New Moon in Aries

The mysteries associated with the tarot and the moon can be understood as being cyclical patterns representing basic contrasting patterns between light and darkness. The fundamental relationship between these two polarities, which define each other, can illuminate the principles which underly all of reality.

Using the solar cycle, the lunar cycle, and the first four major arcana of the tarot as the starting point, we can see how a framework of understanding can emerge from the fundamental relationship between darkness and light, and maybe, how to use it to create systems of awareness, both emergent and repeatable.

If we start with the ‘no moon’ phase, we may see that as a beginning. Even though in cyclic time there really is no beginning, we have to start somewhere. So here we are at the spring equinox and the celestial pattern representing this time-phase in the solar cycle is Aries (fire). We can start with that as a beginning of a new growth phase in the northern hemisphere, and correlate that with the new growth period of the new moon towards the first quarter, in a lunar cycle.

The first major Arcana card, the symbol of The Magician, and the number 1, would represent the entire solar season of spring, new growth, warmth (fire) and a renewal of nature after a fallowing period of rest, cold, darkness and decay (winter). This is a period of time that is emerging, not from nothing, but from the decayed remains of a previous solar cycle’s maturity and death.

At the first quarter, the summer solstice, the symbol of the moon in it’s ‘half full” growing phase (waxing), takes the form of the second major Arcana card, the symbol of the High Priestess, the number 2. Here there is clear definition of light and dark in equal parts and the relationship between them is observed by the astrological sign of Cancer (water). There is separation between light and darkness. There is promise. There is fluidity, softness, and awareness of the invisible.

The full moon phase, which lasts at most a few days, is represented by third major Arcana card, the symbol of The Empress, and the number 3. The astrological time period astrologically is marked by the autumn equinox and the astrological sign of Libra (air). Growth has reached its peak and the waning period begins. It is a time for letting go, for completion, for gratitude of the harvest. It’s also a time for knowing, defining and acceptance of limits.

The third quarter (waning) moon is represented by growing darkness and receding outward expression. The accumulated wisdom of the cycle is stored in an inner embodied awareness. The astrological time period is represented by the winter solstice and the astrological sign of Capricorn (earth). The fourth major arcana card, the symbol of The Emperor, and the number 4. It begins with the awareness of fallow times to come. There is a need to protect and remember the family, the home and the hearth. It’s a time for cutting away everything unable to respond to the endurance of darker, colder, drier times.

Each of the first four major arcana transcend and include the previous symbols and create the stable foundation of nature. The High Priestess contains both the symbol of the number 1 and the Magician, as well as the awareness of the number 2, the duality of separation, of past and present. The Empress contains the symbol of The Magician’s fire, newness, and uniqueness or oneness, the High Priestess’s awareness of duality, and the fecund fullness of connection all of nature, it’s oneness, it’s duality, and it’s regenerative capacity in both inner and outer realms. The Emperor, contains all the symbols of the previous 3, as well as having the capacity to transcend and include the full understanding of death as part of the regenerative cycle.

The tarot deck images are from the Druidcraft Tarot deck by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm with illustrations by Will Worthington.

The Moon in Druidry

They Hold No Quarter

Listening to one of my all time favourite bands from childhood Led Zepplin. All through the 70's & 80's I listened to this and had no idea what the lyrics meant, nor why I loved them so much. No I do. They hold a piece of my heart.

Led Zeppelin - No Quarter (Live at Madison Square Garden 1973)

[Verse 1]

Close the door, put out the light

You know they won't be home tonight

The snow falls hard and don't you know?

The winds of Thor are blowing cold

They're wearing steel that's bright and true

They carry news that must get through

[Chorus]

They choose the path where no-one goes

They hold no quarter

They hold no quarter

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 2]

Walking side by side with death

The devil mocks their every step

The snow drives back the foot that's slow

The dogs of doom are howling more

They carry news that must get through

To build a dream for me and you

[Chorus]

They choose the path where no-one goes

They hold no quarter

They ask no quarter

They hold no quarter

They ask no quarter

The pain, the pain without quarter

They ask no quarter

The dogs of doom are howling more!

Full Moon

Freaks, Monsters, Fairies, Devils, and Fantasy TOUR

This is the way to discover Florence, Italy in a Study Abroad course being offered this fall.



Must I even say how I lament passing on such an opportunity?
It would certainly advance my stature and understanding in the Cult of the Moon.
Now if only they had a Heathen version of this being held in Oslo.

