The Biggest Challenges in 2019

2019 is a year you'll always remember. Massive bedrock changes are on the cusp of unfolding globally as life and the world as we know it face powerful cosmic forces operating at a very fundamental level. 
Two of these - Saturn and Pluto - are covered in this post.
 They both produce conditions which can be the most demanding ever. As 2019 opens both continue to transit Capricorn. 

 By year's end these two powerhouses will come to near exact conjunction, just over a degree apart but every step towards early 2020 is one to use well as you climb your personal mountain.

Matterhorn

Why is this significant?

Saturn and its relevant zodiac sign Capricorn are strongly connected to government, business, corporations, banking, structures, infrastructure, history, ancient things, senior citizens, rules, regulations, conservatism, cost-saving, austerity, walls, fences, borders, boundaries, limits, rules, regulations, controls...and the flow on effects have economic impacts..these are just some of the standout manifestations of Saturn energy in our daily lives

Pluto which expresses most authentically through Scorpio is not totally at home in Capricorn -but it does share the control-freak tendencies with Saturn and it likes structures in the context of restructuring - but by demolition. Both Saturn and Pluto have a connection to end of life, broken things, people who are wrecked or worn out - because both energies harnessed positively can work to rebuild, restore, regenerate.

Saturn energy often functions as the methodical fixer due to the application of well-defined boundaries, limits, a clear management plan that has rules and responsibilities acknowledged and factored in.

Pluto energy works more dramatically and extremely to break down a person or thing in body/mind or to the core - in order to transform the dross material into a superior version: Pluto's task is evolutionary and the same relentless approach is applied in aspects of life that come under this planet's gaze.

Since 2008 Pluto has been eyeballing governments, corporations, business, banking, infrastructure, democracy & the global economy and let's not forget -that very Capricornian institution - the Patriarchy. Does anyone believe that #TimesUp and #MeToo are finished?

Pluto and Saturn together are megaforces from the cosmos set to deliver changes at the bedrock that allow whole new structures to permeate global human institutions and people to make enormous growthful changes.

Saturn in Capricorn reinforces the energy of retaining ancient practices, institutional power and traditions -such as practised in fundamentalist faiths.
Pluto in Capricorn is the energy to annihilate these and or replace then with updated versions that meet current societal conditions.

All the talk about taxation [especially capital gains tax and mega corporates having to confront tax liabilities] is totally reflective of the Capricorn restructuring under the pressure of Saturn and Pluto energies converging and combining.
No amount of political whinging and whining will prevent both a massive restructuring of taxation and of banking sector practices - the beginnings already  underway and processes of change extending through the period up to 2022

18 year old Saudi woman Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun fled her family in January 2019 to seek a new life. By fleeing a life where she claims physical and psychological abuse from her father and brother she personifies the essence and zeitgeist of the deep global change that is clearly underway as a consequence of Saturn and Pluto converging in Capricorn. The timing is reflected by these combined forces being in conjunction with the early January 2019 Capricorn New Moon eclipse.

Frazey Ford's treatment of "Done" also spells end-times for the patriarchy.

Saturn came again into Capricorn at the tail end of December 2017.

These 2 planets combine forces strongly in 2019 and remain close in Capricorn for some parts of 2020.
There is definitely a power struggle aspect to these two forces being combined. Each one is most comfortable being boss and so in your resolution of these planets in the areas of relevance, you are likely to meet some opposing force that seeks to block or delay your process. This blocking force could come from within you or from an external source.

In the world of politics Brexit, The Wall and the Federal Shutdown are all classic examples of high stakes power struggles between opposing forces.

See links below for the global aspects of these two planets in Capricorn.

The following information is related to individual personal development in 2019

Not many people will call Saturn or Pluto their friend or favourite planets - but we are all best advised and clearly forewarned to cosy up to both of these forces and say Yes to the processes that will unfold for all of us and have significant impact on all of us. There is truly nowhere to hide when these two come to town - but they will work with you and for you if you commit to working with them.

Each of us has two areas of life that will resonate strongly like tuning forks to the profound need for rebuilding and regenerating. Capricorn is a slow-paced sign -treat this period as careful steady progress with periods of delay, blockage and frustration. 

