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2/1 Mercury direct 2:10 am
2/2 Venus enters Aries 10:41 pm
2/4 Mars enters Aquarius
2/5 Saturn opposite Uranus
      Venus square Pluto
2/9 Sun conjunct Chiron
      Full Moon - lunar eclipse 9:49 am EST
2/12 Sun conjunct Neptune
2/14 Mercury enters Aquarius
2/16 Venus sextile Jupiter
2/17 Mars conjunct Jupiter
2/18 Sun enters Pisces
2/21 Sun sextile Pluto
2/24 Mercury conjunct Jupiter
      New Moon 8:35 pm
2/25 Mercury sextile Venus

You can now find daily update on planetary events at Astrological Musings. The big planetary news in February is the second phase of the opposition between Saturn and Uranus. Saturn is the planet of restriction, of structure, of form and that which is already established. Uranus is the planet that urges us to break free from the past and begin something new and completely different. These two planets have been within two degrees since November, and we have seen this tension between the old and the new since before the US election. All over the world, new governments are forming and new ideas are taking root. Change does not come easily for many, and resistance is always present in the face of great adjustments and we are seeing this reflected daily in the news reports.

There is a lack of the Fire element right now and still a strong presence of the Air element with four planets in Aquarius, so there are lots of ideas and discussions (Air rules communication and the mental process) but little inspiration or energy (Fire) to put these ideas into motion. On February 5 when Mars joins the other planets in Aquarius, this situation will be even more pronounced although Venus will have entered Aries on the 3rd and at least our interactions with others will become a little more enthusiastic and inspired.

We have also had a lack of the square (90 degree) aspect which can make it more difficult to find the energy to make things happen. Squares create conflict - they are uncomfortable and we don't like them, but the conflict that is created under the square aspect creates the need for resolution and ultimately transformation. Without squares, it's easy to remain locked in an attempt to create change that keeps sliding backwards into complacency. The only "hard" aspect at work now is the opposition between Saturn and Uranus, so the pressure for change is there but without the conflict that brings it to a head, requiring action and transformation.

We are seeing this operate on the global level where governments recognize the need to make a change but do not seem to be getting anywhere in accomplishing this. In our personal lives we must use the sheer power of our will to put our lives in motion towards the direction in which we are heading.

Mercury has been retrograde (appearing to move backward from our perspective on earth), but turns direct in the early hours of February 1. We may experience some lingering effects of the retrograde period over the next few days during the "shadow" period. Mercury has been within range of a harmonious aspect to both Saturn and Uranus over the past few days and this has helped to facilitate the easing of Saturn's resistance and a balance of the impetuous tendencies of Uranus.

On the evening of February 2 Venus enters the Fire sign of Aries, introducing the first Fire influence that we have experienced since December when Mars left Sagittarius. The presence of the Fire element gives us more physical energy and a general sense of excitement, and without it we can feel stuck in the practical (earth), the emotional (Water) or the realm of ideas (Air) without the ability to take action. With Venus entering Aries we have more energy for relationships. It will become easier to pick up the phone and call a friend, or be affectionate with our spouse.

Venus is going to be in Aries for quite a long time this year rather than the usual month or so because it will retrograde in March at the midpoint of Aries and travel back briefly into Pisces before returning to Aries into early June. If you are seeking a relationship this could be a good time for it - Venus in Aries is rather courageous in its search for love and it may be easier to become energized in the pursuit of your romantic goals.

Mars enters Aquarius on February 4, joining the other three planets and one luminary still in that visionary sign (Jupiter, Sun, Chiron and Neptune). Aquarius is less concerned about emotional happiness and more interested in social justice and applying new and unique ideas to ordinary situations. Aquarius is rather impersonal and the only planet now in the Water element is Uranus, a very dry planet, so there is not an effective conduit available now for emotions. Don't be surprised if your loved ones don't understand you now - you may not even understand yourself! Relationship problems need to find balance through practical (earth) ideas (Air) to solve problems, rather than through emotional understanding (the missing Water element) or taking action (the missing Fire element).

On February 5, when Saturn forms the exact opposition (180 degrees) to Uranus, Venus (relating) will also square Pluto (death and rebirth). This will intensify our relationships and potentially our need for control and jealous emotions may make themselves known at this time. Venus transits last for just a few days but during this period we can discover much about our subconscious motivations.

The third of a series of six eclipses in 2009 will take place on February 9. This is a lunar Eclipse, occurring at the Full Moon at 9:49 am EST. This will be a powerful lunar event, with the Moon in Leo bringing in some Fire energy. Leo likes to see the world as an epic tale of heroic exploits and big drama, which will amplify our experience at this time.

The Sun conjoins Chiron that day, with the Moon opposed, and this will necessitate our looking deeply into whatever emotions or information arises during this time. Chiron is the Wounded Healer and is best known for the Wound that must be Healed, but there is also an element of Wisdom to Chiron that is often missed. In learning more about ourselves by walking through the Fire of remembered pain, we discover a Truth that is far greater than ourselves.

Neptune is also incorporated into this lunation (lunar event) which assists in the process of achieving a deeper experience of spiritual wisdom, as well as unlocking the creative impulse that can help us to create real magic at this time. The unique combination of true Wisdom from Chiron, the opening of the veils that Neptune provides, and the eclipse of the Leo Moon offers us an opportunity to unmask our conception of the Hero (Leo) and find the true Hero that lies underneath the illusion.

This time of magical possibilities will extend through the 12th when the Sun conjuncts Neptune and completes the interaction of Neptune with the Eclipse event.

Mercury enters Aquarius on February 14, opening up doorways for brilliant insights and new ideas for change. Mercury rules over our thought processes and the way we process information, and in Aquarius there is a clean and clear line of information that comes through insight and conscious awareness. Aquarius is rational and unencumbered by emotions which may create confusion, so while Mercury is in Aquarius the mental realms are crisp and clean and easily able to transmit information clearly.

On the 16th Venus forms a nice (sextile) aspect to Jupiter, creating an abundance of good feelings and loving kindness for a day or two. When Mars conjuncts Jupiter (both in Aquarius) on the following day, there is an infusion of energy and optimism that is both creative and useful.

The Sun enters Pisces on the 18th, where it is unaspected by any other planets in the Water element. The emotional realm is highlighted now, but there isn't any support for it and there could be some dissonance on an emotional level. On the one hand we are excited by the new Aquarian ideas and a vision of a new tomorrow, but on the other hand we are feeling the need for connection and emotional warmth that is lacking. This is just a temporary situation and will be remedied by the New Moon in Pisces on the 24th. In the meantime, a sextile (harmonious aspect) of the Sun to Pluto on the 21st brings in a power and strength that will sharpen our focus and help us to achieve our goals.

The Pisces New Moon at 8:35 pm EST on the 24th offers an opportunity for a new beginning as all New Moons do. The Sun's energy and vitality is fused with the emotions of the Moon now, and in Pisces we learn that the material world is not our entire existence. Pisces opens the doors to an experience that is more subtle - more imaginative and creative, more in tune with the inner flow that is quieter than the noise of our mind. Mercury (mind) conjoins Jupiter (optimism) during this New Moon, and forms a sextile (harmonious aspect) to Venus (relating), giving this New Moon a wonderful feeling of faith and harmony and an opening of our hearts to love on an individual level (Venus) as well as giving our experience a Universal (Pisces/Jupiter) dimension.

What a beautiful way to end the month of February!