The Astrology of 2010 - A brand new world

This is a 21/3 year and marks the end of a cycle. It's about coming through dark and testing times and brings an expansive, accepting energy.

Early in the year the pace will be slow, perhaps even frustrating at times, particularly until Mercury in chilly Capricorn turns direct on the 15th January. It could feel like we are being put through the mill with the austere square between Saturn and Pluto forcing us to confront aspects of ourselves and clear the space for the new. With Pluto travelling through Capricorn for many years to come there is an inevitable and necessary re-structuring to be carried out in government, banks and business and we need to trust the process while still listening to our own instincts. It's important not to allow ourselves to get dispirited at this point as there is dramatic change to come.

Jupiter's move into Pisces on the 18th January brings a softening, a healing energy that helps to reduce the harshness or trapped feeling that we may have been experiencing. The middle to the end of February brings special times and heartfelt experiences as first Venus and then the Sun meet Jupiter in the romantic, healing sign of Pisces. Once Mars in outgoing Leo turns direct on the 10th March we will feel more empowered and opportunities for creative expression can be developed.

Perhaps the first inkling of just how dramatic the changes can be is when Uranus bursts into fiery Aries on the 28th May. With the most revolutionary outer planet moving from the end of the zodiac to embark on the new this epitomises the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. Jupiter enters Aries soon after on the 6th June giving this transition a positive boost and together these planets form an exciting and dynamic duo. These planets dance in tandem over the summer, making this a time of heightened energy and dramatic events. In addition Pluto squares this combination fairly closely over the summer bringing transformation and evolutionary energy.

With its tense squares and oppositions involving the cardinal signs this time represents a real turning point and begins the countdown to 2012. There's a feeling of revolution against the old guard and stuck patterns of resistance and the conflict could get quite heated at times. With Saturn in Libra now instead of Virgo perhaps we can make more progress now in terms of negotiation and political agreement instead of falling into the trap of criticism or blame.

It's a time to follow our hearts, gather our courage and stand up for what we believe in. It's an extraordinary and exciting time and we are in the process of forging a brand new world.

The Astrology of 2009 - Year of Wonder

It's becoming clear that 2009 is going to be an extraordinary and even promising year. It can be thought of as a 29/11 year, a year of mastery and particularly significant for those people who have a 29/11 birth date (Barack Obama being one of these). At last the 29/11 people can put their sensitivity and seriousness of purpose to good use, sharing their gifts with the world.

Pluto is now firmly anchored in Capricorn, bringing fundamental change in structures of all kinds together with a focus on integrity and responsibility. The seriousness of purpose, restraint and realism of the Presidential Inauguration and Barack Obama's speech reflects this energy.

Organisations and businesses that are not based on a solid foundation can no longer continue in the same way. It is no good just making superficial changes, as the transformation needs to go right to the very core.

While the global financial situation could understandably put us into survival mode, there are other pressing issues to address however. We need to focus on our carbon footprint, reduce our energy usage and create a more sustainable way of living for the sake of future generations. We do have the power.

Saturn continues to journey through Virgo for most of the year, pointing to the need to simplify our lives, purify and release baggage. It can also bring a tendency to criticise and cast blame, although other placements balance out this tendency to some extent.

We are developing more discrimination so that we are more able to make choices that reflect our highest good. This works on all levels from choosing therapists, friends, partners and business associates through to electing politicians who have a high level of integrity, vision and sense of service.

The first opposition between Saturn and Uranus becomes exact on the 5th February and continues its influence throughout the year, making this a year where the old guard is forced to embrace the revolutionary and unpredictable energies of Uranus in oceanic Pisces. This is about confronting illusions and breaking patterns, a cosmic wake-up call if we haven't heard it already!

With the two heavyweight planets, Saturn and Pluto, being in earth signs there is a strong focus on realism but also humility, which literally means `close to the earth'. This is a quality that Barack Obama is keen to emphasise.

Neptune and Chiron dance in tandem throughout the year in Aquarius. This is a time of unity and inclusion, presenting an opportunity to heal divisions and separation - even if this is simply about agreeing to differ.

Jupiter also moved into Aquarius on the 5th January, lifting the energy and bringing light and hope. It remains there all year, so very much characterises the year ahead. Freedom, unity and connection are all themes of this upbeat placement.

From April all three - Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron - begin to travel along together in Aquarius hovering within orb of each other for the rest of the year, providing an unprecedented opportunity for global action and unity. There is a magical quality to this combination that could bring some surprising and wonderful developments - Aquarius is after all the sign of the magician.

The balloon is bursting, but now we can focus on our hearts and higher selves so that we can do what is most essential - create a sustainable way of living and loving that can be handed on to future generations.