Look Up! Moon, Moon - March 27th, 2013

Greetings Blessed People. MorningGlory checking in.
The full moon occurs every month when the moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the sun, so that its face is completely illuminated by sunlight.
As the night sky lights up with glorious moonlight I am aware of the changing Earth, the soil becoming lighter and less frozen, easier to spade up and I dream and think about Colorado gardens. Not having a garden space anymore is one of the losses I feel deeply as spring fever grabs my heart. On the other hand I now have more time to relax and watch everyone else work up the soil while I sample a local micro beer.

The March full moon is known by several names, but the Full Worm Moon name gives me a wild case of the giggles. The Full Worm Moon was named by the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. At the time of this spring Moon, the ground begins to soften and earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of robins.

Other March moon names are the Sap Moon, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins. Other names are Crow Moon, Crust Moon, Sugar Moon, Chaste Moon, and Death Moon," explained astronomer Geoff Gaherty of Starry Night Software. And in Hindi it is known as Basanta Purnima or Dol Purnima. Another name - Lenten moon. Quite a long time ago I started collecting names in my journal, loving the stories and lore, but now, you can find all that information on the net. I still like my journal the best. Again, something about writing the information and stories . . . more magickal.

The March 2013 full moon will be out all night on March 26, shining in front of the constellation Virgo the Maiden.

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Natural Dyes for your Ostara Festivities

by Morning Glory

     It's fun and easy, either add the dyes to the boiling water or after the eggs have been hard boiled.

The cold method - after the eggs are boiled, cover them with water and dye material, place them in the fridge until they are the color you like. Many natural materials need to boiled to impart the dye qualities and adding some vinegar to the herbal boil willk result in a much deeper color.

The boiled method - Place the eggs in a single layer in a pan. Add water until the eggs are covered. Add approximately one teaspoon of vinegar. Add the natural dye. Use more dye material for more eggs or for a more intense color. Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. If you are pleased with the color, remove the eggs from the liquid.
      Over the years my personal favorites have been tumeric, onions, beets and a mixture of spices . . . just to see what happens. Have Fun!

      Bluish-Gray
Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature, and remove blueberries.

     Blue
Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar. Let cool to room temperature and remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.

      Jade-Green
Peel the skin from 6 red onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

Faint Green-yellow
Peel the skin from 6 yellow apples. Simmer in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer 4 oz. chopped fennel tops in 1-1/2 cups of water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Orange
Take the skin of 6 yellow onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

Faint Red-orange:
Stir 2 Tbsp. paprika into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Yellows:
Rich Yellow:   Simmer 4 oz. chopped carrot tops in 1-1/2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Mustard yellow:   Stir 2 Tbsp. turmeric into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.               
Pale Yellow:  Chop 4 oz. goldenrod and simmer in 2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vineger
Faint Yellow:  Simmer the peels of 6 oranges in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. vinegar.

Brown-Gold:
Simmer 2 Tbsp. dill seed in 1 cup water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Pink:
Faint Pink:  Chop 4 oz. amaranth flowers and simmer in 2 cups water; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer the skins from 6 avocados in 1-1/2 cup water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Mix 1 cup pickled beet juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.
Dark Pink:  Cut 1 medium beet into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar and let cool to room temperature; remove beets.

Lavender:
Mix 1 cup grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.

    DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!!!!  Blessed Ostara

  

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   First Full Moon of 2013 - Howling, hungry wolf - FEED THE BEAST!

     We lived through the end of the world and vibrations seem to be rippling towards a brighter future, but pay attention we must. This planet is our home. Not new information in that statement. As more and more people truly begin to understand this concept in their entire being, we who have lived by the moon need to walk the talk and share the talk. We are all seekers.

The Wolf Moon - This full Moon name was given when wolves howled in hunger outside the villages. It is also known as the Old Moon. To some Native American tribes, this was the Snow Moon, but most applied that name to the next full Moon, in February.

I find this moon name most interesting this year as I look outside, see sunny Colorado skies, feel the balmy breezes and look at the temperature. It is still a hungry wolf moon, but this year the Earth is hungry for water. The coyotes are roaming the suburbs of Denver and a friend told me he saw a coyote in the city. The critters are still hungry, but the coyotes have found pets easier prey. Attacking the beasts via news media is not the answer, nor guns, but rather living and understanding in an educated and measured method. The climate change affects all of us in different ways.

Waxing or waning:
Look at the moon in the sky, if it looks like a 'D', it is waxing, if it looks like 'O', it is full, & if it looks like a 'C', it is waning. Just remember DOC, waxing, full & waning
The New Moon always rises at sunrise and the first quarter at noon. The Full Moon always rises at sunset and the last quarter at midnight.

Weather & the Full Moon
Farmers, sailors, and other sky watchers have long used the Moon to predict the weather.
The next time that you look up at the Moon, consider this weather-related folklore:
• In the wane of the Moon, a cloudy morning bodes a fair afternoon.
• If the crescent Moon holds its points upward, able to contain water,
• it predicts a dry spell.
• If the new Moon stands on its points, expect precipitation to spill out.
• A winter full Moon is a time for long cold snaps.
• A full Moon in April brings frost.
• Sailors agree that the full Moon "eats clouds."
• Two full Moons in a month increase the chances of flood.
• A pale full Moon indicates rain, while a red one brings wind.
• A Christmas full Moon predicts a poor harvest.
• The days following a new Moon or a full Moon are typically stormy.
• Source - The Farmers Almanac 1994