MONTHLY SINCE 1999
ISSUE # 260

February 2021

Note: All aspects are most powerful and effective as they apply. Once the transit has completed, its force is lessened. The further it separates the weaker it becomes.

If you’re interested in a personal reading please go to my website www.mitchastro.com or contact me directly through email at mitchastro@aol.com

AUTHOR’S NOTES:

This month we will experience some quick moving transits that could have an effect. But there is one major aspect we need to look at with care. Saturn will be in square to Uranus February 17^th. We will have this square three times in 2021, and it demands some attention. Because this is a transit involved slower moving planets its effects will be felt in advance and for quite a bit after the completion each time. This is often a bearish transit for the stock markets. No aspect creates the same effect every time it completes. But this is one of the most common ones that affect the equities, so I am being very cautious in my trading and watching for any signals that a correction is coming. For the moment, while I believe the stock markets, commodities, Bitcoin, etc. are way overpriced and prime for a retreat we are in a rather unique time when certain fundamentals could continue to support this rather lackluster sideways move. Only Bitcoin is exploding on the upside (with the exception of the stocks being manipulated by Reddit, and we’ve seen how that can play out. Is Bitcoin a bubble? I think so. But who knows when that bubble will burst or how high it could go before it does. I clearly remember the Dot Com bubble. I was trading on the floor of the Mercantile Exchange and the astrology showed very clearly when that bubble would burst. I will examine it in an upcoming webinar on the economy. And even though I tried to warn my friends to take their profits and get out, many refused to believe that it would ever collapse. The results cost an estimated 6.2 trillion dollars and took the Nasdaq 15 years to recover. We are certainly in a bubble now, although as history has shown sometimes it’s fairly easy (using astrology and other tools) to predict the top, other times it’s very difficult to predict exactly when that bubble will pop.

We are experiencing a powerful buildup of planets traveling through Aquarius: The Sun, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter & Saturn. This is testing many of your ideas and you will find that you are questioning things you had taken for granted for a long time. That’s fine as long as you don’t let all of your stabilizing forces dissipate. That’s not what this energy wants. It just wants you to think outside the box and to consider different ways of approaching your life, projects and problems.

You may have noticed that this newsletter is titled February 2021, and listed as 2-21B. The lunar cycles do not correspond evenly with the calendar year, and at some point they overlap with the month before, so about once a year I must adjust my titles to fit. Next month the cycle will fall in March, and I will title it 3-21.

NEW MOON:

The New Moon falls on Thursday February 11^th at 2:06 P.M. EST at 23 degrees Aquarius 17 minutes and it’s a Void of Course Moon. The Aquarius New Moon that occurs in February each year is often a time when we seek a new direction or change in attitude. Because it occurs in the midst of winter (at least in the north) it can sometimes go unnoticed as we’re busy running for the warmth and our comfort, and perhaps not paying as much attention to our inner conversation. But there is a conversion taking place as we explore new and innovative ways of looking at our lives and our issues. While I admittedly have never been a big fan of winter (I’m a July summer baby) with the bundling, unbundling, shivering, wet feet, icicles dripping on my head, etc. I do enjoy the extra time spent inside. It’s good for my writing and my contemplation. True, we have had more than our share of troubles this past year, but the nation will settle down, the winter will wane, and the pandemic will end, and then we will only have the memories of what we did while so many of us were often isolated. So make use of it and do some good work. Even though I prefer the summer breeze to the wailing mournful cry of winter’s harsh wind, I recognize the necessity of the yin-yang of the seasons coursing through my lifetime. So I try to take advantage of each; and this month as we travel through the fixed winter sign we are most deeply in winter’s grasp and should cherish the days we count until spring. While Tom Petty was right, sometimes “The Waiting is the Hardest Part”, it is also said that the anticipation, the built up anxiety the (can I say it?) foreplay can be a state of exhilaration and serious passion. April will come one day, and all of this will just be a memory. So use this time well and dig deep into your psyche. You may be very surprised at what you discover.

Because the Moon goes Void of Course on this aspect there will be a sense of detachment and possibly erratic energy all month. The first aspect that quickly follows a New Moon sets the stage for the undercurrent for that month. A Void Moon is not connected to anything and can seemingly act on its own accord with no rules, no rhyme or reason. The best way to handle it is to let go of your expectations and just follow the snow laden path through the woods. If you have faith it will eventually lead you home.

 

MERCURY CONJUNCTS VENUS:

On Saturday February 13^th at 2:48 A.M. EST we begin a weekend with a series of some very positive and optimistic transits. Conversations will be pleasant and there will be a lot of charm being tossed around. Of course it won’t all be real, but since we’re approaching Valentine’s Day, who cares? This is a good day for any exchange and for smoothing things over. You may not feel like discussing life, death, politics or deep things, so keep the chatter easy and enjoy it. It’s a good day to tell someone you care without going overboard. Because Mercury will conjunct Jupiter on Sunday this is a great weekend for any socializing. I know it’s rather limited at the moment, but even a Zoom or phone call can bridge the gap. Reach out and let those you love know it.

 

MARS SEXTILES NEPTUNE:

On Saturday February 13^th at 9:13 P.M. EST a gentler atmosphere will prevail. Mars’ aggression can be soothed a lot by Neptune’s presence. This combination can create some confusion as we don’t seem to know what to do with any angst or anger that is prevalent, and it’s important to find a way of expressing it. The usual ranting and raving probably won’t work. You need to find a more passive and spiritual way of releasing your tension. This doesn’t mean that you won’t feel some pressure or that you should pretend it isn’t there. It only implies that how you project it out into the world could have a profound effect on the results.

 

MERCURY CONJUNCTS JUPITER: HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

On Sunday February 14^th at 4:40 P.M. EST

What a delightful aspect for Valentine’s Day!  This is a great transit that will help make all conversations pleasant while intensifying our views and ideas. But it has the potential for so much more. This is an expansive and optimistic energy and it will be a day of lively dialogue and far-sighted thoughts. If you’ve been working on a problem or trying to find a solution to something you might just make a breakthrough now. Of course, this is a quick moving transit and won’t have enough force to change the world or fix all of your problems, still sometimes all it takes is a little shove in the right direction to find a new path. Take advantage of this pleasurable combination and let go a little. Because this occurs in radical Aquarius where we are currently experiencing a huge buildup of planetary energy, you shouldn’t expect the usual banter or hold too tightly to your preconceived ideas about how things should be. We are in a strange period when many of our notions will be challenged and some very unexpected results may happen. We can see it in the ongoing political battles and many of us are seeing it in our personal lives. Try to stay loose and take things as they come.

If you’re lucky enough to be with someone you care about you will be able to easily express your feelings (romantic or not) and can share the positive and outgoing energy of this transit. This is also a great day for any kind of travel. If you can’t get onto a train, boat or plane; or into a car and head to the country, take a walk. The neighborhood might look more inviting and you may discover a charming little restaurant with a fireplace that is socially distanced and just happens to have a free table right near the fire. Happy Valentine’s Day whether you’re in love or just reminiscing. Try to warm yourself in the glow of couples and don’t think of this as Single’s Awareness Day as one of my dearest friends likes to call it. Love comes in many forms. So ask someone – Won’t you be my Valentine? And remember, it’s dinner, not a lifetime commitment. So lighten up.

 

SATURN SQUARES URANUS:

On Wednesday February 17^th at 2:08 P.M. EST this powerful and conflicting aspect will complete for the first of three times this year. Saturn rules all things that are unwavering and settled. It has domain over banks, houses, the housing markets, and the stability we come to rely upon. Uranus is its polar opposite. It wants radical and unrestricted change. This is why many times when the stock markets crash these two planets (father and son in mythology) are at odds. This doesn’t mean that we will have a crash, though I do expect a weakened market in 2021. I expect some shaky times and several corrections in the equities. However, the events that may occur this year, such as a stimulus package, an infrastructure bill and the lessening of the pandemic might be sufficient to sideline a major market event. Still it would be prudent to watch your investments carefully. This is an aspect that tests our resolve and what we think of as stability. Things are certainly being shaken up now, politically, economically and socially. How well we contend with the challenges this square will present will have much to do with what our world looks like in the coming few years. If we can find our footing then things may become more stable and we can move forward. If not, or if the inner conflicts within our society become too strained then we will find it’s a matter of one step forward, two steps back.

