As the month of February begins, we will be experiencing the benefit of well-placed planets: Jupiter is in Sagittarius, setting the tone with positive and uplifting energy. Opposite, in the sign of Gemini, Rahu is exalted, spicing things up with the excitement of the unknown. And recently moved Saturn is strong in its own sign of Capricorn. Mars also starts the month in his own sign of Scorpio, whereas Venus goes into exaltation and stays in this heightened place all month.
Venus in Pisces from February 2 till 28
The planet of luxury, beauty, and relationships, Venus, transits the expansive and infinite sign of Pisces, where it is considered exalted. During February, many planets will be placed in the dual signs to keep things moving and changing.
Venus and Rahu have common agendas when it comes to feeling happy, enjoying the good things in life and really getting into a creative flow. Exalted Venus will occupy Pisces this month while exalted Rahu continues through Gemini, transiting his own nakshatra of Ardra. If you’re not sure what you want, February 2020 would be a good time to reflect. Try new things, let go of the old, roll with the changes, and allow circumstances to unfold.
On the other side of the dual signs, we find Jupiter in his own sign of Sagittarius with Ketu exalted and from February 7, Mars joins them. Mars and Ketu are a fiery pair, explosive even. We always look to Jupiter to guide Mars in the most constructive and natural way and during this Mars transit of Sagittarius, we all benefit from Jupiter’s placement there, keeping a watchful eye on Mars. This is a source of protection as we hope for wisdom to guide our fighting instincts.
Another layer of intensity occurs with the exalted Venus. Venus is receiving the hard aspect of Saturn from Capricorn, who causes limitation and urges caution, either helpful or frustrating depending on specific circumstances. Once Mars moves to Sagittarius on February 7, Venus also receives the heat and intensity of Mars. This combination of drive and caution can give us mixed signals which causes a stop/start rhythm. We can also synthesize the practicality of Saturn and the protection of Mars to become a supportive foundation for the expansive and creative efforts of Venus which are being amplified by Rahu in Gemini.
In this way, we may see a lot of activity in relationship matters, with Venus getting the aspect of all the malefics, including Saturn, Mars, as well as Rahu, via rashi drishti. Rahu’s aspect is toward the sign of Pisces and thus impacts any planet situated there, it is the equivalent of a square aspect in Western astrology, so can bring some fated meetings, excessive passion, or tense exchanges that need to be addressed in relationships.
Mars in Sagittarius from February 7 till March 22
Mars moves into Sagittarius on February 7 for a six-week transit of Sagittarius that will land him in his sign of exaltation, Capricorn, on March 22. In the meantime, the powerful Mars is in good company in Sagittarius which is currently occupied by its lord, Jupiter, and by Ketu, co-lord of Scorpio (with Mars).
Mars and Ketu are both considered fiery planets and Sagittarius is a sign under the fire element. With the strong wind of Rahu coming at them across from Gemini, this shows potential for fiery circumstances. The best influence here is Jupiter, the wise counsellor. Whilst Ketu tends to take on the energy of the planet situated close to it, Jupiter can guide and soothe Mars into deliberate decision making. There may be a particularly hot spot in the month as Mars approaches Ketu. Be aware of this conjunction between February 22 – 26 as it can bring impulsive, erratic moves.
This Mars-Jupiter-Ketu combination is positive for digging in and getting to work on projects that have to do with education and spiritual pursuits. This is great for focus and drive with a positive outlook. One thing to be aware of would be a heightened sense of impatience that comes from enthusiasm and desire to move swiftly.
Full Moon in Cancer, in the nakshatra of Ashlesha, on February 9
The Moon reaches exact opposition to the Sun in the zodiac on February 9, at approx. 7 am UTC, as the Moon becomes full at nearly 26 degrees. The Moon will be in its own sign of Cancer, within the Mercury-ruled nakshatra of Ashlesha. Ashlesha is connected with serpent symbolism and has the reputation for a mesmerising effect.
Ashlesha translates as embracing, clinging, entwining, and thus is associated with serpent energy. It is the archetype of the Sarpas (the serpents). A serpent sheds their skin, so there is the quality of renewal and regeneration to this nakshatra, finishing up old projects and creating new ones, and letting go of the old at every step of the way. The process of shedding old skin is always a painful one as it relates to a change at both the emotional and intellectual level, the ever-evolving human consciousness. This nakshatra, a symbol of re-birth and transformation, has great capacity for healing, and tapping into realms of secret wisdom and knowledge.
Cancer, along with Pisces, will be receiving the dual aspect of Mars and Saturn. That includes this full Moon. The symbolism of both watery planets being well placed in either exaltation or own sign in watery signs, being pressed by Saturn and inflamed by Mars, is quite potent. It shows that we may be facing a time of creativity and evolution while under the uncomfortable hardness of Saturn and the aggressive push of Mars.
