Happy New Year to all of you! For those who wish to know the specific Chinese name, it’s the year of the Ting Hai Fire Boar (more commonly known as a pig).

Today, February 18, 2007 is considered the true beginning of the New Year, according to the Chinese calendar. As such, it is the single most important celebration of the year.

The Chinese celebrate their New Year on the date of the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice (which occurs approximately on December 21st, each year).

Calculating their months by using a Lunar calendar, the Chinese start each new month on the New Moon (the “darkest” day of the Moon). Ordinarily, the celebration of the New Year begins on the first day of the month, continuing on to the fifteenth day of the month, when the Full Moon occurs (the “brightest” day of the Moon).

The people of China are able to take weeks vacation from their jobs in order to prepare and celebrate this most auspicious time of year.

Year of the Golden Fire Pig: The year 2007 is the Year of the Pig, specifically, the Red Fire Pig. In particular, this is a very special Pig year considered to be “Golden”, and it’s extremely lucky for parent to bring children into the world during the next 12 months, as the child will bring good fortune (as well as be lucky themselves.)

The Sign of the Pig: According to ancient lore, people born during the Year of the Pig, are socially adept, popular, have many loyal friends (and are wonderful friends themselves). They are diligent workers, who enjoy prosperity in order to surround themselves with the luxurious rewards for all their dedication. The are considered to be quite affectionate, and loving and make wonderful partners to whomever is lucky enough to win their love.

Famous Piggies: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and David Letterman.

Historical Piggies: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ernest Hemingway, and Alfred Hitchcock.

If you’re interested in learning more about Chinese Astrology, or want to know more about your Chinese Astrology Sign, contact me for more info!

Wishing you all a very wonderful and loving Valentine’s Day!

A Note for Singles: Since this special holiday happens to fall within the time of Mercury Retrograde, many of you will be thinking of lovers from the past. Try to keep focused on the love you want to manifest within the coming new year.

A Note for Couples: The upcoming Chinese Year of the Boar (Pig) is considered especially lucky for those of you considering adding to the family. (Of course, I’d wait until after March 21st, for the best luck!)

Attracting Love & Love Spells: In my opinion, the best Love Spell is to simply be loveable! Of course, if you think you’re loveable enough, but need some extra help in attracting a suitable partner, check out a complete list of my Love Spell Kits.

The 5th Pentacle of Venus: The magickal talisman found at the top of my post reputedly excites great passion and desire when shown to another. If you’d like to order this magickal seal, or find out about other such talismans, contact me for details!

February 2nd is the time of Midwinter, celebrated as the Pagan holiday known as Imbolc, more commonly known as Candlemass, (also spelled “Candlemas”). Astrologically, this holiday is celebrated when the Sun is at 15 Degrees of Aquarius.

Imbolc, literally means,”in the belly” (of the Mother), for the seeds that are planted at the Winter Solstice are beginning to grow.

Symbolism of Imbolc: This is a time for ritual purification, and is a major Fire Festival (one of 4 celebrated by the ancient Celts). Sacred fires marked this holiday, in honor of the Maiden, Brigid (also known as Brigit) who symbolized the fire of healing and birth. In essence, this holiday celebrates the beginning return of the sun.

Although this is a season of coldness and rain, the sun is actually closest to earth at this time, even though we do not feel its warmth. It is at this time that we bring light into our lives.

Symbolism of Candlemass: Known as the “Festival of Lights”, at this time, we prepare light so that the goddess Brigid may find her way out of the darkness and return to us. In pagan lore, this is the time where Brigid (the Celtic Fire Goddess) acts as midwife to Spring, and this is the beginning of that season. Brigid is the triple goddess of poetry, smithcraft, and medicine.

Myths of the Goddess Brigid: The daughter of Spring is born of the White Goddess after her sexual union with the Horned God last Beltane. Under another name, Branwen, the virgin fertility goddess is invoked at this time.

It is also customary to weave “Brigid’s Cross” from straw and hang it upon the hearth. This is made in the shape of a wheel and during a sabbat, it is rolled down a hill while burning. At this time, a Witch attempts to understand the direction his or her life is taking. The Oak King rules.

Brigit as Bride: In Ireland, the Candlemass holiday is celebrated as the Feast Day of Brigid of the Candles (also known as “Bridget of Kildare”, the Celtic goddess of fire, the hearth, smithy, fields, poetry, and childbirth.)

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Today at 5:57 am, PST (8:57 am, EST) the Moon will be Full in the sign of Cancer, it’s Zodiacal home. The Moon rules the 4th House of the Zodiac. It’s a great time to do Magick that will bring a feeling of security — emotionally, physically, and psychically.

Things to Do: The sign of Cancer rules the Home, Family, Motherhood, Security, Loyalty, Intuition and Nurturing. Make sure to cook something special for your loved ones today, and show them how much you love them.

Psychic Energies: The Full Moon tends to make people feel very emotional, and when the Moon is in it’s home of Cancer, people will feel even more so. Be careful what you say today, and try not to let your emotions get out of control. Watch out while driving as Cancer also rules cars and moving vehicles!

Magickal Rituals: Today is a good time to perform any rituals involving Scrying (receiving visions in a crystal or mirror); Lucid Dreaming; Astral Travel; Tarot Pathworkings; and Candle Magick for blessing the home and family. Other rituals can include Money Attraction, and Psychic Development.

Ritual Items: If you do a Lunar Ritual today, you may want to include crystals such as Moonstone, Quartz Crystal, Pearl or Abalone (sacred to the element of Water). Oils and incenses to use are Jasmine, and Amber (and Ambergris). Candle colors should be White or Silver (for Intuitive Work), or Pale Blue (for Healing).

Feel free to contact me with any questions regarding how best to perform a successful Full Moon ritual. You can also order my Magickal Spellkits, here on this site at the Voxx Store. Here’s hoping you have a truly mystical, magickal day!

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I want to wish you all a wonderful Winter Solstice 2006! Today is the shortest day of the year — beginning the 22nd, the light of the Sun will shine brighter until it reaches the Summer Solstice, on June 21st, 2007. May you have a blessed, healthy, happy and prosperous New Solar Year.

The Pagan History of Christmas: The Winter Solstice is a time of great power, and has been celebrated since ancient times among many cultures throughout the world. The holiday we now call “Christmas” actually had its beginnings in the Cult of Mithras, the Sun God of the Persians, although it is believed that the origin of Mithras occurred in India around 1400 BC.

One legend of the birth of Mithras states that he sprang from the living rock or from a tree. Another tradition explains that he was born from the Cosmic Egg, while holding in his upraised hands the Sword of Truth and Torch of Light — sounds a bit like descriptions of the biblical Jesus, doesn’t it?

There are ancient artifacts depicting him surrounded by an egg-shaped frame, symbolizing the cosmic 12 Signs of the Zodiac. Many of those representations of Mithras have been found in modern-day Britain, some of which are considered to be some of the earliest surviving representation of the Signs of the Zodiac in the north-west provinces of the Roman Empire.

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