Category: Esbats

Celtic Tree Months

The Celtic Tree Calendar is a calendar with thirteen lunar divisions. Most contemporary Pagans use fixed dates for each “month”, rather than following the waxing and waninglunar cycle. If this was done, eventually the calendar would fall out of sync with the Gregorian year, because some calendar years have 12 full moons and others have 13. The modern tree calendar is based on a concept that letters in the ancient Celtic Ogham alphabet corresponded to a tree.

Although you don’t have to follow a Celtic path to celebrate the Celtic tree calendar months, you’ll find that each of the themes in the Celtic tree months ties strongly to Celtic culture and mythology.

For the rest of the information on this topic go to: http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/moonphasemagic/ss/Celtic-Tree-Months.htm

By Patti Wigington From and Owned by About.com

Some of the Full Moon Names for July

Northern Hemisphere

July Blue Moon July FM 2 July FM

July: The Buck Moon
Buck deer start growing velvety hair-covered antlers in July. Frequent thunderstorms in the New England area also resulted in the name Thunder Moon. Some tribes also used Hay Moon.

From: http://www.moonconnection.com/full-moon-names.phtml

The Full Buck Moon – July July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, for the reason that thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month’s Moon was the Full Hay Moon.

From: https://farmersalmanac.com/full-moon-names/

July: Thunder Moon, Hay Moon

From: http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/full-moon-names

FOr a list of many different traditions of full Moon names: http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/moonnames.htm

Southern Hemisphere (exact opposite of Northern for names)

July: Wolf Moon, Old Moon, Ice Moon

From: http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/full-moon-names

 

July has Two Full Moons

The first Full Moon is on July 1, 2015 and goes by various names depending on what tradition you look up. There will be another post with some of the names for this full Moon in it.

The second full Moon is on July 31, 2015 and is known as a Blue Moon. Whenever there are two full Moons in the same month, the second is always called the Blue Moon. This usually happens once a year.

This is why the ancient Celtics, Native Americans, Mayans, ancient Egyptians and other older culture yearly calendar had thirteen months. The first and last day of the month was on a full Moon. These months were approximately twenty-nine days long. There was not anything like leap year because it was not needed. Many Pagan traditions still honor the thirteen-month year when celebrating Esbats and Sabbats. I personally follow a thirteen-month calendar for Esbats as I have incorporated many Celtic traditions in my Craft and spirituality.

Simple Toothpaste

Simple Toothpaste

Ingredients

Baking Soda

Salt Water

Glycerin

Peppermint oil (if possible, if not, try dried parsley just make sure it doesn’t get stuck between your teeth!)

Mix 1/3 cup of baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, water and glycerin until you have a past you are happy with. Use more or less water for the type of paste you wish–thinner or thicker.

Moon Associations For Magick

Moon Associations For Magick

 

There are the general associations given for moon work but there are variations in different traditions.

Element:   Water

Color:   Silver or white

Day of the week:   Monday

Metal:   Silver

Crystals:  Opal (unpolished green or pink ones are very cheap), moonstone, mother of pearl, pearl, selenite, white or pearly sea shells, especially double ones

Animals/birds:   Bat, heron, moth, owl, snake, wolf

Herbs, incenses and oils:   Jasmine, lemon, lemon balm, lotus, mimosa, myrrh, poppy, wintergreen

Flowers:   Any with small white flowers or which are especially fragrant at night

Trees:   Alder, eucalyptus, mimosa, willow

Archangel:   Gabriel

Use moon magick for:    Spells concerning the home and family matters, especially the mother, children and animals. Its prime focus is fertility and it rules over all the ebbs and flows of the human body, mind and psyche. The moon will provide protection, especially while traveling and will aid psychic development, clairvoyance and meaningful dreams. It is potent for all sea and gardening rituals and for herb magick and healing – as well as for keeping secrets.

