By Debra Infante
Action-oriented Mars begins its transit through its exalted sign of Capricorn from February 5 through March 15, 2024. While in Capricorn, Mars conjuncts intense Pluto, and is aspected by Ketu, creating an intense and transformative energy. Venus will join Mars in Capricorn on February 12, which is helpful. At the end of the month, on February 28, three planets, Saturn, Sun, and Mercury, all conjunct at 15 degrees in Aquarius, a sign of innovation and idealism.
On February 5, 2024, Mars, planet of action, energy, and courage, begins a significant transit through its exalted sign of Capricorn, which culminates on March 15, 2024. Mars in Capricorn is a very strong placement and generates a warrior energy that can be quick-acting, invincible, and efficient. As Mars is exalted in a Saturn-ruled sign, this is a time to develop a greater sense of self-responsibility with our actions. Mars transiting Capricorn can also test our strength and inner power. On the challenging side, Mars can be relentless and overbearing, and issues may surface on how to properly deal with anger, so don’t take things so personally. This is a good time to practice neutrality or self-restraint. Work with the positive energies of Mars, and improve your stamina through physical activities such as yoga. Mars can also be a planet of advocacy, so connect to life-affirming projects or organizations, or donate your time to worthy causes.
While transiting Capricorn, Mars will be with the outer planet Pluto also in Capricorn, with the exact conjunction occurring at 6 degrees Capricorn on February 14, 2024. Mars and Pluto together can be explosively powerful and forceful, so find useful ways to express and release these amplified, intense energies. Unconscious power struggles and trauma can surface or we disregard the boundaries of others. This is a good time to work with conflict resolution, forgiveness, meditation, prayers for peace, and self-improvement practices. The positive Mars/Pluto energies can generate increased determination, courage, and persistence, and also bring deep, inner transformation and self-healing.
The south node, Ketu, planet of liberation and moksha, is transiting the earth sign of Virgo, and will aspect Mars by trine once Mars enters Capricorn on February 5. Especially after February 20, Ketu will begin to influence Mars much more impactfully, and the exact Ketu trine Mars will be on March 4 at 21 degrees Capricorn. Mars and Ketu, two pitta planets, can be impulsive risk-takers, so be patient, especially if you are experiencing heightened or misdirected emotions. Mars and Ketu together can also be insightful, and helps us to understand our own strength and power.
Venus, planet of relationships, the arts, and healing, enters Capricorn on February 12, 2024, and where it joins Mars and Pluto there. Venus, Mars, and Pluto together increase our passion and energy. First, Venus conjuncts Pluto on February 17 at 6 degrees Capricorn, and this combination can bring intensity and compulsiveness in relationships. On February 21, Mars and Venus exactly conjunct at 12 degrees Capricorn, and amplifies our need for creativity as well as the desire to experience loving relationships. Practice mindfulness and focus on peaceful interactions with your trustworthy and authentic relationships. Be kind to yourself. This is a good period to get involved in creative or artistic activities, and spend some quiet time in a peaceful, natural setting that supports you.
Three planets, Saturn, Sun, and Mercury, will all conjunct exactly at 15 degrees Aquarius on February 28, 2024. This means that Saturn and Mercury will be combust or weakened by the Sun, especially from February 23 onward, as these planets move closer to each other.
Saturn is in its own sign of Aquarius, so is very strongly placed. Saturn and the Sun together have some challenges, and we may experience issues with authority and self-responsibility. Power struggles can arise during this period, as Saturn will be combust or weakened by being close to the Sun, so it’s important to stay focused and have good boundaries.
The Sun with Mercury combust indicates a period to watch communications, and be clear and precise. This three-planet conjunction occurs in the futuristic and community-oriented sign of Aquarius, that may bring a focus on finding new, innovative ways to communicate, heal, and share with others for the greater good.
Summary
Overall, the Vedic Astrology report for February suggests a period of intense, transformative energy that requires careful management of emotions and impulses. It's a good time for self-improvement, advocating for important causes, engaging in creative activities, and fostering meaningful relationships. However, potential challenges include power struggles, communication issues, and the need for self-restraint.
Debra Infante is a practicing Vedic astrologer and teacher. She began her studies of Vedic astrology in 1995 and was certified by The American College of Vedic Astrology as an approved teacher (Level I) in September 1999. She has taught Vedic astrology to the students in the yoga teacher training at 7 Centers Yoga in Sedona, AZ from 2002 to 2020. Debra can be reached at (928) 639-0623 or dinfante108@gmail.com for astrological consultations by phone or in person. Contact her to receive her monthly Vedic astrology article. You can also find her at http://ayurveda-sedona.com/yoga-and-vedic-astrology/about-vedic-astrology/