Basic astrology for magickal work doesn't have to be intimidating or time-consuming. Here are some simple, math-free ideas on how to take advantage of the astrological influences that will be present during upcoming holidays, sabbats and Moons.
Mercury Retrograde Redux
Before we swing into the astro-influences of the next series of holidays, here's a quick reminder about Mercury retrograde, which will be in effect from January 18 to February 8. When a planet is retrograde, or appearing to move backward as seen from the Earth, its energy is turned inward and it doesn't function "normally." When Mercury is retrograde, the things associated with Mercury tend to go haywire, including communication, computers, short trips and of course, e-mail. (Watch what you post during this time -- now is when you're most likely to hit "reply to all" when you meant to send that embarrassing note only to your best friend.)
Some people have built Mercury retrograde up in their minds to the point where they speak of it more like a curse than a change in the planets' focus. Yes, Mercury retrograde can mess up a well-planned working, and it's generally advised not to start something new and important during this time, like signing papers on a new house, for example. However, since Mercury's energy is directed inward, you can use this period to go over projects you've already finished and look for errors. This is a great time for proofreading, checking for leaks and remembering little details that you forgot before.
February 2: Imbolc -- Preparation, Purification & Poetry
On February 2, Imbolc, the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Neptune will all be in the sign of Aquarius. The Sun is always in Aquarius on this day, and Mercury is never far from the Sun, but it is still significant to have such a cluster of planets in one sign. Although Aquarius is an air sign, its symbol is the water bearer. In his article, "Tarot and the Sign of Aquarius," found on StarIQ.com, astrologer Tony Louis explains that the water-bearer symbolism came from the fact that the rainy season occurred in the Fertile Crescent (where Western astrology originated) when the constellation of Aquarius rose. The water bearer poured rain from the heavens, preparing the Earth for the upcoming growing season. We see this symbolism carried out in the celebrations of many modern-day pagans, who view Imbolc as the holiday when the first sparks of life begin to show in the dark days of winter.
As Louis points out, the water from Aquarius' jug is also symbolic of spiritual rebirth, another idea popular among pagans at this time of year. Many pagans see Imbolc as a period of purification and preparation for the longer days ahead. As the coming of the rains marks the end of the barrenness of the land, so too does it mark the end of spiritual barrenness and the beginning of the new life of the spirit.
Many pagans, especially those on Celtic paths, celebrate Imbolc as a festival in honor of the Irish goddess Brid, also known as Brigid, Bridget, Brigitte and by many other names. Brid is the goddess of smithcraft, poetry and inspiration, among other things. It is particularly appropriate that Her holiday should fall while the Sun is in Aquarius because of that sign's association with Uranus, the planet that is often credited with sudden, brilliant and creative flashes of insight (useful for poets and pagans alike). In fact, astrologers sometimes refer to Uranus as the "mad scientist" of the zodiac -- the planet that helps us find those "Eureka!" moments in our lives.
Because of the prevalence of Aquarius and Uranus energy and its tendency to bring us new ideas and fresh starts, this Imbolc would be a great time to reset yourself on your spiritual path. It would also be a good time to rewrite rituals for the new year in order to incorporate some of that cosmic inspiration. Remember that Mercury is still retrograde, so it's appropriate to examine what you have been doing and see if your magickal or spiritual practice would benefit from any changes. Uranus is not a planet that likes the "same old, same old." Work with this energy rather than fighting it.
February 11: New Moon -- Creative Spark
This New Moon falls in the sign of Aquarius at 11:41 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST) February 11. The New Moon occurs when the Moon and Sun are conjunct, or in the same degree of the same sign of the zodiac, and in this case they are both very close to our friend Uranus, planet of surprises and flashes of insight.
Many astrologers say that Aquarius loves humanity; it's humans it can't stand. In other words, the sign works for broad social changes rather than change on an individual level. If there is a political cause or charity that you care deeply about, consider using this New Moon energy to benefit a group that supports your beliefs. As pagans work magick in order to bring about change, so too must we work in the mundane world to make a better life for ourselves and others. Since we're easing away from the influence of Mercury retrograde, this would be a good time to start a project of service to the community, pagan or otherwise.
Underlying all this humanitarian energy, today Mars, the planet of war and action, is in a favorable relationship to Pluto, the planet of the underworld and the subconscious. These two are an intense pair, to say the least, and they could definitely lend an edge to your mood and your charitable works. Mars and Pluto together are compulsive, and you may end up leaping into something you aren't ready for just yet, or getting radical about your views to the point where you do more harm for your cause than good. On the other hand, used wisely, Mars and Pluto can bring an uncommon depth to your work and a great deal of power, to boot. Play nice.
February 14: Valentine's Day -- Look Before You Leap
Valentine's Day begins with the Moon in dreamy, romantic Pisces. Early the next day, while you may still be celebrating with your beloved, Lady Luna slips into fiery, passionate Aries. Although these two signs are as different as night and day, either one is great for a romantic encounter with your beloved, depending on what kind of liaison you're looking for. Boundaryless Pisces tends to want to merge with "the other," while Aries is more focused on the self. Aries is associated with the planet Mars, and Mars energy is unquenchable, which can make for an adventurous day, to say the least. The influences of upstart Uranus on the Sun and the heavy Mars-Pluto combo mentioned earlier can still be felt today but are diminishing.
