February 2022 astrology!

 

January flew by, and here we are already in the 2^nd month of 2023!  This is the last month Saturn will be in Aquarius for the next 30 years; it will enter Pisces on March 7^th. Pluto will also change signs next month although it will go back and forth from Capricorn to Aquarius for the next two years. Mars and Mercury are finally moving forward again, so we can expect the pace of things to pick up this month. The Sun transits through Aquarius and then Pisces, the last sign of winter. Mercury finishes up its looong cycle in Capricorn and then enters Aquarius. Venus transits through Pisces and Aries, and we have a powerful full moon in Leo on February 5^th and a New moon in Pisces February 20^th.

Note about Mars and the mass shootings in the US

While Mars turned direct January 12^th, it did not begin to move forward until January 30^th. When Mars is ‘stationary’ it is very powerful for better or worse. Mars rules guns, aggression and anger, and Mars was conjunct Uranus in the US natal chart nearly the entire month of January which is one reason we saw so many mass shootings as Mars+ Uranus=guns, firearms and explosions. As this blog is posted Mars has moved a degree or two but it is still moving slowly. This means if you have a Mars transit aspecting your chart, whatever ‘event,’ Mars brings about can be more significant than usual. Mars will be in its post retrograde ‘shadow period’ until March 17^th, when things resume to normal.

 In some ways February is the calm before the storm because in March we will experience massive energetic changes when Saturn enters Pisces and Pluto enters Aquarius.  Now, the details for February.

Full Moon in Leo February 5th

This month’s full moon falls in the sign Leo. Leo rules the 5^th house of friends, love affairs and children. For many this will be a date night or time to get out, socialize and spend time with friends.

There are certain pitfalls to this moon, however. The Sun and the Moon oppose each other as they always do on a full moon, but this time both the Moon and the Sun square Uranus in Taurus forming a t-square which blends the energies of all three planets and signs. Transits involving Uranus can come across as shocking and unexpected. Uranus rules unexpected events, explosions and electricity to name a few. Plans can change unexpectedly, unusual things can happen, shocking events can occur and Uranus transits are all about freedom to act as you may choose. Divorces and separations can occur among other things. You could find yourself leaving an old job, relationship or any other number of situations that have outlived their purpose. Are you ready for change? Now, could be the time.

Venus squares Mars, exact on February 4^th, but this becomes part of the full moon energy as well. While this may bring about some interesting rendezvous, it can also bring about jealousy, possessiveness, and issues with the opposite sex. This is pure sexual energy in many respects, but don’t depend on anything remaining secret at this time.

The Moon’s quincunx to Pluto can represent emotions that are hard to control, and can expose your deepest fears, secrets or worries.

This full moon is largely about love and relationships, but Leo represents royalty, the theatre and drama. You or others may feel more flamboyant at this time and we could hear news pertaining to the entertainment business, theatre, royalty and those connected to these occupations.

On the world stage, with Uranus in the picture we could hear unexpected news and/or potential change in stocks or commodities. We can expect to see a great deal of political grandstanding meant to gain attention.

Pluto at 29 degrees of Capricorn

This month, Pluto reaches the critical degree of 29 February 12^th-March 22^nd. When a planet reaches 29 degrees this is known as the ‘Anaretic degree.’ The Anaretic degree is associated with a sense of urgency or a last ditch effort to wrap up or accomplish something. There is often a feeling of having only a short time to correct things. This can result into jumping into something you aren’t ready or prepared for without giving it enough forethought. Decision making can be affected adversely as can critical thinking.  Some astrologers believe that when a planet hits the 29^th degree it can coincide with situations that have gone too far an individual to have control over any situation this planet is affecting.  Either way, if something is occurring that involves a planet at the 29^th degree of any sign, critical thinking and keeping your feet on the ground becomes extremely important.

The 29^th degree can also coincide with endings such as divorce, breakups, job change or loss and the like. Pluto rules the collective so we will see many significant events this month around the globe and in our personal lives, especially if Pluto aspects something in your chart at this degree.

