Jonathan Swift

in Thoughts on Various Subjects,Moral and Diverting

Perhaps it is bad form to borrow heavily from the classics of great literature, then again, it is too easily done.

ItÍs a New Year: people, places and events ought to start off with a smooth beginning. The problems occur when pesky µ Mercury goes Retrograde on the 25th, compounding a Ê Martian Retrograde which starts on the 2nd. Aries: your world view is getting better, if the events of the last few months havenÍt shaken you up too much. ItÍs all a matter of just holding on until events tone themselves down. With Ê Mars in retrograde, it would be good time to slow down and assess your career choices. Especially now.

Taurus: the future holds nothing but tender, romantic notions for the next month or so, as you look at the world with nothing but rose colored glasses. Confrontation, not your strongest area, is best put off until a later date. There is a good, if not great, chance that you can move ahead at work. The promotion or advancement and recognition which you need is coming soon. Get ready for being acknowledged!

Gemini: change, change, change, do not be afraid of change as multiple opportunities present themselves. This is threeÜfold attack because you will, more than likely, feel great changes in several areas: one (1) being how you relate to your immediate family, two (2) being how you relate to your romantic partner (or a new partner if there are none), and three (3) being the wonderful world of work and career, i.e., look for a substantial increase in your work load.

Cancer: the problem with being a Cancer is that you should be advancing at work; however, you will find that you have hit some unexpected delays. Watch your driving because you wouldnÍt want to scratch the paint on your new car, now would you? And, in case you worried about it, you will get a life this year. Look forward to a better working environment, too.

Leo: remember at ten or twelve years ago, when everything got bad? Well, your time has finally come! Everything that went bad at that point is going to go much better at this point, almost like it is much over due. The one little obstacle you face right now is a retrograde Ê Mars. That means the new year will start off with a fizzle for you, rather than a bang. But shoulder on like the good solider you are „ thereÍs a party at the end of the tunnel. Virgo: work is about all you will be able to talk about for a while because itÍs about all you will find that you have time for. Work, work, work, with no time left to play. Consider arranging your schedule to find a little more leisure time in it „ you know the old saying about all work and no play... and youÍre really not the dull type.

Libra: while everyone else is feeling a stalled beginning to the new year, you should be moving along by leaps and bounds. Your innate ability to perceive and judge art, beauty, and all the nice things should be accentuated this month, almost as if you were supercharged. Try looking for some unusual sources for inspiration, too, as you world experiences some shock. With Ê Mars starting the year out with a backward spiral through å Leo, you can expect to have some of your plans thwarted or delayed, but not in an irreconcilable way, just be wary of timely upsets to your established patterns.

Scorpio: even if it is only for a short while, the ø Pluto pressure is off, and it would seem that every other sign is feeling a slow down associated with the beginning of the year. But not you! Work should go ever so much more smoothly now. Look for less waves in the romance area, too, as the planets tell about a calming effect on volatile Scorpio.

Sagittarius: the good news is that none of the trauma associated with retrograde planets is going to affect you, that means, once you get over your New Year celebration, things are moving along. Now for the less than wonderful news: work continues to demand a lot of your time, far too much time. In other words, the real world of work is going to intrude on your peaceful existence. And say ñhelloî to ø Pluto, the ruler of the underworld.

Capricorn: what starts out as a year full of foreboding and sand castles in the air rapidly falls apart as dreams and dreaming are confronted with reality. From your 5 star line up at the beginning of the year, you move into a more tranquil time as other signs seem to experience difficulty. Not to worry, though, as you will continue to be besieged by niggling little problems, especially with electrical devices.

Aquarius: watch out as µ Mercury begins and ends his little three week retrograde in your sign. Your thinking couldnÍt be more clear now, but your ability to communicate this thought process might be hindered. Try graffiti as a new art medium.

Pisces: see Virgo for some related information, and get ready to clear the way for a great new year as work continues to present itself in the form of great money Ü making opportunities. Watch for some romantic involvementÍs, too, as you get ready for the new year„