Astro Report for February 2015
Jupiter still Retrograde in Leo – 18 degrees
Sunday, February 1, 2015 – 12:01 am EST
Goes Direct on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 – 8:08 am EDT
When the grandiose Planet of blowing things out of proportion is Retrograde, the ability to erupt ill feelings at home can still be potential, if you’re not careful. Family matters most in life, so take care to enjoy the time you have. Find time and energy to have fun. Avoid the pessimism that can occur during Jupiter’s Retrograde.
Mercury still Retrograde in Aquarius – 8 degrees
Sunday, February 1, 2015 – 12:01 am EST
Goes Direct Wednesday, Feb 11, 2015 – 2:12 pm EST
Communications are still going awry. Did you back up your computers, verify your writings and think about what you’re going to say before you utter a word? If not, you’ll have to wait until it is Direct or you’ll save that Retrograde energy in your system – not a good thing…
As a Planet of communications, Mercury’s role can elicit free-flowing words of wisdom. However, when it is Retrograde and you might find that proverbial foot in your mouth more often than not. You might find computer glitches and down-time as commonplace during a Mercury Retrograde. At work, bring a book to read while you wait for the computer geeks to reboot the computer systems. As a minor Planet in health issues, it is best to watch your diet, drink plenty of water and wash your hands often. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when Mercury slides across the face of the Sun.
Imbolc (Candlemas)
Sunday, February 1, 2015 – 7:22 am EST (sunrise)
Names: Candlemas, Imbolc, Oimelc, Brigit, Brigid’s Day, Bride’s Day, Festival of Lights, Brigantia, Gwyl y Canhwyllau (Welsh), Lady Day
Date: Feb 1st (sometimes celebrated on the eve – Jan 31st – at sunset)
Astro Correspondence: 15 degrees Aquarius
Color: reds for the blood shed by lambs, whites for the milk
Food: lamb, nuts, legumes, breads, egg dishes, chicken, cakes, chocolate, wine
Common Info: Brigit or Brid is honored by the Keepers of the Flame at Kildare, Ireland, Brigit’s Crosses are made, first Fertility Fest, Initiations/re-dedications,
Imbolc (Oimelc) is the festival of candles, aka as Candlemas. The date is usually around the 1st or 2nd of February, or when the Sun moves 15′ degrees into Aquarius. It is the mid-point of the winter season, when a single candle is burned from dusk to dawn to commemorate the waxing Sun. The days are getting obviously longer now, as the Goddess grows pregnant with fertility. Some folks will celebrate it in the US as Ground Hog Day or St Brigid’s Day. However, other cultures will recognize other animals as they come out of hibernation. St Brigid, Danu and Epona are the celebrated Deities of choice, which makes this Sabbat female-oriented. Customs include candle making and burning, relighting the Hearth and snuggling in with a partner. Foods used most often are the canned foods and preserves of the previous harvest.
I would like to share an Act of Power we use in the Coven for our Imbolc Sabbat. We call it “Banishing the Winter”.
Quite simply, we make paper snowflakes. After folding and cutting them, each person opens them one at a time to divine the different shapes and figures that reveal themselves within the snowflake. It’s amazing the things you can see within the paper snowflake after cutting and opening it. It is similar to reading Tea Leaves, except it’s a snowflake…
Second, we ball the snowflakes and have a paper snowball battle. It releases the tension that cabin fever can bring… And paper snowball battles are relatively safer indoors. Oh, the frivolity it alludes!!
Last, we take each snowball and burn them in the Cauldron to “Banish the Winter”. We recite the following incantation over the paper snowballs before we burn them:
“Awaken, O slumbering Earth.
Bring us Joy and bring us Mirth.
The long Winter’s Sleep lingers still.
Cold nights decreasing
And warmer days increasing.
Cease ahead the cold Winter’s chill.
Banish the snows traditional,
Until the need arises next Yule.
So Mote It Be!!”
I hope that anybody who likes this specific Imbolc Act of Power shares their interest. Obviously, anybody who uses it has the option to augment it to their desire as it is given without interpretation.
Full Moon in Leo – 14 degrees
Tuesday, February 3, 2015 – 6:09 pm EST
Being the best person you can be is the rule of the day. Leo is all about being proud of who and what you are. Show off your pride. The Full Moon expands on that and allows you to come into fruition. You will have a healthy ego, so let it show! Share that pride among your family <OR> show off the family and the pride you have in them.
