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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1. New Moon at 13 Aquarius sets the tone for the month. In Washington, DC it occurs at 5:48 a.m., in the early morning pre-dawn. Venus, as Morning Star, is visible then, a bit above the eastern horizon. And I have noticed that morning Venus is, indeed, in her ferocious phase. Venus is also at 27 Sagittarius, the degree of the Galactic Center, which is a special point of aligning with cosmic consciousness.

The Aquarian buildup of the last four years comes to a climax with this New Moon. Sun and Moon sit right between our Aquarian stars, Neptune and Uranus, two of those outer planets which Howard Sasaportas calls the Gods of Change. They oppose Jupiter, the God of Bounty. Jupiter in Leo means taking charge of the growth of our own creative process. It refers especially to the seat of command—the ruler (including our own inner ruler).

What will the change be? GW is certainly taking charge in his way, but during this Aquarian season it’s time for the people, as well, to empower themselves. This is a golden opportunity to begin to renew democracy.

Sun and Moon have both just conjoined Neptune, and are filled with Neptune’s song of the collective unconscious, the ebb and flow of the tides of social change. We are all caught up in the larger social forces, including Neptunian vision, inspiration, addiction, and delusion. E.g., the oil delusion can now rule us. So can visions of a sustainable society—"a better world is possible."

The dominance of oil shows especially with Neptune, Sun, and Moon conjoined Dick Cheney’s Sun, and conjoined GW’s Descendant, which is the point where he meets others, as well as opposing GW’s power planet, Pluto. Mr. Cheney begins a brand new cycle this year, filled with this New Moon energy.

Moon and Sun exactly trine Vesta in Libra, which means that Vesta most influences them now. Vesta pushes us to focus on the sources of real security. Her goal is safety and protection. Where do we find it? Libra is a sign of partnership, balance, and justice, and shows a focus on partnering with someone to promote a "just cause."

Mars in risk-taking Sagittarius is also part of this New Moon energy. Mars shows how we project our energy. In Sagittarius, we act boldly and confidently. Both Cheney and Powell were born with Mars in adventurous Sagittarius. In addition, Bush’s Mars in Virgo is pushed into action by a square with this Mars. And Rumsfeld’s Mars in Gemini is also activated.

Mars now is heading for a conjunction with Pluto by the time of Full Moon. This pulls the third God of Change, Pluto, into the picture, along with Mars to stimulate it. And by Full Moon, Sun conjoins disruptive Uranus.

With this New Moon we begin an inexorable buildup towards an extremely volatile Full Moon, one which will change the world. Yes, GW and entourage have power now, but this is Aquarius time, and so do we the people. We can participate in a growing movement which rejects war as a problem-solving option.

Aquarius is the urge for independence and autonomy. We are very much in the grip of the collective now, but we do not need to be carried away by it. This Aquarian Moon cycle is, in fact, the time to look within and ask ourselves how to ally with our deepest integrity to find our true place within society, and then to join with others who share our values.

The Sabian Symbol for 13 Aquarius is

"A BAROMETER. The ability to discover basic natural facts that allow us to plan in advance for action. Planning for the near future is a possibility because the potential (or seed) of the future is already operating at the core of the present. It is most important to seek a knowledge of causal progression. In the broadest sense this includes an awareness of cyclic processes. ANTICIPATION."

Because all of the planets are now very involved, the Astro*Carto*Graphy map for the New Moon of February 1 shows great change worldwide. New Moon itself runs through Alaska and Hawaii, through Latin America, through Europe and Africa, and through Russia, China, and Southeast Asia.

This last hurrah of the tough Saturn-Pluto energies run through the U.S. Rocky Mts., eastern Europe and the Middle East, and Japan, New Guinea, and Australia. This form-regenerating duo converges in Baghdad.

Uranus, the energy of reform, disruption, and freedom, runs through Alaska, Latin America, Moscow, the Middle East, eastern Africa, and China, the Philippines, and Australia. It meets Mars in Cairo for an explosive conference.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2. The outgoing, extroverted, catalytic New Moon energies continue throughout the day. This is a very important weekend for planting seeds. Moon in Aquarius also makes it a communal weekend, where we want to share with friends or compatriots. All creative projects are favored now. Moon brings us a surprise as it goes VOC at 11:02 a.m. EST. The energy tone becomes a bit more subdued when Moon enters Pisces at 2:54 p.m., and we can focus on inner work for the remainder of this inventive and inspired day.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 3. Moon in Pisces squares Mars in Sagittarius, and we want to spread our energies and our work throughout the world. This is an energetic and universal day. We are connected to the cosmos.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4. Moon in Pisces goes VOC at 9:52 a.m. EST, and remains VOC in Pisces for the remainder of the day. VOC in Pisces is about as VOC as we can experience, i.e., we do tend to drift. However, this time we have a strong Saturnian influence, and if you get your direction set before 9:52 a.m., it can carry you through. With Pisces, activities which show imagination and inspiration are favored.

