02/17/2020
Astrocycles for February 2020
FEBRUARY: A TIME FOR REFLECTION ON THE NEW YEAR
As we began February 2020, the power and strength of the Saturn/Pluto conjunction of January still had our blood pumping a little wildly, but more as post-trauma intensity than actual reality. In fact, we may have felt somewhat lost, and wondering “where am I” in the first few days, as the Sun made no aspects. We will continue to experience the Saturn/Pluto strength throughout the year, and into the next, but the energies will be less full-on, and hopefully, easier to deal with. February is a month when we can reflect deeply about who we really are, what our deepest values are, and how we can begin living from that place of authenticity. It is challenging, as we come out of a dramatic period of upheaval, yet a shake-up at the deepest level, is often just what is needed to move us forward to a place of greater strength.
Mercury began its shadow phase of the upcoming retrograde period on February 2. On February 3, at 3:38 AM PST, Mercury moved into Pisces, not its most comfortable place. Pisces is a water sign, known much more for its emotional sensitivity than its rational, communicative qualities. It was exactly square the Moon in Gemini at that moment, and sextile Uranus, encouraging us to be more imaginative and intuitive in our mental processes.
Venus moved into Aries on February 7 at 12:03 PM PST, definitely shifting her energy from the sensitive, emotional Pisces to the fiery, impulsive Aries. She’ll be in Aries about a month, and during that time, you might find yourself a bit more bold in dealing with others, more outspoken, and less patient.
The Full Moon in Leo arrived at 11:33 PM PST on February 8, at 20 degrees. Some American tribes called the second Full Moon of winter the Snow Moon because of heavy snows in February in northern areas of the country. This year the Moon formed a grand trine in fire, with Mars in Sagittarius and Eris in Aries. It also made a quincunx to Neptune. Leo is dramatic and of the heart, while Moon is feelings, so there was no lack of emotions and love coming forth. Leo is passionate and creative as well, so there may have been a desire to be social and active with friends and loved ones. Given the retrograde Mercury in Pisces active at the time, a problem could have been too many emotions, conflicting with one another, confounded by old memories or thoughts of unresolved tensions. The key to avoiding a crisis was finding balance, reflecting before acting, taking a break when needed, and listening before speaking.
On Valentine’s Day, the Scorpio Moon was trine both slowed-down Mercury, and Neptune, in Pisces. We may have been inclined to deeper emotions that day, pondering what it means to love, the many kinds of love, the many beings to love. Day-dreaming, fantasy, and quite possibly, delusion, could have been on the menu. Venus, the goddess of love, was in Aries, but not really aspected to any other planet. We were probably well-meaning in our intentions, but not really sure of the best way to show it.
Mars shifted out of Sagittarius and into Capricorn at 3:33 AM PST on February 16, squaring Chiron and trining Uranus. This tells us that our actions were, and will continue to be, less spontaneous, and more disciplined from mid-February until the end of March. Mars in Capricorn wants to accomplish goals, not just initiate them. It is focused, willing to plan, evaluate, and work hard towards a desired end. Given the simultaneous Mercury retrograde during this Mars in Capricorn, patience will also be required, and in general, the Capricorn energy is up to it.
Also, on February 16, Mercury stationed retrograde at 4:54 PM PST in the sign of Pisces, and will remain in retrograde motion until March 6, and in its shadow phase until the end of March. There was a square between Mercury and the Moon in Sagittarius at the station, and a conjunction between Mercury and the Pisces ruler, Neptune. Both of these aspects speak strongly of the conflict Mercury in Pisces has with feelings, and especially during a retrograde period when the task is to reflect on what has previously transpired. Yes, that is the real purpose of Mercury retrograde periods. They’re not just to annoy you with glitches in communication or transportation, though sometimes annoying things occur. The point is to give the “busy” mind a bit of rest, and use the reflective mind to look again from a “being” perspective. The challenge is to reflect accurately rather than fantasize on, or delude yourself about, what really occurred, and what needs to be changed going forward.
From February 19-22, Mars in Capricorn will be in a strong trine with Uranus in Ta**us, and the Sun is sextile to both of them. These will be excellent days for paying attention to your instincts, and if they tell you to take a risk, do it. Take a break from the boring routine, and explore some new ideas. Indulge your spirit for a bit of freedom, just before the New Moon.
The New Moon in Pisces arrives at 7:32 AM PST on February 23, sextile both Mars in Capricorn and Uranus in Ta**us. It’s also just a few degrees away from retrograde Mercury in Pisces. With Pisces being a sensitive sign, there is hope that the beginning of this New Moon cycle will engender more sympathy, more compassion, more hope for all of us in the collective. The sextiles to Mars and Uranus could bring more action taken to resolve conflicts in ways that are realistic. Jupiter and Venus are square to one another, as are Mars and Chiron, so the conflicts will definitely be happening, all of our inner wounded warriors will be feeling sore, but it’s the potential for resolution that we must work toward. It is being able to listen, to relate, and to empathize that will make the difference.
At this New Moon, it is interesting to note that all the planets are within 120 degrees, or 1/3 of the chart. Thus, there is a concentration of energy, and one sign of each element is present in the whole, from 5 degrees cardinal Capricorn through 4 degrees Ta**us, although there are no actual planets in the air sign of Aquarius. 120 degrees is the angular value of a trine aspect, which is often described as “soft” or harmonious. This could also reflect the potential for some sort of resolution, in a practical way, as the two planets framing this concentration, Mars and Uranus, are both in earth signs.
In the final days of the month, we have the Moon moving through Aries, connecting with Chiron late on February 25, then conjuncting both Venus and Eris on the 27th. Also on the 27th, and the 28th, Venus is conjunct Eris, putting an emphasis on the feminine willing to create discord in order to bring justice. When the Moon connects with Chiron, being reminded of situations of wounding, particularly around one’s sexuality, may be common. And with both Venus and Eris together in Aries, the feminine warrior goddess may emerge. It also happens that Black Moon Lilith, the lunar apogee, a mathematical point rather than an actual body in the sky, is conjunct Chiron at that moment. Lilith is associated with sexuality, and the underworld, so her presence accentuates this potential for feminine activism at the end of the month.
In addition, retrograde Mercury has, by the final days of February, moved back to the early degrees of Pisces, and sextiles Uranus. Thus, our thoughts could easily justify rebellious energy to be considered an apt way to behave under circumstances involving lack of respect or unfairness.
Take good care. See you all next month!
