Astrological Forecast for February 8 - 14, 2007

by Ellen Zucker

Every architect, every designer, every entrepreneur begins with a vision. Some are magnificent. And some... some are so ethereal, they fall apart when buffeted by the slightest breeze.

At some point, the vision, if it is to become more than someone's dream, must be tested in the material world.

In other words, the architect's building plans must pass through a gauntlet of committees, zoning boards, and budgets. And the finished buildingitself must have a solid enough physical structure to handle the demands of extreme weather and the wear and tear of the elements.

The world where visions are born and live is the realm of Neptune. The world where gravity is king and zoning boards rules is the world of Saturn.

It is not a bad thing that many visions don't survive.

Many visions, pristine in the imagination, are monstrous when carried out. Terrorist expert Jessica Stern feels that a vision for a pure world is the mandate that drives terrorists torationalize the killing of innocent civilians.

History is chock full of hideous examples of utopias gone wrong.

While Neptune amuck is less than pretty, neither is Saturn's excess. When Saturn is carried too far, regulations, laws and bureaucracy choke our life force.

The ideal is balance. Neptune's vision tested by and balanced by Saturn's no-nonsense pragmatism gives us vitality that works.

In the heavens, Neptune and Saturn have been facing with each other down since the Autumn of 2005.

The face-off has been a dance: two steps forward: one step back. The positioning became exact this past August and will do so again at the end of this month, and, for one last time, in June.

When the positions are most exact, we feel them most strongly.

Although the planets' positioning is not exact until the end of the month, they are quite close. We are likely to feel it personally if they contact a planet or sensitive point in our own charts at or near 20 degrees of any fixed sign (Aquarius, Taurus, Leo, or Scorpio).

Otherwise, you are likely to experience it as so much background noise.

Often, under the Saturn/Neptune opposition, Saturn serves to prick Neptune's balloon. In other words, you may experience a disappointment.

But Saturn carries its own antidotes: self-discipline and a reality-check.

Take the time to re-examine your efforts and your goals. Generally, when there are setbacks under Saturn's watch, the Universe is telling you that you need to rework your efforts and make your plans more solid.

Saturn and Neptune represent two sets of energy that have difficulty working together under the best of conditions. But the opposition, where they face each other from opposite ends of the zodiac circle, aggravates the difficulty.

By definition, the opposition is an aspect where the energies of two planets are at odds with each other.

Consequently, with an opposition - any opposition - the tendency is to identify with one side and project the other. But, generally, the reality is that one side is neither wholly right nor the other wholly deluded.

This week, as Saturn and Neptune move closer into alignment, the Sun contacts them both - something it does every year.

The effect is a direct experience of each side of the opposition. First, the Sun conjoins (meets with) Neptune on Thursday, firing up our imagination and fogging up the landscape. Then Sun opposes Saturn on Saturday abruptly bringing us down to earth.

On Tuesday, Mercury, who has been slowing down over thepast couple weeks, comes to a dead stop, or what we astrologers call a 'station.'

Then it will assume an apparent backward motion (as seen from our Earthling perspective). Three weeks later, Mercury stations again and begins to resume its forward motion (on March 8th).

The usual Mercury Retrograde do's and don'ts apply. The incidence of communications, computer, and mechanical glitches are higher than usual when Mercury is in retrogrademotion. (Back up the computer, double-check your appointments, and make sure your car's maintenance is up to date).

Perspectives and minds are likely to change, so be wary of signing major contracts. But Mercury's Retrograde period is a wonderful time for research, refining, and re-contacting people from the past. For more information, read my article: 9 Ways to Turn Mercury Retrograde into a Positive for more detail.

Daily Forecasts
Times listed are based on Eastern Time Zone.

February 8
The Moon enters Scorpio and the Sun meets Neptune. The Moon, in Scorpio, is intense and moody. Feelings, like the ocean, wash over us.

February 9
Venus is in aspect to Jupiter. These are two feel-good planets. Venus deals with relationships, resources and our values. Jupiter expands whatever it touches and fills us with optimism.

So this is a good day for social activities and money issues as long as you don't carried away - an tempting possibility under this transit.

February 10
What comes up must come down. If you overdid it yesterday, either in terms of socializing or spending, you're feeling it today. Saturn opposes the Sun and the bills come due. The mood lightens up after 10:01 pm when the Moon enters sunny Sagittarius.

February 11
With Moon in upbeat Sagittarius engaging Mercury during the late afternoon and Uranus tonight, we feel restless and unsettled. It's a good day to getup and out of the house.

February 12
It's a productive day as Sagittarius' upbeat energy lingers. It is easy to get the cooperation of others who are more willing to work with us than usual.

February 13
The happiest people are those who can earn a living doing something they enjoy. With Moon in practical Capricorn, and Venus and Mars are in soft aspect, this is, indeed, possible.

February 14
Happy Valentine's Day. Overnight our brains have been working and we are awarded with a flash of intuition as we begin the day. The Capricorn moon helps us remain pragmatic and keep our thinking down-to-earth. Tonight we enjoy social opportunities.

© 2007 Ellen M. Zucker