StarWatch by James Jarvis, M.A. February 2 Mercury enters Aquarius. Mercury enters the sign of Aquarius on February 2 and will be there until February 20. With Mercury in Aquarius this month, the emphasis is on liberating (Uranus) the mind (Mercury). The Aquarian influence helps us to break free from any ways in which our thinking has become crystallized or stagnant. Use Mercury in Aquarius to help open your mind to new possibilities and insights. Be willing to act on any "illuminations" or intuitive insights that you might receive during this period. February 2-5 Mars square Pluto. Mars in Pisces is in challenging relationship to Pluto in Sagittarius for the next couple of days. With the Mars/Pluto combination, we have an opportunity to direct our willpower into projects that bring out our sense of compassion or inspire us to serve others. On the other hand, though, this combination can represent a time when our tolerance for others is at a breaking point! The way to deal with the "pent-up" energy of the square is to find a cause you believe in and take action. This will help shift the energy from frustration to empowerment. February 4 Jupiter enters Pisces. Jupiter moves out of Aquarius on February 4 and into the sign of Pisces until February 1999. Jupiter is the planet that symbolizes the universal principle of expansion. With Jupiter in Pisces, we are called to expand our ability to trust in universal support. In other words, by surrendering our illusion of being in control, we create the possibility for the emergence of a deeper experience of faith and trust in the universe. Jupiter in Pisces reminds us that we are connected to a larger whole, that we are not separate from God/Goddess. The energy of Jupiter in Pisces is very similar to the universal year 9 (1998) theme of Unity, which I mentioned in last month’s column. We are being asked to explore how we can transcend our separateness and move more fully into an understanding of what unity consciousness is like this year. The key words to facilitate this process are surrender, faith, and trust. February 5 Venus direct at 18 degrees Capricorn. Venus, which has been retrograde since December 26, goes direct on February 5. During Venus’ retrograde in Capricorn we’ve had an opportunity to reinvent our values so that they are rooted in our own unique experience. Since the planet Venus rules or is associated with the heart chakra, during this retrograde period we’ve had an opportunity to share our heart with others, to let down our guard so that we can be truly received and appreciated for who we are. In many ways this retrograde period has asked us to look at how we can be more connected with our deepest, most authentic values. Now that Venus is going direct again, finances and cash flow should improve, particularly if we’ve made the effort to be more conscious about 1) what we are doing with our money and 2) how aligned our spending is with our values. Did you try tracking your spending last month? If so, you can use that information to help you see where you might want to cut back — or spend more — in certain areas. With Venus in Capricorn, we want to get tangible value out of what we purchase, so look for well constructed, solid craftsmanship that will really last for a while. It’s also a great time to start saving for or investing in whatever we truly value. February 7-8 Mercury conjunct Uranus. Mercury and Uranus symbolize different aspects of the mind. Mercury represents the concrete mind and its major activities: speaking, writing, teaching, and communicating. Uranus is seen as the higher octave of Mercury as it represents contact with higher mind, or that state of consciousness where all knowledge resides. With the conjunction of these planets in Aquarius we have much greater access to the realm of higher mind than usual. Be especially attuned to guidance coming from your guides, masters, and angelic or devic spirits at this time. February 11 Full moon in Leo. At 2:23 a.m. this morning the moon is full in Leo. With the full moon in Leo we have an opportunity to bring to light our inner, divine child. Take time to tap into the qualities of the divine child this month: spontaneity, authenticity, creativity, and fun! For many people who had to be responsible at an early age, these qualities may seem quite foreign. Learning how to express more of these qualities in your life this month, though, may be just the ticket for freeing up your creativity and your aliveness. February 18 Sun enters Pisces. The sun enters the sign of Pisces on February 18 at 6:51 a.m. It is in the final stage of nature's cycle during the sign of Pisces that the composting soil is becoming ready for spring planting. The breaking up process that has taken place in Aquarius is taken to its logical conclusion in the complete destruction of form, blending into the whole. The Pisces principle involves surrendering the personal sense of "I" to allow for integration into the whole. Our job when planets are journeying through the sign of Pisces is to learn the value of surrender and to open our consciousness so that we can transcend our perception of separateness. Creating a sense of distinct personal boundaries is often one of the greatest challenges for those that have been very open emotionally and intuitively from an early age. February 20 Mercury in Pisces. With Mercury in Pisces from February 20 until March 8, we have an opportunity to communicate our understanding of these principles to others. As we learn the lessons that Saturn in Aries has taught us over the last two years — walking our talk, taking a stand for ourselves, and creating distinct boundaries — we can then flow more gracefully with the Piscean energies without fear of losing ourselves through unconscious merging with others. Creating a sense of distinct personal boundaries is often one of the greatest challenges for those that have been very open emotionally and intuitively from an early age. Oftentimes the intuitive sees his or her gifts as a liability rather than an asset. The hidden blessing from the soul perspective, though, is that the intuitive/feeler personality has had great training in merging or transcending self. If we can reframe these abilities in a spiritual context this month (i.e. the "urge to merge" with spirit) then the highest manifestation of Pisces energies, the desire for unity consciousness, can emerge. February 26 New moon and total eclipse of the sun. At 9:26 a.m. this morning the new moon will totally eclipse the sun at 7 degrees Pisces. During a solar eclipse, as viewed from earth, the sun and moon appear to be the same size. The eclipse represents a synthesis, or joining, of the solar and lunar energies. Although it looks like the moon is obscuring the sun, they are actually becoming one, or conjoining together. With both the sun and moon in Pisces, we once again come up with the theme of unity consciousness. The total eclipse in Pisces represents the archetypal blending of masculine and feminine energies in service of the process of transcendence. As Jesus, in the Gospel of Thomas, said, "When you make the two one, and when you make the outside like the inside, and the above like the below, and when you make the male and female one and the same...then you enter the kingdom of God." In other words, the total eclipse of the sun in Pisces provides us with an opportunity to more fully dedicate ourselves to the process of transcending the limitations of individuality and merging with spirit. Let the total eclipse of the sun in Pisces reveal to you how deeply you are connected with spirit this month and always. James Jarvis, M.A. is a master astrologer and psychospiritual counselor. He is available for astrological and numerological LifePath readings and psychospiritual counseling for individuals and couples Mondays and Fridays at Bayside Center for Healing in Kirkland ([425] 821-3394) and Tuesdays and Thursdays at East West Bookshop in Seattle ([206] 523-3726). For a brochure on his services, Transpersonal Training classes, or to schedule appointments please call (425) 774-4975 or e-mail <lifquest@gte.net>.