Astrology at Work in February 2004 - Yods affecting Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces

by Robert Wilkinson

The planets in Aquarius this month sextile Pluto and double quincunx Saturn, forming a Yod, or "Finger of God," forcing multiple "expansions through sacrifices" wherever it falls in our maps. I've written extensively about the Yod and its effect at this link with more about Saturn's influence as the handle of the current "Bucket" configuration here.

Since Saturn is the focus of these February hard adjustments and sacrifices that will expand us, let's examine a little more about how its influence will affect us. Any Yod forces us to focus, and exclude all that cannot be focused in a narrow but powerful release pattern. What we're learning voluntarily give up now will be important in helping us understand the Taurus Yods coming in May relating to the same planets.

In February the Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Neptune are all in Aquarius. Something important to keep in mind is that any planet in a sign is influenced by another planet that rules that sign. Since Saturn and Uranus are the rulers of Aquarius, they will exert a stronger influence than usual on any planet in Aquarius. Thus Saturn "rules" the Sun, Venus, and Mercury when they are in Aquarius. So besides being part of the Yod, Saturn also rules whatever planet is in Aquarius making the Yod.

(Uranus also has a strong influence on Aquarian planets, but more in the spiritual realm, or the realm of larger forces at work beyond individual control. Uranus brings us the revolutionary earthquake that liberates us and forces individuation; Saturn represents the limits of what we're able to do, or not, within the new condition.)

Besides Aquarius, Saturn also rules Capricorn in this world of form, and so will also exert a major influence over Mars when it enters Capricorn on February 6. This month Saturn affects Venus-ruled Taurus and Libra, since Venus is in Aquarius most of February. Since Mercury is in Aquarius the first half of the month, Saturn affects Mercury-ruled Gemini and Virgo, as well as these sectors in all our charts.

All four of these signs, along with Leo, will be having their rulers in Aquarius for at least the first part of the month. Saturn will be doubly powerful when the Sun, Mercury, and Venus each begins the Yod at 22 Aquarius before finishing at 24 or 25 Aquarius. This puts the focus of the Yod effect on February 8-11 (Sun-Mercury) and February 18-19 (Venus). This particular Yod is extraordinarily powerful, since the New Moon on February 8 forms one leg of the Yod, thus affecting the month after that. Get ready to squeeze out even more unnecessary accumulations in behavior, feeling, and thought. Since so many planets are influenced this month by Saturn, let's briefly explore some of its present qualities.

Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius in the world of changing forms. Saturn is still in Cancer, continuing to put the focus on home, family, needs, and the maturing of our personal habits to bring us the fulfillment we want. In our Cancer, Capricorn, and Aquarius sectors of our lives, we are still consolidating the wisdom we’ve embraced since October 2003, and established our foundation. We've been seeing what we need for survival, and our daily lives have all been profoundly affected. For the planets in Aquarius this month, Saturn brings caution, conservatism, and social-emotional-cultural wisdom. There's also a stronger tendency to play defense when there's a big Cancer influence.

Being in the Pisces decan (third) of Cancer, Saturn is helping us all not to be afraid of deep, uncertain feelings, closures to come and echos to remember as we say goodbye and hello. It's a great time to release all the strange or vague emotions left over from the past that you no longer want to carry in your subconsciousness. (Oh yeah - eating and drinking are not substitutes for doing the release work!)

From February 1-6, exchange ideas, mirror and reflect what is and could be, and go for fellowship. From February 7-23, dare to dream the great dream, and if your life could be an adventure, what would it look like? You will see manifestations and returns based in the power of your well-defined desires you've held before now. This will impact what shows up in April and May 2005. The end of the month offers chances of fulfilling your life's dream or ambition, with the need to see art as a way to manifest the highest human values, elevating all. It establishes the platform for what's to come throughout the rest of the year.

© Copyright 2006 Robert Wilkinson. Last update: 8/27/2006; 10:52:17 AM.