While saying “Rabbits! Rabbits! Rabbits!” this morning as I listened to the howler monkeys that had awakened me from my slumber in Costa Rica where I was studying with my Qigong Master Robert Peng, I heard Steve Nelson “Mythic Astrologer“ urging me to pay attention – “It’s time! Get working on the Moon Magic post!” So here it is!
The astrology of February features Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. The month starts with Mercury in its three-week retrograde that lasts until Feb. 11th. The result of the above planetary influence has created a powerfully introspective time for many people globally. As 2015 gets rolling thoughtful people everywhere cannot help but wonder where this global society is heading at times yet the Light at the end of the tunnel is the draw towards a reawakening of a “Wisdom Culture” in the near future.
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 17.
Carnival is the season to awaken the dragon that will be tamed during Lent. The bigger the dragon awakened and trained to purpose the more creative energy is available for the New Year. Traditionally lovers are chosen on Valentine’s Day because it’s easier to awaken and tame dragons in twos. While this may or may not be true, the techniques for awakening and taming dragons are pretty much the same for individuals as for twos.
Many celebrate Carnival and avoid Lent, others observe Lent but ignore Carnival. In general, those who ignore Carnival are more likely to be repressed emotionally while those who celebrate Carnival but avoid Lent are more apt to be dominated by their own passions. When both Carnival and Lent are given their due the vital force (symbolized by serpent or dragon) is stirred to life and integrated to power our new creation.
Carnival and Lent are important pagan fertility rites partially adapted by the Catholics. Placing ashes on the forehead was originally an Anglo-Saxon shamanic practice performed in the weeks before Spring Equinox. The purpose of ash (think carbon rings charged with solar energy) is to stimulate the brow chakra and draw up the spine the primal energy awakened in winter carnival.
The Chinese New Year, beginning on Feb 19 also signals an awakening of vital forces, it is celebrated by dragons dancing in the street. The dragon appears to be chasing (or is led by) a bouncing ball suggestive of dragon training or focusing on a goal.
When does a year really begin? Different cultures celebrate New Year at different times because the year begins on several levels. The Lunar New Year celebrated in China adds the vital emotional dimension. Each lunar year is symbolized by an animal, element and color. 2015 is a Yin, Green, Wood Sheep/Goat Year. The Chinese New Year celebration culminates with the Lantern Festival on the Mar 5 Full Moon.
Imbolc / White Rabbit Day, Feb 1 – Beginning Anew
Say White Rabbit first thing today for luck throughout the month. Number 1 days are like the Magician Tarot Key I. It’s time for a new magic rabbit [Read more…] about Astrological Timing to Shift Your Life – Moon Magic for February 2015