Become more aware of Moon in the sky—and feel her flow!
See guidance from Goddess in her changing face.
Experience the magic of Moon within!
February begins in Crescent Phase,
The call and the challenge: move forward into Light!
A particular challenge of Crescent Phase is to avoid getting discouraged when you encounter resistance. If what you've begun is important to you, then you must persist. Sometimes it's what's outside you that becomes your obstacle, but instead your own self-doubt or lethargy. It's interesting and fun to note the many different ways that the same theme can manifest. Let's take the groundhog, for example. On February 2nd large groups of people gather in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to see town leaders in tuxedos and top hats gather to take the famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, out of his cage to greet the cheering crowd. TV newscasts project the scene to the masses as the officials carefully note whether Phil sees his shadow. If he does, he's believed to have predicted six more weeks of winter. Of course, anyone can count that six weeks after Groundhog Day will bring us to Spring Equinox, but no matter—the celebration is an enjoyable way to mark the seasonal change. Groundhog Day is our totally secular manifestation of the ancient Pagan festival variously called Imbolc, Oimelc or Brighid, later Christianized as Candlemas or St. Bridget's Day. Whatever we call it, the theme is much the same: increase the light! But, there's a catch. We can see that the days are lengthening, but winter and darkness do not give up their hold so easily. Like the little crocus we see struggling to sprout through the snow, we have 
to keep believing we achieve our goals, even when more snow falls and slows us down a bit.
But what about Phil? Logic says that if he sees his shadow, he ought to know that the Sun is shining brightly and that is what he wants, isn't it? Light? Warmth? Spring? But, no. Frightened by his own shadow, he scurries back into his cage, resigned to six more weeks of winter. Presumably, if he emerged into gloom, he'd be happy to stay out in it? So, in Phil we see an important lesson of this phase. Often what we perceive as our obstacles are only of our own making. Our challenge is to resist that fear of our shadow—to overcome own self-doubt or lethargy—as we take the actions and keep the faith that the light we seek will wax and grow.
Last month also began with a Crescent Moon, and you may want to review and/or repeat the Crescent ritual there as this month begins. On Molly's Starcrafts website you'll find my article on the lore of Imbolc, and there's also a Brighid ritual for celebrating it. Moon Tides, Soul Passages has much more about how to apply this phase and all the other phases to your personal life. When you understand your past and present, you are empowered toward better future choices and toward growth in Spirit!
While the secular Groundhog Day and Candlemas are traditionally February 2, calendars have changed since ancient origins of this seasonal change. For those who prefer to do rituals at times of maximum energy: the power point of energy release creating momentum toward Spring is when Sun comes to the 15th degree of Aquarius. This, for the east coast (EST), occurs February 3 at 6:27pm. On the west coast (PST), that's 3:27 pm. (Times provided by Moon Tides software.) Also on this astrological day of Imbolc, Venus turns direct. She's been retrograde since December 24. If you've perceived this time as restrictive or troublesome in areas Venus rules, such as love, money or art, this is a time to look ahead with renewed determination to do what you can to change things for the better.
Experiencing Full Moon in Leo—February 12
When Moon is Full, she is opposite Sun, showing an objective and complementary slant on themes common to both. Leo and Aquarius share a theme of creativity, but the Aquarian focus tends toward larger groups, while Leo is more likely to be centered on personal expression. Full Moon illuminates the need for balance, and her presence in Leo suggests that perhaps the imbalance is too much concern for the needs and goals of others to the neglect of your own needs—and time—for personal creative expression in doing some special project of your own. If this thought speaks to you, then here is a little ritual suggestion for recharging your neglected project, along with your inner sense of rightness that, regardless of other demands, you will give yourself time and space to work on it, beginning now!
