Solar
Eclipses
For everything
you need to know about 2004 Eclipses:
sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/eclipse.html
April
19 2004 14:50 PST
/
17:50
EST
Partial Solar
Eclipse
May 04 2004
Total Lunar Eclipse
October 14 2004
Partial Solar
Eclipse
October 28 2004
Total Lunar Eclipse
Druidry
& The Eightfold Scheme
Druidry recognizes
eight phases during the yearly cycle which are broken down into four Solar
Festivals and four Fire Festivals.
Solar
Festivals:
Winter Solstice,
Vernal Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox
The Solar Festivals
mark seasonal changes caused by the sun and influence farming cycles.
The Solar Festivals demonstrate our interconnectedness with the plant kingdom.
Fire Festivals:
Samhain, Imbolc,
Beltane, Lammas
The Fire Festivals
are more associated with livestock cycles and represent our interconnectedness
with the animal kingdom.
The
Celtic Year
Current dates
of Pagan Holidays:
www.waningmoon.com/guide/reminders.shtml
A deeper look
at the Sabbats:
www.waningmoon.com/guide/wheel.shtml
The Celtic Year
is divided into two halves, the dark and the light. Samhain
(Oct 31) (meaning "summer's end") marks the beginning of the dark half
of the Celtic Year while Beltane (Apr 30) (from "Beltaine" meaning "bright"
or "brilliant fire") marks the beginning of the light half. These
two phases are considered to be male.
The year is further
divided with the celebration of Imbolc (Feb 1) and Lammas (Aug 1) each
marking the halfway point between the dark and light halves.
Imbolc means "in milk" and traditionally marked the lactation period of
ewes and cows. Lammas, originating from the Saxon word "hlaf-mass",
the Feast of Bread, marks the beginning of the harvest season. As
these two phases are connected with pregnancy and fertility they are considered
female.
Winter Solstice
Jol / Yule
Alas, the beginning
of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere. As Autumn turns away, so does
the shortest day as we celebrate the longest night of the year. From
this point forward daylight lengthens and the dark night recedes.
Yule, meaning Wheel, marks a new cycle of becoming as a new year begins.
It is fuelled by the cardinal energy of Capricorn bringing an excellent
time for initiation and transfiguration.
Sabian
Symbols for Winter Solstice 2003:
December
21 2003 - 23:04 PST
December
22 2003 - 02:04 EST
Sun
1 degree Capricorn: An Indian Chief
claims power from the assembled tribe.
Moon
14 degrees Sagittarius: The ground
hog looking for its shadow.
Vernal Equinox
Ostara
The Spring Equinox
occurs when the sun's rays in the Northern Hemisphere hit the Earth and
the days and nights are of equal length. Fuelled with the cardinal
energy of Aries, this is a time to celebrate the egg, new growth and rebirth.
Sabian
Symbols for Vernal Equinox 2004:
March
19 2004 - 22:49 PST
March
20 2004 - 01:49 EST
Sun
1 degree Aries: A woman has risen
out of the ocean, a seal is embracing her.
Moon
22 degrees Pisces: A man bringing
down the new law from Sinai.
Summer Solstice
Midsummer
/ Midsumarsblot
Known as ‘Litha’
in Celtic Pagan traditions, the summer solstice is the commemoration of
the Sun's zenith. In the Druid tradition the summer solstice is known
as Alban Hefin meaning "The Light of Summer" or "The Light of the Shore."
This is the longest day of the year, when the Sun attains full strength
and the hours of light are as long as they will ever be. Within days
of the solstice the sun's power will wane and the days will grow progressively
shorter.
The Summer Solstice
is one of three Spirit Nights of the year, the other two being Beltaine
and Samhain. The veils between the worlds are exceptionally thin
at this time allowing easy contact with Faeries, Spirits and the otherworld.
This is an excellent time to cull magic and healing.
Sabian
Symbols for Summer Solstice 2004:
June
20 2004 - 20:57 EDT
Sun
1 degree Cancer: Sailor ready to
hoist a new flag to replace an old one.
Moon
5 degrees Leo: Rock formations
at the edge of a precipice.
Autumn Equinox
Haustblot
/ Fall Fest
Here the day
and night are of equal length. This is the beginning of the dark
half of the year when darkness rules. A time of thanksgiving when
we enjoy the fruits from previous seasons. Abundance and wealth are
celebrated in the material plane. Fuelled with the cardinal energy
of Libra, this is an excellent time for balance.
Sabian
Symbols for Autumn Equinox 2004:
September
22 2004 - 12:30 EDT
Sun
1 degree Libra: A butterfly made
perfect with a dart through it.
Moon
14 degrees Capricorn: An ancient
bas-relief carved in granite.
Cleansing
the Body: Season to Season