Perhaps the biggest astro-happening on the love front today is expansive Jupiter trine (making a favorable 120-degree angle) to Venus, the planet of love and relationships. With this combination, romantic feelings abound. Everything is bathed in a pink cloud of sweet, squishy, mushy feelings. Soak up the love this holiday, but remember that Jupiter can enlarge and distort what it touches, and both the Moon and Venus are in Pisces, a sign that loves to romanticize its partner through rose-colored glasses. Under these influences, it's easy to see your beloved in mythic proportions (in every sense of the phrase), which is great for a day of romance but not necessarily practical for the long haul, especially after the pink haze lifts and all you're left with is the reality of being in a relationship with a real person. In other words, think twice before proposing today or setting up long-term romantic plans. Consider the pros and cons carefully, or don't consider them at all and wait until the Pisces love cloud moves on.
Another reason to stop and think before investing three months' salary at the local jeweler's is that the Moon is void of course all day today. The Moon is the timekeeper of the zodiac. It is also the fastest-traveling "planet," moving through all 12 of the signs in about 28 days. As it moves through each sign, it makes significant angles (which astrologers call "aspects") to other planets in the zodiac. There comes a time, however, when the Moon has finished making all of its major aspects within a sign but has not moved into the next sign yet. During this period, the Moon is said to be void of course.
Generally, astrologers believe that when the Moon is void, things that are started do not come to fruition. It's somewhat like Mercury retrograde in that plans can be fouled up, but rather than being about communication difficulties, the void is more about time being on vacation. It's like our timekeeper Moon has done all of its work and is just hanging out in the planets' employee break room smoking a cigarette until it's time to move into the next sign and start all over again. Consequently, it's not a time for us to take action. Ride the crest of the romantic feelings this Valentine's Day, and shelve those feelings of commitment for anther time. If you're planning a little love magick today, focus on sex and romance, not permanence.
February 27: Full Moon -- A Cycle for Health
The Full Moon falls at 1:17 a.m. PST February 27 in the sign of Virgo, putting the spotlight on health. The sign of Virgo is known for being health-conscious and fastidious about diet, among other things. Since the Full Moon is the culmination of the lunar cycle and the beginning of its waning half, this is a good time to assess your health and diet and make any necessary changes. If you've wanted to lose a few pounds or cut back on unhealthy foods, use this healthy Virgo Moon to make your resolution and the waning cycle to begin carrying it through. In the astrology of health, Virgo is associated with the digestive system, so this is doubly important for anyone who has had recent troubles in this area.
Although it is not a particularly fertile sign and therefore not a sign under which to begin a garden, Virgo is also associated with plants and herbs. Consider taking time this Full Moon to increase your knowledge about magickal herbs and their purposes. The Full Moon in Virgo also puts the spotlight on detail and orderliness, so if you've meant to organize your book of shadows or clean out your drawer of magickal implements, now is the time.
March 13: New Moon -- Dreamtime
This New Moon falls at 6:03 p.m. PST March 13 in the sign of Pisces, perhaps the most "otherworldly" sign of the zodiac. The symbol for the sign of Pisces is two fishes swimming in opposite directions, bound by a cord between their mouths. There are many interpretations for this symbol, but a very potent one is that one fish represents the "real" world, the other the "other" world, and the cord represents the link between them. In other words, "As above, so below."
Pisces has a dreamy, ethereal quality, and many Pisces people are perceived as being "spacey" or as not always functioning on the Earth plane. Their symbol suggests that while they maintain their tenuous relationship to the Earth, some part of them is always reaching to other worlds, other planes, other existences.
A New Moon in Pisces is a great time to tap into your own otherworldly power and psychic intuitions. During this period, you may want to try your hand at meditation, scrying, Tarot or some other method of contacting the other planes that you haven't attempted before. Mars is making a favorable angle with Chiron, the wounded healer, so you may receive some insight into leftover issues from deep within yourself, and ideas for taking action to heal them.
March 20: Oestara (Spring Equinox) -- To Boldly Go...
Oestara, or the Spring Equinox, occurs at 11:16 a.m. PST March 20 when the Sun enters the sign of Aries. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and so this is the beginning of the astrological year. As befits the first sign, Aries is associated with competition, enthusiasm, courage, new beginnings and accepting challenges. It is no coincidence that the symbol for Aries is the ram, known for butting heads with other rams to get its way. Aries is the "Captain Kirk" of the zodiac, boldly (and a bit cockily, I might add) leading the appropriately named Enterprise where no one has gone before. It is that fiery bit of daring that pushes us into a new cycle before we can think too much about the consequences.
Some pagan traditions state that the Sun God crosses from the dark to the light during Oestara's equal hours of day and night. Others focus on the fertility aspects of this time of year, with its symbols of new life. Regardless of the mythology that each tradition attaches to this time of year, we can use this momentous Aries energy to put into motion all of the things we dreamed of (thanks to Brid's inspiration) and prepared ourselves for at Imbolc.
On Oestara this year, the Moon will be in Gemini, lending a friendly, chatty and mischievous bent to the day. Gemini is a talkative air sign that loves words, songs, chants and language. It also loves to play with ideas. Its symbol is the twins, and Gemini can fool us into learning new lessons with its multiple facets. It is also a trickster sign.
As you celebrate the reawakening of the Earth this Oestara, indulge that Gemini Moon by giving birth to new ideas and writing as well. Connect with others through discussion and the written word. Use the powerful Aries Sun to help you be bold and inventive. I will continue with more of the astrological symbolism of Oestara in the Oestara edition of Widdershins.
I hope that this information will inspire you to add a bit of astrology to your Craft practice. If you are interested in learning more, I suggest you check out the many fine astrological calendars available. They usually tell you where the Moon is on a given day and list the major planetary influences. In the meantime, I hope your sabbats and Moons are joyous.