Leo
July 23 through August 22
February 2012
MONTHLY OVERVIEW:
Cupid’s got some action in store for you this month, Leo. While even Valentine’s Day looks romantic in your stars, the whole February has a decidedly couple-centric theme. The Sun is in Aquarius, your relationship sign, until the 19th. Next, it grooves into Pisces, your eighth house of intimacy. Could this be the year that you “say yes to the dress”—or to something official? Stranger things have happened. You might also be looking at a business partnership, or just investing time into a close relationship that needs balancing out. Your shared finances, property or resources could become a hot topic near the February 21st Pisces new moon.
The big news this month is Neptune’s move into Pisces on February 3rd. Dreamy Neptune is here until 2026, a 14-year cycle that could bring some serious emotional, spiritual and even sexual healing. Many Leos like to be in charge, but Neptune in Pisces can dissolve your need for control, helping you surrender to someone else’s love and care. Not that you should lose your wits, though. The call of fantasy is strong, but don’t walk the razor’s edge into denial. In the coming years, your mystic and even psychic powers could develop, or you may become involved in energy work, channeling, and even past life regressions. You or a loved one may heal from an addiction or illness, possibly with a combination of traditional medicine and holistic techniques.
Pisces rules your eighth house of real estate and joint ventures, and with Neptune here, you’ll want to be careful whom you trust with your hard-earned assets. Neptune is the planet of dreams and illusions, and under its silver-tongued spell, we’re susceptible to smooth talkers. If you’re getting married, you might sign that pre-nup, or at least keep some of your money or property strictly in your own name. Same goes for any business deals—if someone tells you that you don’t need a lawyer to look things over before you sign, run.
On February 7th, the Leo full moon brings a peak moment and a chance to really shine. A personal initiative you’ve been developing since your birthday could come to fruition now. Is there something that you really desire? At this full moon, go after it with everything you’ve got. You may need to assert yourself, even standing up to a domineering person. Or, you might just step out of the shadows and let the world see your talent on full display. A note of caution, though: While self-expression is a beautiful thing, that doesn’t mean you have to be racy or inappropriate. Stern Saturn goes retrograde (backward) in your communication house from February 7-June 25, so you’ll want to deliver your message with thoughtfulness and maturity. Be an iron fist in a velvet glove.
LOVE & ROMANCE:
February marks a huge turning point in your personal life, Leo. On the 3rd, hazy Neptune ends a 14-year journey through Aquarius, your committed relationship house. Since 1998, you’ve had your share of ups and downs here, karmic cycles and lessons that kept repeating themselves until you dealt with them.
Leo Jennifer Lopez could be the poster child for this phase. Her first marriage ended in early 1998, right when Neptune entered Aquarius. Throughout Neptune’s cycle, she’s weathered two more divorces, along with high-profile romances and breakups with both Ben Affleck and P. Diddy. There were moments where she seemed totally narcissistic (cue the Bennifer and rhinestone-studded J. Lo years). Other times, she was oddly submissive (playing dutiful Long Island housewife who boasted about cooking for Marc Anthony). Now, as Neptune exits her seventh house, Lopez is dating a man 18 years her junior, while peacefully co-parenting and even collaborating professionally with ex Marc Anthony. What a run!
With Neptune’s blurring of boundaries and conventions, perhaps she’s learned that it’s not a title (like “Mrs.”) that matters, but rather, a profound spiritual bond between two souls. That’s been your lesson too, Leo. Neptune in the inter-dependent seventh house has taught your sign to be less self-centered and attention-hungry. Lopez also showed this connection as a judge on American Idol, allowing herself to be vulnerable and supportive of others’ careers, rather than playing the diva icon. That’s the work of Neptune: you’ve discovered that a REAL star also helps others shine.
Now that you’ve forged (hopefully) the perfect middle ground between codependent and callous—or submissive and self-centered—Neptune takes it a level deeper. Between now and 2026, Neptune will tour Pisces, your eighth house of intimacy, soul bonding and sexuality. Here’s where you could explore the divine communion of souls, the sacredness of physical touch (perhaps even through tantra), or a new spiritual path for your family. A miracle pregnancy is possible, too.
