Settle in for A Snake of A Year

A Way to Return

As in all things I am never really predictable, least of all to myself. So after a much needed break, I am back. And honestly it was not just what was going on in the world or even in my own life, I believe it came to a point where I needed to define for myself why doing this work was important and how doing it enriched or added to my life. I know that value now far better than I ever did. So I am looking forward to journeying with you all. And now I think we have a little lunar talk to get to, seeing that the Lunar New Year is just around the corner let’s get into it! 

To Begin Again

Preparing for a new lunar year can be daunting or tiring, but having a self made guide book for yourself will allow you to navigate the coming Lunar Year in unparalleled fashion. The significance of the Lunar New Year is that there will be 13 new moon cycles with which to dream, learn, give, receive, and hope all over again. There are roughly four days remaining where we get the opportunity to ask questions, hear answers, listen for indicators, and conjure up the future that is upon us. Know we are the masters of our destinies. And the other very practical note is that if we don't have a clear plan of where we'd like to go, how do we know when we have reached it?

A Snake’s Surprise

Slithering this way is the Year of the Snake (also called the Serpent). This is a Wood Snake year and can be represented by the colors Green, Yellow or Red. Not to be overestimated, this year will be pregnant with possibilities as Snake packs a punch that is riddled with creativity, passion, and power that is hard to match at any other time. For you see the best gift given by dear Snake is the ability to transmute ANYTHING, that’s right anything (no matter if it’s person, place or thing). The beauty and the curse of Snake time is that it is a heavy spiritual reality to wield, but the rewards are overwhelmingly worth it. If there is an inkling to do something, then do it, it’s Snake Time. If you get a rush  of an emotion that was out of nowhere, trust it, it’s Snake Time. And even if you believe that which is impossible, know it will manifest. You see all of these are reminders that Snake Time is here and she will gift us as much as we allow her to, but we must remember it comes at a price.

Wooded blessings

Before I forget, I am choosing to focus on the Green and Wood as other attributes for this Snake year. The significance of the words Green and Wood mean that much of our focus will be on grounding and centering ourselves in a very Earth based space.  There will be stability, prosperity, nature, renewal and the ability for things to become evergreen in our lives, if we are open and willing to work towards it. Surely these are trajectories we can all use.

It’s Habit Forming

Set time aside each day (same or different times isn't relevant) and make sure you are making note of what issues, ideas, concepts. or images come up. Often times people want to make large proclamations and stands on what their year will be about and yes that is one way to set your Lunar Year off, but more often than not we are given a skeletal idea of the year and then it's up to us to see the specifics as they come. It takes work but I find that we are able to harness and utilize our spiritual connection/powers better that way.

Setting it Up

I want each of you to decide how best to set out the year for yourself. Ritual and ceremony only heightens our link to the spirit realm so whether with ourselves or with others we must bring in this Lunar New Year in a way that makes us comfortable (food, music, gathering, elemental objects, etc). The power lies not in what we have around us, but rather the energy we activate.

Make it So

Below are general areas that often help as a springboard for portions of our life that we want to emphasize in a given Lunar Year.  Figure out the who, what, when, why, and how and have it ready with you when you begin doing work for the Lunar New Year. Also intuit and mantra for the year, either from a guidance card pull or an overarching theme for your path this Lunar Year.  I have found that manifestation springs forth from the ability to conceive it, write it, speak it, and share it.  All of this together makes up for some powerful mojo that will help us navigate through the next 13 moons and beyond. I look forward to hearing what this has sparked. Remember caring is sharing!

Lunar Year Totem - Snake 

Cosmic Consciousness

Eat, Ingest, Integrate & Transmute

Transformation is always by request

Be wary of resistance to Change

Release the Skin that no longer serves me

Move freely into the newness that awaits

Lunar New Year Elements

Let these objects guide you towards what is in store for you this lunar new year. Other things may also appear for you and this is just as appropriate. Marking the lunar new year allows you to goal set and take ownership of the power you have within yourself. Happy Lunar New Year!!

