The Next Blue Moon will be on Sunday, May 31st. It’ll be the sixth full moon of the year. There are two kinds of blue moons. The best known and most common is when two full moons happen in the same month. (The second one is a blue moon, natch.) The other kind is when a season has a quartet of full moons. The third one of the four is a blue moon–actually, a seasonal blue moon. This month’s blue moon will be the last full moon of Spring and will be in Sagittarius. That will add power to an already formidable situation. A blue moon is magically stronger than a…

Hawthorne, along with Ash and Oak, is a “faerie triad” month–ones especially inviting to the fae. C’mon down! (Ya think?) The Huathe symbol represents the energies of cleansing and preparation; it’s used in Celtic Reiki and has been known to clear the mind of negativity and confusion. (Sign me up!) No other tree in this calendar better represents the terrible struggle the Celts endured when they were forced to choose between Christianity and their old ways. The Hawthorne was known for healing and death. Some Celts saw hope and rebirth when adopting the new religion while others predicted the passing–as in demise–of their very race. (Yeah, that kind of choice.) (www.thegypsythread.org/sacred-tree-calendar-celtic/) Pluto stationed…

Beltane is one of the eight Sabbats of the year. It’s celebrated on May First here in the Northern Hemisphere. This year the Sabbat is even more powerful than usual because it aligns with the Full Flower Moon, which adds an extra dose of lunar energy to the festivities. Should pack quite a wallop. The May Full Moon is called the Flower Moon because this is when the telltale signs of Spring begin to show themselves–especially bright and beautiful flowers blooming. Esbat and Sabbat Combo: The alignment’s a great and powerful portal for earth-based and lunar magicks alike. This time is ripe for releasing emotional blocks beneath the full moon, creativity…

I Looked it Up And I Still Can’t Pronounce it. Walpurgis Night. Many compare it to a Spring Halloween, although the two holidays are quite separate. Walpurgis Night is on April 30th, and originated in Germanic folklore. Historically, people believed evil spirits were especially active now, and that witches–yeah, that would be us–gathered on this evening. The night is named after Saint Walpurga, whose Feast Day is May 1st. Her canonization was meant to replace Pagan practices. The time became a blend of old Pagan rites and newer Christian influences. Walpurgis Night is celebrated in diverse ways in different countries. The most common tradition is large bonfires meant to frighten away…

The above months are part of the Ogham tree calendar. They reflect sacred cycles of the Celtic year. The Willow tree is associated with growth and healing. The next new moon will occur on April 17. Called the New Flower Moon, it’s the very first new moon of Spring. Note that since it’s in Aries, it’ll be linked to energies, initiatives and new beginnings. It can be used for setting intentions or kicking off fresh projects, too. (The Gypsy Thread, crazyalchemist.com, www.learnreligions.com, Astro-Seek.com, Fullmoonology, The Old Farmer’s Almanac) The Wrap up. This week is a good time for planning and starting anew, Pilgrims. You’ll have the zeal and gumption for hatching new…

April Fool’s Day Needs No Introduction. It’s the first of April in most countries and received its name from the tradition of playing practical jokes at this time. It’s been around for hundreds of years, but its actual origins are unknown. April Month rituals and spells tend to be about moving on and starting new ways of living, loving or simply being alive. During the late Middle Ages in fancy European courts, popular witches and sorcerers made up aphrodisiacs and potions in April especially, since it was thought to be a dandy month to conceive male heirs. Hey Presto. This Card Might. The Tarot Fool card usually shows an oblivious guy walking…

Adler Tree Month. Spells for success in business and academia work well now. Celts thought of the Adler as the Faerie’s Tree. Adler Fey have been described as “Dark Faeries” or water spirits and are quite protective of the tree. They’re rumored to dance under blooming Adlers and when they leave one they are said to morph into ravens. Adler magick applies to spiritual decisions, prophecy, resurrection, air and water magic and protection, among other talents. The next Full Moon–a.k.a. the Full Pink Moon–will be April First. Significant astrologically because it coincides with our Full Moon in Libra, it emphasizes relationships and balance. It’s a time for manifesting emotional clarity. The…

Miss Us, Pilgrim? Due to (me, at least) incomprehensible and totally inexplicable occurrences, the Pagan Pages site was down for a few days! But Jenn’s hubby got us back! (Somehow. I still don’t get how, but he did!!) Yay!!! Ostara is here! Observed around the Spring Equinox, when night and day are of equal length, this Sabbat represents truth, justice, and–no, that’s somebody else. Try rebirth, balance and a return of light. (How appropriate, hah?) It’s a time of new beginnings! Correspondences include colors of soft green, pale yellows and pastels. Face East during Ostara and you’ll align with clarity, new beginnings and awakenings. ‘Tis the Season!  Music Review: Ostara/2 Hours of Magical Springtime…