Susan Miller on Loss, Fear and Adapting to a Changing Economy

Saturn is winding down it's time in Virgo, but won't change signs until October 30th, when it goes into Libra. Says Susan, "I have noticed every time Saturn changes signs, the wind changes directions in the part of the chart it touches." This fits in with the theme of doors closing, since Saturn makes it real clear that it's time to try a different approach. "Saturn will keep twisting your arm," says Susan, who shares her own example.

After getting let go from a major corporation, she tried to knock on the doors of other major corporations. And that might be what many of us do in the job market....it makes sense, right? But after hitting wall after wall (a sign of Saturn's endings), she asked for guidance, and right there, on her coffee table, saw an article about "Stephen King making a fortune on E-books." And that's when she started publishing her own e-book on "The Year Ahead" for each Zodiac sign. "Saturn will then stop giving you pain, because he’s so pleased that you’ve tried something different. But you have do that first step and crack the ice," she says.

Says Susan, "We have to remake ourselves …find new solutions…even if it’s the wrong solution it’s ok, what matters is we make a decision." It's important to have an experimental attitude, she says. "Keep on plugging. It's a work-in-progress." She says to look at Jupiter, where luck lies, for clues on how to open the doors. And your relationship with Pluto is key, especially if transiting Pluto in Capricorn is aspecting your natal planets. "If it's in a hard angle, it tells us where it's going to be challenging, but a harmonious one can put you on top of the mountains!" There may be ways to get government grants, or get involved in government programs or big corporations, if that's the case for you.

She says, "This is one of those shake outs..coconuts are falling out of the trees, and what’s left standing is what’s valuable, and what's not is on its way out." Being creative might mean being entrepreneurial, and getting involved in emerging innovations. She describes how she had a friend in the old-school print film business. "I told him, 'you’ve got to get into digital. He froze, he should’ve folded the business quickly. The tsunami is coming. You can’t freeze, cause it ‘ll take you out."

She continues, "Look at what you love. Education is great, if you can afford it. We are creatures of habit, and hunker down when faced with great change, but we have to see it. September is going to be a transitional month, and it will be painful for everybody. But we learn the most in pain, my mother used to say."

Yes, this fall looks like it brings a series of cosmic punches our way. But Susan likens it to doing the real work when we're in the boxing ring, not when we're resting on the sidelines with someone pouring cool water on our heads. She says, "The work of life is being in the ring and taking those punches, getting stronger. And we're going to be stronger."

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