February astrology and the US Pluto return

 

We may as well say February is actually the real start of 2022! In January Venus was finishing up its 6 week retrograde and did not go direct until January 29^th, and Mercury finally goes direct after its first retrograde of the year on February 3rd.  If things were dragging in January, they won’t be in February because after February 4^th, all planets are direct for the next several months. This means we can accomplish a great deal without feeling so bogged down.

The Capricorn stellium (3 or more planets) will continue to exert a lot of energy in conservative Capricorn with Venus, Mercury, Mars and Pluto all in this sign. Venus will begin to move forward again after a 6 week retrograde, having turned direct January 29th. The Sun will transit through Aquarius and enter Pisces; the final sign of winter (can’t be too soon)! Mercury will leave Capricorn for Aquarius the 2^nd time, and Saturn will hit its halfway mark in Aquarius. Jupiter will sextile Uranus bringing about an energy of excitement and new ideas and ways of approaching things.

We will experience a New Moon in Aquarius on February 1^st, and Februarys’ full moon will fall in dramatic Leo on February 16^th.

Most importantly the US will enter its first ever Pluto return. This means that Pluto will return to the place in the US chart during the birth of the nation in 1776 when the US severed its ties with England. Pluto signifies destruction, crime, the darker side of the psyche, regeneration, corruption, power struggles and ultimately some type of rebirth.

The US Pluto return

Astrologers have been watching and waiting for this powerful aspect for years if not decades. The US will experience its Pluto return three times in 2022 including February 22^nd, July 11^th, and December 28^th, and yes, countries have birth charts just like people. While these represent the dates this powerful transit is exact, the energy will be with is throughout 2022 and into 2023. This aspect will determine the future and the direction of the US for many years to come.

Pluto rules that which lies beneath the surface which will now come to the top and make itself known.  It rules power, control, decay and destruction, nuclear power, upheaval of governments, terrorists and criminals. No country or society will experience a Pluto return before approximately 225 years which is how long it generally takes Pluto to circle the zodiac. It took Pluto 246 years to reach its Pluto return this year in the US chart.

Pluto is known for tearing down and destroying to create something new. Power can be unlocked, taken, abused and mishandled. It can also be relinquished at some point. Pluto rules the shadow side of things and the darkness that lies beneath the surface of what is generally seen and known.

Pluto falls at 27 degrees of Capricorn in the US Sibly chart in the 2^nd house which rules money, finances and values. Capricorn represents the status quo, business, banks and the like. The US Saturn falls in the 10^th house of the US chart.

 In mundane, or world astrology Saturn in the 10^th house represents the Government and leadership of the country. At the time of this post, a majority of Republicans (according to polls) say they believe the Presidential election was stolen. The fringe groups and white supremacists are making a great deal of noise and coming out of the shadows. The Republican Party of today has no focus other than to obstruct President Biden according to the words of the Senate majority leader, and the Democratic Party is being held hostage by two Senators. The January 6^th committee is uncovering a great deal of information about corruption and those who tried to overturn the election through a coup and a former Speaker of the House is calling for those investigating the Capital insurrection to be jailed. Along with Covid we are experiencing a dysfunctional government, significant supply chain issues and inflation and a major attempt at voter suppression. Add to this increasing climate change and a potential war in Eastern Europe

Some mature countries have experienced a Pluto return such as England which has experienced three Pluto return cycles with significant events at each return. On the other hand Rome began to fail as an empire shortly after its 2^nd Pluto return or 500 years.

The US is due for a cosmic makeover during 2022 through its Pluto return.  We are at a turning point in history, and what the outcome will be depends on us.

The Pluto return will certainly not be just one event but many. We will be dealing with all of the events just mentioned and potentially more. Democracy could fall at this time, or it could survive. Either way, over the next few years the US as a nation will be reborn based on where the collective places its true values.

The New moon in Aquarius

This month’s new moon falls at 12 degrees of Aquarius February 1^st. Aquarius is associated with the 11^th house of the collective so we will be busy interacting with others as well as various groups. Aquarius is considered the most humanitarian of signs and we may be focused on events that affect us all.

This moon conjuncts Saturn. Saturn is the planet of limitation, work, obligations and responsibilities. It is also associated with building things so now is the time to focus on work and obligations and much can be accomplished.

This moon also squares Uranus. We can expect unexpected events, twists and turns to occur at this time both on the world stage and in our personal lives, especially since Mercury is still retrograde. It is hard to know what to expect with Uranus, but it may cause disruptions, change, nervousness and irritability as well as separations. If you have been waiting to make a major change of some sort, Uranus is associated with breaking away and freedom. Uranus is typically the planet seen in divorce, breakups, rebellions and coups. The more positive side of this aspect can give us the ability to look at things from a different perspective and approach things from a new if not more enlightened manner.