Pluto will return to 29 degrees several more times this year and next as it goes back and forth from Aquarius to Capricorn.

Mercury enters Aquarius February 11^th

Mercury will remain in the sign that rules the collective from February 11-March 2^nd.

Mercury in Capricorn has been focused on serious matters, work, career, success and matters of priority. 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 so expect Mercurial energies to change!

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, cutting edge types of concepts 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 at 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 and if you can tap into this energy, you could have flashes of intuition that could lead to new ways of looking at things and new approaches to your work. Uranus-Aquarius is associated with concepts that may seem off the grid but later resulting in innovations that become the future norm. 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.

The Sun enters Pisces

The Sun transits through Pisces February 18-March 2. Pisces is the mutable and last sign of winter when we can feel spring beginning to approach. Most of us are dying to leave winter behind which will happen when the Sun enters Aries on March 20^th.

Pisces is the final sign in the zodiac that rules the 12^th house which is connected to endings, places of seclusion and the unconscious mind. This part of the zodiac is considered the realm of the unknown that also governs 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 along 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. Pisces is also connected to religion and during this season we frequently hear news concerning the Catholic Church in some way.

With the Pisces connection to the last part of the zodiac or the twelfth house many things may end during this time, or you could be wrapping up certain projects in preparation of new ones.

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 or those communicating may be much more indecisive than usual. You may have a hard time making up your mind what to do concerning many things. If this is the case, don’t push things.  Pisces does not like to be pushed or rushed but rather to flow at its own pace naturally.

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. Pisces is an excellent time for readings, or any type of spiritual or metaphysical study.  When the Aries season begins it will be time to turn your dreams into reality and make them real. So, now is time to experience your own feelings and get in touch with what it is you truly desire, so during the Aries season your can act more directly on it.

Venus enters Aries February 19^th

Venus enters Aries February 19^th-March 15^th. Aries represents new beginnings and a bolder, more assertive and active approach to love.

While it transits through Aries, Venus is in Mars sign and will signal greater passions, energy and action directed toward our love lives. We may feel more assertive in connecting with those we are attracted to and want to get to know better, and seek a fresher, more exciting approach with those we are already involved with.

Venus in Aries will work especially well for Fire and Air signs. Aries energy is enthusiastic and upbeat, and Aries loves the chase to the point of sometimes being more interested in the pursuit than a relationship once a connection is established.

 

This energy does not work well with those who like to cling, and neither does suspicion, mistrust and jealousy, as these are qualities Aries typically abhors. Flirting comes naturally to Venus Aries, and is typically daring, adventurous, and independent. As Aries rules the first house of self, the expression of love in this sign can be ‘me’ centered but with a certain charm that can come across as innocence.

 

The downside of this sign is impatience, immaturity, brashness and self centeredness.  For a relationship to last longer than the chase there must be plenty of new stimulation and excitement on a regular basis. Competition is a familiar concept to Aries, but this is not something that turns everyone on. Aries often operates on whims without thinking things through completely. If it comes down to putting self or the feelings of their partner first, Aries-Venus is prone to protect their own feelings and interests first.

 

Attracting Venus in Aries involves the powerful need for passion and action. This sign does not like game playing, evasiveness or coyishness. Aries is fine with competition, affection and sexuality, and are quick to react to others one way or another. Venus in this sign can be too demanding of others, and their directness is not appreciated by everyone.

 

Venus in Aries only happens once a year and now is the time to embrace your ability to be bold, adventurous, sexy and confident. You may be surprised at how bold and direct you feel over this next month and you may surprise others as well. And don’t forget that above all else, Venus in Aries loves fun, playfulness and adventure.  Can you really resist?

New Moon in Pisces February 20^th

This month’s New moon falls in Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac. Pisces energy is soft, romantic and prone toward compassion and spirituality.

This Moon makes no aspects but Mercury squares Uranus which will not complete until the next day. Mercury-Uranus aspects lean toward unexpected news, nervousness, mental changeable and sudden ideas that may strike like lightening and leave just as suddenly. Be careful driving with this transit because it can cause a loss of focus and nervousness. The Sabian symbol for 1 degree of Pisces says, “In a crowded market farmers and middlemen display a great variety of products.

Other transits of significance

February 3^rd, the Sun squares Uranus at 14 degrees of Aquarius-Taurus. Squares to Uranus are typically associated with change and sudden and unexpected events, especially if this hits a planet in your chart. Sometimes the markets fluctuate on transits like this, and it will be a changeable day. We can expect significant events in the world, and this will be part of the Full moon energy February 5^th.

February 7-8^th, Venus sextiles Uranus. This is a positive aspect, prone to trying something new in your social life. You could meet someone unexpectedly.

February 10^th, Mercury conjuncts Pluto-This aspect is argument prone and indicative of those who try and force their ideas on others. In other words, propaganda on the world stage and in our own lives. This is a day where your mind may be focused on something that is hard to let go of, or you may be searching or digging for answers to something.

February 14^th-Happy Valentine’s Day!  There are no major aspects this day but the Moon is in free spirited and fun loving Sagittarius!  The first part of the day, the Moon trines expansive Jupiter creating a positive, upbeat and happy type of energy. Tap into this energy and make the most of it because by evening (9PM, EDT) the Moon opposes Mars. While this aspect is sometimes associated with being busy, for many it can lead to emotional hurts, upsets and even anger. Channel this energy carefully into some physical activity or plans for the night with activities that you enjoy. And remember that while many couples enjoy this day, it is in all reality a Hallmark holiday. Love takes many forms everyday, and must begin with ourselves.

February 15^th, Venus conjuncts Neptune-This aspect can represent different things to different people. For some, this is a time of reverie and soft lights, but for others this is an aspect of confusion and delusion especially where love and money are concerned. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

February 16^th, the Sun conjuncts Saturn-This aspect occurs once a year and is prone to drag. Negativity and tiredness can be common manifestations, but it can also coincide with important matters and projects. We generally see significant news with this aspect.

February 21st, Mercury squares Uranus-This is an aspect prone to nervousness or restlessness. We can hear unexpected news or mental changeability. Use caution while driving.

 

 

 

What's happening in California with the mass shootings?

 

With 3 mass shootings since the weekend,’ what’s going on in California’ is a topic that has been on my mind and as well as others.

A quick look at the chart (California) showed me that Mercury is square Mars (and Mercury) in the 12^th house. The 12^th house rules subversives as well as hospitals, jails, crime and asylums.

When Mercury is stationing, either direct or retrograde it is moving very slowly if at all. While Mercury turned direct January 18^th, it is still moving very slowly. When a retrograde planet moves this slowly the affect lasts longer and the incidents that occur can be significant when it aspects other planets. Mercury typically rules young people and Mars rules men as well as guns. Mercury will remain in a square to Mars and Mercury in the birth chart of California for at least the rest of this week.

Pluto is making its way through the 3^rd house of the California chart which rules neighborhoods. Pluto is a destructive force as anybody who has experienced a significant and harsh Pluto aspect will tell you. Pluto is said to ‘destroy, so it can rebuild in a better way.” Pluto is square Uranus and Pluto in the California chart, and Pluto is associated with crime, gangs, criminals and ‘the underworld.” Pluto will be back and forth in this position for the next 2 years. That said, it does not appear to me crime and violence will get any better in California over the next several years. Perhaps Pluto’s entrance into Aquarius for 20 years beginning in 2025 will change the situation some, but it appears to me even then, problems will persist for at least a while.

I wish I had more positive news to report, but the chart is simply what it is.

Mercury direct; The New Year really begins!

 

Mercury turns direct January 18^th, at 8:12 AM, EST. This is good news but when Mercury stations to go direct, things can go haywire once again before really straightening out, so it could get slightly more confusing before it gets better.

Mercury stationing to turn retrograde or go direct are the two key times when we may experience Mercury’s changeable if not disruptive energy. It will take the planet of communication a few days before things start to really level out.

A planet changing direction becomes very powerful, especially if it is aspecting something else in the sky, or in your personal chart and Mercury is no exception. If Mercury turned retrograde hitting a specific point in your chart you may have experienced delays, unexpected issues or other problems. By the same token, if Mercury turns direct and is hitting something in a positive angle in your chart as it turns direct you can expect to move forward in some significant way.

One way of looking at it is that Mercury has been asleep at the wheel for three weeks and it will take a little time before it totally wakes up and gets back to normal.

As Mercury begins its direct motion on Wednesday, called its ‘stationary direct’ phase things aren’t really clear yet, and there may be more surprises in store. Alternatively you may feel inspired, but keep your feet firmly planted on the ground and you know what they say if something seems too good to be true. Make sure you are dealing with facts.

Mercury comes back to life slowly and does not actually begin to move forward for another 5 days or until January 23^rd.  

Mars turned direct after a nearly 3 month retrograde on January 12^th. At this time Mars is also in its stationary direct period and won’t move forward again until January 25^th. If Mars is aspecting something in your chart, this is also a powerful time.

It’s an exciting time with both of these planets going direct but we need to be just a little more patient and things will soon pick up steam. This is when the New Year will really begin!

The most significant transits of 2023!

 

Mars and Mercury turn direct in January

The first several weeks of January are not the time to start new projects, or begin new ventures as both Mars and Mercury are still retrograde and things may be delayed, confused and a little screwy the first half of the month.

Mars turns direct January 12^th, at 8 degrees of Gemini. When the ‘God of War’ stations to move forward we can expect an energy shift and things may change direction once again depending on what Mars is doing in your personal chart. When a planet ‘stations’ to retrograde or move forward the energy is powerful and intense, especially if it aspects something in your chart. By the 19^th, both planets are direct but don’t go out and buy a car or make major decisions just yet. Sometimes the energy changes again as Mercury stations direct and more information becomes available. Give it at least a week for the dust to settle and we will all begin moving forward once again!

Jupiter transits through Aries and Taurus

Jupiter re-entered Aries on December 20^th where it will remain until May 16^th.Aries is a fire sign that likes action and movement. Aries rules the first house of self, so we can expect to put a great deal of focus on accomplishing our personal desires, as will everyone else.  Expect things to move quickly, and we may lose patience when they don’t. Jupiter dipped its toes into Aries last year May 10-October 28^th. This should be a great year for Aries and all Fire signs unless something else in the chart negates it. If this is the case, Jupiter will still be a great help and benefit.

Jupiter enters Taurus May 16th and will remain here until May 25^th, 2024. Taurus rules the 2^nd house of money and its planetary ruler is Venus, the planet of love, values and money.  With Jupiter in this sign we can expect many people to be interested in relationships and this is a good sign for finances at least part of its cycle in 2023. During it’s time in Taurus, Jupiter will connect with Venus and Jupiter in the US chart which is promising for finances and women. Since it will sextile the Sun (in the US chart) in early fall this could bode well for the President.  You will see growth and expansion depending on where transiting Jupiter falls in your personal chart.

When Jupiter enters Taurus it will square Pluto in Aquarius. This will relate to political turmoil, arrogance and potentially money, the financial markets, big plans and large ambitions. Now could be the time to make many changes that you have planned. Don’t take shortcuts to success as Jupiter’s square will drive ambition but Pluto can be connected with criminality or trouble with the legal system at worst. On the world stage this aspect will represent extremists.

Jupiter’s sextile to Saturn in June can bring great progress and success, especially if this is aspecting something in your own chart such as your Sun.

Saturn enters Pisces March 7, 2023-February 14, 2026

It is always a significant time when Saturn changes signs. Pisces is ruled by planets Jupiter and Neptune and the last time Saturn transited this sign was March 22, 1993-April 8, 1996. For the next 2 and a half years Saturn will transit the part of your chart that Pisces rules. As Pisces rules the 12^th house of the zodiac this transit of Saturn will bring about many endings, but this does not mean it is bad or negative as some things need to end.

