posted February 15, 2007 10:37 PM            

New Moon in Aquarius
Saturday, February 17, 8:14 am PST, 11:14 am EST

This Sun-Moon conjunction in intellectual Aquarius spawns scores of new ideas. A sextile from potent Pluto helps separate the wheat from the chaff to concentrate our efforts on the most useful ones. This New Moon is paradoxical because it begins a fresh monthly cycle, yet occurs near the end of a sign. We have a mix of naive discovery and the wisdom of experience, a combination that increases our range of thinking and releases mental blocks. Odd thoughts are useful in this process of liberation; allow them to flap about wildly rather than immediately rejecting them as irrelevant.

Sun in Pisces
Sunday, February 18, 5:09 pm PST, 8:09 pm EST

The Sun's entry into mutable Pisces, the watery last sign of the zodiac, condenses thoughts into feelings and deepens abstract ideas with emotion. Matter is merged with spirit as we sense the magical ties that connect every atom of the universe. We can swim in this universal sea, frolicking like dolphins among the infinite waves that rise and fall to pull us together and set ourselves apart. Pisces represents the extremes of total union and apparent isolation, the two fishes pulling in opposite directions. But separation is an illusion that disappears in the mystical moments when we can feel all hearts beat as one.

Venus in Aries
Wednesday, February 21, 12:22 am PST, 3:22 am EST

Instant attraction or rejection is commonly felt with loving Venus in the zodiac's impetuous first sign. Spontaneity and risk-taking overcome the dulling forces of the past to set love free. Romance arises in new places and is sparked by fresh faces as we seek undiscovered sources of inspiration. Stimulation counts more than loyalty, tradition or comfort, all of which can feel stifling in the newborn heat of Aries' passion for the present.

Mars in Aquarius
Sunday, February 25, 5:33 pm PST, 8:33 pm EST

Active Mars is brilliantly inventive and highly independent in Aquarius. The urge to break free of convention is strong enough to turn robots into revolutionaries. Pressure to perform or conform will be resisted with this aggressive planet turned loose to operate without the usual constraints. Cooperation may be given by choice, but any hint of coercion can transform weaklings into warriors who will fight fiercely for their freedom.

Mercury in Aquarius
Monday, February 26, 7:01 pm PST, 10:01 pm EST

Retrograde Mercury backs out of placid Pisces and into electric Aquarius where it will stay until March 18. Its return to this mentally charged sign can over stimulate nervous systems. Genius may be generated out of the noise of too much information and too many ideas, but capturing and applying its essence requires quiet time to assimilate such unfamiliar
ideas.

Saturn opposite Neptune
Wednesday, February 28

The second of three oppositions between the planets of structure and dissolution picks up a major story that began last summer and ends in late June. The downside is despair as doubting Saturn dampens idealistic Neptune's dreams. The positive potential, though, is to commit to ideals, serve spirit with discipline, and find the link between faith and reality that brings heaven down to earth. The magic of manifesting inspiration is available to all who are willing to match belief with action.

Full Moon in Virgo
Saturday, March 3, 3:17 pm PST, 6:17 pm EST

The Full Moon in Virgo is usually a relatively sedate affair, but not this time around. Revolutionary Uranus is conjunct the Sun and expansive Jupiter forms tense squares to both the Sun and Moon, blasting us with waves of high-frequency energy that can blow our circuits or free our minds. Political or religious fanaticism is more dangerous when old creeds are unable to adapt to modern times. Still, this can also be a moment of great awakening that unites cutting edge concepts with the tools and
practices to make them real.

Mercury Direct
Wednesday, March 7, 8:38 pm PST, 11:38 pm EST

Mercury, the information planet, finds its footing and begins moving forward in the sky. Incomplete conversations and various loose ends can be tied together with coherent thought and practical action. New channels of communication slowly begin to open and grow wider as Mercury picks up speed in the days ahead.

The New Moon in Aquarius brings ideas from above. A higher aspect of the human mind seeds the earth with concepts that challenge the status quo. The difference between clever and crazy may be hard to discern, so avoid jumping to conclusions. There is great wisdom available to us, but our minds must be willing to change shape to recognize it. Aquarius loves to be right, but only reveals our stubborn ignorance when we grow too rigid. Become a champion of exciting new ideas rather than a defender of old tired ones.