Georgia Nicols' Aquarius Forecast for 2010

"To you I'm an atheist; to God, I'm the Loyal Opposition."

Woody Allen

2010: A time of Testing for Civil Liberties

This year, three changes in the heavens portend a conflict in society. We're talking about Pluto, Uranus, and Saturn. Roughly at this time, all three are making a shift from one sign to another.

Pluto takes 250 years to go through all 12 signs. (Yikes!) Pluto represents the impulse to tear things down to make them better: refinish furniture, renovate a house, destroy a nation to rebuild it.

(Sidebar: I don't believe the planets are actually causal. How could they be? But it's easier to speak as if they are. To me, astrology is a patterning of knowledge, a language for us to "read." The planets simply yield information about what is happening: as above, so below.)

Pluto rules nations. And right now, for the first time in 250 years, Pluto is at the beginning of its journey though Capricorn, the sign that rules governments. The last time it was in Capricorn was from 1763 to 1778 when the American Revolution culminated in the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Now Pluto is back in Capricorn. Specifically, it returned in November 2008, when the election of the first black president of the United States stunned the world.

Uranus represents a "pushing boundaries" drive for freedom. The last time Pluto in Capricorn occurred at the same time as Uranus was in Aries, was 1760-1767. (That was when the battle that brought Canada under British rule happened.)

Meanwhile, here come de judge! Every 30 years, Saturn has a two-year stint in Libra. Saturn rules the courts, and Libra rules the law. The last time Saturn was in Libra was 1980-83, a time of economic recession and inflation.

So here we are.

Capricorn's desire for efficiency and order will encourage laws that restrict the freedom of the individual so that governments can efficiently deal with the masses. (Its impulse will be to install a computer chip with ID and a GPS in the heel of every newborn.) "Then we know who everyone is, and where they are!" Naturally, this flies in the face of Uranus' drive for individual freedom.

In the coming decade, struggles will ensue. Pluto in Capricorn will try to get everyone so tidily organized, we're rank-and-file. Meanwhile, revolutionary impulses will fight conservative values that threaten individual civil liberties, and Saturn in Libra will weigh the "fairness" of each case.

There is a move to world order.

(I'm going to clean my bedroom closet.)

Hello 2010!

The late '80s and early '90s were a pivotal time when you were morphing from one world into another. By 1991-92, you were off in a new direction, which resulted in a "new you" by the turn of the millennium. ("Everything except my shoe size has changed!") Fortunately, last year, lucky Jupiter was in your sign giving you a tremendous boost of confidence. You view life with more strength and gusto than you did in 2008. In fact, this beneficial influence is still at play this year. Nevertheless, life hasn't been exactly a picnic in every area. But 2010 is the year when things start to look up! Actually, since your sign rules the heavens - astronomy, astrology, aviation, rocket technology - "looking up" is easy for you.

(Did you ever wonder why the early pioneers didn't make the cities closer to the airports?)

Your Illustrious Job and Reputation

In the mid to late '90s, many of you changed jobs. And in the next three years, you worked hard. ("Can I keep up this insane pace?") Fortunately, by around 2005, you got recognition for your efforts. And in the years immediately following that, you stepped up to the plate and made others sit up and take notice of you. ("Is that you, Izzy?") Last year, was fortunate because lucky Jupiter was in your sign. Yay! Primarily, this boosted your confidence and poise, and attracted people and opportunities to you. What you did with that was up to you. (There's that "up" word again.) This year (and next) marks the beginning of an exciting time where you're preparing for something big, something even better! This time of preparation might include schooling, further training, or travel. The point is you're getting performance-ready. What you're getting ready for is a powerful career peak that starts around 2013. Consider 2010 your preparation stage for the whole enchilada. ("What does one wear to a soft opening?")

Money - The Second Most Important Thing

Money! This is where Aquarians get the good news this year! A planetary transit to boost your finances that occurred in 1998-99 is back! The main difference is in 1998-99, your life was in a state of flux. It was hard for you to make the best use of this advantage. Too many other things on your plate. This year (and next) is a powerful time where your professional influence, and your influence in the community, is getting stronger. You're approaching a time of harvest in about three years. Because you're on the rise, this opportunity to boost your income can easily be used. Many of you will be laughing all the way to the bank! This is also an excellent time to explore entrepreneurial opportunities, how to make money on the side, or work on your own. (Of course, money doesn't grow on trees - you have to be the bushes for it.)

