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

 

Monkeying Around

credit: fonalizer.ocm

We begin, again
Yesterday morning or even the days leading up to yesterday should have had some spark, a bit of edge to it, and maybe even some damage control needed. All of this could be because as of 9:38am yesterday morning we have stepped across the threshold and entered into a new lunar year.  That's right before us is another 13 new moons to bless, teach, care for, and challenge us.  So whatever was not done yesterday or last week, move on. The next thing is here and it's really what we do from this point on that truly matters.  This new lunar year (in the ninth sign of the Chinese Zodiac) is represented as the Year of the Red Fire Monkey. Think you know the traits of the monkey, think again.

What it will be
The monkey, usually represented as jovial, jestering, and joyous has so much more to offer us this lunar new year.  I believe the power for the Monkey lies in our ability to tap all of our senses through the lens of the monkey.  Yes, the five senses: hearing, sight, taste, touch, and smell all can be re-imagined thanks to the monkey.  When conflict arises, tap into the monkey to hear your way to a solution with out an altercation. Likewise when health (mental, physical, and spiritual) is questioned be sure to know and use the power of touch (whether that be you or someone else). To navigate the ups and downs of life see beyond what your eyes show you for the sight of the monkey.  And when there is a wiff of something off this year, trust that olfactory(related to smell) intuition and proceed accordingly. Lastly, the ability to taste the sweetness of life in every situation will bring much more joy into our lives daily.  Hopefully this is a recipe we can all use as a base to create a year full of beautiful experiences.

credit: openfacefengshui.com

The burning
The significance of the words Red and Fire mean that much of our focus will be on energy and our physical body.   There will be concepts of our innocence, com/passion, trust, and intensity. Learn to harness all of these together to build the best lunar year yet. Knowing is only half of the job, doing is the other (often missed) part that catapults our power.  With this Red Fire Monkey, know and do!

My monkey year
My year is going to be about tasting the magic that is here for me to live my greatest year. In living this it will also allow me to reach out and share that with others around me. I look to the monkey for courage, balance, and foresight. I accept all of the loveliness that awaits. I will swing through the branches of my life this year to the next level. I hope all of you will as well.

Make it your own
Below is more information on this Lunar New Year and a starting point on developing your own path for this year. Take a few moments over the next 7-14 days to really hear from within the messages that the Sheep has for you. Feel free to comment here or email if you want to share.

Lunar Year Totem - Monkey

Communication must be Clear & Concise

Retool for efficiency in each situation

This is my best health year yet

Creativity and Life Force is key

Balance will move me forward

Lunar New Year Elements

Please use these objects and let them guide you towards what is in store for you this lunar New Year. Other things may in fact appear for you and that is the point. Marking the Lunar New Year sets the bar for you and helps you take ownership of the power you have within. Happy 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
• Red candles (all shades)
• Spiritual tools or books that are guiding

--Andrea

 

The Sheep I rode in on

credit: balancedlivinginc.com

It's a Sheep
This evening marks a new beginning for us.  No, not just a new lunar cycle, but rather the start of a new Lunar Year.  We have 13 more new moons where we shall live our best lives.  This particular Lunar Year (the eighth sign of the Chinese Zodiac) has come to us as the
Year of the Green Wood Sheep.  More than just an image or a symbol, the Sheep sets the stage for us in fantastic ways.

What we get
The Sheep, an animal we think we know, has many traits that we can utilize this Lunar Year.  Dearest Sheep gives to us kindness and compassion, but do not go overboard and become too passive cause that is not a good use of its energy.  We will find it easier this Lunar Year to take the high road and rise above our challenges, rather than battle them.  Those fabled horns of the Sheep will amplify our imagination, but only if we possess clear vision and are willing to put forth the efforts to make things shine through.  This is a time of great leaps, not the thought of it, but the doing of it.  Sheep has shown us that we don't need much space to jump, just the determination.  And one last thought from the Sheep is to take part in groups or teams.   Collaboration will hold lots of manifestation for us, this is not the year to DO IT ON OUR OWN. 

credit: web.mit.edu

Wooded blessings
Before I forget, 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.

My map for the year
My Sheep magic will come in the form of staying my course on my spiritual and personal paths.  There are so many things that can come and breeze by me, but I must keep stepping, leaping when called for, and JUST DO IT.  No more talking, planning or assessing.  2015 is a year of definitive action for me.  Looking forward to it, but also knowing rest and renewal has to be couched in there as well.


Hear what's for you
Below is more information on this Lunar New Year and a starting point on developing your own path for this year. Take a few moments over the next 7-14 days to really hear from within the messages that the Sheep has for you. Feel free to comment here or email if you want to share.

