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Magical Moons
If it's not too cloudy wherever you may be tonight, this is how the moon will look for you :
Full Moon Nights for 2013
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There will be a |
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'A Night Spent Under the Moon' M. Forster Knight |
You might like to try the very simple Full Moon ritual on my Diaryblog page for March 30th 2010
Muddypond talks more about how you might see in a New Moon here on Diaryblog page for April 3rd 2011
New Moon Nights for 2013
Friday January 11, Sunday February 10, Monday March 11, Wednesday April 10,
Friday May 10, Saturday June 8, Monday July 8, Tuesday August 6,
Thursday September 5, Saturday October 5, Sunday November 3, Tuesday December 3,
The names for the twelve or thirteen full moons of the year have been used for centuries, dating from long before modern day clocks and calendars. There are Celtic names, North American Indian names, Inuit names, Medieval names, Hindu names, names used by farmers and tribes all over our world.
In Chinese mythology for example, the term "Dragon Moon" is used for the full moon in May. This pleases old Storm and his dragon friends a lot. (See lots more about Full Moon names on my 'Naming of Moons' page here.)
Each of the full moons has its own particular energy pattern and strength, and because of the time of year is suitable for different magical workings and meditations.
That said - each and every full moon holds power and wonder - and for magics, is a time of celebration.
The Full Moon after Yule or the moon of January is the closest we can come to it in the modern Gregorian Calendar. The Birch Moon of Ogham and the Druids. The Cold Moon, The Ice Moon or The Moon of the Long Nights for the Native American Indians, and in China - The Holiday Moon.
The Magics, as part of 'the old ones', use of the term "Wolf Moon" for the moon which shines on or after the Yeneasira - 21st December - Winter Solstice, is derived from several cultures and mixed into their magical ceremonial calendar.
Full moon on the actual night of the Winter Solstice is a very rare event, once in a lifetime if we are lucky! The next time this will happen is (was!!) Dec 21st 2010.
Now some might say that the name for that Moon, if it is full between Dec 21st and Jan 1st - should be "The Full Cold Moon", or the "Oak Moon" and they may be right. It's a complicated business!
Many say that the Wolf Moon shines only in January, and of course all its magic and rituals remain the same, but they are not taking the Solstice into account! I believe the Seer. Who wouldn't!
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The Wolf Moon 2011, |
A Celebration for the Wolf Moon:
Wolf Moon, coming as it does in the darkest and coldest part of the year in the Northern hemisphere, is associated with hibernation, fire, ancestors and family.
If the night is not overcast, be outside if you can - but whatever the weather you may do all or any of these things:
☼ First, cast a circle if you will, and ask your gods to be with you, and watch over you under the moon
☼ Burn a white candle - white for new beginnings - important for Wolf Moon, herald of the new year and the gradual lengthening of the days.
☼ Burn a little incense (see two of my herbal incense recipes below)
☼ Think of the moonlit beauty, meditate on earth and nature - be 'in the moment' and give thanks
☼ Think of family individuals, ask for protection for them, for health and happiness. Think of the ancestors, remember those you were lucky to know.☼ If you have time for nothing else, watch the video below and ponder on the marvels of art and the incredible power and beauty of the wolf.
This video from includes the amazing wildlife paintings of Collin Bogle
Wolf Moon Incense 1 (simple) - use all or any of:
* 1 teaspoon crushed, dried birch leaf - (ruling Ogham tree of the Wolf Moon - purity and new beginnings)
* ½ teaspoon dried rosemary - (health and love)
* ½ teaspoon dried lavender - (happiness and peace)Wolf Moon Incense 2 - blend, crush or powder together:
* 1 teaspoon frankincense - (protection, spirituality)
* 1 teaspoon birch leaf - ( ruling Ogham tree of the Wolf Moon - purity and new beginnings)
* pinch of powdered sandalwood or two drops of pure sandalwood oil - (health, positive energies)
* ½ teaspoon dried rosemary - (health and love)
* 6 dried juniper berries - (health, fire and warmth)See much more information on the magic of the Birch Tree here on my Ogham Tree page.
Extract from "The Wolf Moon Shines on Muddypond Green" Chapter 17
"Not tomorrow, not tul’re fae – you have a little more time than that.” Azureadore’ spoke softly, “ It’s the day after tomorrow. For the only time this many and many a fairy life-span, the Wolf Moon and the Solstice night collide. It was always bound to be a time for powerful spells and wishes. We knew that. The Seer will know that anything he tries to heal or put right, will have more chance of succeeding on that special night than any other for I can’t imagine how long.”
“But Az, oh Az – we’re not ready.”
“Then,” said Storm, suddenly taking command of the situation, “We must heh GET ready !”
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The nearest full moon to the Autumn Equinox is known as the Harvest Moon. The name has Native American origins. In China the name for this moon is the Crysanthemum Moon - lovely.
The Autumn Equinox is a slightly variable date, falling on 21st, 22nd, 23rd September, depending on the year and various factors including the eliptical orbit of the earth and whether or not there's a Leap Year Day.
Because the Harvest Moon is the full moon nearest to the equinox, it will sometimes shine in October. On this day, the hours of light and dark will be equal. On 24th September each year, the Zodiac sign of Libra begins - with its symbol of the scales in equilibrium.
The day of the equinox is the first proper day of the Autumn season. It's now that the triple Goddess, who was worshipped by all in Ancient Briton is beginning to age as her year goes through its cycle. As the leaves begin to dry and colour, she goes from her aspect of warm, summer Mother to autumnal Crone who offers her people all the wisdom learned over the year, and brings them rest and healing.
The Harvest Moon shines over a time of festivals and thanksgiving feasts, still celebrated all over the world. In times gone by everyone in the community would be involved in the 'Bringing In' and the preserving of meat, fruits and vegetables for the long winter months ahead.
Apples are an important part of Harvest Home suppers, the other name for the Autumn Equinox is 'The Feast of Avalon' and Avalon means apples! Prayers and offerings were essential if a good harvest was to be granted in the following year.
Ask people what they know about the Harvest Moon and they might tell you that they think of it as huge and orange. It can be like this, and sometimes is – but this colouring can also happen at other times. When the Moon is low on the horizon, as it is in the autumn season, rays are forced to travel further through the earth’s atmospheric conditions and the Moon seems to be reflecting golden light.
The Full Moon is always the time to work faery rituals of prophecy and divination. There is extra magical power and it is the time for works of real importance. In healing this is the time to give thought to any very serious conditions among friends - a time to ask for mending of broken relationships, for new opportunities in work - and at Harvest Moon, for intervention in any legal undertakings.
Apples, Blackberries (the ruling Ogham Wood of the season - see more here) with candles and flowers of orange, gold and yellow, are all appropriate for a Full Harvest Moon Ritual. If rituals aren't for you and if it's a clear night, simply spend time outside looking and breathing the night air, or use the scrying mirror to reflect the moonlight as you think of your work and give thanks.
Harvest Moon Nights for 2010 - 2015
2010 Sep 23rd |
2011 Sep 12th |
2012 Sep 30th |
2013 Sep 20th |
2014 Sep 9th |
2015 Sep 28th |