February 2008 Forecast

Monthly Overview:

Mars in Gemini has just completed the retrograde cycle begun mid November last, while Mercury, now traveling through Aquarius, has just embarked upon its three week retrograde stint. Reigning with a weighty-ness that brings a stacked-deck feel to the here and now, Pluto has recently begun to hold court in the sign of Capricorn. Quickening the pace, February also hurls us through the first pair of eclipses for 2008. Whew, it’s off to the races we go!

With our sensory instincts on the high alert probe, Mars and Pluto initiated an expanded awareness cycle in January of 2007, it’s been mushrooming ever since. This is a critical transition for Mars and Pluto; they will not tee up in the Gemini/Sagittarius polarity again for the next couple of centuries. Why is such a striking impetus now animated? When this planetary pair engages by dynamic aspect it is a critical soul dance; personal, social and collective evolutionary needs are greatly intensified. The heat generated between these two planetary energies set key karma into faster motion.

End of September brought the midway plateau of this major transition cycle as Mars made the first of its three opposition aspects with Pluto. This was also the beginning of a six-month sub-cycle chapter of great significance. By the time mid November arrived and Mars went retrograde, situations became more obvious and/or they took a major turn. A key evolutionary ignition point fired at that time. Mars is Gemini suggests a double track or multi-tiered learning cycle; the circumstances that were set in motion have been advancing not only the current growth mandate but have also animated the much deeper levels of the core soul issues in need of reconciliation. The second Mars/Pluto opposition, which occurred January 2, can be viewed as an information synthesis point. Take a moment to review what took place for you at the end of 2007/beginning of 2008. At the same time that shifting realities started to sink in deeper you will recognize that a new internal drive was also arising. Through January, Mars retrograde continued to heat up the undercurrents as a reformed sense of direction begins to build.

Mars is now unleashed from its retrograde cycle, so you can expect to be kept especially busy right from February’s get-go. Note Mercury retrograde will deliver the typical trickster challenges, the usual warnings are in effect. Mercury is retrograde in the sign of Aquarius this time around; make sure you pay extra attention to your computer and other communication devices or technological tools. Also, keep vigilant for mechanical problems and misfire negotiations too. Weather patterns – and people for that matter, can be unpredictable; fabulous opportunities can suddenly appear, but they can also vanish in the blink of an eye too. Positively applied, Mercury retrograde can bring an excellent time for internal or creative exploration.

Eclipses tend to act as an accelerator influence; riding on wind of Aquarius in overdrive, we can expect that we may soon experience a jolt. The Solar Annular Eclipse in Aquarius, Feb 7, marks the beginning of Chinese Year of Rat (a flavor of the charismatic, ambitious, and opportunistic) and occurs just after the US candidate’s super elections day. We are in for an over the top week or two. In fact, we have already witnessed the eclipse activation, i.e. the recent topsy-turvy stock market and the shocking sudden death of a much beloved young actor, Heath Ledger. A Solar Eclipse (new moon) commonly announces the death or birth of a high profile individual.

The Solar Eclipse ignites the group-consciousness air sign of Aquarius. (Mercury’s retrograde cycle does too.) Watch for spotlight attention to be focused on the following: friends, groups, political affiliations, aspirations or involvement; social, public, or political events or controversy; scientific and technological advances; atmospheric conditions, perceived and/or actual (re emotional climates as well as the weather), out of the ordinary social fads; the plus and minus of our interconnectedness.

Note that China’s Pluto is directly opposite the Solar Eclipse, anyone born 1949 (to 1951; fall of 1959 to spring of 1960; Jan/Feb or Nov/Dec of 1978; Aug to Oct of 1979) can feel this eclipse strongly. It is a time of great awakenings (Mother Nature included); of the revolutionizing of consciousness, norms, and lifestyles; of altered realities that can quite likely occur in the blink of an eye. Note that this eclipse also energizes Chiron in Aquarius (keywords: controversial, revolutionary.) The exceptional or extraordinary could be put in your path; note that you can make a huge leap (for yourself and on behalf of others) when you choose the maverick’s path. On an added note: with Mercury retrograde up to tricks, watch for something quite striking to be repeated.

The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse of Feb 20, 2008 occurs across Virgo/Pisces axis, emphasizing work and health related matters; religious or spiritual issues/needs can call attention too. With Saturn and Pluto engaged by trine, we may stumble upon solutions to that which previously seemed beyond grasp. To be sure, it is a time when much will come to light; when confusion (and Mercury retrograde setbacks) can be cleared up; realism prevails, potentials may be realized. Saturn trine Pluto ignites great resourcefulness; lucrative contract signings are quite possible. If it has not already occurred, perhaps the US writers strike will be resolved around this time.

Please look for your individual sign forecasts to be delivered in the next email…