new year
Samhain Ritual For Personal Tranformation
One of the most mystical and energetically powerful times in the metaphysical calendar is upon us again tomorrow. Samhain, also known as the Celtic New Year, is a sacred festival celebrated on October 31st.
Samhain traditionally marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the winter. It is a time to honor our ancestors, reflect on the thinning veil between the physical and spirit realms, and set intentions for the new annual cycle ahead.
Samhain holds special significance for those who are attuned to the cycles of nature and the spirit world. Traditionally, the boundaries between the physical and spirit realms were believed to be at their thinnest on this night.
The Celts and Norse in particular saw it as a time when communication with ancestors, departed loved ones and the gods was most possible, providing guidance for the future. For the Vikings and other northern European cultures, Samhain was also a time for divination. Runes, symbols of cosmic wisdom, were often used to gain insight into the coming year.
This year, Samhain carries a particularly powerful energy as it coincides with the Waning Crescent Moon’s transition from Libra to Scorpio. This last lunar phase before renewal invites us to release what no longer serves us, and its journey from the balanced, harmonious energy of Libra into the intense, transformative depths of Scorpio will amplify this process.
Libra’s influence encourages reflection on relationships, inner balance, and the need for harmony, while Scorpio’s energy propels us toward deeper introspection, emotional transformation, and embracing the mysteries of life, death, and rebirth.
Revitalize Your Life With A Spiritual Spring Clean
The spring season is upon us and with it comes a fresh energy of renewal and rebirth.
Very often at this time of year people do a “spring cleaning” of their homes and workspaces, and for good reason. On a spiritual level, we have been moved by the powerful influence of this vibrant seasonal energy since the beginning of time.
As the light of the sun returns and the air begins to warm, we feel on a deep level the cycle of rebirth and the return of fertility to the earth that sustains us, just as our ancestors did through the ages. It inspires us to make room in our lives for this invigorating energy of renewal.
The ancients held the spring in high regard, attributing significant spiritual and symbolic meanings to the season. Although beliefs varied across different cultures, they mostly centered around themes of renewal, fertility, rebirth, and celebration.
In Ancient Egypt, for example, spring was closely associated with the annual flooding of the Nile, which brought fertile silt to the fields. The Egyptians celebrated the festival of Sham el-Nessim, marking the beginning of spring, which was believed to bring rejuvenation and health.
Astrology Forecast February 12 – 18, 2024
We’ll have a productive start to the week as the Moon moves through industrious Aries today and tomorrow, then into grounded Taurus Wednesday through Friday, keeping the momentum going and us on track.
It will be an interesting week due to a crescendo of planetary alignments in Aquarius. Not only are the Sun and Mercury in Aquarius, but Mars and Venus will also move into this electric sign this week!
Aquarius is associated with qualities such as innovation, originality, and humanitarianism. With several planets aligned in this sign, we can expect an increased focus on collective goals, group dynamics, and progressive ideas this week. There may also be an emphasis on out-of-the-box thinking and a desire for social change.
The Sun in Aquarius promotes a sense of independence, intellectual pursuits, and a focus on humanitarian causes, while Mercury in Aquarius promotes innovative thinking, open-mindedness, and a preference for intellectual discussion.
Mars, associated with energy, action and drive, enters Aquarius tomorrow, leading to a more assertive pursuit of unconventional goals, social activism and technological advances. Venus rules love, beauty, and harmony and enters Aquarius on Friday, emphasizing unconventional relationships, a desire for freedom in love, and a focus on social connections.
Astrology Forecast February 5 – 11, 2024
Mercury moves into Aquarius today, challenging us to think differently for the next few weeks. Breaking out of old molds and thought processes will be the challenge as the rulin planet of communication, intellect, and the mind moves through this electric sign.
Our most productive days of the week will be tomorrow and Wednesday as the Moon marches through Capricorn, so get your to-do list completed before the fireworks and celebrations begin, as this week marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year 2024.
This year we celebrate the Year of the Dragon, more specifically, Wood Dragon. An Aquarius New Moon occurs on Friday, February 9th, which officially kicks off Chinese New Year on February 10th, lasting until January 28th, 2025.
The Year of the Dragon is any esteemed year in Chinese culture, as it is associated with strength, prosperity, and good fortune. In the Chinese zodiac, each year is associated with one of the twelve animal signs, and the Dragon is the only mythical creature in the cycle. People born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to inherit the dragon’s characteristics, which include intelligence, ambition, courage, and a strong sense of justice. Continue reading
The Inner Truth Of External Clutter
We are almost a month into the new year, the time when most people begin to flounder in their resolutions. For me, resolutions are like empty promises, so my only resolution every New Year is to not make any resolutions.
Instead, I try to simply live my life with a few consistent rules. I have found that staying true to these personal and lifestyle guidelines eliminates the need for major resolutions each New Year.
Clutter is a big one for me. I make it a point to clean out the clutter in my life on a regular basis, whether it is physical, material, emotional, or spiritual.
Material clutter is the easiest to deal with because it is tangible and visible. It is hard to ignore a pair of shoes that you never wear anymore and have to move around in your closet over and over again.
It is also hard to ignore all those old clothes from another era that you have held on to in the hope that one day they will come back in style. Equally difficult to deal with are those old spice jars and other pantry items past their expiration date that you should have thrown away years ago!
These small lifestyle annoyances may seem insignificant on the surface until you consider that material clutter goes hand in hand with mental, emotional and spiritual clutter. The way we live, the way we manage our environment, and the way we organize our outer existence are a reflection of our inner being. The resulting clutter then becomes a recurring pattern that leads to more clutter, chaos, and dysfunction in our lives.
Astrology Forecast January 8 – 14, 2024
There may be lots of talk and very little action today and tomorrow due to the Sagittarius Moon, but this vibe will serve to get many of us back into work mode after the holidays, so don’t stress too much if you don’t get much done.
Luckily, there will be plenty of inspiring energy for new beginnings with the Capricorn New Moon on Thursday. This aspect will get us back on our feet and we’ll be able to catch up in record time, enabling us to tie up loose ends from last year and put a stake in the ground for new ventures.
Tonight’s Mercury in Sagittarius square Neptune in Pisces may be emotionally challenging, especially if you have been dealing with mental health issues. If you feel unwell or begin to spiral during this transit, beware of self-medicating with alcohol, medication, drugs, or stimulants.
Instead, engage in activities that promote relaxation and stress reduction, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, journaling, or progressive muscle relaxation.
It is also important to stay grounded, calm and realistic during this time, and to avoid making rash decisions or engaging in wishful thinking. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to a trusted friend, family member, support helpline, or mental health professional.
Navigate Your Career Change With Inner Guidance
When a new year dawns we tend to take stock of our lives and consider making some changes, such as in our field of work or our current position. Some people even consider starting a business.
It is common to consider a career change at the start of a new year. A new year makes us aware of the passage of time and is therefore often seen as a time for self-reflection and goal-setting.
But as simple as it may seem at first, changing careers can be a daunting process, especially if you hope to achieve the best possible outcome. It requires careful planning, research and preparation, but with the right mindset and approach, it can be a very rewarding and fulfilling endeavor.
Changing careers is inherently uncertain. It involves leaving the familiar for the unknown, and this can be challenging and scary. However, our personal and spiritual growth tends to thrive in uncertainty. It encourages us to step out of our comfort zone and embrace the unfamiliar. Rather than seeing uncertainty as a barrier, consider it an opportunity for personal expansion, self-discovery, and soul evolution.
If you are considering a career change, one of the wisest things you can do is to ask spirit for guidance and support and to follow your inner guidance. Spirit will guide you through the ambiguity and help you make the right decisions along the way. Navigating a career change can be daunting, but tapping into your spiritual inner guidance system will provide more of the clarity and direction you need.