The Sacred Hearth

This month's new moon in Sagittarius falls on the 9 at 12:40 PM EST. Astrologers are warning us to watch out for the unexpected (good and bad) and beware of flaring passions (good and bad). The full cold moon (also called the long night's moon) falls on the 23rd at 8:16pm. This moon will be quite high in the sky for a long time because it is opposite the low sun which only appears briefly this time of year. The full moon is in Cancer.

Since the nights are so long, we might as well spend some time enjoying the lightshow. Comet 17P/Holmes looks like a glowing fuzzy thing in the sky inside the constellation Perseus. It'll hang around into spring but will become less visible as time goes on. Check it out at spaceweather.com

Although it's not as bright, the comet 8P/Tuttle is going to be much more active throughout the month. It'll start in the south and make its way from Cepheus through Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Pisces, Cetus and Eridanus before finally disappearing in early January.

Also, on the 18th, Mars is going to be at its closest to Earth, and on the 24th, it'll be at opposition. Break out the telescope on the nights immediately before and after opposition for the best view you'll get of Mars for a long time.

Okay, I know you didn't sign up for an Astronomy lesson, but this stuff is cool. Here's another link
http://stargazing.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_night_sky_for_december_20...

Of course, as every good Pagan knows, and the whole world whether they like it or not, the Yuletide season is upon us. The solstice falls on December 22 at 1:08am this year. Luckily, that's a Saturday so Friday's nightwatch (should you choose to participate) shouldn't interfere too much with work- unless you're in retail, in which case, you have my condolances.

Here's some info about the Winter Solstice from a really cute website I found.
http://www.brownielocks.com/wintersolstice.html

There are really entirely too many "reasons for the season" for me to try to get into. You can read my Yule overview page, but know that it just barely scratches the surface. Most Pagans celebrate Yule just like everyone else celebrates Christmas. Some have a ritual on the Solstice and forgo the whole corporate fiasco that is the gift-giving tradition. I personally love presents (giving them and getting them) and eating and the colors red and green, and sparkly lights on trees, so I dive right in and call it secular. What you do is entirely up to you.

To help you on your way, I have collected some fun Yuletide articles from various sources.
Here is an article from Witchvox about music http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usma&c=holidays&id=7547
Here is Circle Sanctuary's Winter Solstice overview
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/pholidays/SolsticePlanningGuide.html
Here is a collection of Yuletide Carols from The Horned Owl Library
http://www.islandnet.com/~hornowl/Yulesong.html
And here are some more from oakhedge.net
http://oakhedge.net/yulesongs.html

If you're heading to the movies this holiday (going out for Indian food and a movie is a December 25th tradition in our house) check out the Golden Compass. It is based on the first book in the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman, which is a huge favorite in my house.

Now's the time to get yourself a 2008 calendar!

Yuletide blessings to you and yours!
Dawn Black