February 2: Celebrating Imbolc

The moon is trine the sun at 2:50 a.m.
In the early morning hours, the Libra moon forms a pleasant trine to the Aquarius sun, providing a relaxed atmosphere ideal for socializing. It will be easier to talk to family members under this influence, as we recognize the commonalities present in different ways of thinking, when at other times, we would be more inclined to criticize or find fault. With a curious attitude, we see compromise as an act that promotes our own education, rather than a self-sacrificial act which requires us to negotiate away our own happiness.
This is a wonderful aspect to have for Imbolc, the first cross-quarter holiday of the year, marking the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox! Traditionally, Imbolc was a feast day that celebrated the start of lambing season, and fires were lit to welcome the return of sunlight and warmth in the Northern Hemisphere. If you choose to celebrate this day with your family or loved ones, the moon/sun trine is ideal cosmic weather for disparate relatives coming together (virtually or otherwise) to observe the lengthening days.
 
The moon is square Pluto at 10:15 p.m.
The moon is trine Mercury retrograde at 10:15 p.m., and moon void of course begins
In the night, the moon forms an intense square with Pluto in Capricorn, stimulating painful self-realization or conversely, repression. We may drag others into a battle that is taking place on our inner psychological landscape by playing the blame game. The impulse is to claim “I have done X, Y, Z, and you can’t even hold up your end of the bargain.”
Under this astrological weather, stay focused on what is within your control. Did anyone agree to your assumed parameters? Or did you willingly bargain away your power to get something you desired, which has not played out the way you’d anticipated? This influence has the effect of unearthing addictions, unpleasant secrets, or prejudices that we have reframed as “necessary evils.”  When we are caught in the open, the ego will attack others to protect itself from having to acknowledge problematic behavior. Use this time to take a look at your pain in order to heal your patterning, as trying to shift the fault to an innocent party will end badly.
 Fortunately, at the same moment, the moon forms a trine to Mercury retrograde in Aquarius, allowing us clear-sight and connection to our intuition. Although we may prefer to bury awareness of our harmful or self-sabotaging habits in the unconscious realms, we understand that this does us no good, so we have no choice but to start dismantling them.
The moon begins its void of course following this transit, so experimental methods of looking at your shadow, particularly through journaling or recording yourself speaking, are encouraged. You are not expected to “do” anything with this moment or try to magically heal yourself overnight. You are only encouraged to show up for yourself without running from or bypassing self-awareness.
 
All the aspects mentioned are calculated in Standard Pacific Time, for greater accuracy please adjust to your own location.