The Year 2016

For thousands of years, we have observed cycles: Seasons, lunar revolutions, birth and death. This year we are in a cycle where the planet Saturn is in the zodiac sign Sagittarius from 2015 to 2017. This cycle of Saturn in Sagittarius previously occurred in 1927-29; and 1956-58; and lastly in 1986-88.

The planet Saturn represents discipline, structure, form and the law courts. It tangibly defines our world through dimensions and regulations. It shrinks and solidifies.

The zodiac sign Sagittarius expands and spreads out! It has domain over foreign countries; publishing, TV, radio, and social media; universities, colleges and libraries; medical schools; law-making, jurisprudence and finally, philosophy and religion.

This year with the planet Saturn in the sign of Sagittarius, we will see new, practical applications of our beliefs and ideas, especially related to social media, universities, churches and laws governing medical care plus how we deal with foreigners and immigration.

In previous years, when Saturn was in Sagittarius, radio became regulated for the first time through the FCC, which itself, was also just formed as a governing body; the first television license was issued; sound came to film with The Jazz Singer; the Academy Awards began in 1927; regular TV programming began; and Nintendo introduced the Zelda series. Likewise, this year and next, we will see new regulations to broadband technology and the Internet, as well as television and social media.

Because Sagittarius is the sign of "foreign countries", every 30 years when Saturn is in this sign, we experience breakthrough connections between countries. In 1927, we had the first transatlantic telephone call. In that same year, Charles Lindbergh stunned the world by flying nonstop from New York to Paris. In 1928, the first TV station was started; and soon the first television show was beamed from London to New York.

In 2016, scientific inventions, especially in aviation, will shrink the world. Mergers and legislation about broadband media will take place. Meanwhile, every county suffers from xenophobia because everyone is afraid of what is foreign or strange. (Guard against the common mistake of confusing xenophobia with xenofocaccia, which is a bread some people can't chew.)

This year the biggest change will be to our way of viewing foreigners -- no matter what country we live in. The timing is right for everyone to see that we are all more alike than not. We all want to be happy.

Does Your Past Predict Your Future?

This forecast begins with highlights of your past because if what I say about your past rings true, then you can trust what I say about your future.

Life was interesting around 1990 because you were feeling great; and yet, it was a testing time for partnerships and relationships, which is why many of you actually split up then. Fortunately, your earnings got a boost in 1991, which was a good thing because in 1991-92, you had less support from others - less money, less help - something dried up. Nevertheless, you were in a positive frame of mind because by 1993-94, you moved into a bigger and better home. Or something happened to make you feel better about home and family. Home is important to you because at heart, all Cancers are nesters. Around that time, vacations, romance, love affairs and children became a strong focus. By the mid to late 90s, your job scene was looking up and within the next few years, you were stylin'! In fact, around 1997, some of you received an inheritance or practical help through your partner or your family.

By 1998, you travelled or went back to school. This was also the time to explore opportunities in medicine, the law and publishing, which you might have done because approaching the millennium, your reputation was stellar. "Look Ma, no hands!"

This was also when your popularity increased. (Natch, success is sexy.) Many of you joined clubs and groups, while others cemented friendships. Around 2001, you entered a three-year span of letting go of what you had created since the late 80s. This was not easy! You never let go. This is why you have a lot of stuff! Your closets, cupboards and drawers are full, not to mention your garage and your basement. You are practical, mechanical, resourceful and capable, so of course, you think, "I might need this piece of black felt someday." Plus you're a cheapskate. (Did I say just that?) I mean no one can beat you when it comes to getting a bargain. Can you imagine buying a new king-size bed full retail? I rest my handbag. That's why the time from 2001 to 2004 was tough. Not only did you give up people, places, jobs and relationships - you had to high grade what you owned and get rid of what you didn't use. But really, this was less about loss and more about entering a whole new world around 2004 because this is when you began a new 30-year cycle. "Lucy, I'm home!"

By 2005, many of you bought a home or moved into a better living situation. Some also expanded your family through birth, adoption or marriage. You were happier with your home then, and happier dealing with family. By 2007, your job improved, which was good because you were concerned about finances. (You always are.) Relationships and partnerships were blessed in 2008, which might have led to a revolving door of changing jobs and residences. By 2011, you needed to solidify your home base. This was also a time when your reputation looked solid. People respected and admired you.

By late 2013 and 2014, you were happy because lucky Jupiter was in your sign. "Yay me!" Nevertheless, friction at home was hard to avoid, perhaps because of renovations or just general craziness. Many of you increased your earnings in 2015. Finally! But to put a finer point on it, what happened last year was that you had a better chance of actualizing in your life what it was that you truly valued. This might have been money; this might have been something intangible. Last year was also a time where you got a better understanding of how to use your resources and make them work for you and not be a burden. (Oy vey. Life is tough. This money is so heavy!)

Wealth, Career and Reputation

In terms of your career and your job, the next few years are a major test. What you do in this span of time will bear fruit in 2018. However, this year might be discouraging because you might feel that you're working hard and not getting recognition. And indeed, you will work hard this year and next year. In fact, you'll bust your buns! Essentially, your effectiveness as a human being will be tested. Do not be discouraged if you feel overwhelmed with responsibilities and work because you will get recognition in a few years. But in the meantime, you have to put your nose to the grindstone, which when you think about it, is an impossible position to do anything! Older Cancers can relate back to 1986-89, for a similar time when you found life this busy.

Fortunately, lucky Jupiter will nicely offset these challenges. That's because Jupiter will guarantee a happy state of mind in 2016. Yes, it appears you will follow Col. Saito's advice, "Be happy in your work." (Riff of whistling from The Bridge on River Kwai here.) What Jupiter will do is give you the right conditions so that you have a positive state of mind, and an everyday sense of optimism. Yay! This is not to be dismissed. If you think about it, everything begins with a thought. Your car, your clothing, your bed, your kitchen sink, your fridge and the food in your fridge - all of these, in their nascent stage, were someone's thoughts. Somebody decided to build that fridge or sell it or market it or transport it or deliver it. So thoughts are real. In fact, your thoughts create your world. I've mentioned this before but it bears repeating, "From the thought springs the word. From the word springs the deed. The deed soon becomes habit; and habit eventually hardens into character." This is why you have to be aware of your thoughts and keep them positive, optimistic and happy. And this is exactly what will happen for you in 2016 because Jupiter will travel through the part of your chart that affects your thinking, your communications, and your everyday activities.

This also means this is an excellent year for any kind of advanced training in any field of study that interests you, especially something that relates to your work and your everyday tasks. Yes, reading cook books counts.

Meanwhile, those of you in the hospitality industry, the entertainment world, professional sports and any job that relates to children will be strongly focused. Your energy will be high! You will want to prove yourself in these areas, perhaps even competitively. Therefore, it's important to know that even though you will be working hard this year, ironically, life will flow more easily! (Like what's with that?) With relatively little effort, it seems you can go in the direction you want. Yes, this is a contradiction. But it exists. In part, this is because people in power will help you. They will see that you have a positive attitude and are willing to "think big." They will admire your vigour and willingness to work; and they will admire your self-confidence, which you will have in spades.

Thomas Edison said, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." But Arnold Toynbee really hit the nail on the head when he said, "The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play." Yeah, I like that one.

Here are highlights about your year ahead, month by month:

January starts out with a strong focus on partnerships for you. In fact, it would be a good time to initiate professional partnerships. (Find someone who will hire you and pay you lots of money.)

February is a time when you will be involved with inheritances, shared property, taxes, debt, and mortgages. You need to sort this stuff out.

In March, work-related travel is likely. However, you might also learn something by expanding your world that will help your work. You might also explore opportunities in publishing, the media, medicine, the law and higher education.

April is a time of recognition for you because the Sun will be high in your chart casting a flattering light on you. ("Over here! It's me!") Authority figures will think you're hot. This simply means you don't have to do anything extra special to amaze them. Mark this month on your calendar! Obviously, it's a time to make your pitch. Ya think?

In May, you still look good to everyone, which is why your popularity is increasing. Yes, everyone wants to sit at your table and be on your team.

