Gibbous Moon in Capricorn

"I'm one with the Goddess
and open to Her Wisdom."

14th Day of the 8th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Gaia
Lunar Tree Cycle - Tinne/Holly
17th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Tinne/Holly
Moon Phase: Gibbous
Moon sets: 4:41AM EDST
Moon rises: 7:54PM EDST
Moon in the Cardinal Earth
Sign of Capricorn
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The secret
country of dreams
Sun in Leo
Sunrise: 6:09AM EDST
Sunset: 8:43PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "In which areas
of your life are you self-important?"
Beltaine (Calan Mai) Quarter
of the Year
July 24th, 2010

Yesterday the Moon entered the Cardinal Earth Sign of Capricorn - after restless and enthusiastic expansiveness of a Sagittarius moon, we may now feel contraction and the need to pay attention to our needs for security, duties and obligations. Energy will be slowed a bit even tho we are at the day before a Full Moon...  Ah, yes, tomorrow is the Full Moon - have you given any thought to it?  Remember always doing a simple rite of lighting a candle and thinking briefly about what blessings this lunar cycle has brought you so far is a nice way to observe it.  This Full Moon comes right on top of the Harvest Festival of Lammas - maybe placing a stalk or two of ripe wheat, oats, or other grain plant on your
altar next to your Full Moon candle will add to your rite.  Say a quiet thank you to the Mother for what ever has manifested in your garden this summer, and/or your life.

Blessing Moon

   In Cherokee tradition, July is the Ripe Corn Moon. First sweet corn and then dent corn ripen for harvest. As a staple food and sacred material, corn attracts much attention throughout its life cycle. To the Choctaw, this is the Crane Moon, recognizing these large water birds. The Dakota Sioux call this the Moon of the Middle Summer.  Indeed, for much of America, so it is; the three hottest months are June, July and August. 
   July brings a swell of new foods: corn and tomatoes are ripening, along with many vine fruits such as squash and cucumbers. Visit your local farmers' market to enjoy fresh seasonal produce. Watch birds and other animals raising their young. But be careful. While the Sun passed its peak at the solstice, the heat is still increasing. Respect the Sun's power, avoid direct midday sunlight and excess exposure.
   Rituals in July may celebrate staple crops such as corn or supporting crops such as squash - whatever ripens in your area at this time. Rituals to honor the Sun, light, heat, fire, and so forth are also appropriate. Magically, tap into the rich power of the Sun to fuel spells for success and prosperity.
[From Llewellyn's Wittches' Datebook of 2010 - essay by Elizabeth Barrette]