Welcome to the third of this year’s eight free editions of Moontime Musings in line with the Pagan Sabbats of the Wheel of the Year.
The Wheel of the Year has turned once again which means that this edition is open to everyone, with two more in the archives for this year so far. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to receive all of the editions by clicking the button below. Thank you.
Hello there friend,
How are you on this unseasonably chilly Thursday? With less than a week until the joyful festival of Beltane (which marks the start of Summer!), I’m wondering if Spring woke up, took one look at the state of things then rolled over and went back to sleep! With the air temperature remaining at sub-10 degrees it’s hard to believe that here in the U.K we’re entering the final week of April, especially as I sit typing in a woolly hat and wearing 2 jumpers!
In other news, I’m just back from a delightful few days cycling around The Netherlands, reveling in the joy of its flat terrain plus the visionary feast of the flower they’re most famous for (and my fave): tulips. More photos to follow as we approach the Flower Moon of May. But first…here are some seasonal dates to orientate you as a new month approaches:
25 April: Mercury stations direct (read more about this here)
1 May: Beltane (see more below)
6 May: May Day Bank Holiday (U.K)
8 May: New Flower Moon in Taurus 04:22 BST
Sun remains in Taurus (until 21 May)
1-31 May: No Mow May
🔥Beltane
Beltane is the second cross-quarter day (also known as a Lunar Fire Festival) in the Wheel of the Year if we follow the calendar from January to December. The last cross-quarter day was way back in the depths of Winter on 1 February, also known as Imbolc. In between the cross-quarter days we have the quarter days or Solar Fire Festivals which divide up the 12-month calendar year into quarters with festivals on each of the two equinoxes and solstices (so far this year we’ve had Ostara - the Spring Equinox).
You may also know Beltane as ‘May Day’ or if you’re in Wales, ‘Calan Mai’.
Looking into the etymology of Beltane (or Bealtaine, Beltine), many sources define the name of this festival to mean ‘Bright fire’, ‘Bright one’ or ‘The Fires of Bel’ - referring to the Celtic sun god, Belenus. Gaelic folklore tells of the the Cailleach transforming into Bridgid during Beltane, the deity also associated with the coming of Spring at Imbolc. Bridgid remains in her Spring and Summer incarnation until Samhain at the end of October. Beltane is ruled by Venus - the planet that represents sensuality and fertility as well as the sacred feminine. In Roman myth, a parallel festival called ‘Floralia’ dating back to 240 or 238 B.C.E celebrates the Goddess of Spring and flowers: Flora.
♏Scorpio Full Moon
At 00:48 BST on 24 April the Pink Moon became full in the watery sign of Scorpio. Scorpio is a fixed water sign representing ambition, determination and independence. This is a time to explore complicated emotions and focus on transformation in order to step forward in a more authentic version of yourself. Under this Full Moon you’re invited to dive deep into shadow work and look out for secrets that need to be revealed. Accompanied by the recent Lunar Eclipse, this may bring about final endings and emotional releases of thought-patterns or relationships which no longer serve you. In such an intense emotional time it’s helpful to channel energy through mindful movement such as yoga or getting out into nature for a walk or run to help you ground back into your body. The upcoming Taurus New Moon on 8 May will also help with this - hang on in there!
🌸Pink Moon and Flower Moon
You may be wondering why last night’s first Full Moon of the Astrological year is known as the Pink Moon. The name comes from Native American cultures where this moon coincides with the flowering of Moss Pink, also known as Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata). If we dig a bit deeper into other names for April’s moon, some European variants include Hare Moon, Budding Moon, New Shoots Moon, Seed Moon and Growing Moon. We’ve now witnessed the Full Pink Moon for 2024 and as she wanes and becomes new on 8 May, we give her a new name: the Flower Moon. As with the Pink Moon, there are other names for May’s moon, some of which overlap with April’s Moon names. These are: Hare Moon, The Corn Planting Moon, Bright Moon, Mothers’ Moon and the Milk Moon (perhaps a nod here to when babies may have been born).
🌿Bluebells
As well as being the month to celebrate the May flower of Hawthorn, May is also synonymous here in the U.K with Bluebells. I’ve visited my local Bluebell woodland twice in the past 10 days (I was a bit too eager the first time and none of the buds were open), and late April into early May is peak time to see (and smell) this rare flower in bloom. With half of the world’s Bluebell population found here in the U.K there are plenty of places to enjoy them but just in case you don’t have a familiar local patch, this guide from the National Trust (linked above) gives a pretty broad list of places.
That’s all from me for this third free edition of 2024. Please consider sharing this publication with anyone who you think would like it. Your reciprocity is greatly appreciated 🙏
The next edition of this newsletter comes out on the next New (Flower) Moon on 8 May 2024 and full access will be for paid subscribers only. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber for less than the price of a good coffee each month (£3.50) or £35 a year.
Thank you so much and Beltane Blessings for next Wednesday.
Love,
Charly x