This week, Mercury sails the turbulent Piscean seas, connecting with Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and the North Node, on the way to a high-flying Pisces New Moon. The Sun crosses paths with Jupiter in Gemini and wishes for a little peace and quiet. Venus stations for her 40-day retrograde period. And a listener question about minor aspects; What makes them so minor? Plus: Restringing your guitar, extreme haircuts, and a square + a semi-square: does that sound minor to you?

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Timestamps

[1:25] Mercury conjoins Saturn (Feb. 25, 4:02 am PST) at 20º15’ Pisces. A reality check is in order.

[2:58] Mercury sextiles Uranus (Feb. 27, 1:38 am PST), 23º35’ Pisces-Taurus. New ideas arise in conversation or in your environment.

[3:50] Moon Report! The Pisces New Moon (Feb. 27, 4:45 pm PST, 09º40’ Pisces) features a stellium of planets in Pisces and a square from Jupiter to the New Moon point. Look for tension between peace and quiet, and endless noise and distraction. The Sabian symbol for this New Moon degree, 10 Pisces, is An aviator in the clouds. Themes to work with during this New Moon: spirituality, collaborating on a creative project, forgiveness, and emotional and physical healing.

[7:25] This is the New Moon in a lunar phase family cycle (LPFC) that unfolds over the next three years. The First Quarter Moon in this LPFC is on Nov. 27, 2025, the Full Moon on Aug. 27, 2026, and the Last Quarter Moon on May 28, 2027.

[9:18] Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon periods. On Feb. 24 (7:28 pm PST), the Moon in Capricorn sextiles Neptune. It's VOC for 2 hours, 12 minutes, then enters Aquarius (9:40 pm PST).

[10:52] On Feb. 26 (2:04 pm PST), the Moon in Aquarius squares. It's VOC for 10 hours and 42 minutes (!!!) and then enters Pisces on Feb. 27 (12:46 am PST).

[11:33] On March 1 (12:05 am PST), the Moon in Pisces conjoins Neptune. It's VOC for 1 hour 47 minutes, then enters Aries (1:52 am PST).

[13:11] Venus in Aries stations retrograde on March 1 (4:36 pm PST) at 10º50’ Aries. It will be retrograde until April 12. Retrograde periods for all planets favor inner work over outer action in the matters that are ruled by the retrograde planet. With Venus retrograde, avoid major purchases, permanent relationship changes, and physical changes that can be hard to reverse.

[16:20] Mercury conjoins Neptune (March 2, 8:22 am PST) at 28º57’ Pisces, on the Sabian symbol, 29 Pisces, A prism. Be a little careful what you feed your mind, because it will become part of you.

[18:18] On March 2 (10:19 am PST), the Sun in Pisces squares Jupiter in Gemini. The Sun's Sabian symbol is 13 Pisces, A sword in a museum, and Jupiter's Sabian symbol is 13 Gemini, A great musician at his piano. Good opportunities can present themselves to you around this date, but use a little bit of caution before we say yes.

[20:19] Listener Carmel asks, “Why are minor aspects considered minor?” Episode 260’s listener question, Ptolemy, Rick Levine and Noel Tyl were mentioned.

[28:15] If you’d like to have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: Subscribe, like, review and share with a friend!

[28:51] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you would like to support the show and receive access to April’s special donors-only videos, go to BigSkyAstropod.com and contribute $10 or more. You can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor.

This week, the Sun enters Pisces for a season of reflection and release; the Last Quarter Moon in Sagittarius means we’re ready to let the good times roll; Mercury reignites energy as it trines Mars and introduces a lot of new details as it squares Jupiter; Mars finally turns direct. And April answers a listener question about Jupiter transits; why don't they seem luckier? Plus: Barking dogs, Mardi Gras, and Mercury’s footnotes!

Read a full transcript of this episode.

Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here!

For more on this week's planetary news, read my column!

Subscribe to April’s mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon!

Love the show? Make a donation!

Timestamps

[1:19] The Sun enters Jupiter-ruled Pisces on Feb. 18 (2:07 am PST, through March 20). It's time to let go of what isn't going to be helpful or necessary on the road ahead.

[5:10] Moon Report! The Last Quarter Moon in Sagittarius (Feb. 20, 9:32 am PST) at 02°19’ Sagittarius is a final action point for the Aquarius New Moon on Jan. 29. Sagittarius has a big, joyous, “let the good times roll” Mardi Gras spirit. The Moon's Sabian symbol at this Last Quarter is 3 Sagittarius, Two men playing chess, the Sun is on Pisces, A petrified forest.

[7:50] Lunar Phase Family Cycle (LPFC). This is the Last Quarter in an LPFC that began with the New Moon on Nov. 23, 2022, at 01°37’ Sagittarius. The First Quarter in this LPFC was Aug. 24, 2023, the Full Moon on May 23, 2024.

[9:23] Void-of-Course Moon (VOC) periods. On Feb. 17 (3:24 pm PST), the Moon in Libra trines the Sun in Aquarius. It's VOC for 55 minutes and then enters Scorpio (4:19 pm PST). Use this VOC Moon period to practice the art of small talk and brighten someone’s day.

[10:57] On Feb. 20 (2:05 am PST), the Moon in Scorpio trines Neptune. It's VOC for 2 hours 50 minutes and then enters Sagittarius (4:55 am PST). When the Moon aspects Neptune, intuition and access to our unconscious mind are very strong.

[12:14] On Feb. 22 (12:38 pm PST), the Moon in Sagittarius squares Neptune. It's VOC for 2 hours, 31 minutes and enters Capricorn (3:09 pm PST). Monitor your mood and respond to emotions calmly, instead of overreacting.

[13:27] Mercury squares Jupiter at 11°43’ Pisces-Gemini on Feb. 20 (12:13 pm PST). Square aspects to Jupiter mean it's easy to get carried away and overdo it. Jupiter is on the Sabian symbol, 12 Gemini, A slave girl demands her rights of her mistress, Mercury is on 12 Pisces, An examination of initiates. These two planets are in mutual reception (each in a sign ruled by the other), so there is the potential to reconcile any conflicts between facts and opinion.

[16:0] Mercury trines Mars (Feb. 23, 8:58 am PST) at 17°00’ Pisces-Cancer. Your experience of this aspect will depend on how you're currently handling feelings of resentment, anger, or frustration.

[17:36] Mars stations direct (Feb. 23, 6 pm PST) at 17°00’ Cancer, on the Sabian symbol 17 Cancer, The germ grows into knowledge and life. Mars has been retrograde since Dec. 6, 2024. Mars is the warrior planet, so anger and cutting ties must be managed carefully. Protecting your family, your home, and safety can feel urgent.

[20:22] Listener Quentin asks about Jupiter transits; why don't they seem luckier?

[24:52] If you’d like to have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: Subscribe, like, review and share with a friend!

[25:27] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you would like to support the show and receive access to April’s special donors-only videos, go to BigSkyAstropod.com and contribute $10 or more. You can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor.

This week, the Sun and Mercury clash with unpredictable Uranus, bringing an exciting but potentially disruptive influence to the Leo Full Moon on Feb. 12 - and change could still be in the air for Valentine’s Day. Mercury enters gentle, imaginative Pisces for an extended stay. And a listener question about the Nodal opposition, when the transiting lunar nodes oppose your natal lunar nodes. Plus: Camel talk, treasure from long-ago voyages, and trash trucks and storage units!

Read a full transcript of this episode.

Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here!

Subscribe to April’s mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon!

Love the show? Make a donation!

Timestamps

[1:20] Mercury squares Uranus (Feb. 10, 11:28 am PST) at 23°18’ Aquarius and Taurus. Mercury is on Sabian symbol 24 Aquarius, Man turning his back on his passions teaches from his experience. Mercury's square to Uranus is about telling a new story, learning new things, and specifically teaching new things.

[2:50] The Sun also squares Uranus (Feb. 11, 11:30 am) at 23°19’. The two are conjoined this year on May 17, square again on Aug. 24, and opposed on Nov. 21. Sun/Uranus aspects tell a story of individual freedom and genius, and how they are developed through standing up for ourselves and challenging existing wisdom and rules.

[5:44] Moon Report! The Full Moon is in Leeeeeooooo (Feb. 12, 5:53 am PST) at 24°06’ Leo-Aquarius, awakening us to creative urges and the need for fun and romance. The Moon is on Sabian symbol 25 Leo, A large camel crossing the desert. This is a symbol of self-sufficiency, and a reminder that self-expression requires personal down time.

[8:55] The Lunar Phase Family Cycle (LPFC). This is the Full Moon in a LPFC that began with the New Moon on Aug. 16, 2023, at 23°17’ Leo. The First Quarter of this LPFC was on May 15, 2024, at 25°08’ Leo, and the Last Quarter is on Nov. 11 at 20°04’ Leo.

[10:32] Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon periods. On Feb. 10 (5:49 AM PST), the Moon in Cancer trines Neptune. It's VOC for 3 hours 12 minutes before it enters Leo (9:01 am PST). Intuition and sensitivity are a feature of this VOC Moon. But practice separating your feelings from other people's. Practice empathy, but don't forget boundaries.

[11:47] On Feb. 12 (11:12 am PST), the Moon in Leo opposes Mercury. It's VOC for 5 hours and 55 minutes, then enters Virgo (5:07 pm PST). Here is a VOC period to get in the habit of using your mind alongside your heart to make decisions or to communicate. Strike a balance between logic and emotion.

[12:27] On Feb. 15 (12:35 am PST), the Moon opposes Neptune. It's VOC for 3 hours 10 minutes, then enters Libra (3:45 am PST). Cultivate relationships with those who are artistic, spiritual, or who in some way inspire you. When you come across those people in your life, make it a habit to cultivate those relationships.

[14:02] Mercury enters Pisces, the sign of its fall and detriment, on Feb.14 (4:06 am PST). Take a deep breath and melt into heart-to-heart communication. Dig into some artistic and spiritual projects. Due to an upcoming Mercury retrograde period, Mercury in in Pisces on and off through April 15.

[16:40] Listener Judy asks about transiting lunar nodes in opposition to the natal lunar nodes. Check out Ep. 188 for a review of nodal returns.

[22:15] If you’d like to have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: Subscribe, like, review and share with a friend!

[22:48] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you would like to support the show and receive access to April’s special donors-only videos, go to BigSkyAstropod.com and contribute $10 or more. You can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor.