Aquarius New Moon Cycle begins February 6, 2008
New Moon, 17 Aquarius 44
February 6, 10:44 pm EST; Solar Eclipse 10:54 pm,
17 Aquarius 49
The retrograde Mercury and also Chiron are closely conjunct this New Moon/Solar Eclipse. Neptune is also conjunct, just a little more widely, by 4 degrees. The eclipse, being very near the cross-quarter point of 15° of a fixed sign, is also within hard aspect (semi-square) to Pluto, now in 0 Capricorn. The last time Pluto passed through Capricorn was during the era when the American colonies fought the Revolutionary War to become the USA. Pluto represents transformative change, the type of change that is slow, rather than abrupt, but when one looks back on it, is dramatic—massive. So, we can speculate, with reasonable certainty, that over the years to come, major transformations in government and /or big business will gradually happen in ways that affect us all. We might also say that there's a hint of impending transformative change in the current USA primary elections, where for the first time in both cases, a woman and an African-American are serious contenders to become the Democratic presidential nominee.
Aquarius, as a zodiacal sign, is highly associated with group consciousness, humanitarian concerns, and the importance of Individual freedoms and inventiveness. It calls on us to visualize a better world and then do something about it.
Because this New Moon is also a Solar Eclipse, the new beginnings that are set in motion at this time have a much stronger potential impact on not just this one monthly cycle but for many months, even years, to come.
Ritual for New Moon and Solar Eclipse in Aquarius
For a group: This would be an ideal New Moon to gather with friends for ritual working to support a group cause for general benefit of the whole. Obtain a ball of bright blue yarn. After casting circle in your usual manner, discuss and choose your group goal. Then, stand in a circle and pass the yarn ball around. Hold the end, as the ball passes from hand to hand until you have a complete circle, each person holding the yarn. Tie the ends together. Ask your friends to first think of harmful habits, problems, self-interests or whatever else may be perceived to limit the achievement of your chosen cause, and to call them out. Then invoke the Aquarian spirit of rebellion to break these bonds of limitation. Chant nine times:
Bonds that limit, we do break
The right to change, we now to take
Then: By all the power of three times three, free of these bonds, we now shall be!
Everyone then breaks the yarn and cheers. After that settles down, then ask your friends to think of the power of the group to come together and work for the positive changes that support your cause. Say: Now that we've broken the bonds that limit us, we can weave bonds of friendship and commitment to what we can do together to achieve our chosen goals. State one thing that you will do in support of the cause and then toss the yarn ball across the circle to a friend, keeping one end of it firmly in hand. Then each person states a personal commitment to action, as he or she tosses the ball to the next person, and so on until you are all holding a web of yarn that connects you all. You might then dance around in a circle holding the yarn web above you to the well-known Goddess chant from Reclaiming:
She changes, She changes, everything She touches changes.
If you are unable to work with a group for this New Moon, then you can still think through what you could do to benefit a larger social cause, and make a personal commitment—and a first step—that serves that cause, within the context of a solitary ritual. The action can be as simple as perhaps breaking length of yarn or string after stating what habit or practice you will stop, and then tying knots of commitment to new action. Whatever you do with ritual commitment has added impact on your will to follow-through
Crescent Moon, 6 Aries 21, February 10 at 12:12 pm EST
Moon squares Mars, then late today, squares Pluto. Sun is conjunct Neptune.
First Quarter Moon, 24 Taurus 49, February 13 at 10:33 pm EST
It's the "crisis of action," with only the easy flow Moon trine Venus until void-of-course. Still in quarter phase, Moon in Gemini Feb. 14 & 15, suggests the importance of taking action on communication. Don't forget that Valentine!
Gibbous Moon, 13 Cancer 17, February 17 at 8:55 am EST
Venus enters Aquarius; Mercury is direct at 9:57 pm Feb. 18.
Lunar Eclipse, 1 Virgo 49, February 20, 10:25 pm EST
Full Moon, 1 Virgo 53, February 20 at 10:30 pm EST
This Lunar Eclipse is a 19-year repeat of one that occurred within just a few minutes of the same zodiacal postion on Feb. 20, 1989. Especially if you have planets or angles of your horoscope in the 1st or very early degrees of Virgo, Pisces, Gemini or Sagittarius. Or, because this eclipse is in the 1st degree of its sign, the last degree of the previous sign is still a conjunction, even though out-of-sign. So, this eclipse also is strong for you if you have planet or angles in the final degree of one of these signs: Leo, Aquarius, Taurus or Scorpio. Often there's some similarity of theme in one's experiences of such 19-year intervals. Remembering he past can help us learn how to more effectively handle present circumstances.
This eclipse, a total eclipse, will be visible in most of North America, also South American, and on Feb. 21, in Western Europe, Africa and western Asia. Do go out to see it, if you possiblyl can! I watched the last total eclipse that was visible from where I live, and it was wonderful. When the process came to full eclipse, the Moon became like a gorgeous orange ball suspended in the sky—almost as if I coudl reach and hold it. Newspapers in your area should tell you when is the best time to go out, when the Moon will begin to be shadowed by Earth.
