The Storm Moon

The Dark Wolf Moon has almost vanished from our skies and, lying in wait is the moon that perhaps the Celts most feared - that of the Storm, Hunger, Snow or Chaste Moon. This was the moon of unpredictable times, when food supplies ran low and uncertainty prevailed. As such the Celts would rattle, drum, dance and chant in order to control the storms which would almost certainly follow.
This Storm Moon is not only new on Friday, but is also a super moon (in perigee - at its closest point to earth) and a blue moon (2nd new moon in the same calendar month). Rare and exciting times - make the most of them.
Read more 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

The Seed Moon

In a few minutes the dark moon will be behind us and the new Seed Moon will be born. This was the moon the Celts waited for as it marked a time of movement, of increase and of the sewing of the crops.
Many people seem to have had their own personal battles to face through this long hard winter, be they to do with health, jobs, or finance and most people are now looking forward to bringing a little warmth into their lives both literally and symbolically.
I hope that the new seed moon brings a certain lightness to both your lives and your spirit.
Read more 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

The Arrival of the Sap Moon

At last the Sap Moon is due to enter our skies t 19.51 tomorrow (11th March). This is the Moon that the Celts would have been waiting for it heralded better times to come. It foretold that the winter was almost at an end and the way almost clear for the spring. With the threat of snow today however, we might have to wait a while before a little sesonal warmth is felt!
This Moon was so called because the sap was in deed rising and that with the 'Seed Moon' in April the planting time could begin.
Read more - 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

May the Sap Moon bring warmth and sunshine into your lives.

December New Moon

Today sees the birth of the Oak Moon in the sign of Sagittarius.
This moon completes the lunar cycle and to the Celts personified strength, stamina, life, death and rebirth, The oak was sacred to bothCeltic Druids, as many of their ceremonies were carried out in oak lined groves and also to the Roman God Jupiter.
The Oak moon wasan especially appropriate name for the December moon as the Winter Solstice was the time when the Oak King battled with the Holly King and defeated him, thus signifying the return of spring and summer.

Read more 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

The Birch Moon

The new crescent moon should be visible either tonight or tomorrow and this moon was known as the Birch Moon to our Celtic ancestors.
This was the moon under which the development of sacred inner awareness was practised as it was thought to hold a promise of things to come. The Celts attributed protective qualities to the birch tree and it was therefore treasured throughout the dark months of winter.
The moon moves into the sign of Sagittarius today, which is indicated for all legal matters, education and ethics.
As I write the Moon is passing in front of Mercury which is visible with a motorised telescope from the UK, but due to cloud cover will not be seen by many.
Read more:  'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

The Blood Moon

October's new moon should now be visible in our skies just before sunset. This was the Celtic Blood Moon and was the time when the maternal qualities of the Goddess were honoured, including the gift of life itself. The Celts believed that the spirit of a person dwelt within the blood and as the harsh times approached, the Gods were called upon to strengthen the blood of the tribe.
This Blood Moon is in the sign of Libra - time for artistic activities, justice, partnerships, emotional balance, love, and diplomacy. May the Blood Moon strengthen your resolve and bring you peace of mind.
Read more 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

The Harvest Moon

Today welcomes the new 'Harvest Moon' , the moon under which the remainder of the corn and the beginning of the vegetable harvests took and indeed still take place.
This is the time when our Mother Earth allows us to take from her belly the very food that will fill our own and so it is a moon beneath which we should give thanks.
For the Celts this moon signified a time of magic, healing and wisdom and many late summer evenings would be spent around the fire chanting healing charms and listening to old tales of magic and mystery.
Enjoy these golden days of summer as the bountiful Goddess shares her gifts with Her children.
Read more - 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

April Night Sky Delights

This Saturday (21st) marks the time of the April New Moon which was known to the ancient Celts as the Hare Moon as its lusty nature was synonymous with this fertile time of year. Itwas thought that as the earth began to warm up so did human passions! Interestingly the new moon rises in the sign of Taurus, the earthy sign of physical love and sexuality.

The 21st and 22nd also bring us The Lyrid meteor shower. These meteors disintigrate as they hit the earth's atmosphere, but often produce luminous trains of dust that last for several seconds. Around 20 meteors per hour are visible and will be best seen after midnight in the north east. As long as it is clear the new moon will give good visibility.

Enjoy the show.

Read more ' Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

Welcoming the Seed Moon

Today at 14.37GMT the Seed Moon emerges in the sign of Aries.

To the Celts this moon signified the planting time and the promise that the strengthening sun would nuture them and bring forth summer fruits.

Tonight is auspicious for magic rituals involving new beginnings and projects, especially with its Arian aspect as this heightens leadership, rebirth, willpower and general health and vitality.

May the Seed Moon bring you many blessings.

The Sap Moon

Tomorrow (21st) sees the birth of the 'Sap Moon' at 22.34GMT in the sign of Aquarius. This moon was one of hope to the Celts and brought sure and certain knowledge that the sap was beginning to rise within the earth's vegetation and that the new planting time was now only a moon cycle away.

The moon in Aquarius signifies a time of fairness, objectivity, trustworthiness and reason. It is also capable of bestowing flashes of genius and general good luck. Enjoy!

Read more in 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

The Storm Moon

The new crescent moon is now apparent in our evening skies and was known by the Celts as the storm or snow moon.
Although we may moan at a snow shower or the high winds, for the Celts, when food supplies were begining to run low, this time of year was still a far cry from spring. As such they would drum, chant and sing to appease the Gods and keep the cold weather and wild storms at bay.
Why not have a 'storm moon' celebration this week with plenty of drumming chanting and singing to appease the cold Gods of winter. Enjoy.
Read more in 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

The Blood Moon

Today sees the new moon in Libra, a time of balance and fair judgment. This moon was referred to as the 'blood moon' by the Celts as it was a time when the maternal qualities of the Goddess and in deed life itself was revered and honoured.
The Celts believed that the spirit of a person dwelt in his or her blood and as such the Gods were asked to strengthen the blood of the tribe before the harsh weather began. It was also the time when animals were brought in from pasture and certain ones were chosen for slaughter.
As we journey into the autumn may the blood moon bring you many blessings.
From 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

The Wine Moon

The waxing crescent should just be visible tonight in the sign of libra. The next two days are auspicious for performing magic in connection with the arts, justice, partnerships, emotional balance, peace and love.

This new moon is the wine moon which was believed to be the moon blessed by the Gods and under which, after consuming copius amounts of wine, the Celts practised various methods of divination.

Raise a glass of rich red tonight and toast Dionysus.

Heavenly July

What an exciting month again in the heavens.

We begin today with the new Cancer moon and a partial solar eclipse which although only visible from Antarctica, nevertheless makes its effects felt across the world, as once again changes are called for in many spheres of life especially money and home life.

What makes this month extra special however is the rare event of a second new moon in the month on the 30th, something often known as a 'black moon'. The black moon, according to Mrs Darley in 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries' was the moon of bewitchment and temptation although as this moon falls in conjunction with Venus it has the potential to bring something very exciting into our lives.

Also in the latter part ofthe month two meteor showers will be visible. The 28-29th brings us the Delta Aquarids, whilst 29-30th brings the Capricornids.

What a wonderful time to be alive!

Eclipse Changes

What a potentially exciting month June promises to be! The New Moon came into being at 22.15 GMT last night which coincided with a partial solar eclipse and although the eclipse wasn't visible from the UK, its effects are still felt across the world.

Eclipses and solar ones in particular, always herald change and this time that change is going to be particularly noticable for those born under an air sign, namely; Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. The good news is, that as the eclipse forms a harmonious aspect to Saturn, which sits within the sign of Libra at the moment, then hopefully these changes will be positive ones for all concerned.

Other events this month which give us great topics of blog conversation include the full moon which also heralds a lunar eclipse and is visible from the UK, the summer solstice and the mid summer fires on the south west peninsular of Cornwall.

Enjoy the sun as He moves towards the height of his power in the northern hemisphere.

Perseids Meteors & Harvest Moon

Today sees the birth of the new Moon in Leo, often referred to by the ancients as the 'harvest moon' so called because this was the time of the harvesting of the first fruits and the gathering of the grain.

It was also a time for practising magic, especially that which would protect throughout the dark months to come. Coupled with this was the gaining of wisdom and knowledge usually by some means of divination. Healing too was practised in order that the tribe and their animals would journey into the dark time in as healthy state as possible.

The new moon however is not the only event taking place in the heavens this week, for between the 12th and 14th August the Perseids Meteor Shower peaks and on a clear night we can expect to see approximately 60 meteors per hour shooting across the sky as long as there is little light pollution. It might be worth driving into the countryside for.

Enjoy the show!

New Moon and Solar Ecipse

Tomorrow (10th July) heralds two important events. The first is a total solar eclipse at 20.32 and although it will only be visible in the Southern Pacific, Easter Island and parts of South America, its effects will still be felt around the world.

Eclipses are often seen as harbingers of doom and gloom, however this one indicates a time of opportunity, realisation and an awakening to economic, environmental and humanitarian issues.

The New Moon at 20.40 is in the sign of Cancer which encourages us to enjoy our homes and gardens; not too difficult a task at this time of year. It is a time for family get togethers in order to enjoy the pleasures of eating, socialising, talking and listening to each other.

The July moon was known by the Celts as the 'Wort Moon'. Wort was an infusion of ground malt and was combined with yeast to make beer. It was only made at this time of year as the summer sun provided the warmth required for fermentation. Under the Wort Moon movements of the heavens were noted and predictions made.

Lady of the Moon,

Keeper of Secrets,

In many guises,

Through many lifetimes

Have I drunk of your infinite beauty.

I lift my eyes to meet your gaze,

And see life reflected

Through the timeless mirror

Of your cyclic dance.

(From 'Keeper of Secrets' : Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries)

New Moon

A new moon is born today at 12.14pm in the sign of Gemini, although it will not be visible in the sky until tomorrow evening. A new moon always offers us a chance to begin again, to start new projects to reinstate the diet, the exercise regime or impliment a new way of being.

The new moon is akin to the maiden and as such provides us with the perfect excuse to be frivolous and care free, regardless of our age, before the responsibilites of the mother moon begin to take hold. Traditionally the new moon is beneficial for:

• Beginning building projects


• Moving to a new home


• Getting married


• Making investments


• Cutting hair and nails


• Cutting healing herbs


• Exercising

Whenever you see the new crescent for the first time you should turn over any silver coins you have in your pocket and hopefully they will double in value before the month is out. It is also considered good etiquette to bow to the new moon so as not to upset her, a practice that Robert Graves the author always adhered to, albeit he multiplied it by nine, much to the embarrassment of his children.

May your dreams bloom and flourish under the new June moon! (Information taken from Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries)