Witch Watch
©  Copyright 2002. Cherry Ridge Publishing. All rights reserved.
Moon Phases, Sun Cycles & Pagan Sabbats - 2009 C.E.

The Moonth of December
The Moon
Full Moon in GeminiDec 1    11:30pm
Waning Half Moon in VirgoDec 8      4:13pm
New Moon in SagittariusDec 16     4:02am
Waxing Half Moon in AriesDec 24    9:36am
Full Moon in CancerDec 3111:13am
The Sun
Moves into CapricornDec 21     9:47am
Yule / Winter Solstice—December 21
The longest night of the year—within the darkness light is born, as the days from this point on will become longer, although not noticeable for some time.  With the beginning of a new cycle of light, light a spark within yourself.  What will be your New Year’s resolution—what are you willing to give up in the dark to empower a new beginning in your life that you bring forth with the light?   May it be a true gift!  Blessed be.

The Moonth of November
The Moon
Full Moon in TaurusNov 2    11:14am
Waning Half Moon in LeoNov 9    7:56am
New Moon in ScorpioNov 1611:44am
Waxing Half Moon in PiscesNov 24 1:39pm
The Sun
Moves into SagittariusNov 21   8:22pm
Samhain
Lunar Samhain (Summer's End) - Dark (New/No) Moon in Scorpio.  All things come to an end.  Without endings there would be no new beginnings.  The garden needs a rest and so do we.  Time to start the Winter sleep as the blanket of snow comes to tuck us all in.  And even though we all still lead busy lives at this time, it's our internal sleep/reflection that leads to rejuvenation.  Blessed be.

The Moonth of October
The Moon
Full Moon in AriesOct 3     11:10pm
Waning Half Moon in CancerOct 11     1:56am
New Moon in LibraOct 17   10:33pm
Waxing Half Moon in Aquarius Oct 25   5:42pm
The Sun
Moves into ScorpioOct 22   11:43pm
Hallowe’en / Samhain
Hallowe’en originated thousands of years ago—representing the death of Summer, (Samhain means Summer’s End in Celtic), and the time of year when the veil between the worlds of the living and dead is most thin.  The connection with death has had it evolve into a modern day “spookfest”; but we can also honour our ancestors, and give thanks for the harvest which will keep us alive through Winter.
The witch gets a hard time around Hallowe’en—represented as evil and ugly.  In the olden days, witches were the ones who practised the old knowledge of herbs, medicine and midwifery for the tribe/village.  In the late middle ages in Europe, an estimated 50-100,000 poor “witches” were persecuted, mostly burned alive, in attempts to convert people from their pagan traditions, which they had been practising as nature-worshippers since the beginning of time.
The Witches’ Creed
And “Do What You Will” be the challenge
So be it in love that harms none
For this is the only commandment
By magick of old be it done.
Blessed be.


The Moonth of January, 2009 C.E.
The Moon
Waxing Half Moon in AriesJan 4  3:56am
Full Moon in CancerJan 10  7:27pm
Waning Half Moon in LibraJan 17  6:46pm
New Moon in AquariusJan 2511:55pm
  Annular Solar Eclipse not visibleJan 2511:58pm
The Sun
Moves into AquariusJan 19  2:40pm
Lunar ImbolcJan 25  11:55pm
Also celebrated on the calendar date of February 2.  The days will now get longer, as daylight hours have slowly been increasing since the Solstice and the return of the Sun.  The name "Imbolc" or "Oimelc" means "ewe's milk", to mark the time of year.  Sap starts to run, seeds stir and the Earth lies ready for Life to burst forth once again.  Light a candle and welcome the daylight's return.  Ask for inspiration on how to best use your own creative gifts and talents in the year ahead.  Prepare yourself and be ready to sow your seeds come Spring.  Celebrate the light, love, inspiration, poetry, creativity and smithcraft.  (Brigid's Day, Candlemas, Valentine's Day, Groundhog Day and the Chinese New Year are all celebrations of this time of the year.)  Blessed be.

