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Moon
Dates 2008
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Full
moon
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New
moon
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Jan
22nd
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Jan
8th |
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Feb
21st |
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Feb
7th |
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March
21st |
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March
7th |
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April
20th |
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April
6th |
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May
20th |
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May
5th |
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June
18th |
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June
3rd |
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July
18th |
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July
3rd |
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Aug
16th |
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August
1st |
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Sept
15th |
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August
30th |
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Oct
14th |
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Sept
29th |
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Nov
13th |
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Oct
28th |
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Dec
12th |
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Nov
27th |
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Dec
27th |
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The
moon rises around sunset when
it's a full Moon, and sunrise when it's a new moon.
Our
months are linked to the movements of the moon. The moon passes between the
earth and the sun every 29½ days - then there is a new moon. In Jewish and
Muslim calendars a new month begins - all the months have 29 or 30 days.
The June
full moon was called the Mead or Honey moon. The name derives from the hives
being
full
of honey at this time of the year. The honey would have been fermented
and made into mead. Traditionally,
a honey drink was taken after wedding ceremonies held on the Summer Solstice. This
is the derivation of 'honeymoon'.
Due to the
moon's cycle being 29½ days, there are occasionally - as in July
2004 - two full moons in one month (only happens on average every 2.7 years).
Then the second moon of the month is called a 'blue moon'.
The next blue
moon will be in June 2007. There will be two blue moons in 2018.
When
two new moons occur in a month, the second is called a
'dark moon'.
The new moon is also sometimes called
the dark moon - at this phase there is no illumination
on the earth's side.
The
full moon nearest to the Autumn Equinox is called the 'Harvest moon'. This
is because for several nights it appears large and bright in the early evening,
bringing farmers valuable extra time to gather in their harvest.
The
Celtic year was once divided into 13 months - one for each moon occuring
during the year.
If you want to find past moon phases try this site - Real
magick
Many
gardeners believe that planting during specific phases of the
moon brings good results. Many
calendars and almanacs carry moon phase planting guides.
Plants
gain
energy for growth from the sun, but they are
also affected by the moon's changing phases. The moon controls tides,
influences the groundwater tables beneath the earth and affects the movement
of
fluids
within plants.
New moon - farmers
and gardeners should prepare
to sow seeds now. During the
first quarter
of the waxing
moon phase the moisture
level
in the soil is at
it's highest, so this
is when
you should
plant
seeds, repot plants, sow lawns.
This brings rapid germination and growth.
Full moon - farmers should
transplant now, when the lunar flowering force is strong. The
moisture content becomes low during the waning moon
phase and
less sap is rising in the
trees and
shrubs,
so
it's a good time to do your pruning and
attack weeds.
According
to lunar planting folklore root
plants should go into the ground during a waning moon. It is also the best time
to
turn
over soil.
Moon
Sign Book: A Gardening Almanac and Guide to Conscious Living
- Sam
Llewellyn £4.79
Sept.
2006 |
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Yoga
The
Moon Salutation
(chandra namaskar) gives reverence to the strength and importance
of the moon, and includes the poses :
Crescent moon and Half moon.
The
Crescent moon is often used as the symbol of yoga.
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Pranayama
is the
yogic practise of regulating your breathing to gain energy control
and is used during the postures and in preparation for meditation.
New moon energy brings calmness and is likened to the end of exhalation
when the force of apana is greatest.
Full moon energy brings energy and heightened emotions, and is likened
to the end of inhalation when the force of prana is greatest. |
This
beautiful, white, fragrant flower - ipomoea
alba - opens
at dusk from midsummer. This tender perennial climber with large, rounded
leaves with heart-shaped bases, can reach 15 feet in a season. Scented,
white 5-inch-wide flowers attract night-flying moths.
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The
new moon occurs when the sun and moon are in conjunction, occupying
the
same part of the sky from the viewpoint of earth. During this time the
moon doesn't reflect the light of the sun, and so cannot be seen (except
during a solar eclipse).
The moon's un-illuminated side is facing the earth.
The new moon phase is the
time of new beginnings - like the Maiden form of the
Goddess and the season of Spring. The appearance of the new crescent
moon
was celebrated as a return of the moon from the dead.
This is a time of growing energy,
newness, rejuvenation, growth, renewal and hope. It is a good point to
make changes in your life,
such as
ending bad habits or relationships.
The full
moon occurs between 14 and 15 days after the new moon, and is shaped
like a
complete disc. The moon's illuminated side is facing
the earth. The full moon reflects the maximum light from the sun.
This moon
phase is the time of abundance, ripening and completeness - fertile and shining
with the full power of feminine secrets and mysteries - like the Mother form of
the Goddess, and the season of Summer - pregnant with life.
A child born during
a full moon should live a long and healthy life. This is the time when
the moon's energy is strongest and full of magick power.
