In the wake of the AIG scandal, the US government is now clamping down on corporate usage of bailout funds. This Sunday, President Obama asked GM Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner to step down from his post. The President also mandated that Chrysler must form a partnership with Italian automaker Fiat by April 30, 2009 in order to receive further government funds.

The increased regulation of corporations is a cycle we are likely to continue seeing. Since late November of 2008, transformer Pluto settled into Capricorn–its new home until 2024. Capricorn rules big businesses, the economy as well as government. There’s a new sheriff in town, y’all…and he’s not letting nuthin’ get past him.

We point to Pluto in Capricorn as the source of all the economic upheaval going on in the world. We also say to you, our readers, hang tight, it’s all going to work out. Here’s a little past-based evidence that should give you hope…

In 1995, Pluto entered Sagittarius the sign that rules the publishing industry and global relations. When Pluto kicks off a tour through a sign it tends to be destructive, tearing down outmoded structures so new ones have a space to be built. Think of a phoenix rising from the ashes…this is Pluto’s influence. In the late 90s we watched as major magazine titles went out of business–ym, Mademoiselle, and Ms. to name a few. In the wake of their devastation, the Internet was born. Now, most of us would struggle to remember the days before e-mail. Communicating with someone across the planet has become as easy as clicking a “Reply” button.

The economy is undergoing a similar transformation. We’re barely sorting through the ashes, but stay tuned…something new will soon be reborn and it’s likely to be revolutionary.

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On Sunday, President Obama laid down the law to the auto industry. He instructed Chrysler to form a partnership with Italian automaker Fiat by April 30th as a condition of receiving any more government funding.

As native Detroiters, we’re proud to say that we predicted such a merger. We also think this will lead to positive growth for our struggling Midwestern hometown. In an interview with the Detroit Free Press on January 11, 2009 we said:

“Detroit’s 2009 forecast: Detroit, founded on July 24, 1701, is a Leo…in 2009 long-distance partnerships are highlighted, so there may be surprising collaborations with foreign and domestic automakers in the stars.”

Our hope is that Chrysler accepts these conditions and goes forward with the partnership. Although there may be temporary upheaval, the timing is ideal from an astrological perspective.

We’ll also be fascinated to see what happens from a cultural perspective when Motown meets Italia. Pasta with a side of soul, anyone?

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Season 8 of American Idol has been whittled down to the Top 10 contestants, and the competition is getting heated. So who will win? Never mind what Paula, Randy, Simon and Kara think. We checked to see what the stars advise this round of hopefuls. Here’s what the planets have in store:

Adam Lambert (Aquarius):
Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, the planet of surprises and originality—exactly what Adam delivers  each week. Perfect! With lucky Jupiter in Aquarius this year, the bold risks Adam takes each week will pay off in spades—and votes. Like edgy ’80s rocker Axl Rose, an Aquarius, Adam has the makings of another rock god.

Alison Iraheta (Taurus):
This 16-year-old dynamo has chops like another Taurus Idol, Kelly Clarkson. Sturdy-bodied Taurus rules the throat, and Alison has her sign’s trademark build and gravelly voice. Allison should keep belting out the vocals like powerful Taurus singers Cher, Janet Jackson and Lilly Allen.

Anoop Desai (Sagittarius):
Like fellow  Sagittarius Clay Aiken, Anoop shines when singing power ballads. Now, Anoop-Dawg needs to strike the right balance between silly and serious—his sign’s biggest challenge. Although his geek chic can be adorable, too much of the “class clown” routine could make Simon slam him as a karaoke act again. Anoop should think of Sags like Frank Sinatra—play it cool; don’t play the fool.

Danny Gokey (Taurus):
We can barely count the Taurus musical legends: Stevie Wonder, Billy Idol, Randy Travis…and the list goes on. Danny has the rock-solid reliability and God-given talent of his sign. However, the Taurus challenge is to not get lazy or comfortable. To keep his winning edge, Danny will need to defy his sign’s predictable nature and deliver a few surprises. With expansive Jupiter in his sector of public image, we suggest a dramatic makeover. Ditch the sneakers and go high-end with couture, contact lenses, even a little sexy edge.

Kris Allen (Gemini):
Gemini rules the hands and arms, and Kris puts his whole body into strumming that guitar. Like Gemini judge Paula Abdul, this sign has a hard time sitting still! Geminis are symbolized by the Twins, so it’s often hard to figure out their real personalities (they have many). Kris could benefit from a little stage training. Eye contact, confident posture and body language could add the star quality Simon thinks he’s missing.

