In the Stars January 31-February 7, 2021...shining light on the astrology of the week

Mercury is now in retrograde until February 21, a period for review, re-thinking, re-working, and re-invigorating. Having turned retrograde yesterday, Mercury may create more chaos than usual especially these first few days. Remember that communication, both oral and written, can become more easily confused. So check things twice, and be gentle and forgiving with people when there are mix-ups.

The Sun shines in Aquarius, symbolizing new thinking. We move on in forward motion. The first of three Saturn-Uranus conjunctions this year will perfect on February 17th. As we move toward this exact conjunction, these mixed energies of consolidation and breaking apart become stronger. This could be evidenced in our own lives with breaking through a bad habit and changing it to a better one; or breaking out of an outgrown job and landing a new one; or working through an old fear and moving past it. The Saturn-Uranus square is this year’s highlighted planetary theme: breakthrough and consolidation with exact squares February 17th, June 10th, and December 24th.

Another heavenly body, Chariklo, one of the planets of the Kuiper Belt is shifting into Aquarius. Chariklo was the wife of Chiron, the mentor and wounded healer. Vermont Astrologer Kelly Hunter has written beautifully about Chariklo’s meaning and shifting energy in her January 29th Full Moon newsletter (helastar.com):

Chariklo enters Aquarius "Adding the unique, subtle quality of her presence to the Aquarian party, we find this 'centaur object' moving from Capricorn into Aquarius on the eve of this Full Moon. An experienced shape shifter, now moving from one sign into another, she surely knows when to make an entrance, gracefully highlighting the moment. Chariklo contributes her special caring, insightful and healing quality as one of the transforming, creative goddess archetypes… In her storyline she is known for spinning movements…helping her take whatever form best serves love. Wife of Chiron, she changed her water nymph shape into a centaur to be with him, later helping him shift into his star body as The Centaur constellation. After participating in the powerful Capricorn council in 2020, she chooses a prime moment to join the stellium in Aquarius, her home territory, as she weaves between the two signs through 2021. It's almost her birthday, as Chariklo was discovered on February 15, 1997, with the Sun and a rare stellium of planets in Aquarius, and a rare 6-pointed star pattern. This is one of the most remarkable charts an astrologer ever sees…" Chariklo’s chart, story and more can be found on Kelly’s website at: http://heliastar.com/

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Mercury went retrograde on Saturday for a three-week backward spin, signaling a time to review, re-think, and reconsider. Sunday morning is a bit lazy, even with the Moon in hard-working Virgo, as the Moon is opposite dreamy Neptune. After a leisurely Sunday morning, you can gear up for productivity by the grace of a Moon-Pluto trine in practical earth signs. As the day wears on, you will feel the push to get your life in good order.

Monday is a mixed day. The Sun and Mars perfect in square aspect, pushing us forward into the work week with goals and dreams. The Moon moves into gracious, easy Libra and trines Venus and Saturn, making for a flow of initiations.

With the recent arrival of Venus in Aquarius, there are now six planets in the sign of innovation: Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Sun, Pallas Athena, and Mercury. On Tuesday the copasetic Libra Moon makes a benefic trine to these planets, generating a bounty of brilliant ideas. Let them flow. With Saturn moving toward its perfecting square to Uranus on February 17th, you just might figure out how to manifest some of your great ideas.

Feelings run deep on Wednesday, and we may feel unloved and irritated as the Scorpio Moon makes an edgy square to Venus and Saturn. Pull back and give yourself some love and self-care.

On Thursday the emotionally charged Scorpio Moon forms a last quarter square with the Sun, and opposes Mars. There is a lot of energy in this fixed T-square to work hard on completing some of the projects set in motion at the New Moon in mid-January. The Scorpio Moon also trines Neptune in Pisces, drawing out our imagination and reminding us of our vision and higher purpose.

We may have a slow, indecisive start on Friday with the Moon void of course until 9:16 am PST. Then the Moon bounces into sunny Sagittarius, and ushers in a buoyant, upbeat weekend. The desire to be social will be high with the Moon in this fiery, fun-loving sign and six planets still in Aquarius. Maybe you will feel the call for a Zoom party.

Sagittarius rules the hips and thighs, and loves movement, so get out for a weekend hike or dial into a Zoom dance class. Optimism combines with brilliant ideas and a lot of fixed planetary energy, so much can be accomplished. However, it may be difficult to decide where to put your energy due to a void Moon from 10:15 through the rest of the day.

Enjoy a leisurely Sunday morning as the Moon is void of course until 12:51 pm when the Moon moves into Capricorn. It’s another good day for a weekend hike or bike ride. In the afternoon it’s time for serious football—the game of the year, and what a game it is between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If you are not into football, it’s a great afternoon for hard work and planning the week ahead.

Monday is set for accomplishment. The Capricorn Moon forms an industrious Grand Trine with the heard-working asteroid goddess of the hearth on Virgo and Mars and Uranus in Taurus. Set this strong energy loose with some serious goals and elbow grease.

The Week in Short:

Saturday: Mercury turns retrograde for the next three weeks. Turn your attention to practical matters at hand.

Sunday: Lazy Sunday morning. Industry, productivity, and drive increase as the day wears on.

Monday: Work hard with grace and beauty.

Tuesday: Let brilliant ideas flow.

Wednesday: Give yourself some love and self-care.

Thursday: Demanding work day for completing projects. Imagination stirred.

Friday: Excitement and optimism color the day. Host a Zoom party to satisfy social desires.

Saturday: Get moving and take a hike. Optimism combines with brilliant ideas.

Super Bowl Sunday: Moon VoC until 12:51 pm, then it’s time to get serious and buckle down.

Monday: Industrious day for accomplishment.

Ten Things to Do with Venus in Aquarius (February 1-24, 2021)

1. Express love and appreciation to your friends.

2. Dress more colorfully and uniquely.

3. Read a book about a notable African American in honor of Black History Month.

4. Gather with old and new friends on Zoom.

5. Explore and consider joining a new group.

6. Make a contribution to your favorite social causes.

7. Reach out to an old friend and check in.

8. Consider how you can be more engaged in your community.

9. Express more freedom and independence in relationships.

10.Think up some unusual dates—or ways to socially connect. Aquarius likes anything that is unconventional.

Moon Void-of-Course: This is the time when the Moon makes its last major angular aspect with a planet before it moves into the next zodiacal sign tropically. This void time, when the Moon is not aspecting a planet, but rather floating on its own, is a time when things don’t come together and it is difficult to make good decisions. Purchases made during void Moons often turn out to be unsatisfactory and not work out. Appointments often don’t come together, and meetings don’t result in progress or sound, lasting decisions. We more easily get lost or meander in trying to get somewhere. The VoC Moon times for the next month are listed below so that you can plan meetings, decisions, and purchases at times when the Moon is not VoC; and use the void times for gardening, reading, and routine task work. Void-of-Course Moon times for the month ahead (one lunar cycle): Pacific Standard Time:

February 1: 3:09 a.m. – 3:25 a.m. (Moon into Libra)

February 2 at 10:15 p.m. through February 3 at 6:14 a.m. (Moon into Scorpio)

February 5: 1:19 a.m. – 9:16 a.m. (Moon into Sagittarius)

February 6 at 10:15 am through February 7 at 12:51 pm (Moon into Capricorn)

February 9: 9:21 am – 5:20 pm (Moon into Aquarius)

February 11: 11:05 am – 11:23 pm (Moon into Pisces)

February 13 at 11:28 pm through February 14 at 7:53 am (Moon into Aries)

February 16: 4:16 pm – 7:11 pm (Moon into Taurus)

February 18 at 11:27 pm through February 19 at 8:03 am (Moon into Gemini)

February 21: 10:39 am – 7:52 pm (Moon into Cancer)

February 23 at 8:53 pm through February 22 at 4:22 am (Moon into Leo)

February 26: 3:31 am – 9:07 am (Moon into Virgo)

February 28: 7:57 am – 11:16 am (Moon into Libra)

GMT (Greenwich Mean Time):

February 1: 11:09 – 11:25 (Moon into Libra)

February 3: 6:15 - 14:14 (Moon into Scorpio)

February 5: 9:19 – 17:16 (Moon into Sagittarius)

February 6 at 18:15 through February 7 at 20:51 (Moon into Capricorn)

February 9 at 17:21 through February 10 at 1:20 (Moon into Aquarius)

February 11 at 19:05 through February 12 at 6:23 (Moon into Pisces)

February 14: 6:28 - 15:53 (Moon into Aries)

February 17: 0:16 – 15:11 (Moon into Taurus)

February 19: 7:27 - 15:03 (Moon into Gemini)

February 21 at 18:39 through February 22 at 3:52 (Moon into Cancer)

February 22: 4:52 - 12:22 (Moon into Leo)

February 26: 11:31 – 17:07 (Moon into Virgo)

February 28: 15:57 – 19:16 (Moon into Libra)