THE NEXT NEW WORLD

By Rick DiClemente and Cheryl Crise

Just about the same time that people waited in long lines to purchase Microsoft’s Windows ’95, a revolution in communications had begun - a global revolution on all fronts. Pluto had entered Sagittarius.

Broad-minded Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, our solar system’s largest planet and is emblematic of things both expansive and expanding, such as travel; the exchange of culture, knowledge and ideas; language; philosophy; religion; law; and big government. Sagittarius is known for generosity and excessiveness, abundance and waste, optimism and wanton recklessness.

Powerful Pluto’s primary principle is that of transformation. It signifies energies and impulses that are often not consciously recognized or understood. Its concerns are, among other things, extremes, taboos, and fears, and it is by working through these that we purify, heal, and create ourselves anew. It is the continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and re-birth. Our lives are full of cyclical deaths and rebirths. As we evolve and grow we shed and re-constitute our individual belief systems.

Pluto’s energy affects not only living entities, but is operative in the birth, evolution and death of such forms as governments, economies, cultures, religions and institutions of all kinds. The transformation of our world wrought by the mighty, dynamic combination of Pluto and Sagittarius could not have been dreamt of twelve years ago. The great advances in telecommunications and computer technologies both enlarged, and at the same time paradoxically shrank our world. With astounding immediacy, we now can know and empathize with our fellow beings around the globe on a level heretofore nonexistent. The far reaches of the planet are rapidly seeming much less exotic and strange thanks to Sagittarius’ beneficent nature. On the other hand, we now find ourselves inextricably thrust into the midst of global conflicts and we find ourselves reeling from the collective pressures. Inadvertently, this intimate confrontation with Pluto in Sag’s darker side inflames and frightens us like never before.

In addition to these consequences, Pluto’s sojourn through Sagittarius has ushered many other phenomena into our collective consciousness and experience. In no particular order, these include:

In Business & Finance

Telemarketing • “Do-Not-Call” List • Dot.com Crash • Extreme Stock Market Fluctuations • Enron/World Comm/Tyco Scandals • Credit Card Abuse • Mortgage Crisis • Global Economic Interdependence • Indebtedness to Foreign Countries • Prevalence of Bankruptcies • Frivolous Lawsuits

In Government & Politics

9/11 • Iraq War • “Shock & Awe” • Homeland Security • Patriot Act •  Extreme Political Ideologies • Election Fraud • FEMA Scandal • Maturing European Union • Ideologically-based Voting

In Religion & Spirituality

Extremism • Fanaticism • Terrorism • Alternative Spiritual Paths • Quest for Increasing Consciousness • Death of Pope John Paul • Pedophile Scandal within the Catholic Church

In Communications & Technology

Computers • Internet • youtube.com •  Web-domain Squatting • Spyware • Phishing • Spam  • Ipods • Napster • Unregulated Internet and Airwaves • Cell Phones • CD’s • Communications Satellite Technology • Satellite Radio

In Transportation & Energy

Renting Seats on the Space Shuttle • Private Space Travel • GPS devices • Popularity of SUV’s • Record-high Gasoline Prices • Development of Energy Alternatives • Hybrids

In the Environment

Global Warming/Climate Change • Hurricane Katrina • Tsunami • Increased Numbers of Natural Phenomena such as Floods and Forest Fires  • Intense Competition for Energy Resources • Oil Spills

In Society, Culture & Education

Age of No-Accountability • Online Education • Home-schooling • Spanish as a Second Language • Political Correctness • Cyber-sex • Kiddie Porn • On-line Matchmaking • Increasing Interest in Death/Dying/Hospice • Immigration Issues • Increased Tolerance of Gender, Racial and Cultural Diversity and of Sexual Lifestyles • Open Discussion of Sexual Abuse • Public Fascination with Sociopaths • Increasing Invasions of Privacy • Fantasy Football • Proliferation of Gambling Casinos • Sports Corruption • Steroid/Human Growth Hormone  Abuse • Overblown Sports Salaries • Burgeoning Popularity of NASCAR • Liposuction • Gastric Bypass • Botox

Why, you can just about let anything roll off of your back, if you’re following the Sagittarian myth of no consequences epitomized by the saying, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”

Pluto in Sagittarius has brought us the global village, increased information, wealth, fun and spirituality. On the other hand, it has also brought us dogmatism, polarization, a sense of entitlement, overindulgence, loss of common sense, and a flagrant flaunting of the Golden Rule on the other. Our world has benefited in innumerable ways during this transit.  Nevertheless, the excesses of its shadow side have left us with a multitude of issues that need to be addressed at once.

