This short video gives you all the background you need.

In Pure Spirit

Did you think Coca-Cola helped create the Santa Claus myth? This video seems to suggest they only helped establish the current appearance.

What about making a return of some of the elder Santa myths? Fancy some Christmas gnomes popping down your chimney on the solstice?

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The Harvest Moon tends to be large and more colourful than other moons of the year. This is because of the tilt of the earth and reflections from the atmosphere.

The Harvest Moon gets its name from the extra light it gives farmers – which mean in times before electricity that they had even longer to harvest their crops. The Harvest Moon, however, has other names. It’s known often as the Wine Moon as it is through this is when grapes are plump and ready for collecting. It’s called the Singing Moon as the festivals held to mark it would involve signing – it is the last full moon before Halloween. The moon has been called the Elk Call Moon too. The native American tribes may call a Harvest Moon that rises in September the Full Corn Moon and some European people may refer to it as the Gypsy Moon. The Chinese call the moon the Chrysanthemum Moon because of the illusion of the colour change.

The Celts would use the Harvest Moon to mark the time before Samhain and considered it a blessing. It would be a time of crop collection but also of large parties; signing, dancing and drinking.

The Norse noted that the Harvest Moon was often the first full moon after the first frost of the winter seasons. They considered it to be the most powerful moon of the year and associated with the trickster god Loki.

6 Moon Superstitions

1. An old Chinese superstition suggests that your ears may fall off if you point to a moon.
2. It’s dangerous to sleep with the moon shining on your face
3. Seeing a new moon for the first time on a Monday is lucky
4. Go outside with an empty purse or wallet, under a full moon, say “full up” nine times and within a few days you will come into money
5. A red moon is the sign of war
6. If the first time you see a new moon in a month is by looking over your right shoulder it is lucky
7. If you rub an injury on a horse with silver during the light of a full moon then it will recover

In Pure Spirit

Will you be watching the Harvest Moon tonight? What does it mean to you?

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Ēostre also gives her name to Eosturmonath, one of the months in the Anglo-Saxon calendar, and is believed to have been either a goddess of light or fertility. Experts who have debated the role of Ēostre in Anglo-Saxon culture include Jacob Grimm, one half of the Brothers Grimm, and co-author of Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

As pilgrims converted Anglo-Saxon cultures to Christianity they were aware that the Ēostre worship festival occurred around the same time as the resurrection of Jesus. In order to help blend Christianity into the pagan cultures the two festivals were actively merged. The event became known as Easter and became Christian in focus.

However, some modern churches, looking to distance themselves from the pagan origins of Easter, have started to use the phrase “Resurrection Day” instead.

The origins of Easter eggs begin in the region of Alsace. References to the Easter bunny itself are included in the writings of Georg Franck von Franckenau, a German botanist, who lived from 1643 to 1704. It was German settlers who introduced the concept to the States in the 18th century.

Pagan symbology includes the rabbit as an emblem of fertility. This ties in strongly with Ēostre as a goddess of fertility. Some suggest that the Easter bunny may be the avatar of Ēostre on earth.

The Easter bunny is the product of two religions; Christianity and some forms of Anglo-Saxon paganism. It has been adopted into modern culture easily as it is also readily available for the commercialisation of Easter.

In Pure Spirit

What have you been told about the origins of the Easter bunny? What does the Easter bunny mean to you?

Or also long as tasty Easter eggs are forthcoming – does it matter at all?

Picture credit: Iain Watson, released under Creative Commons.

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The phrase “Féile na Marbh” is Irish for Festival of the Dead.

In the past the festival itself could have lasted up to three days; beginning at the end of October. As a result Féile na Marbh can described as being both Samhain (Oidhche Shamhna in Scots Gaelic) and All Souls’ Day as well. There alternative historical theories; with some suggesting that Féile na Marbh concluded at the end of October after a three day festival.

It is widely accepted that bonfires are important for Féile na Marbh. One Irish custom begins with a ritual fire being lit atop of the Hill of Tlachtga. This signalled the lighting of fires across the country. Villagers would throw the bones of slaughtered catle into the flames. Hence the word “bonfire” from the origin “bone fire”. Villages would then re-light their homefires with flame taken from the main village bonfire; thus bonding the whole village together.

Féile na Marbh is considered a time when the curtain between worlds is weak. A time when the words of the living and the dead are close. The practise of turnip carving comes from a Celtic attempt to fighten spirits off.

The tradition of guising is still strong in Scotland. Children dress up as the dead (once again in the attempt to ward off the dead) and visit neighbours.

In Pure Spirit

Is Féile na Marbh a day or festival that’s important to you? How do you plan to mark it this year?