Venus enters Capricorn this morning to help us appreciate government, authority, and definite structure, for the next month. This is a good placement for an architect, a planner, or a graphic designer, as well as for the art business.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 5 and THURSDAY FEBRUARY 6. Moon is in Aries, and we are in fine fighting mode during these two long, successful days. Planets in Aries always start a new cycle, and now we begin a new lunar—emotional—cycle with a flourish. Aries’ planet, Mars, makes a fine energetic trine with Jupiter, who fills Mars with confidence. These days we feel like we can accomplish anything—and perhaps we can. Gung-ho energy flows until late Wednesday night.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7. We awaken still energized by militant Aries. At 9:21 a.m. Moon goes VOC, and remains so until it enters Taurus at 12:59 p.m. On the one hand, Taurus grounds us and brings us back to earth after our high-flying adventures. On the other hand, Moon in Taurus begins to put us in the pressure cooker of a fixed grand cross, often called a crucifixion, for the next three days. We will feel pushed to do something which requires us to give up something else.

At the heart of this cross is Juno in Scorpio, who sets the wheel of the cross turning as she squares Sun this morning. Since New Moon on February 1, Juno in Scorpio has been moving into this stressful cross. Juno in Scorpio wants a partnership which runs deep with desire for power. In order to maintain such a relationship, Juno will tend to betray her own best interests.

Juno feels beholden to power, and at the same time fearful of it. She is the smallest of the four major asteroids. And Jupiter, her husband, is the largest of the planets. Juno often finds herself a victim of careless domination, and among the disenfranchised. In a chart she always shows a place of deep fear, as well as desire for relationship. She is prominent in both individual and mundane charts in which terrorism is a focus.

Juno now is at 19 Scorpio, a sensitive degree area which has been highlighted by both Mars and Saturn for many years. There she picks up the Mars-Saturn ruthless energy. Jupiter is at 13 Leo, square Juno. Sun is at 19 Aquarius, a degree highlighted by eclipses in 1999 and 2000, and Moon will travel through 20 Taurus, the degree of the U.S. Vesta (investments, safety) and the degree of the Solar Eclipse in 1994 which set in motion the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995.

These are the four fixed signs—Aquarius, Taurus, Leo, and Scorpio, sometimes called the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

This configuration carries echoes of the great August 11, 1999 fixed cross eclipse, which traveled from the shores of New York City across the Atlantic Ocean, through Europe, the Middle East, and on to India. There was a huge earthquake in Istanbul after this eclipse, and Turkey has now become the crisis spot for a U.S. attack in the Middle East. 80-90% of the Turkish people, according to polls, do not want to help the U.S. with bases for war. Despite the $14 billion bribe which the U.S. is offering, the Turkish government is trying to be instrumental in promoting a peaceful solution. Turkey is one of the consistent high energy locations for 2003.

The coming Lunar Eclipse of November 8-9, 2003, also fits into this cross.

All of the middle degrees of fixed signs are power degrees. Thus we can know that the cross of today and tomorrow signifies power shifts. The eclipse connections show that these power shifts are major. Both New and Full Moons of February also tie into today’s energy.

The changes won’t be easy. With Juno, fear, terrorism, disenfranchisement, and abuse are involved.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8. Each day of this month builds on the last. Days are not discrete, but rather part of a month-long process. Today Moon moves on in Taurus, and the fixed cross continues its inexorable turning. The confident, optimistic Neptune-Jupiter opposition is featured now. Enjoying people and groups is part of the Leo-Aquarius energy. Now with the cross there is struggle, perhaps between our personal and/or selfish interests, and those of the collective.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9. First Quarter Moon at 20 Taurus occurs at 6:11 a.m. EST. Juno now is featured. She makes a T-square with Sun and Moon, and she is elevated at the top of the chart set for Washington DC. Reread the entry for February 7, for it continues to apply.

Moon now conjoins the Vesta of the U.S. Sibly chart. Vesta shows where the nation centers itself, and what it wants to protect. In Taurus the focus is on land, resources, and money. This First Quarter Moon is about protection of U.S. investments.

