It will be a goal of mine for the New Year to create a more efficient organization for the various tasks I've assigned myself to do! So, imagine the goat painter finishing "resolve."

At this writing, we're approaching Crescent phase, where with the reappearance of moonlight after the dark sky of New Moon, we are challenged to increase the light of our newly formed goals for this lunar cycle. So, how about those New Year's resolutions? Starting out the year with Sun in serious, goal-oriented Capricorn fits very well with the idea that a brand new year ought to mean new (or renewed) effort toward desired changes and improvements. New Moon in Capricorn could have reinforced our resolve. But then, Moon moved through the freedom urges of Aquarius, and has now entered dreamy Pisces. Astrology can be used as an excuse, —and in my observation, too often is. Or at least, the language used in "astro-speak" too often sounds like belief in planetary energy causing behavior. There's little evidence to support that. Yes, we can see corrrespondence between celestial and earthly happenings, but that doesn't prove that one causes the other. Besides, there are so many nuances of meaning that can be assigned to any astrological event, that the potential manifestations that could correspond to it are widely varied. I choose to believe that our thoughts and attitudes are the most powerful factors in how our lives will unfold.

Before our goals can manifest, we have an idea of what we want to happen. Clarity on that idea can and will create energy to help bring it into reality. Pisces is a visionary symbol, perhaps the most visionary of all the zodical signs. It's said that "thoughts are things," and so they can be. Let's use this Crescent phase for a ritual of visualization—to first clearly see a desired goal as if we've already achieved it. In setting your goal, see yourself as having it, but leave all others who may be present then in shadow.Your goal must not be seen as dependent upon any other specific person. It is not. In positive magic, the free will of others must be respected. Others come and go as they will.

Visualization for Crescent Moon in Pisces

Mediating near a natural body of water may not be possible for many at this time of year. You can create your own body of water in a bowl. Choose a time when your setting can be peaceful and uninterrupted. Prepare your most attractive container with water, and then surround it with candles. You might play mediation music in the background. Light the candles as you set your intent with an affirmation, of your own choosing, or perhaps an all-purpose one like this:

Center yourself and relax, then gaze into the water and imagine yourself having already achieved your goal. Visualize yourself within a scene of happiness, success, feelings of accompishment and satisfaction, with trust that any shadowy players who may be part of that scene are those who are right for you at that time. Create the scene very vividly in your imagination—colors, objects, places, scents, sounds and especially feelings that you would be feeling. Create your dream and live in it with focused intensity. Hold your vision as you breathe deeply in comfort for several minutes and then slowly return to normal consciousness.

This is a practice you can repeat, any time that you feel your resolve is slipping. Reinforce your visualization daily, as you move closer to manifesting it into reality!

The actual cross-quarter, the exact halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox occurs on Sunday. Our Leo Full Moon accents the Imbolc theme of the return of sunlight, as the lengthening days become more clearly apparent.

The fabled Groundhog, Punxatawny Phil, provides a fun, but quite descriptive, example of what we can do to ourselves in this phase, as we hope for our visualized fulfillment. Sunlight should represent progress—right? It's bright with the hope that spring is coming. But what does Phil do? If he comes out of his hovel and the day is cloudy, that apparently suits his dark mood, so he'll stay out and nose around. BUT, if he sees his shadow—horrors! The Sun is bright with light and promise. So, Phil scurries back into his dark hole to hide, and dooms us all (so the fable goes) to six more weeks of winter. Lesson here: don't be like Phil. Celebrate the Light!

A primary theme of Leo is creativity—whatever special expression in which you can shine, and enjoy doing so! If you're sharing Full Moon with a group, your working might be for each person to bring something creative to share—an experience that can be both gratifying and inspiring all around. But if you're alone, and perhaps becoming weary of winter, then give yourself the gift of free time just for you during this Full Moon. That, too, can inpire your creativity and also be rejuvenating. Moon appears Full for about three nights. One one of them, escape from all your obligations and concerns and do something that you really enjoy, be it a good book, theater, shopping or working in a craft or art form—whatever will be relaxing for you and take you out of mundane routine.

If the sky is clear and the Moon is bright, then spent a part of your evening outdoors. I'm always enchanted by the play of light and shadow from Full Moon, especially if there's snow on the ground (which can happen more often than not in February where I live). Often every tiny branch of the trees are outlined on the snow like a fine pen & ink drawing and the subtle grays, blues and muted golds from the moonlight are absolutely beautiful. So walk—or dance—in the shadows. Hold your arms up toward the Moon, cup its light and bring that light energy down into you, feeling the flow from head to toe. Here's an invocation you could chant: