This Week in Astrology: February 4 to 10, 2018

This Week in Astrology: February 4 to 10, 2018

 

February 4 to 10, 2018

 

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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 occurs on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at 10:54 AM EST. On Wednesday morning, the Last Quarter Moon is exact when the Sun in Aquarius forms 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 last week’s 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. What revelations did you have last week? What did they mean for you? What can be done now?

We’re in between eclipses right now, and it makes sense to hold off on big decisions just for now.

This phase of the Moon occurs at 18 degrees and 49 minutes of Scorpio square the Sun at 18 degrees and 49 minutes of Aquarius, affecting people born with personal planets and points at approximately and 17 to 21 degrees of the Fixed signs most significantly (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius).

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A FULL MOON/LUNAR ECLIPSE occurred on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 8:27 AM EST.

On Wednesday morning, a Full Moon occurred, when the Sun in Aquarius formed an opposition to the Moon in Leo. The Full Moon is a time of culmination and the promise of fulfillment of that which was started at the New Moon. It is an emotional time – a time of romance, fertilization, and relationships.

This Full Moon is especially potent, as it is a Lunar Eclipse. Lunar eclipses are relationship-oriented. The “crisis” that these eclipses tend to elicit is a crisis of lack – a time when we suddenly recognize a great need or want. The impact of the crisis can act to sever a relationship – it’s possible. But it can also bring two people together with a sudden awareness of a great need for each other. Although Lunar eclipses are more relationship-oriented than Solar eclipses, they are not always about relationships between two people. They can trigger awareness of need in other areas of our lives, such as our relationship to work, to our health and bodies, and so forth. This is a time when matters come to light – things that have been brewing under the surface.

This Lunar Eclipse presses us to look more closely at our needs, lacks, and wants in our lives. The Leo-Aquarius polarity deals with the balance between the personal (Leo) and the impersonal (Aquarius). The energy of Leo is creative self-expression and the boost to the individual ego that we receive through pleasure and romance, while Aquarius rules the group, more impersonal friendships, and objectivity. This Full Moon urges us to strike a balance between romance and friendship, and between expressing ourselves in personal and impersonal ways.

The Leo Moon is proud and intensely individual –not content with simply being just one of the team. The Aquarius Sun, while individualistic as well, values independence and the “team.” The Full Moon illuminates this conflict. Some sort of crisis (which can be a crisis of consciousness) or sudden awareness of a lack in our lives provides us with a golden opportunity to explore our emotional needs within the context of the house polarity where the eclipse occurs in our natal charts. Relationships may be challenged, broken, or strengthened dramatically at this time. Our discovery is emotionally charged and dramatic. Epiphanies are likely at this time as we become acutely aware of our lack. This understanding can propel us into positive action. Eclipses are tied to changing circumstances. However, we are usually the ones to precipitate or to attract changes because our “inner guides” know that we need it. Human beings are progressive by nature, and although we might stay in situations that are making us miserable for longer than we should, deep down inside we know that change is necessary for growth. With the Moon full and bright in the sky, symbolic “illumination” occurs in our own lives. However, these new feelings and revelations are emotional ones, as emotions burst forth into our consciousness. It’s time to express ourselves and to let things out of our systems. Of course, we might want to exercise some care while doing so, knowing that what is coming out of us is new and not particularly rational as yet. Full Moons are about exposing or illuminating issues that are already there, but that have not yet been dealt with.

When a Full Moon occurs, we can suddenly burst forth with proclamations and outpourings that seem fresh and new, simply because they are not yet rationalized. A Lunar eclipse is a more potent Full Moon, and its effects tend to last longer. The effects of a Lunar eclipse last approximately six months.

Full Moons and Lunar Eclipses bring issues in our lives to fulfillment. Our emotions are heightened, and there is often some sort of drama involved with the house, sign, and any contacted planets activated by the Full Moon. Look at 11-12 degrees of Leo/Aquarius in your own chart. This Lunar Eclipse gives us a cosmic push to make needed changes in our lives. The areas of life activated by the eclipse may see dramatic turns, after which the path is clear to move forward. Note that whatever happens at this time is nothing truly new. The issues have been brewing inside of us, and emotions have been building. Something comes to light at the time of the Full Moon, and if we get in touch with our emotions, we can get a better idea of what needs to change, or what needs to go. Read more about the Eclipse.

