Weyland’s Whey Yule 2025 Column

Yule and the New Moon

This Sabbat happens between December 20th and 23rd. The precise date varies according to Earth’s tilt and orbit. This year Yule will be observed on December 21st, a date that marks the longest night and shortest day of 2025 and symbolizes the move from darkness to light as the days grow longer again. The New Wolf Moon is going to be the last new moon of autumn (not a typo, Pilgrim–winter doesn’t start until December 21st, and Wolfie rises on the 19th) and will encourage setting new intentions as well as thoughts about personal growth and expansion, due to its association with the Sagittarius New Moon. A great time for starting new activities and adventures!

(Wikipedia, grandmasgrimorie.com, Fullmoonology, Siri)

Neptune came out of retrograde December 10th, 2025

Next the planet “stations direct”, to shift from retrograde to direct motion. What now? That depends, Pilgrim–on you. This is a time of emotional recalibration and potential awakening, which can prompt quiet introspection and renewed sense of purpose.

Make the most of it.

(Astrostyle, People)

Color Schemes

White is a power color. It can be used to dispel negative energy and attract positive vibes. Pantone, a famous color factory, declared white the color of the year for 2026. Well, not white precisely, but Cloud Dancer. Now, to the unwashed–like moi–that’s white. Pantone says not exactly, there’s more to it. It’s not just plain white, it’s a warm and cool hue that reflects an overwhelmed feeling among observers who feel the world in general and tech in particular–especially AI–is invading our lives. According to them, looking at this shade is like watching clouds in the sky. I guess it gets your mind serene. Now, I’ve gotta be one of those dull souls who’s too dense to appreciate nuance, cause Cloud Dancer just looks white to me. Okay, maybe dirty white. And I like fleecy clouds as much as the next manic depressive, but if I want to relax, I’ll peek up at the real things instead of squinting at a color swatch. Call me pedestrian. (“Hey, pedestrian!”) Sheesh.

Now, Uncle Wey knows what you’re thinking, Pilgrim: WTF is a color factory? Try an interactive art exhibit/selfie museum that has brightly colored room sized installations all themed by the concept of color. (I found this explanation inscrutable yet fascinating. Look it up, see what you think.) There are permanent installations in NYC, Houston and Chicago.

Personally, I’m content with the witchy viewpoint on this hue: Bad vibrations out, good feelings in, protection and moving energies around. That’s spellbinding enough for me.

Hey presto.

(USA Today, Wikipedia, magical-rituals.com, shutterstock,com, horoscope.com)

For Your Deliberation

Sparkle adores A Christmas Carol films. You know, Scrooge movies. So that’s about all we watch in December. (All month. All of them. Every year. My gods.) Anybody else think the old fart was a lot more laughs when he was mean and grumpy? Anybody? Bah humbug…

FILM Review

Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane

Mary Poppins is a classic I had never seen all the way through. I’d read the recent People cover story on Dick Van Dyke–he was Bert the chimney sweep in the movie–turning 100, and when I saw that the film was coming up again, I recorded it. I was glad I did.

Originally a series of 8 children’s books about a miraculous nanny by P.L. Travers, there were several adaptations into various genres, but I’m only familiar with the Disney flick. General consensus says Mary was some kind of witch, about which I had never thought of before and find very cool. I think Bert must have had some magic in him too, judging by his ability to keep up with Mary and her charges throughout their adventures, but that’s only my opinion.

1964. Walt Disney Productions.

5 broomsticks.

One More Thing

Have a Cool Yule!