Consummate Trickster Groucho Marx once noted, “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.” And how about this one, which he uttered as he left a dinner party: “I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn’t it.”
Tricksters have a unique perspective. According to astrologer Caroline Casey, Trickster (aka Coyote) is daring, curious and unpredictable. Those who embody this archetype, she says, are in league with nature’s guiding genius. She also states that everyone’s inner Trickster needs to come out and play at this time of “dire beauty.” The kinship of Trickster souls, Casey asserts, is the only thing that will save the world. “Coyote wants to come alive in us,” she said recently in her Way of the Trickster training. “And the Trickster within loves ‘against all odds,’ so now is the time.”
In myth, Trickster is often depicted as a fox, crow, coyote or monkey – a crafty character who punctures pomposity to playfully expose the truth. Sometimes Trickster achieves justice by defeating enemies twice his size. But at heart he is no con artist – rather, he’s creativity incarnate. Like the impish monkey, he hangs upside down, staring bug-eyed at this crazy world, a half-eaten banana hanging from his mouth.
Welcome to the Year of the Monkey – and the Trickster! On Monday, February 8, the Yang Fire Monkey bursts on the scene as we bid farewell to the more passive Yin Wood Sheep. It’s time to pump up those muscles and raise the rooftops! This means using our wit and creativity to scoop up opportunities – and borrow the Monkey’s bravery and beginner’s mind to find unconventional solutions to long-standing problems.
An auspicious year for new beginnings, the heart-centered Yang Fire Monkey is passionate and generous. Now our heartfelt desires move to the forefront, and we join with others to create friendships, groups and movements that benefit ourselves and the collective. Those who dare to be different will win out while the monkey reigns.
What sign is best known for daring to be different? Aquarius, of course! With retrograde Mercury (another well-known Trickster) doing his backwards thing throughout most of January, Feb. 8 becomes the real new year (Feb. 8, 6:39 a.m. PST).
This New Moon catalyzes our most ingenious and socially-oriented selves to take action on what means most to us. A square from passionate Mars in Scorpio to the Sun and Moon in clever Aquarius gets our hearts pumping and feet moving. So beat a path to a new meet-up group or rally, or find other ways to strengthen your circle of friends.
To bring more Helpful People into your life and get the angels on your team, check out this Aquarius New Moon ritual from my book, Astro Feng Shui: Making Magic in Your Home and Life. And be sure to watch the mini-video on that page showing how to make over and maximize your Helpful People gua.
Great article Simone and interesting how it ties up with game changer Aquarius
New Moon. I too am an avid fan of Feng Shui and love your fusion of
Astro Feng Shui . I am a Fire Monkey, so I am excited about the coming year and totally relate to your description of this monkey, which feels very Geminian at times!
Thank you,
Stella
Thanks Stella – and yes the Monkey does feel very Gemini! Astrologer Donna Stelhorn correlates it with Sagittarius, which is also plausible as it’s other end of that spectrum. Enjoy your fiery new year…