February 1st ~ 8th
Seems to me it ain’t the world that’s so bad but what we’re doing to it, and all I’m saying is: see what a wonderful world it would be if only we’d give it a chance. Love, baby ~ love. That’s the secret. ~ Louis Armstrong
On February 4th (or 5th, depending on where you live in the world) we welcome in the New Moon in Aquarius. This is the same New Moon that ushers in the Chinese New Year, which this year is the auspicious but laid back Year of the Yin Earth Pig (or Boar). For Tibetans this Moon also launches their New Year (Losar), which opens Monlam, the 15 day astrological period known for when Shakyamuni Buddha performed a series of miracles. On both calendars the festivities conclude on or around the following Full Moon, which this year falls on February 19th. Tashi Delek!
The Sabian Symbol for the degree of the New Moon is A big businessman at his desk. This conjures an image of someone large and important having sway over the gears of industry and commerce. Perhaps someone with a great deal of power that can affect a large group of people. Whether or not his influence is for the good or the ill cannot be determined by this image alone, but it does imply that decisions and actions made can have far-reaching consequences, and affect many. We can use our power and resources to benefit a few, by channeling these upwards. Or we can choose to channel our power, energy and resources into cultivating larger humanitarian causes for the benefit and welfare of the greater mass of humanity. It is in Aquarius season that we come to recognize our interdependence with a much larger whole, and our relationship to it.
This Moon is also sextile large and magnanimous Jupiter, strong in its own sign of Sagittarius. Jupiter has this capacity to make things grow and become successful. And much depends on where we put all of our efforts. New Moons are fruitful times of new beginnings, and the sowing of seeds that we would like to see take root. How successful these will be have something to do with the motives, and where we extend our efforts. We could focus on achieving material growth and personal power, and that is okay. But how magnificent to cultivate a greater vision with initiatives that could benefit everyone, for the good of all concerned. This is a moon with great potential, thanks to the assistance of Jupiter. Therefore, what sorts of seeds would you like to see sown with this auspicious New Moon?
Any actions done during Monlam, from the New Moon to the Full Moon, positive or negative, are said to be multiplied by as much as 100 million times in their karmic effects. This is due to these actions being either in alignment with, or out of alignment with the virtuous deeds of the Buddha during this same astrological period over 2500 years ago. May we all bring ourselves into alignment with the great Shakyamuni Buddha, and make a commitment to perform good works in this most propitious time. Just think, how wonderful the world could be.
For next week’s horoscopes, click below: