Today is Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017
Hebrew date is 25 Shevat 5777
Islamic date is 24 Jumada-I 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 6 Ak’b’al
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.4.3
Julian Day is 2457806

Today’s Birthdays: Andres Segovia (1893-1987), Anais Nin (1903-1977), W. H. Auden (1907-1973), Nina Simone (1933-2003), John Lewis (1940), Tyne Daly (1946), Alan Rickman (1946-2016), Kelsey Grammer (1955), Chuck Palahniuk (1962), William Baldwin (1963), Jennifer Love Hewitt (1979), Jordan Peele (1979), Charlotte Church (1986), Ellen Page (1987), Corbin Bleu (1989), Sophie Turner (1996).

“Today on some of the big issues, moral issues, (it) seems like we been so silent. Somehow we need to find a way to reclaim our position as people of faith. We don’t need to sort of give up, or give out or in, or get lost in a sea of despair, become discouraged; we just need to get out there. When I was growing up, my mother and father and grandparents used to tell us, ‘Don’t get in trouble. Don’t get in the way.’ But during the ’60s, the religious community got in trouble. We got in the way. And it’s time again for the religious community to get in the way. To get in trouble. Good trouble, necessary trouble.”
— John Lewis

Moon Phase: Moon is in Last Quarter phase and enters Balsamic (waning crescent) phase on Feb. 22 at 1:08 pm PST / 4:08 pm EST (21:08:15 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Pisces on Feb. 26 at 6:58 am PST / 9:58 am EST (14:58:19 UTC), and is an annular solar eclipse.
Corresponding Full Moon in Virgo is on March 12 at 6:54 am PST / 9:54 am EST (14:53:43 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Capricorn and enters Aquarius on Feb. 23 at 9:17 am PST / 12:17 pm EST (17:17:16 UTC).
Sun Degree: 3-4 Pisces.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
Moon enters Capricorn at 11:08 pm Feb. 20 PST / 2:08 am EST (07:07:43 UTC).

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Venus sextile Asbolus at 12:09 am PST / 3:09 am EST (08:08:49 UTC).
— Mercury sextile Eris at 9:30 am PST / 12:30 pm EST (17:30:14 UTC).
— Mercury trine Jupiter at 10:27 am PST / 1:27 pm EST (18:27:03 UTC).
— Sun conjunct South Node at 12:12 pm PST / 3:12 pm EST (20:12:09 UTC).
— Mars square Cyllarus at 4:34 pm PST / 7:34 pm EST (00:34:07 Feb. 22 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is Feb. 21
(The Day of Intimacy) | Pisces Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
Stay highly observant — both of your thought processes and of your relationships — and you’ll likely enhance your powers of judgment considerably. In this time between eclipses, the difference between setting beneficial patterns versus falling into less helpful tendencies could partly depend on a series of simple, everyday decisions. You have reason to be optimistic at this time. Combine your faith and intuition with observable facts (including awareness of what you don’t know), and you’ll position yourself well.

Written in the Planets
Today could present an opportunity to make supportive contact between your deeper emotional realm and your physical reality. Specifically, this could happen in a way that opens a door for you to pass from one phase of awareness to another; kind of like walking over a threshold from one room to another. The aspect in play is a sextile between the Pisces Sun and an unnamed object in Taurus known as 1992 QB1. The thing about sextiles is that although the energy has a flowing quality, it can easily lay dormant if you do not consciously activate it. Listen to how you feel, emotionally and physically, and you’ll know what you need to do to move your awareness and creativity to the next level.

Today is Monday, Feb. 20, 2017
Hebrew date is 24 Shevat 5777
Islamic date is 23 Jumada-I 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 5 Ik’
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.4.2
Julian Day is 2457805

Today’s Birthdays: Elizabeth Holloway Marston (1893-1993), Ansel Adams (1902-1985), Sidney Poitier (1927), Mike Leigh (1943), Brenda Blethyn (1946), J. Geils (1946), Anthony Head (1954), Kurt Cobain (1967-1994), Trevor Noah (1984), Rihanna (1988).

