Hello, everyone.
Welcome to the Astro4Business Monthly Forecast for February, 2011. What are the planetary influences this month and how can we work with them?
- We’ll start with the most long-range and overarching influences, the planets Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus, which you will notice do not travel far from month to month but stay in the same sector of the sky for many years. These form the backdrop to our personal lives, affecting matters on a global stage.
- Then we will look at the mid-range influences, Jupiter and Saturn, which stay in the same sign for 1 – 2.5 years. These planets represent our interactions with our societal environment, its rules, regulations, belief systems, and benefits.
- We’ll look at the personal planets, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and the Sun which stay in their respective signs for much shorter periods and primarily influence our day-to-day lives.
- And last we’ll look at the sign and dates for the New and Full Moon, as these mark the waxing and waning cycles in our daily lives.
Pluto in Capricorn
We’ve spoken at length about Pluto in Capricorn (see category at right), where it will remain until 2024. In a nutshell, this long transit will bring upheaval and transformation to many of the structures we have come to rely upon: government, organized religion, the economy, industry, and the military, to name a few. This transit carries the energy of revolution and evolution and can be dramatic and at times overwhelming. Pluto exposes what is hidden, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse.
Pluto hastens and intensifies the processes of endings and new beginnings, and in Capricorn will bring about the ending of our business pursuits that are no longer suited to our growth and personal evolution. Whatever has been slowly leaking vitality will depart, including old business models, practices, and products.
This is formidable energy, and your best strategy is to tune in and work with it. Find an area in your business life in need of renewal and begin the process before Pluto reaches planets in your chart and forces the issue.
Everyone with planets within the first three to nine degrees of any sign is actively dealing with this energy. You will probably notice a deeper and deeper probing and cleansing all year long, related to the issues mentioned above. Try to open a large space within yourself for a whole new perspective; be willing to irrevocably let go of something that has become outmoded become new. Pluto transits can be difficult, but when the work is done they are the most rewarding because we are permanently freed from a long-standing, but hidden, issue.
Neptune in Aquarius
With Neptune in Aquarius (see category at right) from 1998 to 2011-2012, we’ve seen a growing global consensus regarding the equal value of all beings, shared responsibility for our planet, the distribution of technology to all corners of the world, and the right of each person to contribute to and further the base of common knowledge.
The best way to work with this energy is to allow yourself to open to waves of inspiration from the collective whole, from your local community to the global community. Expect to be inspired by your neighbors and friends, both near and far.
If you have planets between 26 and 29 degrees of any sign expect to experience a subtle but powerful dissatisfaction with certain areas of your life this year and a yearning for a more meaningful connection to others. Pay attention to non-intellectual sources of knowledge such as dreams and art. Feel what is happening, listen for underlying currents rather than what is apparent on the surface. This disconcerting influence can dissolve the forms in our life which have no real content for us anymore. This can be disorienting and confusing while it is happening but once deeper connections are made, the benefits are rewarding and long-lasting.
Uranus in Pisces
Uranus continues through the last degrees of Pisces until next month. Over the last seven years Uranus has given us innovation and invention in business in a particularly Piscean fashion.
Pisces is the sign of immersion in the collective; of recognizing that the needs of the whole are more important than the individual. While Uranus has been in Pisces we’ve seen flattening of management hierarchies, a marked increase in global transactions and interactions, and moving parts which come together for specific purposes and then split apart again to form new groups. We’ve learned the importance of the “culture” of our business and its mysterious impact on our profits. We’ve learned “emotional intelligence”, a Uranus in Pisces phrase if there ever was one!
In our businesses we’ve had to rely on diversification and collaboration to keep afloat. We’ve seen the ascendance of social media and the internet and many of us have been dragged into it to give us the reach we needed to survive. Sustainability for our businesses and our world has come to the forefront of our attention and our decisions.
Let’s take advantage of this last full month with Uranus in Pisces to shore up our relationships with our employees, our colleagues, and all our business contacts. Then next month, when Uranus moves into Aries, we’ll have the fully unified force of our collaborators behind us to push ahead into new territory.
If you have planets between 26 and 2 degrees of the next sign it’s time to let yourself be excited by something new; branch out, experiment, try new things. Support a cause you believe in and invest your time in societal change. This will positively channel the excess nervous and intellectual energy Uranus can bring.
Saturn in Libra
Last July, Saturn entered Libra where it will stay until October 2012. Saturn is exalted in Libra which means it has a special affinity to the sign and if you’re willing to do the work, there is a promised payoff. See the category to the right on this important transit, but in a nutshell: what is the work of Saturn in Libra? To develop patience, persistence, responsibility, and humility in relationships. What is the payoff? Cooperation and mutual support.
Saturn entered its annual period of retrograde motion on January 25th. In retrograde motion for 4 ½ months each year, this phase provides the opportunity to examine whether our standard modes of operation truly spring from our own values, or have been imposed upon us by authority figures or societal norms. It’s a time when our regular structures of support and stability may be withdrawn and we have to rely upon our own creativity and self-discipline to achieve our goals.
Saturn becomes less direct and overt when in retrograde motion which can relieve stress and struggle. Yet as business managers we may see that our authority becomes undermined as others break free from outer rules and regulations too. Be ready to improvise; think jazz rather than classical for the next few months.
Jupiter in Aries
On January 22 Jupiter entered Aries, the first sign of the zodiac. Aries is a fundamentally aggressive mind-set, whether in the form of the lone-wolf entrepreneur or the established global company. It brings a desire to take on the competition, expand into new territory, and develop new markets.
Competition will feature strongly over the next five months, and this competition could be directed against others or against the limits you’ve reached in the past. There’s a lack of restraint to Jupiter in Aries, some may say a foolishness, which endeavors against all odds to win.
Jupiter’s ingress into Aries marks the beginning of a new twelve year Jupiter cycle. This is an excellent time to begin a whole new endeavor. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. Can you think about the next twelve years and being “first” in some aspect of your industry? Jupiter likes to think big! It’s time to take a new plunge: big plans, big risks, the next five months will be a time of expansion, new projects, and bold moves.
In late February Jupiter in Aries forms a challenging aspect with Pluto in Capricorn. To get a sense of this conflict, read the Pluto entry above, including the line “This transit carries the energy of revolution and evolution and can be dramatic and at times overwhelming.” Now read this Jupiter entry again, such as, “There’s a lack of restraint to Jupiter in Aries, some may say a foolishness, which endeavors against all odds to win.” What do you think? I think in our business lives (and globally) we can expect rising tensions and escalating aggression and conflict. Issues of justice may rise to the surface and your full leadership ability may be required to negotiate peace.
Mars in Aquarius/Pisces
In January Mars entered Aquarius where it will travel until February 22. This is an excellent time for scientific advances, increased competition in the social networking sphere, and progress in humanitarian issues. Impatient for change, Mars in Aquarius revs up our mental activities and incites our interest in matters outside our local sphere. Look for techno-conflicts to increase until Mars leaves Aquarius late in the month.
When Mars enters Pisces, the tenor of our energy and output will really change. Our focus may become scattered as we respond to subtle currents around us. With Mars in Pisces we tend to see all sides of issues and may become over-emotional. We can tend to scatter our energy in helping others rather than adhering to our own schedule and progress.
Unless, that is, you are in a creative field. In that case, this placement of Mars brings inspiration and the energy to respond to it with concrete output. Think Michelangelo and Vincent van Gogh – both with Mars in Pisces.
Venus in Sagittarius/Capricorn
Venus is in Sagittarius for the first couple of days of February before moving into Capricorn for the rest of the month. Use these first two days to follow-up with distant contacts and international clients.
When Venus moves into Capricorn, we become more concerned with material values. We gain happiness when we’re frugal with spending, practical in creativity, and reliable in relationship. We may be looking for prestige or status as this time, but remember, so are our employees and partners. Be willing to give recognition where it is due.
Mercury in Capricorn/Aquarius/Pisces
Mercury is busy this month, finishing with Capricorn, zipping through Aquarius, and catching up to the Sun in Pisces by the end of the month.
As it finishes its time in Capricorn, put the final touches on your plans. Then on February 3, Mercury will enter Aquarius, the sign of its exaltation. For about 18 days, you can expect innovative thinking from yourself and those around you. Your mind is steady, resourceful and intuitive during this transit and it particularly favors creative use of technology. Writing and speaking to large groups is beneficial, so if the opportunity arises, make the most of it.
On February 21, Mercury slides into Pisces. The sharp focused intellect of Mercury in Aquarius gives way to a softer approach. Images communicate better than words when Mercury is in Pisces; be sure your writing and speaking include symbols and color. Your thoughts flow more easily and your best ideas come from dreaming, day-dreaming, and fantasy, so include time for all of these.
Sun in Aquarius/Pisces
The Sun is in Aquarius until February 18, when it enters the sign, Pisces. The Sun in Aquarius favors endeavors involving groups and teams as well as technology or science-related projects.
The Sun in Pisces marks a transitional time of year, a time of completion and preparation for the new start indicated at the end of Pisces, the time of the Equinox. Use the heightened intuition of the Pisces Sun to sense how your direction will adjust to the coming season.
Phases of the Moon
The New Moon is in Aquarius on February 2, waxing to full in Leo on February 18.
Monthly Recap
This month we all may feel unnerved as we experience the growing tension between Jupiter and Pluto, culminating on February 25. The silver lining to this square is the chance to bring an issue to the surface and deal with it swiftly and competently. Squares bring with them the energy to resolve conflict. Supported by the compassionate hands of Mercury and Mars in Pisces, we can work toward our ideals of mutual, interdependent opportunity for everyone. This is a month where you may have to hold tightly to the wheel to maintain an even keel.
In case you are wondering how to get the most out of this monthly forecast, check out this link. Some time ago a reader asked about it and you’ll see my instructions when you follow the link.
Have a great month and let me know how it all plays out!
Key Dates for the Month
February 2 New Moon in Aquarius
February 3 Mercury enters Aquarius; Venus enters Capricorn
February 18 Full Moon in Leo; Sun enters Pisces
February 21 Mercury enters Pisces
February 22 Mars enters Pisces
February 25 Jupiter in Aries square Pluto in Capricorn
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Have you seen my new blog? Discussing all things astrological, for anyone interested in real-life astrology, check out Ellen Longo’s Astrology Blog.
To get an look at the year ahead, check out these posts:
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Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.
