February 2019

Unlike January, this is a quiet and more positive month.  All planets are in a relatively comfortable position and preparing for the big changes coming in March, when the Nodes as well as Jupiter make a shift.

Venus transits Sagittarius till February 24, 2019

Venus moved into Sagittarius on January 29 and by February 1st,  has come out of the gandanta position, blazing ahead in Sagittarius moving toward a conjunction with her friend, Saturn, which is exact on February 18. These transitions from water to fire signs have been given the name of “gandanta” which translates to “knot” or “joint.” There is a transition between ending and beginning at these joints, between dissipation and initiation.  Many planets, including Saturn, have recently crossed gandanta, so we are now familiar with this energy of discarding the old, letting go and moving on.

Venus transiting through Jupiter’s sign feels more comfortable than in Scorpio, particularly as it will be joining Saturn with whom she shares a good, friendly relationship.  Though due to the nature of Saturn, this may bring up some issues in relationships, including distance and coldness.

When Venus departs Sagittarius, this will also be the last communion for Saturn with other planets, aside from the Moon’s monthly passing and Ketu’s shadowy company from April – September.  Then, the Sun will again join Saturn in November.

Mercury enters Aquarius on February 7, 2019

Mercury leaves the nodal axis and its conjunction with the South Node and enters a friendly sign, Aquarius, on February 7 and remains there till February 25.  Mercury is a natural friend of Saturn, so his transits through Saturn’s signs each year are often helpful to keep energy and movement in projects and lines of communication open.

Aquarius is co-lorded by the planet Rahu, currently poised to move from Cancer (the Moon’s sign) to Gemini (Mercury’s sign) in March. While running through Aquarius, Mercury may be hearing the whispers of Rahu, who will be quite strong and active for the next 18 months whilst moving through Gemini. Mercury and Rahu may be hatching some big plans soon enough, but patience and strategy must be maintained through February.

Mercury will bolt through Aquarius and toward the end of the month, on February 24, go into Jupiter’s sign of Pisces, a place where Mercury feels uncomfortable due the water energy being in conflict with the mercurial nature of analysis and planning.  It is also here where it gets debilitated. So until the end of the month, we have a strong Mercury to carry out our plans.

New Moon in Shravana, Moon’s nakshatra, on February 4

On February 4, at approx. 9 pm UTC, we have a new moon at 22 degrees Capricorn, in the nakshatra of Shravana, whose ruling planet is the Moon.  This also marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year in the sign of Earth Pig, considered a fortunate and lucky sign.

Both the ruler of Capricorn, Saturn, as well as ruler of Shravana, are nearby to the South Node, Ketu.  This new moon takes place in the nodal axis, suggesting we are clearing out all issues associated with Capricorn and Cancer, for the final time.

The deity associated with Shravana is Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe.  The word Shravana translates as “hearing” and the symbol of this star is the ear. This is a nakshatra of listening and learning. Just as ancient cultures passed on knowledge through oral traditions, people born under Shravana have a great ability to obtain knowledge through listening.

This suggests that whatever comes up at this time is best dealt with having an openness to hear the other person’s side of the story.  The fact that Mercury is also making a presence at this new moon further confirms this theme of open communication in order to resolve, let go, and move forward.

Overall, this New Moon is quite positive.  It will directly impact those who have Capricorn Sun, Moon or Ascendant and also those who have their birthdays close to this day.  If you know your current Dasha planet, and it is place in Shravana, then you can expect to be impacted directly.

Mars Transits Aries from February 5 till March 22

Mars makes his move into Aries on February 5.  Here, Mars will aspect Jupiter and its own sign of Scorpio as well as Cancer, where the North Node is placed.  Mars is very powerful in Aries, a mooltrikona sign, meaning that Aries is at home, with its traits of taking charge, being direct, dynamic, action-orientated nature.  So, in this position, you can expect much activity related to where Aries as well as where Cancer/Scorpio fall in your chart.

There will finally be forward movement and you will see a faster pace to life.  With good focus, this could yield great productivity, but we need to be aware of resorting to aggression and force.  Counterbalance the fiery energy with enough good food, self care and nurture to avoid burnout or temper flares while you maximize the strong energy for effort that Mars in Aries can promote.

Mars will not be supervised by any planet, it has full freedom to act, and put its plans into motion but watch for impulsive actions here.  It is also aspecting Rahu, the North Node.  This will give Rahu the final push in the watery sign of Cancer to inject changes into your life, then it will move onto Gemini finally.

Sun Transits Aquarius February 13 – March 15

The Sun continues its transit in Saturn’s ruled home of Aquarius, also co-ruled by Rahu, the North Node.   Although it has finally left the Nodal axis, where it was transiting with Ketu, it now receives the aspect of Saturn.  This is the annual humbling of the power of the Sun, who has to submit to a bit of pressure and cold temporarily. This can leave us feeling a bit lost and uninspired, but hopefully the wheels that are already in motion will grind forward.  This can result in real time as self-doubt, hesitation, mistakes in judgement, and reduced discernment.  If you have planets in Aquarius or you are Leo Lagna, you may feel this transit the most.

This is a good month for soul searching and mind-tuning, for checking in with the energy we are putting where and deciding what to adjust going forward as we have big changes coming in March.

Full Moon in Leo, in the nakshatra of Magha, on February 19

At approximately 4 pm UTC on February 19, the Moon will be at approx 6 degrees in Magha directly opposing the Sun in Dhanishta.   Magha nakshatra is considered to be one of royalty, represented by Regulus (Alpha-Leonis), the brightest star in the constellation of Leo.  This is a nice position for the Full Moon, disposited and aspected by the Sun, aspected by cheerful Mercury and not aspected or afflicted by the nodes, Saturn or Mars.

The Sun is the ruler of the sign of Leo and the nakshatra is ruled by Ketu, the South Node.  The ruling deity is Ganesha.   The name Magha translates as “Magnificent” and is symbolized by a royal throne. Magha has the ability to use power and position to attain their highest goals. The core of this nakshatra is achievement and nobility. If you follow strong morals, this nakshatra has the power to give prestige and honour, making this a great time to announce any new undertaking or venture.   Magha is also symbolic of your ancestors, so we can honour those on the path before us who paved the way by acting with righteousness in the present moment. This is a theme coming through for mid-February.

There are outer planets impacting this full moon.  First is the conjunction of Pluto and Venus, which can bring up obsessive and intense relationships to the surface; there is also Mars conjunction with Uranus which can be an explosive aspect especially as Mars is extremely strong at this time.  And finally, there is the Mercury conjunction with Neptune which can lead to a strong and vivid imagination but can also cloud the thinking, so be watchful for this.