February: Chaos, change and moving into the future

During February, the effects of the Cardinal T-square will continue to create upheaval and change, much of it unexpected. We have two significant eclipses, and Jupiter retrogrades.

The Sun will move from Aquarius to Pisces, and the planet of communication (Mercury) will move through three signs this month-Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. 

Mars and Venus will both travel through Aries, creating interesting/sparkling times for fire signs and the potential of meeting new love, especially for those with a Sagittarius ascendant. Venus is moving slowly this month, and has entered the shadow period of the Venus retrograde cycle which will occur March 4-April 15. Soon we will be re-accessing our love lives and values.

First the cardinal T-square. A t-square is a difficult aspect that involves the energies of three planets, and tends to pull us in many different directions.  As the planets are Cardinal, things will happen quickly and in significant ways in our lives and the world.

T-squares like this one typically bring change and even upheaval in the world. Most of the changes will involve governments, business, laws and relationships between individuals and even countries. This t-square is a culmination of all of the previous energy from 2012-16.

The t-square will reach its peak February-March of 2017, when Pluto reaches 19 degrees of Capricorn, Uranus, 22 degrees of Aries and Jupiter 20-21 degrees of Libra. While this t-square never becomes exact (all planets at the same degree) the planets reach a 3 degree orb late January-March, 2017 which is powerful. The energy gains momentum the closer it gets.

Pluto in Capricorn is powerful, and Pluto is the planet of transformation and destruction. Pluto in Capricorn has to do with business and power, and this includes the bullies of the world and those who force their will on others. Pluto often destroys to rebuild in a different way.

Uranus is the planet of revolts, revolutions and unexpected events, sometimes explosive. It is the ultimate planet of freedom and change.

Jupiter is the planet of expansion, money and grace. Libra is the sign ruling relationships of all types and justice. Jupiter expands whatever it touches-good or bad.

Jupiter is opposing Uranus. This will create lightening fast changes that can involve governments, money and other situations. There is no stability with this transit and situations may change minute by minute. While the NYSE went up in January, during the past several days (at the time of this post) it has gone down, and the market will be volatile and unpredictable-good or bad. If this is aspecting your personal chart, you may experience unexpected events, change and even endings during this cycle.

Jupiter square Pluto can bring transformation but it is not a smooth process. This transit is known to be indicative of the rise of terrorism.

Pluto square Uranus is indicative of change and upheaval on an international level, and we experienced this many times between 2012-16. The world saw massive change at this time and we will see change again.

The t-square affects the collective, that is all of us on a worldwide level. It will affect us individually, and especially those with Cardinal planets-Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn at 16-20 degrees. All changes will not be bad, and some of them may push us on to new levels where we may prosper.

February brings the first two eclipses of the new year. The first eclipse is a lunar eclipse-full moon that occurs February 10, at 7:33 PM, at 22 degrees of Leo the sign of the showman.

All eclipses bring surprises and reveal certain things. In Leo, this eclipse rules to the fifth house of children, love affairs and entertainment. While it depends on where this eclipse falls in your personal chart, overall, it looks like this can be a positive time of fun, and even romance for many. It's on a Friday night to boot. There is a grand trine in fire and I would call this the potential for a great time for fun and romance. How many times do I say this?

There is also a mystic rectangle in this eclipse. Astrologer Kelli Fox describes a mystic rectangle like this, "Sextiles and trines are ‘soft,’ or beneficial, aspects, and oppositions are ‘hard’ ones that can cause conflict. But since there are four soft aspects and only two hard ones in a Mystic Rectangle, the overall effect of this configuration is considered helpful — with just enough of a challenge thrown in by those two oppositions to keep things interesting." Make the most of it!

The second solar eclipse occurs two weeks later, February 26, and falls at 8 degrees of Pisces, peaking at 9:58 AM, EST. Pisces rules the 12th house of things secret and hidden and endings. An eclipse at this same degree occurred February 26, 1998.

Mars conjuncts Uranus at this time, and this is representative of sudden and unexpected events that can turn explosive. As both planets oppose Jupiter, things may get blown out of proportion. This is a volatile and angry transit and my advice is to refrain from all things that can cause controversy. The problem is that things may come at you unexpectedly. Best to make no sudden decisions or moves and let this energy pass.

