THE TRAIN IS IN THE STATION: After having been retrograde (moving backward) since December 6, Mars is virtually at a standstill this week as it prepares to change direction. The Red Planet will station direct next Sunday, February 23, at 5:59 p.m. PST.

For at least a week before and a week after a planet changes direction, the influence of that planet is amplified. My favorite metaphor for this effect is that of a train entering a railway station. 

As a train nears the station, it gradually reduces its speed, but for those standing on the platform, the vibration and the noise of the locomotive's engine grows stronger and stronger. When the train finally comes to a halt beside the platform, its engine still running, the vibration and the noise are the most intense and have the most impact.

After pausing briefly, the train reverses direction. As it moves away from the platform, slowly picking up speed as it leaves the station, our experience of the intense vibration and noise gradually eases.

THE MARS RETROGRADE EFFECT: Mars is the planet of Action and Energy, Assertiveness and Courage, Personal Will and Ego. When it is moving direct, we can feel its support as we bravely begin a new enterprise or take independent action. 

While the Red Planet is retrograde, however, we could feel a lack of motivation. New activities are more likely to meet with frustration or obstacles, since these retrograde periods encourage us to be less proactive and more reflective. 

The higher intention of Mars retrograde phases, which occur every two years and last for about 80 days, is to help us see where our energies have been misdirected so that we can make adjustments as needed. During these times, we can suddenly become aware of how we've mishandled self-assertiveness and anger in the past. 

Symptoms of Mars retrograde include feeling restless and irritable, but also, paradoxically, having a lack of energy. Some may experience mishaps or injuries as symbolic evidence of the need to slow down and to consider our actions and intentions more carefully. 

As Mars now completes its retrograde period and begins to move forward over the next few weeks, it supports us in moving forward with more confidence. If we have done our inner work over the past three months, we will be conscious of ways that we can direct our energies more effectively and successfully. With this new and enhanced self-awareness and ego-awareness, obstacles and issues that seemed to stand in our way are more easily overcome or might even dissolve completely. 

ASPECTS THIS WEEK: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important planetary aspects, day by day: 

Monday

No major aspects are exact today.

Tuesday

Sun enters Pisces: The Sun enters the sign of the Fishes at 2:06 a.m. PST today. During the month of Pisces, from February 18 to March 20, we are naturally drawn inward, to spiritual pursuits or to activities that utilize the creative imagination. We may experience moments of deeper empathy and sympathy, as well as a stronger desire to be of service to the greater Good. The main cautions, related to the shadow side of Pisces, are to be aware of where we are overly passive, too naive, or take on the role of rescuer, martyr, or victim. This is the last sign of the zodiac, representing a phase of completion and introspection before the Aries Equinox and the beginning of a new astrological year.

Venus semisquare Uranus: It is important to give each person the freedom to be their authentic selves today. Attempts to control or restrict another's actions meet with rebellion.

Wednesday

Mercury semisquare Eris: This minor aspect indicates a tendency to be argumentative or to stir controversy. Some may speak too bluntly or abrasively.

Thursday

Sun sesquiquadrate Mars: With Mars at a standstill now, this minor aspect carries more weight than usual. People can be very competitive, willful, aggressive, and selfishly motivated. With Mars in sensitive Cancer, we can take things very personally, respond defensively, and easily slip into fight/flight/freeze mode. 

Mercury square Jupiter: We can experience information overload with this aspect or be dealing with judgmental, self-righteous, or moralistic attitudes. With Mercury in dreamy Pisces, intuition is heightened but our attention to practical details is not strong, so this is not the best day to make important decisions.

Friday

No major aspects are exact today.

Saturday 

No major aspects are exact today. 

Sunday

Mercury trine Mars: Emotional intelligence is facilitated today, giving us insights into our own and others' true wants and needs. A strong empathy and intuition support heart-centered conversations.

Sun semisquare Chiron: A lack of confidence is asserting ourselves may result in passive-aggressive behaviors.

Mars stations direct: Mars comes to a standstill today at 5:59 p.m. PST. With its station at 17°00' Cancer, those with natal planets or points between 15 and 19 degrees of cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) are likely to feel the heightened Mars influence most directly.

IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: Your assertive side or competitive nature may be more apparent this year, but you also feel compassion and empathy more profoundly. This could result in your being very protective of others and being strongly motivated to do what you can to alleviate suffering in the world. Partnerships may go through an adjustment period if both parties do not share compatible philosophies and beliefs. (Solar Return Sun sesquiquadrate Mars, conjunct Ceres, square Juno)

In peace, love, and gratitude,

Pam

Aspects of Note This Week:

All times listed are Pacific Daylight Time. For Greenwich Mean Time, add 7 hours.

• MONDAY: No major aspects are exact today
• TUESDAY: Sun enters Pisces, Venus semisquare Uranus
• WEDNESDAY: Mercury semisquare Eris
• THURSDAY: Sun sesquiquadrate Mars, Mercury square Jupiter
• FRIDAY: No major aspects are exact today
• SATURDAY: No major aspects are exact today
• SUNDAY: Mercury trine Mars, Sun semisquare Chiron, Mars stations direct at 17°00' Cancer

Astrologer Pam Younghans writes the NorthPoint Astrology Journal based on planetary influences and insights received. Her hope is to bring astrology "down to earth" in a way that will help readers navigate current energies, while also utilizing these energies for spiritual and personal growth.
Feel free to share this NorthPoint Journal with others who may enjoy it! Please forward it in its entirety, including all contact and copyright information.
To learn more about Pam's work, please visit www.northpointastrology.com. 

NorthPoint Journal copyright 2025 Pam Younghans. All Rights Reserved.

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