Happy Full Moon in Scorpio, today's Lunar Eclipse and belated Beltane blessings
Tonight's Full Moon also goes by the name of Milk Moon, Mothers' Moon, Bright Moon, Hare Moon and Grass Moon. And an exciting announcement about a retreat offering!
Hello lovely humans,
Welcome to the third free edition of this newsletter for 2023. If you’re new to Moontime Musings, I’m delighted that you’re here. To go back and read the last two free editions you can do so here: Imbolc and Ostara. Please also consider becoming a paid subscriber for just £3.50 a month or £35 a year. As well as writing on the 8 Pagan Sabbaths, I also release newsletters on the New and Full Moons (twice a month).
In this edition we look at the Lunar Eclipse and Scorpio Full Moon, I’ll share some exciting information about a retreat that I’m offering in October and we’ll explore the folklore and deities associated with Beltane (1 May). How did you mark this turn in the Wheel of the Year? I was fortunate enough to spend it betwixt land, sky and sea in bewitching Knoydart with stunning sunsets over the beautiful Isle of Rum. I’ve since been down a rabbit hole finding all about the Cailleach Bheur and her association with nearby Loch Ba, but more on that later!
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 essential divide up the calendar year into quarters with festivals on each of the two equinoxes and solstices.
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 Brigid during Beltane, the deity also associated with the coming of Spring at Imbolc. Brigid 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 celebrated the Goddess of Spring and flowers: Flora.
Retreats
I’m super excited to share with you that I’ll be co-running a retreat on the North Devon coast with my wonderfully talented friend Ash Bond in the run up to Samhain this year. Those of you who’ve previously expressed an interest in joining my in person workshops will have heard about this via email already, but if you’d like to be added to this mailing list for information on how to reserve one of the limited spaces, please leave your email via the button below.
A Wild Unwinding
An Autumn Yoga, Nature Connection & Creative Journalling Retreat
With Ash Bond and Charly Crump
20-22nd October 2023
Barnstaple, Devon
The Invitation
Join us for a 2 night / 3 day Autumnal retreat to explore your stories and your spirit, surrounded and supported by nature.
We will work with mindful movement, long juicy journalling sessions and sharing around the fire. Settle into this Samhain, and offer yourself the space to nurture your energy before the winter. If you are new to Yoga or Writing or, even better, both - you are welcome! This will be a supported, encouraging space. All words and participants are welcome.
The Offering
An easeful journey (just 10 minutes from Barnstaple in Devon) precedes a gentle welcome into the rural haven of beautiful ensuite accommodation, housed in a converted eco barn set amongst five acres of wild and wonderful grounds.
Immerse in space, lightness & comfort; whether your journey encourages you to hours resting by the fire, contemplative walks amongst the organic vegetable garden or taking in the full programme of carefully designed yoga, writing and discussion workshops.
This retreat invites an opportunity to connect with the inspiring: with nature; with connection to others; with ourselves. Every element of this retreat is optional. We encourage you to find an alchemy that meets your needs as you find them at the time, no more and no less. We will be on hand for any questions and conversations before and throughout.
We love keeping these offerings small and personal and as such, expect to sell out quite quickly. Do let us know if you would like us to reserve a space for you or a friend by leaving your email via the button below.
Scorpio Full Moon
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, some which may relate to your sexuality. Accompanied by the Lunar Eclipse energy, this may brings about final endings and emotional releases of that which no longer serves you. In such an intense emotional time, it’s helpful to channel the energy through mindful movement such as yoga or getting out into nature for a walk to help you ground back into your body.
Lunar Eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth stands between the moon and the Sun, cutting off the light of the Sun from the moon which means that when you look at the Full Moon at 18:22 BST tonight, you may see the Earth’s shadow pass in front of her (if it’s not cloudy!). Tonight’s Penumbral Eclipse is the first of two eclipses for 2023 with the second one in October just before Samhain. Eclipses come i pairs and 2 weeks ago on the Taurus New Moon we had a Solar Eclipse. We’re right in the midst of Eclipse Season which I wrote to you about on April’s New Moon with some handy diagrams to help you understand the sciencey bit. If you missed it, you can catch up here:
Next time I write to you will be to mark the next New Moon on 19 May.
Thank you for reading and Full Moon blessings x