FEBRUARY 2013 ASTRO TIDBITS   

For the world, February starts off with depleted energy (Mars conjunct Neptune), but soon brings inspiration and fun on the 7^th (Venus sextile Uranus, trine Jupiter; Mercury conjunct Neptune). On the 10^th, humanitarian progress butts heads with economic reality (New Moon in Aquarius square Node), but unusual opportunities in technology blossom through the 19^th (Jupiter sextile Uranus). The 18^th sees a slowdown and process of maturation (Saturn station retrograde in Scorpio). A lack of realism is problematic on the 21^st (Sun conjunct Neptune). Plans and discussions will have to be readdressed on the 23^rd, especially if they are vague or overblown (Mercury station retrograde in Pisces). The 25^th indicates a tug-of-war between careful precision and extravagant expansion (Full Moon in Virgo square Jupiter). While idealism is the keynote by month's end (Venus conjunct Neptune), there is stability and positive changes regarding traditions (Pluto sextile Saturn).

The U.S. continues a long transformation of the American Dream (Solar Arc Pluto conjunct U.S. Neptune). Hollywood's image is affected through the purse (Solar Arc Ascendant conjunct U.S. Leo Node in H8), but the tendency for risk and excess is still present until the 9^th (Uranus square U.S. Jupiter). February 3^rd can bring a transportation accident or a marked emphasis on posturing (Mars in H3 conjunct U.S. progressed Descendant/Solar Arc Jupiter). The 6^th-7^th is fine for love (Mars trine U.S. Venus), and the 9^th is highly energetic (Mars trine U.S. Jupiter), but the 13^th indicates aggression (Mars conjunct U.S. progressed Sun). There will soon be extra efforts made to cooperate, even bend over backwards (progressed Moon opposite progressed Venus), but unclear or magical thinking can arise by the 19^th (Sun/Neptune conjunct U.S. progressed Descendant in H3). Between the 16^th-24^th, there will be much discussion, probably about gun deaths and control, but not much calm (progressed Moon, ruler of U.S. H8, sesquiquadrate Uranus in H6, ruler of H3, and square U.S. Mercury, ruler of H8). The last third of the month provides a lot of freedom to innovate on the tech or humanitarian fronts (Jupiter conjunct U.S. progressed Uranus). On the 23^rd, harsh words can erupt (Mercury station retrograde conjunct U.S. progressed Mercury, square U.S. Mars). The 24^th sees a return to diplomacy and pleasantries (Venus conjunct U.S. Moon), and the month ends with a great deal of idealism (Neptune trine U.S. Venus).

President Obama begins the month pleasantly (Venus opposite his Mercury, trine his Moon) but by the 6^th he is irritable (Mars square his Moon), and between the 9^th - 13^th there is tension, arm-twisting, and much anger (Mercury and Mars opposite his Pluto). The issue is undoubtedly the budget efforts and "fiscal cliff" yet to be resolved (Solar Arc Mercury conjunct his Mars/H8). In general, his tenure at this time shows a fruitful relationship with the country (Solar Arc Ascendant at 7 Aries trine U.S. Solar Arc Ascendant at 7 Leo), but his immediate experience by the 18^th feels blocked, frustrating, and tiring (Saturn station retrograde square his Sun, conjunct his Solar Arc Mars). From the 17^th-18^th, he can take a much-needed fun break (Venus conjunct his Ascendant, sextile his progressed Moon), but on the 25^th there is a pattern of bullying or being bullied (Full Moon conjunct Pluto in H7). He is weary and escapist by month's end (Neptune opposite his progressed Venus, quinqunx his progressed Sun; Neptune starts squaring his Moon, ruler of H6), and in need of a health check-up (progressed Midheaven into H12; Saturn square his Sun; hard Neptune aspects).