What happens here, does stay here, and that’s exactly why we have to make sure it’s right.  We can no longer ignore problems, and just wish they will go away. That’s how we got into this trouble in the first place. 

Thomas Jefferson is rolling over in his grave!  It’s time now to re-visit and re-vision the philosophy of our founding fathers, for their wisdom and ideals could inspire our making of the Next New World. Pluto in Capricorn’s time has come again.

Much of the change we’ve live through under Pluto in Sag was relatively easy (compared to some of Pluto’s other transits,) thanks to Sag’s rose-colored glasses and a Scarlett O’Hara, I’ll-worry-about-that-tomorrow attitude. We might have had some worries nibbling around the edges of our consciousness, but collectively, we’ve had a tendency to laze through those years, surfing the internet with our cell phones plastered to our ears, telling ourselves that the master controls are probably in the hands of somebody who knows what he’s doing - not.

Parallel to these avoidant, manic, and extravagant times, many of us began to experience the poignant realization that we had lost, or never had the grounding, meaning, fulfillment and sense of community that we’ve been needing in our lives. As Pluto finally edges toward Capricorn, we are also beginning to feel that it is time to get real, buckle down, clean up the messes and pay the bills that we’ve inherited from Pluto in Sagittarius.

In contrast to Sagittarius, Capricorn provides a strong antidote to Sagittarius’ ebullience and irresponsibility. As an earth sign ruled by Saturn, Capricorn has to do with the Earth itself, with structures both natural and manmade, including our institutions. It pertains not just to physical/material constructs, but to our mental constructs as well - to anything we think of as “real.”

By combining what we know about Pluto and Capricorn, we can readily see that the next sixteen years are going to require us to transmute those forms we normally think of as certain, solid, established and immutable into new entities that will better serve our species and planet as we enter the millennium of the Age of Aquarius.

It is instructive to once again reflect upon the last time Pluto journeyed through the sign of Capricorn. Beginning in 1762, this transit ushered conditions resulting in a decay of the power of the British and French monarchies that led to the tumultuous American and French revolutions. These vital times brought about a re-invention of the classical Greek conceptions of individual rights and democracy. Eighteenth-century world consciousness was transformed by these ideas, and by this vision of the New World. Thus did Pluto in Capricorn.

The future ramifications of Pluto’s imminent passage through the key sign of Capricorn cannot be overstated. We will be seriously challenged to cooperate with the primal forces of nature, to re-invent our institutions, to conceive of new belief systems, to take responsibility for ourselves, and to cooperate with our fellow Earthlings, if not out of love, at least out of an understanding for the concept of enlightened self-interest. Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their planet!

M. Robin L’Antan offers this relevant comment:

            Depressed? Of course we’re all depressed. We’ve been so quickly, violently, and

            irreconcilably plucked from nature, from physical labor, from kinship and village

            mentality, from every natural and primordial antidepressant. The further society

            “progresses,” the grander the scale of imbalance. Just as fluoride is put in water to

            prevent dental cavities, we’ll soon find government mandating Prozac in our water to

            prevent mental cavities.

In lamenting what we have lost over the ages, D’Antan is describing the types of Pluto in Capricorn antidotes we must employ to manifest the highest energy of our Pluto in Capricorn times: Honoring and directing our attentions toward the healing of and healing by Mother Earth, toward the deepest intuitions of our bodies and souls, and toward our ancient wisdom traditions.

There is no way to predict specific outcomes, but we know that the times will be consistent with Pluto in Capricorn’s archetype: austere and difficult, challenging the validity, soundness, and worthiness of our mindsets and societal structures. 

Our initiative, consciousness, and purity of intent can greatly influence the outcome of this era which could manifest in the following positive or negative ways:

• True, representative, participatory, democratic governments vs. increasingly paternalistic, fascist governments
• Gains in human/civil rights vs. further loss of rights
• Personal responsibility vs. waiting for others to solve our problems
• Creating new social structures vs. further decay of outmoded forms
• Fathering and stewarding our planet vs. pleading helplessness and blaming others
• Myopically concerned about yourself and your family unit vs. realizing that we’re all one big family
• Transcending a bottom-line mentality vs. short-sightedness and utilitarianism
• Sharing and conserving resources vs. hoarding and wasting resources
• Working for change within the system vs. trying to escape to utopia
• Uniting for common goals vs. splintering into power factions
• Thinking outside the box vs. remaining rigid, conservative and static

--- There can be no more “them” ---

Pluto in Capricorn Per Sun Sign

Pluto’s residence in Capricorn will have long-lasting effects on each of our Sun signs. In general, this is how I see it affecting each sign:

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) – Simply, direction is the story for the Ram. This is time for you to make your move. Are you meaningful enough? Is your job challenging enough? Are you effective? This is time to pull out the stops and really discover the pioneer that you really are. Also, put this in your pipe and start smoking it: keep in mind that things really are much more complicated than what they seem at first glance. Puff puff.

