YOUR KARMIC FORECAST - JUNE 22, 2006 TO DECEMBER 18, 2007

(YOUR INDIVIDUAL SUN-SIGN KARMIC FORECASTS APPEAR AFTER THE GENERAL DISCUSSION BELOW.)

THE NEW LUCK CYCLE - 2006 TO 2018

June 06 to December 07 brings a new karmic cycle for everyone. This karmic period is very important because it coincides with the start of a new 12-year luck cycle. So let's look at the luck cycle first. In your messages below, I've also added a few lines to indicate how this luck cycle affects you. It begins November 23, 2006, and its first, most important "kick off" period lasts to December 2007.

This new Jupiter luck cycle is likely to change our lives forever. Yet it will be a continuance of events (or new ideas and new urges) that occurred in 1983/84, and 1995/96. These three luck cycles (1983 to1995, 95 to 2006, and the present one, December 2006 to 2018) are the most momentous in over two centuries. The first introduced, in 1983/4, the fall of the U.S.S.R, and the rise of worldwide capitalism. But it had an even deeper, heartening aim - for this 1980's cycle began a 250-year era of relative world peace, in which great wars will be replaced by "police actions." Many baby boomers "got their start" in that first cycle. The second luck cycle, begun in 1995, saw the rise of China and India - or, in essence, the empowering and economic rejuvenation of over 2 billion formerly impoverished people - one-third of the world's population. This shift of power coincided with a sea change in world politics. It brought, as I predicted, a new, third political system, neither communism nor democracy. (China embodies this new system.) These big, "abstract" changes affect every one of us on a daily, quality of life level: they become, in a sense, indicators (and causes) of our "luck."

In both those past luck cycles, Jupiter and Pluto (the planet of "humanity's destiny") were in the same sign. This luck cycle (December 2006-2018) also begins with Jupiter and Pluto in the same sign. This means, for 2007, luck and destiny are joined, and what we start can grow to huge proportions over the years that follow. In 2007 each of us, in our own lives, will understand why we faced the puzzles and "destined changes" of the past 12 years, and each of us will encounter two (or more) huge opportunities to begin what really is a new life!

Momentous times!

THE PRESENT KARMA CYCLE

From June 22, 2006 through December 18, 2007 the Moon's north node travels through PISCES, while the south node trails through VIRGO. Pisces will undergo a mellow, healing time, while many Virgos will be faced with various temptations. The sign "hosting" the south node (Virgo) should avoid retreat - a cautious quietude, and mingling with everyone, with humanity, is an antidote to any feelings of self-pity.

The present karmic cycle (June 06 to December 07) overlays the start of our new luck cycle, so our moral and ethical choices will be very important as we grasp our new opportunities. Most of us will choose right, as the indicator of good karma is in the spiritual sign, Pisces. To some degree, this new Piscean karma cycle dictates that we'll become what we've done; but it also leads us to forgive, sympathize, and understand - and to do right, so we'll have good karma in future years!

THE KARMIC INDICATORS ARE THE MOON'S NODES - WHAT THE MOON'S NORTH AND SOUTH NODES MEAN:

South Node:

Western astrologers associate the lunar south node with a descent into darkness, with temptations, siren songs, the hidden, the subconscious, death, dreams and illusion - and bad karma. (Hindu astrologers tend to attribute these to both the north and south nodes.) I think the south node denotes old karma, which can be good or bad, depending on our past behaviour. So your south node can bring belated rewards. But because the cosmos wants us to progress, it discourages any attempt to pursue old karma. So chasing after south node goals often leads to projects or pursuits that dead-end, suffer constant delay, or end in financial, emotional or spiritual disappointment. The south node has a canny ability to tempt, to attract and draw us. Once we're "hooked" on this lure, we'll argue ourselves blue in the face to justify what we want. It seems so reasonable, so logical, so just - yet it's all fool's gold and self-rationalizing. As Shakespeare wrote: "When the Gods wish to destroy a man, first they make him mad." Unfortunately, this ability of the south node to lure us and create traps is intensified from June to mid-November, 2006, and from September through mid-December of 2007, because Saturn, the planet of restriction, burdens, refusals and "reality" overpowers the lucky planet Jupiter. During these two periods, emotional, moral and/or financial mistakes could be compounded if we also are foolish enough to start a major practical, business or other project, or to allocate our funds to an investment in an area we aren't familiar with.

