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.…

My current research says Imbolc is to be held on February first this year. I swear to the Goddess I was taught it was always on February second. I’d ask my pal Mihos–he was in the same class–but he ain’t handy. Since I’m the suspicious type, we’ll go with February second. (Don’t agree, Pilgrim? Go write your own column.) Moving on, the Imbolc Sabbat is at the midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox and heralds the very first breath of oncoming Springtime. It can be a one-day event or a multiple day celebration, depending upon authority cited. It happens when the Sun transits Aquarius–which is associated with change, humanitarianism…

The Thirteen Months of the Celtic Tree Calendar are associated with sacred trees. They symbolize qualities and individual growth through the cycles of nature. This calendar is a modern construct which comes from the work of Robert Graves, poet and author of The White Goddess (1948). He based his ideas upon his own interpretations of the Ogham alphabet, Celtic mythology, selenic cycles and poetic symbolism. The Rowan Moon is frequently called “The Tree of Protection”. It’s aligned with spiritual strength and intuition, shielding and higher knowledge. The Celts thought Rowan trees–which have red berries and white flowers–were good for magical work due to their protective traits. These trees are useful for meditation and…

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…

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…

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…

New Moon Be advised, Pilgrims: the next new moon will be on Thursday November 20th (that’s tomorrow for the befuddled. Like myself). Its Moon Sign will be in Scorpio. It will signify a time of intentional transformation and emotional renewal. A time of manifestation, ideal for setting intentions and beginning new projects. I’d ask for a raise, but then my boss might set some new intentions for me! (www.fullmoonology.com, Astrology King)   MUSIC Review Touch on Me. By October London, from his October Nights album. 2024. (Today’s R&B on Music Choice.) 4 1/2 broomsticks.   Happy Thanksgiving!   Crystal Clear A limited series by Mihos Light and Lighting, Part Two Light therapy, also called…

Leave It to Beaver No, Pilgrim, the Beaver Moon wasn’t named after the old TV show. This moniker came from Algonquin Native American tribes and the American colonists, who were fond of nicknaming full moons based on hunting trends, weather conditions and farming routines. This one will also be another supermoon–no relation to Clark Kent–the biggest and brightest full moon of 2025. It will be the second supermoon of the year, followed by a third next month. Magically, it’s energy represents preparation, security and resourcefulness. It’s a good time to round up and protect what you’ll need to weather the winter. And not just physically. (I’m making up Sparkle’s Yule gift list…

  Samhain The online version of The Encyclopedia Britannica says that Samhain was originally held on November first by the ancient Celts. Hundreds of years later the Christian church stacked it’s own traditions onto Samhain. Pope Boniface IV established All Saints Day in the Seventh Century CE as a holy day. A century later the holiday was moved from May thirteenth to November first, probably as a Christian replacement for the pagan one. The night before the new Christian celebration turned into All Hallows Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween. In modern times neo-pagans and Wiccans have included Samhain onto the Wheel of the Year as one of the Greater Sabbats. Many…

  Shine on, Harvest Supermoon It will happen on October 6th, and it’s going to be the biggest and brightest full moon of 2025. The first of three–count ’em, three!–consecutive supermoons this year. Astrologically, this luminary falls in Aries, so think passion and impulsivity.  It’ll be the spice in your cider, Pilgrim. Shaken and stirred. (Yahoo!, www.northjersey.com, www.space.com, Old Farmer’s Almanac)   Canary in a Coal Mine Call them circles of bad intentions. Where wiccans and pagans aren’t welcome. Other minorities are already labeled unwanted, unloved, hunted even. Maybe I’m paranoid. I hope I am. But I can feel bad intentions in the air, growing stronger. Halloween is a secular holiday derived…