Illustration:
Britannia carrying a large white flag labeled “Civilization” with British soldiers and colonists behind her, advancing on a horde of natives, one carrying a flag labeled “Barbarism.”

One of the most well-known historical examples where help turned out to be problematic is the colonial intervention in Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries, often justified by colonizers as a “civilizing mission.” European powers such as Britain, France, and Belgium claimed that their goal was to “civilize” African societies by introducing education, Christianity, and modern technologies.

In reality, however, these actions caused immense harm. Colonizers imposed their political, economic, and cultural systems, destroying local traditions, social structures, and economies. Many communities were brutally exploited, and the continent’s natural resources were extracted for the benefit of the colonizers. A striking example is Belgium’s exploitation of the Congo under King Leopold II, where millions of people perished due to forced labor and brutal repression.

What was intended to be “civilizing” help ultimately led to deep social divisions, the destruction of local cultures, and long-term economic problems, many of which African nations continue to face today. This example illustrates how a belief in one’s own righteousness, combined with a lack of understanding of local realities, can cause more harm than good.

This week offers a unique opportunity for reflection on our relationships—both with others and with ourselves. Mars moving directly through Cancer brings the courage to confront emotional dependencies and encourages actions guided by the heart rather than fear-based patterns that may have driven us in the past. Meanwhile, the New Moon in Pisces highlights the power of intuition, enabling us to recognize our sensitivity and spiritual needs, while also challenging us to face the illusions of shallow truths we often create for ourselves.

The retrograde of Venus in Aries at the end of the week reminds us that relationships are a continuous learning process. This energy calls us to deeply understand our own needs and to ask the hard question of whether, in helping others, we are subtly attempting to influence the course of their lives. Mercury in Pisces, strongly activated by various aspects, amplifies the need for heartfelt conversations, emphasizing the importance of listening to our intuition as we strive to understand both others and ourselves.

The central theme of the week is the art of helping. Does our support stem from pure love, or does it conceal a hidden desire for control? The planetary alignments teach us that true help arises from a place of neutrality—free of interference, free of the need to impose our will. While learning this lesson can sometimes be painful, integrating these karmic insights is essential, as it opens the door to unconditional compassion.

May these days become a space for deep introspection. Let’s ask ourselves how we can offer help with pure intentions, without interfering in someone else’s growth. The challenging work of surrendering control allows us to live closer to the heart, making our relationships more genuine. This is a time to release old patterns and learn to support others in ways that honor both their journeys and our own.

Sunday/Monday

Mars in Cancer turns direct
Feb 24, 3:03 AM Warsaw / February 23, 7:03 PM Santa Fe

As Mars, after a prolonged retrograde in Cancer, moves directly once more, a new rhythm begins to pulse through the energy around us. Cancer, a symbol of emotional security and connection to our roots, has prompted us to pause and look inward. It has been a time to question what genuinely matters in our hearts and to identify the emotional threads that guide us home—both literally and metaphorically.

Now, as Mars moves forward again, that period of reflection forms a steady foundation for action. Instead of impulsiveness, we find purposeful courage—the courage to make choices aligned with our values. The energy of Mars, once chaotic, now resembles a river that knows its path. Motivations rooted in caring for family—both the one we’ve chosen and the one from our past—gain strength, becoming a force for real change.

This is a moment to transform inner reflections into actions that embody true love and authentic commitment.

Tuesday

The Conjunction of Mercury and Saturn in Pisces
Influence ≈ February 23–March 27
Peak: February 25, 1:02 PM Warsaw / 5:03 AM Santa Fe

This is a time for deep, responsible conversations filled with introspection. Mercury, the planet of words and thought, combines with the disciplined energy of Saturn, creating a fertile space for reflecting on the meaning behind our words. Pisces, an intuitive, spiritual, and emotional sign, brings subtlety and sensitivity into the mix, yet also urges us to explore what lies beneath the surface.

