THE EFFECTS of last week’s Saturn-Uranus square reverberate for a while, as always occurs when there is a major astrological event. We have gained the first peak on this journey through 2021, but we are still on the mountain and navigating some bumpy terrain.
Recovery takes time after extreme weather situations (Uranus in Taurus), as people deal with the loss of electricity and interruption of normal community services (Saturn in Aquarius). But it is always heartening to see how people come together and support one another in times of crisis. This is one of humanity’s best and most noble traits, a quality that can also be found in the symbolism of the Saturn-Uranus square. Throughout 2021, this square challenges us to work together in spite of our differences, to achieve social reforms and progress, and to become more environmentally conscious.
MERCURY is slowly beginning to move forward this week, after stationing direct last Friday. Our minds can now focus more confidently on what lies ahead, especially if we have purposefully used these past three weeks to review where we have been and to reimagine our future. Our progress is actually supported on many levels now, since all of the primary planets are now direct.
But Mercury is currently sandwiched between Saturn and Jupiter, two planets that represent very different energies. Because of this, our mental state may fluctuate quite a bit this week.
UNDER SATURN’S INFLUENCE, Mercury (our mind) becomes very serious and goal-oriented. Our thoughts dwell primarily on our responsibilities, and we can get a lot done due to our focus and discipline. But, if this single-mindedness is taken too far, we can also become terse, demanding, and critical. Our thinking can be fearful, or even depressed.
And yet, Mercury is also near expansive Jupiter, which can increase optimistic thinking, faith, and hope. We can feel buoyant and enthusiastic with this influence. Our minds seek greater meanings, and we dream of grand potentials. In the extreme, however, we can be overly verbose, be tactless in our words, or skip over small but important details.
If we use both Saturn and Jupiter in balance, we can access both realism and idealism in equal measure. Our minds can be optimistic and hopeful but also grounded and practical.
WATCHING OUR THOUGHTS will be very important this week. As we follow a train of thought, it becomes the track that we run on, until we make a conscious effort to shift our thinking. This is a good week to remind ourselves of a quote that has been attributed to Lao Tzu:
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
Over the course of this week, Mercury will be moving ever closer to Jupiter, while putting more distance between itself and Saturn. With the exact Mercury-Jupiter conjunction occurring on March 4, the general trend will be toward more optimistic, hopeful thinking — but we will also need to watch the tendency to overplan, overthink, overexplain, and overlook important details.
ONE OF THE STRONGEST aspects of the week is a Mars-Pluto trine that occurs on Wednesday. This is highly confident energy, that helps us feel capable of taking on whatever challenges might lie before us.
Pluto is said to be the higher octave of Mars, where Mars represents personal/ego will, and Pluto symbolizes Divine Will. As the two planets work in harmony this week, we can more easily “hitch our wagon to a star” — not because we are lacking drive or will, but out of a desire to be more fully aligned with our Higher Purpose and to assist in the process of transformation currently underway.
A FULL MOON graces the skies overnight on Friday. At the time of the lunation, which perfects at 12:17 a.m. PST on Saturday, February 27, the Moon will be at 08°57´ Virgo, with the Sun at the same degree and minute of Pisces. As always with a Full Moon, we can expect emotions to be heightened on Friday and Saturday, as that which has been unconscious (the Moon) becomes conscious (the Sun).
Most notable in the chart for the Full Moon is that Uranus, at 07°32´ Taurus, will be in harmonious aspect to both the Moon and the Sun. Whereas Uranus in “hard” aspect often corresponds with events that are shocking and distressing, Uranus in “soft” aspect provides an opportunity for us to expand our consciousness without the same level of upset.
Even when in soft aspect, Uranus can act in surprising or sudden ways, but we are more inclined to flow with the changes instead of resisting them. As Uranus trines the Moon and sextiles the Sun at the lunation, we anticipate that yet another level of awareness will be accessible, if we choose to work at that level. No matter how we focus this influence, positive Uranus aspects encourage us to be more authentic and true to self, and to be less inclined to comply with others’ expectations.
THE OMEGA/CHANDRA SYMBOLS for the locations of the Sun and the Moon at the time of the lunation shed additional light on its meanings and purposes. First, here are the symbols and their (abridged) meanings for the ninth degree of Virgo, as channeled by astrologer John Sandbach. These images represent that which has been unconscious, that is coming to light at the Full Moon:
Omega symbol: “In a freshly plowed field, searching for arrowheads.” You are trying to make sense out of your experiences, trying to find the grains of truth, the elements of value amidst all the random input. Look more deeply and closely at what you’re finding, rather than just always seeking to find more.
Chandra symbol: “Mixing cement.” You want to find ways to fit things together in a substantial, permanent way, so that the bond is strong and sure. If these tightly fused concepts cause you to lose sight of your heart, and the need to give and receive love, you may find yourself wandering in a field, asking, “Where is the point?” or “What is the point?”
And, here are the symbols for the ninth degree of Pisces, the location of the Sun at the lunation. These represent higher purposes for this Full Moon:
Omega symbol: “A ghost peacefully coexisting with a family in a house.” A lack of judgement, and an acceptance of the needs of others, no matter what they may be. Also a lack of fear of what is unknown, based on the belief that the universe is an inherently safe place. Being deeply accepting can create an environment of harmony and peace in which all life can partake.
Chandra symbol: “Dusk. A vampire awakens.” Until we awaken those areas of ourselves that need healing, we exist in a state of suspension. Sensing how to turn the consciousness away from the outer, objective world, and allow the unredeemed energies of the subconscious to come forth. What we run away from we give power to, whereas what we completely own and accept eventually loses its negative charge and becomes integrated into our being.
FRIDAY appears to be the most challenging day of the coming week, with the Sun semisquare the dwarf planet Eris and Mars square the asteroid Pallas Athene. In fact, disgruntled Eris is involved in the Full Moon energies, being in minor hard aspect to both the Sun and the Moon (sesquiquadrate) for the lunation.
With this “Eris effect,” we can expect some resistance and negative attitudes to be expressed. These may be in response to forceful actions taken earlier in the week when Mars was trine Pluto, or simply in reaction to having to deal with more uncertainty and change with Uranus being activated by the Full Moon.
Friday’s square between Mars in Taurus and Pallas Athene in Aquarius is also contentious, showing up as stubborn resistance to innovations that are unfamiliar and therefore are perceived as threatening to the status quo. It can also manifest as our own ego blocking new ideas simply because we did not originate them.
AS A REMINDER of the importance of monitoring our thoughts this week, I close with a quote from modern mystic Ann Albers, as posted on her facebook page this morning (Sunday, February 21):
“We are never truly stuck except when trapped by our own repetitive thoughts. New life is always blossoming in the heart – new ideas, new solutions, and new inspirations. When we still the mind, it is like silencing our chatter, hanging up the phone, and waiting for a call from the Spirit within.
“Ask for inspiration or answers. Breathe. Quiet the mind. Wait. Trust the first loving feeling or thought that pops in your mind. If it feels inspiring, loving, expansive, intriguing, or simply good, listen to, nourish that thought with attention. Take action when you’re inspired. The spirit within is always guiding us forward.”
IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: This coming year, you are accessing new levels of inspiration and compassion. You may be drawn to focus on your creative/artistic work, or you may find that a relationship becomes central to your life. This is a year to open to new forms and insights. You have greater access to your higher mind now, if you choose to develop that connection. In the process of allowing a new awareness, your self-concept shifts, enabling your life journey to take roads you may not have expected. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Venus, sextile Uranus)
In Gratitude and Light,
Pam
NorthPoint Journal © 2021 Pam Younghans. All Rights Reserved.
