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'

December Skies

What an exciting month lies in store across the heavens.
Tomorrow sees Jupiter at its closest approach to earth and it will be visible all night. On the 11th Mercury is at its greatest brightness and, along with Venus is visible in the early morning sky.
On the 12th the asteroid Toutatis comes close to earth, although it still remains 180 x further away than the moon. It is moving gradually towards Jupiter and can be seen with a small telescope in the early evening.
The 13th and 14th sees the Geminids meteor shower, with a multicoloured display, although meteors should be on view between 6th and 19th. View in the east after midnight. the 13th is also the date of the new moon.
The 21st heralds the return of the light and is the date we have all either been waiting for or feel apprehensive about as it heralds the end of the longest calendar of days in the Mayan calendar and has many pieces of folklore attached to it, from the end of the world to a substantial shift in consciousness.
Whatever the end of 2012 brings may it help to put you in touch with your true life's purpose.

The Birth

Beneath the sacred oak

Where the cold earth yields to slumber

And the only heartbeat

Is the sole call of the wild,

There lies a darkened hollow

Where our Mother lies in waiting,

Waiting for her labour

To bring forth the Solstice Child.

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'

Winter Solstice

Tomorrow (22nd) at 5.30am marks the point of the Winter Solstice. The word solstice actually means 'the standing still of the sun' and for a few days following this event the sun appears not to move. On or around the 25th December however it gradually begins to stay for a moment or two longer in the sky and once again begins its journey back to full strength in the Northern hemisphere.

This is the time according to legend that the Holly and the Oak king do battle for the second time in the year, but this time it is the Oak king who wins and leads us joyfully towards the summer.

May the solstice bring you many blessings.

Taken from 'MrsDarley's Pagan Whispers

The Oak Moon

The new crescent is now visible in the night sky. This is the Celtic Oak Moon which takes us up to and beyond the Winter Solstice. This was an appropriate name for the December moon as it was the time that the symbolic battle between the oak and the holly kings took place and the oak king won, signifying the return to the light.

Oak trees were sacred to the Celts as many of their religious ceremonies were carried out in oak lined groves. This Moon completed the Celtic lunar cycle and personified strength, stamina, life, death and rebirth.

From 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

Winter Solstice Blessings

On this the shortest day of the year, the light of hope shines in the darkness and heralds a time of renewal and beginnings. The following is an extract from 'Mrs Darly's Pagan Whispers'.

'Leaving for work one morning just as it was getting light, a few days before Christmas, I could just make outthe silhouette of Mrs Darley sitting on her doorstep, wrapped cosily in a warm shawl. Thinking she was locked out, I asked if she needed any help.

She shook her head, "No thank you dear, I'm waiting."

"I see," I said, not wishing to ask for whom.

"I'm waiting for the sun," she said, answering my silent question. "This is one of the most momentous occasions of the northern hemisphere when the sun begins His journey back to full strength. Most people let it slip by without a word, without even knowing. You should stay a moment."

"I can't," I said, "I have an early meeting."

"So have I," said Mrs Darley, her eyes never wavering from the distant horizon.'

Solstice blessings.

Winter Solstice at Newgrange

Next week heralds an exciting time, for the solstice, the full moon and a lunar eclipse all converge on the 21st, the day which heralds the return of the sun.

For the Irish Celts, the winter solstice was held in high esteem as evidenced by the magnificent burial tomb at Newgrange in the Boyne Valley in County Meath, a monument which predates both the pyramids and Stonehenge and which took 40 years to build.

For approximately 5 days around the winter solstice, the rising sun shines through a roof box positioned above the entrance to the tomb and penetrates the depths of the triple chambered tomb. This beautifully crafted burial chamber stands as a testament to the high esteem in which the ancestors were held, by the Neolithic people of Ireland.

Newgrange is well worth a visit however, if you intend to go specifically at the winter solstice, do take note that over 25000 people usually put their names down to be one of the 25 lucky people to watch the sunrise!

From 'Mrs Darleys Pagan Whispers'

Sacred Holly

There has been much debate about whether holly represents the masculine or feminine principal. One school of thought considers it to be masculine because of its prickly nature and see the red berries as being symbolic of the sacrificial God spilling his blood upon the fields. Another school of thought considers it to be feminine, and that the red berries symbolise the menstrual blood of the Goddess.

The Saxons however, recognised that holly could represent both the male and female principal. They called holly without berries 'he' holly and holly with berries was referred to as 'she' holly. If more 'he' holly than 'she' was brought into the house, then the husband would rule the home for the following year, whilst if more 'she' holly was present then the wife would be in charge.

Perhaps we should all aim for a little of each in order to bring balance and harmony this winter solstice.

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'