Conversations during this period may turn toward questions about the essence of our ideas and relationships. It’s a time to shed superficial topics and focus instead on fundamental matters, often connected to emotional security, spirituality, or shared values. Saturn’s influence on communication may call for careful thought when choosing your words. It might also highlight challenges in expressing emotions, encouraging patience and creativity in dialogue.

You might find yourself speaking about taking responsibility for your emotional boundaries, revisiting past issues, or envisioning future possibilities rooted in idealism. This is a supportive period for building bridges between logic and intuition, intellect and spirituality, and for transforming everyday communication into a means of expressing your authentic self.

Thursday

Sextile of Mercury in Pisces and Uranus in Taurus
Influence ≈ February 26–February 28
Peak: Feb 27, 10:37 AM Warsaw / 2:37 AM Santa Fe

Sextile between Mercury in Pisces and Uranus in Taurus invites an atmosphere of remarkable originality and thought-provoking dialogue. In Pisces, Mercury inspires communication that is fluid, intuitive, and deeply imaginative. It encourages us to think beyond the surface and tap into emotions, dreams, and ideals often left unspoken. Combined with the influence of Uranus in Taurus, known for sparking innovation and grounding it in practical reality, this alignment creates a space where ideas can transcend the ordinary while still holding tangible value.

Conversations during this time may feel fresh and unexpected, challenging conventional viewpoints with surprising insights. They bring a blend of sensitivity and groundbreaking thought, where creative solutions are not only envisioned but also rooted in actions that feel achievable. Dialogues could take on a transcendent yet practical edge, effortlessly weaving the abstract with the material.

This aspect enhances unique mental connections, fostering discussions that inspire shifts in perspective. You might be drawn to explore themes of personal evolution, unexpected opportunities, or the ways imagination can craft meaningful change in your everyday life. It’s a perfect time to speak from both the heart and mind, blending innovation with compassion.

Thursday/Friday

New Moon in Pisces
February 28, 1:45 AM Warsaw / February 27, 5:45 PM Santa Fe

This New Moon is a moment of profound introspection and connection with your intuition. Pisces energy encourages a deep alignment with emotions, spirituality, and dreams, offering a space for regeneration and planting new intentions on a soul level. However, the accompanying aspects bring dynamism and contrast, adding an extra layer of intensity to this New Moon.

The square to Jupiter in Gemini introduces an element of expansive communication that may be distracting. Jupiter in Gemini often fosters an overflow of ideas and options, which can feel overwhelming. It might create a sense of inner chaos or difficulty in focusing your attention—posing a challenge within the subtle, introspective energy of Pisces. During this time, it’s worth filtering the incoming flood of information and seeking your inner essence rather than becoming entangled in external excess.

The trine to Mars in Cancer adds a supportive energy of action inspired by care and belonging. The intuitive nature of Pisces pairs beautifully with Cancer’s emotional commitment, motivating decisions that align with your inner values. This harmony encourages actions rooted in emotion and decisions related to family, home, or personal security.

This New Moon challenges us to tame the multitude of thoughts stirred by Jupiter, while Mars’ influence helps ground emotional visions in reality. It is a time to unite intuition with action, approaching your dreams with responsibility and courage in your heart.

Friday/Saturday

Lunar Nodes Move Direct
Impact ≈ March 1–6
Start: March 1, 2:25 AM Warsaw / February 28, 6:25 PM Santa Fe

The direct motion of the North Node in Pisces and the South Node in Virgo may bring a temporary shift in the dynamics of karmic lessons. The North Node in Pisces invites us to explore the realms of spirituality, intuition, and acceptance—areas often requiring effort and conscious willingness to venture into the unknown. Meanwhile, the South Node in Virgo—a symbol of past skills rooted in practicality, service, and the pursuit of perfection—moving forward reminds us to actively utilize these abilities in the present.

This brief period supports a deeper integration of spiritual visions with a practical approach to life. Pisces energy encourages surrendering excessive control, opening up to emotional flow, and trusting one’s inner guidance. Meanwhile, the South Node suggests that actions inspired by intuitive wisdom should lead to tangible, real-world changes. This is a unique opportunity to turn toward spirituality while achieving concrete results in everyday life.