Pisces is constantly shifting and morphing into something else, and often makes us believe things that aren’t real. What’s real may appear unreal and what’s unreal is something some people may believe.  Pisces has a hard time with boundaries and often either doesn’t know where the boundaries really are or goes beyond normal boundaries. This will become even more pronounced when Saturn and Neptune meet up which they will in both the sign of Pisces and Aries as well in 2025.

All of this means the confusion we are all experiencing in certain ways may become more pronounced during this time. Saturn squared Neptune in 2016 This period saw the rise of ‘fake news stories,’ Russian interference in the Presidential election in terms of false ads on Face book and other social media outlets along with trolling.

Saturn will conjunct Neptune in Aries May-June of 2025, and then in Pisces the latter part of 2025. These transits will bring about significant confusion and shifts in the collective that can dissolve boundaries, which Neptune is known for.

Saturn represents rules, authority and structures while in any given sign as it moves through the zodiac. Since Pisces rules creativity, spirituality and creativity, Saturn in this placement may help us bring our dreams into some type of tangible fruition. Spirituality, religion and philosophy will be a major focus over these years for better or worse.

Pluto at 29 degrees of Capricorn

The 29^th degree of any planet is considered the anaretic degree, and is considered a degree of crisis. At time we may feel there is one last chance to accomplish what we need to do. Pluto will hit this degree February 12-March 23^rd, June 12-July 28^th, and December 29^th-January 21^st, 2024. It will return to the 29^th degree several times in 2024 before entering Aquarius at the end of 2024 for the next 20 years. This year it will travel back and forth between the two signs. For some, the 29^th degree may be a significant turning point in life.

Pluto rules plutocrats while in Capricorn and in this sign they are at the top. This will change as Pluto transits through Aquarius, the sign of the people.

Pluto enters Aquarius

Perhaps the most significant change for us personally and collectively is Pluto’s entrance into Aquarius on March 23^rd. The 0 degree of any planet is known as the ‘world point,’ meaning events occur that we are interested in on a personal as well as global basis. Pluto will only be in Aquarius for three months this year or until June 11^th, when Pluto will retrograde back into Capricorn but this will give us a taste of what’s to come for the next 2 decades.

Aquarius is also ruled by Saturn like the sign Capricorn, but Aquarius’s co-ruler is Uranus, the planet of sudden and unexpected change. Pluto rules the collective, and it is the planet of total transformation. As the world changes, we too are asked to change, and the change depends on the area of your chart, Pluto transits and the aspects it makes in your chart.

Pluto rules the 11^th house of the collective. This will be vastly different from Pluto in Capricorn which rules big business, and Plutocrats at the top. Aquarius rules us, the people. This will be seen in the populations across the globe as ‘the people’ rise up against dictatorial regimes and governments that don’t have their interest at heart. This does not mean we will live in a perfect world, or that change will come overnight since this planet is in Aquarius for the next 20 years.

Aquarius is the sign of groups, the internet and innovation which will increase dramatically during Pluto’s tour in this sign.

The last time Pluto transited Aquarius was 1778-1798, and experienced major transformation in the US and the world. This cycle saw the rise and fall of King George 111, and Marie Antoinette, and the French Revolution. I will write much more about this as Pluto gets closer to Aquarius.

The lunar nodes change signs

July 18^th, the lunar nodes change from the axis of Taurus/Scorpio to Aries/Libra for the next 18 months. At the time of this post we have nearly 6 more months of the nodes in Scorpio/Taurus.

Our collective as well as personal destiny is shown in the North and South Nodes. These are not planets but calculated points in the chart. Everyone is born with both a North and South node, which show us where we are headed as a collective. Both nodes tell a story regarding our fate and destiny; the North node is where we are headed and the South node shows us what we need to leave behind or release. While the North Node is the ideal of what we hope to achieve, the South Node is what can hold us back.

When the North Node enters Aires (South node in Libra) we will be called to balance our own personal interests versus the interests of others in society as well as partnership issues. We will be asked to find a new direction between ourselves as individuals versus our relationships and personal/social networks.