“The big picture is that racism has been an awful experience — but there are other experiences. We need to keep an eye on the other human experiences to give ourselves the fullness and the breadth of our own humanity. Our humanity is served back to us through the eyes of those who have diminished us. And they serve back to us a view of ourselves that is incomplete. If we don’t look to the bigger picture, our view will narrow to that which is constantly fed to us.”
— Sidney Poitier

Painting by Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966).

Special Comment: The Essential Message of Pisces
Over the weekend, the Sun changed signs from Aquarius to Pisces. I’ve said before that the real ‘opposite’ signs are the ones next to one another. With this move, the Sun has left the energy field of fixed and focused mental patterns, and entered the environment of flexibility, feeling and flow.

Think of mathematics on one side and music on the other. They are related in many ways, but are distinct entities here on the cosmic physical plane.

Photo by Eric Francis.

Pisces is here to draw you into your inner life, even as the world appears to be in a state of benighted mayhem.

You may not be able to change the world, but you can change the world in you. In truth that is a tremendous gift to yourself and to your personal community. You make the world a better place when you grow and evolve.

Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac. I think of it as the river’s delta — the Delta of Venus, you might say (indeed, Venus is exalted in Pisces). The well of inspiration, Pisces is better when we draw on its water more abundantly; as the Quran informs its students, flowing water is healthier water.

The Quran is a kind of aquatic theology. Consider the idea that God “sends down water (rain) from the sky, and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth green stalks, from which We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date-palm and its spathe come forth clusters of dates hanging low and near, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof. Verily! In these things there are signs for people who believe.”

I love this simple respect for nature and for life. You might say that this nourishing spiritual aspect of water is what Pisces describes. All those fruits the prophet is describing are also the fruits of your mind and soul. Now is the time to drink in that water.

Read more…

Moon Phase: Moon is in Last Quarter phase and enters Balsamic (waning crescent) phase on Feb. 22 at 1:08 pm PST / 4:08 pm EST (21:08:15 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Pisces on Feb. 26 at 6:58 am PST / 9:58 am EST (14:58:19 UTC), and is an annular solar eclipse.
Corresponding Full Moon in Virgo is on March 12 at 6:54 am PST / 9:54 am EST (14:53:43 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Sagittarius and enters Capricorn overnight at 11:08 pm PST / 2:08 am EST (07:07:43 UTC).
Sun Degree: 2-3 Pisces.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
Asbolus stations direct at 7:46 am PST / 10:46 am EST (15:46:03 UTC).
Altjira stations direct at 10:15 am PST / 1:15 pm EST (18:15:03 UTC).

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Mercury square Ceto at 8:43 am PST / 11:43 am EST (16:43:28 UTC).
— Ceres sextile Nessus at 4:02 pm PST / 7:02 pm EST (00:02:08 Feb. 21 UTC).
— Mercury sextile Uranus at 8:01 pm PST / 11:01 pm EST (04:01:21 Feb. 21 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is Feb. 20
(The Day of the Impression) | Pisces Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
You may well receive an opportunity to deal with some pretty deep emotional matters in the time ahead. Perhaps that process has already begun. If either is true, remember that self-care is vital in sustaining you. Make sure you serve your bodily needs in particular. You may or may not think of your body as a temple, but there’s no denying it works best on proper nutrition.

Written in the Planets
Mercury’s aspects today refer to the congeniality of left-brain activities in our present society. In contrast, our artistic and imaginative side, often suppressed in childhood, can feel unrecognizable; almost alien. For some of us this works in reverse. Yet our culture needs both, and so does each of us individually. Why not spend some time cultivating your less familiar side?

Today is Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017
Hebrew date is 23 Shevat 5777
Islamic date is 22 Jumada-I 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 4 Imix’
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.4.1
Julian Day is 2457804

Today’s Birthdays: Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), David Garrick (1717-1799), Svante Arrhenius (1859-1927), Andre Breton (1896-1966), Carson McCullers (1917-1967), Sam Myers (1936), Erin Pizzey (1939), Smokey Robinson (1940), Karen Silkwood (1946-1974), Amy Tan (1952), Jeff Daniels (1955), Falco (1957-1998), Helen Fielding (1958), Seal (1963), Benicio del Toro (1967), Haylie Duff (1985).

