February Astrology Report 2005

by Roxana Muise

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February hosts 18 aspects: six conjunctions, five ingresses, 1 retrograde station, two beginning shadow points, one ending shadow point, one occultation, one new and one full Moon. Energy patterns support the potential for linked cooperation and complex and spirited power processes. February supports the rise to power of notable figures who stand ready to present new, workable solutions to old problems. The most stable of these are those who delegate and trust. Many new ideas and methods of activity are likely to be presented, and emotional responses will surely be conveyed. Women‚s issues are at the forefront. February is a time of testing beliefs and opinions -- not of finalizing, as original concepts must be considered and measured. Investigate lots of possibilities, and be prepared to experience intensity and confusion. The fixity of the first half of the month gives way to adaptability in the remainder.

2/1 Jupiter turns Rx 6:27 AM, 18:52 Libra. Between now and August, those with 19 cardinal and 4 mutable natal placements may be more able to contemplate whole processes. This makes it possible to eliminate unnecessary intermediary steps and aim for completion. Preparation and timing are most important for success.

2/2 Venus enters Aquarius, 7:42 AM. Independence and self-determination will be very important in all relationships. Be conscientious in honoring others‚ freedom to express their beliefs. Communicating these ideals to those who need support will endear them to you.

2/3 Sun conjoins Neptune 11:28 AM, 15:04 Aquarius. Be intuitive about your current situation. Logic may not tell the whole story. Be receptive to spiritual principles, and avoid the temptation of the „easy way‰, or „something for nothing‰ offers; they often lead to unforeseen difficulties. Everyone is entitled to just compensation.

2/6 Mars enters Capricorn 10:31 AM. Ambition must be tempered with reliability. If you are entering a building phase, cooperation with independent contractors can pave the way for success. Keep your potential goals in mind, and don‚t be sidetracked by related issues.

2/8 Mercury conjoins Neptune 2:08 AM, 15:15 Aquarius. The power of imagination and intuition can lead to fulfillment. Follow your hunches, and see where they lead. Creative artistic talent can emerge and be developed. Meditation helps you to center yourself.

New Moon 20:16 Aquarius, west coast 2:28 PM, east coast 5:28 PM. Concentration on the development of humanitarian or philanthropic interests can result in the achievement of personal and shared goals. West coast: working with people who share your values can multiply your chance for success. East coast: family-based advertisements and public relations can help your project grow and develop.

2/11 End Neptune double shadow 9 PM, 15:24 Aquarius (it began 1/27/2005). Neptune shadows overlap from year to year, creating extra sensitivity within a degree of longitude and declination. The current sensitivity resides in 14:48 to 15:24 Aquarius, and a short range of declination (16:19 ˆ 16:29 south - this is traditionally near a declination power point (for more information see "Beyond the Solstice by Declination" by Leigh Westin)). Unusual circumstances influence the course of expected conditions, and the improbable becomes possible. Beliefs are tested in unlikely situations. Because of the slow movement of Neptune and its aspects, long-range effects are likely.

2/14 Sun conjoins Mercury 2:50 AM, 25:51 Aquarius. True freedom results from self-determination, which begins with thinking with your heart. Concentrate your
energies on your will to live in harmony with life, and reliance on your own awareness

Venus conjoins Neptune 4:47 PM, 15:30 Aquarius. Get in touch with your true values. Meditation or concentration on basic principles can free your inner creativity. Developing a sense of inner peace can be an antidote to intensity and insecurity rampant in the world.

2/16 Mercury enters Pisces 09:45 AM. The spiritual and philosophical debate over control (Saturn) vs. autonomy (Uranus) that began in August of 2004 becomes noticeable again. It will come to a head again in June.

2/19 Mercury conjoins Uranus 9:43 PM, 06:28 Pisces. Those looking for a way to avoid traditional archetypes, or previous expectations can find methods for their goals.

2/21 Sun enters Pisces 5:31 PM. This can be a time of healing. Identify and support children with special creative talents. They are the hope of the future, and need our love and attention.

2/23 Full Moon 5:41 Virgo/Pisces, west coast 8:54 PM, east coast 11:54 PM. A practical application of artistic and imaginative talents can bring enjoyment and fulfillment to practitioners and spectators. The question of adherence to traditional values may have an effect on your projects. West coast: possible speculation or investment involving or interacting with large groups or organizations needs to be thoroughly examined. East coast: domestic or property issues can influence or become a part of your vocation or profession.

