This month is unique with majority of the planets vying for space in the sign of Capricorn in the first half of February, placing much pressure and focus on this space till the Sun enters Aquarius on February 13. There have been disastrous predictions in the past when we had a similar pattern in the sky, and likewise, there are similar predictions now.
Planet Stellium in Capricorn
From February 4 till 13, Saturn’s earth sign, Capricorn, will be stacked high with planets: Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus will all be present during this stretch. In addition, the Moon will pass through from February 9-11, making a total of six planets in Capricorn.
The last occurrence of this number of planets in Capricorn was in early February 1962, when during the new Moon, there was an eclipse amidst an eight planet stellium. Several disastrous events were predicted on the global platform but never materialised. Some notable events however were: floods in Germany; protests in France; and negotiations between countries started to open up to include better rights for minorities.
While the nodal axis is not affecting Capricorn directly at this time by conjunction, Rahu from Taurus does have a strong aspect to Capricorn, which through the remainder of 2021, could continue to make waves. Capricorn supports difficult work that requires patience, detachment, fortitude and determination. This is the sign associated with executive actions that have long-term consequences. We may feel that it is difficult to move forward quickly during this time, especially because the environments in which we find ourselves may not be comfortable or nurturing.
With Jupiter moving quickly through Capricorn and away from Saturn during February and March 2021, we could be deliberately laying groundwork for future actions that are on the horizon but not yet in our hands. Have patience and set your pieces up with care and forethought for how things may play out in the years to come. Now is time to set up for the long game.
Venus Transits Capricorn from January 27 till February 20
Venus moved out of her relatively safe place in Sagittarius and into the crowded environment of Capricorn on January 27. Venus has been visible in the eastern sky before dawn in the ‘morning star’ phase, but as 2021 gets rolling, so does Venus. Traversing Capricorn is like a long, uphill trek. In Capricorn, considered a harsh environment for Venus, can result in aloofness in relationships, and this is further compounded by Saturn’s presence so close by, where they are exactly conjunct on Feb. 5. After this, Venus starts to move away from the coldness of Saturn but into an exact conjunction with Jupiter around the New Moon on Feb. 11. This can be a draining transit for Venus. This could be a time when diplomacy and negotiation become extremely crucial. Keep in mind that retrograde Mercury can cause an increase mishaps and misunderstandings. This is another reason to slow down and deliberate when speaking, with extra effort given to listening and receiving what the other is expressing. After the Sun moves away on Feb.13, we can feel the more positive impact of Venus, but till then it will have a dampening impact on relationships.
Mercury Transits Capricorn till March 11
By January 25, Mercury moved into Aquarius. And by Jan. 30, Mercury reversed into its first retrograde cycle of the year. Due to this retrograde cycle, Mercury will be hanging around the region of Capricorn-Aquarius through March 31, 2021. Mercury will dip back into Capricorn on February 4, putting him solidly back into the Sun’s combustion range with both Jupiter and Saturn. Mercury moves all the way back to 17° Capricorn and resumes direct motion there on February 20.
As always, we can assume that our lines of communication and transportation become vulnerable during the retrograde phases of Mercury. It’s good to double check things and to slow down in order to avoid mishaps. Mercury conveys versatility, energy and willingness to change places or things, which are the foundations of both communication and transactions, two of Mercury’s favourite things. This gets highlighted during Mercury retrograde periods.
Saturn is a natural friend of Mercury, as such, Mercury’s time buzzing between Capricorn and Aquarius reflects a willingness to analyse what is paying off and what isn’t. As Mercury resumes forward progress through the latter part of Capricorn, he will align with Jupiter as well. This trio of planets, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, will occupy Capricorn until Mercury moves to Aquarius on March 11, followed by Jupiter on April 5. This is a good combination for building educational programs, managing investment portfolios, identifying viable growth avenues and creating practical business plans. February and March are looking good for groundwork.
New Moon in Capricorn in the nakshatra of Dhanishta on February 11
A New Moon is taking place at 29 degrees of Dhanishta in the sign of Capricorn. Dhanishta’s ruling planet is Mars, situated four houses away in its own sign of Aries. This could ignite some hostile behaviour. The other factor that arches over this new Moon is that all of the planets will be hemmed on one side of the nodal axis. When the Moon passes into Sagittarius on February 7, all of the seven visible planets will be in the signs that lie between Scorpio (Ketu’s current position) and Taurus (Rahu’s current position.) This creates a condition known as Kaal Sarp Yoga, which translates as ‘the serpent of time.’ The idea is that this creates an environment that can feel much like a trap, where it is difficult to escape a situation or to avoid an outcome, and life feels driven by fate rather than free will.
We can expect a culmination, some endings, and a complete re-orientation in the areas that are represented by Capricorn, as the energy here is concentrated, with 6 planets present, aspected by a very strong Rahu.
Sun Transits Aquarius from February 12 till March 14
The Sun and Saturn are at odds, fundamentally. The Sun represents our individuality, our unique soul as it expresses itself, our ego, which serves to define the ‘self. Saturn’s role is to counter this experience of individuation with the reminder that it will be fleeting, that the body will decay, as do all things on the material plane, and therefore we should remain in a state of detachment to material realities due to this inevitable transience that marches forward indefinitely with time.
