Moon times, phases and names for June 2015

I am looking forward to the power of the full moon shortly, can you feel the energy increasing? Here are the moon phases for June 2015 for you so that you can plan your month accordingly. Living life within the phases of the moon allows your life to flow with much greater eases. As the moon wanes during the first week in June try to spend the time withdrawing a little, contemplating more and perhaps de cluttering your life a little. At the new moon on the 18th June this is a perfect time to start new projects and as the moon waxes during the second half of June you may find you have more energy so use that energy to push projects forward, connect with friends and family and be creative. 

This moon in June was popularly called the Strawberry Moon or Rose Moon because of the time of the year. This full moon was seen as very spiritual by Buddhists as it was the full moon when Buddha died and received enlightenment. Bright Moon,  Seed Moon and Planting Moon are other popular names. Our ancestors lived their lives a lot more in tune with the moon and we have much to learn from their cultures. 

Here are the full moon times for different time zones:
Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 06:19:02 pm
Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Moon sign: Sagittarius 11° 49'

In other time zones:
WELLINGTON = Wednesday * 3rd June 2015 * 04:19:02 am (NZST)
SYDNEY = Wednesday * 3rd June 2015 * 02:19:02 am (AEST)
TOKYO = Wednesday * 3rd June 2015 * 01:19:02 am (JST)
BEIJING = Wednesday * 3rd June 2015 * 12:19:02 am (CST)
BANGKOK = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 11:19:02 pm (ICT)
DELHI = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 09:49:02 pm (IST)
DUBAI = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 08:19:02 pm (GST)
MOSCOW = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 07:19:02 pm (MSK)
BERLIN = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 06:19:02 pm (CEST)
LAGOS = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 05:19:02 pm (WAT)
LONDON = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 05:19:02 pm (BST)
RIO = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 01:19:02 pm (BRT)
SANTIAGO = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 01:19:02 pm (CLT)
NEW YORK = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 12:19:02 pm (EDT)
MEXICO CITY = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 11:19:02 am (CDT)
CALGARY = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 10:19:02 am (MDT)
LOS ANGELES = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 09:19:02 am (PDT)
ANCHORAGE = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 08:19:02 am (AKDT)
HONOLULU = Tuesday * 2nd June 2015 * 06:19:02 am (HAST)

Crystal Charms and Goddesses for Healing which are you drawn to ?

Emerging as I often do like a sleepy kitten from a long sleep when I have had these long stretches of migraines I feel drawn to sit and create so that is what I am going to do today, catch up on orders that need posting and make some new pieces. I would like to make some new healing charms I think so if anyone has any needs then please let me know, I love doing special pieces. Each crystal and charm has its own story to tell and put together may be just the right combination for you to begin your own healing and transformation. First thing I am going to make this afternoon is a good luck charm for my daughter who has been studying so hard for her A levels.

Moon Goddess Healing Angelite Pendant www.astarte-moon.co.uk

New Moon Jade Charm for luck and positivitywww.astarte-moon.co.uk

Aceso was the main Greek Goddess for healing. Indeed her name is said to mean curing. She was known for tackling the healing process, the root cause not just the problem itself, thus can be seen as the root of holistic medicine. We of course have a lot to learn from our ancestors in terms of the way we approach modern healing methods. She shared an altar with Aphrodite and Athena and was the daughter of Epipione and and Asclepius. Aceso also spelt Akeso knew the importance of maintaining good health as well as good hygiene in order to stay fit and well, something that was often neglected when looking to cure a specific disease or illness. 

Amethyst Pentacle Charm may help pain relief www.astarte-moon.co.uk

Many of the well known Moon Goddesses such as Aine, Brigid and Isis were known to be powerful healers. Brigid or Brigit was also said to be responsible for fertility and Aine was known for breathing life force into being. Aine is connected with lakes and healing wells. Water is extremely important as a healing aid and I cleanse all my crystals with water from the red spring at Chalice Well gardens in Glastonbury. I bless them all before they are sent out to you so that you may receive the full force of the healing power.

