This will be a big, bustling month with lots of surprises sprinkled in. In case you expected early February to be "business as usual," it won't be - it will be something better!

As you begin the month Mars is in Gemini and moving at very swift speed. This is new, because since November 15, Mars has been in retrograde. When Mars moves backwards it is lethargic, so things probably didn't move forward quickly enough to suit you.

As of January 30, Mars reversed direction, a good sign of better things to come. There is nothing better than having a strong Mars in your sign, as you do. It shows you are feeling more courageous and full of energy and are ready to begin a whole new chapter of your life.

Alas, at the very same time that Mars moved forward motion, Mercury moved backward. Mercury is now retrograde until February 17.

Mars rules actions - so you'll be anxious to get started on things - but Mercury rules thinking and communication, which will become more scrambled and static-filled. Action without clear thinking isn't wise, so you'll need to be patient for a while longer until the road ahead is clearer.

Certainly February brings a much more speeded up timetable than what you've become used to, so you'll like that. However you won't have all the facts you need to make important choices for the future, even if you think you do. Due to a coming set of eclipses in February - one of them will be very favorable to you - conditions will change in the blink of an eye in ways you can't possibly anticipate. If you make choices now, later, knowing what you will know, you will have wished you had waited.

Not only will new opportunities and obligations come up to strongly affect your future direction, but other people's actions will have a very strong effect on you too, in surprising ways. You have become used to operating within a fairly stable - even static - environment but that won't be the case this month.

When it's all said and done, you won't have the whole picture until March, so take your time. If I had to describe February in a catch phrase, it would be that February is "the watch and wait" month. For sure, February will have more twists and turns than a blockbuster movie. Just when you think you've figured out the plot, it will change again!

Let's get started looking at the coming month in detail. The first half of February will be your golden period, and I say this even though Mercury will be retrograde! (If you are not familiar with Mercury retrograde, not to worry - I will explain everything as we go along.)

Let's first start with February 1 when there will be a glittery meeting of Venus and Jupiter. These two planets meet only once a year, and when they do, it's always cause for celebration. Like a loving couple who know how to keep things spicy, this pair can be counted on to always keep things lively and loving.

Each year when Venus and Jupiter meet, they always choose a new place in the chart to do so. This time, they've chosen to rendezvous in your 8th house, known to be a place to foster very warm and sexy displays of affection.

So sweet will Friday, February 1, be for you that you may start to celebrate Valentine's Day early! Anything is possible! It's a wonderful day, for sure, so the two of you may go window shopping for diamond rings, for example, or decide to run off to a cozy bed and breakfast for a long, loving weekend together.

Not only will love be bright for you on February 1, but news about money should please you then, too. The 8th house, where Venus and Jupiter are due to meet, also rules other people's money. You may hear of a generous commission due you, receive a beautiful gift, or get news that you've been able to raise a round of venture capital, as some examples. Money is certainly your lucky area at that time, so I will suggest that you buy a raffle ticket or lotto ticket on February 1. You could win a small prize!

Now on to the really big news: February 6 will bring the first solar eclipse of 2008. This friendly eclipse will fall in your 9th house, a part of your chart ruling big goals and broadened intellectual horizons. You may get an awesome new opportunity to travel or, if you stay home (as doubtful as that sounds to me) you may be busy speaking and negotiating with people abroad on an important international deal.

Alternatively, you may see an exciting development in regard to a publishing or broadcasting project, or a really exciting development in your pursuit for higher education. You may be asked to assume a new teaching position, or conversely, you may decide to go back to college for an advanced degree. If you are already in college, you may choose a new major or change institutions - something seems new. This will be a very intellectually broadening eclipse, and after it appears on February 6, you will begin to think on a much larger scale.

You may be offered a syndicated column or lucrative book contract, or be asked to host a TV or radio show. Or, you may need to travel for business. If you do travel, you would succeed beyond your wildest expectations, for Uranus, ruler of the 9th house sector, will be in beautiful conversation with Venus and Jupiter, showering you with luck. Expect all kinds of surprises near February 6 - great ones!

