Tu b’Shevat: The Sap Starts Rising
Some call it February's Full Moon the Snow Moon. Others know it as the astrological point of Imbolic, or Mid-Winter. The Full Moon of Chodesh Shevat is Tu b'Shevat, the first of four consecutive Full Moon Jewish holidays (coming next: Purim, Pesach, and Pesach Sheini).
The Sun in Aquarius opposite the Full Moon in Leo.
Tu b'Av is the Full Moon on the OTHER side of the Jewish Year, opposite Tu b'Shevat.
In both cases, this marks the cessation of the influence of Esav on the months of Tevet/Shevat (and on the other side of the Jewish Year, the months of Tammuz and Av). According to the Zohar, the months of Nissan, Iyar & Sivan were given as an inheritance to the children of Yaakov, and the months of Tamuz, Av, and Elul were the portion of Esav.
“After many battles, which took great wisdom and planning on the part of Yaakov, the month of Elul was successfully transferred to the lot of Yaakov (see B’nai Yissachar), and was set aside for a time of repentance. Correspondingly, the winter months of Tevet, Shevat and Adar fell to the lot of Esav. As it was with Elul, so with Adar (the month of Purim), it was turned over to the Jewish people.” (M. Glazerson) Because of this, The days between the 17th of Tamuz and the 9th of Av AND The days between the 10th of Tevet and Tu b’Shevat should be handled with great care!!!!
Spiritually speaking, we've been in a period of winter dormancy since Zot Chanukah. Hibernation ends now! On Tu b'Shevat the sap of new life begins to rise again.
Your potentiality for the rest of the Jewish Year gets a big shot in the proverbial arm! The Etrog you are destined to receive as your own on Sukkot is "born" on Tu b’Shevat.
Tu b’Shevat is one of four Jewish “New Years” - it’s the New Year for trees. Some call it Jewish Arbor Day.
"For a human being is like a tree in a field" (Deut. 20:19)
As an Astrologer I encounter each unique natal chart somewhere in the lifecycle of a tree.
The chart of a newborn baby is like the tree's seed - pure potentiality.
The chart of an elderly person is like a gnarled, ancient tree, whose branches, brambles, twigs and foliage reflect millions of moments of potentiality which resulted in choices. Each choice leads to another branch, another choice.
A person's life is like a Decision Tree. Each unchosen direction is the road not taken, an unexplored or unfulfilled potentiality.
A person's own unique Tree of Life is this Decision Tree. This tree is not alone - it is "a tree in a field". The decisions of others affect our own choices. A tree's growth depends on its proximity to other trees as well. Too close or too far away diminishes potentialities as well.
Blessings to each and every one of us, to tend our personal Tree of Life, to make healthy and positive choices, to look back on all the roads not taken and release regret for all those unlived potentialities. Releasing regret creates room for new, undistorted growth.
(Pictured: Etz Hayim by Carol Racklin-Siegel)