If you are interested in the ancient Celtic ways you might like to take a look at this course that caught my attention. Cat Curacelo's Celtic mysteries course invites you to look at the background that shaped your own life journey and the shapes and symbols that occurred along the way. Cat says

" Whether you are new to 'the journey' or returning to this tribe, this will be a wonderful opportunity to explore and extend your travelling, using visual narrative as a form in this brand new Celtic Mysteries journey that celebrates ancestral remembering and our deep myths."Once Upon a Mythos Cat Caracelo

The important thing to note when looking for healing is to find the right mix of things that are right for you and to remember that your biggest help is Mother Earth. If you are drawn to a particular crystal, goddess, pentacle, stone, herb then there is often a reason for that. Modern medicine can often be used alongside traditional remedies and there is often no reason you cannot take both as long as you check with your healthcare provider. Our earth is a powerful healer and she has much to offer us as long as we give back in return.

Celebrating the earth at Glastonbury White Spring Beltane 2014

In the words of the wonderful Glennie Kindred
"Experiencing deep heartfelt connections to the Earth will bring us closer to understanding ourselves and trusting out intuition. It will help us foster a sense of belonging and love for the Earth and all peoples of the Earth.  To live in harmony with the earth, we need to remember our connection to her."
Glennie Kindred Earth Wisdom

So do you have a favourite healing goddess, a favourite crystal or a favourite icon? Strong symbols can often make us feel powerful and obviously colour makes a difference in the choice of crystal we go for. A carnelian stone with an owl and wolf charm might be my choice for my exam charm.......

Goddess blessings to you, may you be abundant and blessed in all you do this month, AstarteAlison XXXXX

Beltane Celebrations and Maypole Dancing Glastonbury 2015

So I'm finally sitting down on Sunday afternoon to write a little about Beltane in Glastonbury this year, 2015. We had a lovely day and this year it stayed dry all day! The sun did try to shine on us a little to bring in the glorious start to summer but it was a very brief showing!

Beltane celebrates the start of the summer on the Pagan Wheel of the Year and it is celebrated in great style in Glastonbury with much joy and merriment. This follows ancient traditions, Beltane always was a festival of great joy, a time for honouring all of our Mother Earth's bounty and the love and fertility that is all around us at this time of year. Beltane is not for the shy it is for celebrating love and not being afraid to express that love.

We started the day with a beautiful ceremony in the Chalice Well Gardens. Having driven down just for the day I didn't think I could make it through the day getting up at 2am so we had to forgo the dawn ceremony on top of the Tor which was a shame. The Chalice Well was beautiful as usual and the fire jumping occurred with great gusto this year which was immense fun! I met Tessa and Sosha there, both looking beautiful in this pic. 

Celebrating the love at Beltane

The crowning of the May King and Queen and the entertainment in the Town Square was as usual hugely enjoyable with lots of folk joining in with a song to contribute. We the processed up to the White Spring for the blessing of the May Pole. I chatted to Julie Ann there who makes many of the handmade cloaks being worn today. www.avaloncloaks.co.uk. We then made our way unto Bushey Coombe for the ceremony and Maypole dance.

I hope you enjoy the photos and if you were there please do drop me a line. If any of you are in them and you would rather I take them down then please do say and I will take them down right away.

Beltane blessings to you all,

AstarteAlison

Photographs owned by myself. Please feel free to use them for personal use, any professional use please contact me for prices.

The origins of Maypole and Morris Dancing at Beltane

This week we are looking forward to Beltane on the Pagan Wheel of the Year calendar.

Greenmen and the Maypole Glastonbury Beltane 2014

Beltane really does herald the beginning of spring. I have just this morning noticed that my beautiful Ceanothus in the back garden is showing its first blue buds. The tadpoles are turning into little frogs, the birds are looking after their young and the grass once more needs mowing. Spring is indeed in full swing!

