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…

Mabon This year Mabon will arrive on Monday, September 22nd. It’s the second harvest on the Wheel of the Year.  (Lughnasadh is first, Samhain is third), and it celebrates feasting, giving thanks, and preparation for Winter. Mabon Activities Try a nice, quiet walk outdoors. Helpful hint: don’t take along a dachshund, unless you’re collecting ulcers. Delinquent barks at everything. Now, since my heart attack, I’d like to think she’s actually trying to “protect” me against (to her) perceived threats, but a stroll with her is far from tranquil. I reserve walks with my little girl (three or four times a day, Pilgrim–puppies need exercise!) for times I can concentrate on her, not trying…

  Full Moon Call it the Blood Moon. It’s subject to a total lunar eclipse on September 7th-8th, depending on the observer’s time zone.  It will take about 3 1/2 hours for the Earth to pass before the moon. Totality (when Earth’s shadow fully covers the moon) will take about 1 hour, 22 minutes. Sorry, Pilgrims, this show won’t be visible from the US. It will be seen from Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe and New Zealand. According to NASA, the next total lunar eclipse seen from this country will be on March 3rd, 2026. Now, maybe we won’t be able to see it, but the astrological impact will still be…

Full Moon The Spirit Moon rises tomorrow, August 9th. Named by the Ojibwe people, indigenous to the Northeastern woodlands and sub artic. It’s associated with Aquarius. A moment of release, perseverance and strength. A powerful time for reclaiming purpose and parts of your self that have been dormant. (Go.com, Wikipedia.) It’s August 8th International Cat Day Mee-yow! MAGAZINE Review The cover story of the August 11th issue of People is about the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne. ‘Nuff said!   “How do you move on? You move on when your heart finally understands that there is no turning back.” –J.R.R. Tolkien   No Place Like Home Texting, texting: Namor: Hey,…