Current Moon Phase for Jan. 30th – New Moon

New Moon

(waxing/0% illumination)

The New Moon is a time best suited for new beginnings! For the first 48 hours following the exact time of the New Moon each month, a window of opportunity opens for making wishes that, if noted, come true in the days and months ahead. There is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm in the atmosphere, making it a great time to go forward and begin projects that you feel instinctively attracted to initiating. Follow your impulses and let yourself make new starts in areas that are important to you.

New Moon in Aquarius Horoscopes

Brilliance strikes during January’s late New Moon

Jeff Jawer on the topics of new moon, horoscopes, astrology, aquarius

Innovation is off charts with the New Moon in unconventional Aquarius on January 30, 2014. This Sun-Moon conjunction in this super smart sign is excellent for expanding perception and triggering bright ideas. Idealism and a stronger sense of community can also emerge in the days that follow. Aquarius’ ingenious ruling planet, Uranus, favorably aligns with this lunation as well, making our mental laboratories more productive.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Discovering ways to become a more effective member of a team is a potential gift of this intellectually energizing New Moon. It lands in your 11th House of Groups, where you can get a fresh start within an organization or find a place of inspiration supporting a cause. Idealism is strong in Aquarius, which can help you recognize ways to meet your own needs while being an even more valuable friend or colleague.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Get ready for some radically new experiences in your professional life. This brainy and innovative Aquarius New Moon lands in your 10th House of Career and Public Responsibility to spark a fresh start that challenges your usual ways of doing business. Be as open-minded and flexible as you can, because old rules and systems may start breaking down. Innovation and risk-taking should put you in a more exciting work situation.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Travel and mind expansion are on the agenda with this brilliant Aquarius New Moon in your 9th House of Faraway Places and Higher Education. Your busy brain may suddenly turn in a different direction as you’re stimulated by a radically new idea. Sharing your discoveries, going back to school, or doing business with people in distant places are ways to put more excitement and meaning into your life.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

This quirky Aquarius New Moon lands in your 8th House of Deep Sharing, where it can have a significant influence on your personal and professional relationships. A lunation in your 8th house, associated with emotional intimacy and financial alliances, is about making choices in partnerships. Either you come up with a fresh approach that enriches connections, or fight change and settle for less.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

Fresh connections can enliven your personal life with this exciting New Moon in your 7th House of Partners. Sure, you may attract unusual individuals who don’t always follow the standard rules of love and business. But it’s also an opportunity for you to enliven current alliances with original thinking, or to take some chances by sharing brilliant insights that impress others with your original thinking.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

Surprises could shake up your daily routine with this rebellious Aquarius New Moon in your 6th House of Employment and Habits. Although adapting to unexpected circumstances is logical, it’s even better if you take the initiative to make changes. Going into a different profession, getting additional training, and altering the ways that you deal with diet, exercise, and health will work to your advantage.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

Creativity and romance get significant shots of adrenalin from this electrifying New Moon in your 5th House of Self-Expression. Let your playful side show as this lunation is a signal to come up with fresh ways to get attention and to have fun. Experimenting with different approaches and looks will put more pleasure into your personal life and make your professional presentations entertaining and inspiring to others.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

This liberating Aquarius New Moon occurs in your 4th House of Roots to provide you with a fresh perspective on your past. Old issues, especially from your family, can be seen with distance and objectivity that allow you to let go of emotional issues that have been holding you back. You’re becoming free of unconscious conditioning, making this an excellent time to break habits and try different ways feel safe.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Ideas are firing up with greater frequency thanks to this inventive Aquarius New Moon. It lands in your 3rd House of Information and Communication, cooking up fresh concepts and connections. Learning, teaching and meeting people should be more stimulating than usual. Just remember to ground what you say in a way that others can understand, because your enthusiasm may overwhelm others with more input than they can handle.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

This inventive Aquarius New Moon occurs in your 2nd House of Resources, providing you with inspiration for making money and getting the most out of your assets. But instead of trying to squeeze more from your current abilities, this lunation signals the need to invest in developing different kinds of skills. Consistency is usually rewarding, but being innovative will lead to even more profitable ways to work now.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

Are you ready for a fresh start? This exciting New Moon in your sign can light the fuse of change that you’ve been waiting for. Your innovative ruling planet Uranus makes a harmonious angle to this Sun-Moon conjunction in your sign, firing you up with originality. Trying a different look or coming up with a radically new approach to connecting with people are excellent ways to utilize this energy.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

This ingenious Aquarius New Moon occurs in your 12th House of Spirituality to spur awareness of your connections with nature and divinity. Taking more time to be alone provides the peace and quiet needed to tap into the higher knowledge coming to you now. Don’t worry if it’s harder to get others’ attention, because the greatest rewards are more likely to come when you are less concerned with how others see you.