Maypole Dancing Glastonbury 2014

Our ancient ancestors worshipped the earth we walk upon and venerated her for what she gives her, giving thanks at every turn of the wheel and as Pagan's we like to do the same. At Beltane this is a wonderful time to give thanks to our Mother Earth for all she provides for us. There has been a lovely increase in popularity in recent times in local maypole dances and morris dances so I'm sure you could find one near you happening over this Beltane may bank holiday. The may pole was a traditional symbol of fertility and the red and white ribbons symbolised the entwining of male and female energies. Morris dancing has long been popular at Beltane, reference's made

Morris Dancers Glastonbury Tor Beltane 2014

by Shakespeare in 'All's Well that Ends Well' point to Morris Dancing being performed on May 1st. It is believed that the Morris dances have magic weaved into them and can bring about luck and ward off evil. More information about the customs and traditions of Beltane or Beltain can be found here Beltane Traditions

I am particularly looking forward to going down to Glastonbury where there will be much Maypole and Morris dancing to welcome in the Summer. We shall welcome in the dawn with Morris dancing on the top of the Tor followed by a ceremony and Maypole at the Chalice Well followed by another Maypole dance at Bushey Coombe. Do try and get to a celebration if you are able to. If not perhaps you can entwine some ribbons whilst you think of our wonderful Mother Earth and all she provides for us, if you are able to get up and see the sunrise, enjoy the splendour of a new dawn, the wonder of our amazing sun.

Morris Dancers welcome the sun Glastonbury Tor

Beltane blessings to you,

AstarteAlison

As always if you are featured in any of my pics and would like me to take it down then please message me, many thanks, Alison 

Chinese New Year of the Sheep and Goat 2015 and New Moon

Happy Chinese New Year of the Goat/Sheep/Ram to you all and Blessed New Moon to you. 

There is a bit of confusion this year over which animal the year represents as the Chinese symbol Yang covers three animals the sheep, goat and the ram! 

This period is also known as the Spring festival and many families take part in traditional family festivities in order to bring good fortune to the coming new year. The dragon dance is a traditional and well known part of the festivals that take place around the world over this period of time.

I hope that this new moon brings you lots of good luck and fruitfulness as the year of the sheep/goat begins. This is a perfect time for commencing any new activity you might like to look in to. Some things may have come to an end in order to allow new and exciting events in your life to enter.

My fortune cookie this year read:

"Sometimes when you think it is the end, it is really a new beginning."

I thought that was very appropriate for the new year and the new moon. Often we mourn over a loss but sometimes we have to look beyond that and see that sometimes we have to lose in order to gain and that is part of the shift in our lives.

I send to you many new year, new moon blessings, AstarteAlison ☽✪☾

The Pagan origins of St Valentines Day

It is Valentine's Day on Saturday and at the moment it feels like the world has gone crazy with red roses and hearts everywhere!

I'm not against most of these celebrations that we have it just feels like every year there is more and more stuff you can buy! As someone selling things to folk though I don't feel I can complain too much about the commercialisaion of these celebratory days that we have!(http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk if you want to check the site out, sorry unashamedly advertising there but girl's got to pay her bills!!)

It is estimated that approximately a billion Valentine's cards will be sent around the globe on February 14th! I wonder how many roses will be sent to accompany them!

http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk

February 14th was originally a Pagan festival of love celebrated in Rome. It was the feast day of Juno, Queen of the Gods and the Patroness of Marriage. This day was followed by the feast of Lupercalia. The feast was named for Lupercus the hunter of Wolves, he has also gone by the name of Pan (Greek), Baal, and Nimrod in other Pagan cultures. The God Baal was known as the Sun god to the ancient Pagans. It is also said that the symbol of the heart was obtained from the Babylonians and that the word for heart was 'bal'. Thus the heart became the symbol for Nimrod or Baal.This could be the origin of the heart we now associate with Valentines Day.

