February 2004 Astrological Update

From the Starman, Joseph Mina
starman@gemini-awakening.com

Aloha,

As we move into the second month of 2004, let's look back on January for a clearer understanding of how Mars works in this 3D reality/duality.

During January Mars moved through the sign of Aries .

Aries signifies the "rugged individualist", the one who jumps into life to get things started, a risk-taker, the child who opens up a present in 10 seconds or less! Fast...can appear impatient or irresponsible. Also, highly creative and very individualistic, to the point where they may appear "selfish" to others.

Another vibration of Aries is expressed through the archetype of Joan of Arc" - defending the homeland against a perceived invader or threat. Also, as Aries sees life's events as being either right or wrong, a tendency exists to express beliefs from an "I'm right" perspective.

Mars energy is potent. High juice. Makes things happen. Yet, Mars energy can also be very destructive and warlike when expressed from a low vibration.

This past week the Mars rover "Opportunity" landed on the red planet, transmitting images of the Martian surface. Whether or not you agree with the intent behind sending mechanical probes to other planets, here's a great example of creative genius at work.

Imagine the creative skills necessary to design and send a probe 100 million miles across the solar system to an imaginary point in the sky. Months later traveling thousands of miles per hour it rendezvous with Mars exactly as planned. Next it sends a probe to the surface and soon is recording images of amazing detail and sampling soil!

As expressed through the sign of Aries , this is a high-risk endeavor, stepping way out on the edge, doing the unthinkable. Creative genius at work.

At the other end of the spectrum, we are faced with the sheer horror of Mars' warlike energy in the Middle East. Again, Aries expresses itself through the fury of defending the homeland (suicide bombings) against a perceived invader - the United States and Britain.

In January, we witnessed both ends of the spectrum - genius on Mars ; intensified war in the Middle East. The vibration of duality expresses itself throughout the world in many ways. Yet, we are continuously offered the opportunity to choose between the higher and lower vibration. What brings more life? What do you want to feed or encourage in your life, both internally and externally? Creative genius or war? Powerful questions. "As above, so below" expresses itself in everything we perceive.

On a related note, the first Mars rover "Spirit" landed on the Red Planet on January 4 near the end of the Mercury Retrograde (January 6). As described in previous updates, it is not uncommon for mechanical failures, communication difficulties etc. to occur during this 3-week retrograde period.

Of course, Spirit had difficulty moving off its platform after a "flawless" landing. Then 19 days later, still feeling the effects of the retrograde, experienced a serious software malfunction rendering the rover inoperable. I guess it lost its spirit! ha ha (terrible)!

Reasons for the malfunction have yet to be determined. Meanwhile, the British-built Mars robot Beagle was never heard from after landing (crash?) on Mars on December 25, one week into the Mercury Retrograde .

Hmmmm. Maybe these people ought to be reading this update before embarking on these types of multi-million dollar missions. Might save them some $$$$ and bring down the stress levels considerably.

Well, on to February!

Blessings in the light from the Starman,
Sat Nam, Joseph
starman@gemini-awakening.com

Voyager Tarot for the month of February

The Voyager Tarot magic for this month's update is the Ace of Worlds - Success. This is a card of confidence, knowing you are "successful".

As one of the Magician minor arcana, this material or World card encourages you to build on past successes. Do what works for you. Be innovative and responsive to the moment. Be the successful magician, expressing your creative genius.

The "energy or form behind this card" is the Sage of Crystals - The Knower. The "knower" knows that she/he knows. This is the "Einstein" card of the deck - creative genius. As one of the family cards , this card personifies your genius like energy. Further, Sage energy represents the elder or Grandmother/Grandfather essence within your being.

Your "success" is predicated upon "knowing your knowingness".

The "ally" card to work with Success is the 2 of Cups, Equilibrium. As one of the Priestess minor arcana, this card represents emotional balance. Stay attuned to your feelings without being overwhelmed by them. Let life's flow guide you.

Since this card comes from the emotional realm (Cups) , revitalizing your emotional field through movement (e.g. dance, exercise) , vocal expression of feelings and/or touch therapy helps you keep your feeling centers open and responsive to each moment.

The "challenge" card to Success is the Sage of Worlds - Master. This was the magic card for the month of January. Now it shows up as a "challenge". Again, elder energy is at play. The Master is a significant manifestation card. Accessing our ability to manifest creates a challenging situation for the Success card.

Can you manifest from your the power of your natural gift? Certainly an opportunity to ask poignant questions relative to how you presently manifest in your life.

February's Significant Astrological Highlights

Venus into Aries, Mars into Taurus

Venus moves into the sign of Aries on February 8th. Her softer, yet equally determined movement through Aries stands in stark contrast to Mars' intensity in the same sign during January .

Venus embraces beauty and the feminine principal. In Aries she expresses this beauty through her individuation, her ability to be courageous and free, not depending on anyone to satisfy her. She'll remain in Aries for the month before moving into the sign of Taurus in March.

Individuals. who have significant natal aspects in Libra (opposite of Aries ) or Capricorn and Cancer (a square or 90 degrees apart )may experience challenges this month about preserving their individuality versus serving the perceived needs required by others. A good question is "how do I nurture my individuated needs while fulfilling my role of developing partnership (Libra), or in the case of Capricorn or Cancer , being a responsible provider to my family or community ?

