alternative practice

With the movement of the planet, Mercury, out of retrograde, February poses the perfect chance to realign your goals and set plans into motion.

While moving into February, the Liminal stage – the period of seasonal transition– offers a time for major growth and change for a lot of astrological signs. It’s a time for progression, new starts and breaking away from old habits. How you respond will set the tone for the rest of the year.

Have a look at the career, health and relationship predictions for your sign below.

Aries

February offers the potential to ease financial struggles for Aries. This is a time where you can set yourself onto the right path for your career goals. But be careful. You may have been struggling financially in recent times and it’s essential to put some focus into steering those issues in the right direction – and it is possible with some effort.

But that doesn’t mean you should neglect other areas of your life. This month may involve health issues for this sign, possibly due to stress. Take extra care to manage symptoms before they progress. When it comes to relationships, this is the time to renew old bonds and possibly welcome a new romantic relationship – but only if you’re open to it.

Taurus

For Taureans, February may be a shaky period when it comes to health. It will be important to be vigilant around existing issues and treat any symptoms with caution.

This is a time for coming to mutual agreements in your relationships. It’s important to find a way to negotiate and compromise with others so you can both progress in the relationship. You’ll find the opportunity arises to let go of stubborn tendencies which may stand in the way of growth.

Gemini

Things are looking up for Geminis in February, but it’s important not to get bogged down about worries or stresses that are out of your control. Make the most of this time as it is set to be in your favour. Health issues won’t be a major issue, nor will relationship problems cause disruptions.

Take this chance to reflect on yourself and keep progressing towards your goals. Be mindful that your actions are aligned with your morals and values.

Cancer

February is a significant time for change, especially so for Cancer. It’s a month to get your career on track and reflect on where you’d like to be. Start making steps towards those goals. Even if you’ve made mistakes in the past, this is the time to turn them around.

You can also take this chance to improve on relationships and your health. It’s a time for new beginnings and letting go of negative tendencies that have held you back.

leo — Leo is in for some romantic fun in February

Leo

This month will see your hard work paying off. When it comes to career, you may finally get that pay rise or promotion you’ve been working towards. It’s important to keep putting in effort throughout the month in order to reap the rewards.

When it comes to relationships, you may experience conflict with a partner or friend. But there is also a chance for resolution if you reflect upon the situation and work with your partner, then February could be the perfect time to solidify relationships and resolve tensions.

Virgo

February is a month of opportunities for Virgos. This will include the career, health and relationship stages, as such, it’s important to remain open to these new possibilities.

It’s a time with minimal health issues and all around a very prosperous and hurdle-free time for Virgos, so enjoy this month – and make the most of it.

Libra

Librans should look out for the latter part of February. This is when some massive changes will take place – for the better. When it comes to emotional health, it’s essential not to neglect your needs. This month is a chance to put those self-neglecting behaviours behind you and make progress in prioritising your health. You may have neglected it in recent times, so let this month be a time to put your health back into the spotlight

Scorpio

February is a good time for family relationships for Scorpios. You may find family members are particularly proud of your efforts and take notice of your achievements.

When it comes to career, this month will be a good time to further your skills and education to set up a solid path for the future. If you have any learning interests or education goals, now is the time to make it happen.

Sagittarius

The members of this star sign will have an exceptionally lucky month when it comes to romantic relationships. It’s a good time to take a chance and enjoy the prosperous results.

Health may be on the rocks for Sagittarians this month, so it’s important to keep an eye out for any issues. Luckily, the health problems aren’t likely to be long term and will most likely sort themselves out.

Capricorn

February is a month of powerful progress for Capricorn. The end of the month offers a climactic period of change when it comes to relationships and career. Enjoy an opportunity to finally get results for your efforts.

It’s important to have open communication with the people in your life so that this area of your life will have positive transformations. Your relationships will be more genuine, authentic and honest. It’s a good time to let go of people who are controlling or manipulative.

Aquarius

Aquarians will find February to be a transformative month. It’s an important time to break old habits and to take a moment of reflection. When it comes to career and health opportunities, this month will be the best chance to open a new door and release any self-destructive behaviours you’ve been holding onto.

In the early days of the month, you may struggle with uncomfortable feelings and old problems. But if you self-reflect, it’s the perfect time to realise what needs to change in your life so you can get unstuck. The latter part of the month is where you’ll start to see the real change happening.

When it comes to relationships, you’ll meet new people and it will give you a chance to begin building new bonds. You may lose some of your relationships, but with this you’ll also be opened up to these new people. It’s okay to let go of unfulfilling relationships this month.

