Vedic Astrology Forecast for February 2024

A Month That Begins and Ends with Magic!

Because in February, the days were really getting longer and you could see it, if you really looked. You could see how at the end of each day the world seemed cracked open and the extra light made its way across the stark trees, and promised. It promised, that light, and what a thing that was. (Elizabeth Strout, Olive, Again)

Who's ready for a new month? Today, I'm going to describe all of the major astrological events that will occur in February. Let's get started!

February looks to be a very intense, heavy, and busy month with a significant focus on Saturn, which will have ultimate control over the other planets for most of the month. This will occur through a complicated system of planetary dispositors (rulerships), as well as a predominant focus of planets in the signs of Saturn (Capricorn and Aquarius).

The strong Saturn emphasis can suggest big storms or seismic events, as well as all kinds of annoying problems in the mundane sphere. Such potential difficulties are especially indicated due to the pressure caused by Saturn in Aquarius hemmed in between Neptune and Rahu in Pisces on one side, and Sun, Mercury, Mars and Pluto in Capricorn on the other. Later in the month, Saturn will conjoin the Sun and Mercury and will be hemmed in between Neptune and Rahu on one side, and Venus, Mars, and Pluto on the other.

Saturn is also in charge for all of 2024 as we are in an eight year, the number of Saturn (2024 = 2 + 2 + 4 = 8). Saturn always means business and tends to bring karmic reckoning. It also suggests an emphasis on hard work, restlessness, pessimism, anxiety, and concerns over safety, security, and law and order. At the higher level, Saturn represents the divine impulse which encourages us to seek the truth, overcome our karmic limitations through spiritual humility, discipline, will power, and determination.

February - The Ancient Month of Fertility and Purification

February, the second month of the civil year, is named after Februus, an archaic Etruscan and Roman god of purification who was honored and celebrated this month. Purification rituals were traditionally performed in February enhance fertility and to make way for new creative ventures in the coming springtime. Another Roman god related to the month of February was Febris, the tutelary deity of fevers who was worshiped for good health.

January 31 to February 2, 2024: The Festivals of Fire and Light - Imbolc and Candlemas

February always begins with the magical ancient Gaelic fire festival known as Imbolc. This event is celebrated beginning on the eve of January 31 and through February 1. Imbolc is immediately followed by the Christian holy day of Candlemas (or Candelaria), a festival of light that takes place on February 2.

When it's Imbolc in the Northern Hemisphere, it's the early harvest celebration of Lughnasadh in the Southern Hemisphere. Both of these celebrations are the cross-quarter holy days of the seasonal wheel, which occur about halfway between the solstices and equinoxes.

Imbolc literally means “in the belly” of Mother Earth, because now her womb is beginning to stir again after a long winter's nap. Imbolc traditionally paid homage to Breo Saighead, the beloved Celtic goddess also known as Brigid. This goddess is also known as the Lady of the Sacred Flame and the Druidic patroness of healing, fertility, poetry, smithcraft and magic. Imbolc is also called Óilmelc, which refers to the milk of the ewes that starts to flow around this time of the year.

In some parts of the world, snowdrops (also known as milk drops) begin to pop up around Imbolc. They are Brigid’s flower, a symbol of hope, purification, and rebirth.

February 1 to 19: Mercury Will Transit in Capricorn - Time to Get Serious About Your Priorities and Responsibilities

On February 1, Mercury will transit out of Sagittarius and into Capricorn, where it will remain until February 19. Here, Mercury reflects a well-organized, analytical, realistic, responsible, logical, and systematic approach to all matters. At the same time, Mercury is moving rapidly in its Promethean cycle. This occurs when Mercury is transiting behind the Sun. It denotes a very active period in which we are concerned with new ideas and seeking new forms of creative expression. Toward the end of the month on February 28, Mercury will achieve superior conjunction with the Sun, a time when new insights may be revealed.

February 1 to 6, 2024: Uranus Will Slowly Move Forward - New Inspiration and Revolutionary Forces

After having been retrograde since August 29, 2023, Uranus made its direct station at 25 degrees of Aries on January 27. The impact of this event will be in place from January 17 through the first six days of February. As Uranus is slowly moving forward again, it brings new inspiration and strong revolutionary forces. This may include surprising breakthroughs, announcements, realizations, connections, and discoveries, as well as tumultuous and shocking events.

And please keep in mind, as mentioned in previous articles, that the Moon’s South Node/Ketu in Virgo will be in a quincunx (6/8 relationship) with Uranus in Aries from November 21, 2023 to March 5, 2024. Depending on how this transit interfaces with a natal or mundane horoscope, it may indicate a tendency for forceful, erratic, or rash behavior. It may also signify intolerance, impatience, accidents, uprisings, and violence. On the plus side, this aspect between Ketu and Uranus could awaken new interests in the metaphysical realm, including alternative healing.

