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By Simone Butler The collective frenzy fueled by football and beer leaves me cold. So, I passed on a party to stay home with a good book when the Superbowl rolled around again last weekend. My aversion to this beloved rite brands me an outsider in a country where people spend upwards of $2,700 to attend the game. The act of rooting for your team is classically Aquarian--it's no wonder the Superbowl happens when the Sun is in the communal sign of Aquarius. "Team spirit" is a wonderful feeling. Over the years, I've found other ways to access it in special rites with other non-mainstream souls. But sometimes I feel sad, staying home while everyone is bonding over something I just don't "get." The February 13 New Moon in Aquarius (6:51 p.m. Pacific time) accentuates our sense of belonging--or lack thereof. The Sun and Moon join with transcendent Neptune and bittersweet Chiron to trigger--and perhaps heal--our wounds of alienation and to help us bond with others of like mind. Falling on the eve of Valentine's Day, the New Moon shows us how to accept others by having more compassion for ourselves. Aiding this process, enthusiastic Jupiter joins loving Venus in compassionate Pisces. And, the theme of universal love continues through March 19 as the Sun swims through Piscean waters. This New Moon coincides with Chinese New Year, adding to its impact. We welcome the open-hearted, courageous Year of the Tiger on Feb. 14. Because it is yin, feminine energy, the Tiger favors a gentle, sympathetic yet enthusiastic approach. This energy is akin to the warm, open-hearted sign of Leo, the Lion--the sign that balances intellectual Aquarius. At this New Moon, our sensitivities are heightened. We may find ourselves laughing one moment, crying the next. Honoring the flow of our emotions is part of the process of awakening the heart, crucial for our evolution as a species. In Shambhala, the Sacred Path of the Warrior, Chogyam Trungpa says that by looking deeply into your heart through meditation, "You find that you are looking into outer space. If you really look, you won't find anything tangible and solid--unless you have a grudge against someone or have fallen possessively in love." Once you are awakened, he adds, "You would like to spill your heart's blood, give your heart to others. You are willing to open up, without resistance or shyness, and face the world." Don't despair if you don't have a special someone this Valentine's Day. You can still connect with your heart--and the communal heart of all mankind. Do this meditation alone, or with your partner if you have one. Sit upright, shoulders back, in a relaxed pose. Follow your breath as it slowly goes in and out. Welcome any sadness or joy you feel. Breathe through any old blockages. By simply letting yourself be as you are, you're developing sympathy for yourself--and therefore, for others. Give thanks for your blessings, and send your gratitude out to the world. If you're up for a super-special New Moon ritual, visit www.goddessdownload.com.
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