❄️Merry Midwinter, Ursids Meteor Shower and Full Moon in Cancer🦀
🌑Also inside: an exciting announcement about when I'm next opening up the circle for you to join my Moontime Tribe in 2024!✨
Hello there dear one,
Welcome to the final of this year’s eight free editions of this newsletter 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 newsletter edition is open to everyone, with seven 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.
Here are some seasonal dates to ground you in this final edition of 2023:
21 December: the festival of Yule begins
22 December, 03:27 GMT: Winter Solstice & sun moves into Capricorn
22-23 December: peak of Ursids Meteor Shower
27 December 2023, 00:32 GMT: Cold Full Moon in Cancer
3-4 January 2024: peak of Quadrantids meteor shower
🌱The Oak King reigns
The names for December’s Full Moon include Moon after Yule, Cold Moon and Oak Moon. But why Oak when in the Celtic Tree Calendar, June is the month which honours the Oak tree? There is also an astrological component here with Holly being the tree of the Summer Solstice and Cancer season (21 June - 22 July), however folklore tells of the Holly King’s defeat close to the time of year when the moon rather than the sun is the sign of Cancer on the upcoming Full Moon.
According to folklore, the Winter Solstice is the time when the Oak King prevails and reigns until the Summer Solstice. Oak is the personifcation of Summer and conquers the Holly King who ruled from the Summer Solstice to the Winter Solstice, as the light receded - ruling the dark half of the year. This constant struggle between the two kings represents the ever-turning Wheel of the Year, reminding us that even at the height of summer on the longest day, the days are shortening as we approach Midwinter. On the flip side, the Oak King’s triumph at the Winter Solstice, reminds us that even in the depths of Winter, the light is returning and Spring is coming.
🦀Full Moon in Cancer
This is the final Full Moon of 2023, becoming full at 00:32 GMT on 27 December in the watery sign of Cancer, which invites us to consider family relationships and ancestral bonds - themes which no doubt are at the surface at this time of year in the shadow of the Christmas festivities. If you can, take some time alone during the next week to journal on the following prompts:
What ancestral wounds do I need to heal?
What practices help to nurture my self-esteem?
What steps can I take to feel more safe, comfortable and secure?
🌙Moontime, myths and medicines
If you’re a long-time reader, you’ll know by now that tuning into the sabbats in the Wheel of the Year and astrological events is central to my work and that synching with cycles in the more-than-human world can help guide our own energies as they wax and wane through the days, months, seasons and year.
Since February 2023 I've had the honour of guiding women through a practice of reflection, releasing and intention setting on each New Moon in my Moontime, myths and medicines course. Below is a testimonial from tribe member Kerry.
I’m next opening the doors for new members to join my Moontime community on the next sabbat in the Wheel if the Year: 2 February 2024 and we’ll meet for our first virtual circle on 9 February 2024.
If you'd like to be emailed when enrolment opens, please click the button below to join the waitlist and be the first to know when Early Bird pricing is available.
🌠Ursids and Quadrantids Meteor showers
The Ursids is the final meteor shower of 2023 - peaking on 22-23 December in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Quadrantids is the first shower of 2024 - peaking on 3-4 January 2024. Here are some fun facts about the Quadrantids from RMG:
The shower gets its name from the former constellation Quadrans Muralis which is now part of Boötes.
Observers in the Northern Hemisphere are the best suited to view the Quadrantids.
Unlike other meteor showers that tend to stay at their peak for about two days, the peak period of the Quadrantids is only a few hours long1
Unlike the Geminids meteor shower (which you can read about via the link below), which occurred in the same week as December’s New Moon, the Ursids and Quadrantids occur when the Moon is waxing, then waning so conditions to see this particular meteor shower this year aren’t at their best.
That’s all from me for this edition.
The next edition of this newsletter comes out on the next New Moon on 11 January 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. I’m freezing the subscription price for 2024 to honour the devotion of my regular readers.
If you have a moment, please also consider sharing this free edition with someone who you think would like it.
Thank you so much and Yuletide blessings,
See you in the New Year.
Love,
Charly x
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/quadrantid-meteor-shower-when-where-see-it-uk