Legendary werewolves supposedly only
emerge at the full moon.
Waxing -
the moon is growing larger in the sky, moving from a narrow crescent
just after the new moon towards
the full moon.
The waxing moon grows from right to left and is called the 'right-hand
moon' - the crescent is like the curve between the right-hand's index finger
and thumb.
Waning - the moon is decreasing
in size, moving from the full moon back towards a crescent as
the new moon approaches.
The waning moon decreases from right to left and is called the 'left-hand
moon' because of its similarity to the curve on the left hand.
Energy is now waning with the moon herself, and is linked with the Crone aspect
of the Goddess.
Gibbous - during
the phases between the First Quarter and the full moon, and between the
full moon and the Last Quarter, when more than half of
the disc is illuminated.
A
popular moon goddess was Selene ( or Luna), sister to Helios
- the sun god. Greek mythology called Artemis a virgin goddess
of the moon. She rides her silver chariot across the sky and shoots
her arrows of silver moonlight
to
the earth below.
In ancient Egypt the sickle-shaped new moon signified the goddess Isis, the
Egyptian goddess of rebirth, and
crescent shaped jewellery was believed to protect infants.
The triple moon
is a Goddess symbol representing the Maiden, Mother, and Crone aspects
as the waxing, full, and waning moon. The triple moon symbol is associated
with
feminine mystery, energy
and psychic skill, and often adorned jewellery worn by High Priestesses.
Monday
- the
name derives from the Latin 'dies lunae' meaning - moon's day.
The importance of the moon phases
continues to be recognised :
Ashangta
Yoga -
Full and new moon days are observed as yoga holidays, as the energy force
created by the moon and sun being in opposition and conjunction affects
emotions and energy, and respecting these phases is believed to honour
nature's
rythms.
Buddhism
esp.Theravada
- monthly worship is regulated by the Moon - four times a month, on the
new moon, the full moon, and the days in the middle.
Chinese
Moon Festival -
last one was 25th Sept 2007 - the Mid-Autumn Full Moon is celebrated.
It is a time for family reunions and exchanging of delicious Moon
cakes - a type of cookie with different fillings like: sesame,
walnut, lotus seed, bean paste, eggs or ham.
Diwali - the
Hindu New Year festival, meaning 'rows of lighted lamps', is often called
the festival of lights due to the small earthen oil lamps used, and is
celebrated all over India, by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.
The lighting of
lamps welcomes Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity. Diwali celebrates
the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
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Like
the new moon, Diwali symbolises the renewal of life and it is customary
to wear new
clothes at the festival. Diwali also welcomes the approach of winter
and the beginning of the sowing season.
The Hindu calendar is based on the lunar cycle and the movement of the moon,
so festival dates change each year. Diwali occurs on the new moon - a no-moon
day - in fact the darkest day of the year which begins the lunar month, Karttika
- usually Oct or Nov.
The illuminations, fireworks and festivities are to signify the victory of divine
forces over the
dark powers.
The legend is that on Diwali or Deepavali day triumphant Ram is
said to have returned with Sita to Ayodhya, after 14 years of exile, having defeating
Ravana - the king of Lanka.
When Ram and Sita returned it was a dark moonless night so their people placed
lamps outside their houses so that the new king and queen could find their way.
This is believed to have begun the tradition of the festival of lights.
In Hindu mythology Soma represents the god of the moon - depicted
riding through the sky in a chariot drawn by white horses. |
Passover -
the Jewish Passover is celebrated at the full
moon and over the next eight days. This commemorates the flight and
freedom
of the Israelites from Egypt and slavery - the angel of death 'passed
over' them offering protection.
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Wicca -
the Goddess is believed to show three faces, or aspects during the
waxing, full and waning moon cycles: the Maiden, the Mother and the
Crone. These symbolize renewal, creation and wisdom. Rituals are timed
in relation to the lunar cycle, as the phases of the Moon are believed
to affect
magick.
'Drawing down the Moon', where the Moon Goddess is invoked, is a well
known Wiccan ceremony. |
The
moon controls the tides of the oceans. So, if two thirds of the human body
weight is water, then it is likely that the moon affects our emotions and
energy
levels.
Remember the word 'lunatic' is derived from the Latin word for moon - luna!
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The
period
of a waning moon leading
up to a new moon is the best time for detoxifying the body - release
all your toxins and refresh.
This is the optimum time to exfoliate,
use cleansing face packs, sea-salt baths, seaweed wraps, have facials
and sweat it out in the sauna.
The phase when
the moon is waxing up
to a full moon is the time to replenish, regenerate and repair
your skin with moisturisers and
essential oil massages. Give
your hair a deep conditioning treatment too, as it's believed that
the skin and hair are more
absorbent at this time.
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