Heartthrob Moments

Each year, every sign wins a little and loses a little. There's no question that you are the big money earner of all the 12 signs in 2010-11. Take this opportunity and run.

Partnerships are another matter. An unusual phenomenon with Mars is taking place. Mars visits one sign every two years for about six weeks. Through a celestial fluke, Mars is opposite your sign for eight months! Gulp. Because Mars is an aggressive planet (if rules war) this creates tension with partners and close friends. It's easy to feel annoyed with others. Mars is also competitive, which means nobody wants to compromise. This tension will apply to personal partnerships as well as professional partnerships.

The upside of this challenge, and there is an upside (and there's "up" again), is that Mars makes you more gutsy about defending your own self-interests. Too often, you let things slide in a relationship and don't air your complaints. This year repressed grievances will be revealed! ("Hey! What's with the messy sink after you shave?"

Obviously, patience and diplomacy will be required. Try to avoid unnecessary conflicts. And remember that money is always a handy lubricant when things get sticky.

Home Suite Home

Between 1996-2001, you put out energy to secure your home base. In 2000 to 2001, you had a chance to move to larger quarters or feel richer about your home environment. Some expanded family then as well.

For the last few years, money and support from other sources has diminished, possibly because your partner changed jobs or was out of work. Something threw you back on your own resources. In addition, the last few years created stress dealing with other people's property, and handling whatever was jointly owned. When this happens, you're confronted with the values of others, which often differ from yours. Oy vey. As of 2010, this will diminish!

This year will totally solve most of your problems related to shared property and dealing with the possessions of others. The big thing you'll learn now is how to best use your own resources. You'll enjoy treating yourself and family members. You might make your home so attractive your social status increases. Essentially, you are learning how to make your life run smoothly with what you have. You're learning to manage your wealth! There's an old proverb: "With money in your pocket, you are wise, you are handsome, and you sing well, too!"

Your Inner Wah

Your relationship with money and possessions has been changing. (You've noticed?) Whatever changes that are taking place will slowly give you greater freedom in life and for some reason - get this - they'll also make you feel younger! In fact, your attitude to owning things has been revolutionary for the last few years, hasn't it? You are striving to be free and unencumbered by what you own. You can still own your stuff but your stuff no longer owns you.

My Aquarius Mantra for 2010

I like making more money and having things. It works for me!

Mercury Retrograde in 2010

These are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones. Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things, not begin them. [Please note: the dates below are the actual dates of the direction that Mercury is moving (relative to planet Earth). However, Mercury slows down before it actually goes retrograde and, likewise, it takes a while to get back up to speed afterwards as well. Therefore, my warnings in my columns will always allow for these buffer times on either side of these dates.]

April 17 - May 11
Aug. 20 - Sept. 12
Dec. 10 - Dec. 29

Lucky Days for Aquarius in 2010

The days below are perfect times to go after what you want, whether it's a date, a major financial decision, or a job. Make note of these dates and use them to your advantage. These are the days when the gods are with you.

Jan. 15, 16, 17
Feb. 11, 12, 13
March 11, 12
April 6, 7, 8
May 4, 5, 6
June 28, 29, 30
July 25, 26, 27
Aug. 22, 23
Sept. 18, 19, 20
Oct. 16, 17
Nov. 12, 13
Dec. 9, 10, 11

Who Shares Your Birthday?

January

20	Daniel Cudmore 1981
21	Paul Allen 1953
22	U Thant 1909
23	Rutger Hauer 1944
24	Shae-Lynn Bourne 1976
25	Mia Kirshner 1975
26	Cameron Bright 1993
27	Mordecai Richler 1931
28	Colette 1873
29	Adam Lambert 1982
30	Stephen Leacock 1869
31	Justin Timberlake 1981

February

1	Rachelle Lefevre 1979
2	Shakira 1977
3	Stephen McHattie 1947
4	Michael Riley 1962
5	Don Cherry 1934
6	Kate McGarrigle 1946
7	Steve Nash 1974
8	James Dean 1931
9	Ziyi Zhang 1979
10	Natasha St-Pier 1981
11	Kelly Rowland 1981
12	Meghan Agosta 1987
13	William B. Davis 1938
14	Enrico Colantoni 1963
15	12th Tai Situpa 1954
16	Sarah Clarke 1972
17	Loreena McKennitt 1957
18	John Travolta 1954