In our personal lives the hard aspects between these heavenly bodies denote change, sometimes in a very basic and cautionary level. Don’t hold on too tightly to your preconceived notions. You may find that what you thought was solid ground is really quicksand. So stay within arm’s reach of your stabilizing forces and while you should be prepared for some radical adjustments, try to also stay within reach of the people, places, ideas and values you have learned to trust. Sometimes the only difference between strength and weakness is what you can rely on when the storm comes knocking at your door.

 

THE SUN ENTERS PISCES:

On Thursday February 18^th at 5:44 A.M. EST we enter the mutable part of winter. Now we will slowly (and I do mean slowly) begin to move into the next season. Pisces and March can be brutal at times as it tries to teach us the lessons of inner peace and acceptance. This is the last sign and can represent the culmination of all that has gone before. As we reach the 12^thsign or house we are asked to complete things and essentially to clean up the mess we have made all year. The catch-phrase for Pisces is: Serve or Suffer.

With Mercury about to go direct in a few days the energy around us will be changing and you need to be prepared. This aspect, which of course occurs the same time each year, has a number of meanings. You are being taken to task spiritually and being asked to look at your life from an unattached perspective. We are in the heart of winter and those of us not lucky enough to be in a tropic paradise are often locked in during this month, even without a pandemic. But the energy being emitted is the same whether you’re in Miami or in Wisconsin freezing your tuchus off (look it up). This is a time when we are internalizing much and trying to gain some understanding from an ethereal point of view. Allow your mind the freedom to

 

VENUS SQUARES MARS:

On Friday February 19^th at 6:04 P.M. EST this fairly frequent aspect completes. When the male and female planets are in conflict there is a tug-of-war between the yin and yang. This occurs both in the outside world and within ourselves. We are all made up of male and female, or more correctly assertive and receptive energy. How well they are balanced within you has much to do with how you get along with yourself. It also is quite reflective on your relationships with others. This doesn’t have to be a day of discord, although there may be some conflict between the sexes, it would be wise to think before you act and don’t assume that the other person sees things the same way you do. If you can see the situation through their eyes to some extent you may handle it better and avoid some disorder. While squares are considered hard or difficult aspects, they are stimulating and often push things forward. This square can often create energy and desire between people. While it could lead to an argument, that disagreement might be followed by passion. Humans are very complicated beings. Ever since I arrived on this strange planet I have observed them and still find their actions sometimes difficult to understand or predict. They can offer you a beautiful flower in a fisted glove, giving both love and pain at the same time.

 

MERCURY GOES DIRECT:

On Saturday February 20^th at 7:52 P.M. EST Mercury finally turns around and the energy will change once again. This retrograde has occurred entirely in the sign of Aquarius so there have been a lot of deviations and surprises over the past three weeks. Some were pleasant and some not so much. But with Aquarius energy you must take what comes your way and figure out how to use it in the most constructive manner. It may be erratic and unpredictable, but if you can let go of your preconceived notions you will discover something new. Now as Mercury reverses direction we can expect even more impulsive and unexpected news and events. If you’ve been putting off an important conversation you may no longer have that option. The phone might ring and you will be faced with the need to finally deal with the situation.

As this planet changes direction we will most likely hear some rather unsettling things. Some will be difficult to accept, but others may be just what you’ve been waiting for, even if you don’t know it. The trick to dealing with Aquarius and its ruler, Uranus is implied in the very basics of Buddhist philosophy – expectations lead to disappointment. Without them you are better able to accept whatever the universe offers you. Try that attitude for a while and see how it works out for you.

 

VENUS ENTERS PISCES:

On Thursday February 25^th at 8:11 A.M. EST until March 21^st at 10:16 A.M. EDT the planet of love, money and pleasure will travel through this most ethereal of signs. Venus is really very much about physical and material pleasures, although it certainly has a deeper meaning in relationships. We give it rulership over money and personal connections (the 2^nd and 7^thhouses – Taurus and Libra) and while we don’t like to think of these things as being that attached, they have found that more marriages break up over money than over infidelity. But forgive me, I digress.

