Current Transits for February 1999 Current Transits for February 1999Here's some of the important astrological news this month ...
Jupiter octile Uranus, 2-2
Jupiter semisextile Saturn, 2-3
Pallas enters Aries, 2-3
Jupiter enters Aries, 2-12
New Moon / Annular Solar Eclipse at 27Aq08, 2-16
Jupiter sextile Neptune, 2-26
Saturn enters Taurus, 2-28
An online ephemeris for the month is available.
February may not look "strong" in terms of powerful planetary storms, but it has about 3 normal month's worth of important astrological events to consider. I suspect the overall energy is on the rough side, since disconcerting harmonics are the rule most of the time. The effects of these energies may be felt most keenly on the wider social and political arena, since Jupiter (the ruler of grand social themes and institutions) is a key player in most of the activity this month. On the personal level, this produces a feeling of optimism and outgoingness (especially after the 12th, when Jupiter moves into Aries) that more than balances out the more difficult parts of February. Despite the surface feelings of "normalcy", however, deeper undercurrents of change are being stirred up and a few old cycles are drawing to a close. Watch for the subtle shifts as they check in...
It's a busy month! There are 3 "big aspects" (all involving Jupiter) and 3 important sign changes. And while there are no full moons this month (January and March took them away), the new moon on the 16th is an imposing solar eclipse.
The first notable aspect is the octile of Jupiter and Uranus on the 2nd. This is the last of 3 such contacts. The other contacts were on 98-6-24 and 98-9-4, so this is a process that has been going on for 8 months now. Octiles are rarely a smooth-flowing aspect. Most often, they bring together two forces that simply can't work harmoniously as one, like two dance partners that keep stepping on each other's toes. Here we have Jupiter, the planet of conventional wisdom and social structures, colliding with the whacky Trickster planet, Uranus. Uranus is good at blowing holes in the status quo and turning our accepted truths on their heads. It's been a time to reevaluate what you know and what you stand for, since following the old logic blindly to the bitter end winds up showing us where the logic breaks down. Perhaps this is best illustrated by our current political crises. The Starr report came out within days of the second contact, and now at the final one we're in the midst of an impeachment trial, a sign that our government has ceased to operate by normal constitutional rules and that the Senate is simply making things up as we go along. This is not the only problem spot in the world, either. Increasingly, the old ways of interacting with each other, whether as individuals or in larger groups, are failing us. This is a time to try out new ideas, no matter how outlandish, to see if we can improve on "the way we've always done things" and actually make them work. Question old beliefs and structures, check out novel ways to network with others, see how you can smooth out the rough spots. Conventional wisdom in bound to change.
Jupiter is semisextile with Saturn the next day on the 3rd. The Jupiter-Saturn cycle always has broader social implications, as they together rule the web of connections and responsibilities that make a society possible. We are entering the last phase of this 20 year cycle which began in 1981 during the early Reagan years (the next cycle starts in 2000). The "Reagan Revolution" signalled a drift of the country towards more conservative, even small-minded directions. Now that the cycle is winding down, we're seeing the results of this revolution of the right. In the name of "smaller government", we now have a government that doesn't work at any price. While talking fiscal responsibility, we went into debt as a nation past our eyeballs and are only now beginning to make a dint in the bill (unless Congress gives the money back first). If anything, politics is simply a polite form of civil war without guns. The next year or two is a time to step back and sort out what "solutions" worked for us and which were failures. Some of these seeds are worth putting back in the garden for another 20 years, but there's plenty that's fit only for the compost heap. It's time to find the right balance of opportunity and responsibility in our lives so we can knit society back into a working whole, again.
Also on the 3rd, the asteroid Pallas slips from Pisces into Aries (until Apr 19). Pallas is the part of the mind that is good at planning and strategizing, with recognizing a goal and figuring out how to pull it off. She's been criss-crossing the Pisces-Aries border for 8 months now, taking our brains in and out of a mental fog several times in the process. The next couple of months are a time to get busy and take action. It's easier to make plans and set a course of action than it's been for a long time, so get your butt in gear. In fact, you may find that ongoing activities have been stuck for many months, and finally you're beginning to see some progress. One of the main down sides to this placement is that Aries tends to be an ego-centered sign, where looking out for Numero Uno takes precedence over everything. Pallas is traditionally a protectress of the underdog who looks after themes of social justice -- it may not be easy for her to remain true to her calling in Aries. Channeling your efforts into creative or artistic pursuits may take some of the edge off.