Brigid's New Heathen Moon

Hailz to the Goddess Brigid and her gifts of fire and poetry.

I've been working all day on this tribute image and in the middle of it I read an eloquent, simple and complete description of Heathenism from the BBC article Heathenry that may very well change my life.

First of all, every aspect from the high regard placed on the worship of ancestors and taking personal responsibility or the other ethics of Wyrd to the values of honesty, forthrightness, ethical obligation, frith and the lack of emphasis placed on magic and the strong sense of polytheism came together for the first time and I got shivers down my spine. These are my personal values and virtues also. Nowhere have I seen a reprint of them in their entirety in an external place, let alone belonging to a visible, established and welcoming community.

To further the wow factor I got some help clarifying the “Folkism vs. Universalism” debate at The Godhi's Hall via The Penzler Scale created by the author of that blog. It is a scale detailing the degree to which an individul Heathen or a group feels those outside of a Northern European racial heritage are welcome within the faith :

A) Necessary: “Everyone in the world should be following this as the One True Faith.”
B) Encouraged: “We should be actively recruiting people of other ethnic backgrounds.”
C) Welcomed: “We needn’t recruit them as such, but they are as welcome as anyone else.”
D) Accepted: “Because of ancestral ties, they might not have as strong a connection to these ways, but that’s their business, and I can accept their participation.”
E) Tolerated: “They’d be better off following their own ancestors’ ways, but we’ll allow them in, reluctantly.”
F) Discouraged: “Those people should be actively discouraged from taking up our ways, and sent seeking their own people’s ways instead. If they really insist, I don’t care — but they aren’t going to be a part of any group I’m in.”
G) Disallowed: “They simply cannot be a part of this faith, ever.”
H) Fought: “They must not be allowed to take up these ways — they are harmful by their very presence and/or should be gotten rid of by whatever means.”

which I'd like to help spread. Now I understand completely the problem.

I've gained such a great understanding today. And fittingly, it is Imbolc AND the new moon, making starting anything new extra special and potent, as today I feel I begin my Heathen journey. That being said, I've been informed that Thorrablót is the Heathen holiday/celebration of spring-coming complimentary to the pagan ritual of Imbolc.

Cult Of The Moon - Hybrid Paganism

Being of 5/8 British 1/8 Irish and 1/4 German heritage I consider myself a kind of mix of Celtic / Heathen origin. I am not bound by these origins though. I grew up in an environment that was an awkward mix of atheism, which I simply define here by a lack of spirituality and Christianity, as defined by the general culture around me. I could, by default, define myself as one or both of those. A further option would be to adopt an entirely foreign religion to my heritage, origins, or surroundings such as Buddhism, Islam, or even Hindu. But the truly Canadian thing to do would be the most multi-cultural thing and that would be to become a hybrid.

I've always told people, particularly Christians, that I am a pagan. I especially loved to say this to those Mormons and/or Christian fundamentalists that often come to your door unannounced, it seems, just to disturb you at the most inopportune times. It had such a bent for the malicious. It was my way of taking revenge on those souls that dared disturb my tranquility with their grossly misguided intentions.

I never quite believed I was pagan. It just seemed to be the default zone I fell into for lack of commitment to any other. I am so not a joiner anyway. But I could believe that, as the definition of a pagan suggests in its broadest sense, that I was of the earth. I began studying religions and the occult, including astrology in my early twenties. Of greatest impact to me was how I could understand things much better if I assigned an elemental quality to them, such as fire, air, earth, or water. The simplicity of this seemed quite pagan to me, and quite natural.

That was also around the time Bauhaus, which I like to call 'the original Goth band' was breaking up and reforming into Love And Rockets and Tones On Tail on one side with Peter Murphy solos on the other. The occult and religious studies, combined with my taste in the Gothic has been a great influence on my spirituality. Its become a real mash up of many European pre-Christian and medieval Christian ideas, Buddhism and even Native American culture.