• If you have a personal chart based on your birth-time you will look at where Capricorn is placed -specifically the range from 11-23 degrees for 2019.
• If you know your zodiac/sun sign you can identify the other significant area for this process
• The 2 planets together in Capricorn ask you to enter a new phase of adulthood or maturity -no matter what your chronological age. First you may need to find out what adult and mature actually mean. You will also be pushed to adopt practices of self-management -not relying on others or society at large to set the rules and limits for you. Capricorn is a sign very suited to solitude. This space in which to reflect will prove to be very beneficial as you tackle the challenges set for you. Great courage is being demanded as you face having to firstly dissemble, destroy, lose or abandon what you have built, acquired or a lifestyle you have clung to for a long time before the replacement can be put in place. What begins in 2019 will be extended into 2020

For Aries it is about career goals or ambitions. For those functioning more spiritually it is about vocation or calling 

For Taurus it is about expansion and exploration -mind/body/soul - and can involve travel, formal study,  professional sport

For Gemini it is about death and transformation which are both very related to Saturn and Pluto. Maturing, finding a deeper state of empowerment, developing advanced metaphysical abilities based on working with energies

For Cancer it involves powerful shifts in relating to others, being able to function in relationships.

For Leo the challenges involve routine work commitments as well as health conditions related to diet, nutrition, digestion as well as structural skeletal and bone. Skin and teeth are also related to Saturn.

For Virgo it involves the ability to love and to create. A mature phase is on offer in these areas as well as regarding children

For Libra the past has to be dealt with - family especially - roots, origins, ancestry - and how to deal with family challenges with a new level of maturity. The influence of Father will be very relevant for many. Home and its responsibilities and commitments are a major area of focus

For Scorpio the way your mind has functioned and your way of communicating are both up for a major makeover. You are pressured to go deeper, be more serious and insightful as well as recognising the need to have a more mature outlook, meeting your responsibilities or being a source of knowledge when it comes to communicating. This could involve becoming an educator or having a word-related career

For Sagittarius it really is time to face the responsibilities of income and assets. Either make plans to manage these better or abandon the material world as much as you practically can. Looking after your body is a big requirement -recognising limits - or the big defects will start to arise in the skeletal system in particular.

For Capricorn -you get potentially the best [or least aggravating] deal - you should know lots of ways in which you are already quite typical of your zodiac sign -but wait - there's more: clearly all the Capricorns in the world have to do more work -and this may not be defined so much as employment - but work on yourself -self management - since you are already a talented boss or manager you can now direct those skills at that face in the mirror. Maybe you have been too Capricorn - too restricted, repressed, too conservative or conventional, too stingy, too negative, too cautious: now's time to look at Capricorn at it's best - being a guiding, mentoring parental type person, happy to support and nurture others and to contribute to a benevolent society where government has those same ideals underlying policy. The basic guide for your sign is: whatever version of Capricorn you have been is set to be upgraded to an advanced version fully ready to become the sort of role model that all human societies need to function well. Teeth, skin and bones may all break down under the pressure.

For Aquarius the commitments and responsibilities you now have involve personal isolation. At best this involves self-selected retreat and solitude - a necessary retreat from the world in order to gain new insights and growthful qualities. The other common isolation environments are more challenging: hospitalisation, imprisonment or being kidnapped. It is far better you go willingly rather than attract an enforced period away from the everyday world. Look at whether your unconventional or rebellious ways have let you get into difficulties with authorities or the system 

For Pisces big things will be happening in friendship relationships. Longstanding connections may have to be annihilated in order for new qualities of friendship to be developed or current friendships restructured if they have started to crumble. Other arenas for this activity are in group/community/networks - including digital/social media housekeeping where friends may need to be let go off and some culling of alliances by unfollowing. Overall a transformed notion of friendship should evolve & you will know better how to function as a friend due to understanding the role, responsibilities and commitments.

The other very significant influences in 2019 include:

• The shift of planet Uranus into Taurus for a 7 year period from week 2 of March 2019
• The combination of Jupiter and Neptune which creates another set of blended forces - evident in extreme environmental effects [such as intensified rainfall and flooding] and excesses in human behaviour [substance addictions, lack of self control] 

Watch 2019 periods of strong Jupiter-Neptune activations: weeks 3 and 4 in January; the Full Moon period, end of March; around June 10th and the 3rd week of June; week 2 and week 4 of September; week 4 of November

Also on this blog:

for further major planetary influences in 2019 read Astrology of 2019 global forecast and 2019 Zodiac in a nutshell

Astrology of 2019 global forecast

The astrology of 2019 in global terms is dominated by the cardinal energy led by Capricorn and expressed through the resonant signs Cancer, Libra and Aries.
We are all affected by these four signs as shown in their impact upon a person's full birth chart. People born under Capricorn Cancer Libra and Aries and especially those born in the range from the 5th-13th of their month will experience effects that will be growthful, testing and challenging -hard work, hard times, character-building stressful and potentially, ultimately very rewarding.
2019 will be a huge year in politics, business, banking, infrastructure. All the bedrock infrastructure -the physical material built and natural, as well as the societal structures that manage our life conditions are all up for major transformations.
In addition it is clear that increasingly severe weather conditions will play a significant role in the restructuring of environments and will affect human-made constructions.

