FEBRUARY ASTROLOGY REPORT

In February, we see the following transiting aspects: Four ingresses, 2 oppositions, 3 conjunctions, a new and a full Moon, a direct and a retrograde station, and 5 squares. Six planets take active parts in a month long change-of-sign T-square. The emphasis of this dynamic balancing act moves from fixed to mutable signs, signaling a softening of immoveable stances. The focal planets (at the leg of the T-square) shift from "lock-step" to "well, maybe", from inflexibility to viewing alternative options. From the 18th on, situations may begin to lose their black and white abruptness, and their dogmatic perspectives. Uranus continues to receive the focus of energy through mid-June, which means that emotional issues are associated with fracturing existing patterns, and contemplating the unconventional. During this time, there is a craving for (or a fear of) change, and detaching from ineffectual established behaviors can promise new freedoms. February begins with Mercury in shadow, so rethinking communication/transportation issues can be anticipated.

010202 Venus enters Aries 11:14 AM. Our values may be framed in more self-assertive attire. No longer content just to dream, we may actively look for fulfillment. New personal relationships may be formed impulsively. 010203 Mars opposes Saturn 1:32 PM, 24:09 Scorpio/Taurus. A test of strength and endurance for many. Impatience and stubbornness may cause negotiation breakdowns. Arbitration can continue with unusual methods within the next few weeks, causing both sides to scramble and reexamine their positions. 010203 Mercury turns retrograde 5:59 PM, 0:14 Pisces. Impractical expectations may meet with resistance. Betrayal may be perceived, when actually, the resources for more practical methods and resolutions are being made available. During the next three weeks, use your time wisely. Keep your eyes open and suspend judgment, while you reevaluate the issues of the past 16 days with a heightened sense of awareness. 010206 Mercury Rx re-enters Aquarius 12:25 PM. This is a time for more reappraisal. Events of the past three weeks may resurface, but avoid getting stuck in those patterns. You can continue to pursue your objectives, if you keep a detached attitude and gather information. Mend your fences and bide your time. 010207 Full Moon 19:35 Leo/Aquarius, west coast 11:11 PM, 010208 east coast 2:11 AM. Ideas of a flamboyant nature worth considering may bring temporary opposition to your plans. Peers or partners may try to deflect you from your goals. An ego situation may force you to choose between temporary alienation and the building of lasting value through patience and trust. Tempers flair, and some people feel trapped by circumstance. West coast issues will be out in the open, and difficult to maintain privacy. East coast situations will deal more with secrets and difficulties brought about by distance. Missed messages and misunderstandings can ruin plans, and raise doubt and suspicion. 010209 Sun conjuncts Uranus 11:11 PM, 20:49 Aquarius. An intense spirit of revolution arises. The love of freedom, and the need for reforms manifest where least expected. Charming troublemakers can divert you from your valued goals. Chaotic energies can intrude into rational, logical thoughts, and burnout can occur. Reaffirm your vision. 010209 Mercury Rx squares Mars 6:59 PM, 27:15 Scorpio. Second thoughts challenge proposed actions. The realization that you may not be alone in your quest may help you to gather resources, and investigate alternatives. New contacts may take on a karmic or fated flavor, and may be extremely important to you in the near future. 010212 Mercury Rx squares Saturn 3:25 PM, 24:24 Aquarius/Taurus. This is a confusing time. It seems that life fluctuates between the challenge for action and the necessity for caution and tradition. Right now, proven values seem most important. There is a feeling of reluctance, perhaps from fear of errors, or instability in current relationships, and an overpowering need for comfort. "Peanuts" character, Linus and his security blanket comes to mind. 010212 Sun conjuncts Mercury 4:17 PM, 24:24 Aquarius. Intense interactions may bring a lack of clarity. A retreat from public influence can help you investigate and reaffirm your basic beliefs and values. Rational thinking, plus self-trust is needed now in order to meet the coming challenges. 010212 Sun squares Saturn 5:21 PM, 24:24 Aquarius/Taurus. A strong conscious understanding of your own inner authority can be the focusing tool you need. Self-absorption and a strong sense of fate can lead to the fear of challenge. Determined effort is needed to accept what is required, but to make the changes necessary for success. 010214 Mars enters Sagittarius 12:06 PM. St.Valentine's Day. Vigorous growth and expansion is on the horizon now. Powerful, influential people will feel able to function in a forceful and dynamic manner. Increased optimism can be helpful during this challenging time. 010215 Mercury Rx conjuncts Uranus 10:38 AM, 21:12 Aquarius Intuitive overload brings a need to limit input or invoke right brain processes to keep the flow going. Keep a tape recorder handy to record your insights. Prior exciting mental patterns (or old wounds) may be easy to reopen. Mindfulness can offset a growing feeling of vulnerability. 010218 Sun enters Pisces 6:27 AM. Consider your inner spiritual center as a base of operations. There may be a shift in focus from inspiration to imagination, and from cynicism to idealism. The key to challenging authority is an emphasis on negotiation (mutable) instead of demands (fixed). Mars opposes Jupiter 5:57 PM, 2:13 Sagittarius /Gemini. Creative powers are heightened. Successful unions based on unity in diversity can trigger a feeling of joie de vivre ("Peanuts" character Snoopy is a good image). Avoid exaggerating, and overextending resources. Use rituals, or adhere rigorously to schedules to keep yourself grounded. 010220 Sun squares Jupiter 2:39 PM, 2:22 Gemini/Pisces. The challenge here is to rise beyond the material success you have gained and get in touch with a spiritual understanding of your achievements. Influential connections and contacts can help you in reaching your goals. 010222 Sun squares Mars 5:11 AM, 3:57 Pisces/Sagittarius. Optimism and altruism can help you put your vision into action. A spirit of adventure can be awakened. However, keep risk-taking to a minimum. Ambition can be tempered with compassion. 010223 New Moon 4:47 Pisces, west coast 12:21 AM; east coast 3:21 AM. Emotional or spiritual energy enhances your self-worth in forming your base of operations. People may tend to be impressionable and sensitive to changes. Find those with like minds and similar purpose, who are willing to agree on prominent agendas. Avoid less than legal/ethical deals that might have disastrous results later. West coast emphasis is on home parents, or revisiting childhood values. East coast issues include development of talents, and communicating your values to others. Important connections and contacts that support your hearts desire are possible. 010225 Mercury turns direct 7:45 AM, 15:25 Aquarius. Opportunities will arise that support solving problems of the heart. You can create opportunities to transform unusable ideas and reverse less than useful previous decisions. A good time to reorganize and reevaluate relationship priorities. Avoid power trips and controlling behavior. Wake up! Hoping that changes will just happen is pie in the sky. Use your opportunities to prepare for change. More clues will manifest through March 18. Keeping a journal of your experiences can help keep you centered.

