This Week in Astrology: February 16 to 22, 2020

This Week in Astrology: February 16 to 22, 2020

 

February 16 to 22, 2020

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On this Page:

This week’s Moon
phase
Planets in signs and aspect
Retrogrades
This week’s astrology calendar
Timing with the Moon
Romance & Relationship Report
Daily Trends

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The LAST QUARTER MOON occurred on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at 5:17 PM EST.

On February 15th, the Last Quarter Moon was exact when the Sun in Aquarius formed a square with the Moon in Scorpio.

The Last Quarter Moon phase points to some sort of crisis of consciousness. After basking in the awareness symbolized by the full light of the Moon at the time of the recent Full Moon, we disperse our knowledge and come to a point when we need to sort out what works for us–and what doesn’t–in preparation for next week’s New Moon, when something new is born once again. This is not the best time to start a major project, as the decreasing light of the Moon symbolizes a descent into unconsciousness. It’s time to begin finishing up the details of that which was conceived at the last New Moon. It’s a time for considering what our recent revelations mean to us, and for what we might do as a result. It’s better to review and sort than to push something new. Until the New Moon, we might take inventory, tie up loose ends, and let go if necessary.

This phase of the Moon occurred at 26 degrees and 41 minutes of Scorpio square the Sun at 26 degrees and 41 minutes of Aquarius, affecting people born with personal planets and points at approximately 25 to 29 degrees of the Fixed signs most significantly (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius).

**The New Moon will occur next week in the sign of Pisces on Sunday, February 23rd, 2020.

 

(Times are Eastern)

This week: The Sun is in Aquarius until February 18th when it enters Pisces; Mercury is in Pisces; Venus is in Aries; Mars is in Sagittarius until the 16th, when Mars enters Capricorn.

The Sun is in Aquarius from January 20-February 18. During this cycle, we are motivated by our hunger for knowledge, experience, and originality. Innovation is more important to us than convention. We become more aware of what is outdated in our lives, and we strive to find new perspectives and new ways to do things. The class distinctions, structure, and order that Capricorn finds appealing now seem to be too rigid. The freedom of the individual becomes far more significant to us. We strive to free ourselves from some of the restrictions, inhibitions, and limitations that now feel constraining rather than safe.

The Sun is in Pisces from February 18-March 19/20. With the Sun in Pisces, we are guided by altruistic feelings. We are less motivated to do than we are to feel, imagine, and dream. A “what will be, will be” attitude reigns, and we are guided by a sense of universal correlations. Pisces rules empathy, selfless love, devotion, and wisdom. Its shadow side rules self-pity, a feeling of being victimized by life, passivity, and elusiveness.

Mercury is in Pisces from February 3-March 4 and then March 16-April 11. When Mercury is in Pisces, our thinking processes are more visual, intuitive, and imaginative. We are especially attuned to the world of emotion, which colors both our thoughts and our communication style. We guess well, express ourselves with imagery, and make decisions intuitively. We are more attracted to consciousness-raising information.

Venus is in Aries from February 7-March 4. In Aries, love is spontaneous and direct. The chase is very exciting to us under this fiery influence. We are bold, fresh, and a little impatient when it comes to matters of the heart. We don’t look back with Aries energy. We are not interested in saying sorry or dwelling on the past. It’s a brand new day! It’s time to make things work right now. Aries is known for a love of the chase and the conquest, but Aries love can be longstanding as long as it remains relatively fresh. Aries is blunt–there’s no sugar-coating with Aries. This can sting, but rarely is Aries energy mean or petty. Saying it like it is is important to Aries. Desires are strong and expressed spontaneously, enthusiastically, and directly. Aries prefers to seduce rather than be seduced, to chase rather than be chased.

Mars is in Sagittarius from January 3-February 16. With a Sagittarius Mars, our actions are motivated by our ideals. We are bothered by routine, quickly becoming restless if we feel confined. We have a love of adventure, and of conquest–this is the position of wanderlust. We start projects or challenges with gusto, although we may tend to abandon them rather quickly. This may be because we set our sights too high!

Mars is in Capricorn from February 16-March 30. Mars in Capricorn is deliberate, persistent energy. We consider the future and the consequences before taking action during this cycle. Our energy is reliable and faithful. We are slow to anger, but can be quite cold if we are frustrated. The shadow side of Mars in Capricorn is rigidity.

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Jupiter entered Capricorn on December 2nd, 2019, and will transit the sign until December 19th, 2020. Read more about the Jupiter in Capricorn transit.

Saturn transits Capricorn until March 21, 2020; and then finishes up its transit from July 1 to December 17, 2020. Read about Saturn’s transit through Capricorn here.

Uranus is in Taurus. Uranus first transited Taurus from May 15, 2018, to November 6, 2018, and is now consistently in the sign (since March 6th, 2019) until 2025/6. We approach money and personal possessions in new ways and learn how to free ourselves from certain material constraints. Innovative ways to make ourselves comfortable emerge. We’re less inhibited about expressing sensuality, self-love, body love, and pampering. We’re challenging what we previously valued during this cycle. There can be abrupt changes with money, valuables, possessions, and income that lead to a reshuffling of priorities or values. Income might come from non-traditional sources or ventures. We’re bringing progressive ideas to the world of business. New ways of doing business, as well as making, viewing, and handling money are likely. Income and the energy we put into making money can be variable.

Romance & Relationships

Venus is in Aries from February 7-March 4. In Aries, love is spontaneous and direct. The chase is very exciting to us under this fiery influence. We are bold, fresh, and a little impatient when it comes to matters of the heart. We don’t look back with Aries energy. We are not interested in saying sorry or dwelling on the past. It’s a brand new day! It’s time to make things work right now. Aries is known for a love of the chase and the conquest, but Aries love can be longstanding as long as it remains relatively fresh. Aries is blunt–there’s no sugar-coating with Aries. This can sting, but rarely is Aries energy mean or petty. Saying it like it is is important to Aries. Desires are strong and expressed spontaneously, enthusiastically, and directly. Aries prefers to seduce rather than be seduced, to chase rather than be chased.

This week: Venus doesn’t form any major aspects to the major planets, but on Saturday, the 22nd, a Venus-Jupiter square comes into influence. We may be going overboard as we seek more meaning or new horizons. We should watch for overcommitting or overstating, but we’re also anxious to grow and improve, and we may draw in situations that help us do just that.

Venus, the Goddess of Love: Highlights in the Coming Week:

Venus in Aries Romance at the drop of a hat is part and parcel of the cycle you have just begun. Winning the hearts of others can be a challenge you’re eager to accept – and the thrill of the chase might be most of the fun. Is it the pursuit of happiness – or the happiness of pursuit?

Venus square true North Node February 12-13. There can be a lack of agreement, dissatisfaction stirred up, and a sense that our relationships are preventing our growth.

Venus parallel Chiron February 14-15. Healing energy is brought to love relationships, and a new cycle begins. A commitment-friendly transit. Love can heal old wounds. We are open to romantic feelings, and more willing to act upon them. This is a good time to make a resolution to repair, heal, and improve relationships.

Venus square Jupiter February 22-23. We experience a strong desire for more pleasure in our lives, which can be excessive. Take care not to overstate your feelings or to set up unrealistic expectations in your partnerships. As well, take what your partner says with a grain of salt. There is no malicious intent involved, but feelings of elation can cloud our judgment, and we can promise more than we can deliver.

Venus semi-square Mercury February 25-26. Communications between lovers may feel superficial or unsatisfying, and perhaps awkward. We may be especially sensitive to what’s being communicated now.

Venus square Pluto February 28. Intense passions, but there’s a hidden agenda. Jealousy and possessiveness are high, in direct proportion to fear of losing partnership. Avoid starting a new relationship at this time, because it can be characterized by these energies.

Venus square Saturn March 2-3. Feeling unsatisfied, isolated, and unloved. Personal relationships are likely to be strained as we express our affections cautiously and sparingly. If we believe we are not getting what we want in love, we attract negative situations and challenges in our relationships. This is not a good time to begin a new relationship–new ones begun now are likely to be stamped with themes of duty and restriction.

Venus sextile Mercury March 3-4. Favors playfulness in love and enhanced communication between partners. Romantic overtures, expressions of love and affection, making new social contacts. This is a time when promises, pledges, and clarifications (usually very positive!) are made in love relationships.

Venus semi-square Sun March 4. Inner discontent can spill over into our relationships, producing subtle tension. It’s best to get in touch with our needs and avoid overindulging or procrastinating.

Venus semi-square Neptune March 7. Romantic confusion as well as relationship ups and downs. Self-deceptions may come to light now.

Venus conjunct Uranus March 7-8. We have a taste for the unusual and the avant garde. We are itching for a change. What makes a person unique is more attractive under this influence. Excitement and newness are valued over permanence in social relationships. Freedom is more important than intimacy just now. We lose our fears of taking risks in love and social situations. Romantic infatuations, gossip, unanticipated opportunities socially or financially. We have a greater need for self-expression, personal freedom, and social excitement.