Responsible management is the mantra for 2019 across all potential aspects of our existence -ignoring this in our natural environment is indeed perilous -echoing the warning recently delivered by Sir David Attenborough. But also in our societal and personal environments the warning signs are clear that many behaviours are unsustainable and are overdue for self-management.

There will be significant impacts upon homes, families, housing, homelessness in terms of addressing the necessity for responsible management. Governments globally are required to rise to the challenge of governing humanely not driven by the misguided culture of business agendas.

Some conditions will improve immensely, others deteriorate majorly - extremes of thriving or being annihilated are on the table depending upon how closely the zeitgeist or spirit of the times is being adhered to or resisted by individuals, societies or collectively as a species.

Some businesses will reach a pinnacle of success while others that are not on the requisite page will fail.
Career peaks are also on offer for those most positively affected.

Relating is a key issue - relating in general to other humans, other beings in general as well as personal relationships, marriages and partnerships - also in the context of business or work dynamics/partnerships. We have to learn how to get on better and if efforts fail, how to terminate what's not working.

Families, kinship, heredity and ultimately the human family being under focus is intended to bind us not separate us. A lot needs to be resolved.

The Aries factor involves the challenge for all of us to manage personal egos, selfishness and seek out balanced mature role models to emulate instead of wanting to remain ever juvenile. The Aries part in all of us needs to learn how to mature willingly and to discover the benefits of experience and being unashamedly the supportive, mentoring senior. Most cultures still revere the wisdom of their elders but this is declining in many Western nations and is not to be encouraged.

Key stress points in the year are around the early January eclipse [which has a minimum 6 month influence period] ; mid April, July - 2 significant eclipses [also with 6 month effect period], mid October and late December.
The first and last quarters or 3 month periods of 2019 have the strongest overt expression of potentials

further content is added here to the initial 

quick summary
also read more detail in The Biggest Challenges in 2019

update January 4 2019
The Oxford Astrologer Christina mentions in the podcast for January 2019 another important expression of the Capricorn energy in 2019, coupled with this starter eclipse for the year being a Capricorn New Moon joined by Saturn and Pluto: the patriarchy will continue to be in the throes of transformation [my words] - this now long-institutionalised male system of privilege and power will undergo sustained challenges which will demand a sharing of our world.

update December 31 2018 The New Year period

• 2019 opens with the building energies of the first eclipse [January 6] in Capricorn. As typical, extreme energies are whipped up in the window period of an eclipse and for at least half a year ahead. The window opens then closes within 3 days of exactitude = allow 3 days either side of January 6.
• A Capricorn New Moon eclipse highlights the need to increase your level of self management -not expecting parents, partners or society to be the only moderating forces. The responsibility is yours. Stepping up, showing leadership, mentoring are further ways to go with this flow which is relevant to all of us. This type of growth will be assisted if your beliefs expand to recognise that we are all connected, all in this together, all have to play our part.
• 2019 opens ominously due to the influence of Uranus in Aries in a strengthened state as it turns direct once again. The capturing of Venus in Scorpio and the lunar nodes on the Capricorn-Cancer axis will be a period to watch = Jan 4-6. Relationships suddenly altered -some starting with great passion and intensity some ending with the same fervour. This extends from family, personal to local national and international relations. Some people's lives are at risk in the intensity of influences affecting masses of people. For others it will be just the risk of one person. [ New Zealand boy racer gatherings at the end of 2018 have lots of the January eclipse themes already emerging - antisocial behaviour posing a dilemma for Police in terms of when & how to step in ]
• The Capricorn elements of the eclipse are strong and will express in some contexts as authoritarian responses to mass anarchy, random violence, aggressive assaults. This is not the time to risk being caught up in out of control group bravado or antisocial behaviour: the System is poised for tough crackdowns though some reticence initially may spring from Neptune's voice of light-handed = soft tolerance. [these two planets are closely linked in this period] But firm responses will be better than letting Neptune and Jupiter get fully loose expression.
• Adding in Jupiter and Neptune means there is huge scope for faith based conflicts, acts based on religious extremism, clashes of beliefs, differences of opinion. These planets combined can also promote excess alcohol, excess drug use and general lack of boundaries. Some will break all their limits and rules others will be ready to face the necessity for self-management, lines in the sand, boundaries, temperance and restraint.
• Issues impacting homes, housing, families will be significant through all the themes associated with this eclipse
• With Venus connected tightly to Uranus during this last segment of Uranus in Aries this eclipse also foreshadows the material/financial/economic changes already poised to have global impact during the years of Uranus in Taurus and so some further signposts are likely to emerge in the early period of 2019 confirming the mood of change.

