This is the season we begin to turn outward, opening into new life as the spirit of Winter Carnival rises within us. It’s time to frolic, dance and become child-like again. A lunar cycle is seeded at the New Moon (1st phase) and becomes conscious and viable when the crescent (2nd phase) appears. The year begins at Winter Solstice and comes to life at Candlemas, the winter cross-quarter. The new year spirit is quickened to consciousness through Imbolc/Candlemas fire celebrations Feb 1-3 and through Carnival concluding with St.Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year (White Tiger Year!) and Mardi Gras February 14-16.

Afterward, we train this new energy to desired creative purpose through the Lenten season 2/17- 4/3. Ideally, we celebrate both Lent and Carnival because the vital energy awakened during Carnival and trained to purpose during Lent insures success through the year. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday at noon when wood ash is placed on the brow. This stimulates the ajna center so vital force is drawn upward from lower chakras raising the Mardi Gras (“oil of Mars”) energy toward realizing our dreams and ideals for the new creative year.

Feb 1-3 – Quickening New Life Imbolc/Candlemas/Ground Hog’s Day

The new year spirit is quickened to life in the fires of Candlemas, honoring Celtic fire goddess Brigid and Catholic St. Brigit. The Irish summon the goddess of fire to chase away winter. Imbolc also honors Demeter who carries a torch into the underworld in search for her daughter Persephone now. Ground Hog’s Day is the vestige of an Anglo-Saxon custom of scrying the future by animal signs. The exact Candlemas cross-quarter is at 5:48 pm EST on Feb 3.

Feb 6-10 (11:33 am 2/6 – 8:50 am 2/10) Inner World Illuminated Moon Out of Bounds South Old patterns of belief and behavior are revealed and more easily reformed. We may experience emotional challenges relating to any area of life where we’ve been blocked or hiding from ourselves. Go beneath the surface, change habits and renovate your inner world. Feb 8-9 4:15pm – New Inspiration and Creative Energy Gate of Inspiration / Urania MuseA Gate of Inspiration opens every 40 days beginning at the Spring Equinox. Urania is the muse of astronomy and astrology. Before a Gate of Inspiration, shadows arise to be dispelled. Whatever blocks inspiration is revealed so it can be released. Breathe deeply, let go of old fears and doubts to be present to the spiritual power and promise of the time.

Feb 9-11 – Make a Wish Balsamic MoonMercury rising with this Balsamic Moon calls forth our deepest magic. Put wishes put on the air to come to fulfillment at the Full Moon. Transform shadows of the past that may arise with deep breathing and attention to an ideal we wish to make real. 

Feb 12-14 – Slow Down, Go Within Dark of the MoonBeginning the day before the New Moon and ending at Sunset the day after when the crescent becomes visible, this period is unfavorable for most outward activities. It’s a good time for house cleaning and clearing. The New Moon (exact 9:51 pm Feb 13) is a cosmic spring from which to draw new vital energy for the new cycle.

Feb 14 – Celebrate Love Valentine’s Day / Chinese New Year Valentine’s Day began when the Emperor Claudius ll cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. A priest named Valentine defended love and secretly married couples despite the emperor’s orders. He was imprisoned and remained in prison until his death on February 14, 270.

The Church introduced Valentine’s Day to replace a pagan mid-February fertility ritual called Lupercalia. The original festival honored Lupercus, a deity who kept wild wolves away from Rome. On Lupercalia Eve (Feb 14) the names of girls were written on pieces of paper and put in jars from which each young man would draw a name. The girl’s name the young man drew would be his “girl-friend” for the year. This may be the origin of Valentine’s Day Cards. According to custom, two are needed to tame and train the Carnival dragon. Feb 15 (10:59 pm) – Envisioning Moon at the Equator / Zero Point North Lunar 0 Points are cosmic balance times for creative imagining and envisioning what you wish to be. The magic window opens for about two hours 9:59 – 11:59 pm.

Feb 15-19 – A Time to Sow Crescent New MoonThe New Moon tide energizes whatever it touches, now is the time to bring forward what we wish to be realized. Speak up, let needs be known and announce intentions to the world. All new initiatives are favored in this Aquarian Moon cycle. Venus with the lunar crescent is a special boon for love and abundance to come.

Feb 21 (7:42 pm) – Let Go the Old, Power On the New 1st Quarter Moon The First Quarter is like a scythe cutting across the sky. Make decisions, cut away old ways and empower the New. Feb 21-24 (7:32 am 2/21 - 4:27 pm 2/24) Moon Out of Bounds North

New ideas are successfully shared. Start a new business, have a special gathering, make announcements or bring new discoveries to light. Feb 22 evening is most magical when the Moon is sailing high over Orion.

Feb 28 (exact 11:38 am) – Illumination  Pisces / Purim / Holi Full Moon Each Full Moon is a time of revelation and an opportunity for healing. Revelations come in dreams, ‘chance encounters,’ or sudden flashes of inspiration. Purim is a raucous purification celebration with masquerade and noise-making to banish the dark lord Hanuman. Likewise, Holi is a light-hearted Hindu fire festival combining play with the purpose of ‘burning up the old year to usher in the new.’ Happy Holi.

Steve Nelson is a professional astrologer who uses tarot, name analysis, and traditional astrology to help clients understand personal myths and realize natural abilities. He may be reached at 704-375-3759 or email [email protected]