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By Azlan White

Each new cycle of the moon brings us an opportunity to recreate ourselves and our world. The new moon provides us with a blank slate, then reflects increasing energy to us as it builds toward a full moon. It's important to be conscious of where we focus our energy during the waxing moon, because we will see this focus come to fruition at the full moon. Then the moon slowly retreats. Little by little, it pulls energy away every day until we are in the dark and back to the beginning of the cycle.

This month, if every newspaper looks like bad news, we can be skilled creators by focusing most of our attention on our own vision of peace and interconnectedness. We can foster it with faith from the gentle silent new moon on February 1st, to the volatile, external full moon on February 16th. This month's full moon is in the sign of Leo opposite the sun in Aquarius, which is related to creativity, children (inner and outer) and our heart's desires interfacing with technology and the greater (local and global) community.

This new moon on the 1st of February is conjunct Neptune, planet of watery illusion, and opposite Jupiter, planet of expansion. So it is a month for expanding our dreams. During the first quarter waxing phase of the moon, from February 1 to February 9, it is good to be aware of our thoughts and intentions. Remember, that is the time in the cycle when we are planting seeds with where we hold our focus. February appears to be a month of increasing fire power. Each one of us has an opportunity to be responsible vessels for this fiery living energy as it intensifies each day until the full moon on February 16th. With the full moon, we will have Mars conjunct Pluto, Jupiter opposite Neptune, the Sun conjunct Uranus and Moon opposite Uranus. So February's full moon is super-charged! Mars and Pluto are volatile together. They can be war-like and aggressive or they can be revolutionary and deeply magical. However they manifest, their combined purpose is to help us to shed what does not serve the whole.

Jupiter's expansiveness combined with Neptune's fog or dream can produce either a spiritual breakthrough or a big deception. It is a time for visioning what we choose to create, rather than allowing newspapers or political leaders to orchestrate our attention into negative drama. Uranus often brings sudden shocks or instant manifestations that appear to come right out of nowhere, catching many people by surprise. So this full moon is loaded with opportunity for dramas large and small. Make your drama a powerful breakthrough in your life's work, or a revelation of truth.

Leo is the sign of the heart. It has been said that the second time humanity steals fire from the Gods will be when we learn to harness the power of the heart. This February's full moon reveals a month with the potential for increased heart power and safe leaps of faith! Look to the fire in your heart!

On February 21st, the planet Saturn begins moving forward again, after a long period of moving backward, since October 10th. February presents us with one last initiation of Saturn opposing Pluto. For the last two years, Saturn and Pluto have been dancing closely opposite each other. After February 21st, those of us who have felt limited or blocked in our ability to move forward in some area of life may feel freed. Things will lighten up in the realms of Saturn (authority, work, rules and structures) each day that this planet of form moves away from opposing Pluto, planet of death and rebirth.

From February 26th to March 2nd, we will be in the last restorative phase of the waning moon. This is our monthly time of rest and recuperation. If you feel depressed or tired, know that you simply need to rest more than usual, for it is that time of the cycle.
A Hopi elder once said about these times, appropriate to this month, with a lunar cycle so closely linked to Jupiter and Neptune:

"You have been telling the people it is the eleventh hour, now you must go back and tell the people, this is the hour, and there are things to be considered. Where are you going? What are you doing? Are you in right relation? Where is your water? Do you know your garden? It is time to speak your truth. There is a river flowing now, very fast. It is so great and swift, there are those who will be afraid. They will hold on to the shore, and they will suffer greatly. The elders say, Push off of the shore into the middle of the river, keep your eyes open and your head above water. And I say, See who is in there with you, and celebrate! For at this time in history you are to take nothing personally, least of all yourselves. For the moment that you do, your spiritual journey has come to a halt. Gather yourselves, banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that you do must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we've been waiting for."

These days could require extra patience-watch negative judgements and don't take challenges personally. We are simply moving through rough waters where compromise and surrender are keys:
Feb 3, 4 ­ watch anger
Feb 6 ­ communication challenges
Feb 9 ­ First Quarter square ­ make difficult choices
Feb 13 ­ easily hurt feelings
Feb 17 ­ volatility and wounds are up
Feb 18 ­ watch anger
Feb 20 ­ potential frustration
Feb 24 ­ watch anger
Feb 27 ­ watch misperceptions (withhold judgements until March)
Feb 28 ­ watch unfounded fear arising out of nowhere

For personal astrological forecasts, email Azlan: azlan@earthlink.net