Sacred Moon

An Astrological Potpourri

The moon waxes ('grows' bigger) and wanes ('grows' smaller) through a period of 29 1/2 days. The period from the New Moon, when the surface of the moon is completely dark, to Full Moon, when it is totally bright, is the lunation cycle. As the moon makes one trip around the earth, it reflects back the light of the sun in various degrees depending on the angle between the sun and the moon as viewed from our planet. During the year, the moon makes twelve or thirteen trips, each called a lunation. Each cycle is divided into phases or quarters.

The first quarter begins when the sun and moon are in the same place, or conjunct. The second quarter begins halfway between the new moon and full moon, when the the sun and moon are at right angles (square) to each other. The third quarter begins with the full moon when the sun and moon are opposite one another. The fourth quarter begins about halfway between the full moon and new moon, when the sun and moon are again square with each other.

As seen above, the angle between the sun and moon progresses in 45º increments. Each phase lasts approximately 3-4 days of the moon's cycle. The new moon rises at sunrise and sets at sunset. The crescent moon (waxing crescent) rises midmorning and sets after sunset. the first quarter moon (waxing half moon) rises around noon and sets around midnight. The gibbous moon rises midafternoon and sets before dawn. The full moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise; she is visible all night long. The disseminating moon (waning full moon) rises midevening and sets midmorning. The last quarter moon (waning half moon) rises around midnight and sets around noon. The balsamic moon (waning crescent) rises before dawn and sets midafternoon.

Naming Systems for the Lunar Months

New England Folklore
Moon Names

Wolf Moon ... January ... gather close to the hearth for the wolves draw closer now
Snow Moon ... February ... beneath a blanket of snow and ice, Mother Nature rests
Worm Moon ... March ... with rain and storming come the first worms
Pink Moon/Growing Moon ... April ... seeds are ready to be planted, and growth begins.
Flower Moon ... May ... fertility abounds, as flowers burst into color
Strawberry Moon ... June ... time for the harvest of luscious strawberries
Buck/Hot Moon ... July ... a moon of strong psychic energy flow
Green Corn/Barley Moon ... August ... long-awaited corn is ready; a time to contemplate the ebb and flow of life
Water Moon/Harvest Moon ... September ... time for the harvesting, and planting for new beginnings
Hunter's Moon ... October ... last chance to hunt for food before the cold sets in
Beaver Moon ... November ... all Nature's creatures prepare for dark days ahead
Cold Moon ... December ... the Sun is at its lowest point, and the Moon is a little colder.

Celtic Tree
Lunar Calendar

Beth (Birch) . . . . . Dec. 24-Jan. 20
Luis (Rowan) . . . . . Jan. 21-Feb. 17
Nion (Ash) . . . . . Feb. 8-Mar. 17
Fearn (Alder) . . . . . Mar. 18-Apr. 14
Saille (Willow) . . . . . April 15-May 12 . . . . . Diana
Huath (Hawthorn) . . . . . May 13-June 9
Duir (Oak) . . . . . June 10-July 7
Tinne (Holly) . . . . . July 8-Aug. 4
Coll (Hazel) . . . . . Aug. 5-Sept. 1
Muin (Vine) . . . . . Sept. 2-Sept. 29
Gort (Ivy) . . . . . Sept. 30-Oct. 27
Ngetal (Reed) . . . . . Oct. 28-Nov. 24
Ruis (Elder) . . . . . Nov. 25-Dec. 22

In My Academic Community (Just for Fun!)

January: Good Intentions Moon
February: Cabin Fever Moon
March: Green Beverage Moon
April: Spring Fever Moon
May: Graduation Moon
June:
July: Garage Sale Moon
August: U-Haul Moon
September:
October:
November:
December: Finals Moon

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