From October 31 through November 7 (when the Sun reaches the middle degree of Scorpio), Northern Hemisphere cultures have variously marked this midpoint between fall and winter. Christians call it All Soul's Day; for children, it’s Halloween; for pagans, it’s Samhain (pronounced “sow-wane”). With Pluto--the planet of death and rebirth--as its modern ruler, Scorpio guides our … [Read more...]
Dana’s Simple Samhain Ritual
The veil between the worlds is at its thinnest during Samhain (October 31 to November 7), and it's an appropriate time to contact ancestors, release what's unnecessary, and prepare for the birth at Yule. Samhain is a "Sabbat," one of the special days of power on the wheel of the year. Perform the ritual on October 31 (traditional Samhain) or November 8 (the astrological … [Read more...]
Lammas Break: First Fruits
The agricultural "first fruits" holiday, Lammas, is traditionally celebrated on August 1 and is astrologically exact on August 6/7 (when the Sun reaches 15 degrees Leo, just after this New Moon). It is energetically exact whenever you become aware of the spiritual truth that you are an expression of the Sun. To evaluate your current "sunniness" and creative harvest, check … [Read more...]
Your body is also Nature and it’s changing with the seasons
Trust the intelligence of your body. Without consulting a calendar or reading the blogs, it knows the Equinox is coming. It cares little for the latest war or fiscal crisis. What’s important to your animal body is that we’re entering a new season. It may not register the exact date (which this year is September 23), but your body is already noticing the approaching change. In … [Read more...]
Honor Venus this Beltane!
Every year, when the Sun is in Taurus, I celebrate with my favorite Venus ritual. I get out the calendar and look for the most auspicious Friday that month. Best is a Friday when both the Sun and Moon are in Venus-ruled signs. Even better if it coincides with a cross-quarter holiday, as it does this year. In my experience, this is rare! May 1 is Beltane and the Moon is in … [Read more...]
