Horoscope: February 18 to 24, 2019
Astrologer Pam Younghans writes this weekly astrological journal based on planetary influences, and offers perspectives and insights to assist you in making the best use of current energies. This column is not intended as prediction. Your own experience will be more specifically defined by transits to your personal chart.
Highlighted Aspects for This Week
All times listed are Pacific Standard Time. For Eastern Time, add 3 hours. For Greenwich Mean Time, add 8 hours.
MON: Chiron enters Aries 1:07 a.m., Venus conjunct Saturn 2:51 a.m., Pluto semisquare Ceres, Mercury semisquare Uranus, Sun enters Pisces 3:03 p.m., Mercury conjunct Neptune 10:36 p.m.
TUE: Full Moon 7:53 a.m., Mercury sextile Saturn
WED: Sun semisquare Saturn, Uranus opposite Pallas Athene
THU: Mercury semisquare Mars
FRI: Mercury square Jupiter 12:39 p.m., Venus conjunct Pluto 7:52 p.m.
SAT: Mars sesquiquadrate Jupiter 7:59 a.m., Mercury sextile Pluto 9:17 a.m.
OUR FULL MOON on Tuesday is also a SuperMoon, and happens to be the largest such event of 2019. A SuperMoon is a Full Moon that occurs when the Moon is at its closest proximity to the Earth (at perigee). This is possible because the Moon's orbit around the Earth is not an exact circle, but somewhat elliptical.
A SuperMoon appears larger than other Full Moons -- and, while the event is more spectacular visually, it also has a stronger impact on the tides, on the Earth's tectonic plates, and on our emotions and physical bodies. The word "lunacy" came about because of the heightened emotional responses and erratic behavior that were observed at the time of a Full Moon. Those traits may be even more apparent than usual around the time of this week's SuperMoon, which perfects at 7:53 a.m. PST on Tuesday, February 19.
ALSO NOTABLE about this Full Moon is that it occurs at 00°42? Virgo, aligned with the fixed star Regulus. As we can assume from its regal name, Regulus brings up themes of "royalty" -- both literal kings and queens, and those who hold leadership positions by other titles. Certainly leaders are very much in the news these days, and this Full Moon may bring about a culmination or crisis point in their activities.
When the energy of Regulus is activated this week, both the positive and negative qualities of the star are magnified. The Cowardly Lion in the movie "The Wizard of Oz" comes to mind as demonstrating both ends of the spectrum. At the beginning of the film, the Lion rules by roaring and intimidation, as a mask for his lack of self-confidence ("if I only had the noive"); these are the negative qualities of Regulus. By the end of the tale, the Lion is no longer cowardly, having learned that his true strength lies in his compassionate heart, and that kindness does not make one weak.
To make best use of this Full Moon on a personal level, we will want to emulate the greatest leaders we have known, those who weave heart and kindness into their actions. Each one of us is the ruler of our personal realms, and therefore has ability to reign with either generosity or arrogance.
THE COMPLEX NATURE of the energy field this week is revealed not only through our SuperMoon, but also through the heightened activity of other planets. Monday is a particularly dynamic day, starting with Chiron's re-entry into Aries.
Chiron, known as the Wounded Healer, has the formidable task of both exposing and healing humanity's wounds and fears. The wounds it exposed while in Pisces (2010-2018) include a lack of faith, fears of the unknown and a lack of control, and a tendency to revert to the role of victim or martyr; these wounds have been revealed in many ways in the past nine years, and we are now moving beyond that phase of our healing journey.
The Centaur stepped into Aries briefly in 2018 (from April 17 to September 25), but then revisited Pisces to wrap up some unfinished business. As Chiron moves through Aries (until 2026-27), it will uncover and begin to heal wounds associated with a lack of self-confidence, with the fear that we don't have "the right" to be ourselves or to have what we desire, and with the tendency to revert to anger and aggression as a way of asserting ourselves. We will be uncovering old scars in these areas, and learning how to love the part of us that feels the pain of these wounds.
ALSO ON MONDAY, Venus aligns with Saturn in Capricorn. Their joining focuses our attention on what we most value and how to align our goals with those values. This is the annual alignment between these two planets, and marks the beginning of a new cycle related to how we manifest relationships, how we bring resources into our lives, and where we invest our heart energy, whether in people, possessions, or goals.
In contrast to the practical this-world demands of the Venus-Saturn conjunction, Mercury aligns with Neptune in mystical Pisces on Monday. This annual rendezvous provides a link between our conscious minds and the higher realms, making it more possible to access both our creative and our spiritual muse. It marks the beginning of a new cycle in these areas of our experience, and suggests that we be especially open to insights from dreams and guides on Monday and Tuesday.
This Mercury-Neptune alignment builds on some of the promises of the Sun, which enters Pisces on Monday. As the Sun makes its yearly transit of the twelfth sign, we move into a time of contemplation, completion, and release, in preparation for the Aries Equinox and Full Moon on March 20.
WHILE EACH DAY this week has at least some planetary activity -- which means the energy keeps flowing and changing -- the other days that appear to be most significant are Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, a Mercury-Jupiter square signifies a tendency to exaggerate, and also increases the potentials for self-deception. Throughout the day, we will need to keep a clear head and an objective eye when involved in any exchange of ideas or communications.
At the same time, a Venus-Pluto alignment stirs passions in all areas ruled by Venus -- our relationships with others, our material possessions, and how we invest our resources. At its best, this planetary joining gives us the opportunity to be more completely honest and revelatory with loved ones, and to create new forms of great and lasting value in our lives. At its worst, it enhances the need to control, manifesting through jealousies, anger, and power struggles.
These themes continue into Saturday, when a hard Mars-Jupiter aspect early in the day can evoke a stubborn resistance to new ideas or activities. Thankfully, a Mercury-Pluto sextile is also in effect, providing the opportunity for us to work together to manifest an ideal, rather than seeing others as the opposition. This aspect helps us find a common goal, and intuitively work together toward that goal -- a very positive way to wrap up an eventful week!
IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: As you journey through the year ahead, you will be challenged to find new ways to relate to significant others in your life -- partners and family members in particular. It is your natural tendency to be caring and compassionate, but you will be quite aware this year of when those fine qualities slip into self-denial and self-sacrifice. Your job will be to redefine these relationships, through getting clear on what "love" and "support" mean from the higher perspective. When you tap into your needs of the moment, trust that what is truly best for one is ultimately best for all. As you follow your soul's guidance, you can help your loved ones grow in their capacity to take charge of their lives. You can also develop a greater faith that they are not alone. Like you, they have an invisible support system that surrounds them. This awareness enables you to realize the role you can play that will be most helpful in their growth. They are learning -- as are you -- to be personally responsible, and to move beyond codependent tendencies.
About the Author
Pam Younghans is a professional astrologer, editor, and writer. She lives in a log home northeast of Seattle, Washington with her beloved animal companions. She has been interpreting charts professionally for over 25 years. If you are interested in an astrology reading, e-mail
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