February 5 to 9, 2024: Balsamic Moon Phase - A Time to Pause, Listen Within, Clear, Detox, and Heal in Preparation for the Upcoming New Moon

The Balsamic “Dreamtime” lunar phase will occur from February 5 to 9. This is the time to pause, listen within, clear, detox, and heal in preparation for the upcoming New Moon. Pay attention to dream messages and everyday oracles and notice how much easier it is to meditate and tune in during this time.

February 5 to March 15, 2024: Mars Will Transit in Capricorn - Powerful and Complicated Energy

Mars will transit in its most empowered (exalted) sign of Capricorn from February 5 to March 15. Mars in Capricorn is associated with enormous energy and creative output; strong endurance; a positive attitude; productive working conditions; and wealth development. However, this transit is modified by the aspects Mars will be making with the other transiting planets (as well as by the aspects it makes to an individual or mundane birth chart).

Mars transiting in Capricorn is in the twelfth place from its dispositor Saturn, which is transiting in Aquarius. This aspect is known as a 2/12 in Vedic astrology, or a semi-sextile in Western astrology. In this case, it suggests an important theme of responsible action. This means that if our goals become obstructed due to delays or hindrances, we should not waste time and energy blaming anyone else. Instead, we should use our inner strength to persevere.

February 5, 2024: Mercury Conjoins Pluto - Power Struggles, Research, and Intensity 

Mercury will conjoin Pluto for the first week of February (their conjunction will be exact on February 5). This engenders a certain intensity and perhaps a powerful desire to create something new in our lives, and a bursting urge to break free of whatever is pressuring and restricting us. It can also suggest intellectual power struggles and heightened interest in researching serious and profound topics.

February 8-29, 2024: Mercury Combust - A Time for Careful Communication

Mercury will be be combust (within 14 degrees of the Sun) beginning on February 8 and lasting through the month. This indicates a time when we should be extra-mindful with technology and communication, lest we experience mistakes and misunderstandings.

February 9, 2024: New Moon in Capricorn and Dhanistha Nakshatra - A Good Time to Tune In and Reconnect with The Divine Spirit

The New Moon will occur on February 9 at 5:59 PM EST (10:59 PM UTC). In parts of Europe, Asia, and Oceania, it will occur early on February 10. Check the World Time Buddy for more specific timings.

This New Moon will be a Supermoon. This means that the Moon will be closer to Earth than usual (perigee). Supermoons are associated with exceptionally high tides, storms, and intense emotions. Please refer to this article on EarthSky.com for more information.

The New Moon will occur at 26 degrees of Capricorn—the responsible, pragmatic, hard-working, and results-oriented tenth sign of the zodiac. The New Moon will conjoin the Sun, Mars, and Mercury. This four-planet conjunction may highlight disease outbreaks, incorrect information, and propaganda.

On a more positive note, the section of the sidereal zodiac where the New Moon occurs is in the lovely Dhanistha nakshatra. Known as the Star of Symphony, this group of stars is associated with music, the flows of life, and our inner connection to the Divine Spirit. This New Moon will be a wonderful time to commune with Mother Nature or to enjoy uplifting music to help us tune in and reconnect.

February 10, 2024: Lunar (Chinese) New Year - Ushering in the Year of the Wood Dragon

Lunar New Year (historically known as Chinese New Year) is the beginning of the New Year based on the lunar calendar or lunisolar calendar. It occurs every year at the time of the New Moon (calculated for Asia), sometime between January 21 and February 20.

The Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of early spring in some parts of the northern hemisphere (especially in Asia). It is the most important holiday in China, and is also observed in Vietnam, South Korea, and throughout the world in the Asian diaspora. The 2024 Lunar New Year ushers in the Year of the Yang Wood Dragon, which signifies intense energies, dynamic changes, and volatile events.

February 10 to 18, 2024: Magha Gupta Navaratri - A Mystical Time to Worship the Divine Mother

Magha Gupta Navaratri, commonly known as Gupt Navaratri, is a nine-night period of deep mystical worship of the nine manifestations of the Divine Mother (Shakti). This is one of the more “hidden” Navaratri festivals in which participants celebrate privately rather than in public festivities.