The Chinese Moons

The Chinese Moons

 

Chinese tradition tells how once there were 12 moons, one for each month of the year. Their mother Heng O, who was also mother of the ten suns washed her 12 moon children in a lake at the western edge of the world and each traveled for their month’s journey to the East where the sun children waited.

In one version the divine archer Yi killed nine of the sun children and was punished by their father (whom he also killed)by being made mortal. Yi then married Heng O, who agreed to spare her life and those of the moon children, if she became his wife. But he tricked her and killed 11 of the moon children as well. She stole from him the herb of immortality and fled with her youngest child to the skies where Yi could not follow her. Here she took the form of the toad who can still be seen in the moon and who is a symbol of prosperity and good luck in China. In some versions all the moon children were saved and they went to the physical moon from which each still flies his moon chariot on his appointed month high across the sky so that Yi cannot harm him.

Mythology of the Moon

Mythology of the Moon

 

In legend, the Moon was seen as the home of the Goddess or as the Goddess Herself and like the Sun was among the first things to be created.

The Creation Of The Moon

The Navajo legend tells of the creation of the Sun and Moon. The first people emerged from the Underworld to live on the surface of the Earth. But the Earth was dark and cold and so First Man and First Woman fashioned two disks from glowing crystal quartz to form the Sun and Moon so that there would be light by both day and night.

First the Sun disk was adorned with a mask of blue turquoise with red coral around its edge and it offered warmth as well as light. First Man and First Woman next attached eagle and lark feathers to the Sun so that its light and heat would be cast to all four corners of the Earth. The Sun disk was fixed in the Eastern sky with lightning darts. First Man and First Woman paused to admire the great beauty they had created for the day and then turned to the night.

The moon disk was decorated with clear shimmering crystal and pearl white shells, and like the Sun was fixed high in the sky. But to the sorrow of the first people, their creations were static and lifeless.

Two wise old men offered their spirits to the disks that they might live and move forever. First Man and First Woman then marked out the daily path of the Sun by fixing twelve eagle feathers at equal points. At dawn, the Sun began to move across the sky, warming and illuminating all in the blackness beneath. At dusk, the Sun returned tired from his journey, and the Moon, also adorned with eagle feathers began his course.

However, Wind Boy, who thought it unfair that the Moon should have to travel so far by night alone, blew his strong breezes so that the moon might glide effortlessly across the darkened heavens. However, the moon’s eagle feathers blew across his face, temporarily blinding him and so to this day the moon follows an irregular passage across the night sky.

Full Moon Ritual

Full Moon Ritual

 

The full and new moon rites are a celebration of the moon and Her cycles, as well as a celebration of us.

What you will need:

Your tools

Silver or white candle

White altar candle

A view or picture of the moon

 

Setup:

Place the silver or white candle next to your altar candle.

Position your altar so that you can see the moon.

Perform a meditation.

Cast your circle.

Raise your arms over your head, palms up, while saying:

“OH GREAT MOON,I AM HERE BEFORE YOU,IN YOUR LOVING GRACE.”

Take the cauldron of earth hold it toward the moon and say:

“OH GREAT MOON,BLESS THIS EARTH.”

Take the silver or white candle and place it in the cauldron. Light it and say:

“OH GREAT MOON,HEAR ME.””OH GREAT MOON,THEE I ADORE,I HONOR,I RESPECT.”

Kneel and say:

“I HONOR YOU ON THIS SPEACIAL NIGHT.””HEAR ME. BLESSED BE.”

Now close your circle. Point your athame down and release while saying:

“MAY THIS ENERGY BE USED BY OTHER ON THEIR PATH.” “SO MOTE IT BE.”

Let the silver or white candle burn itself out.If you decide to do a spell, perform it before closing the circle and point your athame up instead of down. Then close your circle.

Lunar Influences

Lunar Influences


New Moon  – marks the beginning or ritual works which is positive in  nature and the beginning of growth.
Full Moon  – marks the peak of power. All things are focused and Concentrated.
Waning Moon  – marks negative and destructive energies.
Aries, Leo, Sag. – The moon in these signs accents rituals of love or  friendship.
Taurus, Virgo, Cap. – The moon in these signs accents rituals of astral dealing  and Spirit workings.
Cancer, Scorpio, – The moon in these signs accents rituals, which involve  subconscious
Pisces – workings and psychic attack.

The Moon’s Sign

The Moon’s Sign

The moon’s sign is another traditional consideration. The Moon continuously “moves” through the zodiac, from Aries to Pisces. Each sign possesses its own significance.

Aries: Good for starting things, but lacks staying power. Things occur rapidly, but quickly pass. People tend to be argumentative and assertive.

Taurus: Things begun now last the longest, tend to increase in value, and become hard to alter. Brings out an appreciation for  beauty and sensory experience.

Gemini: Things begun now are easily changed by outside influence. Time for shortcuts, communication, games and fun.

Cancer: Stimulates emotional rapport between people. Pinpoints need, supports growth and nurturance. Tend to domestic concerns.

Leo: Draws emphasis to the self, to central ideas or institutions, away from connections with others and emotional needs. People tend to be melodramatic.

Virgo: Favors accomplishment of details and commands from higher up. Focus on health, hygiene, and daily schedules.

Libra: Favors cooperation, compromise, social activities, beautification of surroundings, balance, and partnership.

Scorpio: Increases awareness of psychic power. Precipitates psychic crises and ends connections thoroughly. People tend to brood and become secretive under this sign.

Sagittarius: Encourages flights of imagination and confidence. This is an adventurous, philosophical, and athletic Moon sign. Favors expansion and growth.

Capricorn:  Develops strong structure. Focus on traditions, responsibilities, and obligations. A good time to set boundaries and rules.

Aquarius: Rebellious energy. Time to break habits and make abrupt change. Personal freedom and individuality is the focus.

Pisces: The focus is on dreaming, nostalgia, intuition, and psychic impressions. A good time for spiritual or philanthropic activities.

Life As The Witch – Full Moon Rituals/Magick

Full Moon Rituals/Magick

The Full Moon each month is particularly potent magickal ally. Some of your best magick can be created under her influence and with her guidance. Although there is only one night every month which the Moon is totally full, a Natural Magician knows that two days before and two days after the Full Moon are also good times for magickal endeavors. Use the following as a guide for your spellcrafting.

January Full Moon – Wolf Moon

Good for…..

Spells involving organization, ambition, career, politics, healing for the knees, bones, teeth, skin.

February Full Moon – Ice Moon

Good for………

Spells involving science, freedom, friendship, breaking bad habits or addictions; healing for the calves, ankles, blood.

March Full Moon – Crow Moon

Good for…….

Spells involving music, art, telepathy, dreams, healing for the feet and lymph glands.

April Full Moon – Planter’s Moon

Good for….

Spells involving authority, rebirth, leadership; healing for the face and head.

May Full Moon – Flower Moon

Good for……

Spells involving love, money, acquisition; healing for the throat and neck.

June Full Moon – Strawberry Moon

Good for…..

Spells involving communication, writing, travel; healing for the arms, hands and lungs.

July Full Moon – Blood Moon

Good for…….

Spells involving the home and for honoring lunar gods and goddesses; healing for the chest and stomach

August Full Moon – Corn Moon

Good for…..

Spells involving authority, courage, fertility; healing for the upper back, spine, heart.

September Full Moon – Harvest Moon

Good for……

Spells involving employment, health, diet; healing for the intestines and nervous system

October Full Moon – Hunter’s Moon

Good for………

Spells involving justice, unions, balance (spiritual and otherwise), artistry; healing for the lower back and kidneys

November Full Moon – Snow Moon

Good for……….

Spells involving power, psychic growth, sex; healing for the reproductive organs

December Full Moon – Cold Moon

Good for……….

