Weyland’s Whey 2026 February 18th-March 17th Ash Moon Column

The Celtic Tree Calendar divides years into 13 lunar months. All of them are each connected to a sacred tree with particular magical qualities. This calendar is often used in modern neopagan and Druidic practices. 

Ash Tree month accompanies this calendar from February 18th to March 17th. The Ash tree is linked to various magical qualities, such as protection, healing and power to control the weather. (So where were they a couple of weeks ago when we really needed ’em, hah? Hah?)

New Moon: February 17th. It’s called the New Worm Moon cause it’s the beginning of the lunary cycle of the March full moon. It’s significant for a variety of astrological reasons. A time for transformations and new beginnings, it reminds us of natural cycles and how vital renewal and transformation are for life itself. (That’s this year, Pilgrim.) In different years, due to the changing positions of the moon as it orbits us, those alterations will cause a February full moon to start the February cycle instead. Confused yet? (I know I am!) But wait, there’s more! This new moon coincides with the annular solar eclipse (see below). It also marks the start of the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Fire Horse (see further below). All of this makes for a lot of energy, renewal and change (see way, way below)!

The aforementioned annular solar eclipse is also coming on the 17th–sorry, Pilgrim, we won’t be able to see it from the States. Them ‘s the breaks. Such an event is the kind of solar eclipse in which the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, but the Moon is too distant to cover all of the Sun. This causes a bright ring (annulus) around the sun’s silhouette. Annular solar eclipses are seen astrologically as portals for realignment, transformation and karmic revelations. They’re catalysts for change, often accelerating preordained events, nudging us into realizations and realignments. Helpful hint: never look at any kind of solar eclipse without suitable eye protection. Ever.

The 2026 Chinese New Year is going to be the Year of the Horse–the Year of the Fire Horse, to be precise–and will begin on (wait for it) February 17th. The Horse is the seventh animal of the Chinese zodiac. Since this year’s Horse is influenced by the Element of fire, 2026 can be expected to pack a lot of bold actions fueled by dynamic energies. It’s traditionally viewed as a period of adventure and vitality. Such opportunities are favored. Just hide the rent money–prudence pays.

There will be no Supermoon this month. Thank gods, I’m confused enough!

(Sources: Ireland Wilde, Sacred Wicca, Fullmoonlogy, Astrology King, the Planetary Society, TimeAndDate, Indiatimes.com, Gulf News, ChineseNewYear, Travel China Guide, China Highlights)

The Wrap-Up: it wasn’t easy to make sense out of all the above, but by listing every similarity and cherry picking the ones I could more or less understand, Uncle Weyland has cobbled together an inkling. The rest of this month is gonna be a roller coaster. Hang on and keep an eye open for the brass ring!

Bio: Weyland Smith is an eclectic solitaire wytch. He writes for PaganPagesOrg and Purrfectly Pagan eMag. Wey is currently reading Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween, which was gifted to him by his girlfriend Sparkle for Valentine’s Day. He can be reached at [email protected]