If you natally have Venus in Aries , you'll experience your Venus return. This point in time begins a new 2 1/2 year chapter for the expression (women) or development (men) of your rugged, individuated, courageous self ( Aries). This is a good time to review the past 2 1/2 year Venus cycle and ask "what have I learned about my individuation, and what new project am I ready to start to further promote my individuation?"

On February 14, Venus creates a square with Saturn in Cancer. How does the individualist within maintain a sense of "self" in our family/community? Saturn in Cancer can feel like a "wet blanket" to Venus' Aries-like demeanor. Issues may come up where family member(s) (Cancer) wants you to say "yes" and cooperate, and your spirit may encourage you to buck the tribal norm (Cancer) and say "no".

In the past, our cultural structure has not been very tolerant of Aries-types in the family. "The rebel" is a common tag. As Saturn continues its Cancer transit over the next 1 1/2 years, Aries -types will have the opportunity to confront and possibly resolve this very issue.

Meanwhile, Mars moves into the sign of Taurus on the 3rd where it remains for the entire month. Mars in Taurus offers the opportunity of developing a deeper sensual intimacy through your body's feeling centers.

Taurus energy is about beauty, artistry, sensuality, delicious food...anything that heightens the pleasures of the material life. Since Mars is "action oriented", the energy is conducive for receiving pleasure and externally creating a new sense of beauty in your home, work or community environments.

Individuals. who have significant natal aspects in Scorpio (opposite of Taurus ) or Leo and Aquarius (a square or 90 degrees apart) may experience challenges with feeling nurtured and sensual. A good question is "how do I feel the depths of my life force (Scorpio), or embrace the widest possible perspective about Life ( Aquarius), or stay heart-centered (Leo) when I am not feeling sensual or acknowledged or appreciated?

If you natally have Mars in Taurus , you'll experience your Mars return. As with Venus, this point in time begins a new 2 1/2 year chapter for the expression (men) or development (women) of your sensual self (Taurus). This is a good time to review the past 2 1/2 year Mars cycle and ask "what have I learned in my sensual experiences; what new beauty am I ready to express or give birth to?"

On February 21 - 27, Mars forms a square with Neptune in Aquarius . This is an opportunity to ground (Taurus) our Universal vision for the world (Aquarius) in new ways that create a healthier sense of stability (Taurus) .

Sun into Pisces

The Sun moves into the sign of Pisces on the 18th in Hawaii and the West Coast United States (19th for the rest of the world).

The Sun's fuel expressed in the Pisces archetype offers its energy in a very transpersonal way. It's boundaries are without end or discrimination. It simply wants to give for the pure grace of "giving". It gives to others throughout the world empathetically in a heartfelt, selfless way.

Lunar (Mahina) Cycles in February

-including the Hawaiian names:

Full Moon (Mahealani) - 5th at 10:49 pm at 17 degrees Leo .
Last quarter (Kaloa Kukahi) - 13th at 3:41 am at 24 degree Scorpio .
New Moon – (Muku) - 19th at 11:19 pm at 1 degree Pisces .
First Quarter - ('Ole Kulua) - 27th at 5:26 pm at 9 degrees Gemini .

Note : For most of the world, Full Moon occurs on the 6th. See conversion table below for specific times relative to your location.

To convert Hawaiian time to your time zone - in the United States and Canada add 2 hours PST, 3 hours MST, 4 hours CST, 5 hours EST; in Europe add 10 hours to determine Greenwich Mean Time then adjust for your time zone; in Japan add 19 hours, Eastern Australia add 20 hours and Western Australia 18 hours.

Full Moon in Leo

This month's Full Moon on the 5th/6th brings illumination to one's love for themselves.

As one of the 3 fire signs, Leo in its individuation expresses the Archetype of a born leader, a Queen or King, or even a media Superstar or Celebrity, aka Diva etc. Leo also expresses the depth of one's love for themselves or emits a feeling of radiant self-love.

This is a highly creative Moon energy as Leo types possess a high degree of creative flair and confidence.

How can I enhance my creative urges? One productive way of working with this Full Moon during this 3-day window beginning February 4th is expressing your creative desires or urges through dance, art, sculpting, acting, or writing.

The Voyager Tarot ally for this Full Moon window is the Ten of Wands - Growth. One of the 4 minor arcana cards related to the Fortune Card, Growth encourages "stretching your limits", getting out of the box and risking: going for your hearts desire or expressing love and appreciation for yourself. (Leo)

New Moon in Pisces

February 20's New Moon occurs at 1 degree Pisces . Here the Sun, Moon and Uranus are at the same degree. New Moon times offer a "new start"; a day of high creativity and beginnings. Add unpredictable, freedom seeking Uranus to the mix and you have the perfect formula for trying something completely new and unexpected. The "growth card" above, seeded at the Full Moon can offer assistance.

Given Pisces' transpersonal, giving nature, here's an opportunity to offer your service to a world cause in an unpredictable, out-of-the box way.

This New Moon forms a square (challenge) to last November's Solar Eclipse , which occurred on the 23rd at 1 degree Sagittarius . That eclipse opened the door for further clarification around the intent and world-impact of fundamentalism vis-à-vis our quest for spiritual truth (both Sagittarian themes). This Pisces New Moon offers an opportunity to explore new ways of honoring one's spiritual truth while understanding and honoring other's beliefs. It's a big world stage. How do we make room for it all so everyone feels as invited participants?