The April Full Moon, Eostre & Christ

Tomorrow (Fri) marks 3 specific events. In the lunar calendar it is the day of the April full Moon. In the Pagan calendar it is the festival of Eostre or Ostara, Saxon Goddess of the dawn & new beginnings and in the Christian calendar it is Good Friday, the time when Christians remember the crucifixion of Christ. Despite however the unliklihood of the former two having anything to do with the latter, they are all inextricably linked.

The festival of Eostre was always a moveable lunar festival and was calculated as falling on the day of the first full moon following the Spring Equinox. When Christianity came to these islands & the powers that held sway were trying to convert the peasants to the new religion, they decided to replace the festival of Eostre with that of Easter and made a slight alteration to the date so that it was celebrated on the Christian holy day - that of Sunday.

Thus Easter is always calculated as being the Sunday following the first full moon following the Spring Equinox.

Whether you choose to honour the full Moon, Eostre or Christ tomorrow may the day bring you peace & solace.

For more information read 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers' or 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

The Wolf Moon

Although this month's new moon is now a few days old, it was once referred to as the 'Wolf Moon'. It was the first moon after the dark time and although the wolf was sacred to the Celts it was seen as a lean animal and represented a time of abstinance and suspension following the solstice activities. Although the ancients knew that the sun was gaining in strength they still recognised that the worst of the weather was yet to come.

From 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

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'

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.

The Birch Moon

The new moon is due at 20.55 today and was known by the Celts as the 'Birch Moon'. It was under this moon, during the sacred festival of Samhain (now Halloween) that the journey of sacred inner awareness was practiced and was mirrored in the natural world as it too entered a time of rest and retreat.

The birch moon was seen to hold a promise of things to come as during this month the Samhain celebrations saw the dying of the old year and the beginning of the new. Birch was also seen as having protective qualities, a useful tool to see the old tribes through the dark days to come.

Read more: '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'

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!