We think of the zodiac as a circle, and it is. Planets go around from the beginning in Aries to the end in Pisces. Yet all planets except the Sun and Moon do not move forward all the time. They slow down, stop, appear to move backward for a while, then stop, turn around and move forward again.

Most people getting into astrology know of Mercury retrograde because its effects are so obvious. And since we experience it 3 times a year, a lot of people know about it.

Venus also spends a period of time going backwards. Some of you know this, because we're in one right now! After 6 weeks of traveling backwards in Capricorn, Venus will station direct at 16 Capricorn on February 3.

What has this time brought to your desires? Some people are going after achievements that used to be important to them; many have been setting sights on long term scores like marriage and real estate; and lovers from your past may have returned into your life. But for many people, love has simply been on hold.

Planets changing direction are often times when our own energies and experiences change. Since we're talking Venus, this means desire, pleasure, relationships and love. When Venus turns direct, this means desires change. Next week those that were hankering may start saying "*what* was I thinking?" For those who have just not been chasing after love as much as usual - and this means those in relationships as well as singles - it's time to get moving again, slowly.

Depending on where 2 Aquarius and 16 Capricorn fall in your chart, some of these changes may be for the good. 16 Capricorn, and 13 Sagittarius by mirror point, are being highly activated this week. If you have Capricorn rising near 16 degrees, perhaps this means a powerful shift in love. If 16 Capricorn is on your MC or planet that rules it, then maybe a significant job development. If this point falls near your 4th house cusp or ruler, then your home situation could change in the context of a relationship.

When astrologers talk of planetary stations it is usually Saturn, Uranus, Neptune or Pluto. This concern is quite warranted, because these planets do quite a number on the degree they land and even the points around it. 

Yet the happier planets of Venus and Jupiter have stations too. Just like we take heed of difficulties, we seize opportunities. 16 Capricorn (and 13 Sagittarius) are getting juiced by Ms Love herself this week, stronger than probably any other week in your life. If you have something near this point - Venus would be nice, an angle will do too - then you could be having major developments. 16 Taurus gets the friendly trine as well.

Jupiter is also coming up to station at 18 Scorpio in early March. This area of our chart may get vast improvements throughout February. 18 Cancer and Pisces benefit as well.

What can well placed planetary stations do? In the chart of Mozart, concurrent stations led to his most famous last three symphonies. Read up on his Neptune summer here.

If you missed last week, here are some comments on his chart here.

Stimulate your own genius. Read up on enhancing your mind with Aquarian food here.

I'm a full time astrologer dedicated towards passing on the wisdom of this venerable tradition to help you live your life. Full readings are available on weekday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. For information on a life or update reading, please visit the Services page. Contact me for an appointment.

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Please help share the wisdom of the Moon - forward Star Pearls to your friends! Also posted to the website on Tuesdays here.

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Star*Watch
All times Pacific Standard Time. Visit www.alabe.com for the view of the chart for your current location, and www.astro.com also gives planet positions. See below for comments on other visible planets.

The Sun and Moon together set the tone of the time. The Sun is our fundamental orientation for the month; Moon signs and aspects are the energetic pulls of the day, and tell us how we approach the truth of the Sun. Planet aspects influence the energies for several days and sometimes weeks before and after the aspect depending on the planets involved.

Sun * in Aquarius. Sun in Aquarius means the spotlight is on community. We learn, share ideas and acquire knowledge. Some of this knowledge leads to changes in the structures that Capricorn set up; Sun in Aquarius is a time to change our rules for the better. The traps of Aquarius - being too community focused that we don't let our own light shine, and being so knowledge oriented we forget about the heart.

Moon * days 2 - 8 (new Moon is day 1). First Quarter Moon in Taurus on Saturday. 

Monday 1/30 * Moon in Aquarius, into Pisces at 2:30 pm. Whatever Venus retrograde in Capricorn is doing for us, from desiring overwork to change in relationship - we are feeling it today at around 10:00 am. Feelings expand in the afternoon with Moon in Pisces. I like paying attention to the sign following the current Sun placement because it gives us a kind of preview of the upcoming month. Note the change from intellectual Aquarius to spiritually feeling Pisces - now you know something of what later February and March will bring.

