Your future revealed...
World-renowned astrologer Shelley von Strunckel writes about what the stars have in store for 2008.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19)
As you begin the year, Aries, the odds are good you'll already be in the midst of reviewing elements of your life, your domestic set up, your activities out in the world and your goals. This process continues throughout the year.
In fact, if there's anything uncharacteristic about 2008 it's that you, who usually move both swiftly and decisively in response to developments of any kind, will find that whatever it is you're facing, you won't simply be able to make a single decision, but that is will be the first of a series, each of which will involve alterations in some form.
Once you understand that, then instead of focusing on committing to one line of action and then doing something about it, you'll view each decision as a bit of an experiment.
You'll be reviewing the structure of your life and your own perspective as well. This is particularly the case from the beginning of the year, when your own ruling planet, Mars, is positioned in the inquisitive Gemini, and the part of your chart that has to do with how you think about your world. You'll become aware of the degree to which your ideas influence how you interpret events and approach challenges.
Then, on March 4, Mars moves to accent how you live and work, and from that point until early May, there'll be serious discussion of where and how changes can be made. Yet, here, again, this will be much more about review and about considering your options than it is about settling on any one plan.
This is further accented by this year's eclipses, which take place in February and August, and encourage you to examine creating and maintaining a balance between work or on-going obligations and the rest of your life.
While you enjoy having a good time, sometimes you become so obsessed about what you're doing, whatever the nature of those activities — work, childrearing or creative pursuits — that you neglect other areas of your life, or even those individuals you care about most or the activities or hobbies that give you a boost.
Because these eclipses shake things up, your attention will be called to any imbalances. Better yet, this will get you thinking about ways to correct those imbalances.
Normally you'd deal with such things swiftly, wasting no time tackling these matters. But during 2008, you'll find that you can't settle on any one plan right away. This is partly because of changes in circumstance that are beyond your control. Ordinarily, this might make you feel uneasy.
But you'll swiftly recognise that because the world around you is in transition, you will, inevitably, have to take a different approach to some things or even alter certain habits.
Many of the changes will be triggered by the presence of the powerful planet of truth and transformation, Pluto, in the crucial midheaven angle of your chart. It moves there in late January, on the 26th, departing again in mid-June, and then returning, for a much lengthier stay, at the end of the year. Because Pluto influences everybody's life, you won't be alone in experiencing the need to make changes.
The circumstances and, ultimately, the priorities of those around you will also shift as a result of this cycle. This means that decisions will have to be a joint effort. Whether it's your personal life, friendships or your activities out in the world, you'll need to work closely with others to adjust to the changes triggered by Pluto's move into Capricorn.
With the practical Saturn accenting the way you work, live, look after yourself, as well as your daily routine, you'll be forced to reconsider your priorities and think about whether you're handling things wisely or improvements could be made.
Sudden changes in circumstance could force you to rearrange things. While this may seem a nuisance, but ultimately, the time and effort you invest in making such changes will prove more than worth your while.
What may be the most important day of the year, however, comes at nearly its close, which is the encounter between your own ruling planet, Mars, and the powerful planet of truth and transformation, Pluto, on December 28, with both newly arrived in Capricorn, the sign of order and achievement.
This indicates changes — sudden changes — in the world around you. Even if you've already been aware of the potential for developments of this nature, their intensity and the pace at which things are taking place will surprise you. These won't just influence you, but will reshape the world around you, as well.
What you've learned, faced and dealt with during 2008 will contribute both to the experience and the wisdom necessary to deal with these, and to make whatever potentially life-changing decisions you must. In fact, not only will you be prepared to make the best of what's taken place, but they could enable you to transform elements of your life that you thought would, quite simply, never change.