A very long time ago, I read in some very detailed astrology book about the interpretations of my natal chart. It was said there that I might have tendencies towards creating a new religion. I now finally understand what they were talking about in that book. For now, I give it a name and say it out loud:

My religion is the Cult of the Moon, a highly personal hybrid form of paganism that chooses to not look at the light directly, but to examine the spiritual life in a more subtle, intuitive and reflective way. The darkness is gently permeated by a soft indirect light reflected off the surface of the moon. The Cult of the Moon is timeless, yet defines time as it waxes and wanes in natural cycles. It is clear that the moon worships the earth; if not directly 'of the earth'  it is definitely 'for the earth.' Yet it is more. It is surrounded and defined by darkness. The darkness is infinite. It is everything and nothing. It is the birthplace of creation in all its forms. It is the void, and the moon tenderly yet firmly defines that it is there, even though we cannot see it.

To know and to not know all that there is and to be as close to the origin of creation as I possibly can, this is the Cult of the Moon.

Cult Of The Waning Moon

Warning: Below is a grimness you may want to avoid.

My grumpiness gets all tied up with the fact that politics is such a tangled mess. Although I want to write something intelligent and inspiring... the truth is I have no hope. The only things that make me truly angry are mayor Rob Ford and prime minister Stephen Harper. All else is meagre and possibly just simply annoying.

My darkness is this lack of hope and it is possibly the most negative thing I possess. It is exacerbated by the fact that I cannot find work that gives me a paycheck unless I sell my soul to the corporate devil. Well, that and change my hair colour. Running a small business with my own blood sweat and tears is positively out of the question because then I'd have to jump through so many hoops and obtain so many seemingly unnecessary permits that after it all I am left with nothing to expend on my product. Well that and I cannot compete with China and its populace of abused citizens working for 13 cents a day.
In answering my own question "What do I want?" I find myself in a mire of helplessness that drains me of enthusiasm. Yes, I wanted to live in a world that had human dignity. That 'want' was dashed by capitalism. I want to live meagerly, yet comfortably in the city where my family and friends live. Although I am managing to still do this, the possibility of continuing to do so is waning because I cannot find a way to earn a paycheck without selling my soul. We are all required to sell our souls. Those that do not are outcast. What kind of world is this we live in?
I "wanted" to help fix the problems our parents made in destroying this planet. Since we've learned that driving cars and burning fossil fuels is killing us all and everything around us, I sat up in my seat with hope that I could be a part of fixing it. That I could feel useful as the person I am with my soul and haircolour intact. But both the mayor of Toronto and the Prime Minister of Canada are taking us back into the problem and out of the solution by canceling all the green initiatives that were so difficult to get instituted to begin with.

Whatever, I'm a complainer and a lazy bum because I don't work. I'm a troublemaker because I ride a bicycle and don't drive a car and I'm a fucking anarchist because I 'want' the stupid economy to fall. How else can we fucking let go of what is killing us and build again? The politicians won't let it happen. The corporations won't let it happen. I seethe and I rage and then I fizzle out and lose hope because what can I do? Tell me I am wrong but I think we are fucked.

Meh... maybe it will pass. Being a true Aries I defer to Scarlet... "Tomorrow is another day."

May there be many tomorrows and may my quiet and helpless rage find a way to resolve itself.

Winter Solstice - Total Lunar Eclipse

The Full Cold Moon, Moon before Yule, or Full Long Nights Moon as is called by the native North Americans of the northeast happened in the predawn hours today. In case you missed it, as I did, here is a time lapse of the lunar eclipse as it occurred this morning:



... and the Winter Solstice or Yule day, begins at 6:38 EST

Here are some prayers to mark the 12 days of Yule beginning today:

Prayer to the Earth - Yule day 1

Just because the earth is cold doesn't mean there's nothing going on down there in the soil. Think about what lies dormant in your own life right now, and consider what may bloom a few months from now.
Cold and dark, this time of year,
the earth lies dormant, awaiting the return
of the sun, and with it, life.
Far beneath the frozen surface,
a heartbeat waits,
until the moment is right,
to spring.

Sunrise Prayer - Yule day 2

The sun returns! The light returns!
The earth begins to warm once more!
The time of darkness has passed,
and a path of light begins the new day.
Welcome, welcome, the heat of the sun,
blessing us all with its rays.

Prayer to the Winter Goddess - Yule day 3

Despite the fact that some people hate cold weather, it does have its advantages. After all, a good cold day gives us an opportunity to cuddle up indoors with the people we love the most.
O! Mighty goddess, in silvery ice,
watching over us as we sleep,
a layer of shining white,
covering the earth each night,
frost on the world and in the soul,
we thank you for visiting us.
Because of you, we seek warmth
in the comfort of our homes and hearths.

