Political and Personal Themes for 2008

• Hardships Change Course

• Honor is Big

• Addressing the Wounds as a Collective

• Environmental and Health Issues

• A Generation Due to Stand Out

• Other Stories
  

Themes in Review from '07

(August -December 2007) As we leave 2007 and head into 2008, we will be amidst a push phase. You can see this in the push for new leadership around the world. An astrological theme over the last year or so has been 'changing of the guards'. You may have noticed subtle shifts from those in control. Like Bush's fall in the polls, Chavez' lost election in Venezuela, Clinton's push to power, Fidel Castro's brother now in control, and Bhutto's push to take Musharaff's place etc. You may even have noticed different countries shift in power, e.g. China, Russia, US dollar etc. It won't just be in the political realm where we experience these changes, but on all levels; personal, communal, political and global. Even the structure of power in your own family will be changing. And, in your personal life, this is a great year to push your New Year's resolution. New projects are everywhere.
Attitudes and opinions that have been out and about this year now begin to curb, but not before a big bang that will lead us to real change, no more talk. Some things will have to happen that pulls us toward a more cautionary stance. I see new plans in December and January all over the world. Inflated egos and plans for change dominate the scene. Let's wait see.

Wake-up calls the last few months of '07 have led to major transformation, even life and death issues, as well as, a rooting out of situations and people that no longer fit the emerging long term developments for 2008 and beyond. Leaders like Bush, Chavez, Castro, now begin to show signs of being dated. If current leaders do not represent the changing definition of leadership that is to come as we step into the end of the Mayan Calendar - 2012-13, then there time is coming to an end. Deep change is due, from the way we conduct our personal lives to the way governments and big businesses maintain control. Two thousand and eight will merely introduce us to the subtle shifts and 2009 and beyond it will be made clear. Read on.

Hardships Change Course

The more immediate future has us turning our attention away from the difficult stories on our children, stars, and sports stars like VA Tech Massacre, Mike Vick dog fights, Michele Benoit and steroid abuse, Brittany Spears lost behavior, Lindsey Lohan drug and alcohol abuse. Now the up-coming problems will be around health, armed forces, labor unions, wages, service sectors, domestic pets and the environment. The concepts of being practical and frugal are likely to become more popular. Lush is out and lean is in. And, any misuse or abuses of power will not be looked upon kindly.

From August of 2007- May 2010 we'll see focus on hardships for military, perhaps a cut in spending that limits their supplies. November 2008 will mark a key time frame for this conservative behavior.

The energy is just not there for spending increases. 2008 is about civil duties and responsibilities. This is not the time for armed forces to abuse their power. Their ability to control will tighten. It just is not popular any more to push their weight around. It is about serving.

I believe we could also be hearing more on stories on animals that serve specific duties; like dogs in the military. There may be more hard stories that dominate the news were domestic pets are concerned. Training animals for their services are growing in '08.

Our attitude toward work and work ethics now become more important. We may work longer, harder hours for less. Your best bet is to put duty, service and hard work at the fore. Accomplishments are in. Your reputation and status become more of a focus.

Secret societies and governments that conduct entryism- front organizations- continue to undermine the integrity of humankind. I believe the Patriot Act resounds under this topic. Their business is a tricky one this year; a tricky dance between abuse and honor.

Even as I write, the news is covering stories on the environment, supply cuts for armed forces, wage cuts, labor union struggles, effects of drugs on your health etc. These themes are just getting started.

Honor is big in '08.

The beginning and then again at the close of 2008, we begin a long term embrace towards honor, integrity, responsibility, respect, and reputation. The energy this year lends itself toward hard work and accomplishments. I would anticipate that an intensity to achieve will develop over time. I would caution against being ambitious to a fault.

This is a year for athletes and warriors. The energy is very combative. I realize that the Olympics are in Beijing under some very tricky aspects. The astrological data in 2008 promises surprise upsets and a lot of competition. Of course, we are at war….

Illegal workers in the U.S. are not likely to have the same rights. They really need to get their legal documents because, remember, it is about honor and integrity. It is better to get used to doing it the right way.

The idea of honor will resound in what we wear, as well. We can expect to see fashion statements that align with this concept. Shall we call it popular to be honorable, respectable?

The lone artist may feel a little closed-out with all the aristocracy that exists, but never fear, so too was a casual group of rejected artists around 1840 in Paris. They were later, 1860's, known for beginning the Impressionism movement, e.g, Claude Monet. So hang together!

Addressing the Wounds as a Collective

It's about group strength this year. As humankind evolves, so too does it's voice. The type of energy that is out there this coming year is about speaking up, this is likely to lead to conflict between the self and the group, or between one country and another. To use energy for selfishness will point out our most vulnerable situations. If I were to guide the individual or collective toward a positive way out of the dichotomy of energy that exists- the fight to survive and the collective- it would be to use the powerful push for helping and healing the most vulnerable aspects of your life. The weakest link needs attention. I could give examples of Al Gore in his push to heal the Earth, or UN Peace Keeping Missions around the world, or Disaster Relief programs or even the elderly or children. The strength of the planetary data points to addressing our weaknesses as individuals, as a nation and as a collective. See yourself within the group. There are likely wounds now that need addressing.

