|
Sign up for your free Skywatch subscription including easy to understand abridged translation!
older Skywatch articles available upon request |
FEBRUARY 2006 As February begins we are moving out of the configuration of the New Moon which included five planets in Aquarius opposed by Saturn, a powerful symbol of the old order (Saturn) attempting to stem the tide of an awakening planet (Aquarius). All over the globe we see the beginnings of change: the self-destruction of the Republican party in the US, a new president in Iran who seeks increased nuclear power, the election of an indigenous president in Bolivia, a Palestinian election which brings officially sanctioned terrorism into power, and the end of Ariel Sharon's reign in Israel. Aquarius rules revolution and radical change and the idea that humans must necessarily be sacrificed for one's ideals. With Chiron's recent entry into Aquarius we are bound to see some power shifts from the old established structures and they may not always be comfortable ones. Uranus, the planet that represents individuation and transpersonalization is the ruler of Aquarius, but Saturn was its ancient ruler until Uranus was discovered in 1981. Saturn's desire to preserve the collective through rules and boundaries assists Aquarius in its desire to form ideal societies, but Uranus desires to transform the collective in order to fulfill the ideals of the individual. Aquarius tends to detach from emotional reactions in order to achieve its goals, and this will be the theme while Chiron travels through Aquarius for the next six years or so. The effect of the square (conflict) between Jupiter and Neptune (more in this article) began with the Grand Cross of December and January and will continue through March, returning for a final standoff in September. Jupiter's optimism and expansion has a natural affinity with Neptune's desire to detach from what we call reality in order to achieve transcendence, but when these two planets are in a stressful aspect like the square (90 degrees) we see the shadow sides of both planets. Hence we have a tendency towards reckless overconfidence from Jupiter and "illusion, delusion and confusion" from Neptune. My research into stock market trends (see link above for more information) shows that the last stock market bubble in 2000 occurred during a stressful aspect between Jupiter and Neptune, when the buzzword was "irrational exuberance" - a very appropriate moniker for this cycle! Those of us with planets in the fixed signs (Leo, Aquarius, Neptune and Taurus) have been particularly affected by the Grand Cross cycle and will continue to be affected by Jupiter/Neptune over the next couple of months. Opportunities abound in any Jupiter cycle, but with the stressful aspects it becomes more important to use reason and discipline in making any decisions - particularly financial with Jupiter now in Scorpio. Venus has been in retrograde motion since December 24, and turns direct on February 3. This has been a good period for re-evaluating and re-visiting issues in our relationships, but our dealings with people will become more straightforward now without so much need for processing between individuals. Venus makes a harmonious aspect to Jupiter during the first week of February, expanding and offering opportunity (Jupiter) to our interactions with others (Venus). Also during the first week of February Mercury joins the Jupiter/Neptune dance. It conjuncts Neptune (both in Aquarius), making this a creative (Neptune) time to resolve communication problems (Mercury). There is a sense of detachment with Mercury in Aquarius, and an ability to achieve sudden flashes of insight that helps to facilitate problem resolution. It also squares Jupiter, which can exacerbate a sense of righteousness (Jupiter) that can interfere with communication (Mercury). On the 6th, Mercury squares Mars and tempers could flare as communication efforts (Mercury) become affected by the god of war (Mars). On the positive side, Mercury/Mars unleashes a great deal of energy to utilize for accomplishing one's goals. As always, balancing these impulses offers a way to utilize them for the best results. On September 8 Mercury moves into dreamy Pisces, where imagination and creativity become the focal point. The Full Moon in Leo occurs February 10 at 11:44 pm, with the Moon in Leo opposite the Sun in Aquarius. During a Full Moon, the light of the lunar instinctive principle overpowers the solar principle, and instincts and emotions increase in power. Personal power also increases during these times, which is why rituals of magick often take place during the full moon. The Full Moon in Leo, which is oriented towards creative self-expression, is a particularly good time for creating a new vision for your life and using the lunar power to aid in its manifestation. The chart for this month's Full Moon includes an approaching opposition (180 degrees) between retrograde Saturn and Chiron which will be exact on February 19, indicating that the power of this Full Moon should also be used for solitary self-examination (Saturn) and healing (Chiron). Chiron heals by revealing our wounds, and Saturn insists that we not ignore them. This influence will remain in effect through the end of the month. Saturn is a hard taskmaster, but also more than any other planet will bestow great rewards if we do the work demanded of us. Still in retrograde motion, Saturn is slowing down to a "station" (where it seems to almost stand still) before turning direct on April 5 and is even more demanding than usual as it seeks to clean up any unfinished business before it turns direct. Venus smiles on lovers, families and friends on Valentine's Day when she makes a harmonious aspect (sextile - 60 degrees) to lucky Jupiter. Also that day the Sun will sextile Pluto, offering a surge of creative energy to the day's endeavors. Mercury conjuncts Uranus in Pisces on that day as well, and for a few days before and after Valentine's Day we may find ourselves experiencing a tremendous awakening (Uranus) of awareness (Mercury). Mars leaves Taurus for Gemini on February 17. Gemini is ruled by Mercury, and with the energy of Mars in talkative Gemini we may see an increased ability for negotiation and discussion rather than the stubborn entrenchment brought about by Mars in Taurus. Mercury will turn retrograde March 2 (mark your calendars!). The Sun enters Pisces on February 18. The day that Chiron's opposition to Saturn is exact (February 19) will also be affected by an expansive trine of Mercury to Jupiter, making this a good weekend for healing work, psychotherapy, shamanic rituals. The New Moon in Pisces takes place February 27, the day before the first Mardi Gras after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Pisces is the watery sign that dissolves boundaries, that takes the form of its container, that reflects our yearning to experience divinity in life. Pisces is known as the saint and the sinner - the spiritual disciple seeking the divine and the drug addict seeking oblivion. In Pisces (ruled by misty Neptune) we see artists, musicians, writers - all channeling a divine creative impulse. We also see in the shadow side a tendency towards fantasy, illusion and deception. With the New Moon, the lunar instinctive principle fuses with the solar conscious principle, and we have a regenerative quality - a time of new beginnings. This New Moon is conjunct Uranus, the awakener - expanding our awareness and bringing new insight. The potential for pain in the opposition of Chiron and Saturn is softened by a sextile of Mars to Saturn and trine to Chiron, bringing the energy (Mars) to do the work that is needed. Mercury squares Pluto that day, which can sometimes bring about obsession and compulsive (Pluto) thinking (Mercury), but the overall harmony of the other influences will make it easier to link these two in a productive way to transform (Pluto) our thought processes (Mercury). Hopefully the power of this New Moon can help in the process of regenerating Louisiana in its time of destruction. February 2006{Month} |