Steve Nelson, “Mythic Astrologer” and good friend of “The Shift Doctors” (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.), returns to share his wisdom. Steve is an astrologer who follows a Jungian mythological tradition. He was raised by a part Cherokee shaman Aunt Maude who learned much of her lore from Molly Runningwolf, the mother of Amanita Sequoyah, the last Cherokee medicine man officially recognized by the Eastern Tribe. Steve’s Indian name is Steven Red Wolf, his lineage is of the wolf clan, one of the 7 tribal groups of the Cherokee. Steve follows many of the Cherokee traditions especially as these relate to celebrations, the use of ritual fire and star lore. For more information about Steve Nelson see www.GaiaAstrology.com
Morning Star Venus rises now blessing this New World. Rising before the Sun helps us awaken to the new magic of this time. A planet long shrouded in mystery, Venus will reveal many of her secrets to us this year. Blessings can be received directly by focusing on the light of Venus and breathing deeply fully in and fully out. Venus rising before the Sun invokes the transforming power of love. Love rules this new world.
2013 is the Year of the Lovers Tarot Key VI. This card illustrates the new creation with its archetypal new woman and new man. The couple depicted here are Adam and Eve or Venus and Mars for this new world. Eve/Venus stands before her apple tree which bears abundant fruit as the primal serpent is trained upward. The training of primal energy to soul purpose is a key element of the ancient wisdom tradition that is being remembered now and will be restored in this Year of Snake 2013. For lack of this basic training the world goes mad; as the ancient way of spiritual culture is recalled all is set right in this realm. Venus, goddess of the new dawn, empowers us to transform shadow to light and primal nature into love and bountiful creation.
Every 2160 years a new zodiacal age begins and everything changes as new symbols and new myths come to life. As the Sun transits Aquarius this year Jan 19 – Feb 18, mysteries of this New Age will be revealed. We enter the Age of Aquarius by way of the Libra decan which Venus rules; Venus is our guide into this new time. Venus rising before the Sun aligned with the galactic center at Winter Solstice signaled the birth of this New Age; now we come to know the part that we are to play in this time.
By the ancient doctrine of correspondences all things reduce to number and Tarot. The Death card Key XIII also plays a role in 2013 as this is the 13th year of the century 21. Number 13 reduces in turn to 4 the Emperor or high king that is identified with the planet Jupiter now prominent in Gemini where Venus is the soul ruler. 2013 begins with the great benefics Venus and Jupiter in a harmonious mutual reception that is a blessing for all our relationships in the coming year. In this cycle Venus channels the transformative power of Key XIII presiding over the death, rebirth and healing of the king (masculine nature). She brings forth the true king in his season, this is now.
The New Year time spirit seeded at Winter Solstice comes to creative expression through the 12 days of Yule culminating with Epiphany Jan 6. Yule means “wheel” and this wheel spins out from Winter Solstice, the 4 days Dec 21-24 when the Sun “stands still.” What was seeded in the dark of the unconscious at Solstice comes to light during Yule. These 12 days of Christmas or Yule symbolize the zodiacal New Year in embryo from Aries Dec 26 to Pisces Jan 6. Dreams and omens of these 12 days portend what will be in the coming year. The New Year spirit or “zeitgeist” is fully formed by Jan 6, this day is the last spoke in the wheel of Yule.
Epiphany means “manifestation of divinity.” Epiphany celebrates the birth of Jesus, his baptism in the river Jordan and changing water to wine at the wedding feast of Cana. This is Three Kings Day, the day the 3 wise men came bearing gifts: manifestations of divinity. Jan 6 is the original gift giving day for good reason; it is when the spirit of the new year takes physical form.
On Epiphany Eve in waters blessed,
lights divine are manifest;
Gifts presented at this time
fix a magic power sublime.
Join we now in Love’s bright circle:
the template of the future world.
The Egyptians celebrated the Nile Festival this day, Jan 6, when the goddess Kore gives birth to the Aeon, the child spirit of this new time. The Egyptians celebrated the Korion with purification and invocation attended by singing with flutes and tambourines. Celebrants immersed themselves in the waters of the Nile before Sunrise. Water immersion is customary on Jan 6 when the waters of the world are imbued with healing power. All who immerse are blessed with love, health, and abundance for the year. Norwegians cut holes in the ice and dive in for the blessings this will bring. A hot tub or pool will also do; total immersion is needed for the full healing effect. Drinking fresh spring water also helps absorb the healing chi of Epiphany.
Epiphany is the subject of Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night.” The 12th night Feast of Fools festivities were banned in the Middle Ages because they were so effective in lampooning the established order. 12th Night (Jan 5th) is the best time for old world pattern breaking. The more merrymaking now, the better the way is cleared for for fresh new beginnings in the New Year.
Epiphany is celebrated with merry making that includes water immersion and sacred fire: “The fires of 6 January, the last day of Yule, were regarded with reverence .. many were lit as beacons on headlands and high places, others were regarded as having a definite function in increasing the fertility of fields and orchards…These blazes are often associated with mummers – people dressed up in strange clothes – who use the occasion for feasting.” – Shirley Toulson, The Winter Solstice
As New Year 2013 begins, the Moon shines bright in Leo forming a fortunate grand trine with Venus now happily positioned in fun loving Sagittarius. This grand trine is completed by the mysterious new planet Eris a.k.a. Persephone who is located at 22 Aries, the degree of Los Angeles in the zodiac on Earth. Here in this Venus ruled decan of Perseus a new heroic consciousness is invoked to set things right in our world. A great horn is blown that calls forth the avatar in everyone. This Saturn ruled year will not be easy yet it may bring forth the best in us all. The 2013 Times Square Crystal Ball is inscribed with these invocative themes: Let there be Peace, Let there be Friendship, Let there be Love, Let there be Courage, Let there be Joy and Let there be Light. Let’s ring in all these blessings now.
