Aquarius Solar Eclipse New Moon
Chinese New Year of the Ox
January 25-26, 2009
It is possible that the next Buddha will not take the form of an individual. The next Buddha may take the form of a community - a community practicing understanding and loving kindness, a community practicing mindful living.
Not only is this Aquarian New Moon a Solar Eclipse, it is also the beginning of the Chinese Year of the Ox. This happens to be my astrological animal, and it is Barack Obama's as well. As an Earth Ox (as well as a Taurus!), I can appreciate the endurance and patience he'll have to call on to face our country's challenges. Never doubt he is strong enough to do it. He's a metal Ox, after all.
Metal Ox people work harder and more scrupulously than most people, including other Oxen. They always show a boldness and drive and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Like all Oxen, they are completely trustworthy and dependable, but they are not ones to display their emotions freely or openly. These Oxen have the strength of steel, with a will to match. Just remember, an Ox is always willing to defend what he knows to be true and won’t give up until he has proven what he knows to be true.
Since The Year of the Ox usually signals a time of prosperity, but prosperity achieved through fortitude and hard work, we'll be able to call on Ox medicine for help this year as we work to transform our own lives as well as our society. Ox medicine makes people truthful and sincere, dependable, calm, and modest, patient, tireless in work, and capable of enduring large amounts of hardship without complaining. Having this type of energy available now to us is a cosmic gift, because as President Obama keeps reiterating, 'This work of CHANGE will not be achieved overnight. It will take hard work and personal responsibility.' We are truly living in a defining moment, a moment many of us have seen coming for a while. If we can change our own outlook and begin to take responsibility for our lives and our world, this year will set the strong foundation for the real tests that are coming in 2010 to 2012 and beyond.
Look at it this way. We are now all on an adventure, an adventure to change our wasteful way of life and to save our planet. Get into the story and discover what part you play in it. That's the best way I've found to develop those Earth Ox characteristics that we'll all need in these coming years. (I know you've all fantasized about being a member of the Fellowship of the Ring!)
Since 2009 (as well as 1949 and 1961) is an odd-numbered year, it gives this year's Ox a Yin influence. Yin is feminine and receptive, taking in energy and reflecting on it before acting on it. The emphasis is on BEING rather than DOING. Since this year's Ox is the female Cow, which relates to a strong earthy nurturing element, I especially call on women everywhere to step forward and bring your wisdom, talents and patience to our communities.
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