Horoscopes:

your stars

Pisces ● Feb 20-Mar 20

From an astrological point of view, Saturn-related obstacles appear in our path whenever we try to move forward without the necessary foundations in place. So should you find red tape, strange delays or mysterious opposition working against you this month, it’s worthwhile reviewing your aspirations. Are they too narrow? Rejigging your agenda to something where more people benefit would be a suitably Neptune-inspired approach to dissolving energetic roadblocks. When the nebulous planet’s joined in your sign by Venus, Sun and Mercury for the last third of February, the compassionate, charitable qualities of your sign become more prominent, and magic starts happening.

Aries ● Mar 21-Apr 21

With your ruling planet Mars taking off running in the sign of the galloping Centaur, February finds you in full forward mode: talking up a storm, revving a mile a minute, rebooting ho-hum partnerships, revelling in new experiences with new people… so far, so fabulous. But this month’s speedy Aquarian/Sagittarian energetics make it essential to establish a clear vision of what you want and keep focused on this goal throughout the various lessons you encounter en route to achieving it. Biggest challenge? Balance. You could be reconciling the opposing polarities and contradictions of independence and intimacy, rule-breaking and responsibility, and toughness and trust.

Taurus ● Apr 22-May 21

For the first half of February, Venus, your guiding planet, in mental-asanything Aquarius, functions beautifully in group dynamics, but may struggle with the emotional

component in up-close-and-personal equations. In which case, ask yourself: Would I rather be right? Or more understanding? The last half of the month answers that question when compassionate Neptune encourages releasing right/wrong, blame/guilt judgements, and Venus entering tender-hearted Pisces reminds us (however tooth-grittingly) that we’re all connected whether we like it or not – and how reliant we often are on the very people who sometimes annoy us most...

Gemini ● May 22-Jun 22

With Mercury in gregarious Aquarius for most of the month, February offers up a Gemini-friendly mixed plate of novelty and variety, just the way you like it. The theme is reinvention: all the way from your look to your social networks and yes, fresh approaches to boring old budgeting. Expect a turnover of friends as some leave your life and an influx of colourful others arrive to light up your everexpanding circle – but be prepared to review beliefs and opinions which these revolutionary newbies may challenge. From the 19th onwards, ease up and let the new you settle in.

Cancer ● Jun 23-Jul 23

To employ a watery Cancerian metaphor for February: behold the oyster, which makes an art form out of crafting irritation into the proverbial pearl of wisdom. If this month’s driven citizens step on your sensitive toes, use the opportunity to revamp and upgrade those mood-control skills. Notice all the ways others show up to support you, even if their style of doing so isn’t your way or personal preference. If you’re feeling in need of lunar nourishment, it arrives via the new moon’s mind-altering eclipse mid-month, followed by the Pisces energy late-month tenderising a situation you’ve wanted to soften.

Leo ● Jul 24-Aug 23

The Leo moon is about Me. Your ruler the sun in Aquarius is about We. The whole of this month revolves around how to combine them. February’s stage is set in its first half-hour with dramatic ‘this is your life’ Leo’s full moon eclipse. This will prompt eureka realisations concerning brilliant new ways of sharing your creative gifts with the world. Expect these to continue as the month unfolds. Soak up full eclipse benefits by simplifying routines and commitments, standing back and watching what happens around you – and even more importantly, your own responses. This slowing-down process is essential so you can fully integrate and absorb something blindingly obvious.

Virgo ● Aug 24-Sep 23

As your patron planet Mercury gets busy for most of February with groups and organisations, satisfying progress can be achieved by staying open to feedback and critiquing – while keeping in mind that other people’s opinions of you are ultimately their business, not yours. When the last week of the month eases into the mystic, esoteric things start making more sense. Grip-loosening Neptune influences can be confronting for those of us who get the job done best by being organised, planning ahead and making contingency plans – but a playful, less controlled style allows for different, more organic outcomes.

Libra ● Sep 24-Oct 23

You’re used to dealing with financial swings and economic roundabouts, and this month calls for your finest balancing act of juggling income streams, tightening financial leaks, planning new money moves and applying cash-savvy strategies to shared assets and joint holdings. Librans are already wonderful partners with the ability to choose other wonderful partners, both intimate and business wise, but February’s planetary salad dishes up some surprises in the relationship dance which require upgrading and refining your mating game. Sound challenging? No way. Not with electric Uranus and sexy Jupiter transits making you even more dangerously attractive than usual.

Scorpio ● Oct 24-Nov 22

While Scorpio’s natural impulse is to hold on, current Aquarian influences are stimulating a push for freedom and independence. Difficult dynamic? Not so much, because spontaneous Uranus and exhilarating Jupiter are declaring this month’s twin themes, completion and restart: winding up, saying goodbye and signing off to begin again. As your Scorpio-esque phoenix readies for take-off, February may well rock your world and question your deepest beliefs. But Saturn strengthens commitment to your personal path and Jupiter shines its wise light on the yin and yang of relationships, all the combined shadow and shining of love’s constantly changing variations.

Sagittarius ● Nov 23-Dec 21

With motivating Mars in your friendly, optimistic sign for this mischievous, laugh-out-loud month, you live-it-up lot will be able to talk anyone into anything – including yourselves. And just so the mixed-blessing, shadow side of the red planet in Sagittarius doesn’t work against you, first read the advice for sister fire-sign Aries. Second, while it’s tempting to follow interesting energy wherever it may lead, it’s also necessary to pull your focus in and stick to a program. Third: since you don’t like rules and restrictions, you won’t be insisting others abide by them, will you?

Capricorn ● Dec 22-Jan 20

While Saturn in your sign applies checks and balances to your work world, it promises success and rewards through applied effort. With February offering a cornucopia of choice and challenge, this careerdreams-come-true transit is already moving your leadership skills to new professional levels. Though present astral indications are to buckle up and knuckle down, if anyone knows how to blend business and pleasure, it’s Capricorns – so after doing the hard yards, be sure to take time to put your hooves up, let your hair down and bask in the late-month afterglow of all you’ve achieved.