Monthly Vedic Astrology Forecast

New Moon in Capricorn/Shravana February 1
Mercury Direct February 3
Mars-Venus Planetary Tussle February 11 – March 12
Sun in Aquarius February 13 – March 14
Full Moon in Leo/Magha February 16
KSY Feb 25 – March 10
Mars & Venus Transit Capricorn February 26 – April 7

There are a plethora of headlines for such a short calendar month. In January, I explained Kala Sarpa Yoga (KSY) and outlined that we will experience three pulses of the full expression of the combination:

1. January 28 – February 10, 2022
2. February 25 – March 10, 2022
3. March 24 – April 6, 2022

It can be argued that the last pulse could be less dramatic, as the nodal axis is shifting signs. When we calculate the zodiacal positions of the nodes, we have the choice of seeing the exact position (True node) or an average position that "smooths the wobble" of the nodal axis (Mean node.)

Each astrologer has their preferences for how and when to use these two different calculations. The True node shift comes on March 16 and the Mean node shift comes on April 11. Therefore, we could be feeling the effects of this shift from mid-March through mid-April. With Jupiter also shifting signs on April 13, mid-April does seem to be clearly a new horizon.

As February opens, we find ourselves with this KSY combination in action until February 10, when we get a two-week break until the next round starts February 25. The idea behind this combination is that all of the planets are crowded to one side of the nodal axis (Rahu and Ketu, the north and south nodes of the Moon.) Think about walking into a party and all of the guests are milling about on one side of a room while the other half of the room is empty. There must be something of interest happening on the side with the guests!

As mentioned in January, these pulses of KSY will be the last ones for over three years! This is a combination of gravity, attraction and allowing oneself to be pulled in the proper direction, for now. The intuitive feelings about what's around the corner should be explored while the desires that tend to lead us are also carefully analyzed.

There may be more than a few moments during these KSY pulses that feel scripted, meant to be or too synchronous to believe. Have fun with that. Try to relax the will to direct and instead surrender to the flow, which could feel much stronger than you are at this time. Bring a paddle, though! Even in turbulent waters that are flowing in obvious directions, a bit of intention helps to avoid snags.

Life may feel like a series of surges during February and March as we get ourselves into position for the next advancement. With KSY absent until May 2025, the next few years could feel like a result of what is being set up now.

New Moon in Capricorn/Shravana February 1

The Moon, whose passing of Ketu, the south node, initiates the Kala Sarpa Yoga in late January, joins the grouping of planets in Capricorn, coming into alignment with the Sun at 19º in the nakshatra of Shravana, just after midnight on February 1.

At this time, Capricorn is the center of attention at the party, with Saturn presiding over his own sign and playing host to retrograde Mercury, Sun and Moon. Capricorn is an earth sign of moveable quality. With Saturn in occupation and the relatively recent great conjunction with Jupiter in December 2020, we are seeing an emphasis on the foundations being built in Capricorn since January 2020, when Saturn entered his own sign.

In all honesty, neither of the luminaries gets away with any mishaps while in Saturn's company, which creates a sense of anxiety as we recall the pain that has come with paying for mistakes and missteps. The Moon as most vulnerable planet is quite compromised with not only the Sun's brightness, but also Saturn's relentlessness.

At this degree range, Sun, Moon and Saturn all occupy Shravana nakshatra, contained entirely within Saturn's territory but lorded by the Moon, further highlighting this condition of vulnerability meeting cruelty.

The support of Venus in Sagittarius and Jupiter in Aquarius is felt in the adjacent signs. Seek the voices of wisdom who can relay the perspective of growth and acceptance as we endure our growing pains, the difficulty of transition and sustained effort.

And realize that with the discomfort of the odd grouping in Capricorn, an added force of disturbance may be felt coming from Rahu's aspect from Taurus, still aiming to churn the earth for the next couple of months in order to push us into place.

The symbol for Shravana is an ear, implying the receptive nature of hearing and listening. If things get rough, stop, look and listen. This helps to calm the mind and senses so that the obvious signs can be seen.

Mercury Direct February 3

Mercury's first retrograde cycle of 2022 finishes up late in the evening on February 3, at 0º13' Capricorn. Regaining direct motion, he will traverse the entire span of Capricorn by March 6, when he moves to Aquarius. This implies that for February, Mercury's presence in Capricorn is a given, along with Saturn. These two planets are natural friends, so they function well together and they function well in Saturn's earth sign.

The retrograde game was strong during this particular Mercury cycle because Venus has also been retrograde since December 19, which initiated just after Venus had entered Capricorn. When retrograde Venus returned to Sagittarius, direct Mercury went to Capricorn; this was on December 29.

Venus regains direct motion January 29, followed by Mercury stationing less than a week later. If things begin to feel a bit more stable during the first week of February, this direct motion business could be a reason.

When Mercury goes direct, it coincides with Sun and Saturn's annual summit meeting, which will occur this year on February 3-4 at 22º Capricorn. If there were any issues pending, waiting for news, confusion about direction, clearing out, revamping to be experienced, especially in January, this week may be a pivot point when decisions are made or the inevitable falls into place.

The Sun-Saturn energy can be difficult, generally around ego health and balance. Saturn in this equation has more power, which implies that humbling experiences may occur that challenge a proud, individualist stance. With Mercury regaining forward motion, it acts as good flux in sticky situations, encouraging learning new methods, skills and communication styles.

Mars-Venus Planetary Tussle February 11 – March 12

Mars entered Sagittarius on January 17, which was a significant juncture, with Mars exiting Scorpio and pushing his power further into the heavily weighted latter half of the zodiac. Retrograde Venus resumes direct motion at 17º Sagittarius on January 29, where she lingers for a few days, not in a hurry to rush off.

By February 11, Venus is moving slower than average, but Mars is moving at above average speed, so catches up to Venus and hitches her star to his wagon.

Venus assumed direct motion on January 29 and has changed places with the Sun in the conga line. In 2021, we enjoyed seeing Venus in the western sky after sunset. In 2022, starting in early February, we will begin to see Venus appear once more, but in the eastern sky before sunrise.

For about one month, we will see Venus and Mars traveling very close together through the sign of Sagittarius, transitioning together into Capricorn on February 26 and finally beginning to loosen their grip on another by mid-March. What a great opportunity for creating a new alignment between the elements of fire and water, no easy task, but a crucial part of the story of our lives on Earth.

Mars and Venus can be great design partners when the right contract is drawn up. Knowing that there are non-negotiables on both sides, we make allowances for the differences and come together strongly on the common ground, with a clear delineation of tasks that support a singular goal.

Mars' strength lies in protection of resources and strategic deployment of effort. Venus' grace brings beauty, empathy, inclusion and celebration. Their first couple of weeks is spent in Jupiter's expansive fire sign where the sense of positive growth inspires creative sparks to fly.

When Venus and Mars move to Capricorn on February 26, we take the plans and visions to the ground and begin the real work of building.

This sounds like a fantastic vision and can be attainable, but let's not overlook the conflict that we can get between Mars and Venus when the rubber hits the road. Mars thinks in black and white, prefers efficiency and is willing to sacrifice comfort for power. Venus is emotional and dramatic, enjoys the indulgence of creative process and grudgingly sacrifices comfort for beauty.

Try to make space for this entire array of diverse gifts from Mars and Venus through February and March.

Sun in Aquarius February 13 – March 14

Each year the Sun must tread through the two territories lorded by Saturn, the adjacent signs of Capricorn and Aquarius. Part one shifts to part two on February 13 when Sun moves from Saturn's earth sign to Saturn's air sign of Aquarius, co-lorded by Rahu and currently occupied by Jupiter, who is friendly to the Sun.

While Sun doesn't love traversing Saturn's long mile, the shift to Aquarius could be positive for a few reasons. First, Saturn's presence in Capricorn is strong, which gave Saturn the upper hand over the Sun during that transit January 14 – February 13. Second, Rahu's chaotic aspect continues to affect Capricorn, also not a great environment in which to do your thing, which if you are the Sun, is to shine unimpeded. Third, Aquarius is hosting Jupiter, who is friendly to the Sun.

This combination of Sun and Jupiter in Aquarius should help to lighten things up and encourage focusing energy and attention on positive pursuits. We may feel more organized and confident in our purpose as we begin to take off in our chosen directions.

Full Moon in Leo/Magha February 16

The Moon waxes through the gamut of planets, pushing past Rahu on February 10, thus ending the first round of Kala Sarpa yoga. As the Moon becomes full at 4º Leo around mid-day on February 16, we see a strong cross pattern in the early degrees of fixed signs, with Rahu and Ketu at 3º of Taurus and Scorpio, Sun at 4º Aquarius and Moon at 4º Leo.

With the full Moon, we experience the complete reflection of the Sun's light. Light helps us to see the details as well as the big picture and this particular full Moon moment could be especially instrumental with gathering information and bringing clarity to our perceptions.

The fixed signs, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius tend to support stability, which it seems many are craving at this time. With the nodal axis (Rahu and Ketu) nearly ready to shift out of Taurus and Scorpio (March 16, True nodes and April 11, Mean nodes) and with Sun and Jupiter strongly transiting Aquarius through March 14, we may want to use this time to make sure we are driving our stakes in the right place and for the right reasons.

The Moon occupies Magha, the 10th nakshatra, ruled by the ancestors and by Ketu. As we observe the landscape of our lives under the gentle light of this full Moo n, we can also dig deep into our roots, feeling for the stability and wisdom of all who have gone before us and who have made sacrifices in the past for our current and future support.

KSY Feb 25 – March 10

After the Moon's full moment, she begins her dark half, waning past Ketu on February 25 and joining the remainder of the planets for KSY #2 through March 10. There are two main differences between this pulse and the first pulse. The Sun will have moved out of Capricorn joining Jupiter, which could feel a bit more hopeful. Also, Venus and Mars will move to Capricorn, joining Saturn on February 26, which could keep feelings of helplessness at bay in the face of forces beyond your control.

Roller coaster rides are much easier to handle when you choose to get in the cart, surrendering to what happens next. Be aware that this could be a bit of a ride, whether you get in the cart on purpose or not. Eyes open, safety belt engaged, let's ride this.

Mars & Venus Transit Capricorn February 26 – April 7

Mars and Venus will move into Capricorn simultaneously on February 26, continuing to engage in a close tandem transit.

Mars moves through his sign of exaltation from February 26 – April 7. Saturn and Mars aren't naturally friends, but they do have an interesting relationship. Despite their style differences, they do know how to work together and Saturn's earth sign, Capricorn, is where Mars does his best work.

Saturn and Mars conjoined do tend to create friction, but perhaps in this case it may be less due to the excellent dignity of exalted Mars and the strong placement of Saturn in own sign.

Venus' close presence with Mars may be just the ticket in keeping things moving. Venus moves through Capricorn from February 26 – March 30. While not enjoying the same dignity as Mars and Saturn there, still Venus is a natural friend of Saturn, so often performs well in Capricorn. Her diplomacy power could be great in getting Saturn and Mars to work together.

With both of these active builders moving into Capricorn from late February through March, we are tasked with bringing our theoretical plans into concrete form. Pay attention to details as our forward movement ramps up through February.