Couples that had been matched together during the feast of Juno would stay together throughout the celebrations of Lupercalia. The match making occurred from the boys pulling the names of the girls they would be with out of a jar. Often these unions despite how they started would prove to be deep and long lasting. 

It was towards the end of the 5th century that the Christian church decided to ensure there were no Pagan overtones to the day and dedicated February 14th to St Valentine.

However you celebrate and whatever you call the day I hope you enjoy some time with your loved ones.

With love light and blessings to you all, AstarteAlison

http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk

Ten Fun Facts You may not know about Imbolc, festival of Brighde

Ten Facts You may not know about Imbolc

So of course you know that Imbolc is celebrated on 2nd February and that is is the festival of the Goddess Brighde, Brigid or Brigit. There seems to be many different spellings of her name around! Imbolc celebrates the beginning of our earth's awakening and the return of the light. So the following are just a few facts about Imbolc that I put together that you may or may not know!

Imbolc derives from the word Oimelc which means lactating sheep, hence the connection to the spring time and fertility.

Imbolc is also said to be translated as 'in the belly'

Brighde is known as the Goddess of fire and Imbolc is strongly related to fire with bonfires being lit throughout the land in ancient times.

Brighde or Bridey dolls and Brigits cross are strong Imbolc symbols

Imbolc is often a good time for spring cleaning and cleansing of ones living space to prepare for the year ahead.

Imbolc was re-named Candlemas and celebrated by Christianity 

Groundhog day is celebrated on Imbolc and it is said it originates from the legend of Brighde's snake emerging from the ground.

Trees representing Imbolc are the Rowan and the Willow.

Other symbols for Imbolc are the snowdrop, the swan, candles and the plough.

Enjoy this wonderful season of our earth's awakening, may the spirit of Brighde bring love and light into your hearts and your homes.

Blessings, Alison

On Combining Christmas and Yule, Winter Solstice

How do you combine Christmas and Yule in your family traditions? Do you celebrate both traditions?

In our family I have only been a Pagan for approximately four years. My teenage daughters therefore in regards to Paganism, how can I put it; 'gently support' what they term their Mum's 'hippy ways'! They love what I do and I know a lot of it is rubbing off on them but they in in no way put them selves in my camp it just wouldn't be cool! Perhaps if I had become a Pagan whilst they were toddlers it might have been different. I look wistfully every year at the mothers and their very young children all dressed up with flowers in

their hair at the maypole in Glastonbury for Beltane!

Christmas is therefore a very big event in our house. Although adults really now my girls adore Christmas and get really excited which I love. I have no problem with celebrating Christian holidays alongside Pagan ones and have not let go of a lot of my Catholic upbringing. I believe in religious tolerance for all religions, every religion has something to offer and we can never say one is better than another. Personally I like to draw from many different religions in my personal beliefs. For me Paganism is about worshipping our Mother Earth not about whose religion is the better one.

My Yule Altar

So to celebrate Yule at the Winter Solstice this year I will be lighting candles and having a private mediation, welcoming the return of the sun. I struggle with the long dark days so will be very glad that our sun is returning to light our earth. For that I give gratitude to our wonderful Mother Earth Gaia. I like to bring the outside into the house at this time of year so have made our mantlepiece into an altar to honour our Mother Earth, the Goddess Gaia. This is following ancient Pagan customs of bringing greenery such as holly ivy and mistletoe into homes for good luck, more on ancient customs can be found here

Our Pagan Christmas tree

Although our Christmas tree is festooned with baubles and memories of holidays past I also like to Paganise it a little with ornaments I have made and pentacle charms. Perhaps you can have a go at making your own pentacle charm to go on your Christmas tree this year? Pentacle charms like the one depicted here are still available in the Astarte Moon Shop  as well. 

Yule Pentacle charm-Astarte-Moon Shop

Blessings of love and light for the return of the sun at Yule to you, AstarteAlison

Launch of new healthy living magazine Harvest 20% discount coupon

I have the thrilling news of the launch of a brand new magazine 'Harvest' This wonderful magazine gives you a seasonal guide to healthy living for a happy life. This beautiful print magazine is packed full of in-depth articles with ideas and inspiration for how you can live better through natural solutions.I have my own contribution in the first issue with the story of my personal Pagan path which I am very excited about!

Modern-day life is hectic and often leaves little room to appreciate the important things in life – the happiness and health of ourselves and our family. We often feel that something is missing in our lives. There is a vast range of alternative solutions out there, claiming to be the one that works, but how do you know where to start?

There is no easy answer to that question but Harvest magazine helps you to find your path through the mine field of alternative therapies and natural remedies to find a happier healthier you, more in touch with yourself and more in touch with nature.

For Astarte-Moon friends I have a very special discount code for you which gives you 20% discount plus 5 mags for the price of 4- bargain for this info packed publication! Just enter the code HARVESTMOON20 at the checkout.

Click on the link below to take you straight to the website:



Issue One is packed with loads of fabulous articles. Of course there is my article which talks about what led me down the Pagan path in the first place, what being a Pagan means to me, and how you can celebrate Paganism in the Autumn. Then there are loads of wonderful pieces of which the following are just the tip of the iceberg. 

• Woodland workout 

Fed up with your local gym? Give nature’s gym a go. We join Oliver Selway in the local woods for a full body workout outdoors.

• Flu fighter 

Don’t let that next cold strike you down. Essential oils to the rescue! Alex Martin explains how to use them effectively to fight off your next cold.

• Garlic goodness 

Much-loved by chefs, but much-maligned for its odour, we rough garlic up a bit and find out why it’s so good for us and how to make some kitchen remedies.

• Plus we’ve got articles on natural deodorants, the paleo diet, exercises from our life coach to unlock true happiness and why playing with your food is a great way to deal with fussy eaters. 

So, give it a try, I promise you won't be disappointed and there is a money back guarantee to make sure you are not! Remember just click on the link above to take you to the website and enter the code to get your discount. You can download a preview of the magazine before buying to checkout some of the articles plus there are lots of great competitions in the blog section of the Harvest website.

Harvest blessings to you, Alison 

November Full Frost Snow Beaver Moon. Which name is your favourite?

On Thursday 6th November we will have the beauty of a wonderful full moon gracing our skies once again.

As we consistently see, a lot of our ancient ancestors named our moons depending on what Mother Nature was doing at that particular time of year. November is unsurprisingly no different. Thus we see names such as Snow Moon and Frost Moon for the cold weather we will experience in November. One descriptive one I like is the Dakotah Sioux Moon when Horns are broken off. This refers to the rutting season of the deer. Their neighbours the Lakota referred to the November full moon as ‘the Moon of the falling leaves’. Meanwhile the Ojibwe name was ‘the freezing moon’ and the Osage called it ‘the Coon breeding Moon’

The time of the November full moon was often a traditional time for trading amongst the traditional native American Indians. It was the traditional time for the friendship festival called ‘Adohuna’. Adohuna was a day for atonement for the Cherokee and ritual fasting was observed on the day itself. It was a time for charity and the needy in all the local area were looked out for.

Other popular names for the November name are Hunter's moon and Beaver Moon. More information can information can be found here

In Japan the Goddess Kami was honoured as the Goddess of the kitchen. She is responsible for the food that comes into our kitchens and its preparation into the food that we eat.

Enjoy the cold crispy days of November, as the last of the Autumn leaves fall we see our mother earth gently settling down into the winter slumber. We can look forward to cozy nights in front of the fire or tucked up in bed with a good book(that’s me!) Look out for our wonderful November Frost Moon in the night sky, perhaps you would like to give her your own personal name?

Below are the full moon times in different time zones around the world.

