For the last week the Sun has been moving its way through Capricorn in the constellation of Shravana, one of the lunar mansions within Capricorn. The Hindu deity Vishnu is the presiding deity of Shravana and is associated with the sustaining/nourishing power of the Universe. The constellation consists of 3 stars that symbolize three steps taken by Vishnu to distinguish the domains of the three worlds (human world, asura world and the world of the gods). As such this nakshatra has the qualities of setting limits and boundaries in our lives and resolving disputes between others or even within ourselves. February begins with the Sun moving through the 3rd part of Shravana, the part associated with intellectual work and communication. Since this lunar mansion is ruled by the Moon, the seat of the mind and emotions, the third part of the mansion deals with setting boundaries in how we emotionally express ourselves to others or how we let them express themselves to us. It is a good time to sit someone down and talk to them about how you feel, whether its negative or positive, and then assert yourself to establish any boundaries, and whether those boundaries need to be smaller or larger!
A waning Moon is conjunct a pretty unhappy Libra Mars on the 1st, which can excite the mind to anger and tension and cause problems or distress for mothers or your relationship with your mother. This will especially be true of Libra or Cancer ascendants. The nodes of the Moon are just barely being kept from forming the dreaded Kala Sarpa Yoga by Jupiter’s presence in Leo alongside the Northern Node. This will build a great deal of tension between nations and amongst governments due to its placement in Leo the sign of government and capitol cities, but the tension hasn’t released yet.
Venus and Mercury are both in Purvashaddha at the beginning of the month, and by the 9th of February they will both be in the next nakshatra Uttara Shaddha, Mercury having passed into Capricorn while Venus still holds up in Sagittarius. Thus the first 9 days are a good combination for any kinds of marketing/trading/selling involving vehicles, gems, art and jewelry.
The New Moon occurs Monday the 8th (Chinese New Year of the Monkey starts) in Capricorn in the lunar mansion of Dhanista. This mansion is ruled by the planet Mars and is considered to be the exaltation point of Mars itself, thus depicting the purest aspect of Mars. The traditional vedic deities associated with Dhanista are a group of devas called the Vasus, each Vasu representing different primordial elements such as fire, wind, etc. It is an auspicious lunar mansion to grace this month with. The Moon will carry its energy for the rest of the month, making this month a good time to work on the primordial elements within yourself, taming the inner emotions and turmoil and striving to reach a harmony of all these elements. It is an excellent time for meditation, and traditionally Dhanista is also auspicious for travel. Travel over seas is indicated by the greek attribution of this lunar mansion to the dolphin and Poseidon, while the Chinese apply a turtle to it, both animals that travel across water and are often depicted in mythology as carrying others with them. The auspiciousness of the nakshatra is enhanced by being fully aspected by its lord Mars. For Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn ascendants these traits are more likely to manifest. For Aquarius, Taurus or Cancer ascendants travel may be more particularly indicated.
On February 10th an interesting combination will form between the Northern and Southern Nodes, Jupiter, Moon, Mars and Venus. They will all be aspecting each other within 2-3 degrees, and four of them to the exact degree. It will be interesting to see how this plays out on the international stage. One would hope that with the benefic aspects of Jupiter, Moon and Venus on Rahu and Ketu there will be some kind of important peace treaty or deal reached in a major troubled area. On a personal level it should be the beginning of a nice two-week break from the afflictions of Rahu and Ketu for the ascendants that have been troubled the most by their influence since last month. This would be Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius ascendants. Beginning on the 10th and continuing for about 2 weeks thereafter the planets will be in more supportive positions while the Moon breaks any potential kalasarpa yogas. It is a temporary reprieve from what could be a long year for those ascendants, so take the opportunity to make any beneficial changes to your life and living situation that you need to make, or even just treat yourself to a little vacation to unwind and relax. The 10th will be an auspicious day for religious ceremonies and offerings as well.
