a	NEW MOON:  January 24, 2001 5:07 a.m., PST; 8:07 a.m. EST The Moon and Sun are joined at 4.36 Aquarius Sabian Symbol: A council of ancestors implementing the efforts of a young leader.
What does listening to the zodiac do for us at each moon cycle?  It attunes us to the yet living quality of this ancient rhythm.  It sharpens our senses to new ways to bring ourselves forth.  It puts us on the alert -- as an animal living in the wild -- to something new in the air...

 "The good news is:  We've all got different minds.  The bad news is:  We've all got different minds..."

The surest sign of life on another planet, says science writer Lewis Thomas, would be evidence of a committee.  "It is beyond our imagination to conceive of a single form of life that lives alone and independent, unattached to other life forms."  Aquarius draws us into this stimulating, consoling, chaotic and aggravating realm of the tribe.  And this New Moon chart shows us just what can happen when committees get together:  a powerful T-square between Mars, Saturn, and Uranus, representing the natural collision between independent and interdependent beings. 

Astrologically this combination has great force and instability.  Personally and globally we might wonder.  Will it be constructive or destructive?  Or will it exhaust itself in taut resistance?  Individually we might affect the global wave if we can follow the clue in this new moon's Sabian image:  "A council of ancestors implementing the efforts of a young leader."  In other words, whatever comes up, don't do it is the same way you've always done it.  Look for new leadership.

Easier said than done!  My heart sank recently when I realized my inner sixties-hippy, so recently renewed, was an ancestral voice rather than authentic new leadership.  I was prepared to snarl and resist the new administration for the next four years, until I read this from Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron:    "No matter how well documented or noble our cause is, it won't be helped by our feeling aggression toward the oppressors or those who are promoting the danger.  ... If we solidify our opinion against those we feel are at fault, then nothing ever changes; negativity begets negativity." (When Things Fall Apart).

Chodron recommends a strategy of clear-seeing intelligence (Uranus) plus non-aggression and compassion (Neptune).  Uranus is at the apex of the new moon T-square and gives us a place to focus our thoughts:  strip away our opinions and seek a wider truth.  Two degrees away from a conjunction with Sun and Moon, Neptune's more spiritual view is also something to work towards.  With non-aggression, we won't always get what we want, says Chodron, but we will be "adding peace to the world."  Can we really do this? This Aquarius cycle is at least a good time to try!

Also of note this new moon, Saturn and Jupiter turn direct.  To understand what effect this will have on you, consider what's already happened.  Have you recently felt an urge to organize something?  Get more realistic somewhere or exert your authority?  That's Saturn moving forward in your life.  Have you felt the desire to expand or grow?  That's Jupiter.  This may be especially true in the Capricorn or Sagittarius houses of your chart. 

And it's not always a spectacular event.  Astrology typically manifests in normal ways.  Last week I stepped into my neighbor's house.  It's one of those houses that looks like a decorator arranged everything.  When I stepped back into my own house, everything looked horribly shabby!  Suddenly, I was on a furniture-buying spree.  Jupiter rules my fourth house of "home," where I've been expanding ever since!   What brought me into my neighbor's house in the first place?  A conversation about my new dog, "Jupiter"!  (And don't ask about the "wisdom" of buying new furniture with a new dog in the house!)
 

February Astrology Highlights
by Lynn Koiner, P.M.A.F.A. 
 

MERCURY RETROGRADE: February 3-25

The traditional statement about Mercury retrograde is that it favors anything that begins with the prefix "re-" -- re-negotiate, re-vamp, re-new, re-vise, return, re-issue, re-visit, re-finance because the word retrograde itself means "to go back and retrace one's steps."

Many people call me about how to handle the decision-making process while Mercury is retrograde. Always, decisions should only be made on contingency! With the element of flexibility added to any change or decision, there seems to be some guarantee of success. This period also favors finishing up work or returning to complete a project. This motion can provide new insights into the material. It favors re-considering prior decisions and getting others to change their minds about a previously-made decision. Precision is always disrupted by a retrograde Mercury. Going with the flow, keeping options open, using contingency methods and intuitively processing as you go along seem to give the flexibility needed to avoid Retrograde Mishaps. 