This phase of the Moon occurred at 11 degrees and 37 minutes of Leo opposite the Sun at 11 degrees and 37 minutes of Aquarius, affecting people born with personal planets and points at approximately 7 to 17 degrees of the Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) most significantly.

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(Times are Eastern)

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The Sun is in Aquarius; Mercury is in Aquarius; Venus is in Aquarius until February 10th when it enters Pisces; Mars is in Sagittarius.

The Sun is in Aquarius from January 19-February 18, 2018. 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 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.

Mercury is in Aquarius from January 31-February 17. When Mercury is in Aquarius, we are hungry for knowledge and open to new and original ideas. We begin to think outside of the box, and our thinking becomes more progressive and objective. Our communication and thought patterns are spontaneous, somewhat fragmented, and liberal. This is a time when inventive thinking is at a peak.

Venus is in Aquarius from January 17-February 10. We move towards unconventionality, independence, and freedom as themes in our social relationships under this influence. Aquarius can be just as faithful as Capricorn, but it has to be on his own terms! Experimental relationships are more intriguing now. Being friends as well as lovers is important to us during this cycle. Allowing one another freedom of expression, and treating others fairly, unselfishly, and impartially, are themes now.

Venus is in Pisces from February 10-March 6. Pisces never sees the world in black-and-white terms. Rather, Pisces sees all the colors of the rainbow. With the goddess of love in Pisces, our love is all-embracing, we are able to forgive and understand, we are seducible and seductive, and we show compassion to our partners. Venus in Pisces is tender and affectionate, although hard to reach nevertheless, as there is a longing for something that is hard to define and hard to satisfy. Borders and boundaries blur under Venus in Pisces. The shadow side of this position is allowing ourselves to be victimized or deluded, as well as evasiveness.

Mars is in Sagittarius from January 26-March 17. 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!

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Saturn transits Capricorn from December 19/20, 2017, to March 21, 2020; and then finishes up its transit from July 1 to December 17, 2020. Read about Saturn’s transit through Capricorn here.

Jupiter entered Scorpio on October 10th and will remain in the sign until November 8th, 2018. Read about Jupiter in Scorpio transit here.

Uranus entered Aries on March 11th, 2011 and will transit Aries until May 15, 2018, and then from November 6, 2018, to March 6, 2019. The urge to start fresh, to break free from restrictive attitudes or circumstances, to totally redesign an area of our lives (or even our personalities), and to gain freedom through independence is strong with Uranus in Aries.

Romance & Relationships

Venus is in Aquarius from January 17-February 10. Getting serious about our finances and boosting our relations with business partners and/or co-workers will be easier than usual under this influence. Our talents for creating artistic structure and form are enhanced, and our ability to form connections with people who support our ambitions is increased. We value enduring connections, reliability, and faithfulness. We take expressing our feelings seriously, and we take our time to warm up to others. We generally keep our “cool” in relationships.

Venus is in Pisces from February 10-March 6. A martyr complex, a love for the underdog, a search for your soul mate: such are the experiences associated with the new cycle you’re now just beginning. A yen for soul-stirring romance, a weakness for the weak, and a tendency to idealize people and relationships … very aesthetic, very other-worldly.

This week: Tuesday is perhaps the best day all week for enjoying and enhancing relationships. We are open to new ways of relating and more accepting of differences and individuality.

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

Venus in Aquarius A love for the unusual, a distaste for stodgy old rules and conventions, a feeling that you’re above the petty bourgeois stuff and nonsense: that’s what a new cycle brings into your life now. (“I love humanity; it’s people I can’t stand!”) Unconventional romantic and social connections are likely at a time like this.

Venus in Pisces A martyr complex, a love for the underdog, a search for your soul mate: such are the experiences associated with the new cycle you’re now just beginning. A yen for soul-stirring romance, a weakness for the weak, and a tendency to idealize people and relationships … very aesthetic, very other-worldly.