Spells involving travel, sports, truth, animals; healing for the liver and thighs

It is very likely that you will find different names for each month’s Full Moon, depending on which source and traditions you use. It really makes no difference what you call the Full Moon; these correspondences still apply. And of course, you don’t have to wait for the “correct” Full Moon. These guideline just help add the appropriate Goddess energy to your own natural energies to meet your desires.

 

More Wiccan Comments

Moon Magick

Moon Magick      

 

  
WAXING MOON:  
the waxing Moon is the best time to do a spell for growth, beginning new projects, initiation    and enhancement.  
WANING MOON:  
during the waning Moon, do spells to banish evil influences, lessen or remove obstacles and    illness, neutralize enemies, and to remove harm.  
NEW MOON:  
three days after the New Moon are the most powerful times to work spells for growth and    beginnings which should manifest at the Full Moon  
FULL MOON:  
the days just before the Full Moon are the most powerful times for fruition and completion.    Remember that even though the Moon looks Full Moon in the sky for two or three nights, it is only EXACT at the time posted on your calendar. Anything after    that time is a waning influence. Do your Full Moon spell before the exact time listed.

LUNAR PHASES AND MAGICKAL WORK

LUNAR PHASES AND MAGICKAL WORK  

  
Moon Myths
When people lived with Nature, the changing seasons had a great impact on religious    ceremonies. The Moon was seen as a symbol of the Goddess. Because of this, the light of the Moon was considered magical, and a source of energy. Wiccans    often practice magic at a Full Moon to tap into this energy thought to exist at this time. Plutarch once said “Egyptian priests called the Moon the    “Mother of the Universe,” because the moon, “having the light which makes moist and pregnant, is promotive of the generation of living    beings..” The Gnostic sect of Naassians believed in a primordial being known a “the heavenly horn of the moon.” The Moon was the Great Mother. Menos meant “Moon” and “power” to the Greeks. To the Romans, the morality of the Moon Goddess was above that of the Sun God. In many cultures the Moon Goddess and the Creatress were the same. Polynesians called the Creatress Hina, “Moon.” She was the first woman, and every    woman is a wahine, made in the image of Hina. Scandinavians sometimes called the Creatress Mardoll, “Moon Shining Over the Sea. Ashanti people had a    generic term used for all their deities, Boshun, meaning Moon. Sioux Native Americans call the moon The Old Woman Who Never Dies. Iroquois call her    “Eternal One.” Rulers in the Eritrean zone of South Africa held the Goddesses name “Moon.” The Gaelic name of the Moon, gealach, came    form Gala or Galata, the original Moon-Mother of Gaelic and Gaulish tribes. Britain used to be called Albion, the milk-white Moon-Goddess. The Moon was    called Metra, which means Mother , “whose love penetrated everywhere.” In the Basque language, the words for deity and moon are the same. The    root word for both “moon” and “mind” was the Indo-European manas, mana, or men, representing the Great Mother’s “wise    blood” in women, governed by the Moon. The derivative mania used to mean ecstatic revelation, like lunacy used to mean possession by spirit of Luna, the Moon.
To be Moon-Touched or Moon-Struck meant to be chosen by the Goddess. When patriarchal thinkers belittled the Goddess, these words came to mean    craziness. Orphic and Pythagorean sect viewed the Moon as the home of the dead, a female gate known as Yoni. Souls passed through on the way to the    paradise fields of the stars. Greeks often located the Elysian Fields, home of the blessed dead, in the moon. The shoes of Toman senators were decorated    with ivory crescents to show that after death they would inhabit the Moon. Roman religion taught that “the souls of the just are purified in the Moon.” Wearing the crescent was “visual worship” of the Goddess. That was why the prophet Isaiah denounced the women of Zion for wearing    lunar amulets. Because the moon was the holder of souls between reincarnations, it sheltered both the dead and unborn, who were one in the same. If a man    dreams of his own image in the Moon, he would become the father of a son. If a woman dreamed of her own image in the Moon, she would have a daughter. The    Moon Goddess created time, with all its cycles of creation, growth, decline, and destruction. This is why ancient calendars were based on phases of the    moon and menstrual cycles. The Moon still determines agricultural work in some parts of India. Indonesian moon priestesses were responsible for finding the    right phase of the moon for every undertaking. The Moon was to have been the receptacle of menstrual blood by which each mother forme the life of her    child. This sacer, taboo moon-fluid kept even the Gods alive. The moon was “the cup of the fluid of life immortal, quickening the vegetable realm and    whatsoever grows in the sub-lunar sphere, quickening also the immortals on high.” The Moon was supposed to rule life and death as well as the tides. People living on the shores were convinced that a baby could only be born on an incoming tide and a person could not die until the tide went out. It was often said birth at a full tide or a full moon means a lucky life. Girls in Scotland refused to wed on anything but a Full Moon. Witches invoked their    Goddess by “drawing down the Moon.” It is said to be a rite dating back to moon worship in Thessaly, centuries before the Christian era.
Esbats   
Lunar holidays are also known as Esbats, but any Wiccan ritual held at any time other than a Sabbat is an Esbat. Due to the rotation of the earth, the Wiccan calendar contains 13 Full Moons and 8 Sabbats, also known as Days of Power. A full moon happens every 28 1/4 days. Full Moon energy is used for banishing unwanted influences, protection and divination. A Full Moon is also a good time for planning, releasing and working backwards in time. Full Moon Magic can be done for seven days, three days before the full moon and three days after the full moon.
There are thirteen Full Moons. Each has a traditional name.
Wolf Moon January
Storm Moon February
Chaste Moon March
Seed Moon April
Hare Moon May
Dyad Moon June
Mead Moon July
Wyrt Moon August
Barley Moon   
September Blood Moon
October Snow Moon
November Oak Moon
December Blue Moon variable
The New Moon is used for personal growth, healing, the blessing of a new project etc. Between the New Moon and Full Moon is the phase called Waxing Moon. Magic for this phase includes attraction magic, increasing, growth, and gain. Between the Full Moon and New Moon is the phase called the Waning Moon. Magic for this phase includes banishing magic, such a loosing negative emotions, bad habits etc. Three days before the New Moon is known as the Dark Moon, as it is not visible in the sky. Traditionally, no magic is performed    at this time. It is a time for rest.

CREATE YOUR OWN MOON SPELLS

CREATE YOUR OWN MOON SPELLS       

  
Because of the very nature of Magick, each working should be highly individualized and    personal. Even if following a traditional spell, it should be tailored to your specific needs to be most effective for you. Understanding the basics of  Spell Construction will enable you to formulate your own specific effective spells for any purpose you desire. Preliminary planning is necessary. The very first step is to decide precisely what your desired end result is to be.
Before you can start, you must decide where you are going. You must be very explicit. It is important, also, that you choose your time carefully. You should take into consideration all Astrological implications, energy currents and    Moon phases. The Moon is the astronomical body closest to us and, therefore, has a profound influence upon us, it is very important to choose a time when the Moon is in an astrological sign which is appropriate for your working.
For example:
Aries/Action – Enthusiasm, Taurus/ Renewal – Sensuality,    Gemini/Communication – Curiosity, Cancer/ Emotion – Nurturing, Leo/Vitality – Determined, Virgo/Organizing – Studious, Libra/Balance -Cooperation,    Scorpio/Sexual – Philosophical, Capricorn/Authority – Ambitious, Aquarius/Innovation – Social, Pisces/Sensitivity – Idealistic.
Bear in mind that magickal workings for gain, increase or bringing things to you, should be initiated when the Moon is Waxing (from Dark to Full) when the Moon is Waning (from Full    to Dark), it is time for magical workings of decrease or sending away. The highest energy occurs at the Full Moon and, therefore, this is the most powerful time for magical workings. The New Moon is the next most powerful time for Magick.