Moon sign: Taurus 14° 25'

Thursday 6th November 2014 11:22:54 pm(CET)
WELLINGTON = Friday * 7th Nov 2014 * 11:22:54 am (NZDT)
SYDNEY = Friday * 7th November 2014 * 09:22:54 am (AEDT)
TOKYO = Friday * 7th November 2014 * 07:22:54 am (JST)
BEIJING = Friday * 7th November 2014 * 06:22:54 am (CST)
BANGKOK = Friday * 7th November 2014 * 05:22:54 am (ICT)
DELHI = Friday * 7th November 2014 * 03:52:54 am (IST)
MOSCOW = Friday * 7th November 2014 * 02:22:54 am (MSK)
RIYADH = Friday * 7th November 2014 * 01:22:54 am (AST)
BERLIN = Thursday * 6th November 2014 * 11:22:54 pm (CET)
LAGOS = Thursday * 6th November 2014 * 11:22:54 pm (WAT)
LONDON = Thursday * 6th November 2014 * 10:22:54 pm (GMT)
RIO = Thursday * 6th November 2014 * 08:22:54 pm (BRST)
NEW YORK = Thursday * 6th Nov 2014 * 05:22:54 pm (EST)
MEXICO CITY = Thursday * 6th Nov 2014 * 04:22:54 pm (CST)
LOS ANGELES = Thursday * 6th Nov 2014 * 02:22:54 pm (PST)
HONOLULU = Thursday * 6th Nov 2014 * 12:22:54 pm (HAST)

Full November moon blessings to you, AstarteAlison xxx

A Pagan path with Gratitude for all creatures on our Mother Earth, Gaia.

We are not the only creature on this planet with emotions, feelings and a family life.

Isn't this a beautiful picture? Just reminds us of the importance of all the wonderful beings who inhabit our Mother Earth alongside us. We sometimes have to be reminded that we are not the only ones who to whom things such as family and feelings are incredibly important. Following a Pagan path means to me that all creatures are important on this earth we call Gaia and I constantly offer Gratitude for each and every one of them.

Gaias blessings, AstarteAlison

Ten Facts you may not know about Samhain

Ten Facts you may not know about Samhain

It is pronounced Sow-wen.

Samhain comes from the Gaelic ‘Samhuin’ meaning Summer’s end.

Samhain bonfires were traditionally lit in Scotland and were called Samhnagan.

Samhain is the first day of the Celtic New Year.

Other names for Samhain include Shadowfest(Strega) and Martinmas(celtic Scottish)

It is the time on the Wheel of the year when the veil between our world and the spirit world is thought to be at it’s thinnest.

Samhain was traditionally a time for honouring one’s ancestors: often food was left out.

Originally turnips were carved into lanterns, these later became pumpkins in Halloween traditions.

On the Isle of Man Samhain is celebrated as Hop-tu-Naa

Costumes and masks were worn to ward off evil spirits, this custom has been absorbed into Halloween traditions of today.

Much more in depth information about Samhain traditions can be found here: Samhain

Samhain blessings to you, Alison

My photos in Spirit and Destiny Magazine. Article on Spirit Rescue, helping a spirit cross over.

Very excited that my photographs have been published in this month's Spirit and Destiny Magazine! For those of my lovely readers in the US and anywhere else not in the UK this is a lovely magazine brimming with lots of info on all things Spiritual: Pagan, angels, chakra healing, crystal healing, horoscopes, psychic, mediumship, you name it they cover it basically.

Anyway a very good friend of mine Sarah Jewsbury is a very talented Medium who has a column for them and performed a Spirit Rescue. They needed a photographer and she recommended me. Now I am not a professional photographer at all so the whole thing was very nerve wrecking but enjoyable at the same time! I felt very privileged to be a part of this wonderful process and to work with such lovely people. To be featured in the wonderful Spirit and Destiny is a great honour and to see my photographs in print is very exciting! It was a very interesting story about this spirit Catherine who had attached herself to this house and to the client due to the fact that she couldn't move on so Sarah performed the rescue to help her do so, to cross over. She did this with the help of a spirit guide. You can read the whole story in the magazine which is just out now. If you would like to find out more about spirit rescue I'm sure Sarah would be happy to talk to you. 

