Having closely been observing the approach of Pluto to the super-sensitive Aries Point in the horoscopes of many of those around me lately, I started thinking ... Then suddenly, it dawned on me; millions of people either have a planet, angle or Sun/Moon midpoint at the Aries Point and transiting Pluto will aspect it either by conjunction, square or opposition for ALL of them between December 2008 and December 2009 (with the general acceptance of a 2 degree orb).

There is evidence within the horoscope of radio celebrity Howard Stern, to support the fact that one needn't have anything natally at the AP in order for something to happen when it is activated by a transiting planet.

As we know, Pluto is commonly associated with illness. But what kind? Many believe it to be cancer (which has proven to be relevant) although I prefer to think it all depends on the sign and house with which we are specifically dealing. In January 2009, Mars will conjunct that point by transit - triggering my suspicions. Hence, we have the flavor of Pluto in Capricorn. Might we anticipate the outbreak of a new sexually transmitted pandemic, which affects the skeletal structure or skin? Could Earth's population be brought to it's 'knees' and asked to question some moral values such as promiscuity and the eating of meat (barring any judgment)? Allow me to explain how I come to that summation.

On home ground, just recently, a new and deadly strain of Tuberculosis has claimed the lives of nine people and it is suspected that even our own health minister may be infected. Given that many people on the African continent and indeed many other parts of the globe are HIV positive or have full-blown AIDS, a strain of this nature can aggravate the disease - speeding an incalculable amount of individuals to their graves. In Asia, there is the dreaded H5N1 virus commonly referred to as Bird Flu, now also prevalent in British poultry farms.

Will this mean that those with this aspect may be catapulted into the public eye because of their illness? This is the essence of the Aries Point; a way out from within. So these speculations are purely food for thought ...

First, let us establish whether anything of significant magnitude has occurred the last time Pluto was recorded to have crossed the Aries Point in transit. Pluto was discovered February 18, 1930 at 03:58 pm, Flagstaff, Arizona by Clyde Tombaugh in the Lowel Observatory. It was named Pluto after the God of the underworld as well as Percival Lowel (PL) himself. At that time, it was recorded at 29 degrees of Cancer. This amazing discovery preceded WWII; a six year long campaign during which unthinkable human atrocities occurred.

But in fact, it was also a precursor to WWI and the outbreak of a sinister disease known as 'The Spanish Lady' or Avian Influenza! Why? Because, in December 1913, Pluto was positioned at 0 Cancer and retrograded back and forth until 1918. In addition, Uranus was situated in Pisces, as it is presently. Might this include the debilitation of the lower limbs? A concept that may be intensified due to the mutual reception of Neptune in Aquarius.

Thought to have originated in Spain, Avian Influenza claimed hundreds of thousands of lives - leaving millions seriously ill in both Europe and America. Effective vaccinations were too controversial to implement on a large scale, as the symptoms they produced were most unpredictable and often also fatal.

Records of Avian Influenza outbreaks date back to as early as 412 B.C. It surfaced again in 1173, 167 years before it was dubbed 'The Black Death'. Certainly mankind has been consuming meat since way before that - particularly those with a genetic craving for it; the hunter-gatherer 'O' blood types. Notice though that each time it was the population of Europe who suffered the worst of the outbreaks; those with mainly 'A' or 'AB' blood types.

Of course, on a personal level, we may have our own issues with which to contend. For instance, the exercising of power within our relationships in the case of the Sun/Moon midpoint. A potential move in the case of the angles. And lastly public projection, ascension or advance in the case of a planet at the Aries Point (depending obviously on that planet's vibration). However, it seems highly unlikely that EVERYONE will be filing for divorce at exactly the same time even if the Aries Point is a relationship 'hot-spot'! Therefore, I am leaning towards something entirely contrary, something which affects the human race as a whole or even relationships of a different kind e.g. our relationship to the Earth.

Yet there is a kindness to Pluto, which is the aspect I always look for in the archetype. The Greek God Hades (also known as Pluto in Roman mythology), abducted Persephone, the daughter of the Goddess Demeter and held her captive in his realm for six months. Yet, released her for the second half of the year. This is the nature of Pluto - though it may plummet us into periods of darkness where we literally feel as though we are being 'taken under', it allows us to re-emerge as something greatly transformed.

Better still, perhaps disaster has narrowly been averted in the nick of time given Pluto's recent demotion to 'dwarf planet' status, symbolically insinuating that maybe, the potential impact of a weighty catastrophe can be contained. Indeed, things only come along when they are needed in our lives and leave when they are no longer necessary.

Stay healthy!