Pssst
Autumn is almost here.
🌎💛
Photo by NancyL
Cycles and Seasons
Moon Time
Before the Catholic Church created its own calendar, Europeans followed one based on the moon rather than the sun. This ancient calendar lays out a year with 13 months. Each month is 28 days long, the length of the human menstrual cycle.
13×28 = 364, plus one holy day = 365 days in a year.
The lunar calendar has exactly 4 weeks each month that coincide with the 4 phases of the moon: new, waxing, full, and waning.
In Gaelic, the words for menstruation and calendar come from the same root: miosach and miosachan. The Chinese divided the sky into 28 lunar mansions that Earth cycled through. Maya women say their calendar originated from menstruation as well. Cultures around the world honored the lunar calendar.
The Church erased the lunar calendar, focusing instead on 12 solar months. The number 13 became unlucky, tied to witchcraft. And menstruation was declared unclean and taboo.
But women around the world continue to cycle with the moon, physically and emotionally.
#moontime #lunarwisdom #herstorymatters
#navigatingbymoonlight
🌙
Imbolc Has Arrived
Here in the northern hemisphere, we are halfway to spring.
“…beneath the surface of winter, the miracle of spring is already in preparation; the cold is relenting; seeds are wakening up. Colors are beginning to imagine how they will return. Then, imperceptibly, somewhere one bud opens and the symphony of renewal is no longer reversible. From the black heart of winter a miraculous, breathing plenitude of color emerges.”
John O’Donohue
🌱
#Imbolc
#wheeloftheyear
#cyclesandseasons
🌱
Art: The Maiden Awakens
by Annie Louvaine
Earthy New Moon
New moon in earthy Virgo, sign of the earth priestess.
Virgo is all about honoring the rhythms and cycles and seasons of this beautiful planet.
As Summer is drawing to a close in the northern hemisphere, this is the perfect time to perform a simple ritual in honor of the seasons.
Light a candle, say a prayer or make an offering to Mama Earth. Express your gratitude for our beautiful, sacred planet and its seasons.
🌙♥️🌎
A Loyal Companion
‘The moon is a loyal companion.
It never oleaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human.
Uncertain.
Alone.
Cratered by imperfections.’
~Tahereh Mafi
🌙
Art by Felicia Olin
Priestess Full Moon
A poem in honor of this potent full moon in Virgo, the sign of the earth priestess…
A fire in the night
light up seeing
stars twinkle
and the Moon
is on her way
down the road
we turned
around and around
until we knew
in our broken bones
what was true
and red birds flew
the sky got more blue
over the green sea
we prayed unto
our Mother who knew
chaos would crumble,
our power would rumble
and this moment
brought destiny
to Her knees.
~Hunni Bloom
🌙
Art by HolgaJen (Etsy)
Imbolc!
We have arrived at Imbolc – the halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox.
Days are lengthening, seeds are stirring, animals are birthing. Mama Earth is beginning to awaken from her long winter slumber.
Celebrate that spring is on its way.
#Imbolc
#cycles
#seasons
#WheeloftheYear
Image: Imbolc – The Maiden Awakens
by Annie Louvaine