2/24 Sun conjoins Uranus 10:32 PM, 06:45 Pisces. Sudden shifts in beliefs or opinions can offer a new life path. Ordinary people encounter extraordinary experiences. A powerful time to explore mystical or intuitive principles and their effect on others.

2/25 Uranus ESP 7:00 AM, 6:46 Pisces; Uranus BSP 8:00 AM, 6:47 Pisces, conjoins Juno. Tradition, and honor for a status or rank, but not for an individual is at issue. However, the quest for individual self-determination or independence is an important goal.

2/26 Venus enters Pisces 7:06 AM. The gifts of space, time, and awareness are two essential components for healing relationships. Creative talents are more easily developed with compatible kindred people.

2/27 Moon occults Jupiter Rx 5:46 AM, 17: 51 Libra, 6 South. More interruptions in the development of your projects. You may gain some insight from your experiences at the end of last month.

(Note: It may seem as if some of the aspect descriptions herein are political statements, however, throughout the month, there is a great deal of emphasis in Aquarius placements, and its co-rulers in the sign of family emphasis and creativity and spirituality, and so freedom, self-determination, beliefs, and family relationships seemed appropriate as topics. Rather, current events are appropriate to the aspects.)

FEBRUARY 2005 SYMBOLISM

February comes from the Latin, Febris (meaning the fever of love), and was named for Juno-Februa, Greco-Roman goddess of fire, purification and healing. She was the mother of Mars, and patroness of the passion, or fire of love.

February‚s birthstone is the amethyst -- the gemstone used in the rings of Catholic Bishops, and in many rosaries. It symbolizes spirituality, faithfulness, spiritual attunement, temperance, peace, and quietude. It is the stone associated with the 7th Chakra, the royal energy center, and has been used as an amulet for breaking bad habits and addictions. Amethysts were used in hand-fastings, showing faithfulness and stability. Valerian, the herb associated with February, quiets the nerves, allays pain, and promotes sleep.

Midway between the four points of the solstices and equinoxes are the Cross-Quarter Days, the fixed points of the natural year, represented in the Catholic Church by the four Gospels, and symbolized by a man (Aquarius), a bull (Taurus), a lion (Leo), and an eagle (Scorpio). These correspond to the four Pagan fire festivals. About halfway in the Sun's journey through the fixed sign of Aquarius, is the man-point. The very powerful Cross-Quarter Days are all 15 degrees of fixed signs, and support the eighth harmonic division of the Earth‚s orbital year. In concept, this correlates to the Lunation cycle, which is an eighth harmonic division of the Moon's orbital month. The timing of the Moon‚s orbit around the Earth varies from the timing of the Earth's orbit around the Sun, which accounts for the offset of the calendar systems. The shifting of the Solar calendar with the addition of one day every four years, adds up to a range of 54 hours, or 4.25 days. This year, February 3 actually marks the true cross-quarter festival in the Celtic or Pagan calendar.

The beginning of February marks the pagan celebration of Imbolc, or Oimelc (both pronounced "ee-melc"), is also the festival of Brigantia, which corresponds with the festival of the Norse goddess, Brigid (in Ireland, the virgin goddess Bridhe) who embodies the three-fold nature of the goddess, and their powers of healing, smithcraft, & poetry/divination. In Greco-Roman mythology the triune nature of the goddess is maiden, mother and crone, and at the cross quarter the goddess is transformed from the barren hag of winter back again to the vibrant virgin bride of spring. Imbolc, which means "ewe's milk", refers to the first lactation of the year, promising new lambs and a blessed spring. Imbolc is a time of commitment to the waxing Light of the coming spring, and dedicated to purification and cleansing.

February 2 is Groundhog's day and Candlemass. Proverbs of many countries equate the weather on Candlemass with a forecast. An American folk tale tells us that if the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be another 6 weeks of winter - a correlation to the 40 penitence days of Lent. Candlemas is the Christian feast of the purification of the Virgin Mary. A Mass is said for the blessing of the candles and the return of the Light, commemorating when Jesus (who is called "The Light of The World") was first presented in the temple. This is in tradition with the Jewish religion, which states that the firstborn male belongs to God, and must be presented in Temple 40 days following his birth. Many Roman Catholics perform a novena (9 days of formal prayer), ending on February 11th: the festival of The Lady of Fatima (which was the name of Mohammed's daughter). Our Lady of Fatima is said to have appeared in Lourdes near an ancient Celtic healing spring (once in Islamic territory), which was associated with the goddess, Februa.

February 3 is also the feast day of St Blase (Blaise) was a martyred Armenian Bishop in the fourth century, who tamed and healed wild animals. On his way to prison for heresy, he healed a boy who was choking to death on a fishbone with a blessing that dissolved the fishbone. His feast day celebrates the blessing of the throats, using two candles. He is associated with the Slavic horse-god, Vlaise, champion of animals. Saint Blase is honored as the patron of wild animals, wool combers, and all persons who have ailments of the throat. Four healing miracles have been recorded at his shrine.

In 2005, February 8 is Mardi gras, which means Fat Tuesday, aka Shrove Tuesday (shrive: to confess and gain absolution), the final day of „Carnival‰ which comes from the Latin root, meaning „farewell to meat‰. The next day (February 9) is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, the Christian season of penitence and renewal in preparation for the festival of Easter. Lent comes from lencten, the Chaldean word meaning "spring" or "lengthening" (of days). In Medieval Europe meat and dairy were to be shunned, and only one meal was eaten - in the early evening. Good deeds and disciplinary behavior were offered in thanksgiving for the sacrifice of Christ, and in acknowledgment of His death and resurrection. This has a parallel in the 40 days of abstinence that precedes the pagan festival of the fire-goddess of the morning star, Astarte. On Ash Wednesday in the Christian tradition, a cross is drawn on the forehead of the penitent with ashes made from palm leaves that were burned on Palm Sunday, as the symbolism of sorrow, regret, and humility, and a reminder of our humanness, and that we are worthy of redemption. The palm tree is the tree of life in the Babylonian Garden of Eden story, and symbolizes hope for the future. The Hebrew word for palm is Tamar, their name for the goddess, Ashtaroth, aka Astarte, Ishtar, and Venus-Hesperos (Evening Star). Astarte rescued and healed a palm tree uprooted from the Garden of Eden by a great flood.

This year, February 9 is the Chinese New Year, the year of the Cock, or Rooster, while the Tibetan New Year, "Losar", calls it the year of the Wood Bird. It is also the feast day of Apollo, deity of the Sun, and St. Apollonia, a martyr of Alexandria whose teeth were painfully removed prior to her being burned alive. The Boston dentist‚s quarterly is called The Apollonian.

In 2005, February 10-11 is the Islamic New Year, al-Œaam al-jadid. And ten days later (February 19) is the Islamic Day of Atonement, Aashura. When a cultural/religious calendar is based on the Moon, as are the Islamic and Jewish calendars, the dates vary from our present secular, Solar calendar, and their holy days are categorized as "Moveable Feasts".

February 11 is the celebration of the last apparition of Our Lady at Lourdes, at a grotto in France (1858), which was known for many centuries as a shrine of the goddess.

St. Valentine was a Martyred Roman Priest of the 3rd century. St. Valentine's Day, February 14 holds sacred the number 5 (1 + 4). In ancient times, when a woman wanted to attract a lover or husband, five bay leaves were placed under her pillow on St. Valentine's eve. This holiday has an association with lovebirds, and their first matings of the year. St Valentine is associated with Juno, goddess of maternal and married love, and also with the Norse/Teutonic goddess of Love, Sjofn, who shares this feast day. In Scandinavia, they ran the Labyrinth on this day, as a test of love. Love is like perfume; you can't give it away without getting a little on yourself.

This month's full Moon falls on February 23. Calling our only satellite "the Moon" is rather lacking in imagination ˆ rather like calling your feline, the Cat, or your canine, the Dog. Because the Moon's phases were so closely correlated with the monthly cycles of women, ancient peoples associated it with the feminine, and recognized within it the power of the Goddess. The Romans called the Moon Luna and Diana; the Greeks referred to her as Selene and Artemis; the Norse called her Freya. In the American Indian tradition (notably the Algonquin tribes) each month was named a magical name that culminated at the full Moon to honor and invoke protection from the changing spirit of the Moon. The full Moon in the month in February was known as Snow Moon, as the heaviest snows fell in that month.

February 23 is also the Roman festival of Terminalia, which is associated with Terminus, god of boundaries, and Saturn, god of limitation. Its purpose was to encourage people to honor the boundaries of their neighbors. Statues of the god, Terminus were used as property markers, and may have been the forerunners of address markers, much like European house names.