February 1, 2014
Dear Friends,
Have you ever thought much about February? Why is it the shortest month of the year? Why does leap year’s day get posted to it? And in the shortest and nasty-cold month of the year comes Valentine’s Day celebrating sweethearts and love. And of course there’s the Super Bowl and the even stranger rite of Ground Hogs day. Let’s face it, its an odd month. February is unique and original just like Aquarius where the Sun always travels on 2/1.
Aquarius is a highly intelligent, inventive, cutting edge, electric air sign ruled by Uranus planet of change and revolution. Aquarius is the sign most closely associate with astrology (the original 10,00 foot perspective) and is the iconoclast railing against the system who easily rises to a broader perspective and convince the rest of us with Crystal Blue Persuasion to see through any mirage. Their motto is “Freedom, Liberty, Equality for All!” and throughout time Aquarians have been the gadflies and provocateurs who continue to point out where their society, their government, even their own family can do better – can live up to a greater potential.
If you are born with Sun in Aquarius you are learning to rise above your own personal constellation and embrace a larger more objective understanding of reality. You are leaving the hum-drum comfort zone of the small minded and beginning to think in cutting edge ways. Above all you are here to express your own unique self!
Here are a few quotes by some famous Sun in Aquarius natives to get a sense of these values:
Better the occasional faults of a government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a government frozen in the ice of its own indifference. ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt
To be ourselves causes us to be exiled by many others, and yet to comply with what others want causes us to be exiled from ourselves. ~ Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality . Wake Up and Live! ~ Bob Marley
You’ll see these Aquarius themes in this month’s issue with many examples of astrology’s “as above, so below” which highlight government and corporate indifference or downright stupidity. Another big theme for February 2014 is how to bring life back into balance, which must begin at the personal level before larger structures have any hope of change. Read about it all below.
I hope your own life is in a lovely balance and harmony and if not, that you will be able to reach a higher perspective from which you can easily see how balance can be achieved. And in this Valentine’s month I wish you all the love you need to fill your heart to overflowing!
Best,
Melissa
Heavenly Messages for February 2014
Your handy Astro Facts: The Full Moon (26° Leo) is on 2/14 at 6:53p.The New Moon (10° Pisces) is on 2/28 at 11:59p Pacific Time – the last possible moment in February! In all earlier times zones the New Moon is on 3/1). Mercury goes retrograde (at 3° Pisces) on 2/6 at 4:43p and turns direct on 2/28 at 9:00a. The Sun enters Pisces on 2/18 at 1:00p All times are ET unless otherwise noted. Read February’s Individual Messages HERE.
True to the unusual wavelength of Aquarius, February’s astro energy is different from the norm too. For one thing, unless you live in far western time zones, there is no New Moon this month, kinda weird. And as the month dawns the Sun glimmers alone in Aquarius, while in other years Mercury, Venus and Mars often join in. This year on February 1st Mercury is gurgling in watery Pisces, moving slower than usual in prep for going retrograde on 2/6. Venus after her own retro phase now moves direct in Capricorn and won’t reach Aquarius until 3/5, while Mars is 5 signs away in Libra also moving slowly getting ready for his own retro motion in March. The Aquarius theme song, Crystal Blue Persuasion, won’t have much harmony this year. If you don’t know the song listen to this and you’ll understand why it fits Aquarius so well: Crystal Blue Persuasion
On 2/6 beginning at 4:43p ET Messenger Mercury does the first retrograde of the year stationed at 3° Pisces, then reenters Aquarius on 2/13 backs up to 18° Aquarius and goes direct on 2/28 at 9:00a ET. Mercury retro has trickster energy around communication, so it’s wise to watch what you say out loud in both voice and text. As always the basic rule is to check, check and double check everything! Read more about general Mercury Retrograde trends here in my MERCURY RETRO article, and here is an article I liked by Darkstar Astrology.
Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo so these two signs know more about how to handle Merc retro phases better than anyone. Of course this is because you’ve had to learn, like it or not! Since Mercury reverses in Pisces and backs into Aquarius again, both these signs need to pay more attention too. See your individual sign messages for more personal insight.
Astrologers have been talking about large Mercury retro windows lately, meaning retrograde effects are felt sooner than the actual retro date. (I have my own opinions on this which involves astro calendars needing to have major adjustments, but that’s a story for another time.) Mercury retro is well known for traffic snarls and that retro window was certainly WIDE open in Atlanta last week on 1/28 when the city ground to a halt due to a snow and ice storm. I grew up in Atlanta so the city is dear to my heart. Though this storm loomed, officials canceled nothing in the area – not schools, government offices or roadways, even though there was plenty of warning about the weather in advance. Stranded workers slept in the aisles of stores, thousands of school students and their parents were affected, in fact the very grade school I attended, E. Rivers Elementary School, had students stuck there overnight. Classic Mercury retro mayhem! Here are some interesting articles on the debacle Students Finally Get Home and an analysis on underlying structural causes which lead to these kind of problems in the first place The Day We Lost Atlanta
It’s also interesting to note the 2104 Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia takes place from 2/7 through 2/23 entirely during Mercury retrograde! The retro window has already opened for this major sports event too, with the dark shadow of terror threats hanging over the Olympics causing many to cancel plans to attend. Another retro effect is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s anti-gay rhetoric and recently introduced anti-gay laws forbidding “gay Propaganda” at the Olympics. The eyes of the whole world are witnessing this backward thinking more reminiscent of earlier centuries than the 21st. If you haven’t been following this story read Olympians urge Russia to reconsider to get caught up.
When Mercury does a backstroke in the mystical waters of Pisces it can create even more unusual trends. Especially this go-round when Neptune, Chiron and asteroid Pallas/Athena also travel in Pisces. Time stretches and shrinks, those retro spacey feelings last longer, it’s much easier to get distracted and wander away in your mind or on the highway! When Mercury retros in Pisces you want to tap the plus side of this pattern, which is greater ability to go deeper and discover currents not noticed before, which can carry you to magical shores of creativity, spirituality and love!
On 2/13 Mercury slides backs into mental Aquarius again, tapping another energy entirely. Mercury retro in electric air sign Aquarius can zap your own nervous system and larger systems like mass transit, Interstate highways, etc. Mercury was in Aquarius on the day of the Atlanta storm – enough said! This retro pattern takes a toll on brains and bodies – it’s important to have extra rest and downtime so your nervous system can release pent up static.
In other astro news Mighty Jupiter is still doing a backstroke in watery Cancer, and Saturn, lord of the material realm, remains stationed in the powerful water sign of Scorpio, while Neptune and Chiron continue their swim in the mystical waters of Pisces. We may have just left the year of the Water Snake, but that snake still has plenty of water in which to swim!
In the as above so below category, water issues are making dramatic headlines currently. Consider the recent case of Charleston, West Virginia where less than a month ago (on 1/9) a toxic chemical called MCHM used in the coal industry leaked from storage tanks near the Elk River upstream from where Charleston gets its water supply. Up to 300,000 residents in the area could not drink, cook or even bathe in their tap water! As recently as 2 days ago (1/29) residents were warned that chemicals could still remain in their plumbing systems.
In researching this water-event story, I just learned a very interesting fact. Turns out that Freedom Industries who owns the tanks which leaked 7,500 gallons of MCHM was formed from a merger of several other companies and was only 2 weeks old when the leak occurred. We can guess that management was not quite up to speed yet when the accident happened. Whatever your concepts about corporate America are, this is an educational story. Read more about it here Poisoned: why West Virginia’s water crisis is everyone’s problem
On the other end of this water focus is California’s current drought which scientists are saying is the worst in 500 years. Governor Jerry Brown has issued an “exceptional drought emergency” and officials say 17 communities and water districts could totally lose their water supply in only 100 days. Creeks, lakes and reservoirs have run dry in many rural areas already and major aquifers are threatened too. On top of this the usually deeply snow covered Sierra Mountains have seen record low snowfall this season – some of the ski areas aren’t even open yet! The Sierra snow pack provides water for the area and if it remains below normal, it also means less water in the future. Crops like Napa Valley grapes (wine costs might soar, oh no!), rice, avocados, strawberries, almonds, corn and more are affected too. Across the globe, there are also record droughts in China and a fierce heatwave in Australia is parching that country and putting a strain on water supplies as well. It’s as if the heavens above are reminding us that water is our most precious resource we have and we had better honor it!
