Horoscope: February 11 to 17, 2019
Astrologer Pam Younghans writes this weekly astrological journal based on planetary influences, and offers perspectives and insights to assist you in making the best use of current energies. This column is not intended as prediction. Your own experience will be more specifically defined by transits to your personal chart.
Highlighted Aspects for This Week
All times listed are Pacific Standard Time. For Eastern Time, add 3 hours. For Greenwich Mean Time, add 8 hours.
TUE: Mars conjunct Uranus 10:20 p.m.
THU: Mercury semisquare Pluto, Mars enters Taurus 2:51 a.m., Mars semisquare Neptune 5:34 p.m.
SUN: Venus sextile Neptune, Sun sextile Uranus 11:54 p.m.
TAKE ONE PART god of war (Mars), mix with an equal portion of god of chaos (Uranus), and place the mixture in a pressure cooker. Cook on high heat (Aries), and stand back. That's the recipe for the Mars-Uranus alignment that occurs on Tuesday this week, at 29°11?Aries.
The last degree of any zodiac sign (from 29° to 0° of the next sign) is the anarectic degree, also called the "degree of fate." As planets move through that final degree, they seem to be more energized, as if they are in a hurry to finish up certain issues before making the transition into the next sign. This can result in a crisis in some form, due to the sense of urgency.
MARS is a proactive planet, very energized, and often impatient. Uranus is also high-energy and impulsive, as well as revolutionary and rebellious. To fulfill their cosmic calling, the two planets are currently drawing upon the qualities of Aries, which include courage, initiation, and forthright expression through either assertiveness or anger.
With this week's Mars-Uranus alignment occurring in Aries, the universe no doubt has some surprises in store. There may also be is a bit of an explosive quality to events, much like when a pressure cooker vents steam. We must assume that any eruptions -- whether physical or emotional -- are likewise releasing pent-up energy, and are somehow an important step in preparation for our next phase of evolution.
WHERE might those surprises occur? Mars entered Aries on the last day of 2018; many of the shorter-term issues that reach a crisis point this week most likely started as we navigated the calendar change.
Uranus, a much slower-moving planet, has been in Aries since March 11, 2011. Its exact day of ingress was marked by the earthquake in Japan and the tsunami that followed -- clear examples of the type of surprises for which Uranus is notorious. As Uranus moves through the 29th degree of Aries -- and as it enters Taurus on March 6 -- we should see either a climax or a release point for the energies we've been working with for the past eight years.
THE OTHER VARIABLE to consider is that Uranus is also a transpersonal planet, and as such, represents Higher Mind. As this higher frequency is stimulated through the planet's alignment with Mars, in Aries -- a sign that represents new beginnings -- we will want to be open to novel insights, intuitive ideas, and awakenings in consciousness. This is a powerful influence, one that can manifest through unexpected and powerful breakthroughs in our awareness.
For a more personal perspective, we can check our natal astrology charts to see where the last degree of Aries is located. The house where we find that degree represents the area of our lives where we are likely to experience insights, surprising changes, forward motion, and even eruptions -- if a certain amount of force is needed to move us forward. (For a reminder of the meanings of the various houses, please visit the "Houses" page of my website.)
THURSDAY could be another pivotal day this week. It's the day that Mars enters Taurus and then immediately forms a semisquare aspect with Neptune. As Mars moves into the second sign of the zodiac, we might expect that the too-fast pace might moderate a bit, since Taurus the Bull moves much more slowly than Aries the Ram. But, with Uranus still wrapping up its tasks in headstrong Aries, the slow-down may be barely perceptible.
Still, we are supported in being more grounded and less scattered in our efforts when action-oriented Mars is traveling through Taurus. The Bull moves forward a step at a time, by placing one cloven hoof purposefully in front of the other. Unfortunately, it can also be stubbornly attached to its methods and resistant to suggestions from others -- especially if heeding alternate viewpoints would mean diverging from the path (or rut!) currently taken.
TO TAKE best advantage of this shift, we can call upon the core desire of Taurus, which is to experience Inner Peace. We find deep serenity when we align our actions (Mars) with what we most value (Taurus). But, to avoid the negative tendencies of bullheadedness, we must also stay adaptable -- which is where the Mars-Neptune semisquare can actually be helpful.
Usually, we would view a hard aspect between Mars and Neptune with some suspicion: Will I even know what I want with this aspect? And if I do get in touch with my true desires, is there any chance of making progress?
The timing of this aspect is the important point. It perfects later on the same day that Mars enters Taurus, and therefore provides a buffer for what might otherwise feel like a startling shift in energies.
COMING OFF the heart-pounding downhill run of Mars in Aries, do we really want to start making decisions as soon as we reach the bottom of the hill? Or would we benefit from pausing to catch our breath and allowing our pulse to return to its resting pace?
While the Mars-Neptune semisquare may indeed feel like a confusing interruption in our progress, it can be quite helpful if we are able to see it as a positive event, and purposefully take a realignment break. We can then use the enlivening Sun-Uranus sextile on Sunday more productively, as we will have taken the time to consider what we are truly ready to release and what we want to create going forward.
LAST CHANCE! Please let me know this week if you would like to purchase the replay and materials from my recent webinar. The class covers the astrological influences we will be working with for the first six months of 2019. Just send an email with "Webinar Replay" in the subject line to
IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: You are on a fast track this coming year, Aquarius. Both changes and opportunities seem to appear quickly and often in surprising ways. The primary challenge may be to remember to make the time for self-care -- which for you may not be taking a warm bath, but rather going for a run or taking a long weekend to explore a new place or experience. The point of this self-nurturing is to rejuvenate your energy and your spirit, and to remind yourself of what you most value in your life.
About the Author
Pam Younghans is a professional astrologer, editor, and writer. She lives in a log home northeast of Seattle, Washington with her beloved animal companions. She has been interpreting charts professionally for over 25 years. If you are interested in an astrology reading, e-mail
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