TThe pinnacle of Winter is upon folks domicile in the Northern Hemisphere when the 22nd Solar term commences on Winter Solstice (21 December 2022), marking the beginning of the “Extreme Winter” node. When the North bids Sun adieu in favour the longest night, the South heralds the zenith of the Sun and welcomes the opposing Solstice. The Sun ingresses into zodiacal sign of the mountain Goat, Capricorn on 22 Dec. This particular lunar month is depicted in Asian paintings by the pairing of a falcon, pine tree and a wren, and known to the Ancients Chinese as ‘Preserved or Meat Month’.
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.
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