By Fire Well and Tree

Photo by Rok Romih: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-moon-on-a-dark-sky-3489072/ I probably should explain that I see Dark Moon and New Moon as different.  Dark moon is when the moon isn't visible at all. It is, for me, akin to Midnight, and so is neither one day or the next, but a liminal point between the two days.  Dark Moon for me is also a liminal point between two months.  The New Moon is the visible crescent, that first sliver, that indicates the new month.   Between light pollution and obscured horizons where I live, I tend to rely on apps, ephemeri, almanacs, and the like for my timing.  AS always, your mileage may vary and do what works for you. So anyway... The dark moon started Friday evening, but I honor the new moon today (Saturday), as the crescent (for me) is what counts as "new moon."  The moon had us in Taurus, but on Saturday (today) the new moon is in Gemini.   A good time for intellectual pursuits.  Gemini energ...

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-bowl-of-whole-strawberries-89778/ (I know what you're saying... where's the Beltaine post? Well, it's not exactly late, but it's not up yet for Reasons....you'll see). The wheel keeps turning and finally in our area we are DONE with frost!  It is well and truly heading toward midsummer. The names of these months all reflect this late spring/early summer activities. Most notably, the Almanac has named this Strawberry Moon, and in this climate strawberries should just be beginning to pop out.  I know my rhubarb plant has, and it's looking and waiting for its partners in pie! The Anglo-Saxons called it "Ærra Liða" or "Before Litha" (summer solstice).  I suppose there's not a lot of deep meaning you can get from this, except as just an appreciation for it being warmer, which I certainly share. The Gauls give us Giamonios, "end of winter" month. Around here, this is about the time ...