Venus semi-square Saturn February 2. Feelings of isolation, of not getting what we really want, and of not being loved the way we want to be loved can get in the way of pleasant relations with our partners.

Venus square Jupiter February 3-4. 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 sextile Uranus February 6. We lose our fear of taking risks at this time, and we happily embrace all that is new, unusual, and out-of-the-ordinary with regards to romantic involvements. We are ready to experiment, but not necessarily ready to commit.

Venus semi-square Pluto February 14. Tendencies to look for something wrong in a relationship. Jealousy raises its ugly head.

Venus sextile Saturn February 15. Relationships are stabilized and steady, although feelings are expressed reservedly, formally, or sparingly. A new sense of realism in existing partnerships. Relationships begun under this influence possess a distinctly practical theme, almost as if the partnership is a business endeavor.

Venus contra-parallel Uranus February 17-18. Questions of freedom, change, specialness, and experimentation are raised in our relationships.

Venus semi-square Uranus February 18-19. Uncertainty about the desire to be close to someone. Freedom versus closeness. A desire to experiment in the romance department may be fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying or frustrating.

Venus conjunct Neptune February 20-21. New and fresh beginnings on romantic levels characterize this transit. Heightened sensitivity to, and awareness of, beauty and spirituality. We are easily influenced, seducible and seductive, and given to strong powers of imagination. We are more attuned to the world of beauty and romance. Gentleness with others is the best way to harness this energy. A “magical” time on a romantic and social level, but it could also be a confusing or illusory influence as well. Psychic openness and compassion.

The Void-of-Course Moon this Week:

Void-of-course Moon on Monday, February 5th, from 1:46 PM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (an opposition to Uranus), until the Moon enters Scorpio at 10:57 PM EST.

VOC Moon on Thursday, February 8th, from 2:17 AM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Venus), until the Moon enters Sagittarius at 8:54 AM EST.

VOC Moon on Saturday, February 10th, from 11:39 AM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a trine to Uranus), until the Moon enters Capricorn at 9:22 PM EST.

February 2018:

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

The Moon is waning this week — a period that 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 this week from Friday, February 9th, at approximately 12:05 PM EST, to Saturday, February 10th, at approximately 11:35 AM, EST, while the Moon is in Sagittarius.

Planetary Stations & Sign Ingresses:

Dec 19, 2017    11:49 PM
Saturn enters Capricorn
Dec 21, 2017    11:28 AM  Sun enters Capricorn
Dec 22, 2017     8:51 PM  Mercury Direct
Dec 25, 2017    12:26 AM Venus enters Capricorn
Jan  2, 2018     9:11 AM Uranus Direct
Jan 11, 2018    12:09 AM  Mercury enters Capricorn
Jan 14, 2018    11:42 PM  Vesta enters Sagittarius
Jan 17, 2018     8:43 PM   Venus enters Aquarius
Jan 19, 2018     9:29 PM   Pallas enters Taurus
Jan 19, 2018    10:09 PM  Sun enters Aquarius
Jan 26, 2018     7:56 AM   Mars enters Sagittarius
Jan 31, 2018     8:39 AM   Mercury enters Aquarius
Feb 10, 2018    6:19 PM Venus enters Pisces
Feb 17, 2018    11:28 PM Mercury enters Pisces
Feb 18, 2018    12:18 PM Sun enters Pisces
Mar 6, 2018     2:34 AM Mercury enters Aries
Mar 6, 2018     6:45 PM Venus enters Aries
Mar 8, 2018    11:46 PM Jupiter Retrograde
*** Daylight Saving Time begins ***
Mar 17, 2018   12:40 PM Mars enters Capricorn
Mar 20, 2018   12:15 PM Sun enters Aries
Mar 22, 2018   8:19 PM Mercury Retrograde

 

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day.
See also: The Astrology of 2018 – Overview.

Note: Times given are Eastern Time (ET).

