December skies

December brings the year to a close and provides us with heavenly excitement.

The 10th offers us a lunar eclipse which is visible throughout Europe, East Africa, Asia, Austrailia, the Pacific and North America. The moon rises at 15.51 GMT and will appear above the eastern horizon already fully eclipsed as a dull red orb, but you will be able to watch the shadow of the earth uncovering it if the afternoon is clear.

The 13 and 14th bring the Geminids meteor shower, which many consider to be the best one as they can produce up to 60 multicoloured meteors per hour. Best viewing is in the east after midnight.

The 22nd is the Winter Solstice at 5.30am GMT. This is the shortest day of the year, the first day of winter and a celebration of the return of the sun. May the season bring many blessings.

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'

Friday - The Sailors Dread

For sailors, Fridays were once filled with dread, for they believed that witches reigned supreme on Fridays and as such could weald great powers over the waters.

The Bristish admiralty once decided to prove the absurdity of this superstition and so ordered the keel of a new ship to be built on a Friday, named the ship Friday, launced her on Friday and gave the command to a man called Friday. However, although the ship was new and sea worthy when it left port, neither it or the crew were ever heard of again!

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements'

The Season of Water

Ours is a world dominated by water, from soft rains and still lakes to iced glaciers and flowing rivers. None however can compare either in size or temperament to the wild untamed oceans that surround every outcrop of land.

These vast bodies of water once provided the beneficial environment in which life began to develop and even today support the greatest variety of living organisms on earth, from microscopic algae to the largest living creature - the blue whale.

It is little wonder then that these waters were revered as sacred, a fact which has led to many Gods and Goddesses becoming associated with our seas and oceans.

The oldest of the water Gods was Pontus, produced by Gaea herself at the very edge of time. Gaea's later union with Uranus produced Oceanus whose power was inferior to none but Zeus. As time passed however the Olympians stamped their authority over both the earth and the waters, with jurisdiction of these being given to Poseidon, whilst Oceanus was guided towards retirement.

Read more: 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements'

Meteor shower

This month brings us yet another heavenly spectacular, the first of which is tomorrow night (5th November) when the Taurids meteor shower peaks. There is a chance of some spectacular fire balls from around midnight to early morning, especially as the moon sets around 1 am to darken the skies.

Many of the planets are also in view including Mercury which shines at its best on the 9th, whilst Venus, Mars and Saturn are visible between the 9th to the 14th. One of the best meteor showers in 33 years due later in the month will blog with more details then, meanwhile enjoy the firewaorks and the shower.

Beauty comes in many forms

We all revere youth and fresh faced beauty and spend thousands of pounds trying to recapture that which all too fleetingly flies away. What we often fail to realise however is that beauty is present in many forms - a well lined face - silver hair - a knarled and naked tree - a barren field of rich dark soil and the inner beauty of the soul. At this darkening time of year, when the light is fading and the earth turns to rest, rejoice and give thanks for the gifts of the crone.
The following is an excerpt from a Samhain poem in 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'. The book will tell you what happens next.

The Mermaid

Intermittent moonlight
Silvers her greying hair
And I become aware
That the woman I live with is ageing.
Upon a once perfect canvas,
Lines are worn
Where time has drawn
Its hand across her face.
I yearn for youth and beauty,
One to excite
And bring delight
To satisfy my longing......