The Grand Cardinal Cross still hangs in the heavens this month and plays right into these themes. Wherever life is out of balance whether it is government officials asleep at the wheel, corporate managers of dangerous substances flying under the radar, or average people too complacent to take personal measures which help their communities and the environment, the stress cracks are going to become obvious.
The cardinal signs are: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. As February begins Pluto, planet of transformation is in conference with Venus in Capricorn. Pluto has been in Capricorn for 5 years slowing pounding away to create deep structural changes in all the world’s bureaucracies be they government or corporate or even crusty patriarchal religious structures. (Can we all agree that Pope Francis has already begun to break the mold in the Catholic Church?) Venus, planet of peace, harmony and fair play, just turned direct in Capricorn on 1/31 after a 4 week retro phase and remains in Capricorn until 3/5. With Venus’ input, this important conference can tilt the balance toward smarter methods for managing these important worldly structures. Let us hope!
Along with this both Venus and Pluto are in an exact see-saw opposition to huge Jupiter in emotional Cancer. (Think of the several minute, heartfelt applause during the US State of the Union speech for wounded Army Ranger Cory Remsburg to get a feel for this kind of emotional energy.) At the same time revolutionary Uranus in Aries forms a challenging T-Square to all 3 planets. Uranus’ fiery Aries cry for change at all costs can easily pull any situation out of balance again. The 4th corner of the cardinal cross is Libra. Mars, planet of action has been stationed in Libra, the very sign which represents balance, for the last 7 weeks. Mars is now slowing down in prep for his retrograde phase (on 3/1) so will stay in Libra 6 more long months until mid July.
The whole point of bringing this to your attention is to help you understand when the planet of action is in Libra, the action required is to get into balance! In the midst of all these swirling cosmic themes it can certainly be a challenge, but one which will yield amazing results. With Mars staying in Libra such a long the sooner you get started the better off you will be. And what better month to do it than February when clarity reigns and it is easier to get out of your own way to see the bigger picture.
My wish for you is that you will rise out of the swampy water and jump on the back of the sturdy and powerful wooden horse and ride into a wonderful future in perfect balance and harmony!
IMAGE NOTE: This photograph of three driftwood horse sculptures by James Doran-Webb is perfect to celebrate the new year of the wooden horse. I also loved how this photograph taken against a clear blue sky brings in the power of Aquarius Crystal Blue energy as well. James Doran-Webb has created many amazing sculptures from driftwood which seems Aquarius, out of the usual mode, as well. To view more of his work and learn about his unique driftwood art visit his website HERE and for some interesting information on the year of the Horse visit HERE
Individual Heavenly Messages for February 2014
NOTE: To get the most out of your Heavenly Messages read the message for your Rising sign (ascendant) along with your Sun sign.
AQUARIUS January 20 – February 19 Happy Birthday Crystal Blue Persuasion! Aquarius isborn tuned into a different wavelength from the norm and the astro energy as your personal new year arrives is definitely supporting your birthright! Your ruler Uranus charges forward in fire sign Aries with a battle cry of “Change is here, embrace it!” While Lord of the Material World Saturn remains stationed in your career/profession/outer world zone continuing a once in 30 year journey in this important terrain. People who didn’t give you a second glace are looking up to you now. Along with this Venus consults with transformer Pluto in your mystical dream zone, discussing concrete ways to bring new patterns into your life which will manifest soon (even if you can’t see it yet). Meanwhile motivational Mars remains in fellow air sign Libra for months on end, all in harmony with you! The largest planet of all – Jupiter, continues to splash around in your work space, and whether the waves are flowing sweetly or crashing fearfully, it’s all good in the long run. Trust. Here is your heavenly advice for February and onward: Be Aquarian! Let go – detach from the old safe paradigms and soar like the star you are to the 10,000 foot perspective. It is only from this vantage point that you will see your future calling and be able to respond. Mercury goes retro on 2/6 and return to Aquarius from 2/13 thru 3/17. See Intro for details.
PISCES February 20 – March 20 Dear Double Fish, On 2/1 Mercury joins your ruler mystical Neptune, the Moon, Chiron and wiseasteroid Pallas/Athena all converging together in Pisces. This confluence sends a direct current toward huge Jupiter in your creativity space which portends a lovely, flowing month for you! Some of you may have income flow (or lack of it) on your mind, so you’ll be glad to know energies not fully evident yet are on your side. The worst thing you can do now is sink down into fear and the most marvelous thing is to do is whatever you love and enjoy your life moment to moment! Pisces is born to go with the flow and learn to tame impatient, “gotta have it now!” impulses. Mental Mercury goes retrograde in Pisces on 2/6 and remains backward the rest of the month which can help you with this or make you even more antsy. You want to tap Mercury retro’s plus side which is ability to go deeper and discover new currents you had not noticed before which can carry you to magical shores. See Intro for details on Mercury retro.
ARIES March 21 – April 21 Dear Aries, February’s astro energy is different from the norm in many ways. For you Rams the focus repeats some of last month’s message as in, “your current task is to determine exactly what path to take…[and] urges practical, well thought out concrete plans.” The emphasis is definitely on well thought out, versus barging ahead into fruitless battles which you don’t need to engage in the first place. Ruler Mars is on a slow track now in prep for a retro phase on 3/1 which only happens once in 2 years, so you may feel a bit slower yourself. On top of this Mars currently travels in your opposite sign of Libra which activates your relationship/ partners zone (and will for the next 6 months). Mars in Libra puts energy into diplomacy and learning to walk in the other person’s shoes – not a strong suit for Aries. Since Mars is your fearless leader no matter what sign he transits, it’s time for you to tame your Lone Ranger side and listen to the wisdom of Tonto (the Johnny Depp version). In plain words: slow down, shut up and follow advice of those who have your best interests at heart.
TAURUS April 22 – May 20 Dear Taurus, Your ruler Venus just turned direct on 1/31, so February is going to have a warmer feel for you! Venus’ forward motion helps you regain lost ground and she remains in fellow earth sign Capricorn all month (thru 3/5) continuing to give you a steady helping hand. On 2/1 there is a confluence of watery Pisces streaming through your networking, community connections and friendship zone with a direct current to huge Jupiter paddling in your mental/ communication sphere. It’s a lovely time to reach out to your circle of like minded folk and share experience and advice. Mercury goes retro in this same zone on 2/6 so be extra careful that communication doesn’t go astray. (See Intro for details.) Mars continues his travels in Libra which rules your work/job space which is also the zone of health patterns. If you have bullheadedly been working yourself too much, or your boss has been herding you into more work than you want, Mars in Libra demands balance. If you want to avoid stress related health issues, do whatever it takes to find this balance in your everyday life. Venus helps you out with good ways to set appropriate boundaries – follow her advice!
GEMINI May 21 – June 20 Dear Gemini, let’s start with this month’s good news: the Crystal clear Aquarius Sun works well with motivational Mars in airy Libra and both beam out clarity to you! Venus moves forward again in your deeper relationship space so your values around partners in life get clearer too. Ruler Mercury is in Pisces as February begins and joins satellite dish Neptune in your career/outer world zone. This helps you tune into higher guidance around career and professional choices. The not as happy news is that Mercury turns retrograde on 2/6 and backs up all month (thru 2/28). As you well know when Merc goes retro this tends to create wonkiness for you, and this time it affects larger world choices too. It’s not as bad as it sounds Gem, because even backward Mercury manages to work harmoniously with optimistic Jupiter traveling in your income/finances zone and then returns to fellow air sign Aquarius (from 2/13 thru 3/17) helping uplift you to higher concepts. See Intro for more details about Mercury retro.
CANCER June 21 – July 20 Dear Cancer, February begins with the Moon in mystical Pisces aligning with Mercury, Neptune, Chiron and wise asteroid Pallas/Athena calling you to the highest perspective you can reach. Meanwhile Venus just turned forward again in your relationship zone where she remains all month. Venus has been urging you to re-evaluate your relationships across the board from love/marriage/family to business partners and expects to see some results now! With you sweet Crabos the deal is always one of two trends: you feeling insecure and needy expecting your partners to always be there to hold your hand; or, you giving way, way, way too much of your time and energy to others, until everything is totally out of balance – including you! This leads back to gaining a higher perspective. Mercury is set to go retro on 2/7 (thru 2/28) which can be a good time to review your belief structures. Who told you that you weren’t “enough” and up to any task you set yourself, and/or who convinced you the way to heaven was through sacrificing yourself to everyone else’s needs? If you figure this out you really will be on your way to heaven…on earth!
LEO July 20 – August 22 Dear Leo, With the cold glare of the Aquarius Sun in your eyes, February often feels chilly for you warm blooded Lions. The usually adoring gaze of others around you has a squint to it which gets you wondering what you did. Most likely dear Leo, it’s not about you at all – it’s about what others in your life project upon you. You are meant to stand up for what you believe and sometimes folks just don’t want to hear it. Motivational Mars is in Libra and travels in your mental/communication zone in February and during the next 6 months as well – much longer than the norm. Libra is a sign of diplomacy, fair play and balanced viewpoint. The warmongers out there who gain from conflict want you to stir up trouble and when you point out a different path….well that’s when they start squinting at you. Now these mongers may be in the work place, on the home front or even trusted friends and allies. As always Leo, remember a phrase from last month’s message: “If others question your judgment roar to remind them you are the king/queen of beasts – and they’d better follow your lead!” The Full Moon shines in Leo this month on 2/14. A wonderful time to roar!
VIRGO August 23 – September 22 Dear Virgo, Ruler Mercury enters your relationship/ partners zone as February begins, but is on a slow track preparing to go retrograde on 2/6. Meanwhile Venus in fellow earth sign Capricorn has just turned direct giving you added confidence about your own clever concepts, while Mars energizes your income zone. You are looking to your partners to giddy up and go, but instead it seems like they are in slow-mo. A bit frustrating! Mercury backs-up until 2/28 so here’s your best advice for the month: Maintain the better boundaries you have been practicing and when necessary bring out your tough love, ruthlessly compassionate side to keep things on course. You’ll also need to practice patience while trusting that your partners do hear what you say and will act when they are able. In other words, a skilled juggling act is required. Jolly Jupiter remains in your networking connections and friendship space, so when you feel frustrated reach out for advice or to simply to have fun with your buds and let off some steam. See Intro for details on Merc. Retro.
LIBRA September 23 – October 23 Dear Libra, You’ll feel better as February begins with ruler Venus moving direct again. Venus’ retrograde phase was meant to help you review your value system from the roots up, and learn to set appropriate boundaries with family members and anyone else with whom you share home, hearth and heart space. She remains in your home and family zone all month (thru 3/5) so continue to take advantage of her helpful energy. Meanwhile martial Mars maintains his long term visit in Libra (over the next 6 months) where he is up close and personal – like a warrior in your face! With Venus as your ruler sweetness graces the face you normally wear, however, the current posture of Mars brings more aggressive energy your way and you’re not used to it! Since Mars does not intend on leaving any time soon, it’s best to come up with a workable plan. Mars in Libra puts emphasis on diplomacy, fair play and a balanced viewpoint. It’s a good idea to pull on those better boundaries Venus has been guiding you toward, so when others try to sway you off your own trusted course, you’ll be able to steer them back firmly and with grace.
