A Leo lunar eclipse, which features a rare Envelope aspect pattern supporting harmonious revolution, highlights the first half of February. We also have Mars adding its fire to 2017’s most powerful Grand Cross, Jupiter turning retrograde, a tricky Neptune-Pallas conjunction, and more!
Click astrology graphics to see larger images.
2/1 (Wed)
Pallas Athena is the warrior goddess, represented by empowered females such as Wonder Woman, Black Widow and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She can use force when necessary, but prefers strategy to achieve her outcomes. If a win-win can be accomplished, so much the better. If there’s a cause you’re feeling inspired to champion … whatever your gender … you’d be wise to call on the Pallas energy within you.
But the situation can get tricky with Pallas conjoining Neptune (10°39′ Pisces). If you’re less spiritually awake, Neptune can more easily bring confusion, deception or misguided enthusiasm. The greater your spiritual awareness, the more easily Neptune can flow in a constant stream of creative inspiration and intuitive clarity.
So whether you’re one of the multitude rising up against Donald Trump’s authoritarian power grabs or striving for some other worthy cause, don’t let passion blind you to adopting the most effective strategy. Pallas and Neptune are energetically joined through 3/6. Until then, you can invoke them together to inspire you with the most effective and harmonious strategy to achieve your desired outcomes.
Giving or receiving sage advice on practical matters is supported with Mercury sextile Chiron (22°22′ Capricorn-Pisces). This aspect also supports clear, straightforward communication and taking a simple, direct approach to healing.
2/2 (Thu)
Your mental engines can be revved and your desire to communicate amplified by a Mercury-Jupiter square (23°7′ Capricorn-Libra). You might also be inspired to dive more deeply into religion, philosophy or foreign cultures. Hard aspects from Jupiter can lead to excess, so don’t go overboard!
This Mercury-Jupiter square is also operating in a larger context as part of a Mercury-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto T-square that lasts through 2/5.
2/3 (Fri)
Venus transits Aries through 4/2, then pays a return visit to the sign of the Ram 4/28 through 6/6. (This extended sojourn is due to Venus’ retrograde 3/4 through 4/15.) This placement supports a bold, adventurous attitude to relationships, creativity and finances. Start something new, or fan the flames of something you’ve already begun!
Inspiration on how to positively transform even the best relationships can pop in with Venus quintile Pluto (0°4′ Aries-18°4′ Capricorn). Artists can enjoy additional creative juice, and you might even get some great financial ideas!
2/4 (Sat)
Harmonious Revolution: Sun-Jupiter-Saturn-Uranus Cradle Begins
There are many ways you can capitalize on a Cradle involving the Sun, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. I’m most inspired by the idea of harmonious revolution.
The revolutionary energy is brought forth by Uranus and the Aquarian Sun. The harmony is brought forth mostly by the Cradle itself, which has five harmonious aspects and only one hard aspect. The presence of a harmonious but energizing sextile between Jupiter and Saturn, which represent expansion and contraction respectively, further supports comfortable change.
This Cradle starts today (2/4), peaks on 2/11 and ends on 2/17. During these two weeks, you’re empowered to reinvent any part of your life … with less suffering and drama then you might expect.
First and foremost, empower this process by following your intuitive flashes (Uranus and Aquarius). Maintain a spirit of hope and optimism (Jupiter). Call in your allies (Jupiter in Libra). And proceed with maximum maturity, responsibility and determination (Saturn).
How much breakthrough is possible? How much can you imagine?
2/5 (Sun)
No major astrology events.
2/6 (Mon)
Jupiter Retrograde
Jupiter turns retrograde today at 23°8′ Libra, then turns direct in just over four months on 6/9 at 13°12′ Libra.
For starters, this is a great time to reflect on how satisfied you are with your current approaches to religion, philosophy and life purpose. Would foreign travel, or exposing yourself to the wisdom of other cultures, benefit you? Are you enjoying enough celebration, joy and exuberance in your life?
Since this Jupiter retrograde takes place within Libra, reflection on your relationships, creative expression, values and tastes would also be timely.
Yod Begins: Sun-Vesta-Saturn
Are you feeling called to support a higher cause that has emotional resonance for you, and which takes advantage of your unique skill set? And are you willing to do so with discipline and persistence … perhaps even in the role of a wise elder? All this would be a great way to use a Sun-Vesta-Saturn Yod that starts today (2/6), peaks on 2/9 and ends on 2/14
2/7 (Tue)
Mercury transits Aquarius today through 2/25. This placement supports intuitive flashes and original thinking, so let your mind boldly go where it’s never gone before!
2/8 (Wed)
No major astrology events.