Calendar of the Moon for Wednesday, January 29th

Calendar of the Moon

Dark Moon Night

Color: Black
Element: Air
Altar: Upon a black cloth set a single black candle, incense, an iron sickle laid to mimic the direction of the waning moon, a cup of water, a lock of silver hair, and a white bone.
Offerings: Bones. Stones. Menstrual blood. Give something up.
Daily Meal: Soup of some sort, cooked in a cauldron, eaten in silence.

Dark Moon Invocation

At this time, in the dark of the moon,
When the Silver Lady ages
To an old woman in the dark,
Haunting crossroads, working magic,
Stirring her cauldron
Of poison that heals,
Grandmother Moon of sorcery
And wisdom, who sees all
And reveals little to our searching eyes.
Moon of Death, Moon of mystery,
Moon of silence who hides her face,
Let us learn silence from your averted gaze
Let us learn patience from your aging face
Let us feel for the dark places within us
And find our way down your path in the darkness
Which is utter and complete
But not impenetrable.
As darkness wraps us,
So silence heals us.
As darkness finds us,
So silence guides us.
As darkness speaks,
So silence falls.

(The candle is blown out, and all leave in silence. From the beginning of this rite at Hesperis until the dawn, silence will rule in the house. Talking must be done only in whispers, and between no more than two people, and only for that which is necessary. Long meditation is encouraged, and all work must be done quietly if possible. The evening meal should be eaten by candlelight, and only candles may light the house, except for the sake of certain important work.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for Jan. 29th – Waning Crescent Moon

Crescent Moon

(waning/8% of illumination)

This is a time to rest, reevaluate and reflect, pulling back into yourself to reconnect with inner sources of strength. Now is not a time to initiate anything new. It’s a phase suited to spending time with friends and getting in touch with the “big picture.” A window of opportunity exists for seeing your life objectively and becoming aware of what is important to you. At this point, what are your dreams and aspirations? What larger goals can you aspire to that will bring vitality and excitement into your life? This is a time for resting and gaining inner strength to prepare for a new cycle.

Current Moon Phase for January 28th – Waning Crescent

Crescent Moon

(waning /16% of illumination)

Your Love Horoscopes for the Week of January 27th

This is the week you’ve been waiting for! Not only will we have an electrifying New Moon in Aquarius, but Venus — the planet that rules love — will finally turn direct after having been retrograde since December 21. Are you celebrating yet? Jumping for joy? Jumping all over your lover? Well, get to it … love is waiting for you. This week’s New Moon can bring love in the most unexpected, surprising way. Even better, you get the gift of fully loving every quirky thing about yourself that makes you unique.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

A gorgeous New Moon on Thursday will light up your social networking sector, sending a beam of exhilarating love potential your way. Consider signing up on a new Internet dating website (wait until after Venus turns direct on January 31). You might also decide to ask out that friend of yours you’ve been crushing on for ages. Or, you might accept a friend’s invitation to set you up on a date with someone he or she thinks is perfect for you. Say yes, and expect the unexpected.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

Congratulations! You’re on your way to feeling beautiful and seductively delicious once more, thanks to your ruler, Venus, turning direct this Friday after having been retrograde since December 21. You may have felt as though the universe pressed the “pause” button on you when it came to financial matters and matters of the heart. Hopefully you viewed this phase as an opportunity to become more realistic about what you want and deserve and how to best utilize your talents. Now, you’ll be ready to use what you learned as you move forward in your love relationship, or as you search for a soul mate.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