 

This Week’s Calendar

 

This Week’s Aspects

Venus square Jupiter. Feelings of elation in love or with regards to the pleasures of life can lead us to overdo, overindulge, overspend, and overstate our feelings. Avoid hasty (or haughty!) decisions. We might take great strides to get noticed. Avoid impulsive buying. We may also feel lazy and we are inclined to procrastinate.

Venus sextile Uranus. This is a favorable influence for social meetings and events, and for situations that call for treating others with equality and respect. We lose our fear of taking risks at this time, and we happily embrace all that is new, unusual, and out-of-the-ordinary with regards to romantic involvements as well as financial undertakings. We are ready to experiment, but not necessarily ready to commit. A good time for financial undertakings involving electronics, technology, the internet, metaphysics, and the arts, as well as group activities. A taste for the offbeat is in order.

Mercury semi-square Chiron. Communications may be careless, hurtful or perceived as hurtful under this influence. It can be hard to read the intention behind the words used to communicate now. There may be impatience with rules, worry or guilty feelings, and conflicting viewpoints now.

Sun semi-square Saturn. It’s hard to satisfy the ego today. We feel blocked by circumstances or others. It’s too easy to feel discouraged, but discouragement is a time waster. Gratitude isn’t forthcoming right now, so it’s best to wait it out rather than waste energy letting it get to you.

Sun square Jupiter. We may feel vague restlessness and discontent with life as it is. We want more, but perhaps too much. Overestimation and exaggeration. Elevated moods, but unstable ones, as they may not be based on reality. Channeled well, this energy can represent creative power.

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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.

See also:  The Astrology of 2018 – 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 4

The Moon is in Libra all day, forming a lovely trine to the Sun in Aquarius tonight. We are cooperative, gracious, and friendly under these influences. Balancing our personal desires with those of another may come into sharp focus. While a Mercury-Mars parallel this morning stimulates spontaneous, forthright communications, as the day advances, we’re more deliberate and strategic in our approach. With Saturn forming a trine to Pallas, this can be a time for finding wisdom in traditional methods and a favorable period for bringing structure and solid design to our projects. Our judgment is sound under this influence.

FEBRUARY 5

The Moon is in Libra most of the day, and we tend to weigh all perspectives and consider all possibilities. Moderating, negotiating, and compromise are themes today. We can feel discomfort with situations that limit and restrict us, and ideally, this compels us to make constructive changes. At the least, we recognize the need for adjustments in our relationships now. Differences in approaches, beliefs, morals, and values can seem glaring today, as we tend to see where we clash more than where we agree; or there can be a strong focus on growing and improving through one another, and questions are raised as to whether this has been happening. We may be making big plans regarding our relationships or with a significant someone, but overreaching can be a problem. This is a time for checking the ego and how it may impact our interactions. As the day progresses, it can be a good time to get work done with or for loved ones, as well as for motivation to grow and improve a business or project. The Moon enters Scorpio at 10:56 PM EST.

The Moon is void from 1:46 PM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (an opposition to Uranus), until the Moon enters Scorpio at 10:57 PM EST.

FEBRUARY 6

The Moon spends the day in Scorpio, and we’re in great shape for seeing situations a little more insightfully. But while the Scorpio Moon energy is attached, a Venus-Uranus sextile occurs today, encouraging us to let go so we can move on. This is a liberating influence, as we open ourselves up to new ideas, ways of relating, and different people or experiences. Venus-Uranus enables more comfortable and successful social interactions, as we are open to new perspectives and new situations, although not necessarily deep bonding or commitment. A Mercury-Vesta sextile favors specialized attention to a particular project or endeavor. We might feel pleasantly dedicated to our work or ideas. We are more able to focus on what we’re doing and communicating and inclined to notice and consider details.

FEBRUARY 7

Early today, Mercury forms a semi-square to Chiron, and our communications may be a bit careless or taken the wrong way. It can be hard to read the intention behind the words used to communicate now. There may be impatience with rules, worry or guilty feelings, and conflicting viewpoints that disrupt the flow of conversations or thoughts. The Moon spends the day in Scorpio, and the Last Quarter Moon occurs this morning as the Moon squares the Aquarius Sun. The Last Quarter Moon phase points to a crisis of consciousness. After basking in the awareness symbolized by the full light of the Moon at the time of last week’s Full Moon, we reach a point where we need to sort out what works for us–and what doesn’t. This is in preparation for next week’s New Moon/Solar Eclipse 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. The Moon aligns with Jupiter late afternoon, expanding a desire to improve and grow.