2/9 (Thu)
Yod Peaks: Sun-Vesta-Saturn
The Sun-Vesta-Saturn Yod that started on 2/6 peaks today (2/9) and ends on 2/14.
Today’s Sun-Uranus sextile is part of the Sun-Jupiter-Saturn-Uranus Cradle that started on 2/4 and runs through 2/17. The meaning of this sextile is included in that aspect pattern’s interpretation.
2/10 (Fri)
Lunar Eclipse in Leo: The Envelope, Please!
The first eclipse of 2017 occurs on 2/10 at 7:33 PM EST (22°28′ Leo). Like any Leo Full Moon, it’s a good time to take stock of how you’re doing in your roles as leader and entertainer. Are you taking an appropriate amount of risk, and enjoying play time with children or your inner child? Are you having enough fun, and taking enough time to relax and recreate?
Astronomy
This eclipse will be visible from the Americas, Europe, Africa, and most of Asia. It’s a penumbral eclipse, the least dramatic kind, so the darkening of the Moon may be hard to see. The subtlety of the eclipse is related to the luminaries’ distance from the lunar nodes: they’re over 11° away.
Major Aspects
I already discussed this eclipse’s most important aspects on 2/4 in my discussion of the Sun-Jupiter-Saturn-Uranus Cradle, which strongly aspects this eclipse. The main point I highlighted there is the opportunity for harmonious revolution. You’re empowered to reinvent any part of your life … with less suffering and drama then you might expect.
Learn more about how to work with the Sun-Jupiter-Saturn-Uranus Cradle.
The addition of the Moon to the Cradle creates a five-pointed aspect pattern called an Envelope, as you can see see in the graphic. It looks like a personal mailing envelope, which is upside-down in this image. An Envelope can also be thought of as a Grand Trine with two Kite points.
The Envelope maintains the flowing vibe of the Cradle. The Leo energy added by the Moon supports you implementing your harmonious revolution more publicly, and with plenty of pizzazz!
Saturn is the focal point of the Envelope. This invites you to carry out your revolution with persistence and good planning. Saturn’s placement in Sagittarius (and Saturn’s sextile with Jupiter) invites you to implement these changes in a spirit of joy and celebration … while spreading hope and optimism.
Minor Aspects
The eclipse Moon receives two aspects in addition to the members of the Envelope. A tight semi-sextile from Vesta supports serving a higher cause. And a tight quincunx from Chiron asks you to make whatever adjustments are needed to support healing or mentoring.
Sabian Symbol
This lunar eclipse’s Sabian Symbol is, “A bareback rider in a circus displays her dangerous skill.” This aligns with the Leo themes of performance and risk. The rider is putting herself in harm’s way in order to create beauty. You can imagine her standing on the back of the galloping horse, and perhaps even performing acrobatic maneuvers atop her speeding steed.
This image resonates with this eclipse’s theme of harmonious revolution. Radical change involves risk. It produces visible results, and is often carried out in the public eye. And, when done in a way that serves the highest good of all, it can create a more beautiful world.
How Will the Eclipse Affect You?
Eclipse effects last six to 12 months. This eclipse will most strongly affect your sensitive natal points between 17° and 28° in the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius). If you’re getting a lot of action there … or could just use some help dealing with life’s challenges right now … I’m happy to help you with an Astrology+ session!
Harmonious communication is smoothly energized by a Mercury-Venus sextile (5°15′ Aquarius-Aries). This aspect encourages you to share your unique perspectives with others, and is also great for artistic creativity.
2/11 (Sat)
Cradle Peaks
The Sun-Jupiter-Saturn-Uranus Cradle that started on 2/4 peaks today (2/11) and ends on 2/17.
Naturally arising optimism, joy and expansiveness are available under a Sun-Jupiter trine (23°5′ Aquarius-Libra). Since this trine is also part of the Sun-Jupiter-Saturn-Uranus Cradle peaking today, you can read that interpretation to understand this aspect in its larger context.
2/12 (Sun)
No major astrology events.
2/13 (Mon)
Unconventional thinking and intuitive flashes are abundantly supported with Mercury quintile Uranus (9°27′ Aquarius-21°27′ Aries).
2/14 (Tue)
Grand Cross Begins: Mars-Vesta-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto
This new Grand Cross is basically the addition of Mars to the Vesta-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto Grand Cross that runs 1/19 to 4/20. The more potent Mars-amplified version starts today (2/14), peaks on 2/24 and ends on 3/8.
We need to start by understanding the Vesta-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto Grand Cross. Its interpretation here is slightly modified from my 1/19 forecast:
The Vesta-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto Grand Cross is the most important Grand Cross of 2017. It bears this distinction for two reasons:
- It incorporates the revolutionary Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto T-square, and
- It lasts for three months (1/19 thru 4/20).