Rejoice! Venus, the ruler of your true love sector, will turn direct on Friday after having been retrograde since December 21. You might have endured setbacks when it came to opening your heart and getting what you want in the romance department. Now, you can press forward in all intimate matters with greater ease and success. While Venus Retrograde was not an ideal time to begin a new love relationship, if you decided to give an old flame a second chance you might feel as if you’ve got something special. Nurture it, but remember: If you didn’t resolve what broke you up in the first place, it might come back to haunt you.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

You started 2014 at a vital turning point when it comes to relationships. Astrologically, this is due to several factors, but most noticeably is the fact that Pluto, the planet of transformation, is in your relationship sector. Also, Venus has been traveling retrograde in the same area of your chart since December 21. A defining month was likely regarding how you will proceed with a partnership. For some, it’s time to marry. For others, it’s time to separate. Dramatic? Yes, but there is nothing shallow about a Pluto transit. Venus moves forward again starting this Saturday. You will too.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

If you’ve been caught up in a messy office romance, it appears things will start to go more smoothly for you. Either this will be due to you resolving any insecurity about dating someone you work with, or it’ll be due to you making a decision to separate love from work in some capacity. This might not be a break-up. One of you may decide to look for work somewhere else to end the distracting office gossip. Either way, a New Moon in your partnership sector on Thursday, followed by Venus turning direct on Friday, spells new beginnings in love. Awesome!

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Finally, you can breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to your love life. Go ahead, let it out — you know you want to! Romance has been a sore spot since December 21, when Venus turned retrograde in your true love sector. Things between you and your sweetheart may have turned sour, and if so it’s been difficult to resolve those problems. If single, you might have found this to be a lonely time. Anyone who came into your life didn’t quite measure up to your standards. Well, now the lull is over. Expect opportunity for love if single, and anticipate sparks to fly hotter than ever if you’re attached!

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

If you’ve felt as if you’ve been sleepwalking when it comes to love potential, you’re about to bolt upright. On Thursday, a gorgeous New Moon will fall in your true love sector, opening up the potential for you to meet someone new and possibly fall in love. What makes this even more delicious is the fact that on Friday Venus will turn direct after having been retrograde since December 21. Don’t be surprised if a relative offers to introduce you to someone special, or if you meet someone unexpectedly while attending a family event. Love is in the air!

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

By this weekend you and your partner may feel as if you are finally making progress when it comes to communicating more effectively. Resolution to any disagreement and improvement in how you engage in conversations with one another are likely by Friday. If you and your mate have a serious decision to make about finances and have found it difficult to agree, you might finally reach a compromise that takes both of your needs into consideration. You’ll be relieved.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

While it’s true that you’ve been focused mainly on resolving any financial difficulties over the last several weeks, after Wednesday it’s possible that your attention will move towards a potential love interest. Do you have any siblings or cousins? Don’t be shocked if one of them offers to set you up on a date. Even if you’re not in the mood, consider accepting the invitation — you might be pleasantly surprised. You might also meet someone new if he or she moves into your neighborhood this week. This might even be love at first sight.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

This is the week you’ve been waiting for! On Friday, Venus will turn direct after having been hibernating in your sign since December 21. While Venus was moving retrograde it’s possible you encountered significant blocks or tests involving your love life — or lack thereof. You might have met someone new but vacillated about starting a relationship, either because you lacked confidence or wondered if this person was a real fit for you. Now, you can explore your options with greater confidence. Let love in.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Expect solid improvement in your love life by Thursday. Not only will a dazzling New Moon fall in your sign, but the very next day Venus will turn direct after backpedaling in the area of your chart that rules sorrow and seclusion since December 21. You’ll have an incredible opportunity for a personal fresh start in life and love! What makes it even brighter is knowing that you’re finally ready to release whatever anxiety you’ve kept to yourself about a love situation. It’s time to move on.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Your romantic prospects will become potent and intense by the end of the week. Love planet Venus will turn direct in your friendship sector. If you’ve been going back and forth about whether or not to date one of your pals, it appears you’ll finally make a decision. In fact, by Friday Jupiter — the planet of expansion — will engage powerful Pluto in a way that just might bring you a romantic opportunity too compelling to ignore. Love will be all-consuming by the weekend. Wow!