New Year Gate of Inspiration, 2 am 12/31- 8 am Jan 1 – Begin Anew
A Muse Gate opens every 40 days, 9 each year. (To find out more about the 9 Muse Gates or Inspiration see our post Nine Gates of Inspiration – Access to Interdimensional Portals .) Queen Cerridwen stirs her cauldron for a year and day to make the brew of Inspiration. 9 maidens, the Muses, alternate their breaths to keep her fire burning. Polyhymnia is the muse of divine song, singing channels energy to create the world anew. Now is the time to dissolve body tensions that hold old year ways of thinking and feeling. Breathe deeply, sing and move freely (dance!) to shed the old and open to the light of the New Year. The Time to plan for New Creation in this new year is NOW! ( see http://shiftyourlife.com/2012/creating-sacred-space-for-the-new-year/ ) Say White Rabbit first thing today for luck throughout this month and year. Say White Rabbit first thing today for luck throughout this month and year. The Moon Hare is our magic guide in this new time. Happy New Year!
3rd Quarter Moon, Jan 4-7 (exact 11 pm Jan 4) – Realizing Dreams
This Moon cuts away all that distracts from putting dreams into action. Moon in Libra grand trine with Mars and Jupiter blesses new relationships and all creative endeavors. 3rd Quarter Moon integrates ideas into creative expression; it’s time to follow our bliss and do what feels good in concert with the whole.
Epiphany Eve /12th Night / The Feast of Fools, Jan 5 – Time to Party!
Yuletide festivities culminate with the 12th Night “Feast of Fools” on Jan 5. This is a great night to party and ideal time for exchanging gifts. 12th Night celebrations were banned during the late Middle Ages as these became occasions for lampooning the established order of church and state.
Epiphany / The 12th Day of Christmas, Jan 6 – Expect a Miracle
In Christian tradition Epiphany celebrates 3 special events related to water: the birth of Jesus, baptism in the river Jordan and changing water to wine. Epiphany also honors the 3 Kings who bring gifts for the new born child. The Egyptians celebrated the Korion or Festival of the Nile on this day when waters of the world are blessed with healing virtue. At this time, Kore (Persephone) gives birth to the Aeon, the child spirit or zeitgeist of the New Year. An old cycle ends, a New World begins, everyone is born again.
Balsamic Moon, Jan 7-9 – Make a Wish!
This is the Wishing Moon, the best time to put wishes on the air. It is also called the Witches Moon, a time to bring to mind those who need healing. Feeling invokes healing, the deeper we feel, the deeper we heal. The deeper we feel, the more Moon magic comes through the new lunar cycle. Shadows before New Moon can be cleared through deep breathing with attention to the light of the crown. See the wee crescent rising before the Sun with bright Venus, the goddess of Love. Make a wish!
Dark of the Moon/New Moon, Jan 10-12 – Going Within
The day before New Moon until Sunset a day after is ideal for inner work to seed the new cycle; outer activity is favored after the new crescent appears (Saturday night). Old Moon shadows give way as we connect with the light, and breathe. The New Moon (2:45 pm 1/11) is a cosmic spring that flows freely as we slow down. Nostradamus calls New Moon “the day of Diana, a time for silent rest.” The New Moon is like a psychic black hole, like Alice’s rabbit hole. Many great wonders await our following the Moon Hare within. Here we can know what is and how to help shape what’s to be. This Moon (1/11-2/9) brings many new discoveries apt to remake the world.
Crescent New Moon, Jan 13-17 – A Time to Sow
It’s time to bring forward what we wish to be realized. Farmers plant seeds when the crescent appears, seeds become fertile on every level, all new beginnings are favored now. Meditation opens doorways, wishes take wing, prayers bring blessings for this Moon and the New Year to be. Moon with Mars in Aquarius powers new discoveries and all innovative actions.
1st Quarter Moon, Jan 18-20 (exact 3:19 am 12/20) – Time to Choose
This Moon is like a scythe cutting across the sky, it’s a time to cut free from the trappings of the past and affirm our purpose moving forward. Sacred to the Druids, this Moon is pivotal in the cycle of creation. Choices made are likely the right ones. Breathing deeply through the light of the crown frees energy flow up and down the spine to clear shadows and power our dreams.
Sun in Aquarius Full Moon, Jan 24-28 – Transformation / Liberation
Each Full Moon brings revelation and opportunities for healing body, mind and soul. This Full Moon brings good fortune and revelation of nature’s mysteries as the Sun trines benefic Jupiter and Uranus in a mystic triangle focused through the Moon in revelatory Leo. Light is shed on extraordinary new technological discoveries that will reshape the world to the benefit of all. The Full Moon is like a pitcher that pours out a magic elixir we raise our cups to receive. Cosmic energies flow for 3 days following Full Moon (exact 11:38 pm Jan 26). Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters and flashes of inspiration. Stay tuned!
Happy New Year!! Bright Blessings to you all!
Steve Nelson (“Mythic Astrologer”) with “The Shift Doctors” (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.)
***Steve Nelson is a professional astrologer who uses Tarot, name analysis, and traditional astrology to help clients understand personal myths and realize natural abilities. Find out more about him at gaiaastrology.com
****The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on Multidimensional Healing, personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about their books, DVD’s, CD’s and tools for personal transformation at www.shiftyourlife.com.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!