Note: This report reflects current energetic transiting aspects that we all share. We can all connect with this collective dynamism. The aspects become personal to you if they connect astrologically to your natal chart. February Symbolism February comes from the Latin (meaning fever), was named for Juno-Februa, goddess of the passion, or the fire of love. February's birthstone is the amethyst -- the gemstone is used in the rings of Catholic Bishops, and in many rosaries. It symbolizes spirituality, faithfulness, spiritual attunement, temperance, peace, and quietude. It is the stone associated with the 7th Chakra, and has been used as an amulet for breaking bad habits and addictions. Amethysts were used in hand-fastings, showing faithfulness and stability. Valerian, the herb associated with February, quiets the nerves, allays pain, and promotes sleep. Midway between the four points of the solstices and equinoxes are the fixed points of the natural year, represented in the Catholic Church by the four Gospels, and symbolized by a man (Aquarius), a bull (Taurus), a lion (Leo), and an eagle (Scorpio). These correspond to the four Pagan fire festivals. About halfway through the Sun's journey through the fixed sign of Aquarius, is the man-point. February 1 is this first cross-quarter festival within the secular year, and the second Major High Day in the Celtic or Pagan religion: Oimelc, Imbolc (both pronounced "ee-melc") corresponds with the festival of the Norse goddess, Brigid (in Ireland, the virgin goddess Bridhe) who embodied the three fold nature of healing, firecraft, & poetry, wherein she is transformed from the barren hag of winter back again to the vibrant virgin bride of spring. Imbolc, which means "ewe's milk", refers to the first lactation of the year, promising new lambs and a blessed spring. This is also a time of commitment to the waxing Light. Imbolc is a pagan celebration of the coming spring, and dedicated to purification and cleansing. In the Christian calendar, February 2 is Candlemas, the blessing of the candles and the return of the Light, which commemorates when Jesus was first presented in the temple, and the purification of the Virgin Mary. February 3 is the feast day of St Blase (Blaise) was a martyred Armenian Bishop in the fourth century, who tamed and healed wild animals. On his way to being incarcerated in a Roman prison for heresy, he healed a boy who was choking to death on a fishbone with a blessing that dissolved the fishbone. His feast day is known as the blessing of the throats, using two candles. St. Blase is also associated with the Slavic deity, Vlaise, god of animals. St. Valentine's Day held sacred the number 5 (1 + 4). To attract a lover or husband, five bay leaves were placed under the pillows of available ladies on St. Valentine's eve. St Valentine is associated with Juno, goddess of maternal and married love. In Scandinavia, they ran the Labyrinth on this day, as a test of love. Love is like perfume; you can't give it away without getting a little on yourself. February 25, 26, and 27 are the days of confession, absolution, and carnival before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, the Christian season of penitence and renewal. "Carnival", from the Latin root means "farewell to meat". Mardi Gras, means: "Fat Tuesday" the final day of Carnival. Mercury turning direct on Shrove Sunday presents a thoughtful pause in anticipation of Lent's 40 days set aside for the discipline of fasting and prayer in preparation for Resurrection (Easter) Sunday. Lent comes from lencten, the Chaldean word meaning "spring" or "lengthening" (of days). It has its parallel in the 40 days of abstinence that precedes the pagan festival of the fire-goddess of the morning star, Astarte.

Sacred Solar Breath On February 18th at 6:27 AM PST (9:27 AM EST), when the Sun changes signs from air to water (Aquarius to Pisces), we release the last outbreath of Solar air and take in the first breath of Solar water, the first of the millennium. This can be as a sacred meditation, the second elemental baptism of the year. The sacred breath acts as a ritual cleansing for all levels of experience in the newness of the era. Begin with a bowl of clear water before you. Picture white light shining from the water. Place your hands on either side of the bowl and picture your magnetic field flowing from your right hand through the water into your left hand, and through your body like a river. While you breathe out through your mouth and in through your nose, picture the outbreaths sweeping all impurities from your magnetic field and being cleansed by the water. With each inbreath, picture the river of water flowing in through your left hand, cleansing and activating each level of your being with the water of life. Supportive of the symbiotic relationship that we have with the plant kingdom, use the water in the bowl to slack the thirst of your houseplants after the ceremony. Blessings...

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