Venus sextile North Node March 8-9. There is a stronger desire to connect to and belong with others at this time. We are more obliging and sociable.

The Void-of-Course Moon this Week:

Void-of-course Moon on Tuesday, February 18th, from 4:04 AM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a sextile to the Sun), until the Moon enters Capricorn at 5:37 AM EST.

VOC Moon on Thursday, February 20th, from 9:18 AM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a conjunction to Saturn), until the Moon enters Aquarius at 2:42 PM EST.

VOC Moon on Friday, February 21st, from 11:08 PM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a sextile to Venus), until the Moon enters Pisces on Sunday, February 23rd, at 1:37 AM EST.

February 2020:

Timing with the Moon – Better Periods this Week for Electing New Initiatives

The Moon is waning this week, which is generally considered unfavorable for new beginnings, with exceptions. (See Best Time to Start a Business for more details).

According to principles of timing with the Moon, a window of opportunity occurs from Monday, February 17th, at approximately 7:55 AM EST, until Tuesday, February 18th, at approximately 4:00 AM EST, while the Moon is in Sagittarius. Another window (with some reservations) occurs from February 20th at approximately 10:15 PM, until February 21st, at 11:05 PM EST, while the Moon is in Aquarius.

See also the following articles and tables: Timing with the Moon and Opportunity Periods with the Void Moon for times and techniques.

Planetary Stations & Sign Ingresses:

Jan 16, 2020     1:31 PM
Mercury enters Aquarius
Jan 18, 2020     5:31 AM Pallas enters Capricorn
Jan 20, 2020     9:55 AM Sun enters Aquarius
Jan 31, 2020     2:59 AM Ceres enters Aquarius
Feb  3, 2020     6:37 AM  Mercury enters Pisces
Feb  7, 2020     3:02 PM  Venus enters Aries
Feb  8, 2020    12:59 PM Juno Retrograde
Feb 16, 2020     6:33 AM Mars enters Capricorn
Feb 16, 2020     7:54 PM  Mercury Retrograde
Feb 18, 2020    11:57 PM  Sun enters Pisces
Mar  4, 2020     6:07 AM  Mercury Retrograde enters Aquarius
Mar  4, 2020    10:07 PM  Venus enters Taurus
*** Daylight Saving Time begins ***
Mar 16, 2020     3:42 AM  Mercury enters Pisces
Mar 19, 2020    11:49 PM  Sun enters Aries
Mar 21, 2020     1:06 AM  Vesta enters Gemini
Mar 21, 2020    11:58 PM  Saturn enters Aquarius
Mar 30, 2020     3:43 PM  Mars enters Aquarius
Apr  3, 2020     1:10 PM   Venus enters Gemini
Apr 11, 2020    12:48 AM  Mercury enters Aries
Apr 19, 2020    10:45 AM   Sun enters Taurus
Apr 23, 2020     4:16 PM   Ceres enters Pisces
Apr 27, 2020     3:53 PM   Mercury enters Taurus

 

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day (this takes you to my other site, Astrology Cafe).
See also: The Astrology of 2020 – Overview.

Note: Times given are Eastern Time (ET).

 

This Week’s Calendar

 

This Week’s Aspects

Mercury semi-square Saturn. Red tape, re-doing tasks we thought we had finished, problems getting from point A to point B, delays in communication, negative thinking, hyper-sensitivity and criticism–these are all potentials now. The energy is best used for focusing on fixing errors rather than harping on how irritating they are!

Jupiter sextile Neptune. Idealistic and humanitarian goals or impulses surface now. Making connections with others from a different background may figure. Widening our minds through unusual or different experiences can be part of the picture. Practical considerations could take a back seat now. Generosity and compassion increases, and our faith is boosted. We more easily make personal sacrifices for what we believe to be the better good.

Mars trine Uranus. Bursts of energy and creativity. We are willing to take risks, possess personal courage, and can readily effect positive changes in our lives. We are naturally bold and assertive, willing to experiment, and conscious of a need to act independently. Our ideas may be ground-breaking, and at the very least progressive. A strong desire to make things happen is with us now.

Mars square Chiron. It can be challenging expressing our desires and our anger clearly and directly under this influence. There can be a tendency to rebel against others’ wishes or plans. We may be defensive and touchy, and resentments or frustrations can surface now.

Sun semi-square Jupiter. We may feel vague restlessness and discontent with life as it is. We want more, but perhaps too much. Overestimation, wastefulness, and exaggeration. Elevated moods, but unstable ones, as they may not be based on reality.