I have no doubt we will see volatile events in the world at this time, and we have the potential to see unpredictable situations escalate between countries and attacks or explosions that come with no warning.

The Sun moves through Aquarius this month until it moves into Pisces on February 18.

Mercury, the sign ruling communication and travel finishes it's tour in serious Capricorn, until it moves into Aquarius February 7, changing up thinking and the way we communicate and making things lighter. On February 25, it changes once again as it moves into Pisces, which can make communication a little more vague. So we will experience many moods and changes in the way we communicate this month.

Venus enters Aries February 3, and it will retrograde March 4 at 13 degrees of Aries. We are in the shadow period of the retrograde all month, and already starting to re-evaluate our values, relationships and love lives. But as Aries teams up with Mars this month, this can be a significant time for firs signs and especially those born with a Sagittarius ascendant as both planets fall in the 5th house of love. this doesn't happen often and when it does the results can be significant. Venus and Mars were both in Pisces during January and Aquarius in December. Both planets won't be in the same sign again until September when Mars and Venus both planets enter Virgo which will benefit Earth signs and especially those with a Taurus ascendant.

Mars will be in Aries all month, and this is the time to move forward with plans. In Aries, Mars is powerful, although it can sometimes make us a little selfish and aggressive.

Jupiter turns retrograde on February 6, at 23 degrees of Libra, for the next four months and won't turn direct again until June 8, at 13 degrees of Libra. While retrograde, Jupiter's beneficial rays aren't as powerful, good things can still come if this aspects your personal planets. This should be a good year for Libra as Jupiter is in this sign until October. Jupiter here is in the sign of partnerships and marriage.

Saturn reaches 26 degrees of Sagittarius by month's end, and we are entering the final year of Saturn in this sign. If you are a latter degree Sagittarius, Saturn will conjunct your Sun. Saturn-Sun periods are significant and sometimes difficult. As Saturn crosses your Sun, we tend to re-create ourselves in many ways. This only occurs once every 30 years.

Uranus reaches 22 degrees of Aries by month's end and opposes Jupiter. If you are a 21-23 degree Aries, Libra, Cancer or Capricorn this will greatly affect your life. Uranus conjunct Sun periods often coincide with new opportunities and a desire to live differently in some way. Uranus oppositions (Libra) often end relationships and other matters, and Uranus squares (Cancer, Capricorn) often bring unexpected changes. Next year Uranus will enter Taurus.

Neptune, the planet of illusion, delusion and confusion has finally moved forward and reaches 11 degrees by month's end. If you are under a hard Neptune transit it may be hard to see things clearly, and it has a dissolving affect. If you have a trine or sextile from Neptune things may flow and you could experience some beautiful feelings and moments, or something in your life may seem ideal.

Pluto finally crosses the mid way mark and reaches 18 degrees of Capricorn. This will be most significant for those with personal planets at 17-18 degrees of Cardinal signs. Pluto changes things, and astrologers think of the change as being beyond the individuals control. It tears down to rebuild differently.

The latter part of the month, Mars in Aries will form a t-square with Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto and this will be the most volatile part of February, bringing frustration and unexpected events. This also 'sets off' the bigger t-square in the sky involving Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto making events at this time significant, especially if this aspects your personal chart.

Things heat up the week of February 20, as Mars squares Pluto on February 22. This square can bring smoldering anger and difficult, frustrating emotions and encounters with others. Mars/Pluto rule sex, bullies and arguments or change.

February 26-27 Mars conjuncts Uranus at 21-22 degrees of Aries and this brings unexpected if not explosive events.

By March 28, Mars opposes Jupiter and situations may be blown out of proportion one way or another. Oppositions often bring change.

No doubt we will watch this play out in the world in terms of anger, agitation, and the potential for issues concerning abuse of power, attacks, violence and even nuclear situations/issues. It could be indicative of accidents or earth or weather related situations as well. We are in a dangerous time. 

By the second full week of March the energy will change and as Mars trines Saturn, bringing smoother and less angry energy.

Happy Valentine's day to all, and may all your wishes come true.

Mercury squares Uranus January 31-February 1

Mercury squares Uranus and this transit will be in effect today and tomorrow, January 31-February 1. at 21 degrees of Capricorn-Aries.