FEBRUARY 8

The Moon continues its transit of Scorpio until 8:54 AM EST, after which it transits Sagittarius. The Sagittarius Moon encourages a direct, spontaneous approach to the world, at least on an emotional level, and it blends well with the Sun, Mercury, and Venus currently in Aquarius. The Moon forms a square to Venus before changing signs this morning, however, and we can find ourselves torn between a craving for intimacy and a need for some emotional detachment. As the day progresses, we move towards a Moon-Mars alignment in Sagittarius, and we instinctively desire change and adventure. While excessive haste or rash behavior can leave us vulnerable to difficulties, healthy risk-taking might simply serve to enliven us. We can feel irritable if we don’t have something adventurous, challenging, or physical to do. Taking the initiative is appropriate now.

The Moon is void from 2:17 AM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Venus), until the Moon enters Sagittarius at 8:54 AM EST.

FEBRUARY 9

The Moon transits spontaneous freedom-seeking Sagittarius all day, although this morning’s Sun-Saturn semi-square can feel restrictive. We may feel a little cramped or discouraged under this influence. Gratitude may not be forthcoming right now, so it’s best to work on our priorities. As the day advances, confidence builds, and we feel supported, or we take action to assist, defend, or encourage others. We’re braver and more inclined to take a direct approach to pursuing our desires.

FEBRUARY 10

Venus moves into sacrificing, compassionate Pisces today, bringing sweet but sometimes escapist energy to our lives, and especially our interactions and relationships. Venus transits Pisces until March 6th. Venus in Pisces is tender and affectionate, although hard to reach nevertheless, as there is a longing for something that is hard to define and hard to satisfy. Borders and boundaries blur under Venus in Pisces. The shadow side of this position is allowing ourselves to be victimized or deluded, as well as evasiveness. The Sun reaches a square to Jupiter today, and there is a tendency for drama, exaggeration, and big feelings. While this influence can stimulate optimism and elevated moods, this state of mind is a little fragile as it may be overblown and unrealistic. We can be seeking to attach more meaning to our lives, and we might come up with new ideas and possible paths, but we could also overestimate our capabilities. We would do well to remind ourselves that bigger isn’t necessarily better. The Moon spends much of the day in Jupiter’s sign, Sagittarius, and then enters Capricorn at 9:22 PM EST.

The Moon is void from 11:39 AM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a trine to Uranus), until the Moon enters Capricorn at 9:22 PM EST.

 

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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 Libra

Creating order is the focus, not necessarily through tidying or organizing as was the case while the Moon was in Virgo, but rather through pleasing interactions with others and aesthetics in our environment. We tend to solve problems through diplomacy, and we are more able to put aside our own emotions in order to achieve the peace we crave. The tendency now is to avoid direct confrontations. Decisions do not come easily. Seeing both sides to any given situation is the main reason for hesitation. Fear of losing others' approval is another.

The Moon in Libra generally favors the following activities: Relationship and partnership issues, activities involving teamwork and cooperation, activities that involve self-examination, activities related to beauty.

When the Moon is in Scorpio

 Intensity is what the Moon in Scorpio is all about. Whether it's passion, elation, sorrow, or desire, emotions are felt on a deeply personal level. We are motivated by the desire to get to the bottom of things, and we instinctively read between the lines. Superficiality won't work for us now. The Moon in Scorpio urges us to uncover our own power, and it's an excellent time to rid ourselves of old fears and limiting habits. It can be an intimate and passionate time. Avoid manipulative tactics, brooding, and suspiciousness.

The Moon in Scorpio generally favors the following activities: Taxes, accounting, intimacy issues, psychological examinations, research, self-examination, getting rid of old things.

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.

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 2018 – Overview

Monthly Calendar

This Month in Astrology

This Month’s Ephemeris

This Month’s Transits