The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are thrilled once again to have our good friend and guest blogger Steve Nelson return 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
February 2012
We begin to turn outward again awakening to new life as the spirit of Winter Carnival rises within us. It’s time to frolic, dance and become a child again. Each of us is a child of this magical New Year coming to be. The new spirit that entered on Winter Solstice becomes conscious at Imbolc / Candlemas (Feb 1-4), the Winter Cross-Quarter. The New Year spirit is quickened to awareness during Winter Carnival ending with Mardi Gras Feb 21. Carnival celebration is designed to awaken the vital force of Nature, “the dragon” or primal energy that will be trained to purpose during Lent. Old world traditions show how the soul is to be united with the vital force of Nature.
The year ‘Dragon’ is awakened in the Winter time when it is young and more easily trainable. The 40-day Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday Feb 22. On this day ashes are placed on the forehead to stimulate the brow chakra and draw primal energy (a.k.a. the oil of Mars or Mardi Gras) up the spine to open the higher chakras. The bigger the dragon awakened during Carnival and trained to purpose in Lent the more creative energy is available in the Spring and Summer. By tradition, lovers are chosen on Valentine’s Day because it is easier to awaken and tame dragons in twos. Actually though any two or more gathered to this purpose can learn to tame their dragons and the dragons of the world.
The dragon training art becomes especially important in this Year of the Dragon 2012. The first rule of dragon training is “Never look the dragon in the eye.” If direct attention is given to primal energy then the dragon takes over, the energy gets shorted out and the magic is lost. We train our dragon by focusing attention where we want the energy to go, to a wish or ideal, an intended purpose or the soul of the lover. By neither repressing awareness of primal energy nor giving it direct attention we can train this force of Nature to realize our dreams and transform our world.
Evening Star Venus is the planet to watch this month as the goddess of love, beauty and prosperity is exalted in Pisces, her favorite sign. Venus rules the Libra third of Aquarius we enter now as we leave the Piscean Age, she is our guide in this new time. Revolutionary insights come through the arts and in symbols by way of Venus who also rules the higher mind, the transcendent realm of pure images that become beauty in the world. Breakthroughs in consciousness occur now as new mythic symbols are energized bridging the way to a new high culture that begins to flower in Spring 2012.
Other planets due attention now are Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune. Returning king Jupiter and the old world titan Saturn continue to face off highlighting the political divide of our time. Jupiter moves forward in Taurus bringing good fortune to those who align with emerging progressive forces to occupy our world. Saturn moving backwards through Lupus the Wolf decan Libra highlights the old patterns of fear, greed and violent aggression that make up the shadow spell (Tolkien’s “Dark Tower”) that is to be broken in our time. Neptune’s passage through Pisces beginning Feb 3 speeds the dissolution of the astral veil so everybody will increasingly become more psychic so that, according to prophecy, “all that’s been hidden will be revealed.”
The year begins on many levels, 2012 is enlivened on the emotional feeling level during the waxing Moon of the Lunar New Year Jan 24 – Feb 7. The Lunar New Year celebration culminates at the Feb 7 Full Moon when the flood gate is fully opened for the great Year of the Dragon 2012. This is a Water Dragon Year and Water Dragon is the dragon of the astral world, the collective unconscious or emotional sphere, the realm of the Moon. The Chinese Dragon chases a ball and this ball is the Moon. It is called the thunder ball as it creates spiraling winds and lightning storms; it is also known as “the precious pearl,” a universal symbol of the Moon.
Just as the Woman of Revelation and the High Priestess of Tarot have the Moon at their feet so Kwan Yin, the Chinese Bodhisattva of Compassion, appears serenely riding a dragon on a stormy sea. 2012 is the year of this emerging feminine power, the New Woman who brings forth the New King. All these mythic elements are coded into the chart for this lunar year. This is the year when we all learn to ride our dragons or fall into the stormy sea. This Dragon Moon (1/23 – 2/20) will light the way forward. In the Lenten Moon that follows 2/21-3/22 we will train our dragons to realize those dreams deep within that we’ve always believed would come to be.
As Candlemas fires stir hearts desire, the Dragon awakens from its lair;
Dragon Fire rises ‘neath Lenten Moon, tamed by the magic of Othala’s rune.
Imbolc / White Rabbit Day, Feb 1 – New Beginnings, Magic Is Afoot!
Say “White Rabbit” first thing today for luck through the month. The Rabbit in the Moon is our magical guide. This Imbolc (Gaelic “in the belly”) cross-quarter 2/1-4 marks the first quickening of life in the womb of Mother Earth.
Candlemas / Ground Hog Day, Feb 2-4 – Illumination
The New Year Spirit quickens to life through the fires of Candlemas, the cross-quarter honoring the Celtic goddess Brigid. The exact Candlemas cross-quarter point this year is 5:30 am Feb 4 and this seasonal midpoint power gate extends until about the same time Feb 5. This holiday derives from the Celtic custom of scrying the future now by observing animal signs. Birds and burrowing animals are messengers of this time.
Lantern Festival Full Moon, Feb 5-7 (4:54 pm 2/7) – Celebrate!
Chinese New Year festivities culminate with the lighting of lanterns for health and good fortune. In another mythic tradition, this Sun in Aquarius Full Moon represents the mystical Pool of Galadriel by which Gandalf is healed following his victorious battle with the Balrog dragon. All the myths come alive in 2012. Each Full Moon brings revelation and opportunities for healing body, mind, and soul. 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. Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters and flashes of inspiration. Stay tuned!
Urania Gate of Inspiration, Feb 9-10 (4 am 2/8 – 4 am 2/9) – Inspire!
A Muse Gate opens every 40 days, 9 each year. Whatever blocks creative flow comes before the Gate to be let go. This is a time to dissolve body tensions that hold outmoded ways of thinking and feeling. Breathe deeply and move freely (do yoga, tai chi, dance!) to shed the old and be present to the power and possibilities of the time. The Muse Urania brings new knowledge of the celestial bodies and cycles of heaven.
Moon at the Equator, Feb 9 (3:02 pm – 11:52 pm) – Meditate
Lunar Zero Points are cosmic balance times ideal for creative imagination. 0 Point South is time to connect with the greater whole and scry our true place in the world.
3rd Quarter Moon, Feb 13-15 (exact 12:04 pm 2/14) – Dreams in Action
This Moon cuts away all that distracts from realizing our deepest dreams. 3rd Quarter Moon integrates new ideas into creative expression; it’s time to follow our bliss and do what feels good in concert with the whole.
Valentine’s Day, Feb 14 – Choose Your Partner, Find Your Circle
By tradition, birds choose their mates on this day and so do we. Valentine’s Day began as a pagan festival called Lupercalia when lovers were chosen in a game of chance. This is the time of year when the vital energy of Nature begins to stir and this energy may be better channeled in twos. This energy working is for others besides lovers, any two or more who come together to focus energy creatively may successfully channel this awakening force of Nature now. Why Feb 14? Tarot Key 14 Temperance is a key to training primal energy, it depicts the archangel Michael who conquers the dragon. Feb 14 happens in third decan Aquarius which is Cetus the Sea Dragon, the monster that rises from the sea threatening to devour princess Andromeda. But she is saved by the hero Perseus who she marries and lives happily thereafter. This is another Valentine’s Day story.
Balsamic Moon, Feb 17-19 – Make a Wish!
Shadows that come before New Moon are cleared through deep breathing with attention to the light within. The Balsamic Moon is the Wishing Moon, the best time to put wishes on the air. Also called Witches Moon, it is a time to bring others to mind for healing. Feeling invokes healing; as we feel we heal. Needs felt now invoke magic from the new lunar cycle.
Carnival Week End, Feb 18-19 – Awaken Your Dragon!
This is the time to awaken the dragon to be trained to purpose during Lent.
Dark of Moon/New Moon, Feb 20-22 – Time to Go 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 crescent appears. The New Moon (5:35 am 2/21) is a cosmic spring that flows freely as we slow down. Nostradamus calls this “the day of Diana, a time for silent rest.” The New Moon is like Alice’s rabbit hole, great wonders await our going within. Here we can know what is and learn how to shape what is to be.
Ash Wednesday, Feb 22 – Train Your Dragon!
At Noon on the first day of Lent, wood ash is rubbed on the forehead. This stimulates the brow chakra and draws vital energy up the spine. So the primal “dragon” awakened in Carnival / Mardi Gras (literally “the oil of Mars”) is raised and focused toward realizing goals, hopes and dreams.
Moon at the Equator, Feb 22-23 (6:25 pm 2/22 – 4:35 am 2/23) – Imagine!
Lunar 0 Points are cosmic balance times ideal for creative imagination. Moon at the Equator going north is a time to envision and initiate what we wish to become. Uranus also at the Equator now adds its magic to this special time for recreating our world.
Crescent New Moon, Feb 23-27 – Time to Sow
It’s time to bring forward what we wish to be realized. Farmers plant seeds when the crescent appears, seeds are fertile on every level. Moon magic is strongest Sunset to Moonset when the Moon is in the 7th House. Meditation now opens doorways, wishes take wing and prayers bring blessings for this Moon and the New Year.
1st Quarter Moon, Feb 28-29 (exact 8:21 pm 2/29) – 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.
Bright Blessings in January 2012!
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.
*****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 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 them at www.shiftyourlife.com