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AQUARIUS
NEW MOON
February 1, 2003
2:49 a.m. PST
/
5:49 a.m. EST
Sun and Moon joined
at 12.09 Aquarius
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"Cosmic Whimsey" mandala by Novella Maia -- click on image for larger view
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| Sabian
Symbol: "A barometer: the ability to discover basic natural facts that
allow us to plan in advance for action…Planning for
the near future is a possibility because the potential (or seed) of the
future is already operating at the core of the present." |
| What
does listening to the zodiac do for us at each moon cycle? It attunes
us to the yet living quality of this ancient rhythm. It sharpens
our senses to new ways to bring ourselves forth. It puts us on the
alert -- as an animal living in the wild -- to something new in the air... |
Aquarius
New Moon 'Scope
by Dana
Gerhardt
|
What’s
in the sky this new moon?
"Astrologers see meaning,
pattern, and a relationship between what happens in the heavens and what
happens on earth, but unfortunately most never look at the sky,”
writes physicist Rupert Sheldrake.* He’s right. Though interest
in astrology is widespread, first-hand experience of the sky’s inspiring
power is far less popular. Says Sheldrake, “To my mind it’s perfectly
possible that by looking at stars and connecting with the intelligence
that’s there, by forming a direct link to stars and their spirits, some
influence or inspiration could pass from the star to the person consciously
opening to it. This has certainly been the belief of people through
the ages.”
If you’re not a mystical
sky-gazer, this month brings a fine opportunity to begin. Jupiter
reaches its opposition to the Sun on the night of the New Moon. This
means it rises at sunset and sets at sunrise—and is therefore visible all
night long (low in the northeast at sunset, high in the south in the middle
of the night, low in the northwest at dawn). On the nights of February
14 and 15, the Moon will pass near Jupiter.
Astrologers assign Jupiter
a benevolent and protective power—it’s said to bring, luck, abundance,
optimism and opportunities, also indulgence and inflation. Jupiter
is currently retrograde (since November), an auspicious time for correcting
inflated ideas or too much righteousness (I hope the politicians are listening!).
Jupiter’s retrograde
asks that you revisit your personal code of ethics and make sure your actions
are in line with your core beliefs. Some say that Jupiter withholds
its gifts when it goes retrograde. Another view is that the retrograde
allows time to properly plan even bigger opportunities once Jupiter goes
direct (April 4). But perhaps the wisest course this month is to
get your inspiration direct from the planet. Open to Jupiter in the
night sky and see what insights come. And please let us know about
your experience in our Talking Circle!
* Matthew Fox & Rupert
Sheldrake, The Physics of Angels (HarperCollins, 1996), p. 15. |
Aquarius New Moon Blessing:
Begin Again
A good rain demands
celebration. Water is the most precious substance on earth, and yet
it falls in abundance, freely, from the sky. We should catch it in
silver bowls and tally every drop. It should inspire us, like children,
to dance in circles, run stomping through puddles, and sing in gratitude.
–Jerry Dennis, It’s Raining Frogs and Fishes
This is the New Moon
of the Water Bearer. Why is air sign Aquarius associated with
water? Maybe because the Nile always flooded when the constellation
of Aquarius was overhead. Or because the Sun rose in the constellation
of Aquarius during Mesopotamia’s rainy season. Was this why the Romans
dedicated the Aquarius month to cleansing rites of purification?
Or why pagans celebrate Candelmas (or Imbolc) during Aquarius--when initiates
wash away their past, newly dedicating themselves to the Goddess.
Whatever the reason, this New Moon offers you a chance to begin again.
Forget last month’s New Year’s celebration – there’s another one this month.
You can, if you like, still throw out the old and ring in the new.
As the second New Moon following
the Winter Solstice, the Aquarius New Moon coincides with the Chinese New
Year – ushering in the “Year of the Sheep” (some call it the Goat).
I don’t know much about Chinese astrology, so what I’m about to share may
be nothing but celestial gossip—it comes from a friend who claims to know
about these things. Sheep years are “earth” years and favor feminine
or yin projects. This suggests we’re entering an auspicious time
for cultivating relationships, exploring the creative arts, promoting environmentalism—and
politicians will not be loved. If you aspire to grow something progressive,
this is the New Moon to send your wish to the heavens, where benefic Jupiter
(in opposition to the Sun and Moon) may be listening.
This is the second month
of winter --when our bodies are traditionally less active than our minds.
This is mental preparation time, like the things that are growing
below ground, quickening to the future coming of spring. The rain
that pours from the heavens may actually come this month as a flood of
new awareness. The energy of Aquarius is unconventional, broadminded
and progressive. Catch it in a silver bowl. Dance in circles
with it. Kick through puddles with it. Sing out loud with gratitude.
What should you grow
this cycle?
Astrology typically answers
“what” questions by looking at houses. Look to the house of your
birth chart where the New Moon falls: here’s your personal seed bed.
This is the place you usually “do Aquarius.” Every year at this time,
you engage subtly or wholeheartedly in a purification ritual. A
cleansing in this house can energize your whole year. This house
is where you’re used to shaking up your status quo—and during this New
Moon cycle, you have a unique opportunity here… but you must tune in.
Listen for the stray thoughts that get you really excited. It may
be your inner revolutionary handing you the manifesto you need.
(If you’d like to explore this is greater depth, you may enjoy my seasonal/new
moon workshop, Twelve
Moons.)
Drop into
our Mooncircle for February/March 2003:
-
The daily moon sign, phase
and aspects...
"At the New Moon refresh
your animal nature, senses awake, happily, simply aware of being alive..."
(Today's
Moon)
-
Lynn Koiner's Horoscope for
February...
"When Jupiter is retrograde,
you should evaluate how you are not being honest with yourself because
you are playing a role that is disloyal to your true self. When opportunities
arise while Jupiter is retrograde, they are the result of seeds planted
in the past from people met or connections made in the past....."
(Horoscope)
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New Moon Meditation, with
Pythia: Building A Field of Dreams ..
"The art of astrology
is based on consciously working with the rhythm and mood
of a particular moment
in time in order to achieve the best possible outcome.
This New Moon is especially
favorable for laying the spiritual groundwork for
a more fulfilling and
harmonious tomorrow. Like the movie by the same name,
we can harness the energy
in the stars to build a "field of dreams" that will
attract to us the future
we desire - both for ourselves and for society...."
(New
Moon Meditations)
-
Aquarius: The Emperor,
the Swindlers and the Child, with Dana...
"Mid-winter motto:
'It’s better to be a round peg in a square hole, than a snug-fitting
square peg.' Aquarius promotes divine discontent. Sun-in-Capricorn
was for staking out your square, identifying your place in the social structure.
This season you discover how this role doesn’t quite fit—awakening to a
truth that stirs from your heart. ..."
Season
Teachings
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Join us for a Full
Moon ritual on February 16.
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And you're always welcome
to take up the Talking Chalice!
This page is
yours. We love to hear from you! (Talking
Circle)
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