NEW MOON FEBRUARY 2020
NEW MOON FEBRUARY 23rd @ 10:33am EST IN SHATABHISHA NAKSHATRA!
Maha Shivarati takes place 2/21-2/22 and is then followed by the New Moon on 2/23. This is the great night of Lord Shiva where he performs his cosmic dance. For those of us in a Shiva lineage this is an auspicious day and in India in general🙏🏼. A day to move inward and contemplate. It is said that those who fast and chant on this day will be absolved of past sins and blessed with good luck and salvation. This day symbolizes overcoming the darkness and ignorance in the world as we move from the darkest day of the year ( Dark Waning Moon) to the New Moon on Sunday. It’s a very liminal space where magic happens.
The New Moon will occur in an area of the sky known as Shatabhisha, the “Star of 100 Healers.” Shatabhisha is located in the sign of the Water Bearer (physician of the gods) who pours forth the cosmic waters from the Aquarius (sidereal system) pitcher to nourish humanity and make the world free of calamity. It has the possibility of producing harmony in spite of difficulties.
Varuna, the god of the cosmic waters and lord of Maya (illusion), resides here. He is the bestower of wisdom and the god of medicines, generating the power of healing. He can bring calamities upon us but can also remove them if we propitiate him sincerely. His vast cosmic knowledge is used to produce very practical results. Shatabhisha makes us firm and strong and helps us overcome weakness.
The ruling planet is Rahu, the North Node of the Moon, an airy (vata) planet of change, bringing about disease and healing. Rahu reaches it’s completion and perfection in Shatabhisha and connects to the opening of the crown chakra. We become sensitive to the whole of reality and to the truth or falsehood of what we are, a reckoning of sorts. It is here that we must face the Maya (illusion) within ourselves and in the world so that it can become the great wisdom power of the great Lord Varuna. Maya is the rain of Varuna’s grace, inspiring us to seek deliverance from a higher source.
Shatabhisha is also known as “the hundred flowers” indicating a connection to the plant kingdom specifically, for healing. There is a tremendous potential for healing under this new moon. Herbalists, this is an auspicious time to make your medicines and speak your prayers into your creations. Call on your allies and ask for assistance. Because of the Saturn/Rahu energy this asterism is likely to bring about a healing crisis leading to revitalization as opposed to immediate cures like that of Ashwini Nakshatra. The healing is personally earned not graced. The symbol for this nakshatra is a circle enclosing a space which reflects the need for containment and solitude. Women, gather in your circle under this new moon to imbibe this energy and symbolism or cast your circles in solitude. Reflect this circle in some tangible way.
Mercury, which is retrograde from February 17th to March 10th, is also residing here with the Sun and the Moon in Aquarius. When a planet retrogrades it appears to move backwards and stays in a particular sign longer than usual (each planet is different with the amount of time). The retrograde typically signifies that the planet wants us to change something within the particular house that it is retrograding in. Planets are also moving closer to the Earth when they retrograde. During retrogrades it is wise to be careful with your speech and writing, not a good time to debate, not a good time to start projects instead a good time to finish up projects and to organize things in our lives.
Mercury is within 5 degrees of the Sun so also combust at the time of this new moon. Mercury is generally associated with communication, the brain, nervous system, respiratory system and thyroid. When a planet is combust it means it is too close to the Sun and therefore the planets qualities become hidden and dominated by the Sun. Mercury does not have a distinctive personality of it’s own, instead, it imbibes the traits of the planets that are associated with it, in this case Sun (the Soul of the Universe) and Moon (the Cosmic Mother).
With this Mercury, Sun and Moon conjunction in Shatabhisha Nakshatra we can expect some form of healing to occur that is possibly on a soul (Sun), emotional (Moon) or mental (Mercury) level. The energy of this conjunction gives emotions that have a great deal of reasoning behind them, they are grounded! This is all occurring in the 10th house (the Midheaven) of profession and achievement in the material world, where the Sun is at it’s highest glory which makes me feel that healing will take place on a soul level mostly. Perhaps some of us will be contemplating whether our profession is healing to our soul or or if we are doing our soul’s work, our Dharma.
The retrograde also suggests that we may be revisiting old wounds or afflictions. Venus continues in it’s exalted state until the end of the month bringing creativity, beauty and love to our lives. Ketu and Mars are in close conjunction still in Mula Nakshatra which brings eruptions and frustrations but is softened a bit by Jupiters Guru presence also in Sagittarius.
To nourish the cold and dry of this New Moon and to balance the Saturn energy, steep yourself an overnight infusion of Comfrey, Mullein Leaf and Marshmallow Root. Strain in the morning and sip throughout the day. Do not exceed 6 weeks of ingesting Comfrey as it may become toxic. Another ritual to add for this new moon would be burning Frankincense and Angelica Root on charcoal in your morning practice and if you have Raven’s near your home feed them on Saturdays for this Moon cycle.
To know specifically what area of life the healing will occur for you, you must know the house that Aquarius rules in your birth chart. This is something that can be discovered in a Natal Chart reading. When you are aware of Sign/House rulership you are able to personalize these forecasts and have more clarity as to what these placements mean for you personally. I am happy to assist you with that. See www.mothercraftherbal.com for more details on Natal Readings. Om Namah Shivaya
Love
Danielle