FEBRUARY 2012

Now 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 like a child again. The new spirit that entered on Winter Solstice comes to consciousness at Imbolc/Candlemas (Feb 1-4), the Winter Cross-Quarter. The New Year spirit quickens to awareness at Candlemas and in Carnival that follows through Mardi Gras Feb 21. Carnival stirs the vital forces of Nature awakening “the dragon” or primal energy to be trained during Lent.

Evening Star Venus, the goddess of love, beauty and wealth, comes 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 time. New insights come through the arts and in symbols by way of Venus who also rules the higher realm of transcendent images that become beauty in the physical world.

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 old world patterns of greed that are a dark spell to be broken in our time.

Feb 2-4 – Illumination Candlemas / Ground Hog Day 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.

Feb 5-7 (4:54 pm 2/7) – Celebrate! Lantern Festival Full Moon Chinese New Year festivities culminate with the lighting of lanterns for health and good fortune. Each Full Moon brings revelation and opportunities for healing body, mind, and soul. Cosmic energies flow for 3 days following Full Moon. Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters and flashes of inspiration. Stay tuned!

Feb 9-10 (4 am 2/8 - 4 am 2/9) – Inspire! Urania Gate of Inspiration 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. The Muse Urania brings new knowledge of the celestial bodies and cycles of heaven.

Feb 13-15 (exact 12:04 pm 2/14) – Dreams in Action 3rd Quarter Moon 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.

Feb 14 – Choose Your Mate Valentine’s Day 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 is better channeled productively in twos.

Feb 17-19 – Make a Wish! Balsamic Moon

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.

Feb 20-22 – Time to Go Within Dark of Moon/New Moon

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. Here we can know what is and learn how to shape what is to be.

Feb 22 – Train Your Dragon! Ash Wednesday At Noon on the first day of Lent, wood ash is rubbed on the forehead. This stimulates the brow chakra and draw vital energy up the spine. So the primal “dragon” energy awakened in Carnival / Mardi Gras (literally “the oil of Mars”) is raised and focused toward realizing goals, hopes and dreams.

Feb 22-23 (6:25 pm 2/22 - 4:35 am 2/23 – Imagine! Moon at the Equator 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 be.

Feb 23-27 – Time to Sow Crescent New Moon It's time to bring forward what we wish to be realized. 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.

Feb 28-29 (exact 8:21 pm 2/29) – Time to Choose 1st Quarter Moon It’s time to cut free from the trappings of the past and affirm our purpose moving forward. 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.

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 can be reached at 704-375-3759 or email [email protected] or GaiaAstrology.com.