Moon and Sun Patterns for 2001
By Waverly Fitzgerald
© 2001 Waverly Fitzgerald. Do not reproduce without permission.
I like to look at the patterns created by the lunar and solar energies as they weave through
the Wheel of the Year. Each of the eight great seasonal feasts has a corresponding moon phase.
This chart shows how the metaphorical moon phase correlates with the actual phase of the moon
at the time of the seasonal holiday.
The energy matches are quite often at cross-purposes this year. The astrological holidays
are the most at odds. The year starts out well with a new moon a few days after winter solstice
(Dec 25 2000). But spring equinox which should have a rising energy falls in the waning cycle
of the moon and the autumnal equinox which should have a waning energy falls in the waxing cycle.
Summer solstice which should have a full moon energy coincides with a new moon. Winter solstice
is still a little off, happening a week after the new moon.
The cross-quarter days are also problematic. Imbolc (which should have a new crescent energy)
and Beltane are both coupled with 1st quarter moons. Lammas, which generally signals the decline
of the sun, falls a few days before a full moon, and Halloween, which is a dark moon festival,
coincides exactly with a full moon. It should be an interesting year.
For ritual purposes, you may want to celebrate a holiday on the closest full moon, to maximize
the celebratory energy. The best full moon-holiday coupling of the year is the full moon of May
6th/7th in Scorpio, a great time to celebrate Beltane. Another interesting full moon/holiday
combination is Halloween and the full moon in Taurus. This year, you may focus more on wild role
reversals and elaborate costumes than the more solemn aspects of this holiday.
This is not a good year for public ritual planners this year, as few of the seasonal holidays
coincide with weekends. One exception is the Autumn Equinox on Saturday Sep 22nd. In general,
I like to celebrate the weekend preceding the holiday, especially for those holidays with rising
energy like Imbolc and Spring Equinox. I like the combination of St Patrick's Day and Spring
Equinox; the party energies are similar. Beltane might be better celebrated after the holiday,
to take advantage of the full moon of Sunday night. May 6. You know all the Halloween parties
will take place the weekend before Halloween on Oct 27 and 28, so you could schedule your ritual
celebration the following weekend and less competition plus more waning energy once the full moon
has passed. The new moon closest to Winter Solstice falls on Saint Lucy's day, an appropriate
time for her to bring her light into the world. I always have my winter solstice party the
Sunday before Solstice which is Dec 16th this year. Or you could take advantage of the full
moon by scheduling your party for the weekend of Dec 29th and 30th. New Year's Eve should be
pretty wild this year, since the moon is full on Dec 30th.
| Holiday |
Moon Phase |
Date |
Closest Moon Phase |
Closest Full Moon |
Closest Weekend |
| Winter Solstice |
New |
Dec 21 '00 |
New: Dec 25 |
|
|
| Imbolc |
Crescent |
Feb 1 & 2 |
Crescent: Jan 27 |
Feb 7 |
Jan 27&28 Feb 3 &4 |
| Spring Equinox |
1st Quarter |
Mar 20 |
1st Qtr: Mar 2 or Apr 1 |
Mar 9 |
Mar 17&18 |
| Beltane |
Gibbous |
Apr 30/May 1 |
Gibbous: May 10 |
May 7 |
Apr 28&29 May 5&6 |
| Midsummer |
Full |
Jun 21 |
Full: June 5 |
June 5 |
Jun 23&24 |
| Lammas |
Disseminating |
Aug 1 & 2 |
Disseminating: Aug 8 |
Aug 3 |
Aug 4&5 |
| Fall Equinox |
Last Quarter |
Sep 22 |
Last Quarter: Sep 20 |
Oct 2 |
Sep 22&23 |
| Halloween |
Balsamic |
Oct 31/Nov 1 |
Balsamic: Nov 11 |
Oct 31 |
Oct 27&28 Nov 3&4 |
| Midwinter |
New |
Dec 21 |
New: Dec 14 |
Dec 30 |
Dec 15 & 16 |
© 2001 Waverly Fitzgerald. Do not reproduce without permission.