Native Lore
Snow Moon or Hunger Moon – February is a month of heavy snowfalls, thus the Full Moon is referred to as the Snow Moon. Due to the heavy snows of February, it is more difficult to go hunting for food. Animals tend to burrow deep into their holes. The land is covered so there is very little vegetation. Hence, the Full Moon of February is also called Hunger Moon. It is best to eat and get plump before the snows of February keep you from leaving the nest.
Mercury goes direct in Aquarius – 1 degree
Wednesday, Feb 11, 2015 – 2:12 pm EST
Mercury is quite compatible with this Air Sign! You may find yourself with original thoughts and abstract ideas. Go with the flow and be yourself. If you have been working on a project, today will be a day that you will be able to get over that proverbial hump. Break out of that mental block you have been in… If you didn’t back up your computer before the Retrograde, now is a good time to do that.
Valentines Day – Venus in Pisces – 21 degrees
Saturday, February 14, 2015 – 00:01 am EST
St Valentinus was martyred for performing forbidden marriages. Now known as Valentine thru Anglicization of his name, the Martyr is now venerated as a love idol of sorts. He is called upon to invoke lust and love twixt two individuals. The first Valentine Card was sent by a St Valentine while he was imprisoned to be executed. He sent it to a young woman, who was the daughter of one of the prison guards. Modern times have instituted cards, candies and decorations to commemorate this love-intentional holiday (not Hallmark). Settle in this weekend with somebody you adore. St Valentine’s Day will be the beginning of a new facet of your relationship.
Lupercalia – Planet in Sign – degrees
day, February 15, 2015 – time EST
Lupercalia is celebrated around the Ides of February (13th thru the 15th). The celebration is named after Lupa, the she-wolf, who raised two young boys to rule the world. Romulus and Remus are the celebrated boys, who built the city of Rome, named after Romulus. Goats are sacrificed and the sacrificial blood is retained. The hides are ripped into tethers, dipped into the blood and whipped upon the virgin girls of the city. It was considered honorable to be whipped by the sacrificial blood, because it ensured the young virgin would be fertile for the year. Folklore says that young boys would be stripped naked and wrapped into the hides of the goats, who then went around whipping the virgins.
Sun enters Pisces – Happy Birthday, Pisces!!
Wednesday, February 18, 2015 – 6:38 pm EST
The energy of the Sun is overwhelming, but is subdued when in Pisces. It’s a time to make final attempts to relax and get ready for the impending Spring. It is a time to enhance your supernatural energies and hone your spirituality. Avoid being a pack-rat… when in doubt, throw it out. Start your Spring cleaning now.
New Moon in Pisces – 0 degrees
Wednesday, February 18, 2015 – 6:47 pm EST
When the Moon conjuncts the Sun in a new Sign, specifically Pisces, it means the emotional Moon will travel thru Psychic Pisces with extra care and concern. Take criticisms with a grain of salt. Folks do not intend to hurt feelings whether spoken verbally or hinted at. Be mindful of your overindulgence to creativity; sometimes you can find yourself wrapped up in your own creativity and lose track of time. Are you discovering something new about yourself?
We missed an Adhik Mas New Moon by 9 minutes. As a reminder, Adhik Mas Moons are two New Moons or two Full Moons back-to-back in the same Sign. Check back next month to see if it happens in March. And that New Moon happens to be eclipsed, too.
Mars enters Aries
Thursday, February 19, 2015 – 7:50 pm EST
Mars is at home in the Sign of Aries. It is a true Warrior and will stop at nothing until the task is complete. Caution is advised that if you cross a Warrior on the Path, you may find yourself on the other end of the Sword. It’s not that the Warrior is looking for a fight, but it often ends up being such.
Venus enters Aries
Friday, February 20, 2015 – 2:49 pm EST
Venus is detriment in Aries meaning that she is harmed or injured. The Planet of lust and love feels the hurt and anger of the Warrior. She will ride thru the Sign with care and concern, but she will be hurt on more than one occasion by no fault of her own. For the feminine and effeminate, be aware of the wrath of the Warriors in your life.
Sun Conjuncts Neptune in Pisces – 7 degrees
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 – 11:46 pm EST
The Sun seems to be chasing after Neptune and catches up finally to surpass it today. The feelings of courage and leadership seem to be impressionable, but delusional at times. Neptune is quite comfortable in its Rulership of Pisces, so when the Sun finally rides past, Neptune will be able to enjoy its peace and quiet of mysticism again. So for the moment, rise above, avoid the drama and share the love!
No Planets go Retrograde this month.