Mundane Musings
Trend Analysis for the United States: Year 2002
The Economy
The economic changes that started when Saturn in Gemini opposed Pluto in Sagittarius continue in the year 2002. While we experienced many years of financial expansion and growth, now is the time to refocus our attention on value and stability. We are entering a cycle of economic downturn that will last for several years.
The Saturn and Pluto opposition which occurs in 2002 represents the need for us, as a society, to analyze the culture we've created and the structures we've put in place to maintain our culture. This is a time period to be careful in the stock market, especially in areas of transportation and technology, such as wireless and computer. Value and volume trading are the keys to stock market analysis. While only 50 percent of the population actually invested in stocks in 2001, this number will decline. The number of people who were involved in investments clubs will also decline.
Another important consideration will be the ability of a company to work in the international market. Wireless technology becomes increasingly important. The use of cell phones (called mobile phones in Europe and Asia) will increase, as will the use of satellite technology for linking notebook computers, especially in remote areas. There will be less reliance on the use of cable, telephone, and electrical lines. Yet, for US corporations to succeed, they need to change their perspective on technological developments. In Europe, as well as most of the Middle East and Africa, there is a single standard, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) for mobile (cell) phones. Due to this standard, calls can be made between different countries. Meanwhile, the United States has two standards, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), making it difficult for cell phone users to sometimes call between different states. The perception of American companies appears to be that they need to develop their personal "corporate" standard to decrease competition. This could make it more difficult for the consumer to get a good product. In Europe, it appears that the need for communications between different cultures drives the development of technology that can work to provide that communication.
Still there will be another interesting development in 2002 as it relates to cell (mobile) phones. Jupiter will enter Leo this year. More interest will develop in entertainment and speculative activities. The connection between the cell phone and Internet link-up will improve. What will really drive this improvement will be the ability to play games via the Internet. There is an expectation that the transmission speed for mobile phones in Europe, most of the Middle East, and Africa will increase from 9.6 kb to 2.5 G through technological improvements. Companies that develop Internet games that can be viewed through a small screen will be interesting to watch economically.
When Jupiter enters Leo in August 2002, the stock market will be erratic and the international banking industry will experience regulatory changes. Historically, even as early as 1422, the banking industry has experienced international growth whenever Jupiter is in Leo. Through an increased international presence, changes in financial systems will occur. There will be an increased use of electronic deposits and payments. Banks will try to exert more influence on the public to pay their bills by electronic means as opposed to checks. The reliance of the world economic market and its connection to the US dollar will be questioned. This will lead to a series of international meetings to try and develop a new international economic system. On the home front, this will be a time period where even more banks consolidate and merge, making it difficult for the small community bank to operate and increasing banking costs to the consumer.
Saturn in Gemini trines Neptune in Aquarius this year as it did last year. This represents the need for our culture to approach life from a more holistic viewpoint. It also represents difficulty in maintaining secrets. If there are problems with systems, these problems will surface. One area where there can be difficulties is with the utility business. Old systems, especially sewage systems, that have not been updated could fail. Systems that do not have back-ups (i.e., redundant systems) could have difficulties providing us with energy when switches fail. This actually occurred in 1965 when a relay switch in Ontario malfunctioned. Parts of Canada and the entire northeastern United States lost electrical power. Thirty million people were effected. There was one side effect: The birth rate increased dramatically nine months later.
This same holistic viewpoint will continue in the medical industry. Insurance companies will continue to increase their benefits for complimentary treatments, such as massage and acupuncture. More people will grow to understand the need for treatments that provide a balance in life, including the need to learn to relax and play.
And companies, trying to attract more consumers, will do whatever possible to help us spend our money: Lowering prices, and offering cash rebates and low-to-no interest payments. We just need to make certain that if we use credit cards we watch those hidden charges and shortened periods for repayment of debt. With Saturn trine Neptune, there is a tendency for companies to change the rules of repayment, making it more difficult to get out of debt.
Spiritual values
The need to approach life from a holistic viewpoint impacts our spiritual values as well. While spirituality is usually a private matter for most of us, this year we will find it becoming a public matter under the Saturn trine Neptune aspect. On a spiritual level, Saturn in Gemini and Neptune in Aquarius represents the need for us to dissolve barriers that prevent our sharing lives with other people. Community becomes more important. We return to churches and other spiritual organizations to try and establish extended families. We start taking time to communicate with the elders in our community. We see the value of others.
At the same time, the Saturn and Pluto opposition shows that we must remember to have compassion and sympathy for other races and ethnic groups that are suffering. This could be difficult when we see problems and chaos that could result in military actions. Yet, if we maintain our tolerance for others who are not involved in generating the problems or chaos, perhaps we can also increase our spiritual connection with the international community.
