CAPRICORN: 21 December – 18 January

What can you expect of 2009, Capricorn?

By Shelley von Strunckel

Finance, Work and Achievements

As you begin 2009 you'll be reviewing every area of your life. But from the early days of the year you'll be focusing especially on what you do, the goals you set, what you feel constitutes an accomplishment and what you regard as obstacles. All of these will require a serious review, simply because the planet of truth, Pluto, only just having moved into your sign in late 2008, and raising issues about both existing concerns and matters that you hadn't been aware of, there are bound to be numerous questions. Take time answering these questions as they appear, and the insights that result will be remarkably illuminating. They'll encourage you to adjust or revise your goals, and in turn, to create new objectives for the cycle of your life which is only just beginning to unfold. Initially, these discussions - which may seem a nuisance - may seem unnecessary. But as your ruler Saturn challenges the planet of innovation, Uranus, early in the year, in February, and again in mid-September, you'll realise that the more aware you are of your own goals, the more wisely you'll able to react to the changes in circumstance triggered by these planets' powerful aspects.

Health and Wellbeing

Because 2009 is a year during which you'll be altering certain habits, some of very long-standing, and probably in every area of your life, you'll be reviewing what you do every day. You'll be thinking about what you've assumed is good for you. This particularly applies to your day to day life, to how you look after yourself and to your physical wellbeing. But you'll also realise that you need to think about how you eat, and whether the diet that once worked for you still does. During the year's second half, you'll be particularly conscious of the need to examine and perhaps change certain of these habits, especially around the time of eclipses in your sign, in July and in late December and also, in early January of 2010. At first what arises may be disruptive. Events could throw your schedule into chaos. But actually, these changes are doing you a favour. Recognise this review as an opportunity to explore, to try out new types of approaches to fitness and new ways of eating, and not only will you improve on your life, you'll find that there are enjoyable as well as helpful pursuits, just waiting to be discovered.

Love and Close Relationships

Those who know and love Capricorns appreciate their relationship with you because it's a solid one. This is because you don't commit without meaning it, and once you have made that commitment, you work hard to maintain it. Yet because this year is all about transition you could be stretched. So much that you quite unintentionally neglect others, even those you care about most. When such situations have occurred in the past, you've relied on the fact that time equalises everything. During this year, however, those closest - personally and professionally - will also be dealing with changes, and will be less patient and understanding. So, instead of withdrawing discreetly, as you have done in the past, give the psychology of others some thought. Let them know you care, both with your words and actions. And instead discuss what you're going through with them. Some of what you're wrestling with may seem tedious to you but you'll be surprised how supportive others are able to be, even at times when you're slightly embarrassed to admit what you're struggling with. Not only will their support be touching, their ideas could make all the difference when it comes to the decisions and changes you're undertaking.

Mind, Body, Spirit

With your ruler, Saturn, remaining in the most expansive angle of your chart for most of this year, you're in a cycle that's as much about discovery, especially of a spiritual nature, as it is about achievement in the material world. Ordinarily you focus on one or the other. During this year, you'll want to try to balance the two. Ensure that every day you set aside at least a few minutes for such reflection, and this will help you remember that as much as you wish to achieve, being contented in your own life is as important.