Mercury conjunct Pluto was exact on January 28^th, but is still within orb of this conjunction at the time of the New moon. Mercury-Pluto aspects tend to cause us to dig beneath the surface when looking for answers. It is a transit prone toward irritation, arguments, revelations and propaganda. Someone could attempt to force their will upon you or vice versa. Sometimes when Mercury is retrograde events connected with a new or full moon can be delayed by a few days.

The planet of love is direct

Venus reaches its retrograde station January 29^th, and turns direct just after midnight on the East Coast. The retrograde station means the planet has turned direct but it typically takes a few days for the energy to adjust as Venus wakes up from its 6 week sleep.  Venus’s retrograde station lasts until February 5^th, when it begins to move forward once again. During this time energy may change once again, something else may be revealed that was previously unknown, or there could be something or someone you change your mind about.

While Venus is retrograde its outward energy is weaker. During this time it is not uncommon for breakups to occur or a lot of contemplation can take place concerning love, and money or even our own personal as well as collective values. It is a perfect time to reassess what your real values are, and what you really need to be happy. Clarity in relationships can also increase when Venus turns direct.

When Venus turns direct it is time to turn your focus toward love, money, beauty and the more sensual side of life as the planet of love comes out of its deep slumber. Venus retrogrades to allow us to rest, take some time and review our loves and life and integrate and understand our feelings about loving others and living in the material world. When she wakes up she comes alive and allows us once again to revel being in the physical body and loving others, becoming the beacon of love, hope and beauty. Venus will remain in its retrograde shadow period, and during this time if there have been issues they should resolve. The retrograde shadow period for Venus ends March 1^st and from here its full steam ahead.

During February Venus and Mars are both in Capricorn. At this time Capricorn and other Earth signs have the potential to meet someone significant. If Venus turns direct on a planet in your chart you can expect to experience some type of personal gain at this time.

Mercury turns direct

Mercury finally turns direct February 3^rd at 11: 13PM on the East coast. At this point it is considered in its retrograde station. Yes, it is direct, but things can change once again, or still get screwed up for a few more days as Mercury comes back to its direct state. It is advisable not to sign contracts, buy high ticket items or make major changes for a few more days. By February 8^th Mercury begins to move forward once again. It will remain in its shadow period where things gradually get back to normal until February 25^th when it hits Aquarius at 11 degrees where it turned retrograde.

February 4^th, the Sun conjuncts Saturn. This can be negative, tiring and seem overly serious. It can however, represent a time to start to build something or begin working on new ventures. This can often be a significant day in the world, as well as being associated with many responsibilities. Extra work may be needed to move forward.

Mars also sextiles Jupiter and this is a positive transit that is typically involved in taking action and with Jupiter involved it can be expansive in some manner. With the two above mentioned transits it’s time to get moving and get things done.

February 8^th, another positive aspect occurs as Mars trines Uranus over the next few days. Now is a time to look at new ways of approaching things. This should happen in an easy manner, or you could experience a type of unexpected benefit depending on where this falls in your chart. Uranus is known for brilliant ideas and cutting edge technology.

February 11^th, Mercury conjuncts Pluto for the final time. This occurred December 29^th-30^th, and again January 29^th. This aspect leans toward being deeply suspicious, or digging for information. It can have an obsessive nature to it, and it may be difficult to let go of certain thoughts at this time. It also is related to arguments, accidents and propaganda.

Mercury re-enters Aquarius

February 14^th, Mercury enters Aquarius for the second time due to its retrograde. While Mercury was retrograde most of January, its transit was cut short when Mercury re-entered Capricorn.

Mercury rules our mind, thinking, and the way we communicate with others and process information.. During Mercury’s transit through Aquarius we may all be a little more open minded and receptive to new ideas than normal.

Aquarius is known for its quirky, wild and weird side as well as its intellectual, inventive and eccentric nature. The sign Aquarius is associated with the 11^th house of astrology which rules the collective, as well as groups and organizations. The planetary rulers of Aquarius are Saturn and Uranus.

Uranus rules new concepts and ideas and with Mercury in this sign you may be able to expand your ideas and approaches and come up with more original ways of focusing on projects or work. In this way you may be able to benefit from Mercury’s transit through this most intellectual and logical of signs. Go bold this month as Uranus is known for innovative concepts that are frequently ahead of their time. Uranus-Aquarius is associated with concepts that may seem off the grid but later resulting in future norms. Don’t be afraid to try out your ideas within your group or team, as Mercury-Aquarius works well if not best within groups and the collective.

Mercury will remain in Aquarius until March 10^th when it enters Pisces.

February 16^th, Venus conjuncts Mars but the energy will manifest before and after this date by a few days. Venus and Mars are the rulers of our love lives and both are conjunct, or in terms of those not well versed in astrology, they are side by side or together. When Venus and Mars are together romantic sparks can fly and this can be exciting to the senses. Both Venus and Mars are in Capricorn which leans toward a type of earthy sensuality, and is more prone toward a committed type of relationship than fling, or slow and steady growth in this direction.

This can create a desire for romantic fulfillment and a sexy type of energy can capture or pull at your heart strings. The only thing to remember about this aspect is that sexual attraction alone does not necessarily imply compatibility or a lasting relationship.

February full moon on February 16th

February’s full moon falls in the sign Leo which is associated with drama, royalty, fun and pleasure. It rules the 5^th house of love, friends and children.

At this time you may want to impress others, update your hair or wardrobe or anything else that may draw attention. You may feel as though you have been held back in some way and want to get out and roar. With Mars conjunct Venus you may also want to connect with others, your significant other if you have one, or if you are single you may be looking for love at this time.

The downside to a Leo full moon is that some may feel overly sensitive or unappreciated. It is important to be careful about offending others even inadvertently. The downside to Leo is its desire for constant attention. If this is not fulfilled, Leo can turn the tables and walk away. This is also a sign that does not like personal criticism.

Jupiter sextiles Uranus

This aspect is exact on February 17^th and within an orb of influence January 3^rd through the end of May. (Orb of influence means we will feel the energy of this aspect, even though it is not ‘exact.’)

This aspect is indicative of new, exciting ways of doing things, new opportunities and brings potential for financial gain. We could see new technology, drugs and any number of exciting new inventions or ideas in the world. Uranus rules air and spacecraft and the Moon landing in 1969 occurred under a Jupiter-Uranus influence.

Opportunities may arise out of the blue, and you may sense a change in fortune in your life for the better which could well occur at this time. You may feel more creative, brilliant and ready for big change at this time. If Uranus and Jupiter aspect something in your personal chart you may indeed experience a significant advancement or opportunity.

Jupiter is also involve education, medicine, legal matters and the law, philosophy or religion. We may see new ideas come to fruition for the benefit of mankind. This aspect indicative of new growth on many levels.

 The Pisces season

The Sun enters Pisces February 17^th where it will remain until March 20^th.

Pisces is the final sign in the zodiac that rules the 12^th house connected to endings, places of seclusion and the unconscious mind. This part of the zodiac is considered the realm of the unknown that also relates to things like secrets, dreams and magic.  At times this house can represent secret enemies or clandestine affairs or relationships that remain secret and hidden.

Pisces is a sensitive water sign, whose planetary rulers are Jupiter and Neptune. Jupiter is the planet of gain and expansion and Neptune rules the oceans, intuition, psychics, dreams, drugs or alcohol, spirituality, and lies or deception along with self-deception. Neptune can represent beautiful dreams and inspiration or it can cause you to sink to the lowest of emotional depths. This is represented by the Pisces image which depicts two fish swimming in opposite directions.

When we enter the Pisces season get ready to feel more, be more emotional, and dream bigger. You may feel more intuitive, creative and tuned in to others. You become more interested in movies and art, or anything that can allow you to escape reality for the moment. Now will be the time to go with the flow and perhaps not follow a rigid schedule because like water, Pisces like to flow at its own pace.

Compassion is a Pisces trait and you may feel more of this for others, or you could even become engaged in a cause you feel strongly about over the next month. Pisces typically have a way of calming and helping others in moments of crisis, and these individual have a tender and helpful spirit.

With the Pisces connection to the last part of the zodiac or the twelfth house some things may end during this time, or you could be wrapping up certain projects in preparation of new ones. Pisces is also the final sign of the winter months just before we enter Aries and spring.

On the downside, Pisces can represent confusion, illusion and delusion as Neptune is one if it’s rulers. Communication may be misunderstood, not conveyed correctly some may be much more indecisive than usual. You may have a hard time making up your mind what to do concerning many things.

Every season is what you make of it and this is the time of the year to relax some, tune into your own psyche and intuition and dare to dream bigger dreams. When the Aries season occurs it will be time to turn your dreams into reality and make them real. And of course, now is time to experience your own feelings and get in touch with what it is you truly desire so you can make it happen when the Sun enters Aries.

February 23^rd, Mars sextiles Neptune. Compassion and creativity are associated with this aspect and it is in all ways positive. Don’t be surprised if you aren’t called to lend a helping hand in some manner or this may be done for you. Dreams may seem especially vivid at this time. The following day; February 25^th, Venus sexiles Neptune as well so we have the two planets of love (and money) making a harmonious aspect with Neptune. This is a great time to socialize or spend time with a significant other. The energy will be pleasant and positively creative.