The conjunction of Mercury and the North Node in Pisces
Impact ≈ February 27–March 3
Peak: March 1, 4:07 PM Warsaw / 8:07 AM Santa Fe

A few hours after the Lunar Nodes shift directly, Mercury aligns with the North Node in Pisces, creating a space for communication infused with spiritual depth and intuitive insight. Language gains a new quality—it becomes a bridge between consciousness and the subconscious, between understanding and the unspoken. This mystical conjunction encourages looking beyond the surface of words to uncover the meaning hidden in silence, dreams, and subtle sensations.

The karmic influence of the North Node reminds us that conversations during this time can transcend personal dimensions, touching on universal truths and shared soul experiences. It’s a moment to allow intuition to take the lead while logic steps back to trust in the invisible. The challenge lies in balancing—staying grounded in physical reality while opening up to inspiration arising from spiritual realms. This conjunction has the potential to ignite discussions that move the heart and inspire profound transformation.

Sunday

Venus Retrograde in Aries
Impact ≈ March 2–April 13
March 2, 1:38 AM Warsaw / March 1, 5:38 PM Santa Fe

Venus retrograding in Aries brings an intense, introspective energy to our relationships. Aries, symbolizing independence, courage, and impulsiveness, meets Venus, which seeks harmony and connection. This creates a tension between the need for autonomy and the desire for closeness. Retrograde periods slow us down, bringing us back to unresolved matters and encouraging deep reflection on our patterns of love and ways of expressing emotions.

During this time, questions may surface, such as: Do our desires overshadow our ability to compromise? Can we share our feelings without losing ourselves? Aries energy inspires authenticity, but in retrograde, it also confronts us with our selfish impulses. Conflicts may arise where there’s an imbalance between giving and receiving.

This is a period for rebuilding relationships—not only with others but also with yourself. Venus retrograde serves as an invitation to consider whether the love you offer is bold, open, and generous—or if it stems from your own unmet needs. At the same time, it is an opportunity to heal old wounds of the heart and discover a new quality of love founded on courage and sincerity.

Conjunction of Mercury and Neptune in Pisces
Impact ≈ February 28–March 4
March 2, 5:21 PM Warsaw / 11:21 AM Santa Fe

The union of Mercury’s intellectual energy with Neptune’s mystical, ethereal quality creates a unique moment that invites us into a world of dreams, visions, and spiritual revelations. During this time, words take on a magical quality, carrying intuition and subconscious content. Conversations may become almost poetic, rich with symbolic meanings and hidden messages flowing from the heart rather than the mind.

This is an ideal moment to dream of what may seem impossible, to craft visions that go far beyond the mundane, and to immerse yourself in the inspiration of your inner world. However, it is not a time for decisions or actions driven by emotion. The line between vision and illusion can be thin, and logic easily gives way to fantasy. Expectations formed under this energy may prove fleeting. Allow your ideas to flow freely, but keep them in the realm of dreams until greater clarity emerges. The Mercury-Neptune conjunction is a magical invitation to create an inner world while leaving actions for a more grounded moment.

Square of the Sun in Pisces and Jupiter in Gemini
Impact ≈ February 28–March 4
March 2, 5:21 PM Warsaw / 11:21 AM Santa Fe

This square represents a challenging struggle between the desire to express oneself on a deeply emotional level and the inability to find the right channel for communication. Efforts to connect often result in something superficial and “friendly” rather than truly profound and authentic. This tension highlights the clash between two different sides of ourselves—one longing to immerse in emotional and spiritual essence, and the other wandering, unable to rise beyond lighthearted, casual expressions.

The lesson of this square is in finding authenticity—exploring ways for both emotions and thoughts to find their rightful place in communication without escaping excessively into either side. This process fosters self-awareness and helps us understand that harmony between heart and mind isn’t instant but requires openness, patience, and a willingness to explore.