“To know the mighty works of God, to comprehend His wisdom and majesty and power; to appreciate, in degree, the wonderful workings of His laws, surely all this must be a pleasing and acceptable mode of worship to the Most High, to whom ignorance cannot be more grateful than knowledge.”
— Nicolaus Copernicus

Moon Phase: Moon is in Last Quarter phase and enters Balsamic (waning crescent) phase on Feb. 22 at 1:08 pm PST / 4:08 pm EST (21:08:15 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Pisces on Feb. 26 at 6:58 am PST / 9:58 am EST (14:58:19 UTC), and is an annular solar eclipse.
Corresponding Full Moon in Virgo is on March 12 at 6:54 am PST / 9:54 am EST (14:53:43 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Sagittarius and enters Capricorn on Feb. 21-22 at 11:08 pm PST / 2:08 am EST (07:07:43 UTC).
Sun Degree: 1-2 Pisces.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
No changes today.

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Eros opposite Haumea at 12:49 am PST / 3:49 am EST (08:49:00 UTC).
— Venus square Amycus at 4:13 am PST / 7:13 am EST (12:12:44 UTC).
— Uranus conjunct Echeclus at 5:48 am PST / 8:48 am EST (13:48:23 UTC).
— Mercury opposite Sila-Nunam at 8:25 am PST / 11:25 am EST (16:24:57 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is Feb. 19
(The Day of the Explorer) | Birthday Readings: Aquarius | Pisces | Others
Your creative brain seems poised to deliver a few golden nuggets; there might even be a moment of sublime inspiration. Keep in mind, though, that even magic beans need soil, water and proper nutrients to grow a stalk. Whether or not you experience the sudden flash, keep feeding your grey cells.

Written in the Planets
Today, Venus squares a centaur named Amycus. A few ideas arise from this. One possibility is that you might discover a hang-up regarding notions of “proper” behaviour, particularly to do with relationships. Another is that you might find yourself rebelling against an opportunity, such as the chance to get closer to someone. If you encounter something of this kind, it’s probably worth taking the time to find the root. Be patient with yourself, if time is indeed required.

Today is Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017
Hebrew date is 22 Shevat 5777
Islamic date is 21 Jumada-I 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 3 Ajaw
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.4.0
Julian Day is 2457803

Today’s Birthdays: Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), Ramakrishna (1836-1886), Ernst Mach (1838-1916), Hans Asperger (1906-1980), Toni Morrison (1931), Yoko Ono (1933), Audre Lorde (1934-1992), Graeme Garden (1943), John Hughes (1950-2009), Matt Dillon (1964), Dr. Dre (1965), Molly Ringwald (1968), Julia Butterfly Hill (1974), Regina Spektor (1980), Juelz Santana (1982).

“It is said that truthfulness alone constitutes the spiritual discipline of the Kaliyuga. If a man clings tenaciously to truth he ultimately realizes God. Without this regard for truth, one gradually loses everything.”
— Ramakrishna

Moon Phase: Moon is in Disseminating (waning gibbous) phase and enters Last Quarter phase today at 11:33 am PST / 2:33 pm EST (19:33:03 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Pisces on Feb. 26 at 6:58 am PST / 9:58 am EST (14:58:19 UTC), and is an annular solar eclipse.
Corresponding Full Moon in Virgo is on March 12 at 6:54 am PST / 9:54 am EST (14:53:43 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Scorpio and enters Sagittarius today at 10:52 am PST / 1:52 pm EST (18:52:08 UTC).
Sun Degree: 30 Aquarius-1 Pisces.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
Sun enters Pisces at 3:31 am PST / 6:31 am EST (11:31:15 UTC).
Ceto stations retrograde at 8:41 am PST / 11:41 am EST (16:41:35 UTC).
Moon enters Sagittarius at 10:52 am PST / 1:52 pm EST (18:52:08 UTC).