• Journal

• Sacred Space (altar, ritual space, a place in nature)

• Sage/Cedarwood smudges or dried herbs to burn

• Written intentions for the year

• Green, Yellow, Red candles (all shades)

• Spiritual tools or books that are guiding

--Andrea

 

Set your Lunar Year

credit: MTA

The 13 moons
Preparing for a new lunar year can be daunting or tiring, but having a self made guide book for yourself will allow you to navigate the coming Lunar Year in unparalleled fashion. The significance of the Lunar New Year is that there will be 13 new moon cycles with which to dream, learn, give, receive, and hope all over again.

Give it time
One of the most potent steps I have taken in the last decade or so is to really give time, spirit, and space to what I want to manifest. There are roughly four days remaining where we get the opportunity to ask questions, hear answers, listen for indicators, and conjure up the future that is upon us. Please do not take lightly that we are the masters of our destinies, we are just that. And the other very practical note is that if we don't have a clear plan of where we'd like to go, how do we know when we have reached.

Inch by inch
Set time aside today or even each day (same or different times isn't relevant) and make sure you are making note of what issues, ideas, concepts. or hardships come up.  Often times people want to make large proclamations and stands on what their year will be about and yes that is one way to set your Lunar Year off, but I have more recently subscribed to the notion that my guides will give me a skeletal idea of the year and then it's up to me to see the specifics as they come. It is a bit more risky, but I find that I am able to harness and utilize my spiritual connection/powers better that way.

credit: AThompson

You make the call
I want each of you to decide how best to set out the year for yourself. Ritual and ceremony only heightens our link to the spirit realm so whether with ourselves or with others we must bring in this Lunar New Year in a way that makes us comfortable (food, music, gathering, elemental objects, etc). The power lies not in what we have around us, but rather the energy we activate.

Decisions, decisions
Below are general areas that often help as a spring board for portions of our life that we want to emphasize in a given Lunar Year.  Figure out the who, what, when, why, and how and have it ready with you when you begin doing work for the Lunar New Year. Also intuit and mantra for the year, either from a guidance card pull or an overarching theme for your path this Lunar Year.  I have found that manifestation springs forth from the ability to conceive it, write it, speak it, and share it.  All of this together makes up for some powerful mojo that will help us navigate through the next 13 moons and beyond. Please check back midweek when the blog for the Lunar New Year will be posted. I look forward to hearing what this has sparked. Remember caring is sharing!

Lunar New Year Intention Areas

Personal

Artistic

Financial

Health/Well Being

--Andrea

Me, the season

lastquartermoongathering.blogspot.com

 

On February 2nd we have the opportunity to mark Imbolc - a festival of the hearth and home, and a celebration of the lengthening days and the early signs of spring.  Imbolc is the dawning of the Sun as a source of power and light that is desperately needed on the planet not just for warmth or growth. Fire and purification are an important aspect as well.  So candles and fires can be a part of any celebrations. 

This particular Imbolc I suggest we hone our concept of hearth and home and make it an internal frame of reference. In essence the hearth and home we take care of is the one inside ourselves.  This Imbolc give energy and thought to YOU. Yes, just you! Although Imbolc is just February 2nd, I suggest we celebrate from Feb. 1st to Feb. 3rd, just to make sure we utilize the power that the single day has to offer.

credit: selkywolf.com

Now in terms of how to celebrate, you be the judge. It can be a meal, a gathering of liked minded folks, a meditation, a walk in the woods or forest, a spa day, a day of reading, or a small gift. All acts of ritual and sacredness are welcome. The most important thing to remember is that our intent far exceeds any type of object or element that we can bring to mark this day. Below are questions to begin your exploration of hearth and home. Be free and see where these questions take you.

Questions for Imbolc

Do I know how to make me the focus of my energy?

 
Does my fire burn for me?

 
Am I willing to go farther for myself at Imbolc than before?

 
How do I access love and compassion for myself?

The Sun is returning and all things that you need to know will be revealed, you can count on that. Research, ask, and receive information.  Anything listed below is suggestion or springboard, your true focus will come from within you. See these symbols as pieces that help you construct your own puzzle for Imbolc based on self love, self compassion, ritual, and being blessed by spirit.

 Imbolc Symbols

Imbolc Goddess - Kwan Yin

credit: soulunamystic.wordpress.com

 Imbolc Stone - Rose Quartz

credit: www.ziji.com 

 

 

Imbolc Flower/Essence - Redwood

credit: stevenkharper.com

 

Wish upon a Winter Wolf

credit: sunrisereikicentre.com

Full Moon breaks
This Saturday at approximately 8:45pm EST we will enter the Full Moon in the sign of Leo.  In this darker, cooler weather I am sure we all want to snuggle up and be blah, but this Full Moon presents blessings and magic that we can not ignore.

What it is
In general a Full Moon is that time during the lunar cycle when you check in or it can also be that time when an apex of intention may be reached, whatever the case I want us all to take note of where we are at this very moment then we can proceed.

Well, well Wolf
This particular Full Moon falls in Leo and its ruling planet is the Sun. That great beacon of light and hope always finds a way to bring that ray right back to us. So be careful with what you wish for cause these days are super potent. And while we are on the subject of potency, take note that this Full Moon is often known as the Wolf Moon. That's right the Wolf Clan is bringing us lessons, cohesion and strategy over the next few days so be open, be intentional, and be ritualistic when possible.

Waters of Wolf
On my meditation on this Wolf Moon I was told to be still, be strategic, and know that I hold all the power that the Wolf Clan has for me. This full moon I stand in my power, feel its vastness, and allow its energy to fall all over me like a waterfall.  Winter time is one of my favorites mainly because I give and accept some much, here is something else for me to take in.

Welcome the ritual
I suggest that with this Wolf Full Moon you create a ritual for yourself that you can complete for the rest of the full moons in this calendar year. Keep it simple or expand and make it grandiose, the choice is truly yours.  Ritual can be a meditation, a song, elemental materials (incense, candle, water, earthen object), movement, a walk, a meal. Please be open to creating what will bring you centering and closer to your spiritual self.

Making it more
Below I thought I'd give us all a bit of the medicine that the Wolf Clan has for us. Please see these messages as a doorway that you will open to find these things or whatever is there for you once you cross that threshold.  Be brazen, be humble, be beautiful, like the Wolf!

Wolf Totem

Meaning - Intuition, Ritual, Spirit 

credit: hrexach.wordpress.com

My rituals are sacred

Order and harmony are a part of my life

I honor my family and younger people

I use all that is available to me

My inner voice is at the center of my decisions

--Andrea

Barriers may be blessings

credit: almanac.com

Again it's new
In this Capricorn new moon time let us take time to pause, listen, and hear all the things that are for us.  New moon time is a starting point to see yourself with clear vision, hear purpose and then set intentions that can be focused on for the entire lunar cycle (around 28.5 days).

Work of a Goat
Capricorn, a sign that is symbolized as the Goat, Mountain Goat, and even Sea Goat, opens the door for much work to be done.  In the time of Capricorn you can cleanse your body and surroundings or zero in your energy on your Karma and even work to set limits and keep them. That's right I said limits. These limitations talked about below are not the negative kind.

Sublime Saturn
This time of year that belongs to Capricorn is ultimately under the domain of Saturn. Yes Saturn, that planet known for it's legendary rings, always has an extra kick, just wait.  Saturn represents the quintessential teacher so learning will be jumping out at us in all shapes and forms this cycle, don't even trip over this reality.

My prescription
This cycle for me is about replenishment so that I may move forward. So in practical language that may mean, quiet days, journal entries, lucid dreaming, and even just wonderful stillness. I am not pulling my head into my shell but rather setting limits and keeping them because my gain is for my best good.  Work and life will be a challenge during this cycle, but each moment I get to enter my stillness I will take it, lap it up, and hope for lessons at every turn. I know I have what it takes, we will see :)!

Design your destiny
Below are suggestions of how to begin your own discovery of what the new moon has for you.  I highly suggest you journal with what you want, how you progress and where you end up.  Most times what we think is less than what we are able to do in the end, but rarely do we document it for ourselves.  Do it this cycle.  A journal, a file, note cards to yourself, whatever method, chart your evolution.

Work in Capricorn Lunar Cycle

 

Lessons Through Experience

Determination

Ancestors and Legacies

Protection of Hearth and Home

Capricorn Lunar Cycle Concept - Limitation as a Gift

credit: shareyouressays.com

 Scarcity vs. Abundance

Messages are hidden in let downs

Limits are temporary

No to others is Yes to myself

Capricorn Lunar Cycle Herbs/Essences

credit: bulbblog.com 

 

Eucalyptus - Earth Element - Mental Focus

Morning Glory - Earth Element - Protection

Spruce - Earth Element - Strength

Capricorn Lunar Cycle Stone - Lapis Lazuli

credit: afghantribalarts.com 

Communication

Spiritual Journeying

Wisdom

Capricorn Lunar Cycle Affirmation

I am a conduit, a vessel, a link in the chain that is my ancestry,

In order to receive what is for me I must take periodic replenishment,

During this cycle I know I am worthy, I am able, I am valuable and I must see limitations as blessings and not barriers

--Andrea

Hail, hail, calling all yellow candles

credit; alphanumberologytrends.com

Four times the charm
Today, already the planet Mercury is not flexing that retrograde muscle. Posted here are the dates for this first and the remaining three periods this year. Yup, I did say three more times.   Take in mind although the dates are posted on this page can fluctuate one day back or forward, think an extra week on each side just to be safe.  Forewarned is forearmed, although in a retrograde ducking and taking cover might not be a bad idea.

And what is retrograde
The planet mercury will go into a retrograde period four times this year and when this occurs the way the planet is supposed to move and what we see moving are different actions.  When this happens, all forms of communication are off kilter.  To say the least. snail mail, email, cell phone, home phone, speaking to others, speaking to yourself, and don't even think of signing a contract or wonder why negotiations are not going well...Listed below are a few ideas of do's and don'ts, but I suggest you also make sure own up.

credit: pinterest.com/tarot.com

Mercury has lessons for us
For me, a person who's ruling planet is Mercury, I hope to connect to this parent planet by solidifying my link with myself and others that are already around me.  I make note of these dates and await the gifts that Mercury bring.  Oh, and if you want get that yellow candle to burn for the planet Mercury. Hoping that you doing the same will glean some positively beautiful experiences.  Even as that God of Communication does his usual trickery, we will progress, just maybe not in the directions we initially plan.  Also be sure to notice the planets and remember retrogrades can be felt up to seven days before its onset and sometimes seven days after it goes direct.  Good Luck! We can do this!!! 

Mercury Retrogrades 2015

For later on this month, Mercury is not playing.  January dates and the rest for this year.   Please use this heads up in order to minimize the possible tail spin or should I say tail chasing that can ensue while the retrograde is strongest.

The planet mercury will go into a retrograde period three times because the way the planet is supposed to move and what we see moving are different actions.  When this happens, all forms of communication are off kilter.  To say the least. snail mail, email, cell phone, home phone, speaking to others, speaking to yourself, and don't even think of signing a contract or wonder why negotiations are not going well...

For me, a person who's ruling planet is Mercury, I can only hope that my connection to the planet links me in ways that allow me to embrace it's energy, albeit contrary sometimes.  I will mark these dates and heed it's presence in my calendar year.  Hoping that you doing the same will glean some positively beautiful experiences.  

The retrogrades this year are three times the opportunity to show ourselves, ya know what, we can do this.  Even as that God of Communication does his usual trickery, we can move forward, albeit at a totally different speed.  Take a look below at the days and times when the retrograde turns and when it goes direct again.  Also be sure to notice the planets and remember retrogrades can be felt up to seven days before its onset and sometimes seven days after it goes direct.  Good Luck! We can do this!!! 

January 21, 2015 15:54 GMT   10:54 AM EST 7:54 AM PST	1°18' ↔ 17°5' Aquarius	February 11, 2015 14:57 GMT   9:57 AM EST   6:57 AM PST
May 18-19, 2015 (May 19)   1:49 GMT   (May 18)   9:49 PM EDT (May 18)   6:49 PM PDT	4°34' ↔ 13°9' Gemini	June 11, 2015 22:33 GMT   6:33 PM EDT   3:33 PM PDT
September 17, 2015 18:09 GMT   2:09 PM EDT 11:09 AM PDT	0°5' ↔ 15°55' Libra	October 9, 2015 14:57 GMT 10:57 AM EDT   7:57 AM P

Mercury Retrogrades 2014

credit: alphalifetrends.com

Fore warn is to fore arm right? Well here, in some advance notice, are the dates for the Mercurial Retrogrades for this year.  Please use this heads up in order to minimize the possible tail spin or should I say tail chasing that can ensue while the retrograde is strongest.

The planet mercury will go into a retrograde period three times because the way the planet is supposed to move and what we see moving are different actions.  When this happens, all forms of communication are off kilter.  To say the least. snail mail, email, cell phone, home phone, speaking to others, speaking to yourself, and don't even think of signing a contract or wonder why negotiations are not going well. 

credit: politicalastrologyblog.com

For me, a person who's ruling planet is Mercury, I can only hope that my connection to the planet links me in ways that allow me to embrace it's energy, albeit contrary sometimes.  I will mark these dates and heed it's presence in my calendar year.  Hoping that you doing the same will glean some positively beautiful experiences.  

The retrogrades this year are three times the opportunity to show ourselves, ya know what, we can do this.  Even as that God of Communication does his usual trickery, we can move forward, albeit at a totally different speed.  Take a look below at the days and times when the retrograde turns and when it goes direct again.  Also be sure to notice the planets and remember retrogrades can be felt up to seven days before its onset and sometimes seven days after it goes direct.  Good Luck! We can do this!!!

Turns Retrograde    ←	Mercury travels between ↔	→    Turns Direct
February 6, 2014 21:43 GMT    4:43 PM EST 1:43 PM PST	18°10' ↔ 3°20' Aquarius ↔ Pisces	February 28, 2014 14:00 GMT   9:00 AM EST   6:00 AM PST
June 7, 2014 11:56 GMT    7:56 AM EDT 4:56 AM PDT	24°23' ↔ 3°10' Gemini ↔ Cancer	July 1, 2014 12:50 GMT   8:50 AM EDT   5:50 AM PDT
October 4, 2014 17:02 GMT    1:02 PM EDT 10:02 AM PDT	16°46' ↔ 2°19' Libra ↔ Scorpio	October 25, 2014 19:16 GMT   3:16 PM EDT 12:16 PM PDT

The last lunar cycle this year

Now we are about to say bye
Today around 2:44pm EST the moon takes it's step into Capricorn and that my friends is our final Lunar Cycle for this Lunar Year.  I know it seems like yesterday that we welcomed in this Dragon Year (as called in the Chinese Zodiac), but alas we will journey forward.  The significance of this last lunar cycle can be huge for us, if we let it.

At the end a time for.....
This 13th lunation of the moon represents in some sense a culminating and benchmark of our progress over the last 12 months.  More than a usual check in, let's really assess our true steps on our path and see the progress and the lessons that are still to be learned.  For me I think of words like reflect, release, acknowledge, balance, appreciate, discard, uphold, reinforce, and lastly know.

Time for teaching
And speaking of lessons, this last cycle is in Capricorn, which is ruled by none other than Saturn, the ultimate representation teacher.  Saturn is all about giving us all of what we need and a bit of what we want, so be not discouraged if we are reworking, rerouting or detouring, it's all a part of the education of us.

See what I've received
For me this last lunar cycle of this year is really about amalgamation of the gifts, blessings, progress, lessons, and understandings I have received thus far.  And really, it's about me recognizing the strides I have made with regard to accepting.  My balance of give and receive was so off not that long ago and then my ancestresses spoke to me and told me that this was not their wish for me.  Well after I picked myself off the ground from the emotional falling apart I realized, hey, my spirits love me enough to tell me, you've got things to do and being a prisoner of your own resistance will not do.  So this past lunar year has been a real testament to me listening, being silent, practicing obedience and really just flowing.  Gotta say, it feels good y'all.