Prayer of Thanks - Yule day 4

Yule should be a time of joy and happiness, but for many people it can be stressful. This is a season to take a moment and be thankful for the blessings you have, and to take a moment to remember those less fortunate.
I am grateful for that which I have.
I am not sorrowful for that which I do not.
I have more than others, less than some,
but regardless, I am blessed with
what is mine.

Prayer for the Beginning of Winter - Yule day 5

In early winter, we can see the skies becoming overcast, and smell fresh snow in the air. Take a few minutes to think about the fact that even if the skies are cold and dark, it's only temporary.
See the gray skies overhead, preparing the way
for the darkness soon to come.
See the gray skies overhead, preparing the way,
for the world to go cold and lifeless.
See the gray skies overhead, preparing the way
for the longest night of the year.
See the gray skies overhead, preparing the way
for the sun to one day return,
bringing with it light.

Sunset Prayer - Yule day 6

The longest night has come once more,
the sun has set, and darkness fallen.
The trees are bare, the earth asleep,
and the skies are cold and black.
Yet tonight we rejoice, in this longest night,
embracing the darkness that enfolds us.
We welcome the night and all that it holds,
as the light of the stars shines down.

Nordic Yule Blessing - Yule day 7

Yule is a time to set aside animosity between yourself and people who would normally antagonize you. The Norsemen had a tradition that enemies who met under a bough of mistletoe were obligated to lay down their arms. Set aside your differences, and think about that as you ponder this devotional.
Beneath the tree of light and life,
a blessing at this season of Jul!
To all that sit at my hearth,
today we are brothers, we are family,
and I drink to your health!
Today is a day to offer hospitality
to all that cross my threshold
in the name of the season.

Snow Prayer - Yule day 8

Depending on where you live, you may be seeing snowfall long before Yule arrives. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty, both as it falls and once it covers the ground.
From the reaches of the north,
a place of cold blue beauty,
comes to us the first winter storm.
Wind whipping, flakes flying,
the snow has fallen upon the earth,
keeping us close,
keeping us together,
wrapped up as everything sleeps
beneath a blanket of white.

Prayer for the Olde Gods - Yule day 9

The Holly King is gone, and the Oak King reigns
Yule is the time of the old winter gods!
Hail to Baldur! To Saturn! To Odin!
Hail to Ameratsu! To Demeter!
Hail to Ra! To Horus!
Hail to Frigga, Minerva Sulis and Cailleach Bheur!
It is their season, and high in the heavens,
may they grant us their blessings this winter day.

Celtic Yule Blessing - Yule day 10

The Celtic people knew the importance of the solstice. Although the Yule season marks the middle of winter, colder times were still to come. It was important to put aside staple foods for the coming months, because it would be many months before anything fresh grew again. Consider, as you think on this devotional, what your family has put aside -- both material goods and things on the spiritual plane.
The food is put away for the winter,
the crops are set aside to feed us,
the cattle are come down from their fields,
and the sheep are in from the pasture.
The land is cold, the sea is stormy, the sky is gray.
The nights are dark, but we have our family,
kin and clan around the hearth,
staying warm in the midst of darkness,
our spirit and love a flame
a beacon burning brightly
in the night.

Elemental Blessing - Yule day 11

In the middle of winter, it's hard to remember sometimes that light is coming back to earth. However, despite the gray, cloudy days, we know that soon, the sun will return. Keep this in mind during those dreary days when it seems winter will never end, by invoking the four classical elements.
As the earth grows colder,
the winds blow faster,
the fire dwindles smaller,
and the rains fall harder,
let the light of the sun
find its way home.

Prayer to the Sun God Ra - Yule day 12

Great sun, wheel of fire, Ra in your glory,
hear me as I honor you
on this, the shortest day of the year.
Summer has gone, passed us by,
the fields are dead and cold,
all of earth sleeps in your absence.
Even in the darkest times,
you light the way for those who would need a beacon,
of hope, of brightness,
shining in the night.
Winter is here, and colder days coming,
the fields are bare and the livestock thin.
We light these candles in your honor,
that you might gather your strength
and bring life back to the world.
O Ra, mighty sun above us,
we ask you to return, to bring back to us
the light and the warmth of your fire.
Bring life back to earth,
Bring light back to earth.
Hail Ra! Ruler of the sun!

New Moon

New moon in Sagittarius - a portal to change - seek deep within and become aware of hidden motivations.