What's UP: February 2009

Remember the song "Aquarius" from the 1960's musical "hair?" Those alignments are here this month! See the special article on "This is the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius" at the end of this month's article, below.

February 1st and Mercury is direct. We breathe a collective sigh of relief as the planet of communication begins its forward movement once again. I hear frequently, "It feels like Mercury is always going retrograde, how often does Mercury actually go retrograde?" The truth is Mercury goes retrograde three times a year, for approximately 20-22 days, but sometimes it can feel like this Messenger of the Gods is continually playing around with the human mind.

Let me offer some examples. In regard to Mercury retrograde last October 2008, you may recall the tremendous pressure put on Congress to make a final decision about the rescue package for financial institutions.

As an astrologer, I knew the outcome would be unclear, and have to be re-done. By mid-November there were whispers of this, and now we see the writing on the wall. The bail-out process has been fraught with problems, lack of clarity and indecision.

This is one of the primary things to be aware of during Mercury retrograde. We feel pressure to move forward even though all of the information is not available. The timing may be off, we feel unprepared, and our gut response is to hold back. This pressure can come from our internal state of mind, actual life circumstances, or other people putting deadlines on decisions.

Another example . . . Mercury was retrograde on Inauguration Day. President Obama and Justice Roberts turned a few words around during the oath of office, and the oath was re-done the next evening.

With all of the preparation, and everything going so smoothly, who would have guessed the oath would be re-done. This brings us to Mercury as the trickster. We never know how Mercury will turn things around, and bring us humbly to our knees.

Strong Influences
February 5 is significant in that Saturn opposes Uranus for the second time. The first time was November 4, and the outcome is obvious. Saturn is a planet of tradition, guarding the status quo, while Uranus shakes things up.

This combination can be likened to an earthquake with shockwaves still reverberating.

Currently, Saturn is transiting Virgo, the zodiac sign of work. The limitation is obvious as jobs are in short supply, and a whole re-organization of the work force is underway. Saturn builds our appreciation through lack. Work, usually taken for granted, is gaining respect as the way humans serve each other, and participate in the greater whole.

Lunar Eclipse
The Full Moon on February 9 is an especially strong Lunar Eclipse. The momentum of change gains in strength, and begins to manifest in concrete ways. This eclipse amplifies social issues around the will of authority and will of the people. The right use of power is up for discussion.

A major alignment of planets in Aquarian skies gives an added boost of futuristic thinking. This is not a month of looking back, but a month of looking forward. No more holding back. It is time to set aside fears, and boldly step into the unknown. Everyone is asked to release what is not working to embrace a new way of being.

Life doesn’t come with a guarantee, and these extraordinary times call for calculated risk and wise action. Voices of dissent, waiting in the wings, will seek to be heard in February. But, they will not get their way. The overwhelming tide is moving in the direction of Aquarius. This is the zodiac sign of progress, innovation, world service and global consciousness.

Aquarius supports the evolutionary impulse away from kings and queens, dictators and warlords to the collective, empowered spirit of human interdependence. For those of us on the cutting edge, 2009 is the year we’ve been waiting for.

Events in February set the pace for months to come.

Powerhouse Mars joins exuberant Jupiter on the 17th
These planets come together every two years giving an essential boost. It is like getting your batteries recharged. This is the time to network, advertise, go on a job interview, or participate in community service. People are feeling more open and sociable.

Key dates to watch are February 16 - 25 as Mercury in Aquarius joins Mars and Jupiter to give an enthusiastic and confident thrust into new terrain. Watch for synchronicity. Chance encounters, enlightening ideas and unusual happenings are life’s signposts to the future.

Venus enters Aries on February 2nd
This significant planetary trend supports an enthusiastic initiation of new projects. It brings a renewed focus on self-improvement. In a loving way, people will face their fears, and "just do it." As a nation, and as individuals, we will pick ourselves up to begin again.

Normally, Venus moves very quickly, but because of a retrograde movement, Venus will remain in this area of the sky through to June 5.

Venus in Aries can challenge relationships, as people are less likely to give in, and more likely to assert their unique personal perspective. In this way, it is possible to clear the air, and live a more authentic and passionate life in relationship to others.

The Pisces New Moon on February 24th
The Pisces New Moon draws our attention to the spiritual dimension Pisces is deep, intuitive, mystical, artistic and emotional. Those born under Pisces skies are kind and sensitive to the needs of others. This New Moon brings another level of focus on the plight of those less fortunate. In the northern hemisphere, Pisces marks the final month of winter, and it is essential to protect your health. Stay warm, eat nourishing foods, and keep life in balance.

Overall, you can see, February is a pivotal month. It is possible to see around the bend in the road. Hopefully, we see a wonderful straightaway, a clear unlimited view of possibility. The journey lightens and brightens. We are free to step on the gas pedal, giving it our all, heading into a brilliant future.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius

The Song from the Musical 'Hair'
"When the moon is in the 7th house and Jupiter aligns with Mars, then peace will guide the planet, and love will steer the stars."

