2018 Lunar New Year
/On February 2nd we celebrated Candlemas, the Celtic holiday honoring the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox during the time of Aquarius. This was an opportunity for all of us to turn within and reflect on our soul’s journey. The message of Candlemas is to bring light into the world, and with light we can see into our shadow. The message may have been adulterated by the American culture, with Groundhog’s Day. But, a deeper significance is to liken to Carl Jung’s shadow archetype:
The Shadow describes the part of the psyche that an individual would rather not acknowledge. It contains the denied parts of the self. Since the self contains these aspects, they surface in one form or another. Bringing Shadow material into consciousness drains its dark power, and can even recover valuable resources from it. The greatest power, however, comes from having accepted your shadow parts and integrating them as components of your Self. - John Elder.
My advice to those reading this is to cast light into your deep recesses of the psyche to actually recognize those hidden parts of your persona. Even while we have passed this midpoint event, by doing our shadow work we can align our body, mind, and spirit. It is not just the recognition, but also the integration of all the various parts of our psyche that make us whole and authentic. Seeing one’s shadow is not to be dreaded, but gives an opportunity to work out those kinks during the rest of the introspective winter season to spring to a rebirth and renewed self at the equinox.
The passing of Candlemas gives way to another favorite aspect to this time of year: Valentine’s Day. This is not because I will be romanced by a long list of suitors, but because of the emphasis on love and the heart. Actually, it helps Aquarians like me to get a grip on our heart work. Aquarius as the 11th sign of the zodiac is not necessarily the love master of the universe, but more of a thinking, fixed-energy archetype that can be aloof and detached from the emotional connections that we humans are prone to make. Actually, Valentine’s Day would be better suited for the time of Leo. This zodiacal sign rules the heart and romance! But, by putting Aquarian and Leonine energy together, we have the perfect balance! Aquarius can look at humanity from a universal love and be the true water carrier who nurtures the world with gifts of insight. Leo can put the personal into love and the heart so that we all find our unique ways of giving and receiving love.
This message is so very strong these days as the potent Eclipse cycle has been (since 2016) on the Leo/Aquarius, karmic lunar nodal points. Most astrologers, Western and Vedic alike, look at the lunar nodes to understand karmic cycles, both as they work with the energy of current time and space, and also, the influence of the nodal points in our natal charts. We can learn a great deal about the karmic lesson we are to learn this lifetime by interpreting the sign and position of our personal nodal points.
The major Leo Solar Eclipse on August 21, 2017 opened up a portal to a new consciousness and awareness. This solar eclipse revealed where each one of us may be on our personal journey. The evolutionary path of one’s soul is very much a heroic effort. Thus, at the time of this eclipse, there were those who may be heeding the call to strike out on one’s authentic path, struggling with personal demons, or truly taking empowered steps, but the fact is clear that we all are evolving. This cosmic event may have initiated a powerful time to take up the gauntlet and head off to fight in the crusade. The North Lunar Node in LEO designates our spiritual frontier: in the case of Leo we are learning to embody our heart-consciousness. When we become heart-centered we become connected in love and unity to all that is.
Those people that were able to witness the August 21st eclipse in North America along the path of totality have shared their magical experiences. One person aptly described this event as an experience (which defied description) as: being suspended in time and space.
Are we entering a time when our consciousness shifts? I wonder. Yes, I believe there is an increasing awareness on the part of many human beings that we live in a multi-dimensional universe. A “Unity” consciousness is occurring for one and all.
Think about Einstein’s musings:
A human being is a part of the whole, called by us "Universe", a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest — a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security. ~ Einstein
We can change from a self-centered, individualistic perspective through heart-centered actions that bring forth a loving unified consciousness. As a dear friend suggested (who shared his eclipse experience) the new frontier is not necessarily time and/or space, but Consciousness.
This new thinking continues to evolve as the eclipse cycle continues influence the global consciousness. Potent cosmic events have continued starting with the New Year 2018. On January 1st, there was a SUPER MOON in Cancer opposite the Capricorn Sun. Actually, turning points and new beginnings happen for me during Solstice points, thus, a new year cycle begin on December 21st when the Sun entered Capricorn, the Winter Solstice. However, this year’s January 1st brought a powerful lunar event with strong healing energies of the divinely feminine Super Full Moon in Cancer. Thus, following the Leo/Aquarius eclipse themes of authentic loving consciousness, this full moon highlights a crucial, ongoing theme: reclaiming the power of the feminine.
Thus, January 2018 both began and ended with potent full moons, holding a huge cosmic spotlight on what needs to be seen and changed; the first was the above-mentioned Super Moon, peaking on January 1 (12º Cancer-Capricorn), the second a total lunar eclipse on January 31 (12º Leo-Aquarius). An interesting note is that from January 2 to March 8, no planets are retrograde, encouraging us to take big steps forward on our path. Hopefully, all of us were able to check our spiritual compasses, to see if either we were firmly on course, stuck on a side track, or gotten pulled onto someone else’s path.
As of today’s date, there is still time for a course adjustment because the Leo-Aquarius Eclipse cycle remains until August 2018.
This brings us to February 15th with a powerful New Moon Aquarius Solar Eclipse. This is an opportune time to renew one’s thinking. Remember: the Aquarius archetype is the Oracle, Visionary, and Seer. As Emily Trinkaus describes: Aquarius rises above present circumstances, sees the bigger picture, and from that higher perspective envisions radical new possibilities.
On February 15t, what are some radical new possibilities for you to initiate? When an eclipse occurs in connection to the lunar south node, we could benefit by figuring out what to let go of in our lives..... in order to bring in the new.
Take the time at this New Moon Solar Eclipse to state your intentions as you will have a positive and powerful cosmic force to support your affirmations. Also, Jupiter the benefactor planet in the sign of Scorpio will be at an angle to the Sun and Moon to provide a transformational boost.
This Aquarius New Moon marks the Chinese Lunar New Year, initiating the Year of the Earth Dog. Dare we hope at this event for the positive care and steward of the Earth? The Dog archetype evokes loyalty and protection. Anyone born in an Earth Dog year (1958 last Earth Dog Year) will be communicative, serious, and responsible in the workplace.
On an end note: I can personalize all these astrological events by looking at your own natal chart and seeing how the eclipses and transits affect you. One person recently asked about the issue of “houses” as the transits and eclipses take place. For example, take the recent February 15th eclipse. If you have Aquarius ruling your first house or an Aquarius Rising sign you may find that your entire personality changes because you are looking through a changed lens or perspective.