SCORPIO October 24 – November 22 Dear Scorpio, As February dawns Venus moves forward again after a 5 week retro phase in your mental/communication zone and is in a helpful conference with ruler Pluto making concrete plans about the next phase of your life. This new phase may be a bit illusive for the time being because co-ruler Mars maintains his long term position in your “ethereal closet” zone for the next 6 months. On top of this communicator Mercury in misty Pisces is set to go retrograde from 2/6 (thru 2/28) making things more vague and hard to define. Meanwhile stern Saturn in Scorpio is having none of it, and continues to demand that you rise like a phoenix from whatever ashes you’re in. What to do? Here’s a good idea: stop expecting other people – your employer, lover, partner or family members to create ideal circumstances for you. Scorpio is the most powerful sign of all and it’s time to use your own vast store of creative talent to make your world rock and roll! Put your magnetic energy to work. With a light heart and the playfulness of a child, have a fabulous time imagining your ideal life, exactly the way you want it to be, and before you know it, you will be living this life!
SAGITTARIUS November 23 – December 20 Dear Dashing Steeds, do you know in the Chinese zodiac tradition on 1/31 we just entered the year of the Horse? So it’s your year too! It may not quite feel like this to you yet, because ruler Jupiter continues to reverse in water sign Cancer (can horses easily gallop in water?) and lord of the material plane Saturn, remains stationed in your non-material zone. On top of this mental Mercury is slowing down in prep for a retro phase beginning on 2/6 (thru 2/28) and motivational Mars is stuck in place for months on end. So it’s easy to understand if you’re not at a trot yet. Hold the faith Saggie, things will change and when they do it will be at full gallop! In the meantime good news for the month is that Venus is now moving forward again in your income zone helping you build concrete financial plans for a stronger foundation in your life all round.
CAPRICORN December 21 – January 19 Dear Capricorn, Good news this month for you! Sweet Venus moves forward again and remains in Capricorn all month (thru 3/5) so you continue to exude charm and allure! On 2/1 Venus is in conference with transformer Pluto helping devise concrete plans for the next phase of your life. Other people are a large part of this plan as huge Jupiter maintains his position in your partnership zone. Motivational Mars in Libra continues long term travels in your career/professional/outer world zone (for the next 6 months) and since Libra is the sign associated with relationships, partners are further emphasized. Re-evaluate those you want by your side. Communicator Mercury begins the month in your mental zone but is moving slowly in prep for a retro phase beginning on 2/6 (thru 2/28). It’s a good time to review concepts while remembering to check and double check everything you must say or write, and when you space out and forget things anyway – learn to forgive yourself!
Melissa StrattonAstrology,
Tarot and Dream Analysis
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The
Summer of Gods is a short film about a troubled girl named Lili who
unites with
her Afro-Brazilian religious ancestry on a summer visit with
family to their ancestral village in rural Brazil. Soon after her
arrival, she encounters Orishas (African gods) who join with her
grandmother to help her find peace with a gift 
Eliciana: “My
interest in telling this story is to help preserve my ancestors’
traditions. Personal life experience informs its characters and theme as
many elements of the film are pulled from my own childhood memories. As
a native Brazilian living in a foreign country, I have developed an
interest in Pan-African themes. I have noticed that the issues
Afro-Brazilians face in Brazil are similar to those faced by African
descendants here in the United States and in nations throughout the
Americas. As a storyteller and social activist, my motivations around
filmmaking are rooted in telling stories of people from the African
Diaspora who have often been marginalized by societies and the
mainstream film industry. My goal is to use cinema as a tool to reveal
the beauty, culture and mythology of these people.