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Eros square Thereus at 12:54 pm PST / 3:54 pm EST (20:53:38 UTC).
— Juno sextile Nessus at 3:07 pm PST / 6:07 pm EST (23:07:03 UTC).
— Mercury square Deucalion at 7:47 pm PST / 10:47 pm EST (03:46:55 Feb. 19 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is Feb. 18
(The Day of the Complete Picture) | Birthday Readings: Aquarius | Pisces | Others
Do you believe you can dance around your karma, rather than deal with it straight on? Are you dancing around the idea that you might even have any? In about a week, there will be a partial solar eclipse that might emphasize something you’re ready to release, heal and move on from. Why not get the process started now? It’s okay to improvise your metaphorical dance steps; you may find a better pattern emerges as you go along.

Written in the Planets
Today the Sun enters Pisces. A few hours later, the Moon enters Sagittarius for the last quarter Moon. This signals the midpoint between last week’s penumbral lunar eclipse and Leo Full Moon, and the Feb. 26 Pisces New Moon and partial solar eclipse. Between now and the solar eclipse, you’re being asked to give up something that does not work. It’s amazing how reluctant we can be to give something up even when we know it’s not working for us. Human beings take great comfort in the familiar, often to our own detriment. Yet you may be able to make this process less of a resistance-trigger for yourself. Sagittarius Moons are known for a love of freedom; last quarter Moons are known to be helpful in moving things toward completion. Tapping into one or both of those energies consciously — really let yourself imagine the ease you might feel — could grease the wheels a little.

Today is Friday, Feb. 17, 2017
Hebrew date is 21 Shevat 5777
Islamic date is 20 Jumada-I 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 2 Kawak
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.3.19
Julian Day is 2457802

Today’s Birthdays: Rene Laennec (1781-1826), Louisa Lawson (1848-1920), Tommy Edwards (1922-1969), Barry Humphries (1934), Mary Frances Berry (1938), Gene Pitney (1940-2006), Karl Jenkins (1944), Rene Russo (1954), Michael Jordan (1963), Denise Richards (1971), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (1981), Bonnie Wright (1991).

“There are two views of the woman’s suffrage question commonly discussed, the justice of the measure, and its expediency. Few doubt its justice, many question its expediency, and yet, being just, what does all else matter? Suppose that the right to vote lay with women only, and that the progress of the world was bringing expansive thoughts and hopes of a happier future into the minds of men. When men perceived that this right was unjustly with-held from them, and felt that their individual manhood was title enough to this right to a voice in decisions affecting all, would they tolerate discussion as to the expediency or wisdom of the measure? Would they stand by and hear the women conjecture how men might perchance misuse the concession if granted, would they quietly wait while political factions summed up the chances of the support of the new voters? No, they would say ‘Curse you — it is my right. What business is it of yours how I use it?'”
— Louisa Lawson

Moon Phase: Moon is in Disseminating (waning gibbous) phase and enters Last Quarter phase on Feb. 18 at 11:33 am PST / 2:33 pm EST (19:33:03 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Pisces on Feb. 26 at 6:58 am PST / 9:58 am EST (14:58:19 UTC), and is an annular solar eclipse.
Corresponding Full Moon in Virgo is on March 12 at 6:54 am PST / 9:54 am EST (14:53:43 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Scorpio and enters Sagittarius on Feb. 18 at 10:52 am PST / 1:52 pm EST (18:52:08 UTC).
Sun Degree: 29-30 Aquarius.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
No changes today.