North Node:

The lunar north node is associated with good or (more correctly) new karma. The north node brings peace and serenity, unhurried thought - and it usually keeps a person safe in whatever sector of life it lays. Usually. For example, from this June 22/06 to December 18/07, many PISCES will find that others "attack" them in word, law or deed. If Pisces refuses to rise to the bait, no harm comes to him or her, and the "attacker" tends to fade away in a self-consuming cloud of muffled frustration. (If you Pisces people attack back, though, you'll regret it, because then you're chasing/engaging the south node.)

The north node is not as obvious as the south, it whispers rather than shouts - but when we follow it, our way unfolds smoothly and serenely, and we end with a deep, almost spiritual satisfaction, a feeling that we've fulfilled our task or destiny.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT EVERYONE?

During this time, there will be a smooth, productive path for every sign, and a tempting, entrapping road for each of us.

In terms of the world - what is called "mundane astrology" - the Libran south node warns that we (humanity) will face difficulties in details, agriculture, weather, harvests, machinery, and preventive health - but will find progress in pharmacology, natural gas, seafood, physics, space exploration and film and optics.

Companies beginning with G or N might have a tough time, while "ultimate buoyancy" arrives for companies which begin with the letters T or Z. However, this is not a fail-safe method. It does hint that, if seeking advice, we might do better to ask a Pisces, or a T or Z (first initial) than a Virgo, or G or N person.

For further indications for your own sign, read below.

Now, this doesn't mean that you won't be able to find employment for these 18 months, but that you should try to manage or delegate tasks rather than performing them yourself. Volunteering for every simple chore, letting your kids turn you into their servant, etc., will be a great time-waster. Yet you'll have a wee tendency to let this occur. During these 18 months, do all you can to get a seat on policy committees, to direct or lead others, and to learn management skills. If you have a choice, work in an administrative office, in a civil service or red-tape role rather than "on the shop floor."

In health, pharmacology (medications) might help you more than herbs, "natural cures," vitamins and preventive regimens. Be lightly cautious with exercise, extreme physical exertion, and around running machinery. Retreat and rest, long naps, weekends at a spa, a camping retreat, contemplation, meditation, hospitals, government agencies, charitable and spiritual organizations - all these benefit you, and are more accessible than in the past. Do plan for the future - even decades ahead!

Run the art gallery; don't paint the picture. On the other hand, you might meet your mate at a social function. If you keep it light, love can blossom!

For success, be friendly, open, and look far down the road. Make plans, welcome the future, and engage in wishful thinking - this time, wishes have a unique ability to steer you down the road to success! Vacations might draw you away from critical situations elsewhere.

During the same 18 months, avoid real estate deals and home construction, and generally stay away from concentrating on issues of food, shelter, domesticity, gardening, agriculture, and kids and Mother Nature. You can't avoid these areas entirely, of course, but in these, stick with the status quo, avoid expanding.

Be a director rather than a nurturer. Be ambitious rather than seek security. Act rather than contemplate. Meet the pragmatic event, rather than meditate. This is no time for withdrawal - and you need no more healing - you need action!

During the last 13 months of this karmic period (December to December, 06-07) luck and expansion will flow into your relationships - an area that has stymied, puzzled, and plain "attacked" you since the mid 1990's. The struggle isn't totally over, but 2007 will bring a breakthrough - you might divorce an unhappy, stubborn partner; or you might marry a new kind of person. You might realize that relocation, or a new way of dealing with the public, or a radically different negotiating style, or a contract, represents a major solution to past difficulties - and you just might do it, this time. Good - I think! Start things before the end of August; after this, to December 07, just flow with events. A big opportunity will appear (December 06 - August 07) - if you grab it, 2008 could bring major, life-changing rewards. All this relationship activity will provoke deep decisions in security and ambition areas - choose morally, without selfishness, without foolishness. You might luckily relocate in 2007, but don't buy property until 2008.