Seeds for this Moon were planted at the New Moon of May 12, 2002. That was the Moon at which the Pentagon announced that missile building was to start June 14, and when the Israelis re-invaded Palestine. Also, Bush admitted prior warnings re September 11; the Enron investigation began; and President Carter told Cuba they ought to try democracy, and that the U.S. embargo should be lifted. Afterwards Bush gave a hard-line speech in Miami, supporting the powerful Cuban Mafia headquartered there.

The infamous Pluto-Saturn opposition comes into prominence now, as Juno connects with powerhouse Pluto, and Moon connects with disciplinarian Saturn. This could represent lonely isolation, especially for the U.S.

Pluto, the Regenerator, and Saturn, the Law, are the most heavily aspected, and thus the most influential, planets in this chart.

Quincunx aspects dominate this First Quarter chart. In a quincunx aspect, planets which have nothing in common with one another are forced to work together. Quincunx aspects are very common in charts of big earth movements, catastrophes, and accidents.

For each of us, this is a time to compare spiritual and material values, and to make a statement about where we stand.

The Sabian Symbol for 20 Taurus is

"WISPS OF WINGLIKE CLOUDS STREAMING ACROSS THE SKY. The awareness of spiritual forces at work. Any emergence of life potentialities from the depth of the vast Unconscious is answered by the spiritual activity of superconscious forces in a cosmic kind of antiphony. The individual who has taken a new step in their evolution should look for the 'Signature' of divine Powers confirming their progress. It may reveal the meaning of what is to come next. The winglike clouds may also symbolize the presence of celestial beings blessing and subtly revealing the direction to take, the direction of the 'wind' of destiny. The BLESSINGS of supernatural forces."

MONDAY FEBRUARY 10. Moon is in lively Gemini, a fine way to begin the week. We’re drawn to all kinds of communication. We’re also willing to bustle around and attend to those pesky little details which we’ve left hanging. There are no aspects today to distract us, and we can get a lot done. Tonight romance, movies, music, or some form of art may attract us, as well as idealistic or inspirational conversation.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 11. Moon remains in Gemini, but today it has many aspects, which move us right along destiny’s pathway. By tonight we will have put something new into form, perhaps an idea or a perception. Vesta turns retrograde today. She is a pivotal actor in this month’s drama, and we will see a focus on money, resources, safety, and protection. Vesta in Libra also puts an emphasis on balanced relationships, part of this month’s work. She is also concerned with justice, especially as a guarantor of safety.

This retrograde shift moves the focus of Vesta issues of safety and security to inner levels for the next three months. Vesta turns direct again on May 11. These retrograde weeks will provide a golden opportunity to re-evaluate our real foundations of security. Do they lie in the trappings of military empire, or in world cooperation to promote better lives for everybody?

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 12. Early morning is exciting, but at 9:29 a.m. Moon goes VOC, and we might feel like a balloon deflating. At 12:19 p.m. Moon enters Cancer, and we turn our attention inward. We feel nurturing and sympathetic, and enjoy food, cooking, puttering around home, and connecting with family and dear ones. Tonight Mercury enters Aquarius, and intuition and ingenuity are stepped up for the rest of the month—just in time for the approaching big Full Moon week.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13 and FRIDAY FEBRUARY 14. In the midst of this Aquarian high vibrational period, we have two whole days of VOC Moon in Cancer. Perhaps the best use of this time is to reflect on our priorities. Family, relationships, justice, and money are now all involved in the meaning of security. The overall energy field is Aquarius-Leo, which is about humanity. What does it mean to be human? What are our basic needs as human? How can we best nurture ourselves, others, and life in general? Many critical issues now in front of us, especially political and scientific, demand that we circulate information and discussion, notice history, think about consequences, and above all, open our hearts.

We can conceptualize some of this inner work on Friday night, after 7:04 p.m. when Moon enters Leo. Drama is our best medium now. With Moon in Leo, we begin to build towards an exciting Full Moon, which occurs on Sunday night.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15. We enter a very big weekend. There are many exact aspects both today and tomorrow, which means much and varied action, as well as beginnings, endings, and turning points in various cycles. Moon is in Leo, which dramatizes everything for the audience, so that we can’t miss it. Aquarius says to stand up for your beliefs, and we will see this happening big-time.

This can be the turning point of the regeneration of democracy in the United States. Sun today exactly opposes Transpluto, the energy of resurrection. Sun is connected with the revolutionary planet of Uranus, as well as with the natal U.S. Moon and natal U.S. progressed Sun. (See Sibly chart for July 4, 1776.) This weekend’s events are history-making.

Idealistic vision is very strong now. Tomorrow we will experience the exact Jupiter-Neptune opposition, which specializes in big dreams. Today we get a preview, as Moon transits both of those large bodies, and arouses our emotions about visions of future possibilities.