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Mercury square Bienor at 9:42 pm Feb. 16 PST / 12:42 am EST (05:41:53 UTC).
— Juno square Elatus at 10:06 pm Feb. 16 PST / 1:06 am EST (06:06:38 UTC).
— Eros opposite Jupiter at 11:33 pm Feb. 16 PST / 2:33 am EST (07:33:26 UTC).
— Vesta square Echeclus at 2:17 am PST / 5:17 am EST (10:17:25 UTC).
— Sun sextile Pholus at 8:25 am PST / 11:25 am EST (16:25:09 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is Feb. 17
(The Day of the Battler) | Aquarius Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
A ‘runaway reaction’ (heck, runaway anything) is not usually something that bodes well. However, there are times when it can be very helpful for a seemingly small cause to have a big effect. For example, if you need to embark on an important (but intimidating) goal or if you need to establish a new pattern in your life, you might appreciate it if your minor action takes on a life of its own. Act with integrity and full consciousness — but do act — and positive results down the road might surprise you.

Written in the Planets
What do you get when big, beneficent, retrograde Jupiter in Libra opposes the asteroid Eros (god of love) and Eris (Little Miss Chaos) in Aries? One possibility might be difficulty in expressing your erotic energy in a direct and generous way toward another — thanks to the retrograde factor of Jupiter, and the subversion factor of Eris. Another possibility is that you could lean on the ‘internal review’ facet of retrograde Jupiter and the ‘self’ theme of Aries to offer yourself some TLC — especially toward any parts of your identity you tend to neglect. When you tend your relationship with yourself, it opens up your ability to show others the same loving kindness.

Today is Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017
Hebrew date is 20 Shevat 5777
Islamic date is 19 Jumada-I 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 1 Etz’nab’
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.3.18
Julian Day is 2457801

Today’s Birthdays: Phineas Quimby (1802-1866), Pamela Colman Smith (1878-1951), Margot Frank (1926-1945), Otis Blackwell (1931-2002), James Ingram (1952), LeVar Burton (1957), Ice-T (1958), Christopher Eccleston (1964), Sarah Clarke (1972), Lupe Fiasco (1982), Elizabeth Olsen (1989).

“America used to do an outstanding job of educating its populace. We used to be No. 1 in the world. Used to be. I’m gonna say it again: We used to be. We used to produce people out of our public school system at a high school level that had a classical education that could compete on the world stage, and in fact, it made us the world leader. That is not true any longer. And if this nation wants to continue to consider itself the leader of the free world, then we need to do a much better job of educating our children.”
— LeVar Burton

Moon Phase: Moon is in Disseminating (waning gibbous) phase and enters Last Quarter phase on Feb. 18 at 11:33 am PST / 2:33 pm EST (19:33:03 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Pisces on Feb. 26 at 6:58 am PST / 9:58 am EST (14:58:19 UTC), and is an annular solar eclipse.
Corresponding Full Moon in Virgo is on March 12 at 6:54 am PST / 9:54 am EST (14:53:43 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Scorpio and enters Sagittarius on Feb. 18 at 10:52 am PST / 1:52 pm EST (18:52:08 UTC).
Sun Degree: 28-29 Aquarius.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
Moon enters Scorpio at 10:41 pm Feb. 15 PST / 1:41 am EST (06:40:45 UTC).
Deucalion stations retrograde at 8:45 am PST / 11:45 am EST (16:45:16 UTC).

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Ceres conjunct 1992 QB1 at 6:58 am PST / 9:58 am EST (14:58:29 UTC).
— Mercury sextile Mars at 10:15 am PST / 1:15 pm EST (18:14:42 UTC).
— Cyllarus opposite Pluto at 2:27 pm PST / 5:27 pm EST (22:27:31 UTC).
— Eros conjunct Eris at 2:48 pm PST / 5:48 pm EST (22:48:24 UTC).
— Sun opposite Rhiphonos at 3:27 pm PST / 6:27 pm EST (23:27:29 UTC).
— Pallas opposite Psyche at 7:25 pm PST / 10:25 pm EST (03:25:17 Feb. 17 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is Feb. 16
(The Day of Animation) | Aquarius Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
It’s possible that you could get away with saying almost anything today. That is, saying something polarizing could still bother people, but there might not be much they can do about it that would directly affect you negatively. Even so, this is not free license to spout off willy-nilly. Rather, it’s a reminder to be very aware of what you do not know in any given situation. Karma has a long reach. If you’re going to go out on a limb communication-wise, it’s still crucial to do your due diligence regarding how to serve the highest good for all concerned.

