Week of February 6 to 13: Waning Gibbous Moon, Mercury in Capricorn, and other Astrological Events

Why the Cosmos May Bring Divine Blessings, Travel Issues, or Emotional and Relationship Challenges This Week

Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the sidereal zodiac used in both Vedic and Western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most Western and some Vedic astrologers. All the astrological charts below are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.

We will begin the new week on the heels of the Full Moon which occurred on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 1:29 PM EST (6:29 PM UTC). In a previous article, I wrote about the possibility of some dramatic effects in the week preceding the Full Moon. Suffice to say, the intense lunar effect did indeed pan out, and now it’s nice to be moving on from it!

Waning Gibbous Lunar Phase from February 5 to 13: A Time for Self-Reflection and Adjustment

Immediately after the Full Moon occurred on February 5, its light began to slowly dim as the Sun started its new journey behind the Moon. This is known as the Waning Gibbous or Disseminating lunar phase, which will last until February 13. In the beginning days of this phase, the Moon will continue to be very bright as it rises in the east mid-evening, and sets in the west mid-morning.

The Moon will continue to be 100% illuminated and will look completely full until Tuesday. On this day, it will slowly begin to decrease its size (by about 3%), and will begin to reveal a slight crescent-shaped shadow on its right side.

The Waning Gibbous phase is a good time for self-reflection, practicing gratitude, re-evaluating goals, and readjusting our intentions. I love the way Forrest Astrology describes this lunar phase:

The psyche is still very extended outward into the realm of the manifest, but it now seeks actively to unravel itself from the spider web. A hunger for liberation from the outer world arises — and corresponds with a hunger to create similar liberation in others. We begin to sense the way home.

In Vedic astrology, the Moon’s waning half of the month is called Krishna paksha, and the waxing half is known as Shukla paksha. The last seven days of the Shukla paksha and the first five days of Krishna paksha comprise the period when the Moon’s light is strongest, and hence most suitable for initiating important actions in the world. This is important information for Vedic Elective Astrology (Muhurta). In the current period, the dates when the lunar light is brightest, and thus most auspicious, are from January 30 through February 9.

Moon in Leo from February 6 to 8: Exuberance and Excitement

The Moon will transit in warm-hearted and expressive Leo from February 6 to 8. This can be an exuberant time of the month, especially as the Moon will still be very bright (though waning). 

Moon Opposite Saturn on February 6: Potential for Feelings of Alienation, Self-Pity, and Pessimism

Yet, on February 6, the Moon will oppose Saturn in early Aquarius, so those who tend to struggle with disordered moods may need to be vigilant in order to manage feelings of melancholy, alienation, pessimism, self-pity, disappointment, or guilt.

Mercury Transits in Capricorn from February 6 to 27: Time for Practicality, Organization, and Mental Focus 

Mercury will transit in sidereal Capricorn from February 6 to 27, as mentioned in my February overview article. In practical Capricorn, Mercury is realistic, grounded, well-organized, and solution oriented. When it enters Capricorn on February 6, Mercury will return to where it briefly transited around December 27 to 30, 2022. In some cases, for those whose natal charts are directly impacted, an event may occur that reignites or completes what was started and may have stalled around that time.

Around February 5 to 6, Mercury is sandhi, on the edge of two signs and moving into an earth sign (Capricorn), which can be an indicator of seismic instability, as in significant earthquake activity. (This is also true now as Mercury is within a close orb of aspect with Pluto from February 2 to 13).

Mercury Conjoins Pluto on February 10: Potential for New Insights, Power Struggles, and Communication Issues

As mentioned, Mercury is transiting within orb of a conjunction with Pluto from February 2 to 13. Mercury will exactly conjoin Pluto on February 10. This combination can activate new understanding and communication (Mercury) related to the hidden or subtle dimensions of life (Pluto). It can also prompt a desire to cleanse the mind.

Depending on one’s natal horoscope and how this conjunction intersects it, this cosmic event can also point to great focus and depth of thought, but in its lower expression can indicate obsession, power struggles, and underhanded or manipulative communication. Pluto’s conjunction with Mercury may also signify upheaval in financial markets or explosive events related to travel and transportation, commerce and trade, technology, and communication systems.

Stressful Aspect Between Mars and Venus Ends on February 9

Mars in Taurus and Venus in Aquarius have been in a 90-degree square aspect since early February. This stressful and potentially hot-headed aspect was in exact position on February 4. For some people, the Venus-Mars square may have pointed to temperamental behavior, emotional upheaval (like anger), and impulsive urges.

Thankfully, this aspect slowly begins to diminish on February 5, and will be finished by February 9 when Mars and Venus separate by five degrees. By then, you may feel happier and less temperamental. 

Moon Conjoins Ketu from February 11 to 12: A Sensitive Time

From February 11 to 12, the Moon will conjoin the Moon’s South Node, Ketu. This transiting conjunction occurs monthly. Ketu has been in Libra since April 2022, and will remain in this sign until late October 2023. Accordingly, this conjunction occurs when the Moon is also transiting in Libra. 

During this monthly conjunction, the mind may become very sensitive or possibly tumultuous. This can affect our relationships, especially because it occurs in Libra, the sign of relationships. In its higher expression, this transit can also be a potentially insightful time. You may have vivid dreams or spiritual experiences, and feel the need for more solitude than usual.

Sun Moves into Aquarius on February 12: Divine Blessings and New Beginnings

The Sun will move from Capricorn into Aquarius on Sunday, February 12, which I wrote about in my last article and will write more about next week. For now, I want to mention again that the Sun’s entrance into a fixed sign like Aquarius brings divine blessings.

Sun's Monthly Sankranti, February 12 to 13: Time to be Extra Mindful

The period from Sunday, February 12, to Monday, February 13, is known as the Sun’s monthly sankranti, when the Sun is transiting on the edge or cusp of two astrological signs (known as sandhi in Vedic astrology). During the Sun’s sankranti periods, we should be extra mindful to avoid losing our way, either figuratively or literally.

During the sankranti times, we should also avoid beginning an action such as starting a job or new program of study, making a significant purchase, establishing a new business venture, getting engaged or married, or so on. This is because the Sun is the soul of the world and the vitality of everything in life, and it needs to be strong when we set anything new into motion if we want that matter to have positive lasting results.

The Sun's energy during sankrantis is transitional and on the edge of change, so it is considered to be “weak.” This means that what we set into motion on sankrantis may not have the expected outcome. On the other hand, these are great periods for inner reflection and maintaining the status quo.

I hope that this weekly update is illuminating and useful to you. May you have a peaceful and productive week ahead!

Aum dyauḥ śāntirantarikṣaṁ śāntiḥ

pṛthivī śāntirāpaḥ śāntiroṣadhayaḥ śāntiḥ

vanaspatayaḥ śāntirviśvedevāḥ śāntirbrahma śāntiḥ

sarvaṁ śāntiḥ śāntireva śāntiḥ

sā mā śāntiredhi

Aum śāntiḥ, śāntiḥ, śāntiḥ (Yajurveda 36:17)

May peace radiate there in the whole sky as well as in the vast ethereal space everywhere.

May peace reign all over this earth, in water and in all herbs, trees and creepers.

May peace flow over the whole universe.

May peace be in the Supreme Being Brahman.

And may there always exist in all peace and peace alone.

Aum peace, peace and peace to us and all beings! (Translation by Swami Abhedananda, Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, India)