February 2008

Mars turned from retrograde to direct motion on January 30th (see Mars). Many of us are relieved, because the Mars retrograde brought out anger, frustration, irritation and disharmony. The Presidential candidates have also spent more time in personal attacks than focus on issues. Although Mars direct brings some relief, we begin this month with Mercury retrograde in Aquarius (See Mercury). Aquarius is the sign of community, politics, society, technology, groups and associates. In addition, a Solar Eclipse occurs on the 6th in the same sign, at 17 degrees Aquarius. No matter how the Presidential candidate lineup looks currently, even after February 5th, “Super Tuesday,” there are still more surprises and changes to come. The Mercury retrograde cycle does not complete until March 10th and the Mars retrograde cycle does not end until April 4th. So perhaps by April the candidates will finally turn to the important issues facing America. The span of influence of the Solar Eclipse on the 6th is approximately one year, ending around the time of the Presidential inauguration in 2009. This eclipse and the North Node’s entry into Aquarius (See January phenomeNEWS) emphasize the need for leaders to focus on humanitarian goals the necessity for them to use their power, influence and status to further them. A Lunar Eclipse occurs on the 20th at 1 degree Virgo and has a span of influence approximately six months. Virgo supports practicality and taking care of routine, everyday necessities. During this year and next we have one of the best opportunities in history to do the right thing for all people – whether in business, politics or personally. This year’s election is one of those opportunities. The Sun in Aquarius until the 19th supports groups, friends, societies, politics, technology and all forward-thinking ideas. The Sun in Pisces after the 19th supports service, sensitivity to the needs of others, intuition, inspiration, art, music, dance and creativity.

Mercury (communication, writing, contracts, commerce, workers) retrogrades in Aquarius where it turns direct on the 18th at 8 degrees. It entered the shadow on January 13th, turned retrograde on the 28th and completes the cycle between February 18th and March 10th. Issues which emerged between January 13th and 28th can be settled, agreed upon or transitions be completed between February 18th and March 10th. Mercury in Aquarius relates to technology, groups, societies, computers, electronics, politics and friends.

Venus (values, money, social connections) in Capricorn until the 18th values control, responsibility, business, organization, leadership and security. Under this energy, career decision should match talents, abilities and interests in order to enjoy the job. Venus in Aquarius after the 18th values friends, humanitarian goals, groups, special interests, politics, technology and invention.

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) transits 24 to 28 Gemini repeating where it was in September 2007 and January 2008. Mars turned retrograde on November 15th, 2007, at 12 degrees Cancer, connecting energy, vitality and possibly aggression to the sign of real estate, security, family, emotions, community and country. It expends energy on the family but can ignite political passion for the group one identifies with – country, community, religion or special interest. It entered the shadow of the retrograde on September 16th. The retrograde will relate to issues which were brought up between September 16th and November 15th. The Mars retrograde is a combination of Gemini and Cancer – intellect vs. emotion/objective vs. subjective. The completion of the entire Mars retrograde period spans from January 30th to April 4th, 2008.

Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, education, foreign trade, religion, legal matters) transits 10 to 15 degrees Capricorn where it will repeat from July thru October 2008. Most affected this month are birthdays from January 1st-6th, October 3rd-9th, July 2nd-8th, March 31st-April 5th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles from 10 to 15 degrees Aries, Libra, Capricorn or Cancer. Jupiter in Capricorn brings opportunity thru business, consolidation, restructuring, organization, land, leadership, control, career and all matters of security.

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) retrogrades from 6 to 4 degrees Virgo, where it was in October/November 2007 and will repeat in July 2008. Saturn’s transit thru Virgo from September 2007 to July 2010 will affect those born between 1958 and 1972. This is the generation born when Pluto was in Virgo. During the next three years they will begin to gain more power and responsibility. Virgo relates to health, everyday routine and doing what is practical, frugal and orderly in daily life. This month’s transit will most directly affect those born August 28th-30th, February 23rd-25th, November 27th-29th and May 26th-28th as well as those people or entities whose charts have planets or angles from 4 to 6 degrees Virgo, Pisces, Gemini or Sagittarius. Saturn’s last transit thru Virgo was 1978 to 1980. Review what was happening in your life about 30 years ago, during the half-cycle of 14-15 years (in Pisces), the quarter cycle of 7 years (in Gemini) and 21 years, the third quarter cycle (in Sagittarius) to understand what Saturn in Virgo from September 2007 to July 2010 will mean for you.

Uranus (freedom, rebellion, surprise, invention technology) transits 16 to 18 degrees Pisces where it was in April, May, August and September 2007. Most affected are birthdays of March 7th-9th, June 7th-9th, September 9th-11th and December 9th-10th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles from 16 to 18 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius. Between April 2007 and February 2008 they will have needed freedom, experienced chaos or made radical changes in their lives. Uranus will be in Pisces until 2011 and supports social revolution. During 1920, the start of the previous Uranus in Pisces, Congress granted women the right to vote and the “Roaring 20’s” began. Uranus in Pisces supports artistic creativity with innovation and intellect with sensitivity, leading to modern ways of helping those in need and suggesting that the only way that humanity will survive is by caring for each other and doing what is best for all, addressing humanitarian and global issues such as disaster relief, global warming, health care and political decisions made for the good of the masses, not just to support special interests and wealthy individuals.

Neptune (sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) transits 21 to 22 degrees Aquarius, where it was from April thru July 2007 and will repeat from September thru December 2008. Neptune relates to intangibles such as imagination, inspiration, art, dance and creative writing as well as prayer, healing, dreams and escapism. Birthdays most affected are February 10th-11th, May 12th-13th, August 14th-15th and November 14th-15th as well as charts with planets or angles at 21-22 degrees Aquarius, Leo, Taurus or Scorpio. Neptune transits bring a lack of focus or direction, a sense of drifting or the inability to see an error, disappointment, betrayal or weakness until it’s too late. The past dissolves to open space for the future. On the positive side this can be a time for faith, healing, psychic insights and artistic creativity. Under Neptune in Aquarius you can develop intuition, musical talents, practice meditation and pay more attention to your own inner guidance. You may also need to watch your back and balance faith with fact to see events clearly, not with wishful thinking or being attached to the dream or vision of what you think might have been.

Pluto (power, control, resources, transformation) transits zero degrees Capricorn where it will repeat in May, June and December as well as August thru October of 2009. Birthdays most affected are December 22nd, June 21st-22nd, March 21st and September 23rd-24th as well as charts with planets or angles around 0 degrees Capricorn, Cancer, Aries or Libra. Between February 2008 and the fall of 2009 they will experience major changes in life such as marriage, divorce, relocation, career and/or financial challenges. These are times when counseling or therapy may be required and self-awareness/motivational work necessary. Now that Pluto has almost completed its transit thru Sagittarius, it has brought focus, transformation and paradigm shifts in travel, education, travel, religion, politics and global trade. It has also brought religion to the forefront of world politics, war, conflict and the need to control. It will enter Capricorn to stay in December 2008.

Specific indications for the twelve signs are as follows:

Note: In addition to reading about your sun sign, you can gain more understanding by reading the signs of your Moon, rising sign and the sign on the midheaven or career house of your chart.

Nancy Bahlman is a professional astrologer with special interests in relating persons to locations using Astro*Cartography and Local Space Charts. Classes now forming.
(248) 546-5407 chartmates@aol.com