Hello and welcome.

We will be entering the year of the “Wood Snake,” in the Chinese calendar. This, as with many Asian and Jewish cultural traditions (and countless others I didn’t mention) have a focus on the lunar calendar (basing the new year on that) vs. just the solar calendar/Gregorian calendar. The Chinese calendar is more-so based on the planet Jupiter. Jupiter changes signs approx every year. So, the Chinese “animal” is annual. These different astrological frameworks (cultural traditions), can enhance and help flesh out interpretations of what’s to come, be, or what feels like it’s ripe and ready to turn the corner. They are complimentary to each other, rather than contradictory. Consider it all a Zen Koan.

I’m not getting a ton of intuitive insights right now, but I will share what I’ve got. This year has the potential to be very creative and full of growth. The wood energy is all very directional and intentional–so having some solid and flexible plans (think of bamboo) will certainly help to make the best use of this energy. With the Western astrological sign of Aquarius, we are also looking at a time of pretty profound novel ideas. The air element in the Western astrology is *very* present. Just look at the astrological map down below: 4 planets in absolute or near conjunction: Sun, Moon (yes we call the moon a planet in astrology), Mercury and Pluto! Wow wee… With Mercury there, and newly minted “Pluto in Aquarius” for he long haul, the emphasis is on transformational and profound ideas, and changes! Power is being reconfigured in every single way. With the presence of Pluto, nothing will look the same again. But, I think you already knew that! Hah!

Venus and Neptune in Pisces can actually strongly enhance our intuition, and our ability to tap the spiritual for compassion, comfort, and more. Interestingly, those two planets, along with Saturn in Pisces are forming a “trine” or easy-flow aspect to Mars in Retrograde) in Cancer. The time is now to work through those emotions, clarify that road within to understand the movements of our urges and desires. We have a change to step back and get a better angle on seeing it all from different perspectives with that strong help from Aquarius!!! It’s a good time work with the desire nature in a way that tempers it, but also, while helping that desire nature to flourish in a productive way (pointing back to the “message from the Lunar New Year: growth and creativity!).

As if there wasn’t enough Aquarian influence, that Venus/Neptune conjunction is also in harmonious aspect with Uranus (sextile) and that means that whenever Mars and Uranus start moving forward again (Did you guess it would be so close to the New Moon/Lunar New Year?!– Jan 30th), innovation rules the roost! Mars won’t follow suit until Feb 24 when it goes direct in Cancer at 17 degrees. This is actually marvelous. Uranus astrologically is definitely known as the great disruptor–but also the great liberator! Humanity needs to see clearly, but can it? With the strong Piscean addendum/influence to this Lunar New Year, it seems that there could certainly be a lot of confusion. What does the muddling mean? Well, the Ego won’t tell you. And, the Ego is okay and not a bad guy, but fear is the matrix for promoting non-change, “stay the same” and not reclaiming any new freedoms. So there is a need to “wake up.” It’s not a really good catch phrase, “wake up.” A better word form would be “SEE CLEARLY NOW.” How can we see clearly if we already have so many fears and conclusions? It’s much harder to keep the mind open, to watch, and wait and see. Isn’t it? Well, this is the time to do that.

Focus on your only locus of control: your own life, behavior, patterns, thoughts, schedules, and rhythms, and that will really, really help. To back up what I’m saying, Mercury in Aquarius is forming a trine to Jupiter in Gemini. There can be some transformation in the “lightening up of the load” by truly focusing on the narrow and small. The narrow and small, and the big picture can both be part of the clarity–but none of us our omniscient, so we gotta work with just what we’ve got now. What is right there in front of you, staring right back? That doesn’t mean you can’t strive for more. It just means you have to start with the stump you are already on, right now. Right here, and right now.

Happy Lunar New Year Everyone!

Let’s make this a year to grow our own gardens of possibility. It can take on any form. And the best part is, all you need to do is make the choice, and then hold the “space for it.” Yeow! Let’s have the best time we can!