Cultivating Insight
This week the frenetic Air (Vata) energy intensifies, starting on Monday 8th February with the sun conjunct Mercury retrograde in 19 degrees of Aquarius. Sensitive beings may have felt this energy highlighting shadows and emotional imprints in our minds that need to be released. In the build up to the new moon in Aquarius on 11th February, the waning moon is in Capricorn (Cardinal Earth) and Uranus is in Taurus (Fixed Earth) squaring the Sun in Aquarius making us acutely aware of our Root Chakra (Muladhara) and amplifying basic survival needs. This will heighten our awareness of FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real) or anxiety that has built up over time into a calcifying residue blocking our pineal gland at the centre of our minds.
While in meditation this week we may be able to identify stagnant layers of energy blocking the pineal gland and clear it simply by visualising the layers dissolving away.
This will help us tune in more clearly to our internal navigation system, making us more resilient during these uncertain times.
pineal gland
On 11th/12th February, the New Moon joins the Sun and Planetary Stellium of Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn at 23 Degrees of Aquarius. This also marks the beginning of the lunar New Year, which in Chinese astrology is the Year of the Ox, ranked 2nd in the Chinese Zodiac that returns every 12 years, the Ox is the symbol of diligence in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean culture.
People born in the Year of the Ox are known for their dependability, and determination. As a result, they often enjoy great success. According to The Japan Times, “the ox denotes the hard work, positivity and honesty that will be manifested in all of us in the coming 12 months.”
Chinese New Year decorations, Year of the Ox, Macau, China
I can't help thinking about the strength and courage of an ox and the universal symbolism corresponding with our beloved Taurus which Mars and Uranus are still playing in at the start of this new lunar year. Taurus to me represents stability and our material comforts and earthly pleasures, which may be feeling disrupted by mars and uranus at this time. .These energies are squaring Aquarius which represents finding new ways to express our truth. This also seems to correspond nicely to the authenticity and honesty of the hard-working ox.
Power To The People ~ million man march - Washington d.c.
The last time we had as much of this concentrated Aquarian energy was in 1962, around the beginning of the Free Love and Civil Rights movements, when masses of people across the western world rose up in protest against war and civil rights abuse. Back then Mars (Masculine Archetype) made up a seventh celestial body in the Aquarian Stellium, but this time around Mars is simmering away in Taurus, still causing ripples of agitation and frustration below the surface, waiting to erupt. Even without Mars joining the Stellium, this promises to be the most potent new moon of 2021 for setting intentions. Whatever we set our minds to at this time will flourish over the coming two years, with rare expansive support from Jupiter (fortune and growth) returning to this exact point of 23 degrees of Aquarius three times in 2021. So anything we can do this week involving intention-setting rituals, scripting or vision boarding will have a magnified effect. It is important to DREAM BIG, without letting our imaginations be hindered by What Ifs, Buts, Hows or Whens.
Saturn (the planet of structure and reality checks) will also be crossing this exact intention point at 23 degrees of Aquarius three times in 2022 and 2023, giving us plenty of time to revisit and iron out the details.
My beloveds playing in the snow in Dedham
Most reading this live near me in the UK, where we have been hit by a snow storm this week which started off with forceful high winds that felt quite disruptive and unsettling.. However, the snow has since settled into very peaceful flurries, creating a magical winter wonderland for children of all ages to play in. This feels like such a gift during a time when we really have needed something fun to get us out of the house into nature and break the monotony of lockdown. it brings back happy memories of a childhood in dedham when we were free from the worries that plague us all today. It really highlights the importance of giving kids a chance to feel the same freedom and fun that most of us enjoyed when growing up. My heart goes out to all parents home schooling at this time. Please know that you are some of the most essential workers among us all and your efforts are greatly appreciated.
While preparing for astroyoga this week I felt a strong call to let go of specific astrological data and tune in to my own inner compass for what practices will help us harness the potent energies of this new moon in Aquarius. I followed my instincts and was guided to pull a 7 card self care spread as pictured below. this insight has helped me formulate a practice for us to share that will reinforce our secure roots in the earth through a grounding asana practice, followed by some pranayama and guided visualisation to assist drawing energy up from our roots to illuminate our hearts and minds. I recommend reading the below and taking some quiet time to reflect on each card to see what they bring up for you in your own process towards formulating a new intention for this new lunar cycle.
♥️♣️♦️♠️
𝓣𝓐𝓡𝓞𝓣
𝔸ℚ𝕌𝔸ℝ𝕀𝕌𝕊 ℕ𝔼𝕎 𝕄𝕆𝕆ℕ
𝒮𝐸𝐿𝐹 𝒞𝒜𝑅𝐸 𝒮𝒫𝑅𝐸𝒜𝒟
ℂ𝕆𝕃𝕃𝔼ℂ𝕋𝕀𝕍𝔼 ℝ𝔼𝔸𝔻𝕀ℕ𝔾
2. X PENTACLES ~ SOOTHE and tend to your foundations. Consider your values, principles and purpose. Let the Sun and Venus in Aquarius guide you back to LOVE. This is a time to nurture relationships and forgive petty arguments. Honour your elders and seek out their wisdom.
7. TWO OF WANDS / SHADOW QUEEN OF CUPS (both cards fell out together) ~ what aspects of your current plans are rooted in self sacrifice? How can you prepare to CELEBRATE stepping out of your comfort zone to be of service to the collective (aquarius), while honouring your own needs?
recommended oils to diffuse during practice: doTERRA's Anchor blend from the yoga collection or any of the individual oils mentioned above.
Of course this Sunday 14th February we have Valentine's day, which many see as a time to celebrate romantic love. However, in this new age of Aquarius I invite you to use this holiday to reflect on your ever-expanding love for all Humanity, as well as our beloveds, partners, family, friends, pets, and most importantly please remember to celebrate your awakened radiant heart with some self love practice. You're welcome to join our love earth collective on Saturday 13th February at 10am on zoom for a special Valentine's Plant Alchemy Rose oil and Cacao Circle with Lou @shesmedicine.
Plenty of room to come and zoom with us LIVE each week for AstroYoga on Transformation Tuesdays 10:00am-11:30am GMT ~ or if you can’t make that time then you can still benefit from doing the practice by watching the recording. if you feel called to book a live space or recording, all paths lead from clicking the button below. Or if you have enjoyed reading this then enter your email below to subscribe to receive my weekly cosmic energy updates.
So much LOVE to you
Lou xoxox