Tuesday 1/31 * Another day that connects with Ms Lady Love backwards. Yesterday we may have been more in our heads about it; today the realities of what she has brought  (or is about to offer) sink deeper in a good way. A happy afternoon and evening as Ms Feeling Moon has a scene with Lover Venus and Prince Jupiter, all on stage at the same time. And yet financial concerns may be bound up with or even dampen our desires.

Wednesday 2/1 * Moon in Pisces, into Aries 2:45 pm, Mercury conjunct Neptune, Mercury square Jupiter. Our minds meet up with King of the Ocean. A variety of meanings depending on your own chart: art, music, poetry, movies, wine, dreams, symbolic consciousness, psychic and event spiritual awareness; deception, lies, sugar, hangover. Moon into Aries kick-starts 2 days of rush energy - imagine the ram, head down, charging forward.

Thursday 2/2 * Moon in Aries. Wednesday and Thursday have an interesting thing going on with the Sun - we're in intellectual Aquarius, yet we'll also be strongly feeling and oriented towards nourishment of ourselves and others. Read up on nutrition or cooking, research ways of working with emotions, study astrology or similar disciplines that combine mind and depth.

Friday 2/3 * Moon in Aries, into Taurus at 5:30 PM, Venus direct. We can celebrate Love's forward motion with our favorite physical pleasures with Moon into Taurus for the weekend.

Saturday 2/4 * First Quarter Moon in Taurus. If Venus in the sign of accomplishment has had you working overtime, tonight is one of the better nights of the year for a date. Emotionally we're getting on, but men especially watch that the intellect or community focus doesn't take too much attention away from physical chemistry and connection.

Sunday 2/5 * Moon in Taurus, into Gemini 11:30 am, Mercury square Mars. With Moon in Gemini, we'll want to talk; with communicator Mercury a little irate, hold the angry tongue.  Movement in the afternoon, Neptune again  (see Tuesday) in the evening. My take: who can argue with music and wine?

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Aquarius. Mercury in Aquarius is a mind that seeks knowledge that benefits humanity. Our minds flow with the river of thoughts. Some of the best few weeks of the year for any kind of intellectual activity. Not much to warn about Mercury in Aquarius - it is really a fine placement. Mercury in Aquarius through February 8.

Venus * retrograde in Capricorn, turning direct on February 3. We have pleasure in accomplishment and may be itching for long term markers like the investment account, land and marriage. With Venus Rx, there is a simple answer: wait.

*** Venus retrograde alert! *** Venus starts movement backwards on December 24. Just like Mercury Rx means don't buy new computers, Venus Rx means postpone those luxury purchases. With Venus in Aquarius, this means put off the luxury technology that you don't really need. When Venus re-enters in serious Capricorn, don't be in a rush to buy stocks or real estate either. And most important: don't get married! Short term trysts, as long as you can negotiate the consequences, can warm up winter. Venus direct on February 3 2006.

Mars * in Taurus. Now direct, so forward energy in all battles. We resume exercise and our pursuits of pleasures and material security are back into gear. Mars moving to square Saturn means we're willing to take on and fight the authorities that are getting in our way. Mars in Taurus until February 06.

Jupiter * in Scorpio. Jupiter in Scorpio blesses therapies, healing modalities, joint finance arrangements and amplifies our sexuality. Jupiter wants to do good, but in Scorpio functions by responding to others with some kind of attack. The energy: This might hurt, but it is for your own good and my own protection! Great regeneration and power is possible if we find the positive side of our deepest emotions. Jupiter here also benefits Aquarius (by antiscion) and sister water signs of Cancer and Pisces. Jupiter in Scorpio through November 2006.

Saturn * in Leo. Now retrograde, so developments in some long term structures in life are on hold. Essential challenge to self expression. Color feels a bit much; we prefer black. The people revolt against the leaders. Anti-authoritarianism in many guises. A positive vision of this energy: we know the work we need to do and do it. Saturn in Leo September 2007.

Dragon's Head * in Aries. We gain by new adventures and physical vigor, yet are more prone to hostility. Ruler Mars in Taurus is strong drive for material wealth.

Dragon's Tail * in Libra. Relationships seem troubled by unseen or past murkiness. Art explores the unseen. Ruler Venus Rx in Capricorn means a double emphasis on past relationships.