Environmental and Health Issues

Now with Al Gore's push to save the earth, we will see continued efforts develop that look closely at environmental abuses. The business person can benefit by making his/her logo environmentally friendly. Working out efficient ways to save on energy will become increasing more popular.

I see restrictions in the food service industries. For example, the idea of 0 trans fat in school lunch menus.

Those that have been in the healing arts may now begin to experience more attention to their fields. I would imagine that there will be an increase interest in food and dietary cleansing, hygiene etc. I would anticipate the concepts of purity and practical are in.

• In my research for similar astrological patterns for 2008, environment and health issues really came to the fore.
• In 1875, Fiji Island loses 40,000 of 50,000 inhabitants in a measles epidemic following the return of Fiji King from his visit to New South Wales in 1875.
• 
  The UK Public Health Act of 1875 was created to tighten food and drug laws.
• 
  In 1978, small pox was considered eradicated. Also, Sweden banned aerosol sprays because it attacks the ozone layers of the earth.
• 
  Then there was the neighborhood called the Love Canal in Niagra Falls, NY. In 1957, homes were built on a toxic waste dump. By 1978, there was growing suspicion that the chemical waste was affecting the health of the entire neighborhood. Officials tried to bury the subject, but the illnesses, birth defects on the children and people could not be silenced. It became media frenzy.
• 
  Of course, there was the Three Mile Island incident. On March 28, 1978, Three Mile Nuclear Power plant near Harrisburg, PA has a meltdown causing environmental protests. The accident raises public safety concerns and even a movie covering the incident.

A Generation Due to Stands Out

Do any you remember the 60's and early 70's? Historically, it was a revolutionary time. There were JFK's, Martin Luther King's and Bobby Kennedy's assassinations. There were powerful secret organizations like mafia, Black Panther movement wanting to control the direction of the masses through government etc.

Well, while most us got over it and moved on there were children born with this revolutionary spirit in their blood. These babies are now of age to contribute what they know about overthrowing a system to create new one. It is their lives that now are stirred and called upon to make significant changes in the way they do things and the way things are done. It is their call to duty and/or action as individuals and as a collective. Many of the 911 bombers were of this generation. This will go on for a few more years.

I would think that this generation holds scientists with a lot of revolutionary thoughts for better or for worse. Personally, I'm looking forward to the first group of paying citizens to be slung around the moon and back again using orbital planes. Let's watch and see.

Other Areas in the World

• China is currently trying to take out US satellites that watch over Taiwan. This suggests a takeover of some sort.
  
• Interestingly enough this year has astrological similarities to 1975-1979 when China invaded Viet Nam, because Vietnam invaded Cambodia.
• Cambodia was backed by the PRC or the People's Republic of China. Some of the most brutal war\ crimes in history occurred here, that are still awaiting justice.
  
• Civil disobedience looks prominent for Venezuela, then there is Cuba. Bolivia is a poor country, the Venezuelan movements affords them opportunity beyond their means. Botswana is in a similar situation but other factors.
  
• Austrailia is on the hit list for terrorism.
  
• Watch Thailand, Somalia, Brazil, Mali, Israel, Iraq and the middle east. These charts are really resonating to the astrological data in '08.
  
• A financially difficult time for Benin. Expect more rebel movements. Senegal shows the people revolting. Kuwait can expect to see civil discord.
• Algeria, Botswana,
  
• Watch weather patterns for Mali. Leaders face hardships.
  
• Liberia will be held to higher standards, limits and heavy responsibilities. A final end to some relations in the Ivory Coast.
  
• Could the Chilean president be held in confinement? More limits for Equador.
  
• Opec is a boom!
  

Key Themes in '08

I think the undercurrent to our actions in 2008 around the world speaks about a growing intolerance for abuse. The New World was originally founded under these aspects, where the pilgrims sought religious freedom from England's stance on religious persecution. We are now witnessing the weakening effects of wars, e.g., children after war, slave labor, hunger, sanitary issues, the wounds for those less fortunate. This is a time frame in history of rooting out situations and people that no longer serve a purpose. You can take that statement from the personal level all the way out to the political level. There will be growing empathy for the wounded and attention to those less fortunate. I see a numbing effect on sensationalizing media. It looks like there is a cry for human rights and dignity. Rights of all kinds: gays, civil, prison, refugees, immigration etc.Laws tighten, especially the environmental ones. There is indication of a continued underground movement of secret organizations that ride a fine line between abuse and integrity. Work ethics are coming back. I would anticipate more issues to develop on the boundaries and expansion on political boundaries. You can see this already with the highway planed between Mexico, Canada and the U.S. Then, there is the Iraqi oil. Hmmmm. The energy to be disciplined is going to be easier. The difficulty would be in overworking, micro-managing. 2008-10 our attention turns toward our attitude at work, our assignments and chores. Worries can be heightened. Feeling insecure and working harder. We'll all be held more accountable, the push is on for taking responsibility for your work. So, trim the spending, focus on details and plan conservatively. We are all into more practical and conservative ways of doing things. So, lush is out and lean is in!

Have a Merry!

Carrie Henderson-Lever, December 14 2007.