This familiar refrain was made famous by the hit musical "Hair." Reverberating through the airwaves, echoing through time, the seeds of change were planted in these words. The 1960's were alive with many new ideas.

Historical time expanded out of linear proportions to include the cycle of ages, a 24,000 year perspective. Within this large expanse of time, approximately every 2,000 years, a new zodiac sign comes into play.

The exact beginning date of this new age has been hotly debated since the ‘60's. I have heard everything from 500 years ago, to 500 years from now, but the signs are all around us now. We know, beyond a shadow of doubt, deep within our collective gut, times are changing.

February 1962, Aquarius
Pop culture is a reflection of collective consciousness, and from an astrological perspective, the song is quite clear. The new age of Aquarius started in February 1962, when Jupiter joined Mars in the zodiac sign of Aquarius.

The song gives us more clues, "Harmony and understanding, sympathy and trust abounding. No more falsehoods or derisions. Golden living dreams of visions, mystic crystal revelation, and the mind’s true liberation. Aquarius! Aquarius! "

There is no mistaking the revolutionary impact of these words. Hopeful and idealistic, the starry eyes of an entire generation swept upward to embrace a new wave of consciousness. These words gave rise to a generational shift as the equalitarian energies of Aquarius began to stream upon the planet.

For many of us, the rebellion of the ‘60's gave way to decades of experimentation and exploration. These words were seeds. Some of the seeds fell in a briar patch, some on fallow ground. But, others were firmly planted in rich soil, awaiting the perfect time.

According to the planets, the perfect time is now.
Once again, on February 17 Jupiter aligns with Mars, exact at 11:27 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time). As for the Moon, she sweeps through the 7th house for several hours each and every day. It so happens, during this exact joining of Mars and Jupiter, the Moon is in the 7th house for the entire east coast.

This alignment includes Washington D.C. It sets the pace for 2009, and for years to come.

The symbols of Aquarius are showing up everywhere. This is the zodiac sign of community, the brotherhood and sisterhood of humanity. There is a greater sense of togetherness, we are equal in the Light and Love of universal awareness.

Over the next centuries, all of humanity will realize the Creator’s intent for human design. Aquarius will open our eyes to dimensions beyond our senses and worlds beyond our borders. We will experience ourselves as a small green planet spinning through the stars tending the heart’s garden and tending it well.

Mars, from War to Truth & Community
In the meantime, the winds of change blow through a deeply entrenched old world order. In the Pisces Age, Mars was the god of war. In the Aquarian Age, Mars is the warrior for truth and builder of community.

Jupiter, Authoritarian to Diplomat
In the Pisces Age, Jupiter represented the authority of religious and political power. These days, Jupiter stimulates the "mind’s true liberation." Jupiter becomes the diplomat to listen and share new points of view.

Moon in the 7th house is about releasing our collective fears and projections, realizing our interdependence and allowing peace to surface as the most natural and harmonious way to live on planet Earth.

This is a year of radical breakthrough in all areas of Aquarian expression.

Better than in 1962
One of the key differences between the Aquarian alignment of planets in 1962, and now, is the placement of the Moon’s Nodes. This time they are opposite. While the 1962 alignment brought up rebellion, shock, strife and resistance, this year’s alignment brings an acceleration of potential.

It is as though we have the wind at our back, the collective consciousness is ripe for progressive trends.

Healing in Community & Collaboration
Later in the year, Jupiter will join with Neptune to activate the U.S. Moon. And, Chiron in Aquarius supports healing the wounds of the past. These are wounds of isolation, rebellion, feeling alone, different, misunderstood or helpless.

This is the year to reach out, find your sense of community, and discover the power available in group synergy. Aquarius is the zodiac sign of world service. Aquarius sees problems and takes action to manifest solutions. This process is occurring in our individual lives and the collective experience.

Obama Resonates with Aquarian Energy
President Obama was born in 1961, six months before the Aquarian alignment of 1962. His life story is a blend of global contrast, an example of harmony among seeming contradictions. Destiny chose him to head up this major re-organization of culture, community, government, economics, education and health care.

Just as Martin Luther King spoke to a generation to rise up out of oppression, Obama speaks to the everyday citizen. He invokes a spirit of Aquarian community, encouraging each individual to rise up, stand on their own two feet, get to work, organize and move forward.

From Revolution to Evolution
This is an exciting, breakthrough year, but not without challenges. If you have read this far, then you are part of the Aquarian consciousness. You are on the cutting edge of evolution.

I encourage you to take some time with this. Allow your unique role to emerge from the depths of your being. After all, the key phrase for Aquarius is "I know." What do you know? This knowing is solid, fertile ground from which future oaks trees tower. Take the long view, and remember, "As our hearts go beating through the night, we dance into the dawn of day."

Belinda Dunn is a professional astrologer with over 35 years experience. She is available for personal consultations. Call toll free 888-215-8595 or 828-684-7713. Check out her site for updates, more articles and a full description of services www.astrodelight.com.