Bright October blessings to you,

Alison xxx

Mabon Autumn equinox blessings to you, free e-cards to send!

Mabon or the Autumn Equinox will soon be upon us. This is a time when the earth is in perfect balance, day and night are of equal length. Mabon is celebrated on September 21st, in the Northern Hemisphere, in the Southern Hemsiphere it is the time for Oestara, the spring Equinox.  Mabon is the season of the second harvest, a time when apples, cherries, plums and blackberries are seen all around us and it is a wonderful time to give thanks to our Mother Earth for all she has provided for us. I particularly like going blackberry picking, despite the thorns there is something wonderful about just being able to pick plum ripe blackberries straight from the hedgerows and eat them, knowing they are just growing there as nature intended them to be.

Anytime is a time to let loved ones know you are thinking of them however Mabon would be a good moment in time to take a breath to catch up with those loved ones and perhaps drop them a line or two to say hi. I've made these free e-cards so that you can do just that and I shall try and get around to making a few more over the next few days. Simply right click on any of these images and save them to your computer, print out or email to your loved ones.

Mabon or Ostara blessings to you all wherever in the world you are, AstarteAlison

Full Super Moon Harvest September 2014 a cause for Gratitude and why is it Orange?!

Well our moon for September 2014 is currently waxing at 83% of her fullness at the time I write this and I can feel her energy ever building. I haven't been lucky enough to see her on the last few nights as it has been cloudy here in England so I'm hoping for a few clear nights as we reach the nights of her fullness. 

This September moon is the moon closest to the Pagan festival of Mabon. Therefore a lot of the names that have been given over time to this full moon are to do with the harvest that takes place around this time of year. Mabon is the second harvest in the Pagan wheel of the Year, we shall see the last one being the traditional one of Samhain or Halloween. Common names for the September moon therefore included Harvest Moon, Barley Moon and Corn Moon.

It is often thought that this harvest moon is a particularly orange colour, is there any truth or science behind this fact? When we see the moon rising it looks much larger to our eyes as we are seeing it against the background of other objects. Due to the fact that we are looking at the moon through a greater amount of atmospheric particles including pollution the moon will take on an orange or reddish tint. The atmosphere will scatter the blue particles but allow the red component of light to travel direct to our eyes. Thus we see a larger looking red/orange Harvest Moon rising in our skies on the evening of the September Full Moon. 

This September Harvest Moon is of course the third in the trio of Super moons that we will have seen in 2014, therefore it's orange glow will look even more spectacular as it will appear slightly larger.  It will not be as large as the Supermoon that occurred in August. That super moon was the largest of the year because the moon was the closest to us. Supermoon's can appear up to 14% brighter and 30% bigger. Supermoons occur because our moon does not follow a circular path around our earth, it follows an elliptical one. Therefore at its furthest away it is 405,000 km away, this is called an apogee, and at its nearest it is 363,000, this is called a perigree. When the time of the perigree aligns with a full or new moon it is called a super moon. Much more information on why Supermoon's occur and how they might affect us can be found here:What is a Supermoon 

Other names for the September Full Supermoon include Mulberry Moon, Leaf Fall Moon, Kindly Moon and Little Chestnut Moon.

The September Mabon moon is all about achieving balance in our lives. We are nearing the Autumn equinox. Look to any areas of your lives that feel our of kilter right now, what do you need to do to bring that balance back? This is also a time of Gratitude. It is a time when we say thank you to our Mother Earth. She has provided us with a lot over this past year asking for nothing in return, the least we can do is offer her our gratitude. It is up to you how you do this, you may like to get together with family and friends or simply spend some time in nature offering up your silent thanks to the Mother Earth that feeds us and keeps us alive.