Neptune will orbit very close to this solar eclipse, suggesting that your vision and creativity - and even the image of your face - will form an important part to what occurs at this time. Indeed, you'll be "out there," dear Gemini, so you may see your picture in a newspaper or on TV!

There are other areas of life ruled by the 9th house, accented by the February 6 eclipse, so I should mention those now, too. Since this sector rules opinion and deliberation, your 9th house also rules the courts and legal system. If you have a case pending, there is a good chance you'd be pleased with developments. Your lawyer will be very helpful to you now.

I should mention however that Mercury will be retrograde until February 17 and Neptune will orbit close to the Sun. I will admit that in regard to court cases, Neptune's presence can suggest that there could be confusing elements to the case, or that certain facts will be obscured. Be patient while the system moves toward finding truth and clarity. If there are delays, take them in stride. Nothing will be "set" in February - it's a rocking and rolling month - but by March the cosmic dust should settle.

The 9th house is a lofty house, one that helps us rise above the mundane details of life to see the big, panoramic picture. It is the house in which we ask, why am I here? How should I use my time on Earth more productively and in a way that will help me make my greatest life contribution? Philosophy, theology, religion, and spirituality all come under the realm of this house, so you may be asking those kinds of very deep questions now.

This house holds heavenly bodies that will support you one hundred percent, making these types of meditations worthy of your time. This would be a great month to lead a spiritual group or retreat or attend one. Workshop or seminars are also very favored. I heard about one friend who plans to spend a week at a Tibetan monastery - an especially good time to go for a Gemini. You wouldn't have to travel that far, however. A retreat outside the city in your own country could bring life-changing enlightenment, too.

If you were born on June 7, plus or minus five days, you will benefit most from this outstanding solar eclipse. The closer you were born to June 7, the stronger the effect will be. If you have any important planets or points in your chart close to 17 degrees of Aquarius - Libra, Gemini, Aries, Sagittarius, or Leo, you would also benefit.

Solar eclipses are often exciting because they open a new path. They always coincide with a new moon, which is a time to set up new ventures and opportunities.

What will happen precisely? Much will depend on what you've done in the past, for as you enter each month I understand that you are not "just born," but rather bring with you previous hopes, dreams, past experiences, and ongoing projects and relationships. This eclipse is meant to be your moment of reward. It will offer you a chance to take hold of something you've always wanted to do and run with it.

If you've had your heart set on getting into a favorite Ivy League college, for example, and you've worked hard and got good marks, you could see a big door open for you at this eclipse, even considering the stiff competition for admittance to that college. If you've always wanted to write a book but have only written articles for magazines, you may now find yourself at right place at the right time when the right opportunity to get it will occur.

Since the 9th house is so highly elevated on the horoscope wheel, your actions would have far-reaching, encouraging implications for the future. I have listed possible areas for gain. You will have to take what's being offered and make one work for you. You will have choices you've not had before, and that's why it all will be so exciting. The February 6 eclipse is the first of a whole series of eclipses that will come in this house in the next two years, and you've not had an eclipse here in about a decade.

Keep in mind that Mercury will be retrograde at the start of February until February 17 in the digitally oriented sign of Aquarius. Will there be glitches? Yes, but nothing too tragic. Mercury retrograde is notorious about creating delays, cancellations, redo's, and changes of mind, so you will have to expect that. That's why it wouldn't be wise to make any big announcements just yet, not unless you made your commitment earlier, when Mercury was not yet retrograde. (That would be prior to January 30.)

To be careful about possible mishaps of Mercury in retrograde, make it a point to back up your computer immediately. Tape your business card on the reverse side of various belongings, such as your iPod, BlackBerry, or laptop, lest you lose tract of things while in transit.

Also, these Mercury retrograde phases lasts three-and-a-half weeks, and during that time conditions are in flux, even if you think they are not, making it nearly impossible to make an informed decision.

For example, take shopping, one of the activities ruled by Mercury. At best, you will buy something you later regret because it never brings the pleasure you assume it will, or you buy it at the wrong price, then you find out it's been reduced a month later. Or, you may sell something valuable during Mercury retrograde, only to get a much better offer two weeks later. High-tech items have moving parts, so don't buy any expensive electronics while Mercury is retrograde.

You may find yourself at a store's return department or repair shop more often during these phases too, or worse, will make a dreadful decision that you can't change and that you will have to live with for years. I gave the example of how buying and selling things during a retrograde period could work out, but you could apply similar wrong results to any decisions you make or contracts you sign. Waiting now is not only good idea, it'll be necessary!

Eclipses always come in pairs, so now let's talk about this month's second eclipse, due on February 20. While the first eclipse will mark a fresh start and the blossoming of a happy circumstance, the second eclipse could mark an ending or the acceptance of more responsibility or the need to finally complete an obligation.

The area you will be focused on will be your residence or property and how it looks, the costs, and what needs to be done to it.

This part of your chart also rules other real estate or your family, most notably your parents, and a lunar eclipse will put extra emphasis on your mother or grandmother. (Lunar eclipses in this house always point to a female relative. If you are a man, the ancients included one's wife as well.)

It will fall in your house of home, so you may move, initiate a big renovation project, or buy your first house. Or, you may simply move into a new space. If you are young and have been living with your parents, you may lease your first apartment.

Be alert, because a parent may suddenly need your assistance. If this is how the eclipse works out for you, something about what needs to be done would require you to do some research. It appears you may not have any experience in doing what you'll be deciding about, but you will gain the information as you go along. Gemini is always a quick study, so I am not worried about you learning to cope!

If you have a female roommate, at the February 20 eclipse she may announce that she'll be moving, changing the look and feel of your home as well.

It is also possible that your mother will move out of HER house. If her present house is the house you grew up in, this change could set off sentimental feelings in you. A lunar eclipse is always emotional, for it does mark a final ending.

This eclipse will fall directly on Saturn in Virgo at 2 degrees. Since Virgo is in hard angle to your Sun, news could come suddenly and require a tough adjustment. You will need to remain realistic and practical at all times, for Saturn will ask that of you.

If you were born on or near May 23, you will feel this eclipse the most, and perhaps have to make the strongest adjustment.

One quick note about moving while Mercury is retrograde, should that be the case for you earlier, from February 1-20 (unlikely, but if it is): Don't worry too much about moving, for you can do so successfully, if you mark the boxes clearly.

Working with contractors could be a little more troublesome, so plan to hover over them more. Your workers may create something that does not fit the space properly or spend more money than you've approved without informing you. Things like that happen when Mercury retrogrades and only intensify with a lunar eclipse on the heels of Mercury's turn direct. Be available for questions and advice on the direction you feel they should take. If you can postpone big decisions until March, all the better.

On February 24, Saturn will oppose the Sun, a rather deflating, sobering influence, too. The Sun rules your solar third house, so you may be criticized for how you wrote a certain report, memo, or other document, or for what you said publicly or in a meeting. This aspect appears to bring on a communication-oriented event of some sort.

Don't become overly concerned, even though this could turn out to be a bit of a depressing day. You should take seriously whatever feedback you get that's helpful, but don't let it get you down. In a few days you'll be feeling your old self again. Whatever you do, be sure you get enough rest on this day, because if you're tired, you will feel like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.

If you are asked to sign a contract near February 24, see if you can wait a few days. I would not want you to have such a burdensome aspect embedded in the birth of a new situation as Saturn opposed to the Sun. I feel that the obligations you would agree to would be very heavy - perhaps too much so.