By contrast, June is a time when you will prefer to work alone or behind the scenes. You need to catch your breath and step away from the busyness of your everyday surroundings. "Alone, at last!"

July is all about you because it's your birthday month! Now you are empowered. This is your turn to recharge your batteries for the rest of the year. You will also attract important people and favourable situations to you.

In August, money and earnings become an increasing focus. Quite likely, you will think of ways to boost your income.

September is a busy month with short trips, increased reading and writing plus much to-ing and fro-ing. Just accept this and go with the accelerated pace. Have fun.

In October, although you're working hard, you will want your work space, i.e. your own personal nest, to be everything it can be, especially comfy and pleasant.

The month of November is the perfect time to book off work! Do take a vacation if you can. However, this is also an excellent month for those of you involved in the hospitality world and the entertainment industry.

And finally, in December, you're suddenly keen to be as efficient, effective and productive as possible. "Hut, two, three, four!" This is because you will feel pleased at having given everything your best shot. When you do this, your personal sense of satisfaction is the only reward you need. Well, yeah, money is important, especially if you want to eat and have a bed at night.

Love, Partnerships and Friends

Ooo la la! Zees is za year for loff! Everyone associates Venus with love and romance. And this is true. Mars however, is an energy planet. It's associated with your ego drive and most definitely, your desire urge. Yes, Mars is hot sex! Usually, Mars will be in each sign for about seven weeks every two years. This way it never really gets out of hand. But occasionally, and this year is one of them, Mars lingers. Oh yes, it lingers in one area for months! Hmmmm. And this is exactly what's happening for you in 2016.

For most of this year, Mars is going to "linger" in the part of your chart that is all about romance, love affairs, vacations, parties, social occasions, the arts, sports and everything that is fun and frivolous - and hot sex!. (Be still my beating heart.) Because of where it will be positioned for your sign, Mars will seek out physical love and passion! Yes, we're talking twanging bed springs, swinging chandeliers and banging headboards. But to be more specific, what Mars will really do is cause you to be playful in a supportive way in 2016. You will seek out amusement not only for fun, but also as a form of your own self-expression. "I laugh, therefore, I am!" Because your passionate desires will be stronger than usual, you will know what you want and you will try to get it. ("Care to see my stamp collection? They're all imperforated.") Physical lovemaking will be more direct and down to earth versus the soft music and candlelight dinner thang.

Meanwhile, twice every 12 years, Jupiter has a special relationship to your sign. This year is one of them. It means that you are happy, positive minded, and that things seem to flow quite easily, even if you're not sure why. This particular Jupiter quality will help you to advance whatever you are interested in. Well, we know what you're interested in this year, don't we? Fun! Pleasure! Romance! Vacations! A wonderful hotel room that's on someone else's tab! Don't laugh because these things are entirely possible for you in 2016, even the part that is favourable about financial transactions.

You will find it easy to be generous and tolerant of others. You will be less judgmental and more forgiving. Your kids will never fight and always do their homework and nothing in your fridge will sour. Yes, we're talking that kind of power. To be sure, you're working hard - no getting around that. But you will also play hard, especially in a flirtatious, evocative way. In part, this is because romance will be an opportunity for you to express yourself with style. Style, baby, style! Furthermore, you will feel that this is how you demonstrate your confidence. You will be more inclined to dress in a way that shows you are sexually savvy. ("Look, I'm wearing shoes!") Of course, you won't be overt - Cancer is never overt. You prefer to entice and attract.

One final note: Because you will tend to "think big" this year - and you will - you will also more likely have the courage to make a bid for someone you might normally be too shy to approach. Now you feel you're a decent contender. Yeah, you're a force to be reckoned with -- pulsating with flirtatious energy!

Home and Family

You are naturally interested in what might affect your home and family in 2016 because as I said earlier, Cancers are nesters. Your home is your haven, your refuge, and it is also where you nurture your loved ones. This is why most Cancers are in charge of the kitchen even if someone else is cooking. You're going to run the scene and make sure everyone is fed.