As Venus travels through this sign there will be a more spiritual atmosphere surrounding both of those issues. You may find yourself more generous and wishing to help out in ways that, while you may entertain them as a philosophical thought, now you might feel good walking through the streets of your city and handing out whatever you can afford. Remember, we are in the middle of a great economic catastrophe and there are many who are struggling just to feed their families. You don’t have to feel guilty for what you have, nor give everything away. Just do what you can to help. As Jacob Marley’s ghost says in A Christmas Carol – “Mankind was my business.” This is very much the lesson of Venus in transit through this 12 sign. What can we do to serve others? If you’re a reader and someone can’t afford your prices but needs your help, cut the fee. If you’re shopping and you see someone struggling to cover the cost of their groceries and you have a little extra, try to do the right thing. We aren’t going to change the world in a day, but if enough people can think this way, we can change it in a generation.

 

THE SUN SEXTILES URANUS:

On Thursday February 25^th at 4:13 P.M. EST we have a chance to make some changes in our lives without the usual resistance from the universe. This isn’t a powerful enough transit to fix the world’s problems, but it might offer you an opportunity to view something from a different perspective and possibly find a solution to an ongoing problem you hadn’t considered. It’s also a good day to explore and experiment. Try not to follow your usual routine. Seek out something new and exciting and go on an adventure. It may be something as mundane as trying Mongolian food for the first time (I understand that Yak stew is very good) or finally leaning how to make a Zoom call. Uranus rules all things technological and while this transit won’t make you a tech genius it might help you understand some fundamental about hyperspace. Good luck. And if it’s still too alien and frustrating try not to throw the computer out the window – at least not without first yelling “Look out below”.

 

FULL MOON IN VIRGO:

On Saturday February 27^th at 3:17 A.M. EST at 8 degrees Virgo 57 minutes the Moon is in opposition to the Sun. This is a moment of critical thinking when the energy peaks and there are some important decisions that must be made. Virgo is well known for its attention to detail as well as its rather picky attitude. Both are akin, and often if you can focus on the little things you will do a better job of seeing the bigger picture. Critical thinking is germane to careful examination and planning, and this Full Moon will bring some things to the surface that have been hidden or overlooked. This may occur in your personal life as well as in the collective.

We are at a point in our societal development when the two sides are even more at odds than before. This is certainly true in America, but if you look at the world and the situations in other nations you will see that it is a worldwide event. Brexit (which I always believed was a huge mistake) is being implemented with some devastating results that will be felt for a long time. The European economy was much stronger before, and the United Kingdom (which may not remain united for much longer) will go through a very painful period of adjustment. Until mankind gets over its inflated ego, jingoism and limited short-sighted self-identity we will continue to fall back into the quicksand we have just pulled ourselves out of. While the Second World War seems like ancient history to those under a certain age, if you have lived long enough you can recognize that a hundred years or so is barely a snap of the fingers. And if we can’t figure out longer lasting solutions to our recurring problems we will not survive as a species. And unfortunately we will take most of the other lifeforms with us when we go.

So while I don’t think a Full Moon in Virgo is going to be the end of civilization, it is a moment in time when we should be seeking how one step leads to another. How, if you step on a butterfly a million years in the past, Hitler wins the war. The “butterfly effect” is an old concept used many different times in literature and philosophy, but its point is clear. What you do upstream effects those who live downstream. What you do today will greatly impact your grandchildren. So please, humanity, think before you relieve yourself in that stream. And think about the children. That’s who owns the future, you know. And because I believe in reincarnation and fully expect to come back as a short Chinese woman, I’d rather inherit a world of hope and beauty than one of decay.

 

MARS ENTERS GEMINI:

On Wednesday March 3^rd at 10:30 P.M. EST until April 23^rd at 7:49 A.M. EDT Mars enters this Mercury ruled sign. For the next period of time we will all be a bit more boisterous and assertive in our speech. This will be a period when it would be wise to think carefully before opening a mouth. You may stir up some anger in others, or talk with more force than you realize, and you could alienate others with your direct and powerful words. If you are careful and pay attention to how you are presenting your arguments this can be a very useful and direct time when you can state what’s on your mind without fear. There is a fine line between being assertive and being over aggressive. Walk that line with awareness and you will be able to express yourself honestly. Be prepared to defend your attitude and don’t shy away from the truth. But again, sometimes it’s more a matter of how you say things than what the words mean. People tend to respond from a more emotional perspective, at least initially, so if you can make your presentation in a focused and clear manner and leave out any impulsive or angry rhetoric you can achieve your goals and move your ideas, plans and projects forward.