The next Blue Moon is August 31, 2012

The next Blue Moon is August 31, 2012

August 2012 is a month with two full moons.  And, by popular acclaim, that means it’s a Blue Moon month – but it’s Blue in name only.  That’s because a Blue Moon is sometimes defined as the second full moon in a calendar month.  The first full moon is August 1.  The second full moon is August 31, 2012.

There are two more definitions for Blue Moon.  It can be the third of four full moons in a single season.  Or, someday, you might see an actual blue-colored moon.

It’s very rare that you would see a blue-colored moon, although unusual sky conditions – certain-sized particles of dust or smoke – can create them.  Blue-colored moons aren’t predictable.  So don’t be misled by the photo above.  The sorts of moons people commonly call Blue Moons aren’t usually blue.

Now on to folklore’s Blue Moons.  Every month typically has a full moon (although sometimes February doesn’t).  In fact, our word for “month” comes from the word “moon.”  Most of the time, the names for full moons coincide with particular months or seasons of the year.  So whether you define a Blue Moon as the second full moon in a month – or the third full moon of four in a season – the name Blue Moon accounts for times when there are more full moons than is ordinary.

Blue moon as second full moon in a month. In recent decades, many people have begun using the name Blue Moon to describe the second full moon of a calendar month.

The time between one full moon and the next is close to the length of a calendar month.  So the only time one month can have two full moons is when the first full moon happens in the first few days of the month.   This happens every 2-3 years, so these sorts of Blue Moons come about that often.

When is the next Blue Moon, according to this first definition?  August 31, 2012.

The idea of a Blue Moon as the second full moon in a month stemmed from the March 1946 issue of Sky and Telescope magazine, which contained an article called “Once in a Blue Moon” by James Hugh Pruett.   Pruett was using a 1937 Maine Farmer’s Almanac, but he simplified the definition.  He wrote:

Seven times in 19 years there were — and still are — 13 full moons in a year. This gives 11 months with one full moon each and one with two. This second in a month, so I interpret it, was called Blue Moon.

EarthSky’s Deborah Byrd happened upon a copy of this old 1946 issue of Sky and Telescope in the stacks of the Peridier Library at the University of Texas Astronomy Department in the late 1970s.  Afterward, she began using the term Blue Moon to describe the second full moon in a calendar month on the radio.  Later, this definition of Blue Moon was also popularized by a book for children by Margot McLoon-Basta and Alice Sigel, called “Kids’ World Almanac of Records and Facts,” published in New York by World Almanac Publications, in 1985.  The second-full-moon-in-a-month definition was also used in the board game Trivial Pursuit.

Can there be two blue moons in a single calendar year?  Yes. It last happened in 1999. There were two full moons in January and two full moons in March and no full moon in February. So both January and March had Blue Moons.

The next year of double blue moons is coming up in 2018.

Blue moon as third full moon of four in a season. The Old Farmer’s Almanac defined a Blue Moon as an extra full moon that occurred in a season.  One season – winter, spring, fall, summer – typically has three full moons.  If a season has four full moons, then the third full moon may be called a Blue Moon.

The next blue moon by this definition will fall on August 21, 2013.

In recent years, a controversy has raged – mainly among purists – about which Blue Moon definition is better.  The idea of a Blue Moon as the third of four in a season may be older than the idea of a Blue Moon as the second full moon in a month.  Is it better?  Is one definition right and the other wrong?  After all, this is folklore.  So the folk get to decide, and, in the 21st century, both sorts of full moons have been called Blue.

So enjoy Blue Moons!

THE FULL MOONS OF THE WITCHES

THE FULL MOONS OF THE WITCHES

November: The Wheel of the Year begins anew once more.

December The Holly-King dies, and the Oak-King is born.

January: Bid the past farewell, and receive the year that Web of Days has just
been born.

February: Welcome Spring! Now is the time for banishing Winter.

