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.

We both know you are the traveller of the zodiac - hands down! You get restless if you haven't been on a plane in six months. Looking back, it is clear that around 1991-92, you had lots of chances to travel. In addition, many of you explored opportunities in publishing, the law, medicine, higher education and the media. Something worked nicely for you because in 1992-93, you were looking good! In fact, it was fortunate that you look so good at this time because you were sailing through job changes and residential moves. By 1994, you were determined to set down roots to establish a solid home. All of you would have done something to repair or secure a home base for yourself and your loved ones.

The year 1995 was sweet because your ruler, lucky Jupiter was back in your sign! When Jupiter is in your sign, this is a favourable condition for anyone and it occurs about three, maybe four times in your adult life. (The next time it occurred was in 2006-07, and after that it will return in 2019, and again in 2031.) When this happens, it signals a new 12-year cycle of growth and development. It also means that the actual year it occurs brings you auspicious opportunities coupled with an increase in "get-up-and-go". You used this time well because by 1996, your earnings got a boost and by 1998, many of you had a chance to benefit from real-estate deals. At the very least, you improved your home scene.

As you approached the millennium, wonderful opportunities for romance, love affairs and vacations were thrilling. In 2000, you had chances to improve your job, and your health. By 2002, you benefited from others, perhaps through an inheritance or indirectly through the wealth of your partner. However, this was also a time when relationships were challenging! This could be why some of you hit the road again in 2003.

In 2004, once again, you had a chance to impress others and make a name for yourself. Unfortunately, you had to do this all on your own because the resources of others were cut off to you in 2004-05. But you would see like this as a challenge. You hate routine. You are the only sign who would drive up to your burning home, and of course, be as horrified as anyone else at the thought of losing everything - but in the back recesses of your mind, a little tiny voice is excited saying, "What's next?"

In 2007, when lucky Jupiter returned to your sign, things looked better! In the next few years, many of you achieved a cherished dream. (In 2009-2011). The year 2010 was excellent for real-estate deals and efforts to improve your home because whatever you did would be ultimately profitable in the future. The following year, you had thrilling times with vacations, parties, playful times with children and yes - romance! However, the real turning point for you began around 2013 when you entered a two-year window which involved dismantling much of what you would created since 2001. You knew that you had to give up people, places and possessions in order to move forward on a new path that began last year. This journey was so new and different many of you have changed your daily wardrobe. One thing is certain, by 2023, you will look back at last year and be amazed at the transformation because right now, you are in the middle of reinventing the new you. Oh yeah. I'll bet money that the new you will include a place for your animals and more time to travel.

And yet again, last year you were travelling! I'm with Rita Rudner: "Do those little drop-down oxygen masks really work or are they just there to muffle the screams? Seriously, if God wanted us to fly he would have given us tickets.

Wealth, Career and Reputation

It's important for you to know that this is a special time for you. It is special for two reasons: The first is that Saturn is now in your sign for the first time since 1986-88. This is major! It will not happen again until 2045. (No, this is not the Twilight Zone or an old episode of Star Trek.) Because Saturn just entered your sign last year, this indicates that you are at the beginning a new 30-year journey, wherein you will reinvent yourself in the next seven years. This means that everything that happens in the next few years is powerful because it is part of a process that redefines you. This means everything! Your appearance, your values, your style of relating to others and even how you talk, think and listen. Pretty heady stuff! Most of you are aware that you are on this new track because since 2012, you have been downsizing and streamlining your life, saying goodbye to many things. Although you might have thought that was a time of loss - it wasn't. Not really. It was actually a time of preparation so that you can get rid of what was no longer relevant in your life and be free to begin this journey.

Basically, about 14-15 years ago, life was tough and you were discouraged. That was just after the turn of the millennium. Some of you made new beginnings then as well, and now you can see what worked and what didn't work.

Traditionally, this is a time when astrologers would advise you not to take on something new and not to spread yourself too thin. (Use real butter.) That's because you have your hands full already coping with the beginning of your new world - and the beginning of this process of finding out who you are and what you want to do. However, the year 2016 is curious because there is a major second factor at play, and that is the fact that your ruler Jupiter happens to be at the very top of your chart this year. This happens only once every 12 years. And when it does - it means it's your turn to put your name up in lights! It means you will get a promotion or acknowledgement or kudos of some kind of recognition for your talents and efforts. As you can see, these are two conflicting influences.

In astrology, when two conflicting influences occur, one does not cancel the other out. It's not like a food recipe where more honey will soften the sour taste of the lemon. In astrology, both influences will actually manifest, sometimes at the same time, and sometimes sequentially. "Now you see me, now you don't."