Light and breezy? Not exactly. But Leos like a certain amount of intensity anyhow. In the coming years, you may have to deal with both the dark and the light sides of a long-term relationship. You or a partner may struggle with emotional demons, or even an addiction or illness. Yet, these trials don’t have to destroy you. In fact, they can transform you, shedding light on a part of yourselves that’s been crying out for healing. Through intense karmic trials, you might experience both the lowest pits and the highest altitudes around trust and connection. If there was ever a time for couples’ therapy…Leo, don’t hesitate to hop on that proverbial two-seater couch if things get too rocky. Your tendency to project issues onto a mate will be stronger than ever. Rather than do that (and miss the lesson), why not finally break the generations-old patterns and dynamics that are keeping you stuck in pain?
As for Valentine’s Day this year, the moon enters Sagittarius that evening, your passionate fifth house. Go full-on with all the cheesy trappings: champagne, Godiva chocolates, rose petals, a plunging neckline and hot pink heels. If you’re in a relationship, help plan an awesome night out. If you’re single, don’t hide under the covers, because Cupid definitely has a hit out on you!
MONEY & CAREER:
Money is shifting in February, and a long new financial cycle is about to begin. On February 3rd, karmic Neptune starts a 14-year trip through Pisces, your eighth house of real estate, joint ventures and shared resources. All the money/assets that you co-own—whether with family, a spouse, the bank, the credit card company, a business partner, whomever—are about to become a lot more fluid. That childhood home you thought you’d never sell? You might just put it on the market and swap it for a beachfront condo. Stocks, 401K and investments? You might just trade the ones you have (or cash out), or actually go about getting some. You could receive an inheritance during this time, and if you’re a creative person, you might begin to make passive income from royalties or commissions. Be sure to protect your intellectual (and other) property with sound legal docs, and watch out for silver-tongued types who front as “financial advisors.” Neptune shows where we can attract miracles, but also where we can be deceived. Take your time and don’t trust anyone too readily.
Work can definitely test your will this month, so hang tight. Stressful Mars is retrograde (backward) in Virgo, your money sign, until mid-April. There could be tension on the job, budget shortages, or a demanding assignment with tight deadlines that arrive faster than you can keep up with. Pace yourself, Leo. While this is an amazing time to make your professional mark, you don’t have to burn out or cut corners in the process.
In fact, you might just need to refine your delivery or pitch. While structured Saturn is retrograde from February 7-June 25, work on crafting a strong case for yourself or an idea. Marketing, branding, corporate identity…those words may be relevant or they may sound like mumbo-jumbo, but the fact of the matter is, we’re always selling ourselves to someone. Can you articulate your passion and mission in an inspiring, engaging, edge-of-the-seat way that makes people want to follow you anywhere? If not, enlist the help of experts or savvy friends until you nail that “elevator pitch.” Be open to their feedback on everything from your wardrobe and hairstyle to the way you talk. Are they effectively conveying the true and highest you? If not, there’s always room to evolve. At the Leo full moon on February 7th, an extreme makeover like this might be in order. But remember, the goal isn’t to change yourself; it’s to chip away the visual distractions that prevent people from seeing your radiant inner light.
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL:
Say what you mean, and mean what you say. You have a habit of either people pleasing (and being indirect) or being overly abrupt and officious. With Saturn retrograde in your communication house from February 7-June 25, you need to speak clearly and directly in a calm, neutral tone. Take the angst and emotional charge out of your delivery and stick to the facts—people will appreciate it! Saturn’s effect can also influence a friendship or sibling relationship, and you may have a bumpy patch here. Perhaps this person will need extra support, or may be going through a tough time that cuts into her availability. Consider this a good excuse to broaden your support system. If you’ve sensed the dynamic between you edging into a weird power struggle, you may need to address this head-on, especially at the Leo full moon on February 7th.
With Neptune beginning a 14-year journey to Pisces, your rejuvenating eighth house, you might become interested in cleanses, detoxes, and exercise that merges the physical and spiritual (like yoga). Workouts can increase your libido and also connect you to a divine source—your greatest epiphanies could come during dance class or on the elliptical machine. The eighth house rules the wheel of life from birth to death. You may explore issues of life after death, reincarnation, channeling departed relatives and just the anatomy of the human soul.
Love Days: February 20, 25
Money Days: February 4, 14
Luck Days: February 2, 12
Off Days: February 9, 22, 27
