In plain words
To make your own auspicious Śiva principle manifest, you need not wait a whole year. Remove the desires in the citta, drive out the longings and the Ajñāna in the heart, root out kāma, krodha and the rest from your sight: that itself is Śivarātri. There is no instrument greater than Prema. Do every single task of daily life with Prema. Grow your faith in God and do all your work as an offering to God, holding back none of your strength and falling short in none of your Bhakti.
You need not do japa, or tapas, or yogas and yāgas. It is enough if, always and among everyone, there are good words, measured speech, sweet speech and the remembrance of God's Name. From children to elders, if all follow this path, all will become worthy of God's grace, which is the goal of life.