Financial astrology specialist Ray Merriman considers 2019 will put all the ducks in line to create the classic bursting of the Jupiter-Neptune bubbles [illusions, blind optimism etc] with a hard awakening courtesy of all the Capricorn energy in play - which he sees then unfolding in 2020.
Astrologers of all kinds know that huge change is on the horizon regarding our material/financial/economic behaviour, infrastructure and models due to the background layer of Uranus in Taurus and it is clear that major change just like a single "accident" is never down to one single factor - or in this context one astrological influence. Many ingredients synergise as in a chemical process and eventually the trigger energy unleashes the whole shebang. The question is which trigger effects this and when is that trigger because it is clear as day that the necessary ingredients are very much converging as 2018 closes.

update December 29 2018
Other than individual profiles of public figures, this site also covers globally relevant forecasts. One style of interpretation used for mass readings where individual birth times are not the focus - these group forecasts are based on the Sun or Zodiac Signs and though not a first choice method for many astrologers and not a focus of this website, the method has its uses.
For some very useful content visit Sally Kirkman's astrology site - some paid and some free material which includes the use of sun sign predictions and forecasts for the year ahead. This approach uses the birth zodiac sign as the rising sign to create a chart wheel from that starting point.

This sample with Aries at the left side would be a Sun sign wheel for that sign. Just rotate this image to place your sun sign in that left side "rising" position. Now this is the Sun Sign wheel for a person who is Libra

Using this method all the current planets are placed in the relevant areas of life [houses of the chart] and this alternate system [ie a birth time is not needed] is capable of providing another layer of information if you also have the more precise option of a chart based on your time of birth. For those lacking a known birth time this "Sun Sign" method provides meaningful indicators.

update Dec 18 2018
The Justice minister for the NZ government has been in talks with Google over the disclosure of a defendant's name in a recent high profile murder case -despite name suppression being in effect in NZ. This example reflects the emerging responsible management theme which will gain much greater ground in 2019
The other news regarding NZ govt agencies using private investigators to investigate citizens in ways that posed "an affront to democracy" represents another alarming feature of the current era where over-use of power by state agencies is a significant threat -and is clearly seen to have elements that revisit the 1930's in Europe - a dedicated post on this site examines the repeating cycles that generate this match

update Dec 17: in 2019 New Zealand is set to explore integrating "wellbeing" into the government budget.

the UK, Korea, Mexico, Israel and Austria... have all been

 exploring the wellbeing frameworks within their economies

This development clearly represents a transformational potential unfolding at the level of national politics within a democratic system and is in tune with the highest capacity of government: to nurture citizens in pursuit of the best possible quality of life.

Astrological notes:
Saturn and Pluto remain in close conjunction for most of 2019.
Saturn will range from 11-21 degrees and Pluto from 20-23 degrees over the course of the year.
Their midpoints need to be given attention -ranging from 16-21.5 degrees as much of the action is likely to occur when these two power players are closely merged.
The closest conjunction of the two is under 2 degrees at New Years Eve December 31.
Both Saturn and Jupiter are both in direct movement for 6 months of 2019 - Jan, Feb, March and Oct, Nov, Dec.
Their potency is most overt in those months.

Jupiter and Neptune in the mutable indicators Sagittarius and Pisces are major indicators of water related weather and climate effects in 2019.
Uranus in Aries until early March ramps up the heat, fire, combustibility aspects.
Uranus in Taurus expresses as changes in land and soil as a consequence of the workings of Jupiter, Neptune and Uranus already in process. Changes in land stability with subsequent landslides and earthquakes will continue to be notable.
Saturn and Neptune in close contact for most of 2019 offer a perfect opportunity to combine compassion with pragmatism = a benevolent government. It's about balancing out so the practicalities of Saturn are not so rigid and the looseness of Neptune is kept within clear boundaries. The same principles will apply to people in 2019 -the relevance depends upon your inherent nature: -some need to loosen up, some need to be more constrained.