The Moonth of February, 2009 C.E.
The Moon
Waxing Half Moon in TaurusFeb 2  3:13pm
Full Moon in LeoFeb 9  6:49am
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse - may be visible in Cherryville6:38am
Waning Half Moon in ScorpioFeb 16  1:37pm
New Moon in PiscesFeb 245:35pm
The Sun
Moves into PiscesFeb 18  4:46am
Imbolc/CandlemasFeb 2
As the sabbat of the earliest beginnings of this year's new life, this is a New Moon festival - specifically when the New Moon is in Aquarius (at the same time each year, but not necessarily on the same calendar date.  This year it was on Jan. 25 - Lunar Imbolc).  Aquarius rules humanitarianism and equality, sharing nourishment from its shoulder-held vessel to all.
Also celebrated on this calendar date of Feb. 2, this is a powerful time to declare yourself and dedicate yourself to your highest good ... LOVE (e-v-o-l...ution) ... just like Valentine, whose special day is also celebrated this Moonth.
As the waxing Moon continues to grow, since Lunar Imbolc, light a special fire, or meditate with a candle.  Feel the quickening of Life under the Earth, the sap starting to awaken deep within the trees and feel your own life force stirring, in response to the season and the pull towards Spring.
Open your door wide to the elements and welcome Brigid to your heart-h.  May she bring continued warmth; and inspiration for your poetry, arts and crafts - Wintery activities of which she is patron Goddess.  Bring your creative talents and postive energy into your work - this will help in the forthcoming Year of the Ox, as celebrated since the Chinese New Year, also held at Lunar Imbolc.  The Ox year needs discipline and is not the time for unruly behaviour or taking short cuts.  In this year success is achieved solely through hard work.
May your good, hard work be enjoyable and blessed.  Blessed bee.

The Moonth of March, 2009 C.E.
The Moon
Waxing Half Moon in GeminiMar 3  11:46pm
Full Moon in VirgoMar 10  7:38pm
Waning Half Moon in SagittariusMar 18  10:47am
New Moon in AriesMar 269:06am
The Sun
Daylight Savings Time beginsMar 82:00am
Moves into AriesMar 20  4:44am
Spring EquinoxMarch 204:44am
Spring Equinox marks the beginning of Spring.  The time of rebirth when plants start green growth and seeds germinate in the soil, as daylight hours steadily increase and our World comes back to Life.
At this time, midway between Winter Solstice and Summer Solstice, the days and nights are of equal length, marking our place at a cross-quarter in the Solar year.  Enjoy the longer days and the Sunshine, and eat lots of greens; especially those Dandelion leaves!  Just what we need to help us come back to Life too, after the Winter's rest.
Give thanks for clean water, clean air and the fertility of our Mother Earth.  Wear green and celebrate!  Easter and St. Patrick's Day are outgrowths of this celebration.

The Moonth of April, 2009 C.E.
The Moon
Waxing Half Moon in CancerApril 2   7:34am
Full Moon in LibraApril 9  7:56am
Waning Half Moon in CaprnApril 17  6:36am
New Moon in TaurusApril 24  8:22pm
The Sun
Moves into TaurusApril 19  3:44pm
Spring
We can all feel it—especially this year after an extra long Winter—the need for warmth, rebirth, greenery, dandelions!  The Sun brings life and has been greatly missed during the short and cold days of the passing season.  People, and other creatures, have felt this same yearning, at this time of year, since the beginning of creation and Spring has been celebrated by every culture and religion since.
In this day and age, when church and state no longer has the power to dictate our spiritual beliefs, religious tolerance and inclusion for all can exist.  There will be many services and rituals held were people of any denomination or faith can celebrate and give thanks together.  And no matter whether it be an egg, a bunny, the resurrection, or the return of Persephone from the Underworld that symbolizes your belief, the Sun will warm your heart and soul, and bring growth back to Mother Earth for us all.
Blessed be.
Earth DayApril 22
Some years ago this day was chosen and declared as Earth Day - a day to celebrate and honour Mother Earth.  Many worthwhile educational and other activities are held around the planet on this day every year, for the purpose of creating consciousness and awareness of the Earth and her resources.  What can we do as individuals to live more harmoniously with Nature and with others?