Tropical dates: 22 December to 20 January
Sidereal dates: January 15 to February 12 (approx)
Representation: Goat’s head with fish tail
Ruling planet and groupings: Saturn; feminine, cardinal and earth
Associations:

• Colour: Dark colours
• Flowers: Pansy and ivy
• Gemstone: Amethyst
• Trees: Pine and willow

Traits
It is not uncommon to find people talking about two types of Capricorns; both tend to be patient and practical, one tends to have a stronger drive for success and happiness. Capricorns are also sometimes known for being mean but this streak is as often directed at themselves as it is other people.

Family
Capricorns are prone to finding marriage later on in life and once the career path is firmly plotted. However, Capricorns make good partners and provide well for their partner and family. One thing to note is that Capricorns can be awfully strict as parents but will make whichever sacrifice is necessary to help their child progress.

Business
Capricorns work well by themselves and often have an aptitude for science. Capricorns are very independent at work and sometimes isolationist.  Capricorns can make good leaders but can also be very slow to accept advice or help. It is usual to find Capricorns working for local authorities, government, publishing or finance.

In Pure Spirit

What’s your experience with Capricorns? How would you describe them?

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October means the eighth month. October was the eighth month in the year according to the old Roman calendar until January and February were added to the start of the year.

The Old English name for October is Winterfylleth which is said to refer to the Winter full moon.

Events in October

• Samhain (or Halloween)

Born in October?

Birthstone: Opal

Flower: Calendula

Tropical Zodiac: Libra (September 23 to October 22) and Scorpio (October 23 to November 21)

Sidereal Zodiac: Virgo (September 17 to October 17) and Libra (October 18 to November 16)

In Pure Spirit

What does the month of October mean to you?

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September means the seventh month.

September is the month where many Christian denominations celebrate the Feasts of the Cross. The feast commemorates the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus.

The Anglo-Saxons called the month Haligmonað (holy month).

Events in September

• Zhongqiu Jie (Moon Festival)

Born in September?

Birthstone: Sapphire

Flower: Morning Glory (or Aster)

Tropical Zodiac: Virgo (August 23 to September 22) and Libra (September 23 to October 22)

Sidereal Zodiac: Leo (August 17 to September 16) and Virgo (September 17 to October 17)

In Pure Spirit

What does the month of September mean to you?

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Tropical dates: 23 July to 23 August
Sidereal dates: 17 August to 16 September (approx)
Representation: Lion’s tail
Ruling planet and groupings: Sun; masculine, fixed and fire
Associations:

• Colour: Gold and scarlet
• Flowers: Marigold
• Gemstone: Ruby
• Trees: Walnut and olive

Traits
Proud, generous and creative. Leonians often need to keep themselves in check less they suffer from hubris or simply become overbearing. Leonians commonly find themselves in the role of managers or organises and they take to this with gusto and style. Leonians can also be quick to anger and sometimes prone to panics should plans go badly wrong.  These negative traits and the signature Leo trait of impatience are all countered by the Leonian positive outlook and upbeat nature.

Family
In a relationship Leonians are caring and kind but that urge to lead does not go away. There is the risk that they may seem to be domineering.  Criticism often does not go down well. Leonians will bend over backwards to ensure their children are happy but can be rather traditional.

Business
Leo individuals are hard workers but some will also be attracted to glamour and luxury. It is common to find Leonians in sports or physical jobs but also working with jewels and precious items. Leonians can make good bosses, expecting the very best but being willing to reward hard work generously.

In Pure Spirit

What’s your experience with Leos? How would you describe them?

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August means Augustus Caesar’s month. Augustus Caesar completed the calendar reform started by Julius Caesar and also named a month after himself.

Augustus became the first emperor of Rome after Julius was assassinated in 44 BC.

Events in August

• The Feast of the Assumption

Born in August?

Birthstone: Peridot

Flower: Gladiolus

Tropical Zodiac: Leo (July 23 to August 22 and Virgo (August 23 to September 22)

Sidereal Zodiac: Cancer (July 17 to August 16) and Leo (August 17 to September 16)

In Pure Spirit

What does the month of August mean to you?

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Originally cat charms were used to signify luck and are common today. The question is whether they represent good or bad luck.

The black cat, in particular, is sometimes seen as unlucky as it represents one of the forms Satan is believed to take as he stalks the Earth. Others will wear the black cat charm to specifically ward against bad luck.

The Romans took the fiercely independent nature of the cat and translated this to the concept of liberty. The ancient Egyptians associated the cat to the moon and drew connections between the dilation and contraction of cat eyes to the waxing and waning of the moon.  Egyptian moon gods or goddesses would often be depicted with the wedjat eye in the full-moon disk over their head. The wedjat-eye, however, belonged to Re and was later associated with Thoth, rather than the cats.

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