupiter trines Uranus on the 27th November, at 6°47' Scorpio/Pisces. A sudden breakthrough connected with hydroelectric power? Flash floods?

Saturn Inconjuncts Pluto on the 20th January (23°22' Cancer/Sagittarius), and again on 23rd May, at 23°43'. This might bring new outbreaks of terror, stress and strain or breakdowns in structures that are unable to be flexible in the face of change.

Saturn opposes Chiron again this July (the first time was in September 2003), being exact at 0°Leo/Aquarius, continuing its theme of suffering and the denial of suffering.

The United Kingdom

Transiting Neptune conjuncts the UK's Venus at 16°32 Aquarius on 16-03-2005, 27-07-2005, and is within orb for most of the year. Will Britain's fashion industry and creative arts lose their edge? Will romanticism, nostalgia and hippy fashions make a comeback? Will 'Brit-art' soften and become more spiritual or imaginative? Art scandals involving fake paintings will make big headlines.

Saturn leaves Cancer in July this year (it's been there since June 2003), so the gloom surrounding the housing market (Cancer is the UK's Moon sign, and the Moon symbolises, amongst other things, homes and real estate) should hopefully lift, although we still won't be in the mood for partying with Saturn in Leo. Don't expect the kind of housing boom of the early Noughties (exacerbated when Jupter transited Cancer in 2001-02 to return though.

Transiting Saturn conjuncting the UK's 10th House Jupiter at 1°51' Leo at the end of July (30th) will probably coincide with a loss of face in the world due to not having the resources to back up our usual self-confidence. Punching above our weight is unlikely to lead to success at this time, and our leaders may have to make particularly tough choices between conflicting principles or between principles and economic realities.

Progressed Mars opposite UK Pluto between Q4 2004 and Q2 2010 spells a 5.5 year period of some turmoil and possible danger, that may see the UK embroiled in conflict or even war.

Tony Blair

Transiting Saturn crosses Blair's IC and squares his Mercury in mid June, giving rise to a need to focus on his private and family life, which may need some sorting out. A property he owns may bring unwelcome news, and his ability to communicate persuasively, for which he is rightly known, may let him down.

Transiting Neptune again squares his Sun during February, October and December, bringing confusion, weakness and doubts over his leadership abilities.

George Bush II

The US President has a series of progressions throughout the year and beyond that spell self confidence, dynamism and initiative. These include progressed Sun conjuncting his Mars between May 2003 and June 2005, progressed Mars conjuncting his Moon between August 2003 and March 2008, and progressed Mars conjuncting his Jupiter between November 2005 and 2013 or thereabouts. He won't feel like holding back, especially during April and August this year when transiting Uranus opposes his natal Mars. These are personal 'flashpoints' for him that could give rise to swift and possibly rash actions.

In 2005 Mr Bush experiences simultaneous Jupiter and Saturn Returns (Saturn in Dec 2004 and June 2005, Jupiter in January February and August). A time of important life-choices about the direction of the final third of his life (the second Saturn Return), together with opportunities, good fortune and a sense of optimism about the future (the Jupiter Returns). The Second Saturn Return (wehich we all experience around age 59-60) is usually a lot easier than the First (which we all experience in our late 20s), since at that age we also get a Jupiter Return thrown in free of charge!

Jupiter crossing his Moon in March and August may correspond to a birth in his family or the welcoming in of a new family member by marriage. He will be feeling good and it will show.

USA

Until Saturn leaves Cancer in June, it's still in the USA's Sun (and Mercury, Venus and Jupiter) sign, so depression, tightening belts and hard work may continue to be the order of the day for a while yet.

Transiting Saturn  conjuncts the US Mercury and Part of Fortune in January and May/June bringing bad news, difficulty in communicating with the world, and a confrontation with economic realities. The never-ending supply of money or foreign investment (Part of Fortune in the Eighth) may show signs of drying up, and that could spark a crisis.

Transiting Uranus trines Jupiter three times during 2005, in January, February and between August and December, bringing with it sudden, perhaps extraordinary lucky breaks, technological, scientific or medical breakthroughs.

The US will be gearing up to smite its enemies again between July and October, as Transiting Pluto opposes the USA's Mars for the fifth time since Spring 2003 (it was exact three times during 2004, but within a degree of exactitude this year and 2003).

United Nations

The UN is going through its Saturn return this year, in January and again in May/June. The UN's Saturn conjuncts Mars, so these periods are likely to quite stressful, although they, like George Bush are having a simultaneous Jupiter Return (on the UN's Descendant), so maybe the UN will become more popular as a result. Transiting Pluto opposite the UN's Moon in the second half of 2005 will no doubt bring a mucking-out of the Augean stables.

Other Countries to Watch

Palestine: Neptune will cross (conjunct) Palestine's Ascendant this year, hopefully bringing much-needed peace and tranquillity, at least on the surface.

Palestine and Israel. Since these two countries share almost the same national horoscope Neptune will be opposing the 'natal' Saturn of both countries this year, which is likely to bring weariness and the possibility of healing through weakness and desperation.

Cyprus (Turkish): Pluto crosses its Ascendant all year, so expect the situation to be completely different by the end of 2005. Maybe its name will change, its borders will change or will it cease to exist altogether?

Haiti: Transiting Uranus will conjunct its Pluto in February and November, bringing turmoil, unrest and even revolution. Sudden changes in power.

Tunisia: Transiting Uranus conjuncts Tunisia's Mars in February and November, bringing excitement, unrest and unexpected events,

Nepal: Transiting Uranus conjuncts Nepal's magical Piscean Sun in late January, bringing change, excitement and unrest to this normally peaceful Piscean land. Expect the unexpected.

Turkey: April's Solar Eclipse conjuncts Turkey's Chiron - will it bring painful conditions or some form of tragedy?

Lesotho and Belgium: Both have their Sun near October's Solar Eclipse at 10°19' Libra. Not a comfortable moment for the leaders of these countries.

National chart data taken from Nick Campion's excellent Book of World Horoscopes (newly revised)