When the Sun is transiting through the signs that are lorded by Saturn (Capricorn and Aquarius), we experience this clash between truths on some levels. This happens each year between mid-January and mid-March, the last two months of the winter season in the four-season model. While the Sun has turned to his northern trajectory, he has to first cross the unwelcoming, dry and challenging terrain of Saturn’s signs.
While on any given year this may not seem like a victory, with the many planets in Capricorn creating a crowd, presided over by Saturn himself, the Sun’s move to Aquarius, which is free of Rahu’s aspect and of Saturn himself, could feel more significant. The Sun’s entourage will follow along, with Venus entering Aquarius on February 20 and Mercury returning to Aquarius on March 11. Jupiter follows into Aquarius on April 5, after which Saturn remains alone in Capricorn until Jupiter’s retrograde pulls him back in mid-September.
The wisdom of the turtle, who has built-in protection and moves slowly, comes to us through both Saturn and Ketu. Both of these planets are currently occupying their own signs, making their messages strong and clear. If we are to build, let us build deliberately and with an eye on the long run. Problems should be fixed now, not left to destabilise the structure at a later date.
With this in mind, the prevailing planetary weather until April points toward responsible growth, foundational corrections, deliberate action and steady patience in the face of an ever-changing playing field.
Venus Transits Aquarius from February 20 till March 16
Like Mercury, Venus may feel free upon reaching Aquarius due to the relief that comes from distancing from Saturn, while at the same time escaping the gaze of Rahu from Taurus. This could signal some calming in relationship matters, that allows us to gain some perspective. Venus represents the concept of social interaction, which stretches from one-on-one relationships to politics to artistic creation, in which we interact with materials and mediums.
Aquarius is co-ruled by Saturn and Rahu, who have the common aim of reminding us that we can make plans but that we shouldn’t attach to outcomes due to the unstable and unrelenting nature of life on Earth. Rahu unites the masses with little regard for race or creed. Saturn protects the meek and bestows sovereignty to all beings. Together, they colour Aquarius as a sign of humanitarian concern and equity for all.
This is a short transit for Venus under the burning rays of the Sun. This is a difficult combination for both Venus and Sun, who when together remind us of the challenges faced in relationship and community, where we learn to balance individual needs with collective goals. In the environment of Aquarius, the voice of the masses is amplified over the sovereign assertion of the individual.
In political terms, the Sun represents government and leadership, while Venus represents the voice of the people who demand community responsibility, social safety nets, and environmental attention. This combination moving together through Aquarius may be reflected in a re-balancing of leadership roles and governmental goals.
Mars Transits Taurus from February 22 till April 13
Mars has been strongly placed in his own fire sign of Aries since December 23, 2020. Now, Mars moves into a slightly altered state on February 22, when he joins Rahu in Venus’ earth sign, Taurus. This has multiple implications – some positive, some challenging.
For context, the last Rahu and Mars encounter happened in Gemini around May/June 2019. Similar themes could come up now as Mars and Rahu conjoin exactly on March 27-28, 2021 at 20° Taurus.
On the Kaal Sarp Yoga front, Mars joining Rahu at least gives us power to fight as Mars will break this yoga. Mars and Rahu could see some strong push toward vaccine deployment as well. Rahu’s energy feels like gusts of chaos – sort of a choppy, windy feeling that can be agitating. Mars is fiery and easily agitated. Air and fire are two essential ingredients for explosive conditions.
Jupiter is a helper here. From Capricorn, through April 5, Jupiter at least gives some positive, wise, stabilising input to the Mars/Rahu combination by aspecting Taurus. Any time Jupiter can influence Mars toward channeling his fire for good, we all benefit. Mars and Rahu together can be impatient, emboldened and aggressive. Beware of spontaneous decisions that could be a disastrous waste of resources during this time. Remember the Saturn plan to build slowly and wisely for the long term. The temptation of quick gains of resource or power could be intoxicating now. Discipline, patience and determination will win the day.
Full Moon in Leo in the nakshatra of PurvaPhalguni on February 27
After the very crowded new Moon in Capricorn on February 11, the Moon waxes, slipping into fullness at 15° Leo, opposite the Sun at 15° Aquarius in the morning hours of February 27. This is a strong place for the Moon.
The last week of February may feel much different from the first week of February. The Sun is joined by Venus in Shatabishak nakshatra while Moon is in PurvaPhalguni nakshatra. This full Moon is known as Magha Purnima, which is marked with bathing rituals and donations.
PurvaPhalguni is ruled by the planet Venus and lies entirely within the territory of Leo, ruled by the Sun. Both the Sun and Venus in Aquarius will be aspecting the Moon, who sits in the nakshatra of Venus within the sign of the Sun. Here we see the same theme of Venus and Sun and the eternal balancing act that is required to maintain sovereignty while engaging in authentic relationship with others. The Sun and Venus are sitting in Shatabishak, which is a nakshatra of Rahu that sits within the sign of Aquarius, ruled by Rahu and Saturn. The instability of Rahu inspires innovation; the threat of losing stability can be an amazing channel for bringing our most brilliant game.