Our children become more important as Jupiter enters Leo. Parents scrutinize television and other entertainment programs. The past increase in violence, especially in children's programming, will be under criticism. More programs devoted to teaching spiritual values will be seen. People are looking for a way to connect with their values even through media such as television, radio, and print.
The desire to have children will increase. This could cause some ethical problems for people. In 1978, another Jupiter in Leo cycle, the first "test tube" baby, Louise Joy Brown, was born. At that time, bioethics became a consideration. During 2002, bioethics will be a consideration if people want to use surrogate mothers, or scientific advances to increase their chances of conceiving and delivering babies.
This even leads to the issue of stem cell and cloning research. In America, the values established by the President indicate that no new stem cells will be developed for research. The President established a Council of Bioethics to be chaired by Leon Kass, MD, Ph.D. However, Jupiter in Leo represents the need for the medical and scientific community to take risks when these communities feel excited about specific projects. And, Saturn trining Neptune indicates that barriers to some cultural structures will dissolve. Already biotech companies are raising concerns that corporations in other countries will be able to conduct research because their ethics differ from those in the United States. Private corporations have fewer restrictions than research institutions funded by the federal government. Research on stem cells and cloning will continue in the private sector, even if it becomes limited in other scientific institutions.
Government
One of the facts that we can't ignore is the country is at war at the time of writing this article. The terror that occurred on September 11, 2001, and continues to follow, was shown by the Saturn opposing Pluto. This represents cultures that clash, creating anger and chaos at a time when acceptance of others isn't occurring. This is shown by the attitude some groups have towards the United States. And, this can also be shown by some of the attitudes between various groups within the United States. Clashes between different ethnic groups, which attempt to place their values on others, historically occur during this cycle. With Jupiter entering Leo, it could become too easy for us to feel we can win at anything. It's important to accept that any war based on such conflicting value systems is not easy to win. It takes time. As we go through 2002, there may be more demonstrations calling for peace. In the interim, we will find that Congress is giving the President more powers to make quick decisions. Issues of civil liberties will become a greater concern.
With Saturn trining Neptune, pharmaceutical companies are called upon to develop new medications that can help people. This can lead to more effective medications. Even the manufacturing processes for medicines will need to undergo changes, making the manufacturing more efficient.
In August another new cycle beings with Saturn in Gemini trining Uranus in Aquarius. This represents the need for society to be willing to make changes to prevent chaos. It also represents times of great change in communications and the study of molecular structures in science. The need for faster communications on a global level will occur. Communications between governments needs to be fast and can't always been done in person. Video and radio technology will improve, especially with the use of satellites for more accurate information. New approaches for protecting computer security will be released. This can provide benefits not only on a global scale, but also for individuals with their own personal computers. Software companies will be releasing new versions of virus protect and firewall programs that will be important for all people to load on their computers and keep updated on a regular basis.
There will also be changes in the media and how it reports the news. While media was interested in reporting the news before other stations could get the information, there will be a need for more careful reporting before releasing some of the information. We, as the public, will need to have as much complete information as possible and not get just a few facts. On the other hand, the government may also ask the media to withhold some information before releasing it. This could cause some distrust between the government and the media.
Education
When Jupiter was in Cancer last year, home schooling became more important to parents. While this trend will continue for a while longer, this will change when Jupiter enters Leo. Parents will be more concerned with having their children interact with other children. Even parents who continue to home school their children will find the need to develop social outlets for their children. The need to be part of a social group will become more important.
Colleges and universities will find their educational structures changing as Saturn trines Uranus. Already, with Saturn trining Neptune, more educational institutions of higher learning are seeking ways to increase the number of adult students entering their schools. Internet and video teleconferencing schools will increase in number. The need for cross-disciplinary programs will increase. Examples of these cross-disciplinary programs are lawyers returning to school to understand the environment and getting involved in eco-law. Another example of this are doctors who study philosophy so that they have a better understanding of bioethics. This can also benefit individuals who are not interested in getting a Masters or Doctoral degree, but rather are interested in broadening their current careers by taking certification programs in areas such as nutritional counseling.
Living with cycles
Cycles occur much like the tides of an ocean. At times we experience a zest of emotions that are much like seeing the high tide of an ocean. Other times, we see what's left behind like the shells and seaweed on a beach at low tide. These cycles are part of experiencing life. Currently, we are in an economic and global low tide. It's not easy for families that experience unemployment. And, it's not easy feeling that the President may decide to re-enact the draft for the military. What it does show is just how interconnected we are on this planet. The year 2002 will bring changes in how we spend our money and manage our credit. Connections with families will continue to be important, as will connections with our community and spiritual organizations. Even the entertainment field will place greater value on spiritual connections. Advances will occur in the scientific community that can benefit our ability to be healthier. This "low tide" will give way to the "high tide." © Misty Kuceris 2001
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