Sun sextile Uranus. We are willing to adapt to new circumstances, ideas, and unfamiliar situations. It’s a good time to join organizations and groups and to attend meetings or social events, as these can be enlightening. We can find creative solutions to problems now and effect positive changes. Flexibility is the key to success under this influence.

Note: Times given in the table/calendar above are Eastern Time (ET).

 

Daily Trends Calendar

See below for day-by-day forecasts and planets in signs. See also Transit to Transit aspects.

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day – Astrology Cafe – or the Transits for Here and Now chart wheel.

See also: The Astrology of 2020 – Overview.

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What’s In Store By the Stars – Daily Astrology Trends

(as featured on the site’s main page and in our Daily Trends Calendar)

See also the new Astrology Trends Calendar that includes these daily trends overviews and other astrological events such as ingresses, stations, and lunations.

FEBRUARY 16

Mars moves into the sign of Capricorn this morning and will transit the sign until March 30th. Mars in Capricorn is deliberate, persistent, and faithful energy. We consider the future and the consequences before taking action during this cycle. We are slow to anger but can be quite cold if we are frustrated. The shadow side of Mars in Capricorn is rigidity or excessive materialism. Cloudy thinking or confusion can figure strongly today with Mercury stationing and turning retrograde. Communication can be tricky, and it can be hard to focus on cold, hard facts. Mercury will remain retrograde until March 9th. During this time, our thinking turns inward, as we review and re-assess matters. Mercury retrograde periods can be times of heightened inner awareness, when meditation, journaling, reworking old plans, and reviewing past work are favored. Minor breaks in the mechanical aspects of communication can reconnect us to other, possibly more meaningful, means of communication. We might look at past decisions and ideas from a new, enlightened perspective. With Mercury retrograde in Pisces, and later, Aquarius, this is a strong period for getting in touch with our humanitarian goals as well as ideals. We may be more able to tap into our inner muse and come up with especially inventive ideas. Today, with Mars changing signs and Mercury stationing, it’s better to reserve judgment. The Moon spends the day in the sign of Sagittarius.

FEBRUARY 17

The Moon transits Sagittarius all day, encouraging us to explore, learn, and discover. It’s an optimistic and enthusiastic transit that brings spontaneous energy to the day. We’re attracted to new situations of conquest or adventure and require less prompting than usual to get moving and to experience life. Bored with the mundane, anything that breaks the routine is appealing now. However, if we’ve attached ourselves to unrealizable dreams, we may feel a little deflated this morning as the Moon squares Neptune. A Mercury-Mars connection can stimulate lively thoughts and interactions, and is especially clever for figuring things out and solving problems.

FEBRUARY 18

The Moon ends its transit of Sagittarius when it enters Capricorn at 5:37 AM EST, turning our attention to our goals and performance. The Moon aligns with Mars this morning, firing up our ambition and demanding action. Today’s Mercury-Venus semi-sextile can serve to subtly contrast a logical and playful approach. It may be all too easy to say things we don’t mean/feel. However, we seem to be able to make things work, and while we may not be especially focused today, we’re adaptable and we’re making the effort to understand one another. Tonight, the Sun enters Pisces where it will transit until late on March 19th. During this cycle, we are guided by altruistic feelings. We are less motivated to do than we are to feel, imagine, and dream. A “what will be, will be” attitude reigns, and a sense of universal correlations guides us. Pisces rules empathy, selfless love, devotion, and wisdom. Its shadow side involves self-pity, a feeling of being victimized by life, passivity, and avoidance.

The void Moon occurs from 4:04 AM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a sextile to the Sun), until the Moon enters Capricorn at 5:37 AM EST.

FEBRUARY 19

The Moon spends the day in the sign of Capricorn, encouraging us to consider our practical priorities. Still, the Moon aligns with Jupiter and forms a sextile to Neptune as a Jupiter-Neptune sextile (exact tomorrow morning) comes into influence. We’re hooking into this energy on an emotional level today, seeking some inspiration and imagination. Idealistic and humanitarian goals or impulses surface, and we’re widening our minds through unusual or different experiences. Our hearts open as we consider new possibilities, and both generosity and compassion increase. We seek–and probably find–something to believe in. We more easily make personal sacrifices for what we believe to be the better good. Even so, a Mercury-Saturn semi-square suggests some inconveniences to manage in our communications and transit. It’s essential to draw on patience.

FEBRUARY 20

Jupiter forms a sextile to Neptune this morning, and this is the first of three exact hits, the next ones coming on July 27th and October 12th–a long-term transit that affects us for most of 2020. We’re able to check in with our need for imagination and dreams or spirituality, helping us moderate some of the more extreme expressions of the Jupiter in Capricorn transit. We can incorporate our faith and dreams in our pursuits, and we tend to manage our expectations. This transit helps us maintain a sense of proportion and to consider our morals and spiritual values as we pursue our objectives. The Moon continues its transit of Capricorn until 2:42 PM EST, after which the Moon is in Aquarius. We’re more impersonal and open to experimenting as the day advances, particularly with Mars heading toward a trine aspect with Uranus, exact tomorrow morning. We’re looking to branch out a little and explore our more independent or adventurous side. It’s far easier to let go of grudges or baggage in the name of progress. This transit encourages us to get out of a rut, innovate, or entertain new methods, nudging us out of our comfort zones. We are in tune with our desire to make positive changes and improvements in our lives.

The void Moon occurs from 9:18 AM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a conjunction to Saturn), until the Moon enters Aquarius at 2:42 PM EST.

FEBRUARY 21

The Moon spends the day in the sign of Aquarius, and we seek to be impartial. We’re fair and honest, and we’re drawn to new and unique ways of approaching the world around us. The morning Mars-Uranus trine encourages an open, bold, and progressive approach, but a square between Mars and Chiron stimulates touchiness. We may be dwelling on frustrations, and old emotional wounds may feel as if they’re wide open with this transit. A Sun-Jupiter semi-square, exact very early tomorrow, inclines us to overcompensate, to take on more than we can handle, or to go to excess. There can be elevated but unstable moods as they may not be based on reality. We want to grow, improve, and expand, and it may be necessary to push some boundaries now, but it’s best to do so gently.

The Moon is void from 11:08 PM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a sextile to Venus), until the Moon enters Pisces on Sunday, February 23rd, at 1:37 AM EST.

FEBRUARY 22

The Moon spends the day in the sign of Aquarius, and the Sun-Uranus sextile brings a similar theme of progress today. The Sun with Uranus tends to stimulate our willingness to adapt to new circumstances, ideas, and unfamiliar situations. Group connections can be enlightening, and we’ll do best for ourselves if we embrace flexibility and innovation. We might arrive at creative solutions to problems and make improvements now. While spirits are high and we’re excited about change, the Moon is Balsamic and it’s void all day, making it essential to avoid important new beginnings or launches. Winding down makes the most sense now.

The Moon is void all day.

 

 

If it’s your birthday today, see our feature, If Today is Your Birthday Forecasts, for a free forecast for the upcoming year.

Moon Signs This Week:

When the Moon is in Sagittarius

 The Moon is at her most optimistic and upbeat in Sagittarius. We are motivated by a need to seek the truth, and we are ready to pursue a new vision. We are not interested in details just now. Instead, we focus on the big picture. New experiences and adventures satisfy a deep emotional need. Spontaneity is the key. We may also be inclined toward overdoing and overstating. We don't want to plan ahead, and prefer to "wing it".

The Moon in Sagittarius generally favors the following activities: Adventurous activities that involve "winging it", travel, higher education, starting publishing projects, advertising, sports, physical activity.

When the Moon is in Capricorn

We become aware of the need for structure and planning ahead. We also instinctively are aware of the limitations of time. We are motivated by a desire for success. Achievement and manifestation are most important to us now. We are resourceful and don't want to waste time, energy, or resources. This can be a very sober influence--even a depressing one. However, it can also be a productive time when we look reality in the eye.

The Moon in Capricorn generally favors the following activities: Long-term activities that yield slow but steady results, practical undertakings, career issues, making a business plan, practical investments.

When the Moon is in Aquarius

Attraction to all that is new and unusual, and an instinctive need for improvement, characterize the Moon in Aquarius. Reactions are more intellectual than emotional, and interactions are more impersonal than personal, under this influence. This is a time that promotes social gatherings, dealing with group ideals and goals for the future, brainstorming, new ideas, and progressive changes. We are open to new methods of doing things and we have our eye on the future. It can be hard to stick to schedules now, as personal freedom is most important to us.

The Moon in Aquarius generally favors the following activities: Unusual or radical undertakings, social pursuits, group projects, trying something new, joining a group.

 

Upcoming Weeks: Calendars

 

 

What’s In Your Forecast?

Take a peek at the year ahead with in-depth Future Forecast Reports from Cafe Astrology.

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BACK TO THIS WEEK IN ASTROLOGY MAIN/CURRENT

See also:

The Astrology of 2020 – Overview

Monthly Calendar

This Month in Astrology

This Month’s Ephemeris

This Month’s Transits