March: Feel the shift of balance from darkness to light growing stronger.

April: The time of fertility and growth is upon us.

May: The time of the Sacred Marriage of the God and Goddess.

June: Here comes the Sun! The Holly-King replaces the Oak-King.

 July: The first harvests begin ; time to give thanks and celebrate.

August: John Barleycorn must die. The harvest begins in earnest.

September: The cycle of growth draws nears its end.

October: The Horned One steps forward bringing darkness, and the end of the year.

November: Snow Moon; the snowy brightness and coolness of Her light is upon us.

December: Cold Moon ; the Sun is at its lowest point, and Lunar Nights the Moon is a little colder.

January: Wolf Moon ; gather close to the hearth, for wolves draw closer now.
February: Ice Moon ; beneath a blanket of snow and ice, Nature rests.
March: Storm Moon ; the boisterous storms of the light half of the year begin.
April: Growing Moon ; seeds are ready to be planted, and growth begins.
May: Hare Moon ; rabbits leap and play in their mating games, and fertility
abounds.
June: Mead Moon ; as in days of old, honey is gathered for fermentation into
mead.
July: Hay Moon ; a potent moon, as tides of psychic energy flow freely.
August: Corn Moon ; a time to contemplate the eternalness of life.
September: Harvest Moon ; time to collect the harvest and seed for new
beginnings.
October: Blood Moon ; spirits of the departed join the sacred dance.

Spells to Cast Once in a Blue Moon

Spells to Cast Once in a Blue Moon

Just what is a Blue Moon? There are two definitions for a Blue Moon. According to the more recent definition, a Blue Moon is the second Full Moon in a calendar month. For a Blue Moon to occur, the first of the Full Moon must appear at or near the beginning of the month so that the second will fall within the same month (the average span between two moons is 28 days). That second one is called a Blue Moon.

An older definition for the Blue Moon is recorded in early issues of the Maine Farmer’s Almanac. Between 1932 and 1957, instead of the calendar year running from January 1 through December 31, the almanac relied on the tropical year, defined as extending from one winter solstice (“Yule”) to the next. Most tropical years contain 12 Full Moons-3 each in winter, spring, summer and fall-and as in the previous chart, each is named for an activity appropriate to the time of year. But occasionally a tropical year contains 13 Full Moons so that one season has 4 Moons rather than the usual 3. That fourth Moon of the season is the Blue Moon.

Many practitioners regard a Blue Moon as a special gift from the Goddess and look upon it as a good time to set new goals for themselves. Write your goals on a piece of paper, fold the paper in half, and place it the light of the Full Moon. Ask the Goddess for the strength and endurance to work toward your goals successfully. In the morning, burn the paper in the flame of a candle you have anointed with an oil you especially enjoy. The smoke will help carry your goals to the ears of the Goddess. Your resolve to get started on them will amaze you.

Blue Moon

Blue Moon

Your geographic location can make a difference to your experience of a Blue Moon. Depending on your longitude you may go through a date change prior to other locations which means the full moon is at the first of your new month and falls at the end of the preceding month somewhere else. The “blue” one is always the 2nd full moon in the same month. The regular full moons of each month all have their own individual names as follows: Moon after Yule, Wolf Moon, Lenten Moon, Egg Moon, Milk Moon, Flower Moon, Hay Moon, Grain Moon, Fruit Moon, Harvest Moon, Hunters’ Moon and Moon Before Yule.

Historically the Blue Moon was considered unlucky and a real nuisance when it occurred at various times of the year and upset scheduling of church festivals. In love songs the Blue Moon is often a symbol of sadness and loneliness.

The first appearance in print of this expression goes back to the time of Shakespeare, when some folks felt that sometimes the moon visually appeared blue in the sky. Although the expression dates all that way back, it has only recently come to mean the second Full Moon in one month. Blue Moon seems to be a truly modern piece of folklore, old folklore it is not, but real folklore it is.