Most of the time, Mercury retrograde is about as welcome as a tax audit! The left hemisphere of the brain is out to lunch, nothing works when you want it to, and nothing turns out as planned. Generally speaking, this is not a time to make any major commitments or sign any contracts or papers because you will change your mind. It is not a time to place any importance in the decisions or commitments of others since they, too, will change their minds. Sign agreements only on contingency! All changes are subject to delays, last-minute postponements or mix-ups. 

This is a bad time to obtain a medical diagnosis or visit a doctor for the first time. You may not be able to obtain an accurate diagnosis until Mercury turns direct. It is better for a later diagnosis. 

General repairs are not favored when Mercury is retrograde and these frequently have to be done over again. Never purchase anything associated with transportation or communication - such as a car, a bicycle, tape recorder, TV or even shoes. Such purchases will not last long or they will be plagued with malfunctions - if they work at all! 

When Mercury is retrograde and afflicting another transiting planet, this causes major communication and decision-making errors in judgment. It is not a time to travel and, when driving yourself, exercise great caution. People are more inclined to be accident prone. 

Caution Dates are February 9-10 (Mars), 12-13 (Saturn) and 15 (Uranus) is the most dangerous with its rapid fire hits.

 February SunScopes

AQUARIUS (January 20-February 17): You can intensely focus upon any objective as long as you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. February 11 is an excellent time for socializing with an agenda but you will accomplish more with less constraint by working outside of the system. Romance on the 14th is a bit too intense for Aquarian tastes but the 15th and 16th finds sparks flying!

PISCES (February 18-March 19): Articulating your needs may be difficult while Mercury is Retrograde through the 25th but it is a time to begin to look at your relationships with a new perspective. February 11 favors working out your problems with your partner but do not get trapped into any commitments. Those grey areas could get you into trouble.

ARIES (March 20-April 19): Mercury Retrograde may slow you down on the 3rd -- take a break, cool down and take in a movie until the frustration passes. Fire signs have great dates this month - February 15, 16, 25 and 26 - for excitement, romance, seizing opportunities and taking risks. Your circumstances improve through new, innovative thinking and appreciative relationships.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Your cushy comfort zone is a good place to nestle this month since the path of forward movement is filled with potholes. Emotional intensity is favored on the 4th - work out your problems and renegotiate your relationship. Minor adjustments will be sufficient. February 9 favors working with other task-oriented people who do not hold you back with ineptness. 

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your adaptability will be stretched to the max this month. Long lunch breaks may be needed around the Full Moon on February 8 when others are contentious and irritable. February 11 is good for socializing. Being polite will be more important than being sincere. February 25-26 is great for high energy romance with someone who challenges your intellect.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): This month use your intuition-guided instincts to maneuver around edgy situations. Go with those gut reactions that tell you when to back out of a situation or commitment. Difficulties are illuminated by the February 7-8 Full Moon and emotions reach critical mass. Let it go and it will pass. Watch driving on the 23rd. 

LEO (July 23-August 22): When people are going crazy with the Retrograde mishaps, you are a good person to ask for advice. Sit them down with some granola cookies and Camomile tea and just listen. Just letting others vent will be greatly appreciated. February 15, 16, 25 and 26 are your best dates for love and appreciation!

VIRGO (August 23-September 22): Don’t be hard on yourself this month. No one else is doing anything right so why should you expect perfection when Mercury is Retrograde through the 25th. Go through papers and documents on the 9th and you will find exactly what you need to know! Don’t over-react or let others get to you on the 18th. 

LIBRA (September 23-October 22): Don’t lose perspective this month and get caught up in the small stuff. Remember, its ALL small stuff. Seeing the big picture gives you the advantage. On February 15-16, you can inspire others not to give up. Give a frank evaluation of what is going on but keep it upbeat. 

SCORPIO ( October 23-November 21): You can become quite annoyed when your focus is interrupted by the mistakes and poor decision-making of others. You can get more done if you work alone. Insider scoop comes your way on the 9th. This information will prove profitable in many ways. On the 19th, old love is better than new. 

SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21): Don’t say or repeat anything that a Scorpio could pick up on this month. You will regret what you say on February 7-8 and 18! You feel fired up on the 15th and 16th – find yourself out and about and making important connections, both romantic and professional. When in doubt, DON’T!

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19): Since Mercury will be retrograde from February 3 through 25, the reorganization of existing projects will prove more successful than trying something new. On the 3rd, you may feel like you just walked into a wall. Frustration is keenly felt on this day. February 9 is excellent for psychologically sizing up information and making a profitable decision.