Lil Rounds (Scorpio):
She’s got her sign’s intense eyes and powerful presence…but who is she as an artist? Scorpio is the sign of mystery, slow to open up and bare her soul. Don’t let the power ballads fool you! While she’s done a great cover of Mary J. Blige and Martha Reeves, there’s so much more in her. Lil’s challenge will be to come out and reveal who she really is as an artist. It’s the same issue that caused Scorpio Justin Guarini to lose to Kelly Clarkson. Our advice: we need to see a lot more Lil.

Matt Giraud (Taurus):
“Piano Man” Billy Joel is a Taurus, and Matt certainly shares his talent on the ivories. Like fellow Taurus contestant Danny Gokey, Matt may be playing it too safe. The Bull is a predictable sign, so he’ll need to mix it up…step away from the baby grand. With Jupiter in his fame sector, Matt should play up his metrosexual hotness. Like Tauruses David Beckham and Rob Pattinson, a little smoldering sexiness (it’s there) could rack up a lot more votes.

Megan Joy (Leo):
Like Leos Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, Megan may not be the greatest singer, but there’s something captivating about her (and she’s gorgeous!). Glamorous Leo rules theater, so Megan needs to own the stage. She should take a page from Madge and J-Lo: compensate for mediocre vocals with an unforgettable performance. Dance lessons for this girl, stat!

Michael Sarver (Aquarius):
He’s the quintessential Aquarius boy-next-door, the zodiac’s most popular sign. No matter what you think of his singing, you can’t help but like him. How can he avoid the bottom three again? Adventurous Jupiter is in Aquarius this year, and Michael needs to go past the blue-collar “regular guy” roots, and show he’s more than the Average Joe. Michael, watch your fellow Aquarius Adam Lambert…and learn.

Scott MacIntyre (Cancer):
A textbook Crab, Scott is sensitive and sweet—the guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, adores his family, and probably has a zillion female friends. Like Cancer runner-up Blake Lewis, he can either be totally original or kind of forgettable. The Crab hides in its comfy shell, and interestingly, Paula accused Scott of using his piano as a crutch. We agree: he needs to let go of the security blanket, if only for one night.

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Just a little prediction: Reese Witherspoon will soon be sportin’ some bling on her Type A ring finger. We’ve watched Aries after Aries announcing engagements or getting hitched over the past year. Fergie to Scorpio Josh Duhamel. Mandy Moore to Scorpio Ryan Adams. Mariah Carey to Libra Nick Cannon. Even die-hard bachelor Vince Vaughn popped the question.

We’re chalking it up to Pluto in Capricorn. This cosmic phase began in January 2008 and will last until 2024. Family-oriented Capricorn has made the zodiac’s Ram a little less fierce about being independent. So…if you happen to see Sagittarius Jake Gyllenhaal at a Madison Avenue jewelry store, he’s probably looking for more than just a regular ol’ birthday present for Reese. Her birthday, in fact, was March 22. Will there be any surprise announcements coming? Let’s see…

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On Saturday, Pisces actor Bruce Willis, 54, married his Gemini girlfriend, Emma Hemming, a 32-year-old model whom he’s dated for a year. In attendance? Ex-wife-turned-BFF Demi Moore (a Scorpio), her hubby Ashton Kutcher, and Bruce’s three daughters.

So…will it last? We’re feeling skeptical, and it’s not just the 22 year age difference. Nor is it simply that Pisces and Gemini are both “dual” signs (two Fish and the Twins), making them both wishy-washy and commitment-phobic.

This year, expansive Jupiter is visiting Bruce’s twelfth house of fantasy and illusion. Although this cycle can bring soulmates, it can also be a time of deception and unclear thinking. Emma has Jupiter in her adventurous ninth house this year, making her prone to gambling and unwise risks. Yikes! (We’re tasting flavors of Gemini Angelina Jolie.) Throw in the fact that love-planet Venus is retrograde, and the stars are SO not aligned for an impromptu wedding. Here’s hoping this one doesn’t die hard with a vengeance.

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Spring is here! Today, the astrological year begins anew. The Sun enters Aries, the zodiac’s first sign. Aries is a fire sign ruled by passionate Mars, and symbolized by the charging Ram. We should all feel a burst of energy to begin new ventures, shed our Winter layers and take on the world. Aries time lasts until April 20th, so put a little steam behind your dreams!