February 11 to March 7, 2024: Venus Will Transit in Capricorn - A Serious Tone for Relationships and Finances

Venus will transit in Capricorn from February 11 to March 7. Venus is in the sign of a friend (Saturn) here. This suggests a focus on law and order, conservative values, and a serious tone in regard to finances and personal or business relationships. Venus will be afflicted by its conjunction and a planetary war with Mars, which can suggest surprise military action, dangerous storms, accidents, and the heightened threat of cyber attacks, fraud, and scams.

February 12-13, 2024: Ganesh Jayanti - A Good Day to Pray to Lord Ganesh To Open All Your Pathways

Ganesh Jayanti, the birthday of Lord Ganesh, will be celebrated on February 12 in North and South America and Europe, and February 13 everywhere else in the world. Also known as Magha Shukla Chaturthi or Tilo Chauth, this holy day is widely celebrated in South Indian culture. The dates differ from year to year but it always occurs on the fourth day after the New Moon in the bright fortnight of the month of Magha in January or February, and on the day before Vasant Panchami.

Lord Ganesh is the elephant-headed son of Shakti and Shiva in the Vedic pantheon. Ganesh is the remover of obstacles, patron of astrologers, and god of prosperity, wisdom, and knowledge. This is a great day to make offerings and prayers to Lord Ganesh and to ask him to open all your pathways.

February 13-14, 2024: Vasant Panchami (Saraswati Puja) - An Abhuj Muhurta Suitable for Beginning a New Project

This year, Vasant Panchami (or Saraswati Puja) will occur on February 13 in North and South America, and on February 14 everywhere else in the world. Every year, the date changes as it occurs on the panchami tithi (fifth lunar day) in the lunar month of Magha (January-February). This is a very special day in the Vedic panchanga/lunar calendar. Anything important that we perform or initiate on this day is said to have a fortunate long-term outcome. Please refer to a previous year’s article about this for more details:

February 13 to March 14, 2024: The Sun Will Transit in Aquarius (Kumbha Sankranti)- A Deeply Spiritual Time of Year

The Sun will enter Aquarius on February 13 at 5:13 AM EST (10:13 AM UTC). The day when the Sun enters Aquarius is called Kumbha Sankranti. On this day, Lord Vishnu comes down and walks among us to bless the world with a fresh dose of purpose and stability.

Aquarius is the sign of spiritual rebirth. Lord Shiva presides over this astrological sign. Symbolized by the Water Bearer who pours forth the “water of life” (kundalini shakti), Aquarius embodies the essence of spiritual power, wisdom, purity, peace, and rebirth. In some Vedic traditions, Kumbha Sankranti is a time to worship the Sun and make offerings to Lord Shiva, as well.

February 14, 2024: Mars Conjoins Pluto - Time for Creativity, Positive Changes, But Also Potentially Brash Behavior

Mars will conjoin Pluto in Capricorn exactly on February 14, but this conjunction will be within an effective orb of influence from February 7 to 20. For those of a lower nature, this is a dangerous aspect that can reflect brash, ruthless, selfish, violent or lustful behavior. There is a higher expression of this conjunction, for those who have a spiritually aligned will center. In this case, the conjunction can be passionate and creative, achievement oriented, and effective in making positive changes.

February 19 to March 6, 2024: Mercury Will Transit in Aquarius - A Time To See the Truth

From February 19 to March 6, Mercury will transit in the deep cosmic waters of the Aquarius constellation. Here is where higher truth and healing energies are poured forth into the world. In Aquarius, soul and spirit express themselves through substance. When Mercury is here, we often see an advanced thinking capacity (truly "seeing" in a new way) and metaphysical and scientific understanding. We may also have a deeper reach into the mysteries of life.

February 19-29, 2024: Mars Squares Jupiter - A Time of Courage, Confidence and Optimism

Mars will square Jupiter from February 19 to 29, and this aspect will be exact on February 26. Mars squaring Jupiter lends courage, confidence, and optimism. At the same time, we need to be cautious and mindful and avoid pushing too hard to avoid manifesting the lower expression of this aspect, which can be quite demanding or militaristic.

February 21 to March 2, 2024: Mars and Venus Planetary War - Potential for Conflict, Anger and Ambition

Mars will conjoin Venus in Capricorn on February 22, but will be within an effective orb of conjunction from February 12 to March 3. These two planets will engage in a planetary war (graha yuddha) from February 21 through the end of the month (and until March 2). In its lower manifestation, this Mars-Venus energy can suggest volatility in relationships, possessive feelings, obsessions and emotional attachments, strong materialistic desires, conflict, anger, and aggression. On a higher note, the Mars-Venus conjunction (and war) can manifest with goal-oriented, creative, passionate, strategic, focused, and ambitious qualities.