We may be faced with instances of being nurturing, forgiving and compassionate in the face of negativity and selfishness. The pattern for this dynamic coincides with Mars’ entire transit through Sagittarius, where this strong full Moon in Cancer may punctuate it with significant events.
Sun Transits Aquarius February 13 till March 14
A few days after the full Moon, the Sun marches predictably forward into Saturn’s sign, Aquarius. For the Sun, there is a distinct difference between these two Saturn-ruled signs. Capricorn marks the beginning of the Sun’s upward journey from the winter to the summer solstice. It is an earth sign ruled by the Sun’s enemy, stone-cold Saturn. It is a serious environment, in the 6th house from the Sun’s own sign, showing difficulty for the Sun.
Aquarius also has Saturn as a lord, but adds in the interesting and chaotic energy of Rahu, the north node of the Moon. Aquarius is an air sign, a more compatible environment for the Sun, but also has that eclipsing energy of Rahu, which is threatening to the Sun. The difference here is that from Aquarius, the Sun aspects his own sign of Leo, which is a positive effect.
The Sun-Saturn theme brings up the delicate balance that we all strive for: healthy self-esteem. Saturn chips away at an overblown ego while the Sun builds up an under-developed ego. The Sun moving through Aquarius is an especially appropriate time to do some ego re-balancing work.
When the Sun gets into Aquarius, he is also getting Rahu’s aspect from Gemini. It may take extra effort to feel clear and organized while the Sun is transiting Aquarius this year. Take it as a hint to let go of self-generated ideas and relax into the messages coming from the events going on around you.
Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius from February 16 till March 9
A few days after the glorious Sun enters Aquarius, Mercury begins its retrograde transit at 19° Aquarius, entering into a state of combustion the very next day. Combustion means a planet is invisible to the eye due to its proximity with the overpowering light of the Sun. In astrological terms, it may be hard to discern the effects of that planet as separate from the effects of the Sun.
This is a powerful transit of Mercury. First, Mercury is passing through Rahu’s sign while Rahu is exalted in Mercury’s sign, Gemini. This is a parivartan yoga, an exchange of signs that temporarily bonds two planets, allowing them both to act in strength. This time frame is Mercury’s entire transit through Aquarius this winter, January 30 – April 7.
Rahu and Mercury are interacting from within air signs. Aquarius is windy by nature due to Saturn’s co-lordship. Rahu is an amplifier and Mercury loves catching the wind and moving quickly. During the retrograde part of this Mercury-Rahu parivartana, we may benefit from slowing down as there will be a whirlwind of ideas. It may be exciting and chaotic.
During this time, Rahu acts as a bridge between the enthusiastic idea generator Mercury in Aquarius and the aforementioned creative, growing and building energy connected through the dual signs. It’s a good time to ask yourself, what do I want? What do I really want? Open up the mind with childlike wonder and consider options out of the box you never knew existed.
New Moon in Aquarius, in the nakshatra of Shatabhisha, on February 23
The Moon slips into place with the Sun at 11° Aquarius on February 23. As the Moon wanes through mid-February, it is losing strength, which means that our minds may be increasingly unsteady. February 22 is the day leading up to the moment of the new Moon, referred to as Amavasya, which implies the covering or loss of the Moon’s vital energy. As a result, we may feel low or vulnerable at this point in the lunar cycle and it is a great time to schedule small retreats and self-care activities, anything that allows you to go inward.
There is a highly celebrated festival, known as Maha Shivaratri (Great Night of Shiva) that falls on the 14th day of the dark half of the month, just before amavasya (15th day of the dark half). Shiva is not a person, but the very energy on which creation rests. This energy pervades the entire universe and is present within every living being. Shivratri is the night we take refuge in our spirit i.e. Shiva. It is the time to celebrate the soul or consciousness within. During Shivratri, we practice sadhana and take refuge in the divine consciousness. Read more about it here: https://www.artofliving.org/mahashivratri/significance-mahashivratri Maha Shivaratri will occur on the night of February 21-22, depending on where you are situated in the world.
The joining of the Moon and Sun in Aquarius occurs in the nakshatra (lunar mansion) of Shatabhisha, whose controlling planet is Rahu. This is an extremely Rahu-laden new Moon, as well as month, with Rahu in exaltation in Gemini within his own nakshatra of Ardra. The Sun, Moon and retrograde Mercury will be placed in Shatabhisha (ruled by Rahu) within Aquarius, co-lorded by Rahu and receiving the very tight aspect of Rahu from 12° Gemini.
With Rahu ‘holding the reins’ at this time, we can expect the unexpected. After the eclipse energy of December/January and the shifting of Saturn into a new station in late January, we may feel ourselves transported to new destinations as if on a magic carpet ride. We also have a leap year this year – On Saturday, February 29, both Moon and Venus will be gliding through the sign of initiation, Aries, receiving the auspicious aspect of Jupiter from Sagittarius. Overall, its a great month.