Today we can demonstrate some of the priorities which we have been developing.

Sleep will be difficult tonight. Energy is intense throughout the night.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16. Full Moon at 28 Leo occurs at 6:51 p.m. EST. Since New Moon, we have moved from Aquarius, the democratic group, to Leo, the individual star. Being able to shine within the group is important. Taking charge can be important. The pitfall comes in outshining others, in being overbearing, in not allowing each one their place in the sun. Now at Full Moon we work with this group-individual polarity.

Yes, this is the "party" moon, but this year the party will be of worldwide and long-term significance. Many of the turning points now go back to issues of the last half of the 90’s.

Leo rules the heart, and accessing our heart energy is the key now to right action.

This is a Uranian Moon, when action breaks through the bonds of restraint. Sun now conjoins Uranus, exact tomorrow, to set a new cycle of reform in motion. Moon has just crossed over Transpluto, to open a deep regeneration of heart energy and of ruling forces, both inner and outer.

This is a very potent Moon. It is conjoined the Pallas-Moon and the progressed Sun of the U.S. It makes a grand cross with the year’s Taurus-Scorpio eclipses.

This Leo Moon conjoins Israel’s Mars, arousing people in the Holy Land about Israel’s aggression. It also makes a fixed T-square with the Sun of Israel, challenging Israel’s purpose. This could be a breakthrough for visionary leaders to bring peace to that troubled land.

The day begins early with the visionary, restless Jupiter-Neptune opposition. Boundaries are hard to maintain now; expansion is infinite. This is the middle hit of a nine-month cycle which began last September 11-12, when Bush gave his UN speech re the need for war with Iraq. The third and final hit will occur June 2, just as Saturn (government) is entering Cancer, the sign of home and family. It appears that Jupiter opposing Neptune is showing us three stages of war: (1) the propaganda war and the troop buildup, (2) the attack, and (3) the cleanup.

War is supported by another powerful aspect. Warrior Mars conjoins Pluto, the energy of birth and death, both closely aspecting Juno in Scorpio, discussed above. Victimization is apparent.

The U.S. is the perpetrator, for Saturn—also part of the Pluto-Mars-Juno group—now conjoins the U.S. Mars. Saturn and Mars is a harsh combination. Add Pluto to it, and the harshness is intense, and can feel like torture. This combination runs over Canada, the U.S., Venezuela, and most of South America except for Brazil, a nation which is pursuing its own path.

We also see the Saturn-Mars-Pluto energy through Russia, the Balkans, the Middle East, and most of Africa. Mars and Pluto are prominent in Beijing, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia.

GW’s Mars conjoins the Ascendant of this Full Moon chart set for Washington DC. His assertion catalyzes the action for the U.S.

The U.S. Uranus sits precisely at the top, overseeing all, and making its public place in the world. Independence is a keyword for Uranus. Science and technology are also associated with Uranus. This degree, 9 Gemini, is often called the nuclear degree because of its frequent association with nuclear energy.

Nine Gemini is also the degree of the fixed star, Aldebaran, precisely overhead in Washington at this time. In the sky Aldebaran is in the constellation of Taurus. It is a bright reddish star which is called the "eye of the Bull." It has a Martian character and, according to Reinhold Ebertin, gives extraordinary energy which can lead to prestige. However, it also evokes opposition, and enemies who will threaten harm.

Exactly opposite Aldebaran, at the very heart of the chart set for Washington DC, is the fixed star Antares. This is another bright reddish Mars-like star which, says Ebertin, makes people tough, belligerent, and pugnacious. It can add courage and foolhardiness.

Fixed stars in prominent positions over Washington DC show that this moment has major worldwide impact.

There is great power in this Moon, just as there is in the United States. How can we best use it?

The Sabian Symbol for 28 Aquarius is

"A TREE FELLED AND SAWED TO ENSURE A SUPPLY OF WOOD FOR THE WINTER. Knowledge and skill used in its natural surroundings for the satisfaction of vital basic needs. INTELLIGENT FORESIGHT."

MONDAY FEBRUARY 17. Moon is in practical Virgo, and we can begin to manifest the weekend’s inspiration and/or regeneration. Sun conjoins Uranus, and the high-frequency vibrations continue. Uranus brings us surprises which can be shocking.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18. The Full Moon action continues. Moon in Virgo stimulates the unforgiving Mars-Pluto-Saturn complex this morning. This is an excellent combination for really hard work. At 10:56 a.m. Moon goes VOC for the rest of the day, but it will not be a day of relaxation, for Mars is heading for its exact opposition with Saturn on Thursday. The wheels of extraordinary effort grind on.