Ritual for the Full Moon in Virgo, Lunar Eclipse in Earth Element
For this ritual, I will excerpt from Moon Tides, Soul Passages, the paragraphs from Chapter 8 entitled Experiencing a Lunar Eclipse.
Intent: Insight into life purpose and direction.
Note from the eclipse tables if this eclipse is a repeat of a prior one in the same degree, or if it is close in degree (5° or less) to your prenatal eclipse points or your birth Sun or Moon.
Preparation: Set three candles in holders: silver or white for Moon to the left; black for Earth at center, and gold or yellow for Sun to the right. Have a green candle the same size as the black one, set aside but easily reachable. Also have ready the following: metal bowl, matches, small pieces of scrap paper, a pen, one piece of parchment paper at least 3" square in size, and incense burner with two incenses, one for exorcism (such as myrrh) and one for consecration (such as frankincense). Soft meditation music in the background can assist with your meditative mood. The room should be darkened.
Center yourself and then sit comfortably, but with straight back for ease in deep breathing. Light the Sun candles and gaze at the flame for a moment, visualizing the Sun's brightness and heat and vitality of purpose he symbolizes in your life. Light the Moon candle and gaze at the flame for a moment, visualizing her as Full Moon in all her beauty and contemplating the deep feelings she evokes in your life. Light the Earth candle and as you do, ask Earth as Dark Mother to be your guide. Light the exorcism incense, close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply as you visualize walking in the night, gazing at the Full Moon above you in all her beauty. Imagine a shadow approaching, as the dark hand of Earth casts a veil over Moon's light, gradually and then completely shrouding her brightness. Breathe slowly and deeply as you visualize Moon take on the form of an old woman with very wise eyes that look at you kindly. She speaks to you:
Child of Earth, I have cast my shadow over the Moon this night because your need is to look beyond her beauty as she reflects Sun's light, and to probe within your soul. If you are to shine like the Sun in fulfillment of your purpose in this life, you must change attitudes and habits that hold you back—banish them! Probe within, my child. The answer is within you.
Listen to the voice within for attitudes or habits that you should banish. Then open your eyes and write them down, each on a small scrap of paper. Pass each paper through the incense smoke, and then commit to the changes you must make to release what you have written within yourself. Light the edge of the paper from the flame of the Earth candle and then drop it into the metal bowl to burn into ash.
Close your eyes again. Visualize the dark old woman, who says to you:
The lessons of Earth are not always easy, my child, but you have taken a first step in your commitment to change. Now you must reach beyond what you have released toward the light of your highest purpose in this life. Meditate upon your purpose and then create a talisman of power. Be patient. Though your progress may seem slowed at times, this is only part of your growth. The tide will turn. Be ready for it! Go now, to the light!
See the Old One raise her arms and cause the shadow to move away from the Moon. See her as bright Full Moon again and give silent thanks to Earth for the wisdom you have gained from her this night. Open your eyes. Light the incense of consecration. Create a talisman on the parchment paper by writing words and drawing symbols on it that represent your commitment to your purpose. Pass the completed talisman through the consecration incense as you say:
I consecrate the choice I make
My path is clear, new light I see
By Earth and Sun and Moon I swear
This is my will, so shall it be!
Give thanks for what you have learned. Then fold the talisman into a small square to keep in a special place where you can retrieve and re-read it, if you need a reinforcement of your commitment. When you have achieved the goals for which you created it, return the talisman to Spirit in a ritual fire. Things that have been created in spiritual rituals such as this must never be just thrown away. Always return them to Spirit with respect through fire or one of the other elements. This includes the ash from the papers you burned. This can be returned to Spirit by mixing with soil and water, or blowing it away into the wind.
Disseminating Moon, 20 Libra 45, February 24 at 6:50 pm EST
Mostly easy flow aspects during this phase, though Moon ending with a square to Neptune Wednesday morning, 9:54 am, could reflect tiredness or confusion. Moon is void-of-course all the rest of this day into the wee hours of Thursday, Feb. 27, so maybe Wednesday is a time to relax, and just flow with it.
Last Quarter Moon, 9 Sagittarius 52, February 28 at 9:18 pm EST
The earlier part of this day, before Last Quarter aspect perfects, include lunar squares to the opposition of Saturn to Sun, which may well set up the impetus for the process of letting go that is the theme of Last Quarter and Balsamic phases. These are the best phases of the month for finishing up what's begun, banishing what is finished, getting rid of what we no longer need, and letting go of bad feelings.
Balsamic Moon, 28 Capricorn 53, March 3 at 9:19 pm EST
Blue Monday? Perhaps. But aspects are mostly easy-flow. Mars moves into Cancer, sign most associated with home and nurturing, so this may be a good time to sort out, clean out and eliminate clutter at home. Or, take the first step to remedy any bruised feelings that may exist between you and a loved one.
|
|
|
