Happy Valentines’ Day from the Sun in “I love you, but don’t take it personally” Aquarius! With Mars at the end of Sagittarius, would-be Romeos may apply the innovative intellectual energy of the Aquarius Sun in prominently creative acts and assertions of Moon-in-Scorpio passion, depth and fidelity. As the Moon cruises through this day without speed bumps, chances of the downside potential of a Scorpio Moon (e.g. jealousy or vengeance), are minimized. Huzzah! Plus, a harmony between Moon and Neptune at 1:25 AM ET on…

• SATURDAY –– …can be positively dreamy. Not until 5:17 PM ET do we see a potential challenge — between the Sun and Moon. But three minutes later, Moon goes void, so chill out for the rest of the night. At 11:07 PM ET, Moon blasts into Sagittarius, driving the next two days with the energy or righteous opinions and record-breaking actions, which we are definitely going to hear about, as….
• SUNDAY — …at 6:34 AM ET, Mars enters Capricorn, adding potential for laser-beam efficiency to any action plan. What could go wrong? Glad you asked. Today’s plan for world domination must also consider that Mercury turns retrograde at 7:54 PM ET — at 12 degrees of Pisces — and then squares the Moon at 10:10 PM ET.
• MONDAY — Note your dreams upon waking, as the Moon squares Neptune at 6:50 AM ET. Have a fabulous adventure for the rest of this day, driven by the Moon in Sagittarius. Catch a foreign film; go for a walk in nature or a neighborhood you’ve never explored. No sleeping in on Tuesday — it’ll be all business, driven by the Capricorn Moon.

Here is your Mercury retrograde survival guide — same as it ever was — but in Pisces, so what is up for review has to do with matters of faith and belief. Wherever  28 Aquarius – 12 Pisces falls in your horoscope is the area of your life in which your beliefs and faith are likely to be tested.

Contrary to popular belief, Mercury retrogrades are no reason to freak out. Mercury retrograde gets a bad rap because we are geared, in this crazy modern age, to always be thinking, doing, moving FORWARD. You know what that gets you? BURN OUT. We need our down times, and Mercury retrograde is a perfect time to give our minds a rest. Why else would your computer, phone and/or car choose THIS time to malfunction? Because you are supposed to be slowing down. And as you slow down, it is vitally important that you FOCUS.

When Mercury is retrograde, be prepared for travel delays, scheduling screw-ups, mechanical breakdowns, computer crashes, having to repeat what you’ve just said, misunderstandings, the past coming back for a second look, surprise reunions and having to repeat what you just said. Use your FOCUS and double check important details, like whether the restaurant you’ve chosen for a meet-up is still in business. Or whether it is booked for a commercial shoot or a private party — all of which has happened to me during Mercury retrogrades.

If you are looking for a job, Mercury retrogrades are a perfect time to reach out to people from your past. Mine your address book and trust that your contacts will be happy to hear from you. However, do not be frustrated if your target is away on vacation or keeps rescheduling meetings. Also, triple check your emails and resumes before you hit “send,” as there is a higher probability of typos and other sloppy snafus.

In your business, you’ll need to make sure all communications have been received and are clearly understood. Be mindful of the higher potential for communications equipment to go on the fritz. MAKE SURE YOUR FILES ARE BACKED UP. Also be aware of a higher than average probability for delays in shipping and travel arrangements. For this you will need an extra dose of patience.

You may also find it profitable to REview a project from the past. Maybe you shelved it then, but now is the time to REconsider. However, be advised that a spontaneously, “out-of-the-blue” idea for advancement may not be so sound when Mercury turns direct. This is why the conventional wisdom advises against finalizing and/or signing contracts on deals during Mercury retrograde. An exception might be supported if you are REnegotiating or RElocating. If you absolutely must close a deal, triple check everything. The key is not to RUSH.

This is a good time to schedule a corporate REtreat. Any activity that affords the opportunity to REview past performance is encouraged. REsearch on a new strategy is also favored.

Mercury retrogrades are not favored for launching a new website or a new communications systems. There is a higher than average probability of technical glitches and confusion. REvisions, however, are A-OK.

In general, adopt a playful attitude of flexibility to whatever twists you encounter. Avoid making major purchases (especially electronic ones). Don’t believe everything you hear or read in the papers. Rumors have a higher probability of spreading during Mercury retrogrades. Avoid losing patience — that’s a big one.

When in doubt, be silent!

Do plan on RElaxing, REviewing, REsearching, REorganizing, REgenerating, REconnecting and REcreating….and REviewing your life with your astrologer.

And now, the news.

I anticipated the sudden collapse of certain structures this week, and the headlines delivered. In the U.S., the sudden resignation of all four prosecutors in convicted criminal Roger Stone’s case would qualify. Why did they resign? Because P45 complained about the sentence recommended by the prosecutors, and the Justice Dept., overseen by his arguably personal attorney William Barr (who is supposed to serve the rule of law in his capacity as U.S. Attorney General) then recommended a reduced sentence for Mr. Stone. The four DOJ attorneys heard about it on Fox News. For more details, refer to historian Heather Cox Richardson’s post for February 12th. 

Yesterday P45 was accusing of tweeting a quid pro quo to New York governor Andrew Cuomo — the same kind of activity for which he was impeached.  It’s interesting to note than in the chart for his inauguration, transiting Saturn was exactly at the top yesterday, which often suggests being at the top of one’s game. What lies ahead? On February 27, we see an exact pattern between Pluto (power) and Uranus (revolution) that has been in effect for the past few months. This suggests extraordinary effort, for better or worse. Maybe — just maybe — we will see some curb on the current power grab around April 2, when Saturn will be sitting on the 0 degrees Aquarius Sun in the inaugural chart. This pattern often reflects a squeeze on one’s vitality…but it also can reflect a streamlined focus of ambition. We shall see. On March 31st — which is when William Barr says he will testify before the House Judiciary Committee — transiting Mars will be sitting on that Aquarius Sun, suggesting an aggressive outburst, one way or the other.

Meanwhile, we are sure to see a ton of information revealed during the upcoming Mercury retrograde.

Another potential collapse: the second-largest newspaper publisher in the U.S. — McClatchy — filed for bankruptcy. This is not good for local news reporting.

A sudden collapse in the UK would include a shake-up of its Cabinet.  You can decide for yourself if it also includes Boris Johnson cancelling a planned trip to Washington after P45 “slammed the phone down on him in a moment of apoplectic fury.” 

THIS JUST IN…as anticipated in Monday’s forecast, with Mars approaching the Aries Point, Andrew McCabe is in the news — huzzah!!! The Justice Dept. announced it will not be pursuing charges against him.

Next week — on February 20th — we’ll finally have a major aspect between a planet and another planets that is not the Moon. Jupiter will sextile Neptune at 10:59 AM ET, and we’re seeing reflections of that now. In the language of astrology, Jupiter refers to expansion; Neptune refers to many things, as Avid Readers know — including things that may be considered “out there,” as in spacey:

• “Astronomers spy near-Earth asteroid that has its own moon.”
• “Mysterious radio signals from space is repeating every sixteen days”
• “‘Ghost’ population of ancient humans discovered in Africa”
• “Mysterious object falls from night sky in Malaysia”; caught on tape
• “New Horizons space craft alters theory of planet formation”

Wishing you perfectly lover-ly Valentines Day — and a restful holiday weekend.

Thank you for reading this forecast.

Apt photo by Iga Palacz on Unsplash