After a very intense January in the skies, February offers a bit of a cooling-off period. Almost all of the aspects in the sky this month can be considered constructive, with the exception of some minor itches here and there. Not that the ongoing deep transformation is really taking the month off, but we will have some time to reconsider and integrate the changes which have taken place.
The month starts as we come down from a Full Moon and Saturn-Pluto aspect at the end of January. We’ll still be feeling these cosmic tremors as February begins, particularly in the area of relationships. Power struggles might characterize the first few days of the month, although the energy is likely to be subtle and the tension under the radar.
Some constructive energy prevails on the 6th. If the last few weeks have led to breakdowns in any area of life, consider this as a time to do some repair work. Don’t set getting "back to normal" as your goal because that probably won’t work, but do try to create a more harmonious new situation. The Moon is on the wane, so it is perhaps a better time to clean up loose ends than to begin new projects.
On the 8th, Venus joins Neptune, an aspect which encourages us to open our fourth chakra and let the love flow. True, we might also see more promise in a relationship or a partner than the situation really calls for, but the feeling is generally pretty positive for romance around this time.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Venus moves into Pisces on the 11th. Venus is very happy in this sign, although she encourages a more spiritual love, more compassion than passion. With Mars still backing up in the skies, this year’s Valentine’s Day may or may not be the "hot" time we have come to expect. Mars retrograde can intensify passion, but make its expression more difficult. That we are also coming into the New Moon also turns down the volume on romance.
Oh, and Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday, never an easy day to paint the town.
But passion could still be in the works, as the Sun meets up with Neptune on the 14th, an aspect which urges us to go beyond our usual boundaries. Whether we explore other levels of consciousness, become egotistical in the extreme, or simply say "yes!" to whatever emerges is an open question, but at least there is some energy flowing. It might not be easy to see clearly what is happening, however, so exercise a little skepticism where serious decisions are concerned. Acknowledging a possibility is one thing, creating a reality is something else.
A more genial social aspect could not be asked for than the Venus-Jupiter meeting on the 16th. This should help to open us to the best energies of these two planets, both of which have to do with relating to others. Again, the feel of this meeting isn’t restricted to romantic relationships, but extends to all areas of life, as the planets are in Pisces. The one downside to these two beneficial planets meeting up in such good surroundings is that there may be a tendency to have a bit too much of a good thing. Overindulgence in sweets is legendary with this aspect, although considering the sign involved, an all-you-can-eat sushi bar might be more in tune with the day.
From the 17th through the 23rd, we are at the First Quarter Moon, and Mercury is making irritable aspects to the outer planets. An open battle of words isn’t likely, but you may notice that communication isn’t flowing all that smoothly, either. In fact, early in this period some sharp words may be shared, while later on we might tend more towards sarcasm to get the message across.
Personal relationships may get a bit strained as Venus and Mars needle each other with a minor aspect on the 24th. Once again, it’s not a big deal, but the sense of it is that things aren’t going as smoothly as we might like. Any hidden tensions in a partnership might find their way to the surface, although the expression of them may not be very direct. A more positive take on this aspect could be opening up about what we really want and need.
February 27th stands as a kind of one-day Mercury retrograde, as the Cosmic Messenger has his turn meeting up with Neptune. Communication is liable to be iffy, and messages could get lost. Read, carefully reread, and then defer signing agreements for a couple of days.
Hold onto your ego on the 28th!! The Sun meets up with Jupiter just hours before the Full Moon. This isn’t the sort of day when we are likely to feel like giving in, because, after all, we’re right. All of us. It could be a problem, with lots of us wanting to be king, but unwilling to play the subject to each other.
In a month without major apsects, eclipses, stations or other exciting astrological events, we will have some time to patch up and rebuild those areas of life which have been undergoing major changes. A little down time might be very welcome. However, you have to remember that whatever the astrological "weather" may be, it will affect us all individually, depending on our charts. Intensity waxes and wanes, but change is constant.
Armand M. Diaz, M.A., C.A., is certified as a Consulting Astrologer by the National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR). He is available for private consultations, in which he creates a supportive context for self-exploration, to help clients make decisions which are in harmony with their greatest potential, offering a truly integral approach to astrology. Armand has practiced divination for more than twenty years, working with the I Ching and Tarot in addition to astrology. He has published in various astrological journals, including The Mountain Astrologer. He can be reached at 917-216-1541 or armand@integralastrology.net, or though his website at www.integralastrology.net.