CANCER, the 18 months ahead (June 22, 2006 to December 18, 2007) encourage you to broaden your vision, to read and learn, travel afar, sample other cultures, watch foreign films, and generally to soak up the world and its rationale. This is an excellent time for Cancer scholars, lawyers, accountants, insurance agents, publishers and anyone else who works with principles, ideas, or statistics. It's a good time, also, to enter such endeavors - for example, to enroll in college or law school, write a book or thesis, etc. Religion, philosophy and cultural events (weddings, bat mitzvahs, etc.) bless you.

During these same 18 months, avoid wasting your time on casual contacts, short trips, mere curiosity, details, paperwork and errands. The short, superficial, newsy and anecdotal will waste your time or lead to loss - while the long, far, deep, abstract, formal and idealistic will further your life and inner joy. Don't spend all day reading newspapers - instead, pick up a book. Seek the profound in relationships too. Be willing to formalize a love affair, to take it to that next plateau. In business and everyday affairs, sign contracts rather than rely on verbal commitments. Learning and vision will be tied to "a secret" or research in the spring of 2007. You might marry a sexual partner, or sign a significant financial contract.

But a hard, disappointing or delaying path awaits if you choose to chase the twists and turns of quick money, daily spending, monthly paycheck and bills, unnecessary purchases and "day trading" during these same 18 months. So take a long view of finances. Buy stocks for appreciation, not for dividend income. Don't panic and sell. Be skeptical of quick reports, easy facts or a multiplicity of details. Intuit, rather than analyze. Avoid casual sex, whether with casual partners or your life mate. Don't depend on your memory - instead, feed it new experiences! Steer away from rote and routine.

For the June-to-November 2006 portion of these 18 months, use this "good karma" route of depth, commitment and research to establish a home, a real estate, retirement, security, food-shelter, agricultural, gardening or similar success. Seek healing, of yourself or the family, establish roots, build your soul - again, using this present karmic ability to dig deep and see beneath surface appearances.

During the same 18 months, avoid exercising extreme independence, self-reliance, or withdrawal urges. Don't push your agenda on others. Eschew self-pity. If you're having an argument, or are "angry with life," consider that you might be the one who's not thinking straight.

For a smooth, easy path during the immediate 18 months ahead, do things yourself - don't depend on others. Reduce your reliance on or dealings with red tape, management, administrative agencies, civil service, institutions and advisors. Don't ask to be moved to head office. - you'd do better at a branch location, where you can handle details rather than be suffocated by boring policy decisions Avoid steeping yourself in meditation, spiritual goals, withdrawal or solitude. Hospitals, spas and other places of retreat are not the best "medicine" for you. This isn't the best time to visit (nor believe in) a psychic or any counselor/therapist - you could get the wrong information at the wrong time, or in some way be sent in a wrong direction. Withdrawal of any kind can create subtle dead-ends and empty moments.

It's a good 18 months for purchasing and/or operating machinery, for exercise, vitamins, improving your diet, and all preventive health regimens. You'll be blessed and your life will flow smoothly if you give more time and care to your dependents. Be helpful to others in any way. It's a great time to find employment, or seek more. You could be promoted, earn extra money, or gain "career points" that will benefit you later. But don't take any boost in status, should it come, as an invitation to sit back and order others to work. You'll get into difficulty or create subtle opposition if you constantly delegate tasks. Rollup your sleeves and work alongside everyone else! Offering service to others somehow makes your whole life flow more beneficially.

On the disappointing side are: parties, socializing, entertainment, light romance, playing the field, groups of any kind, popularity, optimism, and wishing about (planning) the future. Subtle traps or dead-ends lie in wait if you focus on these, and/or if you steer yourself overwhelmingly toward politics, currying favor, organizations, clubs, committees, union activities, conventions, event planning, public relations, etc. If you already work in one of these temporarily "difficult" areas try to steer toward the creative side. (E.g., in advertising, try to work on the concept more than the media placement or the schmoosing.) Or - go fall in love! (Seriously, doing so will lift your spirits and production at work.)

