November/December 2008 Cosmic
Balancing Freedom and Responsibility

by Mark Dodich

Have you had that feeling lately that something is about to happen, but you can't quite put your finger on it?

On some intuitive level, you know that some of the current people or activities in your life are of the past, but the change hasn't quite happened yet. That feeling of being caught in limbo or needing to make a decision based upon having less than satisfactory information is ready to get you moving.

The completion of 2008 begins a time of moving forward, but don't expect your decisions to just quickly fall into place. A significant astrological combination begins on November 4 and continues all the way through July 2010. Conservative Saturn opposes revolutionary Uranus to give you that hurry up and wait feeling.

On one hand, you must be responsible and pay your bills. On the other, you long for the creative freedom that is calling you beyond the restrictive crust of worldly responsibility. If you are waiting until you win the lottery (or some other outer world condition) to give you the resources to set free the child within, then the next year and a half is going to be a long, long road.

To receive a hint about what to expect, astrologers look back to the beginning of the cycle. Think back to the events of your life in the autumn of 1988 when slow-moving Saturn aligned with lightening bolt Uranus.

In the world, the United Kingdom attempted to restrict radio interviews with rebellious IRA members. The all too familiar oppression in Myanmar (Burma) was in its early days of government killings of freedom-seeking citizens. Even corporate giant Phillip Morris began to reduce its dependence on cigarette manufacturing through the purchase of Kraft Foods.

On the personal level, consider the changes that started in your life back in 1988 to 1989 at the beginning of the cycle. Now at the halfway point of the 42-year cycle (similar to a full moon being the halfway point of a monthly cycle), think about what needs to be revolutionized in your life. And how can you restructure your responsibilities to allow increased freedom?

Make a conservative "adapting" plan through September 2009 to gradually make room in your life, even if you do not yet know how you are going to use that extra space. By spring 2010, you are better able to springboard that partial plan into a "high action" program. The goal is to live a joyful and fulfilling life while still serving in a productive and responsible way.

At this moment, your "I want it now" child within is impatiently screaming for an immediate revolution. Wisdom advises that small steps now help you to achieve that new level of freedom in a much more secure way by 2010. The example that comes to mind is the animal caught in a trap, chewing its leg off to be set free immediately, and then having to live the rest of its life with only three legs. You can have your freedom and stability without sacrificing a vital part of your being, but it is going to require a little of the "P" word (that's patience).

The zodiac sign that represents patience is Capricorn. Regardless of the sign your sun was in when you were born, you are about to experience an increased level of the sign of the goat - and it is going to be with you through 2023.

On November 26, Pluto, the destroyer of outmoded systems, enters restructuring Capricorn. Previews of this major shift came earlier this year with discussions of changes to tax systems, improving the infrastructure and dealing with an aging population.

Although this sounds dry and uninteresting, there is a beautiful side to this energy. On the spiritual level, Capricorn is the sign of initiation. Progressive and enlightened concepts now have the opportunity to become grounded in the mainstream world.

If you are willing to roll up your sleeves and come down from a Utopian vision, the coming years help you operate as an enlightened being in pragmatic world. Remember that even the Berlin Wall quickly fell down when everyone thought it was there for eternity.

But enough of all this heaviness of personal and planetary transformation, it's time to have some fun. After the emotional releases that will be going on in early November, party time improves just before Thanksgiving Day.

Assertive Mars will be in randy Sagittarius from November 16 to December 26, suggesting a wild and crazy party attitude. There is an ample opportunity to overdo everything from excessive activities, overindulgence in food and sex, and gregarious stories that are bigger than the truth.

Enjoy yourself as the year comes to a close. Complete as much as is possible and practical this year so that you do not drag old possessions, people and attitudes into the new year. Upcoming 2009 brings innovative ideas and a revolutionary tone to your life.

Mark Dodich has been a professional astrologer and intuitive consultant since 1980. Mark's specialties include natal astrology, relocation astrology maps and seven ray spiritual purpose astrology. A free Prosperity Enhancement Guide pdf can be downloaded at www.astromark.us. For a free copy of his Astromark print newsletter, call 503-252-1558.