Your verb that helps you act
So, here's your chance.  What will be your focus? Will you reflect? Will you accept? Will you act? Be open to whatever verbs your inner voice has for you.  Below are areas that Saturn can shine upon.  Use them as a starting point.  It's the last time this lunar year, so what have we got to lose, it's about leaps of faith at this point.

Work in Saturn

Teacher and Student Paradigm

Ancestry (persons and land)

Protection of the Home

Recognition of Patterns

Dissolve and Revolve

Throat Chakra Energy

Capricorn Lunar Cycle Totem-Otter

Concept-Woman Medicine

Water and Earth connections

Female Energy (for male and female)

Halt of Worry Addiction

Joyous Receptivity

Flowing

Herbs/Flowers of Capricorn Lunar Cycle

Cypress - Longevity

Patchouli - Fertility & Prosperity

Yerba Santa - Protection

Capricorn Lunar Cycle Affirmation

I am openly grateful for all that's been bestowed upon me,

I walk openly into receiving all that is destined,

Bless the powerful female energy I invoke with each breath

--Andrea/DaughterofWaters

Enter the Water Dragon

Dragon in Chinese

A recent funeral of a colleague opened my ears wider to the whisper of Spirit saying "Walk your life's path".  So in that same vein I am looking to this coming Lunar New Year and saying - "Yes!".  Yes, to the highs.  Yes, to the lows.  Yes, to the mundane.  Yes, to the truly jubilant.  Yes to the everything that there is for me.  The next new moon cycle, which is the premiere of this Lunar New Year, or the next coming 13 new moons, gives us the greatest opportunity to intentionally charge ourselves and our lives with what we are going to be about.  It's about deliberateness, self-knowledge and self definition.  Make this the Lunar Year you decide all by yourself just who you were, who you are, and who you will be.  It's that trinity of awareness that will bring about great strides in our efforts to do our works here while we are blessed with the time.

Now, this Lunar Year falls during the time when Aquarius (which is Uranus ruled) is shining on the moon.  So yes that idealism, artistic, and dreamer energy is available for us to harness this ultimately positive vortex and strive forward for ourselves and the planet like never before. And what better usher to assist in that striving than the amazing Water Dragon, the animal that leads this Lunar Year in Chinese Astrology.

The Water Dragon, coming for the first time in 60 years will add such power to all the magic and medicine that we access.  All the things we want to soar at this year, call on the water dragon.  All the situations that have stumped us in the pass, call on the Water Dragon.  All those self identified limitations we want to break beyond, call on the Water Dragon. Basically anything that is a challenge or seems impossible, call on the Water Dragon.  And then, sit back and watch the unexpected or should I say expected unfold.

Below are  suggested Lunar New Year tools for the first few days of this new year and beyond.  Feel free to devise your own as well.  My meditation for all of us this year is "we are the ones we have been waiting for".  We have the gifts, it's time to put them to use. 

Tools for a Lunar Year

Use these tools as often as you like or need: daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly.  Set the space, make the time, do the works.

• Journal
• Sacred Space (altar, ritual space)
• Stones or Rocks 
• Water or water related objects (shells, sand)
• Sage or Rosemary smugdes or dried herbs to burn (clears the energy of spaces)
• Written Intentions for the year as a visual, living, reminder
• Candles colored to match your intentions
• Spiritual tools or books that are helpful

Totem Meditation for the Year

Instead of providing a totem for the Lunar New Year spirit has led me to guide us all to do it for our selves.  You know...the give a fish or teach to fish allegory.  Find a quiet undisturbed space and do a meditation on asking for an animal spirit to lead you through this Lunar Year.  Do not prescribe any animal, be open and do this for as long or as short as you may need.  Once the animal has spoken to you check this site Linda's Domain http://bit.ly/z9Q0Yl to learn more about the animal medicine that revealed itself for perspective on the coming year.



Looking forward to your comments and successes this year.  Wishing us all the power of the Water Dragon..... 

---Andrea