The New Year, seeded at Winter Solstice, comes to consciousness at Candlemas (Feb 1-3), the Winter Cross-Quarter. The emerging New Year spirit quickens to awareness through Candlemas fire, the Lunar New Year (Feb 10-25) and Carnival (until Feb 3-13) celebrations. Carnival is when the “dragon” of our passionate nature is awakened that will be trained to purpose during Lent. The bigger the dragon awakened and trained, the more creative energy for the year. Lovers are chosen on Valentine’s Day by tradition because it’s easier to awaken and train dragons in twos.

Morning Star Venus rises now blessing this new world. Rising before the sun awakens us to the magic of this time. Venus rising in Aquarius bridges the way to a new more artful age. A planet long shrouded in mystery, Venus reveals many of her secrets this year. Insights channel through the arts in signs and symbols by way of Venus, the ruler of the Libra part of Aquarius we entering now in the great cycle of the age. New symbols are being energized to bridge our way to the new high culture for which the world is so ready. And there’s no better emissary to lead us there than the goddess of Love...

Feb 2-4 Illumination Candlemas The New Year quickens to life in the fires of Candlemas, the cross-quarter day that honors the Celtic fire goddess Brigid. The Irish summon her to chase away winter. In Christian tradition Candlemas marks the purification of Mary. Candlemas also honors Demeter the goddess who carries a torch into the underworld in search of her daughter Persephone. The exact Candlemas cross-quarter (midpoint of Winter) is 11:15 am Feb 3.

Feb 3-5 (exact 11pm Jan 4 edt) Realizing Dreams 3rd Quarter Moon This Moon cuts away all that distracts from putting our dreams into action. 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.

Feb 6-8 Make a Wish! Balsamic Moon This is the best time to put wishes on the air and 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.

Feb 9-11 Following the Light Within Dark of the 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 new crescent appears. Old Year/ Old Moon shadows give way as we connect with the light within, and breathe. The New Moon (2:20 am 2/10) is a cosmic spring that flows freely as we slow down. This Lunar New Year Moon (2/10-3/11) brings our dreams to life.

Feb 11-16 A Time to Sow Crescent New Moon 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 Mercury and Mars brings bold new discoveries to light.

Feb 8-9 (9:40am 2/8 - 9:40am 2/9) Open to Receive Gate of Inspiration A Muse Gate opens every 40 days, 9 each year. Whatever blocks our energy flow comes before the Gate to be let go. This is a time to release tensions that hold outmoded ways of thinking and feeling. Breathe deeply and move freely (yoga, tai chi, dance!) to shed the old and open to the new light with new possibilities, new inspiration, and new creative energies. The Muse Urania brings new knowledge of the celestial bodies and cycles of heaven.

Feb 10-25 Awakening New Life Energy (Chi) Chinese New Year A year has several beginning times on different levels of being. The Year conceived at Winter Solstice / New Year comes to life on the emotional level at this Lunar New Year and becomes physically manifest in Spring. 2013 is a Year of the Snake. In Chinese astrology, the snake is associated with wisdom, esoteric knowledge and spiritual discovery. Snakes are sacred in many ancient cultures and often seen as a sign of healing.

Feb 14 Celebrate Love Valentine’s Day Birds choose their mates on this day and so do we. Valentine’s Day began as a pagan festival when lovers were chosen in games of chance. On Lupercalia Eve (Feb 13 evening) the names of girls were written on pieces of paper and put in jars from which each young man would draw a name and this would be his “girl-friend” for the year. This may be the origin of Valentines.

Feb 17-19 (exact 3:31pm 2/17) Time to Choose 1st Quarter Moon 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.

Feb 23-27 (3:26pm 2/25) Celebrate! Full Moon Lantern Festival Strange things happen at the Full Moon when the lunar orb passes through the Earth’s magnetotail, the long, trailing limb of the earth’s magnetosphere on the side facing away from the sun. Then, for 5 days, solar plasma flows strongly through the Earth-Moon connection and the Moon becomes so charged electrically that Moon dust floats over the lunar surface. Solar prana and consciousness is drawn most strongly through the Earth - and through our bodies - when the Moon is Full.

At this Sun in Aquarius Full Moon, Chinese New Year festivities culminate with the lighting of lanterns for health and good fortune. Each Full Moon is an opportunity for revelation and for healing body, mind and soul. This Full Moon of Aquarius is a pitcher that pours out a healing elixir. Meditation, chanting, music making and dancing - all help open to receive. Movement is key. Cosmic energies flow for three days following the Full Moon. Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters and flashes of inspiration. Stay tuned!

Steve Nelson is a professional astrologer who uses Tarot, name analysis, and traditional astrology to help clients understand personal myths and realize natural abilities. GaiaAstrology.com, 704-375-3759 or [email protected].