The classic interpretation of these two influences would be that you would begin an entirely new job or live in an entirely new place, so different that your daily wardrobe changes. You're also meeting new people and experiencing new events, and yet at the same time, this is because you have been successful - and this is your pay off. Furthermore, you love this new situation so much, it literally grows on you and by 2023, your life is transformed - and you are the new you! That's one interpretation. One thing is certain - your responsibilities will continue to be heavy even though your accomplishments are great. Your main challenge will be to handle an impulse to be introverted and private, and yet, at the same time, a different impulse that puts you out there flying your colours! As this unfolds for you this year, you will feel this constantly changing dynamic.

A word to the wise: The planet Mars, which is usually in one sign every two years for about seven weeks, is hovering in one part of your chart for eight months in 2016! Specifically, it's in a hidden part of your chart. Now Mars is simply energy. That's all. Lots of energy! Because it's occurring in a hidden part of your chart, it means that it might be hard for you to get credit for what you do. In turn, this can make you vaguely irritable. But this might also stir up old behaviour patterns and feelings that you thought were history. (But they're not.) Because these latent fears and insecurities are activated, you will be more and more aware of little self-defeating acts that you do. Little ways that you shoot yourself in the foot. When you feel these moments of frustration, do not confront others. Instead, confront yourself because that is the source of what is bothering you. In a more overt example, some of you will in fact, encounter "hidden enemies." These are people working behind the scenes to block your ambitions. But if you think about it, your own self-defeating behaviour is also a "hidden enemy."

Let's take a look at the year ahead month by month:

This year begins with a strong focus on money, cash flow and earnings in January. Take note: January is an excellent time to buy wardrobe items for you. You won't regret it.

February is a busy month and your daily pace will accelerate. Expect a jam-packed schedule full of short trips, errands, conversations with others plus increased study, reading and writing.

The month of March is all about home, family and your private life. Home repairs are likely along with discussions. Remember that lucky Jupiter is still at the top of your chart making you look good. This is why family members will listen to you.

April is a month of fun, flirtations, romantic getaways, vacations, the arts, the theatre, musical performances, sports events and playful activities with children. You want the freedom to be yourself and to have fun. And you will!

As if to make up for lost time, May is all about duty, obligation and being as efficient and productive as possible. However, a work-related romance is also possible. (You devil.)

In the month of June, the Sun will be opposite your sign, which means it is as far away from you as it can get all year. Since the Sun is your source of energy, this means you will be tired more easily. You will need more rest. Nevertheless, relationships look good.

Your reputation is still stellar in July, which will help you in discussions about inheritances, shared property, mortgages and loans. This is also a hot, sexy month! Make note of this!

It will please you to know that travel opportunities will abound in August. Not only will you travel for work, you will also travel for pleasure. And why not, with lucky Jupiter still at the top of your chart signalling to the world that you are good at what you do - you can't lose!

The proof is in the pudding in September when the Sun is at high noon in your chart, shining a flattering light on you for the entire month. This makes people think you are God. Now is the time to rally your troops and set them marching. Make your pitch to The Man or The Woman.

October is not only a popular month for you; it ushers in an entire year where your popularity will increase. Everyone loves you and wants to be on your team.

In November, it's a good time to buy wardrobe goodies once again. But this is also a good time to lie in the weeds and privately strategize what you want your new year to be about.

In December, you break forth in all your glory because this is your hour. Important people and favourable circumstances will be attracted to you. Use all this positive energy and increased popularity to your advantage.

Love, Partnerships and Friends

For the only time in your life, you are currently undergoing the unusual experience of having the planet Uranus travel through the part of your chart that pertains to romance and love affairs. Depending on when you were born, this journey started approximately in 2011 and it will finish in 2018. Uranus is a planet associated with the unpredictable. It is full of surprises. However, its underlying characteristic is independence and experimentation. It challenges anything that is rigid and destructive to freedom.

Actually, this journey is a very exciting time in your life because it means that you will do anything to strike a blow for freedom, especially creative freedom and your right to express yourself, in personal or sexual terms. This is why a new relationship that begins at this time will be unusual, experimental and perhaps not long-lasting or stable. But it will be exciting! And it will have elements that are mind blowing and take you to places you have never been before. Oh yeah.

Three different planetary placements will influence your love life this year. One of them is the unusual placement of Mars for the first eight months of the year, which indicates hidden activity, and traditionally - hidden love affairs. Naturally, not all Sagittarians are going to have hidden love affairs for the first eight months of 2016 - but a surprising number of them will!

The second planetary influence is the fact that you have just gone through a window of time since 2012 of giving up things - saying goodbye to people, partnerships, relationships, jobs, places and even countries. The purpose of this is to allow you to begin an entirely new journey that started last year, in 2015. This means you are on entirely new turf. It's a whole new ballgame. Combine the fact that you are in a new fresh situation where you are going to redefine yourself, with the planetary influence of Uranus, which wants you have the courage to explore whatever appeals. Now we see an unusual combination that can mean anything! Some of you might experiment sexually in ways that later in life, you look back, thinking, "Oh my God, was that a hairy ride!" Others might find that they feel freer to be who they really are because this is a liberating situation.