Pisces

This month may pose some difficulties for Pisces, especially when it comes to relationships. Family relations may particularly be rocky, but with some careful introspection and communication, it can be addressed. It’s important to make room forgiveness and to let go of grudges for the sake of your mental and emotional health.

It’s not the best time to be making any educational changes and time would be better focused on lifting your spirits. Take up some activities that you enjoy and that bring you peace and happiness.

Keep Reading

A stranger’s cold eyes, pursed lips, scrunched-up nose and serious brows can leave us feeling uncomfortable. Or perhaps you’ve felt at ease when encountering a warm, open face with kind eyes and an upturned mouth. Many of us subconsciously evaluate who to trust or who to avoid based on people’s facial features.

While we might not consider the root of such judgments, putting it down to intuition, we are inadvertently Face Reading. The study, officially known as physiognomy, pinpoints the exact facial features that correspond with an individual’s personality, and proves to be more than just intuition. It is rooted in ancient studies and has served communities dating back as early as the Zhou dynasty in China.

According to this practice, an auspicious face, which can be categorised by big earlobes, a plump chin, straight nose and a full forehead, can mean this person will lead a prosperous and successful life. By comparison, a face with a flat philtrum – the space between the nose and upper lip, a small chin and a blemished or scarred forehead foretells a life marred with health, relationship and financial difficulties. Chinese physiognomy holds that a person’s past is reflected on their face and through analysing facial features their former and future experiences are revealed.

Like astrology and tarot reading, physiognomy is considered an alternate practice in the West. Despite the sceptical beliefs around these practices, Face Reading is not based on conjecture, as scientists have been studying the links between physiognomy and the way we perceive others, with some reports finding evidence that certain features can affect the way people see us. Face Reading is even used for criminal profiling, with law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, using the practice to assist in reading suspects or offenders.

There are 12 main features including the ears, nose, lips, cheeks, jaw, chin, brows, mouth, eyes, eyebrows, forehead and hairline, with each corresponding to personality traits. Each facial feature is also thought to represent the health of our internal organs, with the forehead representing the liver, the nose linked to the heart and the ears linked to the kidneys.

facial features corresponding organs health — Facial features are believed to reflect the health of their corresponding internal organs.

The face is split between the left and right side, with the left side held to represent one’s personal life and true self. The right side reflects one’s public self that they project outwards. For example, if a person had a scar on their left side, this may indicate a distressing event in their personal life.

Although physiognomy is not a hard science and can’t be relied upon for profiling without further research, it remains a popular practice that is learned and applied not only by professionals, but also by lay people.

Here are some easy techniques to get started on the elements of Face Reading and what they mean:

Face shape:

There are 10 main face shapes in Chinese physiognomy, each reflecting different personalities, experiences and fortunes. Below are a few of the most common shapes.

Round Face Shape: This shape describes a round, plump face and denotes a kind and compassionate individual who is easy-going and accommodating. Known as the ‘water’ type face, it is thought that the owner of this face is optimistic and has a gentle, kind nature.
Square face shape: This type is thought to be an analytical, logical and smart individual. Also known as the ‘metal’ face, this type is domineering and can be overbearing or stubborn, but is believed to have a good sense of humour.
Long face shape: This face shape denotes a hardworking type who is practical and organised. They may be short-tempered, prickly and difficult to communicate with. This is the ‘wood’ type face, and it is held that the owner of this face may struggle with relationships due to their nature.
Triangular face shape: This type describes a face with a narrow forehead and large jaw. They are considered kind, genuine and family-oriented.

Face shape round long square — Face shapes from left to right: round face, long face and square face.

Eyebrows:

Eyebrows are believed to represent one’s fortune from age 31-34, along with reflecting emotions and one’s familial relationships. In general, auspicious eyebrows are considered those that are long enough to cover the eyes, are aligned with the brow bone and have smooth hair.

Curved: The owners of these eyebrows are described as warm, open and friendly people. They are strong communicators and enjoy working with others.
Straight: Individuals with these eyebrows are considered serious and direct, with a business-minded approach to life. They have a short temper and can be stubborn. They have a strong ability to focus and are not the type you’d find struggling with procrastination.
Angled: This type indicates an impatient and ambitious individual who likes to be in control. They make good leaders, and are highly competitive. This type is advised to keep their temper in check to avoid hurting others.

face reading straight eyebrows — Straight eyebrows (pictured) are believed to reflect a serious person.