Lunar Year Totem - Sheep

Seek New Beginnings

Sensitivity and Perseverance

Imagination and Inspiration

Take great Leaps

Act upon my Ideas

Lunar New Year Elements

Please use these objects and let them help you access the true blessings that are a part of your path this Lunar New Year.  If other things find their way into your process, allow it. Acknowledging the Lunar New Year is all about understanding your individual process.  Happy New Year!!!

• Journal
• Sacred Space (altar, ritual space)
• Earth related objects (crystals, stones, leaves)
• Sage/Rosemary smugdes or dried herbs to burn
• Written intentions for the year
• Green candles (all shades)
• Spiritual tools or books that are helpful

--Andrea

A river running through us?

What has slithered in
Yes, there is a winding, curving, moving entity coming our way.  This being is not the traditional body of water you are probably thinking of.  The lasting loops coming our way is that of the Water Snake year as it will be delivered to us all on Sunday, February 10, 2013.  The sixth in the sign of the Chinese Zodiac, many great things are burgeoning.

The Serpent's blessings
The Snake (in the element of Water this time) will be a good time to get our finances in order, begin to really research endeavors that interest us and lastly make sure we find a safe space from which we can turn our greatest wishes into beaming realities.  Intuition, transmutation, and protection are forces that we will be able to capture this year.

The Age Aquarian
Because all of this happens when the Moon is in the sign of Aquarius, we must always remember our inner humanitarian, who will be our moral compass, our guiding light, our best friend to the end.  Often associated with New Age endeavors, commit this Lunar New Year to usher in your own personal Age that is New.  New in the sense that we can be brand new.  We can reach for our greatest selves and re-imagine, rejuvenate, and re-make the person we are.  We've got the next 13 moons to do it.

The entire cycle is for me
My purpose this Lunar New Year drives me towards a wholistic approach to transmutation.  Although I've attained it before I have struggled to maintain that deep understanding of life-death-rebirth.  Sometimes I just hold to the death and elongate the rebirth.  No more, I do have the power to change this reality and I am choosing just that.  For me the Water Snake will nourish me and strengthen me see the necessary steps on the trinity of creation, that being life-death-rebirth.

Things to mark this Snake
See the elements that could be a part of your intention setting, your ritualizing, your cementing the power of this beautiful Lunar New year.

Lunar Year Totem - Snake

Think, Act, and Desire to Transmute

Know I possess Fire Energy

Amalgamate the Female and Male

All life's poisons can be altered

Lunar New Year Colors

Red - Determination, Energy, Passion

Yellow - Mental Agility, Manifesting Change

Lunar New Year Elements

 

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

--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

Now introducing...the Hare, here she is!

Converge, push forward, fight!! This Lunar New Year is a call to all of us. In this Year ruled by the Rabbit or the Hare, we are challenged to face fears in order to yield fruits. Hare, a symbol of great fertility and new life, can be a neon warning sign at times. If we are all unable to take courage and progress, just remember Hare is there to guide us. When we need to, we can ask ourselves am I using "what if"? And we must write down the things we think we are afraid of in order to usher those feelings in, only to over come them. Warriors get weepy, get tired, get scared, but they overcome these things in order to move forward and that is what we can thank dear Hare for. Now, if Hare is your Chinese Astro sign, well I suggest you look into this totem more for messages and signs especially for you.

Hare or Rabbit Totem Medicine


Discarding "what if"



Writing down fears to release them



Breathing Fears into Mother Earth



New Life and Fertility

Having said all of that, let us not forget or be unmindful of the fact that this Lunar New Year falls in the sign of Aquarius, the great Friend. Aquarius is always wielded by the planet Uranus, which is the Master of surprises, so we can imagine the great highs and lows that might appear somewhat manic this time of the year. We have the tools we need to break unimaginable bonds and forge ahead. Now will this come easily? Of course not. Are there going to be times when we want to throw in the towel? You better know it! But, the gift of energy at this time of the Lunar Year is it is a fresh start, we can redesign, we can reset, so to speak.

I know I am excited about these moments, hours, and times ahead. My personal journey that begins again is embracing my personal fears, transmuting them, and remembering the valiant warrior I have within, that although she does slumber from time to time, she is an active agent for change in my life and the life of this universe. For the first fifteen days leading into this Lunar New Year I am going to charge myself with the task of detoxing my body, mind, and spirit and journaling about that experience, hopefully this sacred time will bring up messages and knowledge I would otherwise miss.

Below are messages heard during meditation. Please hear them for yourself, allow these messages to spark others, and use this wonderful time of the year to be the warrior you are, no matter what.

Aquarius Medicine



Remembering Dreams and Visions


Make Dreams into Reality



Focus on Plans/Projects




Herb or Flower Essences



Amber




Copal (resin)




Lemongrass






New Moon Messages





Messages from the Past




Seek strength from my past self



Get only what I need from the past but do not stay there






Messages from the Present




Multitasking may divide my focus





Messages from the Future




See Love with clarity




Open myself to receive that which is for me