Happy Lunar New Year

Today (January 29) at 7:36 am marks the new moon in Aquarius. Jan Spiller in her book New Moon Astrology, (which I refer to each new moon), suggests focusing intentions on inventive solutions, seeing the future, humanitarian attitudes, revelations, and humor.

Aquarius also supports friends, groups and networks. Use this energy to find a community that lifts you up and helps you be who you are becoming and not stay stuck repeating cycles that no longer serve. Our thoughts create our world so we want to be in community with forward thinking, positive people. (Keep an eye out for a spring special for The Collective as an option for this kind of community.)

With the new moon in Aquarius begins the lunar new year. Referred to as “first morning”, this is nature’s new year.

It amuses me the way the dominant culture has convinced us to count backwards from 10 and have a whole year shift in one minute at the stroke of midnight - in the dead of winter. Very unnatural.

The lunar new year is the new moon between the winter solstice and spring equinox. It’s an approximately two month window to emerge from winter into spring. Two months to refresh, revive and refocus for the next season of growth and activity. Doesn’t that feel better? To support this process, I’ll be offering a series of free workshops. More details below.

This year is the year of the wood snake.

Snakes are masters of strategy. They make every move count. They have a plan. Snakes conserve their energy. Snakes shed their skin. This is done effortlessly as they grow into a more expanded version of themselves. Intuition is also associated with the snake. They are graceful, quiet and strong. I once had a small snake crawl across the top of my bare foot while standing on a sidewalk at a yoga retreat center in The Bahamas. It felt like a blessing. I could feel it’s smooth skin and the muscles beneath as it made its way over my foot. I was honored that it didn’t fear me - or likely take much notice of me either way. I felt a part of nature, not separate from it. 

Snakes also carry a lot of mystery and fear. They are associated with dark magic, the underworld and are feared by many. I suggest that this is a construct of the patriarchy meant to keep us from our power and our rightful place in the natural world. So let the year of the snake be a time for you to question all of this - using your intuition, your wisdom, your creativity, your natural transformation, your grace and your strength.

The snake is here to support you.

Snakes are also grounded - literally belly on the ground. One of the best ways to regulate your nervous system is to lie on a firm surface - the floor or ground is best - and let it hold you as you release the belly into full, deep breaths. Do this anytime. I expect to see offices strewn with bodies on the ground, belly down for a moment of nervous system reset - ha! Not likely, but take the chance when you can. You may even be inspired to press up into Snake Pose (Bhujangasana) when you're done belly breathing for a moment of heart opening and energizing. 

Significantly, the snake represents Kundalini - Divine Feminine energy - the serpent energy coiled at the base of the spine. This is our power. And this is the year to reclaim it.  

The wood element is paired with snake in 2025.

Wood has the energy of growth, fortitude, renewal, flexibility, and harmony with nature.

The last Wood Snake year was 1965—marked by innovation and cultural transformation globally. Do a little research on this year to find out more about how the world changed in 1965. We can use this as an anchor and a long view through the big changes we’re likely to experience in 2025. 

There are simple things you can do to prepare your home, your mind and your body to align with the supportive energy of the Wood Snake. It’s all about intention and attention - whatever you do. You can straighten up your entryway with the intention to bring more abundant energy into your home and call it a day. Or, you can take these next two months to clear out and make room for what’s next on a grander scale.  But a reminder for the sensitive ones: Less is more. Don’t push. Don’t make yourself wrong. Don’t go into overwhelm. Trust the process. It’s all about new beginnings, at a natural pace, in line with the natural world.

How to prepare:

1. Clean the home & declutter - with intention
2. Incorporate earth tones and green colors, plants and wooden objects to bring in the wood element.
3. Create or refresh a sacred space in your home where you can meditate, reflect, or just rest in quiet solitude. 

If you’d like help with any of this, I’m offering a spring special on Space Clearing Sessions through the spring equinox.  

It’s an auspicious time! Even a few simple preparations and celebrations can create more flow and abundance in your life.