Strawberry Moon It arrives, the last full moon of Spring, on June 11th. It’ll also be a micro moon, looking smaller and dimmer than normal. (Much like yours truly.) It was called “Strawberry Moon” by Algonquian tribes, among others, for the brief harvest season of–you guessed it, Pilgrim–strawberries that accompanied its appearance.  This year it shows up in Sagittarius, which rules connections personal and global. (Old Farmer’s Almanac.) For Your Deliberation Remember last column’s Wey’s Predictions, where I talked (ranted) about insect population decline? Well, recently I spoke to Trish, our newest Townie and resident genius. She was already familiar with the topic and suggested I check out insect decline in Germany.…

New Moon The New Moon will occur on Monday, May 26th at 11:02 pm EST. It will be in Gemini and will signify a moment of beginnings, connection and fresh starts. It will be a good time to set intentions and plant seeds for the future. (Sources: Born Under Saturn, Elle, Horoscope View.) Beautiful Dreamer The night kitty Tabitha returned home from being spayed, we set her up in the office room with a little bed and nearby bowls of food and water. Around midnight, I was awakened by something at my feet. It was Tabitha, curled up around her Elizabethan collar and fast asleep. How she made it up the pet ramp…

Over the Moon It’s called the Flower Moon for the multitude of flowers that pop up in May. (No, Pilgrims don’t count. Sheesh…) No Place Like Home This is my first weekend back after heart bypass surgery and rehab.  Thanks to everybody for all the calls and texts!  And most especially to my sweetheart Sparkle–we spoke every day and she visited me often. Namor and Crystal did me a long distance favor while I was still in rehab, earning my eternal gratitude. Hershey sent several texts. As did Mihos. And my doctors and nurses made an experience out of what easily could have become an ordeal. My religion was a great comfort to…

Beltane Blessings I’m writing my column out in longhand. Sparkle is beside me reading a library book. Delinquent and Tabitha, furry legs wrapped around one another, slumber between us. In the corner of the bedroom, an altar painting of Lady Lilith stands guard. Family. Love. Faith. Hey, Pilgrim. You celebrate Beltane your way. We’ll celebrate it in ours. Every day. Everything is magic. MUSIC Review Beltane Celtic background music for fire dance Beltane rituals–May day Walpurgis night Wiccan Very soothing. Musical guided meditation. Music by Narayanjot, a Berlin based label. My verdict: 5 broomsticks. Bio Beltane is Sparkle and Weyland’s anniversary.

To the Moon! Full moon in Libra on April 12th at 8:22 pm EST. This air sign will emphasize themes of relationship and balances to enhance healing energies. (Sign me up for a BIG spoonful of that!) The sun is in conjunct Chiron. What’s that? Read on, Pilgrim! “Didja know?” Department: Discovered in 1977, Chiron is an unusual celestial body which orbits between Jupiter and Neptune. Astronomically classified as both asteroid and comet, Chiron is defined as a “centaur” and was named after a centaur healer from Greek mythology. Astrologically, Chiron teaches us to overcome our core wounds and learn from the lessons they offer us. (Sources: AstroVibe and Wikipedia.) Two the…

SAY IT OH-STA-RUH WHEN IS IT? I always observe it on March 21st, just cause that’s the way I was taught. I’ve read that other dates (like the 20th) are equally legit, since the Spring Equinox tends to move around a little.  Hey, why not? Wiccans are rarely hobbled by consistency, right? WHAT PRECISELY IS IT? A Sabbat that observes the Spring or Vernal Equinox, when day and evening are equal in time, representing balance and duality–masculine/feminine, yin/yang, above and below. It’s celebrated with, among other activities, rituals, feasting and painting eggs and/or planting seeds. HOW TO OBSERVE IT? I’m taking it kind of easy on the nonstop partying this…

The Moon Turns Red Total lunar eclipse in Virgo on the evening of Thursday March 13th into early morning Friday the 14th. My Astrology Handbook tells me this is a potent full moon since it will show which life arrangements are working and which aren’t. This gives opportunities for new pathways, but be advised–they may appear unexpectedly. (Think Surprise Party Department.) And just so you know, Mercury turns retrograde on the 15th. Yeah, the party just never stops, does it? The March full moon was called the Chaste Moon in medieval England, in deference to the ground thawing out after winter. All was thought to be clean and fresh, ready…