Looking into the planetary future of the year 2002, World Class Astrologer/Astronomer Susie Cox of Tucson, Arizona sees the potential for some very good things to happen personally and globally, a time to be brave and bold and, …a time frame to be wary.

Well before September 11, 2001 Cox had dubbed the Year of the Metal Snake as a time when "bullies" would be coming out of the woodwork and asked people who the bullies in their own lives were. Now, with a world full of terrorist activities she said the question of just who is the bully, remains.

Cox said that astrologically speaking we continue to be in the wake of major planetary configurations which occurred last summer and autumn with Mars, Pluto and Saturn at various times conjuncting, opposing and passing each other.

In the study of Astrology Mars is related to action, sometimes warlike. Pluto is defined as pure power and Saturn is generally connected with structure of government and business. When these three planets line up with each other in opposition history shows events of great magnitude usually occur.

Last fall Saturn and Pluto were in a position of opposition to each other and Mars was conjunct (very close proximity to) Pluto. Since then Saturn has been in a retrograde, appearing to fall behind the other two. Saturn will rejoin Pluto and Mars for the third and last time May 22 through the 30th however, not in a configuration quite as powerful.

From January 23 through February 4 of this year Cox said Saturn trined Neptune. The word "trine" is short for triangle and is defined as when planets are 120 degrees away from each other. A geometric triangle is made up of three equal length sides making it well balanced, strong and in astrological terms, harmonious. Saturn relates to working on and accomplishing things, Neptune is healing and spirituality, which made that period a time of soul searching and reordering priorities.

On February 12 the Chinese New Year arrived on a "Water/Horse" which Cox thinks will be a welcome change from 2001's "Year of the Metal Snake." She equated the Water Horse to, "High spiritedness, galloping along making clear decisions, action…a good year for entrepreneurs and being brave and bold."

There is however, a time in May when the planets once again arrive in an arrangement reminiscent of last fall. The principal actors in the configuration are the same as in September but their positions on stage have changed. On September 11, Mars and Pluto were joined and opposing Saturn. In early May, 2002 Mars and Saturn join and oppose Pluto. Taking it to a personal astrology level Cox said, "A positive way of looking at it is it's a good time to get a lot of work done and to push through projects that maybe haven't been fun but, things you want to get done." And, with a global view she said, "My key words here are…'military strength.' We're not quite done with this phase yet."

Cox calls May 26 the one date through the year that looks, "hairy." On the 26th Saturn takes a last pass at opposing Pluto. "So, what I've said here is, 'last of the bullies' because this is the last pass. The odd thing you see is Mars is right next to Saturn… so Mars is triggering off that same aspect that triggered everything last summer and fall." She said it is a configuration similar to last September, with an added attraction. "The other thing that's happening is…which is a kind of weird combination…also on May 26 is an eclipse of the Moon." Cox said she did an astrological chart for that specific date and, "It's a pretty rough looking day."

Over the thousands of years that planetary positions have been documented in relation to events on earth, eclipses equate to turning points especially in an alignment such as this one. "We have Mars, Saturn, Pluto and an eclipse all exactly in the same place in the sky." Cox, who takes the high road on astrological interpretations, said it is a date, "…you have to look at, even if you are a positive person." The cast list of universal players all coming together on that specific date includes; Sun, Mercury, Moon, Mars, Saturn, and Pluto…with the Moon being eclipsed. May 26 is the full Moon Sunday of the Memorial Day weekend. The Astrologer recommends spending the holiday, entertaining at home.

Cox said the thing that makes this particular alignment so powerful is that there are no lighter-weight balancing factors, just Pluto, Saturn, Mars and a lunar eclipse.

Eclipses usually happen in pairs, twice a year six months apart. On June 10 is an eclipse of the Sun, which will be visible in North America at about 5PM Pacific Daylight Time. Then on June 24 there will be another eclipse of the Moon however it won't be visible in this country. Visible or not Cox said, "Three eclipses instead of two?! So, you can see it adds to the impact of that time of year."

On July 3 Mars conjuncts Jupiter. According to Cox Jupiter is related to patriotism and doing things in a big way which can even be termed 'explosive' and she sees this year's 4th of July as the most patriotic since 1776. Right about that time of 2002 she finds planetary aspects in which there could be an opportunity for an upswing in all things including the economy. She also predicts, based on planetary positions that between July and August 21 there are going to be major discussions on the definition of American freedom.

On August 21 Saturn trines Uranus. Cox said Saturn can be considered the 'conservative' while Uranus is the 'radical.' In the harmonious triangular connection she sees a blending of usually opposing forces pulling together to create new forms…a Genesis of newly defined and structured freedom.

Another date of major significance is September 11, 2002 not only for obvious reasons but also for an overabundance of emotional sensitivity as Jupiter opposes Neptune. The celestial configuration known for heightened emotion, combined with the media's propensity to commercialize tragedy will make the anniversary something bordering on maudlin.

Cox said that towards the end of October right through December a more friendly positioning of Jupiter and Pluto will open a door to the positive side. "We're number one…a bit of bragging here. It will be interesting to see what we're going to be bragging about." She does see it as a winning time in people's lives, a time of confidence and cooperation.

In mid December the Saturn/Uranus trine slides into a retrograde and on December 18 Jupiter trines Pluto for the second time since late October, all changing the flow to a more harmonious, optimistic atmosphere for working on changes and developing new policies.

The second eclipse season of the year begins in November with a lunar eclipse on the 19th. Although the grand finale event will not be visible in this country, 2002 goes out in celestial style with the fifth eclipse of the year, a total eclipse of the Sun on December 3.

Overall, Astrologer Susie Cox said she has a good feeling about the year 2002, "…especially once we get past the 4th of July!"