February 22, 2024: Pluto Return in the United States Birth Chart - A Time of Social, Political, and Economic Upheaval and Unrest

On February 22, Pluto will return to the exact position that it occupies in the United States birth chart, where it was transiting on July 4, 1776. At this time, the Founding Fathers accepted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence. This transit represents revolutionary forces arising within the United States, including the likelihood of an economic crisis unlike any seen in the previous history of the nation.

The Pluto Return has been in effect already during 2023, but will become even stronger this year as it hovers near and returns to its exact natal position three times: February 22, July 16, and December 30. I will be writing more about the Pluto Return again in the near future, and please also refer to my previous article for more information about it.

February 24, 2024: The Full Moon Will Occur in Leo (Magha Purnima) - Spiritual Power, Courage, and Revelations

The Full Moon in Leo and Magha nakshatra will culminate on Saturday, February 24, at 7:30 AM EST (12:30 PM UTC/18:00 PM IST). Use the World Time Buddy to convert to other time zones as needed.

The lunar day (tithi) that precedes this month's Full Moon is a very special holy day in the Vedic calendar known as called Magha Purnima, which this year will be celebrated on Friday, February 23 in North and South America, and Saturday, February 24 everyplace else in the world. Not only this day (Magha Purnima), but also the whole month of Magha (from February 10 to March 10), are considered an auspicious time for karmic healing practices.

These traditionally include fasting, dipping in holy rivers, performing pujas, ancestral propitiation, and offering charity and seva (service). All of these practices can help clear the path to spiritual liberation. It is believed that Lord Vishnu resides within the Ganga River on Magha Purnima, so that even just touching its holy water at this time provides a great spiritual boon.

The sign of Leo the Lion stands for courage, an interesting word that comes from the Old French “corage,” which means “heart and spirit.” So this Full Moon in Leo is a wonderful time to meditate on the true essence of courage as the “fire burning within the heart.”

Additionally, Full Moons typically bring revelations, and I expect we may hear some interesting announcements in the news during the days before and after this Full Moon. I say this as the Sun is always opposite the Moon during a Full Moon, and the Sun rules the sign of this particular Full Moon (Leo). The Sun represents banks, heads of state, and all kinds of authority figures (including leaders in industry, science and technology, education, and religion).

February 28, 2024: The Sun, Mercury, and Saturn Conjoin - An Unusual Conjunction

The Sun, Saturn, and Mercury will be exactly conjunct at 15 degrees of Aquarius on February 28. This trifecta will be within an effective orb of conjunction from February 22 into the early days of March. Mercury will be in a planetary war with Saturn from February 26 to March 2, as well. These combinations can bring up a great deal of rebelliousness, eccentricity, financial worries, mental strain, conflict with others, or a tendency to slip into bad habits.

February 29, 2024: Leap Day - A Magical Day Out Of Time

February 29 will be a leap day, which means that 2024 is a leap year. A common year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars has 365 days, and a leap year 366 days, with the extra "intercalary" day designated as February 29. This has been done most every four years since the time of Julius Caesar in 45 BC, in order to synchronize the calendar year with the solar year.

Many interesting traditions have been associated with February 29. For instance, according to Irish folklore, Saint Brigid and Saint Patrick made an agreement that allowed women to propose to men on leap days, even though this was not conventional at that point in history. The purpose of this was to create balance in relationships, just as a leap day brings symmetry between our civil calendar and the passage of the Sun.

Because of this and other similar customs, February 29 eventually became known as “Ladies’ Day” or “Ladies’ Privilege.” However, in Italian and Greek traditions, it was thought to be a bad idea to plan a wedding in a leap year, as women would be too erratic. This custom is still followed by a small number of couples even today.

Leap days are very rare and this alone suggests that they can have an especially magical or extraordinary quality. This is further indicated by the meaning of 29 in numerology, which is an eleven (2 + 9 = 11). The number eleven is a supernatural master number with creative and metaphysical power and potential.

In addition, leap days exist outside of time and thus represent the concept of moving beyond the limitations of ordinary reality. It’s like an energy portal opens on February 29, and if we engage with it through spiritual practices with the power of intention, we may have an opportunity to take a giant leap forward in our lives.

As you can see, the month of February will be filled with Saturn energy and major shifts by Pluto, Mercury, Mars, and Venus. Although some of these planetary transits may be difficult, we will also be blessed with the magical Imbolc at the beginning of February, the Leap Year power at the end of the month, and the blessed Vasant Panchami in the middle.

I hope that you have a wonderful February!

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 a small number of Vedic astrologers. All the astrological charts that I work with and share are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.