At 2:23am Eastern Time in the USA on February 13th the Sun will enter Aquarius. The Sun in Aquarius tends to afflict the father, and people who are in kendras to Aquarius (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius ascendants) or Gemini ascendants will likely experience either physical health issues connected to fatigue, anxiety and stress, or there will be difficulties with their father and his health. The Sun is quite unhappy in Aquarius, it is weak and further afflicted by Ketu and Rahu. It will benefit from Jupiter’s aspect, which is the saving grace and people who have a strong Jupiter in their natal chart will likely not be afflicted by this combination. Jupiter is the only planet breaking the sarpa yoga that is trying to form between Rahu, Ketu, the Sun and Saturn all in quadrants to one another. This malefic combination will be enhanced even more on the 21st of February when Mars enters into Scorpio to join Saturn and thus 4 malefic planets will all be in kendras to each other. This could be a difficult or even dangerous time for the four ascendants of these quadrants, being Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. You guys have been getting it rough lately! Don’t fret too much, in a month the Sun will pass by Ketu and destroy the malefic sarpa yoga for the next 6 months afterwards. But for that last week in February the waters are a little dangerous, so play it safe. Don’t do anything too risky (personally, physically or even financially) and perform charitable deeds when the opportunity arises. If you have been having a particularly bad time lately with these planets then go out of your way to perform charitable deeds for others, and donate money to a charitable service if you can afford to do so. Charity is a great way to enhance Jupiter and diminish any malefic effects of the nodes.
Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn Ascendants
For Aries it will be finances, for Cancers it will be health, for Libras it can be children, and for Capricorns it will be family/finances that are impacted by some of the malefic combinations discussed above. Despite this, all four cardinal ascendants will be able to escape most of the sarpayoga-esque effects due to being out of its aspect range. In early February the Venus/Mercury placement in Sagittarius is good for both personal and financial growth for Aries ascendants. For Cancer ascendants they should strive to be mindful of their health and longevity and begin any good diets or workout routines they feel they need to be healthy and in good shape. The Saturn/Mars combination in Scorpio at the end of the month will likely cause stress and disturbance to family relationships for Libra ascendants. Capricorn ascendants will begin the month quite well, but by the end of the month they will find themselves with the Sun/Ketu in the 2nd house and Saturn/Mars in the 11th, both being houses of finances. Watch your investments and don’t make any risky financial decisions.
Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius Ascendants
You guys have been having a hard time with the recent planetary combinations and February isn’t likely to hold back any punches for you. Luckily things will begin to improve in March. Taurus ascendants will probably have it the easiest of the four fixed signs due to an auspicious trine by their ascendant lord Venus being happily placed in Capricorn for the last half of the month. The trine will likely bring good things for higher education, personal growth and relationships. Scorpio will also have some reprieve by the placement of its ascendant lord Mars in the ascendant. Unfortunately Saturn will stifle the energy of Mars, but it is still a good time for discipline and developing a good daily routine and schedule for yourself. Leo and Aquarius are still getting knocked around by Rahu and Ketu in the boxing ring of life.
Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces Ascendants
Like the cardinal signs, you all get to avoid the worse parts of the sarpa yoga stuff happening in the fixed signs. For Gemini there is some risk to the father and his health in the last part of the month as the Sun enters Aquarius, but it is a good time for introspection and spiritual practice. Venus in the 8th could stress personal relationships but can be an excellent opportunity to remedy health complaints. Mercury’s transit through the 8th for Gemini ascendants could lead to legal work involving the death of a person, such as funeral arrangements or estate work. Virgos have a lot of things happening in their malefic houses such as the 3rd, 6th and 12th houses. The Saturn/mars combination in the 3rd will effect relations with friends and siblings in a negative way, while Ketu and the Sun can cause legal problems, imprisonment, or injury. Rahu and Jupiter in the 12th may be good for travel. Sagittarius gets along pretty well in February, beginning the Month with Venus and Mercury in its ascendant which is good for financial work and travel. Jupiter in the 9th casts a nice supporting aspect and it avoids the dangerous angles from the northern and southern nodes. The progression of Venus into the 2nd house could be particularly good for family and wealth in the last half of February. Pisces has an interesting month, turning some negative planets into positive aspects. For example, the Mars and Saturn combination in the 9th house will work out well for them because Mars will be in its own sign as 9th lord in the 9th house, which is good for all things related to philosophy, religion and personal growth as well as a general boon towards the whole chart. Rahu and Jupiter in the 6th means a large obstacle could arise, but Rahu should give victory over such an obstacle as it actually does well in the 6th house. Venus and Mercury in the 11th is great for finances in the last half of the month. Ketu with the Sun in the 12th is good for meditation and mystical work for Pisces ascendants but could afflict the father or father-in-law.