Written in the Planets
Who says you have to save your lovin’ and sexy-time play for Valentine’s Day? That stuff is always in style, including when you’re flying solo (maybe even especially then). The universe is offering hints today: first the Moon moves into intensely passionate Scorpio. Then food-centric Ceres in earthy, sensual Taurus makes a conjunction to a point that’s about crossing thresholds. And then Eros, named for the god of love, makes a conjunction to ever-surprising Eris in Aries. If all of that is not a suggestion to say “to hell with commercialized holidays” and indulge in some self-loving today, then what is? Especially if you (or any part of you) has felt left out of the romantic hoopla. You might discover something unexpected about yourself; you might touch deep emotions; you might cross into a new level of self-nourishing. All of it has value — as do you.

Today is Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017
Hebrew date is 19 Shevat 5777
Islamic date is 18 Jumada-I 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 13 kab’an
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.3.17
Julian Day is 2457800

Today’s Birthdays: Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906), Miep Gies (1909-2010), Jane Seymour (1951), Matt Groening (1954), Ali Campbell (1959), Leland D. Melvin (1964), Birdman (1969), Renee O’Connor (1971), Amber Riley (1986).

“I don’t want to be considered a hero. Imagine young people would grow up with the feeling that you have to be a hero to do your human duty. I am afraid nobody would ever help other people, because who is a hero? I was not. I was just an ordinary housewife and secretary.”
— Miep Gies (who helped hide Anne Frank and her family)

Moon Phase: Moon is in Disseminating (waning gibbous) phase and enters Last Quarter phase on Feb. 18 at 11:33 am PST / 2:33 pm EST (19:33:03 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Pisces on Feb. 26 at 6:58 am PST / 9:58 am EST (14:58:19 UTC), and is an annular solar eclipse.
Corresponding Full Moon in Virgo is on March 12 at 6:54 am PST / 9:54 am EST (14:53:43 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Libra and enters Scorpio tonight at 10:41 pm PST / 1:41 am Feb. 16 EST (06:40:45 UTC).
Sun Degree: 27-28 Aquarius.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
No changes today.

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Eros conjunct Uranus at 3:36 am PST / 6:36 am EST (11:36:24 UTC).
— Sun sextile Galactic Center at 6:13 am PST / 9:13 am EST (14:13:32 UTC).
— Vesta square Eros at 6:55 am PST / 9:55 am EST (14:55:04 UTC).
— Vesta square Uranus at 7:57 pm PST / 10:57 pm EST (03:57:09 Feb. 16 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is Feb. 15
(The Day of Inventiveness) | Aquarius Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
Like many others just now, you are being called to practice devotion to your personal truth. In an age of so much falsehood, there are few qualities more important than authenticity. You are more capable of fulfilling that requirement than you know.

Written in the Planets
By the end of the day, both the Sun and the Moon will have formed the same harmonious aspect to the cosmic homing beacon at the core of our galaxy. Alignments like this tend to be moments of magic and beauty in the best sense, as we catch a glimpse of the majesty of the universe. It may take a little conscious effort to harness and fully experience that inspiration. That’s well worth doing.

Today is Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017
Hebrew date is 18 Shevat 5777
Islamic date is 17 Jumada-I 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 12 k’ib’
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.3.16
Julian Day is 2457799

Today’s Birthdays: Johannes Werner (1468-1522), Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), Margaret E. Knight (1838-1914), George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. (1859-1896), John Barrymore (1882-1942), Katherine Stinson (1891-1977), Florence Henderson (1934-2016), Carl Bernstein (1944),
Gregory Hines (1946-2003), Raymond Teller (1948), Meg Tilly (1960), Simon Pegg (1970), Danai Gurira (1978), Freddie Highmore (1992).