The third planetary influence is the fact that Jupiter is at the top of your chart making you ambitious to get ahead. It shines a light on you and makes you look successful to your peers. Well, success is sexy - no doubt about it. Therefore, this increased confidence and success, combined with your entirely new world, with the added influence of Uranus making you experiment and go for the brass ring and do whatever you want - this is pretty heady stuff! How you handle this is your business. But for sure, this year, many Sagittarians will experience unusual, unorthodox, exciting romantic relationships - relationships they never thought they would have. They might even do what their fellow Sagittarian, Woody Allen did, "I sold my memoirs of my love life to Parker Brothers and they are going to make a game out of it."

Home and Family

One of the main influences on your home and family life is the fact that you have just set off on an entirely new path. (This began either last year or it will begin this year.) As such, this could mean a change of residence (or a recent change). It might even mean you are in a new country, which is not unusual considering that you are the most well-traveled sign in the zodiac. In addition, the fact that you are on the first leg of a journey wherein you will reinvent yourself, this affects your relations with family members.

The single planetary influence that directly affects home and family for your sign is Neptune - and this will be a long-term influence. Neptune, the planet of hopes and dreams, idealism and illusion is travelling through the part of your chart that pertains to home and family. And it will stay there until 2026, so this is a very long influence - and a subtle one. It will certainly make you strive to have your ideal "dream home" - no question. But because Neptune is such a nebulous influence, it can also mean that your home is a source of confusion and misunderstandings. Communications with parents might be difficult and you might also have to deal with a family member's secrets or drug or alcohol problems.

A quick look at the highlights in the year ahead on a monthly basis will shed some light on your home scene:

In January, because money and cash flow are on your mind, you might shop for your home and make major purchases. With Venus in your sign, this month, you will entertain more.

February is a busy month with short trips and a strong focus on siblings, relatives and neighbours.

In the month of March, you will turn your attention to home, family and domestic matters. Home repairs are likely. Family discussions are in the picture. Fortunately, you are diplomatic and charming this month. (You are always breezy and friendly when you want to be.)

April is the perfect time for a family vacation. Make plans for this if you can.

In May, it will please you to do spring cleaning with vigour and enthusiasm. Go through closets and cupboards and get reorganized so that you feel on top of your scene for the summer. (Dream on.)

June is a month where you will have a strong focus on partners, spouses and close friends.

July is the perfect month to sit down and think of budget requirements. It's also a good time to address inheritances. Perhaps write your will. This is also a good time to define boundaries and how to share expenses and deal with the division of labour.

In August, hopefully, you are not at home because you're travelling!

September is a powerful month for you because you look good to others, especially bosses, VIPs and your peers. Naturally, this is a great time to entertain at home and share your success with everyone.

The month of October is also a great time to entertain at home, especially groups and clubs because you want to schmooze. You will also be goal oriented this month, which means you want to share your goals with others.

Because November is a quiet, downtime month, you might want to cocoon at home or work behind the scenes by hiding at home.

December, of course is your month! Use this increased energy to do whatever you want because it's your turn to call the shots.

A Sneak Peek Beyond

As we peek in the future, we see that 2017 is a wonderful, popular year for you. Enjoy! However, what looks even more promising is the fact that your ruler lucky Jupiter will enter your sign in November 2018, where it will stay until December 2019. Yeehaw! This is a wonderful run of good luck and good fortune for you. In fact, you will attract so many good things to you, your only worry will be putting on weight. (Yes, you attract flesh to the bone as well as all the other good stuff.)

It will please you to know that in 2020, you will boost your earnings. But the thing to make note of is this: Your best year for real-estate negotiations and investing in real estate, buying or selling or even investing in your own home is the year 2022. Mark this on your calendar. Make a note of it because if you are thinking of doing something with real estate around 2020 or 2021, you will know that you should wait until 2022 to get the best deal for the best value for your long-term future. (Astrology can help with practical timing, especially in real estate.) The year 2023 is a great time for a vacation and in 2024, you have magnificent opportunities to improve your health as well as your job.

It's important to know that your future holds this much promise because more than any other sign of the zodiac, you are future oriented. Optimism and physical activity are what makes you tick. Don't believe the naysayers who claim that the future isn't what it used to be.

Your Sagittarius Mantra for 2016

"I won't look for opportunities this year - I will make them."

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 6, 7
• February 2, 3, 4
• March 1, 2, 28, 29
• April 24, 25, 26
• May 21, 22, 23
• June 18, 19
• July 15, 16, 17
• August 11, 12, 13
• September 8, 9
• October 5, 5, 7
• November 1, 2, 3, 29, 30
• December 26, 27