In general, dive deep rather than skim the surface. Or, to put it another way, paint the picture now to December 07, rather than run the art gallery.

Speaking of amour, 2011-2025 will bring true love. Until then, life offers electric, exciting, but unstable "love adventures." As a Scorpio, you typically want all or nothing, stable, "forever" love - so "adventure" or "fun" bothers, even scares you. But you need to stretch now, you need to exercise your vulnerability. One of 2006/07's adventures might even trigger true love before 2011 (very possible). Alternately - and this will be the case for most Scorpios - you'll love, lose, learn, stretch, toughen up, and be ready for the real thing later. Think of falling in love now as a cold pool plunge on a summer's day. You won't drown, and you'll come up refreshed, invigorated, ready for new life!

However, quitting or selling a business in order to chase a new dream is NOT the same as changing careers or jobs. Don't sell one business simply to start another. If you change your job/career now to December 2007, you'll tend to move into a worse situation, and to make this situation permanent. You might be sorely tempted to make that move anyway, as your present career position might seem insufferable or stagnant. Just accept the status quo - don't force things with your boss (or any authority, including judges, police, social authorities, parents, etc.) Secure your position rather than risking it to climb higher. You'll keep bumping against a glass ceiling, and could lose your footing as you do so. If you push during these 18 months, bosses, judges, parents, etc. will push back. Any ambition to "lead the pack" can lead you to dead-ends, can alienate your boss or co-workers, and, worst of all, might tempt you to act unethically or immorally to gain your ends. You can simply look on this as an 18-month hiatus, a good time to glide along, take a breather, or quietly consolidate your position. This is also a good time to shore up the foundations of your business or job, to work on the warehousing, supply, structural and other basic areas. In business, think: premises, territory, food, shelter, security - here, you'll meet success and safety.

But you have a third option, mentioned above: to quit your job for the adventure of self-fulfillment and personal growth. You have undergone a massive transformation over the last 11 years - a sometimes painful one. You've looked deep within, suffered loneliness, anger, frustration, as these changes worked through you. Your enthusiasm, and sometimes your confidence, ebbed to nadirs not reached before in your life. Perhaps you've explored the dark side, or perhaps you've been spurred to new spiritual explorations and revelations. All this was necessary to your progress, but it wasn't easy.

From December/06 to December/07, your energy, faith, optimism, luck and courage not only return, they soar sky-high! It is finally time, the first time since 1995, for you to break away, to seek new lands, new intellectual horizons, to find love, to grab your returning enthusiasm and ride it to huge new adventures! Your adventure could be higher education, international travel, writing your book, a legal affair or advertising campaign, a wedding, a new love, a religious or philosophical goal. Act on your goals before September/07, for best results. (The best time to begin university/college would be the January/07 semester.) In 2007, you'll finally understand why life put you through the "cosmic wringer" for the past decade. A new light will shine. This, in part, is why you should let go of ambition for awhile: so you'll have the relaxation and quietude to understand what has happened, and to see the new, freer person you have become.

But you'll face barriers, dead-ends, subtle traps and temptation (without reward) in all the "long versions" of the above - international travel, foreign cultures, books, advertising concepts, abstractions, large truths, law, religion, philosophy, higher learning, scholarship, degree programs, statistics, insurance and cultural rituals (weddings, etc.). Try not to get immersed and bogged down in these; and when you are in these situations (e.g., traveling internationally) be alert for a tendency to "take advantage" of a person of situation in a way that, if you were clearer-headed, you wouldn't approve of.

It will be better to accept a casual, verbal understanding, than to design and sign a contract. Stay far away from lawsuits: settle early if you have to, and don't start any. (During these 18 months, lawyers will view you as the financial cornerstone for their new mansions.) In general, a casual contact, an everyday friend at a coffee shop, is better than pushing relationships into profundity. (I've received a spate of emails from Capricorns who are going through some stage of their PHD - which of course involves higher learning at one of its highest levels. What to do? First, they should not abandon the PHD program, as long as they entered before June 22, 2006. Secondly, the present 18 months might be a good time to lean toward the details, facts and figures, the information gathering, research and travel - if needed - rather than concentrate on the ideational, abstract, "theme" side of the program, thesis or dissertation.)

