Every month, the day before the new moon is Shivaratri, a celebration of Lord Shiva. The Shivaratri celebration that is happening in February is of the most significance and is called Maha Shivaratri (= great Shivaratri). Maha Shivaratri happens right before the new moon in February: the darkest night of the darkest month, this year on February 24th.
Maha Shivaratri celebrates Lord Shiva, who is pure space, the vastness, the unbounded emptiness. Lord Shiva offers us the opportunity to dissolve our limitedness and to experience the eternity of the source of creation that is inside each of us. Shiva can guide us in opening the infinite universe inside.
Shiva is known as the destroyer, that can dissolve our limitations, so that we can experience the vastness and immortality of our being. Shiva is also known for his compassion. He's a compassionate and loving force who embraces the seeker during the delicate time of the dissolution of their identity. Shivaratri is a great time to call on and receive Shiva's love and compassion.
Maha Shivaratri is also a time to celebrate the union of Shiva and Shakti (the divine masculine and feminine energies). The union of Shiva and Shakti is considered to be the ultimate, perfect union. Celebrating it is bringing forth harmony and balance of the masculine and feminine polarities inside of us, as well as in our relationships.
If you wish to join in the celebration and experience the potent energies of Maha Shivaratri, you can do so in the manner that most speaks to you. It can be as simple as sitting in silence for a few minutes/hours before bed, or playing a chant that calls out the name of Shiva (this one is my favorite - and the lyrics are in the description).
You can also use a mala to recite the mantra:
OM NAMAH SHIVAYAH