I’ve already written extensively about the Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto T-square. Here’s a brief excerpt from my December 11 interpretation to give you a flavor (or reminder) of it:
The Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto T-square, which lasts until 5/1, is one of the strongest astrological events of 2017.
At the most basic level, Jupiter is rekindling the power of the waning Uranus-Pluto square. This amplifies the power of revolutionary transformation. Pluto in Capricorn can take a wrecking ball to old structures that have outlived their usefulness, while supporting new structures whose time has come. Pluto normally takes its time, but Uranus in Aries has no patience. It wants those changes yesterday! On a personal level, this square can fuel the acceleration of your own life-affirming changes in all areas.
What does Vesta add to the party? For starters, she’s about honing yourself into a finely tuned instrument, like an athlete in training. Once you’re skillful enough to be helpful to others, the next step is to devote yourself to a higher cause. Ideally, this focus on service to others fills you with tremendous joy and satisfaction. (If not, find a path of service that does!)
The final way I interpret Vesta is controversial, and you certainly don’t have to work with it if it doesn’t resonate for you. It’s the practice of sex magic: using arousal and orgasm to energize your Law of Attraction manifestations.
Yes, the Vestal Virgins were sworn to celibacy. But their pre-patriarchal predecessors in other cultures, also represented by the Vesta archetype, were not. Societies that were less erotiphobic and more connected to the earth openly celebrated the power of sexuality to enhance abundance of all kinds. If you’re open to it, you can too!
Click here to learn more about why I associate Vesta with sex magic.
It’s unusual to have a Grand Cross this powerful last so long. This gives you plenty of time to work with whatever flavors of this potent aspect pattern call to you!
What Does Mars Add?
Mars conjoins Uranus in Aries to become a temporary member of this Grand Cross 2/14 thru 3/8. Mars rules Aries, and the planet and sign share the same meanings. So the presence of Mars makes it easier to get the energies of the Grand Cross into gear. If you’re already in process, Mars will give you extra fuel to stay on track and keep your enthusiasm high. He also makes it easier to stand in your warrior power and strive for a worthy cause.
Mars and Uranus together are famous for their unpredictability and volatility. Your risk-taking should be calculated and conscious. Stay mindful to avoid accidents, and don’t make impulsive sexual choices you might regret later. However, this is a great time to take immediate action on your intuitive flashes.
Mars and Aries can be erotic energies (as can Pluto), so the sex magic theme described above can be empowered. Even if we take Vesta out of the equation for a moment, the hard connections between Mars, Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto hold huge sexual potential. Whatever floats your boat … from plain-vanilla lovemaking to kink or the ecstatic heights of tantra … can be fired up by this potent Grand Cross.
Any wounds you’re still holding from traumatic religious experiences can be healed more easily with Jupiter quincunx Chiron (23°1′ Libra-Pisces). Your willingness to make conscious adjustments can also support healing in your relationships and creative expression. These opportunities remain through 3/23.
On its own, a Sun-Saturn square (25°43′ Aquarius-Sagittarius) can help rev up your discipline, focus and staying power. To understand this aspect in its larger context as part of the Sun-Jupiter-Saturn-Uranus Cradle, see my interpretation of that aspect pattern.
2/15 (Wed)
A Uranus-Vesta square (21°32′ Aries-Cancer) is in orb through 5/22. This square is part of two Grand Crosses – Vesta-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto and Mars-Vesta-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto – and are most meaningfully understood in those larger contexts.
Void-of-Course Moons
It’s best to avoid starting important new projects or making major purchases during void-of-course Moons. “Business as usual” is the optimal strategy. Void-of-course Moons occur when the Moon has made her last major Ptolemaic aspect, but has not yet moved into her next sign.
2/2, 11:50 AM – 8:50 PM, Taurus
2/4, 5:42 PM – 11:44 PM, Gemini
2/6, 5:53 PM – 2/7, 2:03 AM, Cancer
2/8, 5:00 PM – 2/9, 4:41 AM, Leo
2/11, 12:52 AM – 8:52 AM, Virgo
2/13, 7:36 AM – 3:43 PM, Libra
2/15, 8:54 PM – 2/16, 1:41 AM, Scorpio
Whatever your Sun Sign, AstroShaman’s forecasts can help you make the best use of the current astrological energies.
All dates and times are in the U.S. eastern time zone. Events are most powerful on the dates listed, but their influence will be active for at least several days before and after.
Everyone is affected by these global transits. However, you’ll be most powerfully impacted when moving planets activate sensitive points in your natal chart.
Discover how these transits will personally affect you by booking a session with me. Learn more about my Astrology+ sessions.
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