Mercury Is Retrograde, and With Venus in Aquarius, Here’s What You Need To Know To Handle the Transit Best

This week kicks off February, a month that begins with Mercury retrograde and five planets in Aquarius, the sign of the water-bearer. After last week’s full moon in Leo, the moon is now waning, providing us a time to review where we’ve been and release what’s no longer serving us. This dovetails perfectly with this Mercury retrograde transit’s meaning with Venus in Aquarius.

To review, Mercury, the planet of communication, went retrograde on January 30th at 26° of Aquarius and will stay retrograde in Aquarius until February 20th. So, for the next three weeks, this transit asks us to go back in time to learn more about the current moment.

We reinvent ourselves to reinvest in ourselves, and our reinvention requires review. Mercury’s retrograde cycle is an opportunity to synthesize where we’ve been and understand where we are heading next. So, take stock of what you need to complete, bring to closure, review, revisit, and give another look, because now’s the time to dive in.

Mercury is retrograde in the sign of the recent Great Conjunction, asking us to become more intimately connected with our humanity and the humanity of others. (The great conjunction happened on the December solstice, when Jupiter and Saturn conjoined at 0° of Aquarius, commencing a new epoch of history.) Given the overwhelming planetary influence in Aquarius; it’s essential to think about how we can be forward-thinking.

Venus’s influence can help facilitate this. The planet enters Aquarius on February 1st, where it will stay until February 25th. Similar to Mercury’s retrograde cycle, Venus asks us to look at our values as they relate to all things Aquarius: groups, friendships, expansive ways of being in the world, and solutions to complex problems. On Saturday, Feb 6th, she squares Uranus while conjoining Saturn, which is particularly notable because Uranus and Saturn rule Aquarius. Venus, on the other hand, is who, what, and why we love.

This intense planetary configuration of Venus in Aquarius is a call to action, inviting clarity, commitment, and discernment.

This intense planetary configuration of Venus in Aquarius is a call to action, inviting clarity, commitment, and discernment. It’s important to note that Venus in Aquarius is a vibe unto itself. In the sign of solutions, Venus is both invested in problems and out-of-the-box answers, but she’s not necessarily “lovey-dovey.”

Knowing this, now isn’t necessarily the best time for sensual connection—everything is distinctly theoretical, and even a bit disassociated. So, don’t make far-reaching decisions about love right now, and instead opt for a wait-and-see approach. If your love life feels a bit dry right now, know that this too will pass, so hang on.

Fortunately, though, the moon wanes in Scorpio Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, offering us some water. The waning quarter moon happens on Thursday at 12:36 p.m., ET at 16° of Scorpio, marking the halfway point between the recent full moon and upcoming new moon, and inviting you to take stock of what’s come to fruition and begin to clear the path, once again, to another new beginning.

Holistically, the week ahead asks for perspective. Work to see the forest for the trees and not get caught up in how things feel in the moment. Instead, become the observer. It’s a week to review where you’ve been and see what emerges without attaching to anything other than your values, hopes, dreams, wishes, and your abiding commitment to making the world a better place.

Jennifer Racioppi is the creator of Lunar Logic—a philosophy that integrates the deep wisdom of both science and spirituality, and blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology, and women’s health—which she uses to coach high-achieving female entrepreneurs to reach their next level of success. Order her book, Cosmic Health, here.

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