The chart for Winter Solstice 2012 set for Washington has, incredibly, a wheel identical to the U.S. Sibly chart. This is indeed an amazing chart in many ways.

One of its amazing qualities are the number of aspects, or relationships among planets, which are nearly exact, within one degree. Exact aspects will be expressed loud and clear; there is no chance to muddy the waters. In fact, every single body in this chart, including the asteroids, Chiron, and Transpluto, is involved in what is called by astrologers a "partile" aspect. Such aspects are like firecrackers, waiting to go off in their entirety when the right fuse is lit—by such actions as transits, progressions, eclipses, etc. This is the chart for 2013, so we can say that 2013 will be an extraordinarily dynamic year.

Partile aspects are very strong. Each of these little groups of planets connected by like degrees is like a clique, or an interest group, each speaking loudly and firmly and in unison when their turn comes.

Central to this chart are the Moon’s Nodes, which show the long-range direction of evolution. They are in the Scorpio-Taurus polarity, at the exact degrees of the important Taurus-Scorpio eclipses of November 2002 and May 2003. The Scorpio-Taurus polarity is about resources, about energy systems here on earth. Taurus gathers and grows resources, and Scorpio transforms them. Taurus accumulates, Scorpio disposes. Taurus grows the plants, Scorpio prunes them.

The degree similarity to the present time means that what we do now in regard to earth’s resources and energy is crucial to what happens on the heels of this Solstice chart. Now Iraq and its oil resources provide a major focal point for the action.

But in 2012, the polarity is reversed. Now we are aiming towards Taurus qualities, accumulating and producing. In 2012 we aim for Scorpio, transforming earth’s abundance. This will be a great opportunity to really make the shift from a destructive oil-run engine of the world to a sustainable economy.

Harmoniously connected to the these crucial points, the Moon’s Nodes, are Mars in Capricorn, who gets things done, and Pallas Athena in Pisces, filled with compassion for all of humanity and wanting to join people worldwide. Pallas in Pisces has a remarkable sense of natural cycles, and Mars in Capricorn is hard-working and persistent. This Mars conjoins the U.S. Pluto and opposes the U.S. Mercury, which is the central polarity in the U.S. chart, and thus pushes the U.S. into transformative action.

We have, then, the Nodes of Destiny combined with the broad view and generalship of Pallas, and the energy of Mars—all of it intertwined closely with the U.S. business-power polarity. It looks like the U.S. takes the lead in the changes shown by Scorpio North Node.

As an aside, I have Dennis Kucinich’s chart in front of me, and I just noticed that his Venus, ruler of his Libra Sun, is conjunct the 2012 Scorpio North Node, and his Vesta in Pisces conjoins the 2012 Pallas. He is very tuned into goddess energy, and could apply it powerfully in 2012.

Sun at Solstice is at zero Capricorn. So is Juno. This shows that acting harmoniously with the establishment will be a major goal. Pluto too is there in Capricorn, which shows the strong influence of establishment power. Capricorn, the sign of organization and hierarchy, is, in fact, the dominant sign. Juno and Pluto, when not being used well, can also indicate that terrorism will be ubiquitous.

We will see some major changes in the sky between 2003 and 2012. By 2012 all of the outer planets will have recently entered new signs, and will be stirring up consciousness in a brand new way.

Neptune has just entered Pisces, its own sign. Neptune’s broad and sympathetic understanding is at home in Pisces, and people everywhere will seek to free themselves from oppression. Neptune was last in Pisces from 1848-April 1861, when the abolition movement grew enormously. The moment Neptune entered Aries, the Civil War began.

Slow-moving Transpluto, in Leo since Hitler began his takeover of Europe in the 1930’s, by 2012 has just moved into Virgo. Transpluto is the energy of resurrection. It’s the alchemist who can actually change substance. Its entry into a new sign is always marked by major events. Leo is the sign of command, and the sign of the destiny-showing North Node of the United States. Virgo is a sign of service, purification, solving problems, and making things right. Neptune and Transpluto can work together now to induce major, major worldwide changes in consciousness. We can begin to realize that we are all connected, and that we better clean up our messes and take better care of life. The chaos which is likely to occur as part of this aspect is necessary to show us what needs righting.

By 2012, Pluto has recently entered Capricorn, the sign of the U.S. Pluto. It last traveled at this degree in 1765-67. This was when England’s King George was imposing new taxes on colonial commerce. It was the impetus for the gathering of men from all the colonies who began to talk about self-government, and independence from England. U.S. democracy was born then. Perhaps in 2012, we can begin to rebirth democracy.

And, last but not least, Uranus, who wakes us up, has just entered Aries to begin a new cycle in its 84-year trip around the zodiac. Uranus was last in early Aries during 1927-29, as the wild Twenties were winding down, and the big depression was setting in. Wake-up time indeed.

In 2012, Uranus in Aries is moving into a square with Pluto in Capricorn, and we will be awakened from our lethargy during the following years. Pluto and Uranus were joined in Virgo during the 60’s and brought revolution to the world. This will be the next act of that revolution, as they have their first square. The cycle is longer and the action takes longer, but the principle is the same as the first quarter moon. That’s when we break through the weight of the past and let it go, as we actively move into the promise of the new cycle.

I think in 2012 we’re preparing for the momentous Saturn-Jupiter conjunction at 1 Aquarius at the Winter Solstice in 2020 (view chart). This represents a big move into the Aquarian Age.

As time progresses, I will talk more about these charts. However, it’s encouraging now to take a peek into the future, and know that social conditions can, and will, change.

Social change always comes from the bottom up, as people struggle for their autonomy. Part of that process is the exposure of tyranny—whether inner or outer—so that it can be released. Truth needs to come before reconciliation. A breakthrough of denial needs to come before we can face and heal addiction. If tyranny is hidden, it simply repeats itself over and over. Perhaps it is just waiting to be acknowledged and faced, so that we can move on to the next step of evolution.

The planets do indeed show that 2012 can be a door opening to a giant leap in consciousness, in regard to social healing, and in earth healing as well. They are all intimately tied together, and all moved by Spirit’s light.

The creative human spirit, reaching for that light, ultimately prevails.