Weyland’s Whey, December 24th-January 20th 2026, Birch Moon Column

The Celtic Tree Calendar, often used by modern Neopagans and Druid practitioners as a way (no pun intended) to connect with nature and olden Celtic spirituality, was inspired by Celtic and Druidic traditions. It’s primarily based on work of the poet Robert Graves, assigning a different tree to each of the thirteen lunar months, based on the Ogham alphabet, which was a medieval script used to write early Irish. Graves used letters of the Ogham to correspond to different trees, which he employed to develop the calendar. Modern pagans often use fixed dates for each of these lunar months instead of the waning and waxing selenic cycle to prevent this calendar from falling out of sync with the Gregorian one. The Birch moon represents rebirth and regeneration. (After forest fires, the Birch tree grows back first.) It’s also associated with creativity and fertility magics, as well as protection and healing.

(Learn Religions)

Meanwhile, back on the Gregorian calendar, the first full moon of the year will rise on January 3rd, 2026. It’s named the Wolf Moon, cause wolves were thought to be more out and about this time of year. It’s also a Supermoon–happening at lunar perigee, the moon’s closest point to Earth–and will look bigger and brighter than normal ones. (Think Clark Kent versions.) While the Wolf Moon is symbolic of intuition, survival and inner strength, the Supermoon aspect will magnify its spiritual and emotional qualities.

(www.timeanddate.com, The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Hindustan Times)

The Wrap up: Wey’s Opinion. Combined with the Birch Moon’s traits of regeneration and rebirth, this is a time for new goals and renewed prowess, with a knack for transcending your troubles tossed in for good measure. I’m betting on you, Pilgrim!

Wish Upon a Star: 2025 Astrology Diary, by Patsy Bennett. Back when I reviewed this trim little paperback last January, I was so impressed I vowed to read and use it every single day of the year and promised to give a full report on my experiences. Through no fault of the Diary, my results were unimpressive. I lost it several times for weeks at a stretch–I tried to blame the disappearances on house elves or by saying the book had gone “walkabout” (think Crocodile Dundee) –but in actual fact, I just kept misplacing it. The Diary failed to forewarn me about my heart attack, but it had told me to “be prepared for delays” on the previous day. (An eight month delay on the day job wasn’t what I would’ve had in mind anyway! This is why I never give medical advice in any of my readings, not even for myself. Shaun Murphy I’m not!) I did accomplish all the rest of my intentions for that year. Will take that as a win. Carpe scrotum. I still give the Diary high marks. Not the book’s fault I couldn’t hang onto it. I’m recommending the 2026 version sight unseen. Helpful hint: If you’re in the United States, get the Northern Hemisphere edition.

MUSIC Review: Greenman Oak King Sage. Catchy tune, and I love their depiction of the Green Man. It may not be art, but I like it. 4 1/2 broomsticks.

(You Tube dravenashleycruz)

TV Review: “Don’t You Cry No More.” Supernatural ran for an astonishing 15 seasons. Now on Amazon Prime Video, the Winchester brothers are retracing their demon-hunting journey. (The show is also streaming on other platforms as well, like Peacock.) Be advised.

(TV Guide.)

FILM Review: “And Your Little Dog, Too.”  This picture needs no introduction! The Wizard of Oz is my absolute favorite movie of all time! The music, the vocals, the outfits! Special effects that still stand up 85 years later! (Like the twister that whisked Dorothy and Toto off their Kansas farm and into Munchkinland!) And Margaret Hamilton stole every scene she was in! My verdict: 5 broomsticks, of course!

What’s on Your Nightstand? I like to read two or three books at the same time. Sparkle says I’m nuts, but I’ve been doing it this way for decades. Right now I’m perusing Bonfire, by Krysten Ritter of Jessica Jones and Breaking Bad fame (BTW, recent rumors declaring she’s dead have been confirmed as a hoax), 100 Rules for Living to 100, by Dick Van Dyke–who, just so you know, Pilgrim, wrote the whole book himself–and Pagan Threat. Sparkle is currently reading Cocktails with George and Martha, by Philip Gefter, about the making of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Happy New Year!

Bio: Weyland Smith is an eclectic solitaire wytch and a columnist for Pagan Pages. You can find him at [email protected]  No check too big, no task too small…