Eyes:

The eyes have long been referred to as the window to the soul, and according to physiognomists, it is for good reason. The shape and positioning of one’s eyes are believed to indicate a person’s open or reserved nature.

Closely set eyes: These eyes refer to those that are positioned closer together, and indicate an independent, strong-willed and possibly stubborn individual.
Wide-set eyes: Those with wide-set eyes are believed to be adventurous and thoughtful types who think outside the box.
Upward-turned eyes: Someone with these eyes is thought to be an inquisitive and ambitious individual. They are held to be optimists who are able to get a hold of, and make the most of, opportunities.
Downward-turned eyes: The owners of these eyes are more prone to pessimism and negative rumination. However, they are believed to be kind, thoughtful and helpful to those around them.
Deep-set eyes: People with deep-set eyes are observant and attentive and have a mysterious image. They are reserved and often hold people at an arm’s length before getting to know them. They may take a while to open up and struggle with authentic self-expression.
Protruding eyes: Those with this eye type are considered to be erratic and impulsive, with a strong passion for fun ad adventure. They are thought to enjoy attention and validation from others.

Sanpaku Eyes:

Do you have these unlucky eyes? Sanpaku eyes describes eyes with three visible whites; referring to the visible sclera of the eyes. While this term is Japanese, it is a culturally widespread and deep-rooted belief that this eye type is a bad omen.

Most commonly, people have only two white spaces visible in their eyes, those to the right and left of the iris. But when the sclera below or above the eyes are also visible, these are considered Sanpaku eyes. With the white below the iris visible, the owner of these eyes is considered to be an unlucky person, and someone who will suffer exceptionally through their lives.

Many renowned figures with calamitous experiences have had these inauspicious eyes, including Princess Diana, Michael Jackson and James Dean, who all had whites visible below the iris. On the other hand, people with whites visible above the iris are believed to cause suffering to those around them.

sanpaku eyes — Sanpaku eyes, also known as ‘three-white eyes’, pictured above.

Mouth:

As the corresponding facial feature of the stomach, the mouth represents materialism, sexual attraction, but also love and friendship.

Big mouth: People with this type tend to be healthy, influential and passionate. They are well-liked and charismatic and may have luck in the financial aspects of life.
Small mouth: These individuals are usually more conservative and reserved. They struggle to express their feelings and tend to be timid in relationships.
Upturned mouth: This type represents an optimistic and enthusiastic person who is usually popular and well-liked. They are motivated and driven and this generally leads to financial security and success and their lives.
Down-turned mouth: This mouth indicates a prideful and rigidly- principled individual who can be stubborn. On the other hand, they are hard-working, courageous and are dedicated to overcome challenges in their lives.
Crooked mouth: People with crooked mouths tend to suffer from stomach problems. If the right side is crooked, then these individuals are thought to be witty, talkative and passionate. On the other hand, a left-side crooked mouth indicates a pessimistic, worn-out person who is likely to hold grudges against others.

Lips:

Thick lips: These lips indicate a pragmatic, friendly and sentimental individual. They are positive and considerate, but have a tendency of making impulsive decisions and are prone to getting misled by others.
Thin lips: People with this type tend to be witty, realistic and straightforward. They can also be stubborn, argumentative and like to exaggerate stories. They may lack responsibility and loyalty.
Thick upper lip and thin lower lip: This combination represents a caring, loyal and devoted individual who is observant and considerate of others’ problems. They believe in giving, rather than taking.
Thin upper lip and thick lower lip: This type indicates a dependent person, who lacks self-regulation skills and may overly rely on the help and support of others around them.

Nose:

The tip of the nose is held to represent a person’s financial luck in life, while the bridge of the nose reflects health.

Fleshy nose tip: It is a generally held belief in physiognomy that the bigger the nose, the bigger the ego. But along with this comes with a strong inner world and a kind spirit.
Small nose tip: This indicates a more prudent and reserved individual, with bad financial luck.
High nose bridge: A straight nose bridge indicates good health, especially if there are no moles or scars. When the bridge is high, it represents a person who attracts wealth and has good luck in romantic relationships.
Low nose bridge: A low bridge indicates low self-esteem and suggests those with this nose lack the confidence that those with higher and bigger noses are known for.

nose types — Types of nose tips pictured from left to right: small tip, fleshy tip.

These techniques can easily be applied to uncover what your face says about your fortune, health and past experiences. However, Chinese philosophy relies upon balance and, as such, for an effective reading, each facial feature should not be isolated, but rather, analysed with the rest of the face taken into consideration.

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