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Fresh-faced Virgo singer Leann Rimes—caught in an affair! The country star made covers this week for a scandalous tryst with her TV co-star Eddie Cibrian (both are married). Shocking? Notsomuch. Leann, a Virgo, has love-planet Venus retrograde in her eighth house of secrets, sex and mystery. No surprise security cameras caught her in the act. Now, the “wholesome” singer is caught in a love triangle between Gemini Cibrian and Sagittarius husband Dean Sheremet.

Venus retrograde ends on April 17th, and it’s possible Dean and Leann will work things out (though iffy). But will she end up with Eddie? No way. Saturn, the planet of maturity, is in Virgo until October, giving Leann an identity crisis. After marrying at age 19, we suspect she never got the chance to know herself. This affair is a harsh Saturn wakeup call: she needs to become her own person. You can’t cheat the system when Saturn visits. Leann may soon have a chance to sing her own lyrics for both guys: “How can I live without you?” The answer to that question is what Saturn wants her to learn. If she takes the cosmic coaching, she could truly reinvent herself by the Fall.

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Way back before the elections, we predicted that the major crisis of the 44th presidency would be the economy. That’s because Pluto, ruler of intense transformation, entered Capricorn in November 2008, shaking up structures like government, banks and other longstanding institutions. Obama was elected on the brink of this new 16-year cycle.

To make matters worse, strict Saturn, the planet of hard knocks and tough lessons, went retrograde (backward) on New Year’s Eve. Anarchy! With Saturn in this low-power position until May 16th, there’s chaos in the ranks. The recent AIG scandal (bailouts for bonuses? hell no!) is a perfect example of how Saturn retrograde can lead to a widespread defiance of authority.

Poor Obama. As a Leo, he has Saturn visiting his second house of money. There are no shortcuts in the areas that Saturn visits. Quick-fix bailouts and undeserved stimulus packages are doomed by Saturn to fail. Although matters should improve in May when Saturn goes direct, it will remain in Obama’s finance sector until October 29th. No astrological bailouts for Barack ’til then!

In October, Saturn moves into diplomatic Libra. We’re hoping that Obama’s promise to remove troops from Iraq will get a better chance then. On that note, the stars are none too happy about his plans to send armed forces to Afghanistan, either. With risky Jupiter in Obama’s international sector, he may be overconfident about that effort. Our advice? Don’t fake it ’til you make it. Focus on a true economic solution at home until the Fall. See our Obamascopes for more on what lies in the stars for our president.

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Creativity, spirituality and all things emotional get a burst of power from energy-planet Mars. Until April 22, the fiery red planet will visit ethereal Pisces. In astrology, Mars brings motivation, ambition and even stress. Pisces, the zodiac’s last sign, rules endings. If you feel the push to wrap up lingering projects, Mars in Pisces is doing its job. Why not clear the decks with some Spring cleaning?

Pisces is an unusual placement for Mars, because the energy couldn’t be more different. While Mars is aggressive and ruthless, Pisces is a flowy, dreamy sign that’s all about compassion, sensitivity and the arts. During this cycle, you may get the urge to volunteer or make a difference in society—to heal the world. Pisces also blurs the line between fantasy and reality, so take deep breaths before you react. Your mind could be playing tricks on you. Hidden agendas could rise to the surface, making life feel a bit like a soap opera at times. Guard against guilt trips and playing the martyr, as too many sacrifices could lead to burnout during this transit.

Your best bet for dealing with Mars-driven stress? Try Piscean rituals like meditation, yoga, dance, painting, journaling and music.  Pisces is a Water sign, so soothe yourself by strolling near water, taking a beach vacation (wishful thinking) or indulging in a sensual bubble bath.

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Dwarf planet, my a$$. In 2006, astrologers cried foul when scientists “downgraded” tiny powerhouse Pluto. But in Illinois, the Senate has stepped in to restore Pluto’s rightful status as a planet.

Why? Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered Pluto, was born in Illinois. Although Pluto’s downgrade was considered a scientific decision, only 4 percent of the International Astronomical Union’s 10,000 scientists actually voted on this matter. So—in Illinois, at least—Pluto is a planet again. It will even be honored with its own special “Pluto Day”  every March 13th.

Transformational Pluto’s effects are being felt now everywhere from the economy to the government to the housing market. To find out how Pluto will affect you during its current journey through Capricorn, read our feature story.

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