In 2016, you will have your happy face on. It will just happen without any effort on your part because of the placement of Jupiter this particular year. Remember: This lovely influence only comes along once every 12 years! Therefore, make the most of it. Enjoy warm family relations, especially with siblings and relatives. You will also feel positive about life because for some reason, it seems to be unfolding more easily than usual. In addition, fiery Mars will energize your drive and willingness for fun and pleasure. All of these qualities will obviously promote good feelings on the home front, as well as good relations with your loved ones.

In September, your focus on home and family will grow even more so. From then on, you will want to expand your home or renovate or possibly, even move into a larger home. If so, (and note, this is from September onward) this is a good time to explore real-estate opportunities because whatever you do will benefit you down the road. Late in the year and into next year, family members will be generous and kind to each other. Actually, none of this is surprising because it all starts out with a positive frame of mind - that's the key to success.

Here's a quick look at the highlights of 2016 and how they impact your personal life on a monthly basis:

In January, you will have a strong focus on partners and spouses. But more than that, you will have an opportunity to study your style of relating to others, which means this is a chance for you to improve your relationships.

February is a time where you might sit down with family members to discuss the division of labour, how to share expenses and also how to approach anything where it is obvious that you have a clash of basic values.

In March, you might travel with a family member. Or you might decide to take a course, ethnic cooking, photography or basic mechanics because you want to learn something and expand your world. (Although, actually, those are all things you know.)

April is a lovely month because relations with parents will improve simply because relations with all authority figures will improve this month. (That's because it looks like you can do no wrong.)

May is a good time to share your hopes and dreams for the future with others. Furthermore, their feedback might help you.

No doubt, you will want to cocoon at home in June, simply because it feels good. Where's my blue blankey?

July will be a strong month because it's your birthday month! Use this energy to script and mold your personal life in the direction that you want it to go.

In August, you will spend more money on major purchases for your home ("I got it 70% off!") or for a family member because your cash flow is hemorrhaging.

The month of September will be fast paced and busy. In particular, you will want to spend more time with siblings and relatives, talking a lot and playing verbal games.

Once again, you might want to cocoon in October because you need to catch your breath. (After all, this is a sexually passionate year for you.)

November is a playful time where you will derive much joy from children. November is also an excellent time for a vacation with your family.

December is a busy month for you because you're cooking more than usual and focusing on family festivities. That's why you have this desire to get organized and be on top of your scene. Which, of course you will do.

A Sneak Peek Beyond

It's always fun and exciting to peek into the future. The year 2017 will be one of the best years for you to pursue real-estate opportunities. If you don't buy or invest, you might rent something larger. And at the very least, you will do something to make where you live feel good. Family relationships will be warmer as well.

The year 2018 is great for vacations, the arts and the entertainment world. You might also expand your family then. However, partnerships might be crunchy both this year and next. Ironically, one of the reasons that your close partnerships might be crunchy is that you are starting to be successful in the external world because your efforts of the previous two years are now paying off. Possibly, this newfound success, plus your increased focus on your external world, will create stress to an existing relationship.

Fortunately, by 2020, whatever stress there was to your partnerships is reduced. In fact, this is an excellent year to get married! (Go figure.) The year 2022 offers lots of travel opportunities and a chance to expand your world. By 2023, you can put your name up in lights; nevertheless, you are now starting to work for a career peak that occurs in 2025-26. Well done!

Your Cancer Mantra for 2016

"Positive thoughts will bring me positive results."

Mercury Retrograde in 2016

Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things, not begin them. These are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones.

Dates below are actual retrograde dates and buffer dates. Why? Mercury slows down before it goes retrograde and then it needs to catch up to where it was at when it first went retrograde. Use buffer times to avoid big purchases like cars.

Actual Mercury Retrograde Dates	Buffered Dates (I use this one)
January 5 - January 25	January 1 - February 14
April 28 - May 22	April 19 - June 8
August 30 - September 22	August 18 - October 6
December 19 - January 8	December 11 - January 28

Lucky Days for 2016

• January 21, 22
• February 17, 18, 19
• March 16, 17
• April 12, 13
• May 9, 10, 11
• June 6, 7
• July 3, 4, 31
• August 1, 27, 28
• September 23, 24
• October 20, 21, 22
• November 17, 18
• December 14, 15