FEBRUARY, 2010

February 17 - 28:

 2/18 (Thu):

Sun enters Pisces. Traditionally the time each year when plans are developed in secret, alliances reviewed, assumptions questioned and energies organized toward release a month later, at the beginning of spring. While the Sun is not "in detriment" in Pisces, as he has just been in Aquarius, the watery, deep, mysterious qualities of Pisces are not the most compatible venue for the heat, incandescence and clarity associated with the Sun. The symbolic image for Pisces time is that the Sun is most brilliant when far above the water, much less radiant and impressive when near the water, even in it. It would be simplest just to enjoy the water, but the Sun does not enjoy perceiving this. Do not walk across carpets and touch perfectionists until Aries time in March.

In the Celtic Tree Calendar, Ash Month begins. In some accounts this month is considered the most sacred of all because it honors Yggdrasil, the World Ash Tree, the universal principle of Balance. Ash month is favorable for breaking of curses and building of new protection. Ash wands are cut and prepared as conduits of energy.

In the Zoroastrian calendar of ancient Persia, this day is Spentra Armaitri, one of the year's great festivals honoring the quiet strength and nurturing power of women. The Roman counterpart in honor of Tacita, the silent goddess, protectress against the ill effects of unkind speech, is observed on the same day.

This day is also the birthday of the beloved teacher, author and Hindu mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836), who taught the immanence of the elemental Maha Devi, the Great Mother, in all things.

In the ancient Khemitian calendar, Festival of Min, neter of Love. (Parmuti day 7). Min is the active, propagating emanation of Amun, the primordial creator whose festivals are celebrated in the preceding month. See Jan. 15 and Jan. 24.

2/21 - 3/20 (one month):

The annual Baha'i month of fasting begins. The fast continues until the day before the Spring Equinox festival of Naw Ruz.

2/21 - 28 (one week):

Among the ancient Athenians, and pilgrims from throughout the Greek world, these days are the Lesser Eleusinian Mysteries, celebrating the transformation of the Winter goddess Persephone back into her Spring aspect as Kore, and her annual marriage to Dionysus. This rite heralds the coming of Spring at the Equinox. Note that while the Greater Mysteries of summer culminate at the Full Moon in Virgo, the Lesser Mysteries begin at the New Moon in Pisces.

2/22 (Mon):

In the ancient Roman calendar, this day is Caristia, celebrating the feast of the goddess Concordia. On this day good will and forgiveness are celebrated, especially in ritual meals at which all disputes are resolved and all ill will purged, on the premise that the bounty of the coming spring depends in great measure on the energies living within the hearts of the country's people: good will is said to promote good growth and a bountiful harvest.

Even by the standards of India, one of Earth's great festival artists, Holi is a delightfully exquisite way to banish the old year's last few blacks, grays and umbers with Cerise! Saffron! Azure! Scarlet! - all over your clothes, just like that. For lovers of elation and exhilaration, this festival is worth crossing an ocean for.

2/25 (Thu):

This day is sacred to the memory of the Sufi saint Muhyi ad-Din Ibn El Arabi (d. 1240), who taught that Allah manifests the Divine energy in all the myriad forms of nature, female as well as male.

In the Chinese Taoist calendar, this is the birthday of Wen Chang Di Jun, god of literature and the arts.

2/27 (Sat):

Birthday, in 1861, of Rudolf Steiner, the immensely influential spiritual researcher and teacher who created the Anthroposophical Society and the Church of Spiritual Science, and whose teachings on education, empowerment and creativity are the foundation of the Waldorf Schools system.

The fast of Esther and the festival of Purim commemorates Queen Esther's heroism in freeing the Jews of Persia from persecution. It's a time for helping the needy, and is also the closest thing in the Jewish calendar to a universal Feast of Fools, when the mighty are humbled, the lowly are exalted, and the comic spirit rules. As the scenario is inherently comic, with the powerless but clever Queen outwitting the chief prosecutor of the King of Persia, it is not surprising that at Purim comedies abound, and comic talent is noticed. Purim is the spiritual ancestor to everything from Figaro to Yossarian to Charley Chaplin's claim, "Give me a park bench, a cop and a pretty girl, and  I'll make a comedy anywhere." L'Chaim!