Ritual for Charging Your Creative Project
Gather whatever of your project you've begun, along with supplies to continue it. Arrange them on a table, or in a basket, in a place where you can be alone, safe and uninterrupted. If possible, work where you can actually see the Full Moon above you. If you cannot, then light a candle to represent the Goddess Moon. Assemble also a small bowl of water, salt, incense and matches or a fire stick to ignite it.
Center yourself by deep breathing and meditation. Soft music often helps to set the tone, as does just gazing quietly at the Moon, or at the flame of your candle. Then when you are ready, evoke the cleansing and creative power of the ancient elements. Use your favored names of deity to bless the Water and salt (Earth), then blend salt into water as reminder of the eternal womb from which all life comes. Bless Fire and Air as you light the incense. Lightly sprinkle the saltwater on yourself and in a counterclockwise circle around your project as you visualize you and it being cleansed of all the unwanted energy that has stalled your progress. Then, waft the incense on yourself and around your project with the same intent.
The elements can evoke the power to cleanse and also to consecrate. Meditate once again for a few moments as you change your focus from what has been the problem with your work on project to what you can do to create new momentum on it. Then, repeat the actions with the elements, this time with the intent to create that momentum.
Now, raise your arms up toward the Moon (or toward your candle as you visualize the Moon). Invoke Goddess Moon:
By the power of Leo's creative fire, Oh Lady Moon, I do invoke thee
To descend upon this my art, my expression
Charge it and me to the height of fulfillment! So mote it be!
Cup your hands so that her light is within (not tightly—give her some space, too!). Gaze at her light until it diffuses such that you see rays coming down, and quite likely you'll see the light double. Cup the light within and bring it toward your project, all the time feeling the energy of it cupped within your hands. Feel it flow down over the project. Hold and breathe. Now lift up again as you draw more of that infinite lunar energy through yourself from head to toe. Feel it! Savor it! Then, conclude by giving thanks to Lady Moon, as you feel renewed and resolved to resume your creative work with confidence and assurance.
New Moon in Pisces—February 27
Again, as last month, the New Moon comes 
on nearly the final day. For this month it's Feb. 27, at 7:31pm EST, 4:31 pm PST, in 9 Pisces 16. New Moon has the theme of beginnings, but in any case, the first glimmer of new beginnings is instinctive. In the sign of Pisces, those glimmers emerging from instinct, intuition or dreams are emphasized more than in any other other sign. The mood mellows in Pisces. You may notice gentler or more charitable attitudes in others, or perhaps also some increased fog of confusion, indecisiveness or just the wish to slow down and take some time off. For artists of all kinds, though, inspiration may soar, so soak it up and flow with it.
Your best rituals during this time may be to just give yourself the time to dream and be open to inspiration. You have time to do this if you make the time! Take long walks alone, immerse yourself in your favorite music. Meditate daily. Keep a journal beside your bed to record your dreams on awakening. Try a technique to encourage your remembrance of them. I've had success in remembering by repeating an aphorism just before lights out. One taught to me years ago by an old friend who was strong in Spirit is this: I stand strong in the faith, there is no delay in Spirit. My good is at hand now.
Another method of dream remembrance that has worked for many is to have a glass of water beside your bed. Drink half of it before you go to sleep and tell yourself that when you awaken and drink the other half, you will remember your dreams. Perhaps the most important thing, though, is to just give yourself some time to wake up slowly so that you can remain silent with your eyes closed long enough to remember, then write down whatever you do, even if its only part. I've found that just the act of beginning to write it down often triggers remembrance of more detail.
The Sabian symbol for the degree of this New Moon is An aviator in the clouds. (From The Sabian Symbols in Astrology, Dr. Marc Edmund Jones, Santa Fe, NM, Aurora Press, 1993). It emphasizes overcoming limitation through taking a transcendant perspective. Problems that seem huge when in the midst of them can become trivial when viewed from far enought away to see the whole. This symbol says in another way that this is a time to be especially open to the voice of Spirit, from within and without, for guidance. Give yourself the gift of time and space to dream!
