The Astrology Blog 15 February 2016
What’s happening this week?
All times in GMT
As usual start by noting that if you have natal planets or angles at or close to any of the signs and degrees featuring this week then unfolding events will be especially significant for you. Here are the usual links for checking the position of your own planets and angles:
http://www.alwaysastrology.com/birth-chart-calculator.html
You can also try this calculator, which lists all your planets and angles rather than bringing up the visual of the horoscope, so for non astrologers it’s easier to use.
http://astro.cafeastrology.com/cgi-bin/astro/natal
The main event is that Mercury has just changed sign. Any planet’s ingress into a new sign is linked to new cycles but this one is especially important as it also coincides with Mercury coming out of shadow. In other words, Mercury has just returned to the sign and degree at which he turned retrograde, and here’s the sequence –
• 2 Jan Mercury ingress Aquarius
• 5 Jan Mercury turns retrograde at 1 degree of Aquarius
• 25 Jan Mercury turns direct at 15 degrees of Capricorn
• 13 Feb Mercury ingress for the second time
• 14 Feb Mercury reaches 1 degree of Aquarius for the second time
As above, so below. Pay close attention to events unfolding for you as this week gets underway as they hold the potential to make a significant difference to your future. You may remember from earlier blogs that I said that the New Year would be a false start for many, and that that real New Year would start 25 Jan when Mercury turned direct again. Mercury coming out of shadow is also fabulous for new resolutions and is a breath of fresh air.
In particular, Mercury ruled concerns (communication in all forms and guises, such as news, information, decisions, paperwork) are absolutely crackling. Also note Aquarius related themes – such as groups, friendships and technology. Great time to buy that new phone, tablet, computer, car etc. You may also find that you return to issues that had to be put on the back burner early January and that you can now tackle them with a fresh head or with the right information or help that you need.
Some textbooks will tell you that Mercury is “exalted” in Aquarius – ie his best sign – although traditional astrology says that Mercury is exalted in Virgo, one of his own signs. But generally Mercury is happy in the air signs, element of the mind and intellect. Am indebted to Ronnie Lloyd – one of two people to whom Be Your Own Astrologer is dedicated, the other being Paul Hitchings, both amazing therapists – who pointed out an omission in the trauma chain that I talked about last week. I mentioned the five phases of trauma, denial, feelings, acceptance and resolution. Ronnie reminded me that the latter stages are very much connected with finding meaning – why did this happen, what does it mean, what am I supposed to be learning, what does it tell me about me/my life/my relationships etc. This is a vital component. As an astrologer I of course find meaning for myself primarily through astrology, and it’s the search for meaning that is partly the reason that people seek readings. Mercury emerging from the shadows and into a sign in which he’s strongly placed bodes extremely well for making sense of events in your own life, to the extent of getting a new handle on an issue and finding that moment of resolution.
The love and money planet Venus is also heading into Aquarius –
Wednesday Venus ingress Aquarius (04.18)
If you’ve ever wanted to try internet dating the conditions are perfect (but please practice the usual safety measures, such as arranging first dates somewhere safe and letting friends or family know where you’ll be). Otherwise Venus’ change of sign is ideal for meeting new people through groups and clubs, or for letting a friendship blossom first. Make having things in common a top priority. If you have financial matters to put in order now is the time to do so, or to seek financial advice if you’re in a muddle and need to get new systems in place. Aquarius is the most systematic of all the signs and loves a plan!
The Sun is also changing sign, moving from Aquarius into Pisces at the end of the week –
Friday Sun ingress Pisces (05.35)
This underlines this week’s main theme of progress and transition. We’re reminded that nothing stays the same forever and even something that has felt hopelessly stuck or impossible to resolve could now start moving. Alternatively, it may be a matter of dropping something that has already taken up too much time and energy, and realizing that your best interests lie in the direction of brand new cycles (characterized by the arrival of new people, resolutions, decisions, outside events etc).
Again, this is underlined by the fact that the Sun’s first aspect after changing sign will be the Full Moon early next week –
Monday (22nd) Full Moon at 3 degrees of Virgo (18.21)
Full Moons occur when the Sun lines up exactly opposite the Moon, which is why they’re always in the opposite sign (New Moons are the Sun and Moon conjunct in the same sign). I’ll be talking more about this event next week but for now note that the Full Moon’s job is to illuminate or to bring a matter full circle. Events unfolding over the coming weekend may well pave the way.
Until next week,
With love from Greece
Joanna
