Weyland’s Whey December 2025 Cold Moon/Supermoon Column

This Moon is a Bright Mistress

The name Cold Moon comes from the Mohawk tribes, due to December temps. (Think “brr”.) The Mohicans called it the Long Night Moon since it rises in the lengthiest evenings of the year, around the Winter Solstice, and lingers above the horizon like a drone. It symbolizes transition and renewal. A time to ponder our dreams and goals. A supermoon is a full moon which happens when the Moon is at its nearest point to Earth in its orbit. Supermoons are energy boosters for traditional full moon esbats, magnifying psychic abilities while making possible the manifestation of fond desires. This will be the last full moon of 2025, and our third supermoon in a row, so feel free to add on some numerological significances to any spell work you conjure up tomorrow.

(The Old Farmer’s Almanac, www.britannica.com, The Local Mystic, Wiccan Gathering)

Color Schemes

Yellow has been considered a power color ever since Cory Aquino ran for president of the Philippines back in the 1980s. Yellow is great for rituals and spell work related to travel, intellect and communication. It can also be used for protection, wealth and (natch) solar energy. Yellow candles can be used to enhance mental clarity and communication, as well as to boost creativity.

(witchymagicks.com)

Crystal Clear

by Mihos

Wood

The popularity of the Harry Potter series has given “magic wands” quite the boost in popularity. But the wand is just a tool for focusing one’s own energy. It must conduct energy properly and integrate with your manifestation of magick and incantations. Choosing the proper wood makes all the difference–and not just for Harry Potter in the wand shop.

I believe it’s possible to transcend the need for tools and aides, using only your hand and sheer will power despite all the movies/stories/anime/manga. In a visual medium, it’s easy to identify the cleric by their staff or garb. In reality, the mage doesn’t need such accessories, but like a lens, it helps FOCUS the energy. As to using a broken wand, I cannot deny the pleasure of scenes such as the evil spell backfiring in Harry Potter.

As to wood itself, “knock on wood” is still ingrained into many of us.

My grandma from Russia was superstitious, rarely daring to talk of anything good “lest the evil eye take it away”.

Ashkenazi Jews world round use the Yiddish equivalent– by which is kinehore followed by pretending to spit three times.

It’s kinda comforting to know my family superstitions are so well documented.

Jews use the heart-shaped Hamsa as jewelry or house ornaments.

Go one further and many Hamsas contain the “priestly blessing” which uses the “Vulcan salute” hand gesture popularized by Star Trek.

While not used as a “magic wand”, the “yad” (Hebrew for “hand”) is the pointer used for Torah reading. Silver is the preferred metal. I’ve heard that it’s specifically made of materials NEVER used for war. Make of that what you will. 🙂

Last essay of the series.

TV Review

“Haunted Tri-State” explores supposedly haunted places within New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Hosted by Kristie Reeter. She and other News 12 anchors investigate legends and phenomena at the Bronson B. Tuttle House in Naugatuck, CT and Boonton Elks Lodge, among other sites.

Faster-paced than most shows of this genre–to me they usually seem to drag–I found it interesting and watchable.

Google it.

(News 12 Brooklyn, YouTube, www.fubotv)

4 1/2 broomsticks.

 

“The Neo-Pagan religious framework is based on a polytheistic outlook–a view that allows differing perspectives and ideas to coexist.”

–Margot Adler

 

Happy Hanukkah!

 

Bio

Weyland and Sparkle are loving the PBS series “The American Revolution” by Ken Burns.