Romantically, you have a warm and sexy outlook. If you meet someone new on February 1, you'll be in luck, for electric sparks should fly! What a day to mix and mingle - one of your best! This person would certainly set off some lovely chemistry.

On Valentine's Day, the moon will be in Gemini, putting you front and center on this day for lovers. You may find yourself so popular that you may have to decide between two admirers (and yes, this same advice is for Gemini men, too.) This year, Valentine's Day will be a modern one - with emails and text messages and you may even receive a digital conference call or video. If you are married, you are included too, for clearly you are still with your sweetheart. A piece of paper never changed that!

Your very best romantic dates include: February 1, 2, 6, 10, 14,15, and 17.

Summary

Big ideas, future plans, and an almost certain opportunity to travel to a distant city could come up during this exciting month. You'll be drawing up long-range blueprints too, in several areas. With Mars now in Gemini and moving at sure, strong direct speed (no longer retrograde), you'll be biting on the bit, getting ready to begin a new chapter that will look substantially different from the one you've been living so far.

You may get a publishing offer or one in broadcasting. You may launch a new Website or develop a new gadget or other high-tech idea. You may file a trademark or patent this month, or get other good news from your lawyer. Travel is such a strong possibility that it would surprise me if you didn't head to the airport. If you don't travel, you'll likely be on the phone with those based at a distance (even overseas), working out a brand new project or deal. It's a great time to sign up for college level classes or workshops having to do with spirituality, religion, or philosophy.

Mercury, however, will be retrograde until February 17, so you would be wise to wait until a few days after that date to make your commitment or announcement. Not only is Mercury the planet that governs objective facts, perception, research, communication, and transportation, it is also your ruler. When Mercury retrogrades, all these areas suffer, but alas, you feel the delays and miscommunications more than most. When Mercury retrogrades, we become forgetful, distracted, careless, or frustrated - it's never a good time to make decisions or to sign contracts.

The big ideas you have in mind will require the right funding or sponsorship, and on that count, you should be pleased with the outcome of financial meetings. Venus will join Jupiter in your 8th sector of other people's money on February 1, indicating you may be getting a nice one-time payment of cash or seal a deal, say for a mortgage, that makes you happy.

Alternatively you may get good news at the start of the month about a commission, royalty, licensing fee, child support payment, insurance payout, divorce settlement, or other funds. Whatever it is being discussed - and whatever big idea you want to launch - the money you need appears to be there for you, and you will like the amounts being discussed.

The full moon lunar eclipse on February 20 could bring vast changes to your living situation or news about a female family member, such as your mother, grandmother, or a close aunt. If you are a man, this person could be your wife.

This eclipse will be very different from the one that occurs earlier, on February 6, because this one brings in a heavy emotional influence and a more serious, somber mood. You seem to have to come up with solutions very rapidly, so be sure not to have anything important on your schedule near this time. As you see, this month is one of high contrasts, with thrilling news coming early in the month and with something coming to a close that makes you take a pause at the end.

You may decide to move house as a result of this February 20 eclipse, but even if you don't, you may see radical changes in your present space anyway, such as the departure of someone you've shared your space with over recent months or years. This person's exit would make you FEEL as though you've moved because your home would be different afterward. This eclipse conjoins Saturn, so the decisions you make now will live with you a very long time, possibly forever.

Endings always make me sentimental, so perhaps you are that way, too. Don't make too many demands on yourself near February 20 so that you can cope more easily with whatever home or family matter comes up.

Saturn's prominent appearance at the eclipse could, alternatively, suggest that you may decide to renovate or repair the structure of a room or part of the house. Saturn rules the structure of all things. Although you would spend a lot of money on this project in March through the first part of May, more cash will come in, so somehow you will make all this work for you.

Valentine's Day should be special this year for you. You have sexy Mars on your side, and also, lucky you, the moon will be gliding through Gemini, too. With so many planets being so supportive, you'll be fussed over and adored. Now that's how life should be, always!