Communications can be sudden, erratic and unpredictable and things may be decided too quickly and without enough thought. Watch your communication, as well as your email before you hit send.

We could see problems with electronic communication of many sorts. Mercury rules all types of communication, as well as our thoughts which could be erratic and changeable.

Use caution while traveling as this could be representative of a sudden accident. Watch actions with pets as well as children, immediate family members and co-workers as well as neighbors

This is potentially an explosive transit and Uranus knows no boundaries or has a sense of balance. As Mercury rules communication

Venus-Saturn and New Moon: No more rose colored glasses

Venus squares Saturn this week, and the energy of this transit is potent all week. The transit peaks January 27, at 12:50 PM. After this, the energy is still strong, but it will wane over the next few days.

Additionally, we have a powerful New Moon that occurs at January 27, at 7 07 PM, EST. This Moon is potent because it is unaspected, and because of the Venus-Saturn square.

As always, how this plays out with you, depends on how and where these planets are located in your personal chart.

Venus square Saturn can be negative, depressing and for some can involve endings of different sorts, not limited to romantic relationships. We may be focused on responsibilities which can interfere with social activity. This will not be the best time for social activities and interaction although it can connect you with those from the past at times.

In terms of relationships, you won't have the blinders on with this transit. In some cases, you may see your loved one differently. Endings probably won't occur unless the relationship is tottering on the edge anyway.

This is the time to come to terms with what your relationships really men to you and if they suit your needs.

The other side of this transit represents the type of love that is long lasting, and that will remain with you when things aren't going so well, you are sick, or you no longer look so hot.

My advice is to not act on a spur of the moment issue, whim or bored moment. Saturn is about responsibilities and work.

Additionally the New Moon occurs on the same day. Being unaspected this moon can be quite powerful. As Aquarius is ruled by Saturn and Uranus some people may want to break free, or you may want to try and do things differently. Jean-Baptiste Morin de Villefranche wrote that "an unaspected planet heralds that something strange or extraordinary will take place regarding the meanings of the house in which the said planet is posited." Aquarius is all about personal freedom.

Over the weekend we have a few more astrological events to add to the pot as well. January 28, Mars enters Aires where it is at home.

As all planets are direct at this time, action should pick up and action should take on a faster pace, although people may seem more selfish and bolder.

January 29, Mercury conjuncts Pluto. This can be obsessive to a point of distraction. It is indicative of arguments, accidents and overly intense interactions. Sometimes we find out unexpected things, and others may try to convince you of things, or it could be the other way around. At its worst, it is a transit of mental, verbal or physical abuse.

 In the world this transit represents propaganda. The media will be involved, although not necessarily in a negative way. It is hard to trust what you hear these days, and a transit like this can be driven by others personal, hidden motives and agendas.

Mars squares Saturn: Anger, frustration and delays

This week will not be without stress as Mars squares Saturn, exact, Thursday, January 19. This transit will be felt before it becomes exact and after, as well.

Mars rules our energy and in some way it may seem or feel restricted. This can be a period where we don't have the vigor we are accustomed to, and we may feel limited or slowed down in some way.

Mars-Saturn can result in anger and it is often considered a transit of some form of cruelty in astrology.

The best way to deal with this transit is to proceed with caution, slowly and methodically as you go about your week. Used constructively, you may accomplish more than you think.

My advice is to use caution in your dealings with others as they can lash out if angered or irritated, and you could regret bringing up controversial subjects. This transit will be felt for a few days and then we will soon return to normal, and move forward.

This transit will play out in the world as well. In my January newsletter I predicted we would be dealing with a situation involving those considered enemies to the United States who may try and confuse issues a lack of clarity around the circumstances, as Saturn squares Neptune in the US natal chart. Mars will 'set off' this transit and we will see more in coming days.

US intelligence agencies have stated that Russia, and specifically Vladimir Putin, were involved in hacking of US political entities.  Mars will 'set off' this transit over the next few days and we will hear more.

Saturn-Mars transits typically involve military and police affairs, and we can expect to see a great deal of upheaval over these few days and violence wouldn't surprise me.

While the Saturn-Neptune square in the US natal chart will ease in the coming days and weeks, this transit will return again both in July and September-October of 2017, and we will once again be confronted with the same or similar issues regarding foreign entities.