Tonight Sun enters Pisces to set us on the path of a big vibrational shift which can ultimately, during the next couple of years, open our hearts. We may find our stubbornness beginning to melt away.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19 and THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20. Moon is in airy Libra, and we return to a focus on the head-tripping air signs which have dominated these last two years. Extroverted, action-oriented fire signs have co-dominated, along with air. Think of fire and air together. Out-of-control, they sweep away everything in their path. This combination has characterized the Bush Administration. On these two days we see the air and fire signs in full action again.

Harsh behavior continues, along with air sign propaganda. Things move easily—but what is it that is being accomplished?

We may begin to wonder now. For with Sun now in water sign Pisces, perhaps sensitivity and compassion can speak, and can question the heedlessness of this steamrollering fire-air combination.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21 and SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22. This is what we’ve been waiting for. Saturn, disciplinarian, protector of tradition and of authority, turns direct between these two days. Now Saturn stands tall, ready to assert its authority, stimulated by the U.S. Mars. Last October, when Saturn turned retrograde, the U.S. Congress passed the War-making Resolution, which turned Congress’s authority to declare war over to the President. At the same time, the Pentagon deployed the headquarters staffs of the Marines and of the Army to Kuwait. Saturn is for real, and now it’s show-and-tell.

Moon these days is in intense Scorpio, a tough position, associated with death and regeneration.

Friday morning moves easily, but challenges come to the fore in the afternoon.

Saturn turns direct early Saturday morning, at 2:40 a.m. EST. At that time, Pluto and Mars are rising in Washington. That combination characterizes the intense aggressive energy afoot there.

At this time transiting Chiron in Capricorn is exactly squaring GW’s Libra Chiron. This means crisis in action time for him. With Chiron in Libra, GW’s wounding and healing come through his experiences of mirroring himself in others through relationships. This is how he discovers who he is. With his own Sun and Saturn in his twelfth house of hidden things, he needs a Saturnian figure who can help him to define himself. His fixations on his father, his mother, and Dick Cheney, as well as many others, are outgrowths of this need.

Perhaps playing the role of a Saturnian figure who himself can consign nations to war will make him feel like he is somebody.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23. Last Quarter Moon at 5 Sagittarius occurs at 11:46 a.m. EST. With Moon in Sagittarius we feel adventurous and confident.

This is an intense Moon for all of us. Fourth Quarter is letting-go time, and we are now beginning to release our difficult Pluto-Saturn cycle. It is also "crisis in consciousness" time, when we take with us the lasting values of the Aquarian independence cycle which we are completing, and let the rest go.

Mutable signs dominate now, and they allow us more freedom and flexibility than we’ve had. Mutable signs especially support spiritual growth.

This Quarter Moon refers back to November 25, 2000, when GW declared himself President-elect. These next nine months will show what he has learned, and they may be the final turn of the wheel of his "presidency."

Strong action continues, for heavyweights Saturn, Pluto, Mars, and Uranus dominate the chart set for Washington.

The Sabian Symbol for 5 Sagittarius is

"AN OLD OWL SITS ALONE ON THE BRANCH OF A LARGE TREE. A poised and wise approach to existence based on a clear perception of unconscious factors and their operation. The owl functions lucidly in the night aspect of existence. His eyes see what we normally fail to perceive. It suggests the possibility of developing a wisdom beyond tragedy, a peace and poise beyond conflict. One might speak here of TRANSLUCIDITY."

MONDAY FEBRUARY 24. We awaken this morning full of ideas. Sharing and communicating will be important. During afternoon and evening Moon meets Pluto, Saturn and Mars in turn. They all stimulate hard work, and sometimes, conflict. Be prepared to expend energy, perhaps until late.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 25

We can calm down today, for Moon is in quiet Capricorn with easy aspects. This is an exceedingly productive day.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 26

Powerful Pluto and victimized Juno meet Mercury today to raise consciousness about their sado-masochistic dance. Somehow they fit neatly into the establishment. This is a good day to communicate with important people about practical plans for the future. Intuition in regard to investments is excellent.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27

We may awaken with loving feelings, and perhaps we can carry them on into the VOC morning. At 2:24 p.m. EST, Moon enters Aquarius, and our minds are on fast-forward for the rest of the day. We may want to communicate with distant friends.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28

Today is both mystical and practical, inventive and nostalgic. We are sensitive, and may want to be alone. It’s a wonderful day for contemplation and for spiritual work. Inspiration abounds, and we can give ourselves the space and quiet to allow it to enter.