Astrology for February
During the month of February we feel the heat of Mars now in Aries, the intensity of its sharpness as it punctures what we have known. We could think of Mars as a red hot thread, stitching together the cardinal t-square that defines this time. (alignment of Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto). This alignment increases the unexpected, the sense of crisis and various forms of radicalism. What has been highlighted since December and continues through March is the opposition between Jupiter in Libra and Uranus in Aries. Jupiter expands Uranus’s energy of unexpected crisis that can lead, through awakening, to break through and transformation. Now Mars, which entered Aries on January 28th, a week after the inauguration of our new President, triggers the lineup between Jupiter and Uranus, adding heat, activism, aggressive and impulsive reactions to the opposition. In astrology we say that Mars in Aries carries the light from Pluto to Uranus to Jupiter, stitching the alignment into a magnified expression, adding anger, indignation, action, reaction, spontaneity, and ultimately bold action and standing up for the truth.
As we step back from the chaotic, confused, and stirred up cacophony of messages and emotions we witness this planetary lineup in its most destructive expression. It contains the power to destroy what has been foundational with lightning fast actions, (both Uranus and Mars correspond to lightning, both in the sign Aries). It contains the over reach of power, antagonistic, belligerent, bullying and attacking, expressing itself more directly than ever, yet veiling a deeper agenda.
Let’s add into the mix a lunar eclipse in Virgo, on February 10th, and a solar eclipse on the 26th in Pisces, conjuncting Neptune. These eclipses emotionally intensify the energy present. Notice the themes of victims, refugees, heroes to save the day, martyrs who take a stand. We will also see issues of compassion versus illusions and veiled actions that create polarization. (Influence of Pisces and Neptune).
How do we step into this planetary lineup with consciousness? The positive expression of Jupiter opposed Uranus stimulates and enlarges our abilities to envision our future in new ways, to break through into a broader and wholistic perspective in viewing humanity. The Jupiter Uranus combination seeks liberation and innovation, a greater creative force to solve our problems. It is known to activate social and political rebellions and cultural awakening. And certainly we are now stimulated to awaken, pay attention, and to educate ourselves. With Libra, we must find balance as everything shifts with uncertainty. With Aries, we are fired to create new beginnings and courageous in our actions for social justice (Libra). On February 26th, Mars aligns exactly with Uranus in Aries and will heat up activity, both its positive and negative manifestation. Let us observe this day of solar eclipse with the above themes, watching what kind of deception or aggression presents itself. Keep a clear head. Know the difference between bold or rash actions.
Step back from getting caught up in the emotional intensity. Let the fire of Mars heat your commitment to stand for your deeper values. Look to understand the larger dynamics that are motivating what is taking place, whether on personal levels or within our government. In the USA chart, the Jupiter Uranus opposition stimulates Chiron, the wounded healer. The position of Chiron in the USA chart is in the area of the chart that represents our foundations and beginnings. The wounds of our country now arise. The wounds of slavery and its effect, the wounds of the Native American, of a dominating power over the indigenous people, the wounds of marginalized people, people trapped in limiting circumstances, the wounds that create white supremacists, the wounds of misogyny, of greed and the residue of corporate capitalism. It is as if Pandora’s myth is upon us. We have opened her box, letting all the troubles and evils of the world fly out. But now they are the wounds and shadow material of the USA.
Now is the time we came for. It is why we are here, to take up our courage and commitment to stand for truth and justice, (Saturn in Libra in the USA chart). Together we must engage in a reconnection to our deeper soul, a reconnection to this Earth we live upon, and to the heart connection with others. When Pandora opened her box and out flew the evils of the world, what was left was “Hope” lingering under all. We must take up this hope and the hot insistence of revolutionary Uranus in Aries to sustain our journey.
Michael Meade writes in response to these times, “The fact that love is greater than hate is all that tips the balance of the world towards life. But only if enough people, young and old, find the love and courage in their hearts to truly change the world. This is the time for older people to act like elders and for younger people to stand for the dream of the earth and the beauty of the world.”
Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer in Santa Cruz for 35 years, bringing together traditional & esoteric astrology, Tarot and Qabalah. For info on her Friday monthly astrology groups, her Qabalah, astrology, painting classes, and for personal consultations, call (831) 479-3751, or go to www.susanheinz.com.