AS FEBRUARY BEGINS, five of the ten main planets – plus the asteroid Pallas Athene – are
in the sign of Aquarius. This means that the qualities of this air sign
are more accessible now. Intuition is heightened, and we have a
stronger ability to envision a new future. We
are encouraged to cooperate with others to advance humanitarian causes,
while also taking advantage of new and inventive ideas.
But
all zodiac signs also have a shadow side. With Aquarian energies strong
throughout the first half of the month, we may be feeling especially
restless or impetuous. Mental excitement can disintegrate into
nervousness or anxiety. The need for freedom and unique self-expression
can manifest as rebelliousness without concern for its impact.
Some might become overly reclusive as they ride this Aquarian wave, leading to feelings of estrangement. And, since Aquarius is a fixed sign, with the keywords "I Know," it is possible to be so sure that we know the
answers, that we are unwilling to consider other opinions.
RETROGRADE MERCURY
is one of the five planets currently in Aquarius, adding a few twists
and turns to our already complicated road. While moving backward over
the next three weeks, Mercury calls us more to introspection than to
implementation. Instead of having a green light to move forward with all
our progressive ideas, we are cautioned to
take our time, not to proceed without truly sensing internally the best
course of action.
All
of these Aquarian potentials, both the light and the shadow, will be
especially strong around the time of the New Moon on February 11. At
that time, the Moon will also be in Aquarius, bringing the total number
of planetary bodies in that sign to seven. Most significantly, all seven
will be in hard square aspect to Uranus, Black Moon Lilith, and Mars in
Taurus. More on that powerful
Aquarius New Moon in next week's Journal.
A SUN-MARS SQUARE
occurs on Monday this week, but since the aspect perfects at 2:33 a.m.
PST, it's an energy that we're already feeling on this Sunday, the day
before. This
is an aspect of frustration and irritation, as we try to stay calm
while dealing with circumstances that trigger dissatisfaction or anger.
Mars
is currently in Taurus, a sign motivated by a desire for peace,
comfort, and beauty. To fulfill those needs, Taurus typically chooses to
be in surroundings and conditions that feel relaxed and familiar. This
is why Taurus the Bull can be stubbornly resistant to change, since
change is by nature unfamiliar and uncomfortable at first.
The new ideas or solutions being offered by the Sun in Aquarius – or even the change in routines being suggested – can
feel upsetting to Mars in Taurus. Those who are feeling compelled to do
something not of their own choosing are easily provoked into anger. To
be successfully navigated, this Sun-Mars
square will require both great flexibility and patience as we begin the
coming week – flexibility in
allowing change to occur, and patience with the part of us that wants to
dig in its heels and keep everything as it used to be.
VENUS,
the planet named for the goddess of Love and Beauty, is very active
this week, drawing our attention to concerns of the heart, as well as to
issues involving our core values and material needs. Venus begins its
three-week transit through social Aquarius on
Monday, reminding us of our innate human need for friendship and
community. During this transit, which lasts until Venus enters Pisces on
February 25, we may also be more impulsive, original, or erratic in our
choices of how we express love or spend our resources.
Venus
has a few quiet days to begin the week, but soon encounters a string of
challenges, starting on Thursday with a Venus-Neptune semisquare. The
main caution with this minor hard aspect is to be aware of where we may
either idealize another person or overestimate the value of something we
want purchase. In other words, if you feel you may be wearing
rose-colored glasses as you consider what
you "love," take a few minutes to ground and gain clarity before making
an important decision.
OBJECTIVITY
is much easier to access on Friday, when Venus conjoins Saturn late in
the day (early Saturday in some parts of the world). This is an aspect
that encourages us to realistically appraise that which we love, a
process can feel a little cold and clinical in its
ability to detach from emotional concerns.
A
Venus-Saturn conjunction occurs once a year, and is the start of a new
synodic cycle between the two planets. It represents an opportunity to
set new intentions in the areas ruled by Venus – a
time to make "New Year's resolutions" in our relationships or in our
money management. For some, it may be a time to deepen a commitment or
to make a new investment. For others, it may be a realization of a truth
that closes the door on what has been.
THE LOVE STORY
doesn't end there, however. In actuality, Venus is stepping into the
complex energies of the Saturn-Uranus square, which will perfect for the
first time on February 17. When Venus is exactly square Uranus late
Saturday, decisions we've just made are again up in
the air. This could be a time of "buyer's remorse" if we've made a
decision that doesn't take all needs into account. With this influence,
we may also observe ourselves or others acting more erratically or
selfishly, without consideration for the long term.
The
good news is that Venus is also in harmonious sextile aspect with
Chiron on Saturday. While this influence is not as strong as the other
aspects just described, it can help us to be kinder in our interactions,
to understand the wounds that are behind our own and others'
selfishness, and to not take misbehaviors too personally.
INSIGHTS AND INTROSPECTION are
on the agenda for next weekend, and no doubt we'll have plenty to
ponder, given events earlier in the week. These themes are strongest
on Sunday, when Mercury will be conjunct the asteroid Pallas Athene.
Pallas
Athene, as you may know, is one of my "favorites" of the solar system.
This asteroid represents our capacity for great wisdom, insight, and
healing, and seems able to bestow gifts in these areas, if we are open
to receive. With this alignment occurring in Aquarius, we may be more
than usually sensitive to energies while working with vibrational
healing modalities.
There
is also a very future-oriented theme to this Mercury-Athene
conjunction, helping us receive ideas that will benefit humanity going
forward. And, since Mercury is retrograde, the energies next Sunday are
especially conducive to extra time spent in
meditation or journaling, or perhaps channeling Higher Consciousness.
WEBINAR REPLAY: If
you missed my recent "Uncharted Waters" webinar, you can still purchase
the video replay and monthly calendars! In the class, I talked
about the planetary influences we'll be working with January through
April 2021. To purchase the replay
and calendars, please send an email with "Webinar Replay" in the subject line to pam@northpointastrology.com.
IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: It's
something of a "brave new world" for you this year. A Jupiter transit
of your Sun helps you take new risks based on an enhanced desire for new
experiences and for a deeper understanding of your life's meaning. You
are more able this year to see life as a grand adventure, and to trust
the search for wisdom
as your guide. Along the way, you will need to overcome a bit of
resistance, both internally and externally, from parts of yourself and
from people in your life who wish for you to be consistent or reliable. (Solar Return Sun square Mars, conjunct Pallas Athene, conjunct
Jupiter)
In Gratitude and Light,
Pam
NorthPoint Journal © 2021 Pam Younghans. All Rights Reserved.
