Depending on your persuasion, the wheel of the year is prefixed by many names — Celtic, Druid, Pagan or Wicca. The familiar graphic has near cult status, bedecking the walls, altars and journals of devotees of the cosmos. In more recent times the ubiquitous image has expanded and morphed into a mystical symbol shrouded in layers of occult, spiritual and religious mystery. Freed from the shackles of cultural and metaphysical associations the Eightfold wheel is more universally appropriate and immediately demystified as sun’s celestial journey mirrored via seasonal cycles.
Read moreMISTLETOE , DRUIDS, JUPITER & SATURN
Image credit Mistletoe by Loriental Photography
I’ve been musing…. and it’s led me to Mistletoe’s door. Are we entering the Age of Mistletoe or The Return of the Druids? Mistletoe, the little freeloading plant that has remarkably synchronicities and on point themes that weaves a symbolic narrative of the prevailing astro weather. Even main stream media covering the cosmic skies with chatter of the Great Conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn; exact back on the December Solstice in 2020. My mistletoe musings unearthed some fascinating lore, far more interesting than stolen kisses, dare I say. And if we were living in bygone times the Xmas staple would be the Ancient’s secret weapon to this current health situation.
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 moreDecember Full Moon + Xia Yuan Festival
Lantern floating festival by Kyle Nishioka CC BY 2.0 via Flickr
Moon, the night-time celestial luminary holds great significance in the Chinese calendar system. Nowadays, lunas passage through the sky pretty much determines China’s cultural and religious festivals and the solar component is used for timings in Bazi and the 24 solar terms. The upcoming Frost / Cold Moon in Gemini (2025) is especially significant to Taoist devotees, as this Full Moon marks the Xia Yuan Festival. There are five Full Moon centric festivals of note in the Chinese calendar. Two of which are more widely celebrated. All five Moon festivals occur on the 15th day of a Chinese lunar month as it guarantees Luna’s fullest splendor.
Read moreROSEMARY, REMEMBRANCE & MARTINMAS DAY
Rosemary by Mark Bonica via Flickr CC02
Remembrance Day is a Memorial day that falls on 11 November to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. Originally evolving out of Armistice Day. On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, in the 11th month, folk stop for a minute silence to remember those no longer with us. In Australia, Anzac Day is reserved for veneration of fallen service men and women during World War One - it falls on April 25th annually - Lest we forget. Rosemary and Remembrance, features heavy on both days. With a swag of benefits, Rosemary’s uses got way beyond it’s culinary uses.
Read moreFEAST OF APPLES - SAMHAIN
Michela Simmoncini via Flickr CC BY 2.0
I’ve no doubt candy filled bags of loot and masks of the ghoulish variety are all that’s on the minds of kids. If Halloween fancy dress isn’t your jam, then here’s the download on the true meaning of Samhain. With some very on point cross cultural synergies with Humble apple.
SO WHAT IS SAMHAIN?
Halloween or 'Samhain' (pronounced SOW-win) as Celts called it, was first and foremost a celebration of the end of harvest time and the beginning of a dark half of the calendar year. Naive Irish speakers will know that the calendar months of May and November are called Beltaine and Samhain respectively (oh and August is called Lunasa). These are three of the four Cross Quarter days on the Wheel of the Year, Imbolc in spring completes the quartet. Witches know these markers as Great Sabbats. These power points are Midpoints or Culminating points of a given season - Samhain occurs between the Fall Equinox and Yule (Winter Solstice).
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