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Growing Moon
Northern Hemisphere = April Southern Hemisphere = October Moon Names Growing Moon, Hare Moon, Seed or Planting Moon, Planter's Moon, Budding Trees Moon, Eastermonath (Eoster Month), Ostarmanoth, Pink Moon, Green Grass Moon. The name April comes from the Greek Goddess Aphrodite, who is identified with the Roman Venus. Because the Christian holiday of Easter sometimes falls this month, the Anglo-Saxons and Franks called it Easter Month; of course, the word Easter comes originally from the name of the Pagan Goddess Eostre, deity of Spring, fertility and new life. The Romans called this month Aprilis, a time of unfolding leaves and flowers. The Megalesia of Cybele, who was also known as Magna Mater (Great Mother) in both Phrygia and Rome, celebrated the arrival of this Goddess in Rome. In 204 BCE, Rome was in the midst of a great war with Hannibal. Things were going very badly for the Roman legions. Finally, the Romans sent a delegation to the Delphi oracle for an interpretation of their sacred Sibylline Books. This passage said that foreign invaders could only be driven away when the Mother of Mount Ida was transferred from Pessinus to Rome. The oracle sent the delegation to the king of Pergamum in Asia Minor, where they were told that a black meteorite embodying the spirit of Cybele was. Pine trees from Mt. Ida, sacred to the goddess, were made into a ship and the stone was transported from on sanctuary to another until it reached Rome. In about a year, Hannibal left Italy forever. The Japanese Flower Festival has now become a celebration of Buddha's birth. In the older celebration, however, the people gathered wildflowers for the family shrine. Those in the Shinto faith placed wooden markers on the graves and said prayers. The Roman festival of Cerealia celebrated the return of Proserpina to the Earth goddess Ceres. Our word "cereal" comes from the name Ceres. It was the time of planting grain. Ceres was the Roman equivalent to the Greed goddess Demeter. The Floralia is still celebrated in many Central and Eastern European countries. It is a time to honour the Goddess of flowers. People dress in gaily decorated costumes and wear flowers in their hair. Secretly delivering baskets of flowers on May Day is a remnant of this old festival. Correspondences Nature Spirits: plant faeries Herbs: basil, chives, dragon’s blood, geranium, thistle Colours: crimson red, gold Flowers: daisy, sweetpea Scents: pine, bay, bergamont, patchouli Stones: ruby, garnet, sard Trees: pine, bay, hazel Animals: bear, wolf Birds: hawk, magpie Deities: Kali, Hathor, Anahita, Ceres, Ishtar, Venus, Bast Power Flow: energy into creating and producing; return to balance to the nerves. Change, self-confidence, self-reliance, takes advantage of opportunities. Work on temper and emotional flare-ups and selfishness. Old Sayings &Lore Two New Moons in one month were said to predict a month's bad weather. Any New Moon on a Saturday or Sunday was said to predict rain and general bad luck. Good luck will come your way if you first see the New Moon outside and over your right shoulder. You also make a wish that will be granted. The best luck came from looking at the Moon straight on. A ring around the Moon means rain or snow. If you move to a new house or location during a waning Moon, it will ensure you never go hungry. In medieval Europe and England, "Moon's men" were thieves and highwaymen who plied their trade by night. The current term "moonlighting" is similar, meaning to hold down and additional night job. |
