Violence Between the Eclipses:
Multiple Schools Shootings,
NYC Psychiatrist Bludgeoned;
Venus enters Aquarius, Mercury turns Direct,
The Sun enters Pisces, & Feb 20 Lunar Eclipse
By Shelley L. Ackerman
[From my 'Shimmering Stars' column in The Westchester Guardian, © 2008]

The Sun/Neptune trine to 'out of bounds' Mars Proved Deadly

ARIES: With your ruler, Mars so hyper-active, the next few weeks are best spent in a group setting, and with those who have a calming influence. Postpone moves towards establishing greater intimacy with someone special till later in the Spring. RE: clarifying communication, Mercury direct, late on the 18th will make your words come that much easier. A creative supporter is working behind the scenes to get you recognized (by someone who counts) and possibly promoted. Have faith.

TAURUS: Tactile to a fault (I touch therefore I am), Valentine’s Day is something you take seriously. When else is chocolate a requirement, and cuddling practically a law? But though Venus is your ruler, Mars in your 2nd house of income in excellent aspect to the Sun at the career top of your chart and you may have entirely forgot the whole romance-holiday thing to focus exclusively on professional strategies. It isn’t too late to fix either, as a matter of fact matters of the heart are better addressed this week instead: Mercury won’t be direct till the 19th. No business agreements should be finalized till then either.

GEMINI: Though your ruler Mercury is retrograde till the wee hours of Feb 19, there is a golden opportunity before then to connect with someone oversees, a cleric, a professor, or even a publisher who can help you turn a major corner and make a dream of yours a reality. Don’t postpone acting on this chance of a lifetime, so much good will come of it. The Sun enters your 10th house on Tuesday and career should be in sharp focus. Stop wasting your time on anyone unworthy and anything draining

CANCER: Contrary to what you think, a negotiation that has stalled over the last few weeks and that you thought was dead and gone is brought back to life and help is on the way. Your rescuers could include a legal whiz and/or a powerful and experienced money person that you helped in the past and who happily steps up to the plate at the 11th hour. Don’t for any reason turn down this heaven-sent assistance. It is owed to you, period. The lunar eclipse sheds light on who in your circle is to be trusted and who is not.

LEO: After an inspired/energized Valentine’s Day, a gathering may yet yield an unexpected bonus: A very pleasant bond between a partner/spouse and several good friends (whom he/she never met before) forms spontaneously. You’re reminded of how juicy it is when different factions of your life get along this well. And this is just the beginning. The full benefits of this alliance will take time to unfold, but the rewards will be many. On Feb 17, Venus enters your relationship house. Reward your significant other with extra TLC.

VIRGO: Much can be accomplished this week on the work front, and the good news is you don’t have to do it alone. Help is offered from all four corners of the globe-so just say yes and thank you. And as your ruler, Mercury, slowly turns direct, you may also want to think about going for that medical procedure you’ve been postponing. Did someone say Valentine’s Day? Oh yeah, from the “no excuses” dept., Venus in Capricorn (in your 5th house of love) had no patience for wastefulness and was only available for seriousness, service, and very fine art.

LIBRA: For you, Valentine’s Day is one of the High Holy Days: Expectations run sky high but so do disappointments. So rather than get lost in a fantasy that won’t come true, might you be open to celebrating a rich and rewarding friendship with someone you like instead? The ruler of your 7th house of partnership is in an excellent aspect with the sun in your 5th house of creativity, romance and love. But the element of ‘air’ brings a cool detachment. So V Day 2008 is more about the ’idea’ of love than anything else. Poetry anyone?

SCORPIO: Your co-ruler Mars now in airy and communicative Gemini says that your best romantic turn on will come from finding the right words to express the depth of your feeling. Scorpios get themselves into trouble by withholding and pulling back. But the truth is, it exhausts you and everyone else. Mercury turns direct late on the 18th/early 19th. After that you have no excuse to remain that close to the vest. The Sun enters your lovey-dovey 5th house on the 19th and your heart charka will go pitter-patter once more.

SAGITTARIUS: A partner, spouse, and or someone you’re working very closely with has had difficulty being clear and/or coming clean with you. Though you are right to be frustrated and annoyed, it might serve you to find it in your heart to give them one more chance. Mercury will go direct in a few days and it will become easier for them to share the whole story and to explain what their fears were about in the first place. The challenge for you is to see if you’re able to forgive their transgressions and let bygones be bygones.

CAPRICORN: Guess what: This time the check really is in the mail, literally and figuratively. The favorable interplay between energetic and competitive Mars, the Sun, Neptune and your midheaven is a boon to your imagination, your outlook. But your ruling planet Saturn is still annoyingly retrograde through the beginning of May, which by the way, could be curtailing your energy. But that’s manageable, as long as you work at balancing the inner world of the possible with the outer reality of paying the bills. May brings a miracle.

AQUARIUS: “Beauty is as beauty does”. Sure, it’s what’s inside that counts, but it can’t hurt to clean up and sparkle either. Mars in your 5th house of escapades and excursions rouses and supports your Aquarius sun, and Yowsa! You’re on everyone’s “A” list, but be careful not to overwhelm others with your over the top energy. Then, on the 17th, Venus enters your sign and expands your popularity even further. But why not turn that allure into dollars? Go for it on the 19th when the Sun enters Pisces: And if a partner presents a cool idea to help your cash flow, listen up. Water and watery environments bring luck.

PISCES: For the past few weeks you’ve been more spacey than usual, but it’s not your fault. The Sun, Neptune, and Mercury have been in your other-worldly 12th house, and as Professor Marvel (the Wizard of Oz) would say, you’ve been ‘in tune with the infinite’ 24/7. Well, that’s about to change ‘and you’re coming back down to Earth. The lunar eclipse on the 20th forces you too face a situation that you’ve avoided for some time. The funny thing is, the confrontation is liberating and feels better than those months of ducking.

Transits this week
Moon's Current Position: