Hello my friends,

You know, I've been looking at these charts and we are in such a holding pattern with Mars retrograde in Leo, Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn - all in the early degrees - keeping the focus on self control, responsibility in relationships and transformation in our structures, lives and selves. Pluto will move off mid March, but Mars and Saturn stay close for some time and then they will both cross Pluto's path again later in the year. It's hard to say anything new, beyond what we've been talking about - when fishermen can not fish, they repair their nets, and if they don't they won't even be able to fish when the weather turns. That's where we are. At times like these it is important to focus on the Moon and the other personal planets (Venus and Mercury) for a general forecast of how we will be feeling and using those energies - remembering too that exactly how these energies affect us as individuals depends upon our individual birth charts. What I am talking about is sort of where we are on the course and how the planetary energies affect us in general and as a group. Remember, the Moon is how we feel, Mercury is how we communicate and Venus is about comfort (love, money, food, etc.).

Mars quincunx Pluto can make our energy seem a bit intense, and it has been accentuated recently as the Moon made it's connection with Pluto in Capricorn and Mars is currently opposing Mercury, making communications a bit more intense and surprising, as we may take offense where none is meant or perceive criticism when there isn't really any. The Moon is about to move into Aquarius, which can be an uncomfortable position for many of us, particularly with all this other energy flying around. Luckily, the moon moves into Pisces for Valentine's Day, where it will be more comfortable and looking for the warm fuzzy feelings, that Valentine's Day often inspires. Interestingly, too, is that we will have 2 stelliums (3 planets or more conjunct within 5 degrees) that may also make that time particularly warm and fuzzy.

The Moon will conjunct both lovely Venus and lucky Jupiter on Valentine's Day, while the Sun will conjunct Chiron (the wounded healer asteroid) and inspiring Neptune. The Sun, Chiron and Neptune combination can be intoxicating (be careful not to over indulge) but it can also reveal our more sensitive nature. When Chiron is involved it is so often about healing, which leads me to believe that this could be a great time to heal old emotional wounds or that some may be afraid to open up, lest they be hurt again. The Moon, Venus and Jupiter will have us feeling emotionally expansive, a bit decadent, maybe, and utterly delighted to be around people we really like and enjoy. Jupiter in Pisces implies intuitive and spiritual connection as well - however, the Moon, Venus and Jupiter stellium will be in the early degrees of Pisces and as such will combine with Mars, Pluto and Saturn, which leads me to believe that this Valentine's Day will be intense for some of us. Mars' influence encourages us to ask for what we want in our relationships, as it's influence may make it hard for us to assert ourselves in our relationships, at this time. Saturn's influence may have us a bit reluctant or fearful in accepting stronger commitment while Pluto's influence can make us feel very committed in our relationships and asking for the same in return. Funny, I look at these seemingly disparate things and wonder how can we feel all these ways, but I do see all these things in many of the relationships I see close to me. We may be tempted to throw ourselves into work and stay busy - which does seems to help many of us feel better - but it might be better for us to take the time to really deal with our emotional questions and make quality time to be with those we love. We've all been hurt in the past - it might just be time to release those hurts and take that empty handed leap into the void. We can't allow old stuff to limit us if we truly want to get all that we can out of life.

So, there you go, dear friends. I wish you a lovely weekend and easy transits. With 1 month to go before Mars, we need to use this time wisely, to maximize our success this year. Oh, yes - I got a new Wing Alert from Karen Bishop today: http://www.emergingearthangels.com/2010/wings2.10.2010.html Anyone following the energy story can sign up for alerts with her directly, using that link. Karen talks about some very interesting things. You may also be interested in reading Susan Miller's monthly horoscopes: http://www.astrologyzone.com/main.html Remember, Sun sign astrology has the Sun sign as the Ascendant or Rising sign to determine the Houses (like when they say "in your spiritual house" or "your home sector") - but reading your Rising sign's horoscope as well as the Sun will give you more personalized information (and if you were born at night, your Moon sign might be better for you). If you would like to know your Rising and Moon signs, please feel free to email me and I will let you know in a day or 2.

>>--(¯`v’ ¯)-->>
Happy Valentine’s Day

Peace!
Carole

PS - You can listen to my radio astrology tips on "Mornings in Sonoma" with Ken Brown, Monday Mornings at approx. 9:20am Pacific Time - 12:20pm Eastern. You can also catch it on local Sonoma radio - 91.3 KSVY - and cable TV - ch. 27 SVTV).