Astrology for February
The Chinese year of the Earth Dog begins on February 15th as the Solar Eclipse, the New Moon in Aquarius, ushers in the Earth Dog. Notice the shift from last year’s fiery Rooster. Notice how dramatic and showy 2017 was, with Trump in office, tweeting and continually calling attention to himself. The year of the Earth Dog shifts both the element and the animal. The year mutates from Fire to Earth, from intensity and the burning away of the old, to the grounded, more practical, here and now of what’s right in front of us to deal with, from passionate expression to a determination of perseverance toward our intentions. The Dog is a loyal animal, so we watch loyalties build, based on what values to which we are loyal. Dog carries the trait to diligently prepare and move purposively toward our goals and in service to wherever we place that loyalty. The Dog year also carries the quality of the protector, with ferociousness in its protection.
With Saturn now in Capricorn, the earth element is supported in steadiness and perseverance toward our goals. Let us imagine this year of the Dog for ourselves. Where are you putting your loyalties? What values are supporting those loyalties? What is your goal for the year? How are you taking care of yourself and your physical body? How are you loving and creating love in your life? How are you protecting that which is of essential importance to you?
With Jupiter in Scorpio, we dive deeply into our psyche. We are set to transform and to let go of that which no longer benefits an essential essence to come forward in our lives. We take note of our shadows and conditioned programming in order to release that which is no longer true and accurate to new evolving consciousness of what we value and our goals. We are acutely aware of the issues of power and powerlessness, aware of the revealing of the patriarchal values and structures. The shadow of Saturn in Capricorn can bring forth the conditioning that has shaped our shame. But Saturn in Capricorn also calls out to investigate whose authority do we live by. Saturn is the deep inner well of insight out of which arises our truth. The task of Saturn is to uncover our own deeper truth.
Mars now in Sagittarius encourages us to take the adventure and move into new territory, to leave our comfort zones, and enlarge our scope of engagement. Mars in the fire sign brings activity, optimism, and thoughtful reflection on underlying belief systems.
The Twelve signs for February 2018: For Sun and Rising Signs
Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): Aries, gather yourself toward your goal. There is something you are determined to give form to, to manifest. Encourage yourself with mantras that support what is possible. Step out of the comfort zone and into a terrain you haven’t been, then walk steady with the vision of what is possible. You balance now between imagination, action, and holding to your goals. The goals span both the practical and the imaginative. If you go to extremes one way or the other you set yourself back for a time. Saturn is looking at you with compassion and persistence. Follow her lead. Saturn will support you.
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Taurus, this month, amplify your dream, your hope, your creative vision. Open yourself to broader spaces, and ignite into action that which you love. This sets the stage for the month. For the year, create a plan. Set the pace with a steady discipline. Cultivate your inner disciple to that which has meaning in your life. For you Taurus, all is in preparation for awakening and break through later this year as the planet of revolution, Uranus, moves into Taurus after a 77 year departure. Take some time to travel and see new sights, mingle with different kinds of people, ride into the wilds and camp overnight. Shake up those Taurean comfort zones! Ask yourself what does it mean to be human; to be myself, what’s the nature of the cosmos?
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): What are you yearning for, dear Gemini? Name it, grab it, before it comes at you and something else defines you. This month Mars travels in your opposite sign, Sagittarius. When Mars is in opposition it can come at you with sharpness and bluntness. It can steal away your own truth and desire and place someone else in front of you. How do you embrace your Mars? Bring objectivity to your needs and your driving desire. Define it to yourself, speak it. With Jupiter in Scorpio, your daily routines are peeled back to reveal your deeper desire. Seek it; otherwise watch yourself in relationship, because someone else will tell you what to do!
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): For you, dear Cancer, this month is a time of intimacy, and learning, a time of defining and striking out on your own while also merging and opening your heart to love. And yet with Saturn in the opposite sign of your Sun you may also feel a responsibility to another in a way you haven’t before. Or perhaps what you feel is responsibilities to others and a pressure to fulfill your goals and tasks set before you. The key is to find the quality of the moment, its wholeness, its texture, and to appreciate this moment as opportunity, to quiet the heart. The heart lives in spacious terrain and will answer back when given room. So release ‘the should’ and embrace a structure that gives you both space and focus.
Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22): Dear Leo, this year, the pairs of eclipses take place in your sign or in the sign opposite Leo, that’s Aquarius. In January and in February the eclipses have coincided with other astrological events, Super Moons and the Chinese new year of the Earth Dog. These Moons emphasize self and other, the balance between your independence and how you engage with another. It calls forth what has been hidden and demands a deep dive into greater insight within your own reactions and communications. A transformation is at hand! With Mars now in Sagittarius, action and travel are in the forefront. Like an arrow that points out your desire, follow it and make a plan.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): Wow Virgo! Do you want to slow yourself down? Are you experiencing a good rhythm in your life? Tasks and goals and necessities may drive you. You feel the presence of the need to complete and accomplish those goals. This Solar Eclipse brings illumination to your health and body. Where do you feel aligned and where do you feel you are out of alignment? How is the flow of your day? What habits would you like to change? Are you working too much or just enough? This month seeks to reclaim you to yourself and body, to the wisdom of herbs and friendship. Good friendship and love is coming your way, is opening its arms to you. Breathe it in. Sweetness is there for you.
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Hello dear Libra, Venus is coming to Neptune and wants you to go into the imaginative realms. How can you best give this to yourself while keeping balanced with Saturn in Capricorn that wants discipline and a completion to your tasks and duties? If you allow it you find that there is more love and creativity in your daily life right now. You can amplify this consciously, by your gratitude for the good things and people in your life. Be thoughtful to let this come through healthy means, as you enter altered states that are creative and imaginative. The muse is around you. Your heart is posed to open and express yourself in new ways.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): The family as been important lately. Perhaps there is a new home or focus on a new community, or finding a rootedness in a new area, with more awareness of what a family is and how it holds the ground of being. With Venus conjuncting Neptune in your house of children, love, and creative expression, areas of life are opening to your heart. Sweetness is around you and you are appreciative. With your planet, Mars, in Sagittarius, you have somewhere to go and much to do. Your clarity of direction is strong then it dissolves into the spaciousness of love.
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): Your spirits may be lifted and you are activated with the energy to accomplish. Saturn has left your sign and Mars is energizing the sign Sagittarius with optimism and perhaps even restlessness. You are ready to go, to bring others together and to share. Life quickens and yet paralleling this is a great need to slow down and enjoy, to fill your home with those you love, and just enjoy their company. You are on the edge of clear directness to your goals and a kind of spaciousness of being. Keep the balance. It’s a good life.
Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): Dear Capricorn, your ruling planet Saturn, calls you to focus and know your intention. Pace yourself during this time and simplify where possible. The more you are able to value yourself, bringing forth your own light, your own love, your own voice, the more flow comes into your life. Imagine Saturn takes you to the inner temple and there is a deep well of the clearest, purest water. Take your time and drink. Nourish yourself with this listening. Saturn and Capricorn are both indications of wisdom. Trust yourself. Soon Mars entering Capricorn will energize you.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): The Solar eclipse takes place in Aquarius this February. You feel the alignment of Sun, Moon and Earth, an intensity of insight. Some will feel tired after the alignment, if so, rest and rejuvenate yourself. Some will feel energized and want to take on more. Perhaps you find yourself taking on too much with Jupiter aspecting the Eclipse. Jupiter in Scorpio wants to go down deep and explore, to investigate and fetter out the secrets. You find yourself following a clue, a hunch that blossoms into revelation.
Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): Ah, dear Pisces, Venus enters your sign and moves to conjunct with Neptune. This is a signature of love. Venus rides in on the seas, ruled by Neptune, it activates our imaginative powers. It encourages us to enter the heart of love, the spaciousness of beauty. Surround yourself this month with what and whom you love and dive in. Gratefulness opens the door to this love. Jupiter in Scorpio is in harmony with Pisces and enlarges your experience. If there is a demanding commitment you must attend to, know that the timing right now can assist a positive approach to what you must achieve.
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 and or, painting classes, and for personal consultations, call (831) 479-3751, or go to www.susanheinz.com.