The Daily Astro for February 1, 2013

by Valerie Sylvester

 

TODAY’S ASTRO: 

 

February starts with the Moon in Libra, the “keep your equilibrium” sign. Just after midnight, the Moon and Sun (in Aquarius) do the happy-trine-dance, so bask in the harmony, and if you were asleep at that time, I hope you had some very pleasant dreams! The Moon makes a few challenging aspects today, so it could be that recent disturbances in the field are rocking the boat, or that we need to clarify some matters that have gotten out of control or have become murkified. We may be happy living in our own little indulgent bubbles during the afternoon hours, spinning expansive fantasies. Since the Moon is also void from around 8:00 PM EST tonight until it enters Scorpio tomorrow morning, nothing may come of these imaginings, but they probably were fun while they lasted!

We just experienced the Full Moon in Leo, followed by Jupiter going direct, and today Mars leaves Aquarius to enter Pisces at 8:54 PM EST, followed closely by Venus leaving Capricorn to enter Aquarius at 9:47 PM EST. With Moon in partnership-focused Libra and Venus and Mars changing signs, relationships may be very much on our minds today. The best way to use these energies is to focus on helping others who are less fortunate. Mars in Pisces takes the dynamic energy of Mars on an inner journey, so spiritual exploration is highlighted, as is fighting for the rights of others who are exploited or not in a position to fight for themselves. It’s not a “dynamic” location for Mars, as  energy tends to ebb and flow in Pisces. Venus in Aquarius places the love goddess in a more detached sign; this position lends itself more to universal love or care for the collective than to hearts-and-flowers lovey-doviness. We may find the energy flows better when our focus and concern is directed outside ourselves, to help and heal others. (Aquarius and Pisces are universal signs, as opposed to personal signs, where the focus is more on our own needs and wants.)

 

THE SYMBOLS:

Sabian Symbol for today’s Sun: “ A barometer.”
Kozminsky Symbol for today’s Sun: “ A veiled figure, seated on a rock, pointing to a radiated human eye in mid-air.”
The Keyword for the Sabian Symbol is: “A barometer”.
The Keyword for the Kozminsky Symbol is “Discernment”.

 

THE DAILY DRAW:

Today we have a barometer and a giant eye as the Symbols du Jour. Both of these have the same meaning, expressed best by Bob Dylan in “Subterranean Homesick Blues”: “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.”

The Kozminsky Symbol presents a High-Priestess or Hermit-like figure, veiled an alone, doing that Delphic Oracle thing. And pointing to a big eye floating in the air. Here’s a mystic, someone who sees far into the future, who knows which way the wind blows. He or she is truly “justified and ancient”. There’s a feel of time standing still, of wisdom accrued, of being guided.

The Sabian Symbol features a barometer, which also tells us what the weather’s going to be like. There’s an emphasis on forecasting. What’s the cosmic weather going to be like? The barometer is a tool to get us there, to help us figure things out. We watch for patterns to give us clues to what’s going to happen next. In order to do this we have to understand the cosmic order, and that requires time, attention, observation and an ability to interpret signs.

As with today’s Kozminsky Symbol, the idea of prophecy, forecasting, and foretelling the future is emphasized. Look for the threads, see how they intertwine to form the tapestry. The down side: being afraid to do anything without “consulting the oracle” or being so superstitious we don’t take action. We all know people who are too dependent on psychics or who keep throwing tarot cards on a question until they get the answer they want. Trust your inner vision. Check the forecast, but ultimately, you must trust your own instincts and inner compass.

THE DAILY DRAW:

Since both of our Symbols feature oracles, I thought drawing an Oracle Card would be in order, so I went to an old favorite, Ravynne Phelan’s Messenger Oracle. You can see some of the cards at http://www.blueangelonline.com/messenger_oracle.htm.

The card I drew was #9, “Embrace the Dark”. The card features a black-clad woman looking intense in the foreground, a black cat-like creature and a small fairy next to her. There’s a Full Moon at her back and twisted trees surrounding her. In the background a luminous figure with a staff  beckons.

This card reminds us to beware of falling into polarized thinking and to ponder the concept of the shadow. Whatever we are most afraid to look at is often a source of our greatest trauma, but also can be our greatest strength, once acknowledged. In relation to today’s astrology, we’re being asked to open up our definition of love to be all-inclusive, to bring in those rejected by society, the outcasts, the “unlovable” as well as those we may personally find appealing or attractive. Mars in Pisces and Venus in Aquarius tell us we need to take a global perspective, to open the doors wider.

Today’s oracular symbols remind us that in order to correctly prognosticate, we have to look at ALL influences, even those we consider retrograde, bad or evil, in order to get a full picture of what’s actually happening. We can’t leave out the “icky” parts–the Kozminsky Symbol eye is all-seeing, and the barometer doesn’t just measure for days when it’s sunny and bright, but also includes the stormy, volatile days that test our mettle.

–February 1, 2013