Do you have a favourite for the September Mabon Moon? I'm going to go with Blackberry Moon this year as the blackberries are early and there are already so many of them in my garden..delicious!

Full Mabon Supermoon Harvest Moon blessings to you,

AstarteAlison

Supermoon in Aquarius August 10th 2014 and Perseid Meteor Shower. Feel the amazing energy.

This August we are blessed with the brightest Supermoon of 2014.  August’s supermoon will reach her fullness at 1.10pm CDT 18 10 UT on August 10^th 2014.  She will have reached her closest point to earth just a few minutes earlier at 12.44 CDT. The fact that these two phenomena co-incide means that this supermoon will be a particularly spectacuar event this August. At this point of perigree she will be just 221,765 miles away from earth, our supermoon won’t be as close as this again until September 2015.

 What is a Supermoon?

We have three supermoons this year, the first was in July, did any of you see it? I didn’t manage it as it was cloudy here! The third supermoon will be in September. August’s supermoon will be the most spectacular though, being closest to our earth of the three so will surely prove to be an event not to be missed. Supermoon’s are on average 14% larger and 30% brighter but I can’t find a statistic of how much brighter this August moon will be, she sure will however be a sight not to be missed!

 

Super mini moons astroblogger.com

The best time to view our wonderful moon will be just as she rises which will be just after sunset on Sunday.  The moon on the horizon always seems to look larger than when she is is high in the sky, this is because of what is known as the ‘Ponzo Illusion’

“Most supermoons appear larger than they really are because of what's called the "Ponzo Illusion." First put forth in 1913 by Italian psychologist Mario Ponzo, it holds that the human mind judges the size of an object based on its background.

Most people perceive the horizon as being farther away than the point straight above their heads. "When the moon is on the horizon, your brain thinks it’s far away, much farther than when it’s overhead," writes Phil Plait in his Bad Astronomy blog. "So the Ponzo Illusion kicks in: Your brain sees the moon as being huge, and it looks like you could fall into it." http://www.al.com

Why do super moons occur?

How will the super moon affect me?

August’s Supermoon also coincides with the Perseids meteor shower, her super brightness will mean that the Perseids may be a little harder to view this year. There will be a lot of energy however happening in the skies above us. This will be quite a turbulent and power fuelled time for all of us!

 

Perseids from VEoz.com

This Supermoon will be in Aquarius. Although the time of the full moon will be a turbulent one it will bring about a breaking down of barriers and a releasing of any pent up emotion that needs to be let go of. Aquarius is an air sign known for shattering perceptions and breaking rules. You will emerge feeling cleansed and refreshed. Let go of all that you do not need, break down those walls, you will feel so much better for it.

The August Supermoon is also the Lunar Lammas falling midway between the summer and Autumn Equinoxes. Lammas or Lughnasadh is a celebration of the first harvest, of giving thanks for the fruits of our labour and looking forward to the months ahead.

Our supermoon this August has many names given to it, it has been called the Grain Moon, Mating Moon, Chokeberry Moon, Summertime Moon, Corn Moon , Moon when Cherries Turn Black and the Barley Moon.

One interesting name is the Dog Day’s moon which refers to the hot days of the late summer in the northern hemisphere that occur in late July and August. The Old Farmer’s Almanac lists the traditional period of the Dog days as the 40 days beginning July 3^rd and ending august 11^th.  The name Dog Days was believed to originate from the ancient Romans and Greeks who named these days after the star Sirius, the Dog Star, brightest star in the sky. The Dog Days originally were the days when Sirius rose just before or at the same time as sunrise, this was known as a heliacal rising.

Enjoy this Aquarius Supermoon. Pass through this time of turbulence and emerge refreshed at the other end. Hopefully you will have caught a glimpse of some of the wonderful Perseid meteors to light your path along the way!

Supermoon blessings to you, AstarteAlison xxx