Current Moon Phase for January 27th – Waning Crescent

Crescent Moon

(waning /24% of Illumination)

TREE MAGICK

WILLOW FOR LOVE, OAK FOR STRENGTH
by Edain McCoy
(from the ’97 Llewellyn Magickal Almanac)

Many mystical and magical uses have been found for the thirteen trees which
symbolize the months of the Celtic lunar year, and it is likely, considering the
popularity of Celtic Paganism, that many more will be discovered. However you
choose to observe the lunar months, it can be helpful to first imbibe a magical
brew designed to attune your body and spirit to the occasion.

Following are the recipes for thirteen teas which will accomplish just that. The
measurements given are approximate, and for making one eight-ounce mug full you
should use no more than a single heaping teaspoon of dry herbs placed inside a
tea ball or cheesecloth strainer. All liquid measurements should be added to
taste. Allow the tea to steep at least two minutes, longer if you prefer a
stronger flavor. As always, when ingesting untried substances, be sure to test
for any allergic reactions first, and remember that no herbal preparation should
ever be taken over the long term without consulting an expert pharmacologist or
botanist.

Though very few of the recipes actually contain any part of the trees to which
they are attributed, they work quite well because their ingredients rely on
using herbs and juices which share magical affinities with the properties of the
tree. These properties are listed after the name of each tree so that, if you
choose to, you can make substitutions based upon this knowledge. Depending upon
the particular Celtic tradition you follow, the lunar year starts with either
the first new moon closest to Samhain or the one just before Yule.

BIRCH MOON
Matter of beginnings and children, purification.
3 parts ginger
1 part lemongrass
pinch of dill
splash of lemon juice

ROWAN MOON
Empowerment, clairvoyance, air magic, exorcism.
1 part valerian root
3 parts peppermint
pinch of eyebright
pinch of ginger

Editors note: Valerian is a powerful sedative that affects each person
differently. You may wish
to use a very small amount of this herb at first to determine how it affects
your body chemistry.

ASH MOON
Matters of the intellect, magic, healing.
2 parts angelica
½ part sage
½ part black cohosh
pinch of rosemary

WILLOW MOON
Matters of the Otherworld, healing, love, water magic, feminine mysteries.
2 parts willow bark
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
½ part dried apples or a splash of apple juice
pinch of rosemary

OAK MOON
Lust, strength, energy, endurance, fertility, fire magic, male mysteries.
1-1/2 parts white oak bark
½ part mint
½ part orange peel
pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg

HAZEL MOON
Manifestations, protection, healing, fertility.
2 parts ginseng
½ part mugwort
pinch of savory
slash of any noncitrus juice

ALDER MOON
Spirituality, wholeness of being.
1 part linden
1 part hibiscus
2 tablespoons of cream or milk
splash of cranberry juice

HAWTHORN MOON
Peace, sleep, dreams, prosperity, happiness.
1 part hawthorn
1 part catnip
½ part rue
½ part chamomile

HOLLY MOON
Matters of animals, magic, prophecy.
1 part kelp
½ part rose petals
½ part raspberry
pinch of yarrow

VINE MOON
Earth magic, sex magic, overcoming difficulties.
1 part blackberry
1 part dandelion
splash of currant wine or grape juice
pinch of hibiscus

IVY MOON
Healing, cooperation, binding.
1 part mullein
¼ part eucalyptus
½ part barberry

ELDER MOON
Exorcism, prosperity, astral travel. Finding faeries.
1 part ginko
1 part mugwort
1 part valerian (see note under Rowan Moon)
1 part spearmint
pinch of anise (may substitute extract)
pinch of allspice

REED MOON
Fertility, love, protection.
1 part red clover
1 part hyssop
1 part boneset
pinch of slippery elm

Full Moon in Cancer Horoscopes

It’s safety first during 2014’s first Full Moon

Jeff Jawer on the topics of horoscopes, full moon, cancer, astrology

The sensitive Cancer Moon opposing the pragmatic Capricorn Sun on January 15, 2014, is a dance between soft and hard. Inner needs dominate from the lunar side but external demands tell the solar half of the story. Both signs, though, share an interest in security. Finding ways to protect feelings while taking on the tough tasks of the world is the gift and challenge of this Full Moon. Stabilizing Saturn in Scorpio’s favorable connections with the Sun and Moon reward those who dig deeply to reveal untapped resources and unmet needs.