Is the New Moon in Aquarius (February 13th) the most spiritually potent of the entire year? That's what my sparkly-eyed Sagittarius yoga teacher said today. New Moons are always new beginnings, and this one inspires us to rise above ego-based or ignorant currents of thought. Aquarius is the sign with its head in the cosmos, able to bring a higher perspective down to Earth.

In the Hindu tradition, this New Moon in February coincides with Maha Shivratri, which translates as "The Great Night of Shiva (Sanskrit 'ratri' = night)." It's said that Shiva first did his cosmic dance of primordial creation-preservation-destruction on this night. Maha Shivratri is celebrated this year on February 12th, the night before the New Moon. In images of Shiva, he's dancing inside a wheel of flames, and standing on a demon called Apasmara-Purusha, which means "forgetful and lazy demon." Shiva's dance is to revive the world by killing off negativity and apathy that clouds our minds, and keeps us from that direct connection to spirit.

So this week, as the Moon wanes, is a good time to wake up out of, or shatter stagnant ways of thinking. It's a New Moon for strengthening your channels to spirit, and your Higher Self. Shiva's dance of destruction frees us from these demonic thought patterns that tie us up in negativity. One chant I particularly like is Om Namah Shivaya, (sung here by Krishna Das) which means "I bow to Shiva," with the parallel meaning, "I bow to my own Higher Self." There are many paths to getting clear. It does not have to be complicated or involve chants. But anyway you get there, it's critical in this age of uncertainty, to be able to receive direct guidance from Spirit.

Some themes to ponder:

• What daily habits fill your mind with negativity?
• How can you make space in your mind (perhaps by counting your breath)?
• Are you getting enough time to detach from "frequencies" (cell phone, computer, television)?
• What beliefs keep you from believing in the future?

Shiva/Ellora, Maharashtra

Today brings us to the Third Quarter Moon, when the Sun and Moon clash in square. It's at this point -- with the Moon waning -- that we face tension, and prepare to do what must be done, in order to welcome the new. The intensifying friction makes clear that some things must be released, or situations confronted. This waning Half Moon is in no-holds-barred Scorpio, in a square to far sighted Sun in Aquarius. As the Moon winds down to New in Aquarius, this is like the tune-up time on the runway, to release dead weight, before take-off.

This phase is about prepping for a fresh start, and part of that is release. If you were born under the Third Quarter Moon phase, you embody this inner soul-searching. With the Moon in Scorpio now, we're shown what's dis-eased or stagnant in our lives. If the emotional waters are circulating in their own sewage, it's a time to find ways to freshen them. In a flash of "as above, so below" insight, astrologer Stephanie Gailing noticed that a lot of people are having plumbing problems. We had to change-out our neighbors above ground sewer line yesterday, because our hens had alledgedly pecked a hole in it. Sewer/plumbing problems fits with the Pluto-Saturn square, as usually out-of-sight waste tunnels get blocked up (Saturn).

This smelly metaphor is useful for a Half Moon in Scorpio, and the need to release toxic material and stagnant ideas. What are we carrying around that's not totally digested and released? What needs to be radically transmuted (Scorpio), so we can start anew. These are questions to ponder, up to the New Moon in Aquarius (Feb 13th). In the meantime, this Half Moon in Scorpio leads into a bouncy, energizing Sagittarius Moon through the weekend. This is an optimistic Moon that helps you make these changes, knowing it's necessary to keep moving forward.

More possible weekend themes:

• Get out of negativity loop by exploring new fascinations.
• Do a waning Moon de-tox of intestines, like this one from Natural News
• Get a colonic (I've never done it, but hear it's amazing).
• Sweat out your toxins in a sauna/steam room.
• Stop feeding your angry seeds. Redirect fury into creative action.
• Detach from those that prefer you to stagnate (misery loves company).
• Seek out stimulating people that embrace the death/rebirth process.

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When Mars is vitalized, it stokes the inner fires bringing passion and desires to the surface. When Mars is in Leo, it's all about creative ambition. We want to be admired for the unique way we express who we are. These days, Mars is retrograde, driving an intense internal churning of the creative fires. It fuels a desire to be proud of what we're doing, and what we can pour our heart into.

In her article on Mars retrograde, astrologer Eileen Grimes says it's a time-out, to see what pushes our buttons. She writes, "The ego drives will be very strong. Anger about the thwarting of these drives will likely surface, and must perhaps be redirected in finding arenas of self-expression that will add to the person's life - and not blaming others for why it hasn't worked in the past."

The atmosphere now -- under a waning Scorpio Moon -- is right for some soul searching about lost creative potential. It's a time to see what time-stealing dramas we're feeding, and look for ways to redirect it toward creative fulfillment. It's occurring against the relentless pressure of the Saturn-Pluto square, which strips us of what's dead in our lives. This includes what we're half-heartedly doing. In myths about Pluto, the Dark Lord was only summoned when all had been lost, and a person lost their fear of death. We're living in a time when the old is dying, and the new has yet to be born. In this void, the realm of Pluto and Scorpio, we die to superficial layers of who we are, so that the locked up, concentrated core can be released.

It's timely for making tough, bold decisions. Shedding old skins allows us to make progress with what evolutionary astrologers like Deva Green call our special mission. If we trust, and surrender to these extreme changes, the intensity of all that we are is mixed in the cauldron, and transformed.

Look to the house where Mars is retrograding, for insights about the life sphere where your unique presence is expressed. For me, it's the 5th House of Creativity, and that's the only area where my jealousy surfaces. When I intensely envy someone for their artistic achievement, I know it's telling me what I want. Jealousy is a guide to unnamed, unclaimed desires. If jealousy, angst or regret surfaces, try listening to it closely for what it needs and wants. There's fire power there now, and the courage to let go of what has kept these longings buried in your heart.

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In her book, "The Creative Habit," choreographer Twyla Tharp says try going for a week without distractions. Along with the usual suspects -- TV, Internet, newspapers -- she says see what happens to your sense of self when you stop looking in the mirror. It takes the focus off yourself and how you think others see you, and puts it on how they respond to what you do. After a week, she writes, you'll be dying to see yourself again. She adds, "It could be a very interesting reintroduction. You might meet someone totally new."

It's an especially potent exercise under today's Libra Moon in a mind-expanding trine to Sun in Aquarius. Sometimes the self-image we're holding in our mind is limiting, and not a true reflection of all that we are. At this waning Moon -- a phase of release -- let the old mirror shatter, and lose the fixed judgments. You're then free to see other dimensions of who you are, reflected in the dance of relationships. An example is when you judge yourself harshly, but a friend sees your kindness, courage or generosity.

If this is your Moon Sign, your instinct for relationship balance is strong. Libra Moons, like Twyla Tharp herself, are socially graceful, have an artist's eye, and thrive in harmonious spaces. When the Moon is in Libra, we're at home in the give and take of relationship, and crave peace, along with lovely, luxurious things.

More possible themes for today:

• Inspiring your colleagues or friends to choose the moral high road.
• Weighing your options, while scanning the horizon for emerging ideas.
• Being with friends that stimulate your intellect.
• De-clutter and beautify your space.

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