Brewing tensions boil over this week as each day continues to bring new, disturbing revelations about the state of our world. It’s so intense that even those thoroughly committed to calm and tranquility are likely to melt down in anger, frustration, or despair about all sorts of things. Be prepared for tantrums, yours or others’, as everyone struggles to maintain their cool. Frankly, even though Candlemas, the mid-winter marker we know as Groundhog Day, is behind us—it was Saturday, February 2—this week and next resemble Groundhog Day, the movie: we are caught in a seemingly endless loop of compulsive, repetitive stress, where everyone seems to know what the lessons are—except the people who should be learning them.
The astrological source of this explosive brew is a Mars/Uranus conjunction in Aries, a volatile combination that builds all week, is exact and separating on February 13, and is finally behind us on February 21. This conjunction is significant for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that there will not be another Mars/Uranus conjunction in Aries until January 2096. To be sure, there will be other Mars/Uranus conjunctions as Uranus transits other Signs, but it will be quite some time before Uranus transits Aries again. Uranus takes approximately 84 years to complete a cycle around the Sun, which means it takes that long to complete a cycle around the zodiac. So fasten your seat belts—this is the last lap of an already too-intense ride.
What’s more, this conjunction occurs at 29° Aries, the final degree of that fiery, tempestuous, and daring Sign. The final degree of any Sign distills the essence of that Sign, which contributes another intense facet to this already intense configuration. But that’s not all: Mars rules Aries, and when it journeys through its Home Sign, its superpowers are amplified. Add its final degree to the mix, and Mars is even more supercharged.
And there’s more: Uranus is in the final four weeks of its journey through Aries, a journey that began in full force in March 2011. Uranus enters Taurus on March 6, but until that happens we’re in a full-blown intensive about what the last nearly eight years of this Uranus cycle have been about. Its conjunction with Mars is a powerful exclamation point at the end of this cycle. Pay attention and you’ll witness its full potency.
One more bit: By Sunday, the Moon moves into a conjunction with both Mars and Uranus, which turns this already volatile combination hyper-emotional, so be prepared for all sorts of declarations of independence, yours or others’.
The temptation in the face of all this Martian might is bold, impulsive action—think Captain Kirk and his desire to go anywhere at any time. But take a deep breath and consider that once Kirk gets to wherever he is going, he realizes that he’s in trouble and needs Bones and Spock to get him out of the jam. This is one of the lessons of Uranus in Aries, for while Aries is the Sign of rugged individualism and Uranus is the Sign of the freedom fighter, nothing in our world exists independently—we are all connected and honoring the needs of the many will always be a better choice than satisfying the needs of the one. Isn’t that the Federation’s underlying raison d’être?
Resisting the impulse to act won’t be easy, and simply breathing your way through the next several weeks won’t be a strong enough antidote to neutralize impulsive urges. But breathe deeply anyway—it will help you gain a little space before you rush in, and when you do rush in, try to align with acts of kindness that will benefit others. When you have time, contemplate what’s shifted in your life during Uranus’ journey through Aries. Think about what you’ve learned. Then think about how much there still is to learn.
Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
Aries March 21-April 19
It’s been a long haul and the end is in sight. Just a word of caution before you finish the last lap and cross the finish line: all that glitters is not gold and appearances, while often important, are not the final measure of a human being. Be true to your principles and refuse to let self-doubt undermine your sense of accomplishment. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but measured through ultimate value—the soul’s growth—it’s been worthwhile.
Taurus April 20-May 20.
You can feel the excitement of Uranus entering your Sign, but before you cross that threshold, there are a few loose ends to gather. For the last nearly eight years, you’ve been on an internal journey that has revealed several psychological patterns in need of healing. As this phase ends, rather than brood about those discoveries or indulge in negative thinking about the inner work that’s still necessary, take a moment to appreciate your expanded awareness.
Gemini May 21-June 21
Uranus strengthened your participation in community and while some of those commitments were predictable, others were completely unexpected, which is what’s been remarkable about this journey. Even if you weren’t open to new ideas and innovative ways of thinking, Uranus provoked a revolution in your worldview. The willingness to grow is a hard-won characteristic, so hold onto it and allow it to be your attitude of choice as you move forward.
Cancer June 22-July 22
As you move forward into the territory that lies ahead, try not to lose sight of all that’s shifted, personally as well as professionally. I’m not suggesting you dwell on the past; I am advising you to take stock of your accomplishments. Sometimes we forget important pieces of the journey that we would do well to remember, if only because they have the potential to deepen our confidence, and in so doing, become the springboard for our next steps.
Leo July 23-August 22
Uranus provoked a deep phase of questioning what you believe in and why. For some, this journey manifested as a long, intensive revisting of your faith systems while for others, it provoked a question for knowledge. Wherever you find yourself along the arc of this journey, it’s certain that you’ve learned something important about your world. Identify what you’ve learned and let it fuel your passion for the next phase.
Virgo August 23-September 22
You have complete permission to congratulate yourself for a journey well done—just be aware that it is not quite over and there might be a few more important lessons in the weeks that lie ahead. On the surface, most of your changes in the last nearly eight years have seemed to be about finances—money and how to manage it. But at a much deeper level, you’ve been wrestling with how to grow—much harder lessons than anyone could’ve imagined.
Libra September 23-October 22
You don’t really need anyone to remind you just how much you had to stretch to handle the plethora of Uranian ups and downs you’ve encountered during this intensive—it’s been a nonstop exploration of relationship and what that really means to you. It’s not over—not yet; there are still a few more shifts to navigate. Make a commitment to handle these next several weeks skillfully by applying all that you’ve learned. Remember…kindness is always the best choice.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
Yes, you have been through a lot of changes, and here’s the good news: there’s more to come, which means you get to apply your hard-earned expertise. The best news is that you can also handle the pace of these shifts, some of which may happen at the speed of light. For nearly eight years you’ve been strengthening your ability to ride the tides of change, no matter how many surprising plot twists. Use that skill and you’ll easily handle what lies ahead.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Sometimes it’s important to push forward, even if that means revealing your blind ambition and the naked desire to succeed. Uranus has taken you on a long and valuable exploration of your creative fire and now, in the final leg of this extraordinary journey, your desire to succeed is undeniable. Own it. You don’t have to be self-conscious about being in the spotlight; you just have to make sure you leave room for others to also shine.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
You don’t need me to tell you that your plate is full—all anyone has to do is witness your busy days, and those aren’t going to settle down anytime soon. But despite that hubbub, it would be wise to take a few minutes to consider the essence of Uranus’ transit through your Solar House of home. It hasn’t been an easy journey, especially wrestling with issues of safety and security, but in these last weeks, notice how your internal center has strengthened and grown.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
The last nearly eight years have been a wild ride of dynamic shifts on an almost day-to-day basis and you’ve worked hard to adapt and adjust to constant changes. The good news is that those surprising developments catalyzed a desire to gather wisdom from your experiences—put simply, you’ve grown. Keep that in mind during the final weeks of this phase. They aren’t quite a test, but they are likely to challenge you to integrate all you’ve learned.
Pisces February 19-March 20
Uranus’ journey through Aries posed a constant challenge to your resources through a nonstop erratic money flow—it rained it, it poured, and then there was the drought—and very little has been consistent except the invitation to explore ultimate value through an examination of self-esteem and self-confidence. As this intense phase ends, examine what you’ve learned about being your greatest resource. Money matters, but not as much as spirit.