Jeudi: Weather-Wise

For centuries, the moon has been believed to prognosticate the weather. As it turns out, this is not an unreasonable supposition; sailors have looked to the moon for weather news with great success. Here then are a few weathery hints from the moon by land or by sea:

A yellow, dirty moon ~ heat
Big, white moon ~ cold
Silvery moon ~ fair
Red moon ~ wind
Pale, "watery" moon ~ rain
Rings around the moon, which appear like halos, are said to foretell storms. If the weather is warm, look for rain but if it is cold, snow is on the way. Old sailors say that the number of stars seen withing the halo tells the number of days before the storm hits.

Header: Cloud Study, Moonlight by Albert Bierstadt c 1860 via Old Paint

Jeudi: Weather-Wise

Yesterday at Triple P, I talked about forecasting weather at sea by the look of the moon. This got me thinking about doing the same by land, and digging around in my notes on old wives’ tales for anything on the moon and weather. As it turns out, there have been many beliefs from ancient times about heavenly bodies telling us what to expect weather-wise. And the night sky has not been left out by half.

In the ancient world, particularly in the Near East and Egypt, a red moon was a sure sign not only of turbulent, dry weather, but also death. In Medieval Europe, the opposite seems to be the case as long as the ruddy moon appeared in August or September when it was the sign of good weather throughout harvest season.

A moon with a ring around it – often spoken of in 16^th and 17^th century lore as “the moon wearing a veil” – was a sign of rain.

The full moon was considered a favorable weather sign in Ancient Rome if it was not blocked by clouds. This continued to be the case until the early modern period, when the fear of witches congregating under full moons tainted a previously happy time.

Stars, too, were thought to foretell the weather both in the short and long term. Bright stars, particularly in a winter sky, foretold a clear day to follow. Dim stars covered by fog or mist were a portend of snow or sleet. Venus, the morning and evening star, was said to hint at the growing season when she rose in the springtime sky. If she stayed low and hugged the land, summer would be cool and crops would grow indifferently. If the star was high in the evening, and particularly if she was seen shimmering before the sunset, then a glorious summer and banner crops were surely in the offing.

Header: Starry Night Over the Rhone by Vincent van Gogh c 1888

Samedi: Moon Work

Wait a minute! The moon’s full and I didn’t even pay attention here at HQ, did I? So, with all apologies to the Ghede in general and the Barons and Maman Brigitte in particular, we will have a Moon Work Saturday here (and better late than never; see Sailor Mouth Saturday at Triple P if you’d like to know why).

The Full Moon came upon us yesterday at 9:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time here in the U.S. This moon brings us to the completion of a project. We are at that moment when we can step back and wipe our hands while admiring our handiwork. The energy of a Full Moon may make us want to start something else up immediately but be careful. Pick the wrong project (say, increasing fertility) and the waning moon will bring a frustrating lag in productivity.

On the other hand, now is the time to let go of anything that has been troublesome or caused worry. Forgive yourself for errors or behaviors you aren’t proud of and move on. This is a great time to perform work involving the releasing of vices or bad habits. As the moon wanes, so will your need to what ever it is that may be oppressing you.

Other works that benefit from Full Moon energy include: beauty, health, love (in particular), legal issues, increasing psychic abilities and motivation as well as self- improvement.

There are so many possibilities and so much more time. The Full Moon will be at her peak until tomorrow evening. Avec la bénédiction de la lune ~

Jeudi: Moon Work

According to calendars old and new there can be between 7 and 10 days between the New Moon proper and the First Quarter Moon. While I know it sounds a bit illogical, it always seems to me that the colder it gets, the more the moon is “in a hurry”. I was almost taken off guard to consult my almanac and find that the First Quarter Moon (meaning the moon cycle is half way between new and full) is today (at 5:27 PM U.S. Eastern Daylight Time). Of course, if I lived in the Southern Hemisphere where spring is springing the timing would be the same but I can’t shake the feeling that frosty mornings hurry the moon along.

With the dawning of the First Quarter Moon, nature’s cycle is telling us to step back from a work (or works) in progress and assess how it is developing. Has anything changed from your original vision of the thing as it should be? If so, now is a good time to do the tweaking necessary to bring it to fruition. Of course, not all projects have 28 day time frames so this may be the first or the fourteenth time you’ve taken an objective look at what you are creating. No matter how many times you do it, though, the exercise is not in vein. First Quarter Moon energy will help you achieve the best possible outcome if you go with it for the next three days.

No particular project on your plate right now? Don’t let this moment pass you by. Turn your attention at the First Quarter Moon toward friendships (either nurturing those that you cherish or walking away from those that have grown toxic), motivation, magicks involving the elements and luck. Now is an auspicious time to make that lucky mojo you’ve been collecting ingredients for. The First Quarter Moon also imparts courage, which is always a helpful focus for meditation or prayer.

It seems like only a moment before the Full Moon will be upon us, but you’ve got time to take advantage of the energies around you right now too. Bon chance ~

Header: The Moon tarot card redo by Tyrantx via DeviantArt.com

Jeudi: Moon Work

The New Moon rises today (at 2:45 PM U.S. Eastern Daylight Time) and as usual I’m filled with a sense of potential. Most rootworkers pay attention to the moon’s phases, as do Neopagans, Wiccans, Druids and many established religions. The Catholic Church sets more than one of its “moveable feasts” based on moon cycles and this has come down from the Jewish faith (as an example, Passover and Easter are both based on the date of the New Moon). These calendar “quirks” continued to be followed even after reform churches tossed out the so called “pagan” practices inherent in Catholicism.

The “New Moon itch” to start something new transcends spellcraft and religious observance and trickles down into daily life. Just as the Full Moon inspires “lunacy”, the New Moon kicks us in the butt. I have a devout (though not fundamentalist) LDS friend who always waits until the New Moon to start projects around her house like sewing new curtains or painting. “It just feels right,” she tells me and I can’t argue with that.

So today, tomorrow, Saturday and even Sunday are opportunities to start something new with the blessing of the Moon. A project, a blog, a job hunt, a painting, a novel, a relationship, a family, volunteering, studying; what is calling you right now? Whatever endeavor you truly want to throw yourself into but have been saving for “later”, now is a wise time to seriously think about jumping in with both feet. Or, if that just doesn’t sound right, there is always another New Moon next month.

Some specific focuses for New Moon energy are: gardens, love, networking, beauty and health, education and self-improvement, all artistic pursuits. This is also a great time to begin work on breaking a bad habit and/or removing something (or someone) toxic from your environment and your life.

Think of the possibilities.