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2008: Absolute Power

by Dr Neil Hair

In this exceptional decade, often called The Noughties, Year 2008 holds the promise of another quite unique year. Never before in this decade have the symbols of the Western Calendar aligned so perfectly with a simultaneous astrological shift of major significance. Universal Year 2004 eloquently expressed the conciliatory tones of Venus Aphrodite, Goddess of Love; 2005 exuded the mysterious watery themes of Neptune, God of the Oceans; 2006 wielded the big accountability stick of Saturn; and 2007 unveiled the emotionally transformative power of Pluto, God of the Underworld. No calendar year has experienced the power of Pluto entering an astrological sign aligned so closely to the Universal Year. In 2008, this is all going to change!

Pluto begins its move into Capricorn on 26th January 2008, signalling a new phase in

humanity’s growth. Numbers 2 and 8, key signatures of Year 2008, relate more closely to this astrological sign than any other. As if that wasn’t enough, Pluto (or Hades in the Greek Pantheon) is the closest mythological and astrological correspondence to the Double Zeroes of The Noughties.

Just as Hades represents the Underworld, the domain of our forgotten past, the Double Zeroes represent a personal or collective reservoir where we dump unresolved issues, hoping they will magically disappear. Regrettably they don’t !

The Double Zeroes, as does Pluto, delight in reminding us of our past, pushing us to

transform on a personal or collective level. The focus in 2008 will be on all things Capricorn, reinforced by the boundary defining qualities of numbers 2 and 8. This will be a year where the Absolute Power of Pluto will emerge from the shadows to preview the passage of Pluto through Capricorn. All forms of earthly power, based on the hierarchical nature of Capricorn, will come under Pluto’s penetrating gaze. Year 2008 will be the “key frame” of a 16-year period of transformation and rebirth for public and private institutions; the business world; organisational hierarchies; organised religion; national constitutions, borders and identity; all boundaries and

defences; anything remotely embodying the nature of the Establishment.

Despite a downgrade to “dwarf planet” status by the scientific establishment’s International Astronomers Union in 2006, Pluto as fate will have it, not the Establishment, will have the Absolute Power to destroy, transform and rebuild.

Once Pluto enters the conservative sign of Capricorn, a fundamental shift will be

underway, perhaps signalling an end to extrovert brands of activism and terrorism which intensified as Pluto entered the extrovert sign of Sagittarius in 1995. A more bounded and controlled Pluto, in Capricorn’s cautious garb, may prefer to dig away unyieldingly at the faults of the Establishment, its structure, rules and dogma from within, rather than trying to overthrow the Establishment from the outside.

Year 2008 [= 10/1] is a Universal Year 1, a year of new beginnings for the world, yet at the same a defensive, security conscious year, since numbers 2 and 8, together carry strong themes of containment, setting boundaries, maintaining the status quo, defending against perceived or known threats. Containment of nuclear material, such as plutonium ruled by Pluto, may require a security effort in 2008, with “holes” possible in safety procedures. Security will be paramount in 2008, with breaches possible through the tenuous space of the Zeroes, which act more like tunnels than

solid structures!

Walls, barriers, boundaries and borders will feature strongly, valiantly trying to

hold back the unexpected and penetrating forces of Zero and Pluto. Nations who could become involved in boundary issues include Israel, India and Pakistan, whose names add to 28/10/1 and correlate directly to 2008. Security and trade barriers between Israelis and Palestinians may be open to “holes”, hopefully in a positive way, following the US peace summit and opening of export corridors in November 2007; border disputes between India and Pakistan in Kashmir could push for final resolution; Pakistan teetered on the edge of constitutional meltdown in 2007,

triggered by presidential sacking of the Chief Justice and raised international security concerns.

In Year 1999 [= 28/10/1], the previous Universal Year 1, the financial world was recovering from the traumas of the Asian Financial Crisis, which became a full-blown capital crisis in 1998 [= 27/9]. By January 1999, trade and capital barriers had been erected in true Saturnian “2 and 8” fashion to control global financial flows. Coincidentally, in 2007, also a Universal Year 9, the sub-prime mortgage crisis in USA created panic of a different kind in financial circles, leading to lack of trust in lending, a global credit squeeze and major banking losses. Tighter regulations and tighter “purse strings” are likely in 2008 on bank lending, despite warnings from the International Monetary Fund, and regulation of the mortgage broking industry is possible. Saturn will be strong in 2008, and financial walls are likely to be redefined to calm the “financial hurricanes” of 2007, just as in 1999.

The Wealth of Nations, published by Adam Smith in 1776, coincided with the birth year of USA, later to become capitalist powerhouse and creator of the consumer society. Smith saw in capitalism the potential for individual self-interest to create abundance and good for society. Now under Pluto in Capricorn, the failures of current-day capitalism will be exposed. Regenerative surgery may be required! USA was born with Pluto in Capricorn, and around 2022 will experience a Pluto return, which amongst other things may require total transformation of the capitalist system.

Should USA hit the financial wall while Pluto transits Capricorn, up-and-coming

financial superpower, China, along with Europe, Russia, Japan and India will fill the gaping “hole” to keep the world economy afloat. China, in the spotlight with the Beijing Olympics commencing 8th August 2008, will provide a fascinating counterpoint to US-style capitalism, with prodigious growth and massive capital reserves spawning from USA’s bogeyman, communism!

The overreach of power is eminently possible with Pluto in Capricorn, and could emerge as unbridled power. In USA, the November 2008 federal election was described by Republican John McCain in lofty terms, “Our nation faces a truly historic decision that will affect not only America’s destiny but the course of human history”. What McCain didn’t say was USA will elect its “44th” President in 2008, one who will likely want to wield Absolute Power in all fields and all endeavours. Number 44 may one day attain the spiritual heights of a Master Number, but seems

not quite there yet. Perhaps after Pluto’s transit through Capricorn, which will push humanity towards a more equitable distribution of wealth. For USA, destiny may have to wait until the reformist “45th” President comes along!

© Copyright 2007 Dr Neil Hair

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