Venus enters Aquarius on February 1 when there is a shift in the way we view our relationships. Our connections become more cerebral during this time. Love is about giving each other space and freedom to learn and grow. We may find that a previously spicy relationship cools off. Loved ones may seem switched off or preoccupied. Still, Aquarius is a very loyal sign so provided we have an understanding with one another and we’re still communicating, good relationships can benefit from allowing each person to have time to themselves. Aquarius is also a sign associated with friendships so we may want to spend time with our social circle, virtually if real life connections are curbed. Networking for work is also favoured. Just as with relationships, our attitude towards money and what is ‘valuable’ to us also changes. Money is about freedom under this influence and we may also be more amenable to making a donation to a humanitarian cause. If we’ve been feeling overly precious about a situation in our lives, Venus in Aquarius can help us to detach, giving us a different perspective to consider. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts of this transit is the message to love our quirks.
With the ingress of Venus into Aquarius, we have a significant build-up of energy in this airy sign. From February 1 – 18, we will have 6 planets – The Sun, Mercury (retrograde), Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Pallas – all travelling through this sign. They will also be joined by the Moon from February 9 – 12 so this is a massive gathering. Mercury retrograde here is asking us to reflect on our connection to the group, consider our future by reflecting on the past. We might ask ourselves, ‘if I could go back, what would I do differently?’ And we are doing this collectively too – what it is to make rational choices, to innovate and invent. It feels like a mass meditation on what it is to be human and what it takes for us to survive as a group.
The Last Quarter Moon occurs on February 4. The Moon will be in Scorpio squaring the Sun in Aquarius. It’s the last corner we turn before the next New Moon and it presses us to release what we no longer have use for. We sense it deep within our bones that to create the future we want (Aquarius), we must let go of emotional baggage and the desire to control every single step. But Scorpio energy is deeply emotional so part of us may feel reluctant to let go, hungering for change that does not involve facing our fears or exposing our vulnerabilities.
Saturn makes the first of three sextiles to Chiron on February 9. The following two aspects will be on June 24 and November 27. This is the aspect that we need to lean into to help us resolve the tension between the Saturn-Uranus square. In the skies, Chiron’s orbit lies between Saturn and Uranus, forming a bridge between old and new. Here we have an invitation to learn how to manage (Saturn) chronic conditions (Chiron). We need to be responsible for the collecting wounding we have received and caused. It’s about being resolute in the face of weakness, pain, suffering and most of all, the wisdom of experience. Chiron is a great teacher and mentor and Saturn too has climbed a mountain to get to where he is today. The older generation and history still have much to teach us. Whilst the Saturn-Uranus square and Saturn’s passage through Aquarius tells us that modernism and new practices are essential to accomplish stability for the future, it’s not about throwing out everything that as already been established. Chiron encourages us to look for the middle path, the natural connection between old and new. The question that Saturn and Chiron will continually invite us to explore this year is ‘what am I learning from this?’
The New Moon in Aquarius on February 11 is conjunct Pallas which suggests that this new start towards future ideals involves negotiation and problem-solving skills. Given the wisdom of Pallas and the brilliance of Aquarius, this feels like a high frequency event. The challenge is that this lunation squares Mars, already bogged down in Taurus territory. Whatever our new goal is, it’s going to take time to manifest and it’s better that we create a clear strategy (Pallas) before taking any action (Mars). The message is emphasised by the New Moon’s wide conjunction to retrograde Mercury which speaks of a need to rethink before moving ahead.
Mars forms a sextile to Neptune on February 14. This is a highly creative aspect that unites our imagination and passion. With Mars in practical Taurus there’s encouragement to give form to our vision along with the will and drive to make it happen. Acting on intuition is also favoured as images from our dreams and meditations prompt us towards to right path.
But tension is in the air as Saturn and Uranus form the first of three squares this year on February 17. I wrote about this aspect in my previous post on Saturn and Jupiter in Aquarius which you can read here. To recap, this is a conflict between old and new, freedom and restriction, young and old. Different generations have different wants and needs. The system itself (Saturn) needs an upgrade (Uranus) but change is hard and naturally there is resistance. What has been established and accepted as ‘here forever’ is being overturned and consequently there is anxiety. Still, the promise of this aspect is a more stable society for the future and politics that serves the many instead of the few. Necessity (Saturn) is the mother of invention (Uranus) as they say. So although life may seem hard right now, we have the brilliance to shape a better future. The Saturn-Uranus square will stay in orb until the next time they meet in July and continue to reverberate in the background until August 8. But right here is where it starts. Pay attention to what occurs around this time so that you have a sense of what this aspect might mean for you and for the collective.
The Sun’s entry into Pisces on February 18 begins to soften the picture a little, breaking down some of the Aquarius energy. Pisces is the last of all the signs so often this is a quiet and reflective period. As this is a mutable water sign, we could find we are more emotionally changeable during this time, sometimes up, sometimes down. It helps to create time to retreat and relax, a duvet day, a few hours listening to music or watching movies, a walk in the woods with just you and your deity. Pisces is about connection to all that is, the cosmos and each other. Kindness and compassion are the best way to soothe the soul and bring us back into alignment with our deepest self.
February 19 is the date of the First Quarter Moon. We now have tension between the Moon in communicative, curious Gemini and the Sun in quiet, monastic Pisces. Do I go out or stay in? Do I read to educate myself or just watch TV? Do I push to make a connection or just see what happens? The struggle is between mind and heart as we look for ways to put into words the tidal shifts happening within. A blend of logical thinking combined with intuition is the way to bring inner peace.
Mars trines Pluto on February 25 which should give us back some energy if we’ve been feeling zapped by Pisces season. This is a potent aspect that unites our inner warriors drive and passion with Pluto’s regenerative power. Our goals become more focused during this time and we’re likely to feel greater confidence in our ability to overcome fears and blocks. This aspect supports endeavours of all kinds, from fitness goals to career challenges. Sexual energy too is increased under this influence making us less inhibited and more forthcoming about our needs.
Venus enters Pisces however on the same date which is much less about passion in relationships and much more about making a soul connection. This is a kind, loving, soft influence that yearns to merge with another. Combined with the Mars connection to Pluto, this could make for a very romantic interlude. However, we do need to keep an eye on our boundaries as we can end up trying to save all lost souls and strays. As Venus is also about our attitude to money, we may find ourselves spending more freely – or spending money like water! It’s easy to get caught up in the fantasy of what pleases us, lifts us or makes us smile. It might help to keep a note of where money is going as it’s easy to forget small purchases that add up to one big hole in the pocket.
Jupiter’s trine to the North Node on February 26brings a feeling of hope and abundance for the future. This could come in the form of a lucky break, a benefactor or opportunity that leads us to make a helpful new connection or eases a difficult choice. We may feel better about taking a calculated risk or making a leap of faith – especially if some curious synchronicity has come our way.
We end the month with the Full Moon in Virgo on February 27. Under this lunation we have a wonderful vision of how things could or should be (the Sun in Pisces) but we must do our best with what we have (Virgo). The skilful Virgo Moon is supported by innovative Uranus which encourages us to embrace new practices and techniques in our work and everyday life to create beneficial changes. Whilst we may feel hampered by ‘it’s not perfect’, small changes can make a big difference later down the line. The spotlight is on being of service and being our best without forgetting that we are human and fallible.
Painting – ‘The Mante Family’ by Edgar Degas
First published on Patreon January 21, 2021