Jupiter moves from Pisces into Aries on the 12th. In addition to his social duties, Jupiter is also about expansion and raising your awareness about things. He makes our boundaries wider and more inclusive, bringing us into contact with more of the world than if we stayed at home quietly. Despite his traditional associations with the sign of Pisces, Jupiter is somewhat restricted in that sign. The tendency is to lose your focus or to sometimes take on a "victim mentality" that keeps you from fully prospering. That's going to change with Aries in charge! The shift in mood is akin to getting your second wind; optimism, vitality, enthusiasm are the keywords now. Start looking at how you can branch out in the coming year, presenting your work to others in a more promising light. Above all, put your dreams into action. Take note of any new interests or activities that grab your attention around this time -- they may be with you quite a number of years. Enjoy the change!
Most of the planets in this chart fall in fire or air signs of the zodiac, meaning the intuitive and thinking parts of the mind are most active. One of these pockets of activity is in Aquarius, where Neptune and Uranus lie with the eclipse point itself. The focus is on transformation and deeper insight, where change has a mind of its own instead of being under our direction and control. There's a need to remain open to unforeseen events and inspirations, since the unconscious is unusually fertile in coming months. The eclipse is closely sextile to Saturn, which takes these changes out of the mental realm and forces us to make tangible, physical shifts of some sort in our lives. Another knot of planetary influence lies in Sagittarius, where Chiron, Juno and Pluto huddle together (opposite Ceres in Gemini and square Mercury in Pisces). Sag is the sign of ideals and lofty ambitions, so this area remains important to us, perhaps even over-blown in importance. Juno hints that our close relationships are involved here. Maybe our ideas of how life should be are getting in the way of actually sharing that life with others and some adjustments are needed. Unfortunately, the mental life often looks at the world in black-and-white terms and needs to be tempered with a little heart and compassion. On the positive side, there is a lot of growth and opportunity in this chart over the next 6 months, if we get our egos out of the way. Look for the doors to open up...
Jupiter's final "big aspect" this month is a sextile to Neptune. It's also the second big contact in Neptune's extended coming out party in Aquarius. It's hard to say how this aspect will play out, especially since Neptune is so difficult to pin down in the first place. A number of options may play themselves out simultaneously. First, Neptune is a planet of inspiration, ideals and illusion. Expect the power of these ideals to dominate your behavior for a time. You may also find yourself operating under a powerful delusion or compulsive emotional patterns for a time, especially if some glamorous situation gains ascendency over your better judgment. In short, dream your grand and glorious plans, but wait a few weeks to implement them until your brain is a bit sharper. This is an excellent influence for reaching out to others from the heart. Jupiter gives you the urge to extend your boundaries, while Neptune makes the boundaries seem to disappear -- it becomes easy to merge with others (wisely or not). And on the spiritual level, this can be a most fascinating time for learning about the workings of the deep unconscious within our psyches. This level of ourselves is highly creative, the part of us that turns emotions and attitudes into the hard-core realities of our lives. This creativity is usually "out of control" for most of us, causing more problems than benefits, a form of self-sabotage. As we learn to live more soulfully, from an open heart, we begin to see how these subtle influences play out in our day-to-day behavior and we learn to operate more consciously and effectively. Life may seem awfully chaotic and confusing for a time if you tap into this level, so proceed slowly, but don't avoid getting to know yourself simply because it spooks you out. Be willing to let go of "reality" a bit -- most people's "realities" are way too small and confining anyway. This could be a fascinating time -- don't waste the opportunity.
On the 28th, Saturn slips back from Aries into Taurus once more. The message here is slow down and settle in for the long haul. Saturn in Taurus is one of the most earthy combinations you can find. It's pace is slow and deliberate, ready to pace himself to give whatever it takes. The emphasis is very practical and no frills, a little dull even at times. However, once you set your mind to a task, nothing will deter you in the end. Saturn also represents our fears and limitations, hence our coping behaviors to avoid "that worst possible scenario imaginable" that we dread so much. In Taurus, that fear could be described as the worry we will lack our creature comforts and material goods, the things in life that make us comfy and satisfied. How timely that survivalist fever is hitting many because of the Y2K hysteria and millenarian expectations! I'd expect that people will become quite set in their ways and opinions during this placement, stubbornly clinging to what they see as "reality" -- which doesn't leave much room for compromise. It doesn't bode well (especially given the impeachment trial just past) for the political scene the next 18 months. One thing to remember is to hang on to your ideals or visions during this time, since it becomes too easy to get sucked into material concerns and forget the more subtle influences in our lives. This may become a big issue around Apr 6th, when the last Saturn square Neptune kicks off. In short, figure out what it is you'd most desire to devote yourself to -- and plug away at it! Saturn will start criss-crossing the Taurus-Gemini border on 2000-8-9.