AT Imbolc, we celebrate the polarity seasons once more. It seems like yesterday we were celebrating the Solstices (Winter in Oz and Summer in the N. Hemisphere) but it was only roughly six weeks ago! Imbolc celebrates the Return of Spring. Nature's cues come with the sprouting of saffron crocuses, snowdrops or new tree buds. The first born offspring begin to appear - even the term 'Off spring' meaning 'OF' Spring references the season we herald in
Read more10th Solar Term + Summer Solstice
The term Solstice is ubiquitously observed among many cultures, but in the main it refers to a single day occurrence. However, when referring to the 10th Solar term - ‘Xia zhi’ - it’s approx. a 14 days period, collectively referred to as ‘Summer Solstice’ or ‘Great Heat’. From a Feng Shui perspective it’s one of the more significant 24 Solar terms. On June 21st. 2020 @ 1:31pm the day normally reserved for the single day observation of the Solstice the Sun enters the sign of Cancer.
On June 21st. 2020 the day normally reserved for the single day observation of the Solstice, coincides with a New Moon @0deg of Cancer and it’s an Annular Solar Eclipse to boot!
Read moreFeng Shui Winter Solstice and Hemispheres
The December Solstice, is known as the Winter Solstice in Northern Hemisphere; but since December is a Summer month in the Southern Hemisphere, 21 Dec is a Summer Solstice. As I currently live in Oz; the longest day of the year beckons. Both Solstices’ always reminds me of my Celtic homeland roots. I miss celebrating classic winter Yuletide vibes when the December Solstice occurs Down under - a warm Xmas is mind bending for this European!
Read more7th Solar Term :: Beginning of Summer Lixia 立夏
The solar calendar shifts gear into the first Fire governed animal sign of the Yin Wood 乙 Snake ⺒ and Feng Shui energies adjust accordingly. May 5 also heralds the seventh solar term of Lixia 立夏 - 'Beginning of Summer', in the Chinese calendar system which commences 1½ months before comparative late Spring vibes in the Western Calendar. In the lunisolar calendar the fourth lunar month began under the New Moon on 1 May @ 10 Taurus. Known to the Ancient Chinese simply as 'Locust Tree' or 'Cherry blossom' month and depicted in paintings by the swallow and wisteria.
Read more6th Solar Term - Spring Showers (Gu Yu 穀雨)
The last Solar term of Spring is upon us. Indicated by the 6th solar term of Grain Rain or, Spring Showers as it’s also known in the N. Hemisphere, commencing on 20th April. Luna’s third swollen face of the Chinese year will be fullest on April 27th (AEST) at 7° Scorpio. Depicted in Chinese paintings by pairing a Crow with cherry blossom. And we’re currently at the mid-point of Water Dragon month, while in the western astrological system, the sun enters earthy Taurus season.
Read moreQing ming - 5th Solar Term Clear + Bright
The Vernal Equinox was but a fortnight ago. The 5th solar term commences on April 5th 2022 and we usher in the month of Chinese Wood Dragon. This Solar term is the only term whose first day is also a traditional Chinese festival, known as Qing Ming.
Read moreSpring Equinox - 4th Solar Term
For most folks the March (Vernal*) Equinox, has singular astronomical phenomenon; when the length of a day and night are said to be equal. To devotees of the Pagan Calendar, the equinoxes represent Mabon or Ostara festivals, held over a few days. And to the Ancient Asian forefathers of Chinese calendrical calculations, it also signaled more than a given day; it was the beginning of the fortnight long 4th Solar term commencing on 21 Mar 2023 @ 05:35am, Beijing.
And a New moon follows just hours afterward on 22 March @1:23am. And this lunation see the inserting of an intercalary (leap) month and an extended Rabbit month. The sun also enters a new astrological sign, kicking off the Aries season, the beginning of the Western Astrological Year.
Read moreMABON + OSTARA
No matter where you’re living on the globe, a cyclical change is occurring. Sept./Mar 21st/22nd every year marks the annual Equinox pairs; one marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator – from North to South and vice versa at the time of the opposing. To devotees of the Pagan Calendar, it represents Mabon or Ostara, a time of year - not a singular date - on the Celtic Wheel of the Year.
Read more2023 Autumn Equinox (Qiu Fen) 16th Solar Term
The Equinoxes work in pairs; marking the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator – from North to South and vice versa at the time of the opposition. If you’re unfamiliar with Asian Solar Terms, then the word ‘Equinox’, may only hold a singular astrological date and meaning that’s done and dusted on one day. However, to devotees of Solar Terms, Qiu Fen 秋分 (Autumn Equinox), represents a two week long occurrence beginning on 23 Sept 14:52 Beijing and ends 7 Oct. The same period in the Pagan Calendar, represents ‘Mabon’ on the Celtic Wheel of the Year. While we remain in Rooster Month; in Western astrology the Sun enters the astrological sign of balance and checks, kicking off Libra season.
Read moreLughnasa + God of Light Lugh
It's time to celebrate the Polarity of Seasons again. Phenologists will appreciate, when the dog days of summer bring balmy humidity, I know my internal barometer is in sync with seasons! The dog days of Summer coupled with the end July (or Jan in S.H), are both calendar and celestial indicators; a midpoint point between Solstice and the next Equinox and the heliacal rising of Sirius the Dog star. This crucial time on the Celtic Wheel of the Year is a time of Harvesting nature’s bounty, known as Lughnasadh, an Autumnal festival marker.
Read moreImbolc | Goddess Brigid | Chinese New Year
The Celtic Wheel of the Year denotes when we honour the end of a season and the beginning of the next. Often marked as festivals dates and celebrated at sacred places and landmarks where ancient builders crafted structures to showcase astronomical events. The skies two luminaries - the Sun and the Moon were the peoples calendar.
It seems like yesterday we were celebrating the Solstices (Winter in Oz and Summer in the N. Hemisphere) but it was only roughly six weeks ago! Now we celebrate the return of Spring. Nature's cues come with the sprouting of saffron crocuses, snowdrops or new tree buds. The first born offspring begin to appear - even the term 'Off spring' meaning 'OF' Spring references the season we herald in.
Read moreImbolc | Candlemas & Goddess Brigid
It seems like yesterday we were celebrating the Solstices (Winter in Oz and Summer in the N. Hemisphere) but it was only roughly six weeks ago! Now we celebrate the return of Spring and the Sun rise. Nature's cues come with the sprouting of saffron crocuses, snowdrops or new tree buds. The first born offspring begin to appear - even the term 'Off spring' meaning 'OF' Spring references the season we herald in.
Read more