 

MERCURY CONJUNCT JUPITER:

On Thursday March 4^th at 10:27 P.M. EST this aspect returns. It’s a very positive and hopeful transit that will aid in all communications. We experienced this on February 14^th, Valentine’s Day and because of the reversal of direction by Mercury it comes around again. This is a terrific aspect for all communications and for making plans for the future. If there was an issue presented on or near Valentine’s Day it may come up again and seek some sort of resolution. I would suggest that you examine it closely and don’t assume that if you ignore it, it will just go away. These recurring aspects have a tendency of creating situations that may stay in the background quietly seething, only to pop up once again on a similar transit. You would be better off confronting the issue and trying to resolve it once and for all now, otherwise it will return again, possibly under more difficult energy. In general, this is a good day for all socializing, conversations and travel. It may even prove “lucky” if this hits your chart just right.

 

THE SUN CONJUNCT NEPTUNE:

On Wednesday March 10^th at 7:01 P.M. EST this rather unfocused and potentially difficult transit completes. This is the last aspect of this lunar cycle, and while it doesn’t fall exactly on the Dark of the Moon, it still represents the end of this month’s energy. This is often a bad few days for the stock markets, and with the New Moon falling on Saturday we may see a big dip in the equities this week. I don’t think it’s a crash, just a lackluster few days when nothing seems to go as planned. Be careful what you commit to. You may not be seeing things as clearly as you think, and you could make promises that will be difficult to keep. Because this conjunct occurs in Pisces, the sign that Neptune rules, it will have a compound effect and clarity may be in short supply.

 

DARK OF THE MOON:

The next New Moon falls on Saturday March 13^th at 5:21 A.M. EST at 23 degrees Pisces 04 minutes. The day or two leading up to it will be a particularly low energy period. If you tend to be emotional this may be a very trying time each month. I have found that people with prominent moons or a Cancer Sun, Moon or ascendant respond to the lunar cycles more intensely than others. Spend this time finishing up anything that is incomplete, don’t try to initiate new projects on a waning moon, it just won’t work out. Once the New Moon hits you begin new projects or attempt a new approach to an existing problem. If you have been living in a situation or involved in a relationship that is intolerable or has outlived its usefulness this would be the proper time to move on with your life. If you have been working on a project that is almost complete but you seem to lack the energy for the finality, you must push during these low energy days to end the matter once and for all. If you don’t, when the New Moon arrives it will bring this “dead” energy along with it and conflict with the newer force being presented. Each month we are offered a chance to clean house, so to speak.

---

Below is a list of times this month when the Moon is Void of Course and neither important decisions nor purchases should be made during these periods. The Void of Course Moon is a time when we should try to center ourselves and deal with spiritual matters not materialistic ones. Any decisions made on the VC Moon will not turn out the way we had expected.

The Moon is Void of Course from the time it makes its last major aspect in a sign until it enters the next sign. For example, if the Moon squares Mars at 27 degrees Aries and then has no more aspects until it enters Taurus it will be Void of Course for three degrees or about 6 hours. The aspects used are the conjunction, sextile, square, trine, and opposition. All times are Eastern Time:

February 11^th 2:06 P.M. – February 12^th 2:23 P.M. ***Moon is void 12 hours

February 14^th 2:29 A.M. – 10:54 A.M.

February 16^th 7:17 P.M. – 10:12 P.M.

February 19^th 2:28 A.M. – 11:04 A.M.

February 21^st 1:39 P.M. – 10:53 P.M. ***Moon is void 10 hours

February 23^rd  11:54 P.M. –  February 24^th 7:23 P.M.

February 26^th 6:32 A.M. – 12:07 P.M.

February 28^th  10:58 A.M. – 2:17 P.M.

March 2^nd 9:09 A.M. – 3:38 P.M.

March 4^th 11:10 A.M. – 5:43 A.M.

March 6^th 4:44 A.M. – 9:20 P.M. ***Moon is void 17 hours

March 8^th 7:52 P.M. – March 9^th 2:41 A.M.

March 10^th 10:32 P.M. – March 11^th 9:44 A.M. ***Moon is void 11 hours

March 13^th 11:38 A.M. – 6:44 P.M.

March 15^th 11:40 P.M. – March 16^th 6:56 A.M.

March 18^th 4:40P.M. – 7:47 P.M.

---

February 2021

New York City

(212) 726-3814

http://www.mitchastro.com

Copyright 2021

All Rights Reserved