In the broadest way, 2007 will be a year of quiet reflection, and an "ending" of certain trends in your life. For over a decade, your social life has grown a little quieter; your circle might have pulled tighter and closer, become more intimate. This has been a preparation for the 2008-2024 period, when you will take your social life and your future into your own hands and completely transform them. 2007 is the year when you bridge between the old way, the old circle; and the new. Complete obligations; contemplate where you're going in the two decades ahead.

A big list! But there's also a "good list" of attitudes, approaches, and situations that will reward you with growth, a smooth path, and a mellow feeling of satisfaction. These successful activities include: buying/selling, day-trading (or trading generally - stocks, bonds, lumber, kitchen sinks, etc.) earning an income (and income investments such as income trusts, preferred or dividend stocks). It's also a good time (better AFTER November 24, 2006) to purchase items that are expected to depreciate, such as a car. Rote learning or memory work will go well, while research tends to get bogged down. Accept surface realities, rather than experiment. A good karmic influence also blesses sensuality and casual sex - even with your spouse. (By "casual" I mean sex that has no agenda attached - sex that is simply pleasurable. I don't mean having a succession of partners, though this is not excluded by this influence.) Flow with the seasons, and with social situations, rather than attempting to transform yourself or others. Grasp the immediate world with both hands!

These 18 months are the "first peak" of a new spiritual era that began in 1996, and will endure until 2025. Now to December 2007, seek spiritual and moral answers. Look over the past decade or two - you'll see how your life operates, how certain opinions and moods have led to certain actions, and these in turn to good or bad consequences. During this period you can become a great comfort to others, and others will be attracted to you. Spread your sympathy, understanding and happiness to everyone!

But from June 06 to December 07, DON'T relocate, sign contracts, marry, form partnerships, seek public attention or "deals," nor let anyone glue himself to you through "disguised attachments" such as anger, threat, hate, litigation, argument, etc. Be smoothly free of this. If someone threatens or sues you, turn away without answering: they will tie themselves in knots, and be unable to harm you. If you engage, you'll embrace your opponent's bad karma - and your blessings will flee. Reject unsolicited advice. Be independent, not interdependent.

Since 1995, Pluto has brought pressures and upheavals (and puzzles!) to your career, your relations with higher-ups, your reputation, and parent-kid relations. 2007 (and 2008, to a lesser degree) brings a climax and an end to this transforming force, and does it while Jupiter pours a bucket of expansionary luck all over your ambitions. You could waltz into an entirely new career, or be promoted in a way so significant it will turn your life around. You could start a successful new business, or be touched by fame, as a result of past efforts. If you're fired, it's a door opening to upper floors! Avoid new ventures, especially in practical, travel, legal and educational zones, before November/06.

NOTE FOR PISCEANS CONTEMPLATING MARRIAGE: My advice (above) not to marry June 2006 through December 2007 might seem to conflict with your 2006 "Love Forecast" (also on this site) where I say that "ceremonies scheduled for December/06 and the first seven months of 2007 will promote a marriage of stability, depth, and financial and practical success." Well, both are true, but in the widest sense, I'd go with the caution. Here's why: weddings performed December/06 through August/07 will bring a lucky prestige, stability and practical success (for you, Pisces) but the south node position hints that, ultimately, you might move toward a dead-end in this union, perhaps spiritually. Notice that (in the "Love Forecast" text) I didn't use the word "love" or "happiness." It's a species of trade-off: you can have a practical, successful, stable marriage if you wed December/06 to August/07, but you might forfeit love. There is another subtle point here: Weddings are not marriages. Marriage is the binding of two people, in sex, in mortgage, in the kitchen and in raising kids, in waking up together in the morning, accepting loss together, working together, etc. A wedding is the cultural or legal ritual formalizing a marriage. If you began living together before June 2006, then you can proceed to a (December) 2006 or 2007 wedding without worries. But if your wedding would precede co-habitation, i.e., begin the entire marriage, then my cautions apply.