“Education means emancipation. It means light and liberty. It means the uplifting of the soul of man into the glorious light of truth, the light by which men can only be made free.”
— Frederick Douglass

Special Comment: Aquarius Run, Pisces Eclipse, Quantum Healing
Dear Friend and Reader:

Two transitions are in the planets at the moment: the Sun is in the last few degrees of Aquarius, set to ingress Pisces Saturday morning; that is followed by a solar eclipse in Pisces about a week later. When there’s an eclipse on the horizon, every event or development becomes a step on the way into its vortex.

The Helix Nebula, a dying star 650 light years away in the constellation Aquarius. Image courtesy of NASA Blueshift.

When the Moon is waning toward a solar eclipse (which is also a New Moon), we’re in the pattern-clearing / pattern-setting zone of the cycle. Think of this as a time to clarify and refine your intentions, to which you commit by taking action.

The Sun’s last days in any sign are distinctive, representing the culmination of a project or process. This can intensify as the solar egress and ingress occur, especially with an eclipse so close by. In Aquarius, these last degrees point to some core concepts of soul cultivation and growth.

One of them is the idea of an exemplar. True development of one’s character is often based on modeling. Upon assessing that you genuinely respect a person, you can aspire to become that which you admire. Sooner or later people will grow by example. Late Aquarius extends the power to choose who you model yourself after as a conscious decision. This is not about idealizing people, which almost always fails (people are not their ideal). Rather, it’s about making contact with the core humanity of someone whose words and deeds you see serving the world in a way you want to.

Second is the concept of initiation. Aquarius is the sign of groups, though it concludes with the image of an individual emerging into group consciousness, embraced by those who are witnessing and assisting with the transition.

This is a reminder that a group is a joining of individuals in a mutually committed purpose. It’s different from a mass (such as a crowd), where there is neither authentic commitment nor purpose.

Read more…

Moon Phase: Moon is in Full phase and enters Disseminating (waning gibbous) phase today at 10:04 am PST / 1:04 pm EST (18:04:32 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Pisces on Feb. 26 at 6:58 am PST / 9:58 am EST (14:58:19 UTC), and is an annular solar eclipse.
Corresponding Full Moon in Virgo is on March 12 at 6:54 am PST / 9:54 am EST (14:53:43 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Libra and enters Scorpio on Feb. 15-16 at 10:41 pm PST / 1:41 am EST (06:40:45 UTC).
Sun Degree: 26-27 Aquarius.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
No changes today.

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Sun sextile Saturn at 9:58 pm Feb. 13 PST / 12:58 am EST (05:57:57 UTC), and Ixion at 11:13 pm Feb. 13 PST / 2:13 am EST (07:13:39 UTC).
— Juno square Logos at 1:49 am PST / 4:49 am EST (09:48:54 UTC), and Makemake at 2:08 pm PST / 5:08 am EST (22:08:29 UTC).
— Mercury trine Asbolus at 3:52 am PST / 6:52 am EST (11:52:36 UTC).
— Eros conjunct Echeclus at 11:06 am PST / 2:06 pm EST (19:06:27 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is Feb. 14
(The Day of the Cool Quip) | Aquarius Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
You may have to work for what you want today, but chances are you’ll be more than happy to put in the effort. Key astrology indicates integrity and highly developed moral character. Yet there’s a minor planet in the mix that signifies the exact opposite of those characteristics. This is a reminder to reality-check your beliefs — specifically regarding what you are willing to do to achieve your goals. If you’d feel good about those whom you most respect and love knowing your methods, that’s a good sign.

Written in the Planets
What if your habitual ways to express your needs in a relationship got crystallized in some past situation, and no longer apply? It’s amazing how stuck our perception of emotional needs can get. Today, you might find a template from the past running up against a more logical view of a current relationship. You can lean on your understanding of how things came to be this way; but that’s not the same as camping out in it. Luckily, you may be able to ease across the threshold to a new phase of awareness and expression. Asteroid Juno in Capricorn is square Logos and Makemake in Libra; Juno is also trine 1992 QB1 in Taurus. Part of the key to turning this corner will be listening to your body. What causes your chest to tighten, and what makes you feel relaxed? How can you ask for what you need and feel good? Remember: feeling ‘satisfied’ is not necessarily the same as feeling ‘pleasurable’.