| February 2004: Traveling
the Dark Passageway Astrology | by John Sandbach On February 6, Neptune enters a new degree of Aquarius -- the 14th -- and will be there until March 5. This is not an easy degree. All the things we have been trying to avoid are likely to happen now. This is a time of confrontations, when anything we have been repressing or putting off finds us. The best way to avoid something is to completely forget about it -- to blot it from one's memory. Many of the things that can emerge during this period are energies that we may have completely forgotten about -- issues from past lives that we have erased from our conscious minds, but which are still lingering in our subconscious, and need now to be cleaned out. For those who can get out of repression mode, and who are willing to let out whatever is needing to come out, these can be liberating times. For those who are trying to maintain the current status quo and stay on an evolutionary plateau without moving forward, the energies of February can be exceedingly difficult. It is very important now to not be too attached to one's self-concept. We all have depths that go far beyond our current focus. The restrictions of time don't allow us to be everything at once, and so we have limited ourselves to a certain place in history, a certain sex, a certain cultural background, and a certain focus. Negative karma is generated, though, by getting stuck in these limitations -- of seeing them as permanent, or not capable of being transcended. The fact is, these limitations are far less rigid than most of us are aware of, and if we can allow ourselves to see beyond them, we can have access to many other parts of ourselves -- parts that hold endless riches and possibilities of joy. One of the major themes of the 20th century was alienation -- the feeling of separateness and isolation that our way of life and beliefs have fostered. We have a desperate need for connection, and yet once we get connections, they are often of the co-dependent variety; rather than fulfilling us, they actually cut us off even further from ourselves. For so many people, connections become an addiction. It is only when we realize how whole and complete we innately are that connections can become totally positive. During the time Neptune is in this 14th degree of Aquarius, many of us may be feeling more acutely isolated and alone than usual. This is because we are working through karma at very deep levels and are needing to be with ourselves and our work, rather than letting too much energy be expended in relationships that aren't serving our spiritual purpose. If you find yourself feeling alone now, know two things: ¥ It's temporary. ¥ It's an illusion. The truth of the matter is, we are never alone -- we are so connected to not only this, but many other universes, and to countless other beings. But to get through this narrow and dark place in our development requires a time of working alone. On February 20, the New Moon falls just about a degree and a half away from Uranus. This loosens up everything, brings surprises, unleashes energies and spontaneously causes hidden impulses to emerge from us. The best way to handle this is to get out of the way -- let these impulses out. It's important now to not judge yourself, for self-judgment is a powerful tool of repression. Leave off thinking thoughts like "I can do that" or "I'm not creative" or "that's not me." If you find yourself crawling out on a limb, enjoy the increased play always found out on the thinner branches -- for who knows, if the branch breaks you may be surprised at how fast you can grow wings! On February 24, Pluto enters the 23rd degree of Sagittarius and will be there until April 25. This helps quite a bit to lighten some of the aforementioned energies, for the 23rd Degree of Sagittarius signifies new ideas, fresh approaches, innovative paths, release from the burden and suffocation of tradition, and an ability to experience freedom and joyousness. This is a time for all of us to get more tuned in to positive energies, exposing ourselves to possibilities, visions, and new ways to evolve. Much physical healing can go on now too, for this is a degree of cellular awakening, and a time of accessing the ability to find ways of sending the ultimate healing elixirs of love and bliss to our bodies as a means of clearing disease and weakness. All in all, I would say that February is a time of intensive interplay between darkness and light, and of learning now to work with both. It may not be easy, but the rewards of meeting the challenge could be fantastic. John Sandbach has been a full-time astrologer for 33 years. He's written six books on astrology and related fields. He also teaches energy therapy and shiatsu at a massage school in Kansas City. If you are interested in making an appointment with him, please call (816) 561-6199, or you can e-mail him at planetjohn@planetkc.com. Copyright © 2004 John Sandbach |
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