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) – In general, with all the ninth-house activity, Taurus now digs deep into what they really believe. Never being one to do anything hastily, it’s now your time to use your great researching and organizing skills to investigate your belief system. How did these old ideas get in here? Time for them to vacate and for you to renew your outlook on everything. Period.

Gemini (May 21-Jun 21) – Now is the era for you to take no prisoners in all of your relationships. Do they fulfill you? Are you really getting meaningful exchanges with others? Do you have intimacy that feeds your soul? These are your questions. I know the Gemini butterfly lands lightly on its subjects, yet, now is where you look for deep, meaningful relationships to sustain your self-worth.

Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 22) – This one should be wild. In your seventh house of relationships, Cancer needs now to really investigate their whole sense of relating. Clinging, co-dependency, and hiding in the safety your mate will really backfire now. It is imperative now that you maintain your individuality and don’t sell out or settle. You are a richly emotional sign and give greatly of yourself when you feel safe. Don’t get taken advantage of. Don’t be afraid to let go of a bad relationship if it just isn’t working for you.

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) – It’s now time for the Lion to perfect their job skills and attend to its health. Saturn and Neptune have been very rough on you the past few years and many are plum tuckered out. It is clearly time to reach deep into that fiery Sun that rules your sign and loose your buoyancy! Time is now to master your skillsets. Show everyone how to plan and execute big ideas! Let it shine!

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) – Now Virgo shifts from the perfectionistic craftsman to the creative one. Have you been having any fun? You really need to discover your creative skills now. Whether it be singing, playing an instrument, creating videos, scrapbooking, dancing, whatever – Pluto through your fifth house harkens a time of great release of creative energy. Just make sure it’s something other than woodworking. Watch out that you don’t hassle yourself for not being productive enough.

Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) – Deep emotional issues are not usually your strength. Now, you feel like taking care of bidness. Your emotional nest is in great need of an overhaul. You will find yourself unusually intense now as you assess whether or not you are happy emotionally. Yes, you need your sounding-board partner, but are you really being attended to when it comes to your feelings? Is your soul being fed? Man (and woman) can not live entirely on ideas. You may need a big shake-up in your role in the family now.

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21) – Scorps won’t even notice this one. Their ruler Pluto goes into the house of the mind. Deep thinking gets deeper, deeper, and deeper. Your eyes are getting sleepy. Nevermind.

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) – Sag will be greatly relieved as PLUTO LEAVES THEIR SIGN FINALLY. Don’t celebrate too early as it will return for its final act from June through Thanksgiving. Nevertheless, you have really been put through the meat tenderizer since 1995. Now the focus shifts on picking up the pieces and re-anchoring your Self. Get your money straight. Most of all, set your new self-esteem in motion, aim that Archer arrow high, and don’t look back.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) – Wow. What do you say here? Cappies will no longer get by on just following the rules. Stop playing it safe. What are you made of? What’s really in your heart? Yes, you are a grossly underestimated sign, but you bring a lot of it on yourself. Capricorn is absolutely the worst sign in terms of allowing themselves to accept compliments. It’s no wonder people eventually stop offering them. Now, you must put soul and oomph and mojo into your life. No one cares if you belong to the right Country Club. What matters is who you really are while you’re there.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) – Twelfth house transits are never simple. Your past lives and soul’s contract call you now. It will begin a 16-year mystical journey for you. Meditation, contemplation, and whatever spiritual endeavors you embrace now are of supreme importance. This transit will call you from afar to find your sole (soul) route back to the Godhead. There is no simple way to say this. It may be time for past-life regression, poetry, labyrinths, Reiki, etc., etc. It’s the time to dig deep to reunite with your Source.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) – Now is the time for you fishies to swim upstream and start spawning your long-held passions. The eleventh house calls you to go above and beyond what you simply do for a living. This is time to find your avocation, not just your vocation. Do your mission statement now. Be open to invitations to do things in groups now. I know you are basically a loner, but your gentle spirit is much needed now in just about any association. Your wisdom is always looked up to, if we get to hear you express yourself! Now more than ever you need to speak up.

2008, A Look Ahead

The Big Astrological Events

Capricorns of Interest and Astrological Musings…

Next month we ask Kid Astro: How are two charts compared to each other?