May DayMay 1
Beltane (Lunar)
“If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow, don’t be alarmed now, it’s just a spring-clean for the May Queen!”  Led Zeppelin
I like to celebrate these cross-quarter sabbats by the Moon.  Full Moon in Scorpio creates the perfect energy for Beltane! 
Also celebrated on the calendar date of May 1, Beltane is the sexiest sabbat of all, when we honour the dance of "the birds and the bees", on which all of Life relies.  In these so called civilized times when "sex sells" and is exploited to its fullest there is nothing dirty about this dance ... apart from the dirty feet you might get dancing barefoot in the garden!
At this time of year fertility rites are held throughout the Northern Hemisphere.  Create a ritual to hold in your own garden.  Dance the circle.  Light a bonfire.  Or simply just think of "the birds and the bees" when you plant your garden this May.  Next to making love, planting a garden is one of the oldest rituals of them all!  Blessed bee!

The Moonth of June, 2009 C.E.
The Moon
Full Moon in SagittariusJune 711:12am
Waning Half Moon in PiscesJune 15   3:15pm
New Moon in CancerJune 2212:35pm
Waxing Half Moon in LibraJune 29   4:28am
The Sun
Moves into CancerJune 2010:45pm
Summer SolsticeJune 2010:45 pm
TCelebrated by everyone, and every culture in the Northern Hemisphere, at the same time, in the same way, when the Sun is at his highest and brightest in the sky—the official beginning of Summer.
No interpretation, astrological, spiritual or otherwise, is needed for this sabbat—to feel the warmth of the Sun, to swim in the water, watch the garden & crops grow, stay up late with the longer days, hang outside with the dogs, play with the children, sit by the river, wade at the shoreline, hike up into the alpine wildflowers, enjoy our favourite outdoor activities and holy-days—with the Sun at its zenith—high on life and Light.   
Blessed be.

The Moonth of July, 2009 C.E.
The Moon
Full Moon in CapricornJuly 7  2:21am
Waning Half Moon in AriesJuly 15    2:53am
New Moon in CancerJuly 21  7:35pm
Total Solar Eclipse (Pacific SE over the ocean)
Waxing Half Moon in ScorpioJuly 28   3:00pm
The Sun
Moves into LeoJuly 22  9:36am

The Moonth of August, 2009 C.E.
The Moon
Full Moon in AquariusAug 5  5:55pm
Waning Half Moon in TaurusAug 13  11:55am
New Moon in LeoAug 20  3:02am
Waxing Half Moon in Sag.Aug 27   4:42am
The Sun
Moves into VirgoAug 22  4:38pm
LammasAugust 2
LughnasadAugust 55:55 pm
This sabbat marks the celebration of the first harvest and harvests yet to come, but prevalent, just like the fullness of the moon.  It is celebrated on the calendar date of August 2, or when the Full Moon is in Aquarius.  Aquarius rules our humanitarianism, so Lughnasadh is the perfect time to share our first harvest foods with our brothers and sisters.
Lughnasadh was also a time when couples would enter into trial marriage.  The couple would stay together for one year and then either continue the arrangement permanently at next Lughnasadh, or walk their separate ways.  Whether choosing this kind of celebration, or not, eat, drink & be merry and be thankful for the bounty of our gardens.











gathered by CherryBlossom Goodwitch,
Cherryville, B.C.
This page was last updated on: December 15, 2009
©  Copyright 2002-2009 Cherryville Publishing & Promotions.
All rights reserved.
Every effort has been made to gather and impart correct info, but witches are human too and Earthly errors may occur.  Please advise if you find any.  Thank you.
Blessed be.
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