Blue Moon musings

This coming Friday evening will be a full "blue moon." A blue moon is an additional full moon that appears in a subdivision of a year, either the third of four full moons in a season or, a second full moon in a month of the common calendar. I think I'll enjoy a Blue Moon beer on this blue moon. The ancient Camunian/proto-European word for moon was Mòn or Mùn, prior to being replaced with the Roman/Latin Lùna. The Camunian village of Monno (in Italian) was known as Mòn in the Camunian dialect. Even the Roman name for the valley, Vallis Camunnorum, has the word Mùn within it, which means "Valley of the Camunni".. which actually breaks down roughly to "valley of the home of the moon people." 

The name in the Camunian dialect was Al Camònega ("valley of the home of the dawning moon"). The influence of the church gave rise to the local term "mòna"... a foul name for a woman, which is rooted in a negative reference towards the old venerated moon goddess. It should be noted that during the times of the witch trials, Camunian Catholics and Camunian Pagans (one-third of the population) got along fine.. as there was plenty of cultural overlap. Try to get out on the trail on the twilight and evening of this Friday's rising blue moon (actually sort've grayish), and feel that age old spiritual-ancestral and solar-lunar energetic interaction.

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Internet chess

Although there is no online reference to it that I can find, it can be most frustrating when you devote a half hour or longer of your time to a game of online chess, and finally reaching a critical point in the game... only to have the site/game system or internet connection "short your move" which directly makes you lose. Even though the game is meaningless, and you are anonymous, the psychological and intellectual frustration is not lost! It's as though you finally "blew it"... when you actually did not.

Another idea that I had was that it would be better if you were able to simply allow your king to be "taken".. to avoid the intellectual humiliation of being outnumbered and trounced during the final phase of the game. This would be better than the cowardly perception of "resigning" (aka quitting). In the game of rugby, when one team is far ahead on points, they just "call the game" and the players and coaches honorably meet at the center of the field. This fosters more respect between the teams.

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ELE happening now?

You know, we're in real trouble now. The Fukushima disaster--unlike Chernobyl, which ended after about a week I recall hearing--is still ongoing! Some scientists have called it an Extinction Level Event (ELE). If you haven't looked into it, you should. There is a lot on YouTube about it; I would suggest searching "fukushima rense" if you really want it fast and straight. If you read this in time, Fukushima is the subject of tonight's Coast To Coast AM program. There's almost no way to underscore how devastating this disaster is, or how bad it could get. There's practically a news blackout of it. But, what are they going to say... that we're all going to die?

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Gambara and Forseti





['Empfindsamkeit' by German Neofolk band Forseti - ωεlτεηbæμmçhεη]

Queen Gambara was the first queen of the Langobard tribe when they broke off from the Winnili tribe in 1st century Scandinavia. Although she inspired the migration into ancient central Europe with a command to her people to "Go forth!," she never saw the Italian peninsula. Forseti was an important god in Odinic mythology, although he is less known than Odin, Frigga, Tyr, or Thor. Both of these names would sound perceptively as "Italian" to the English-speaking world. I'm always looking for modern tie-ins to the ancient world, and often that can be within surnames.

Just off of the top of my head, the South Tyrolian beer "Forst" comes to mind if I try to brainstorm the root word "Forseti." There's likely no connection, but I ponder it. With a surname search for "Forseti" in Italy, there is nothing; however, there are a very small number of "Forsetti's" in the north. Again, it's likely just coincidental; although old Langobard words and surnames are common, albeit "Italianized." 

In a surname search for "Gambara," as many as perhaps 75 showed up around Emilia and Lombardy. That's not too much of a longshot since the Langobards brought the old legends of their origin with them into their new Cisalpine home. I would lay the odds at about even with that connection. "Gambara" was one of the aristocratic family names who made up the powerful oligarchic Brescian Council of the Middle Ages.

The surname "Gotti" is actually a Lombard regional name with Gothic roots.. originating from "the Goti"... the Goths. "Goti" is a Tuscan regional surname as well. Also, a Goði or Gothi (plural goðar) is the historical Old Norse term for a priest and chieftain in Norse paganism. Some of those long ago "Goti" made their way down to southern Italy... hence the now somewhat infamous Mafia name "Gotti." However, it's much more generally a Lombard surname.

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Regarding the recent rash of clown sightings, but don't laugh yet...





[Rob Zombie's '31' (2016) - Shane's World]

Apparently there has been a rash of reports of people, dressed up as creepy clowns, sneaking up upon and surprising or scaring unsuspecting people at night. It has escalated this year, and you can google or youtube it. It started in California, but has spread all over the country, and even in the UK. This brings up the issue of clowns in general, and that some people actually hate clowns! Personally I never had any problems with clowns as a child, having always seen them as benevolent. This phenomenon of unsuspecting clown terror at night is curious to me. So often, as with horror movies, it's "the face" and "the intent" of the clown, ghoul, monster, etc. The mask and outfit seem to somehow dehumanize them, and they become something of a monster. The mystery of who's behind that mask? Are they crazy, evil, or dangerous?; and at the dead of night no less!

I like the centuries-long history of the circus, the clowns, and other aspects of that eccentric traveling entertainment culture. It's really a small part of our history. Perhaps only some of the using of people with birth defects crossed the line in my opinion. Just last evening, while watching the most recent episode of 'My Haunted House' ('Route 160'), the issue of "clown night terror" was featured... however, in a more supernatural way. Still, even a young smallish blonde woman in a creepy clown mask.. staring at you in the dark of night, was somewhat unnerving. That "intent" thing... creating confusion for the unknowing. Is it a joke? Is it just for fun? Maybe not..

Probably the best creepy clown in recent years was Captain Spaulding, played by Sid Haig in 'House of 1000 Corpses' (2003) and in 'The Devil's Rejects' (2005). For a killer clown, he was rather sensitive about the issue of clown status in general, which made for one of the odd, scary, and funny sub-plots. Sid Haig has been one of the underrated off-beat character actors over the years. At one point, while being robbed at gunpoint, Captain Spaulding didn't even take the robbers very seriously.. until one of them said the wrong words: "I.. HATE.. C-L-O-W-N-S!!!"; at which point he responded with the funniest "low growl"... before dramatically getting even. I thought that first movie was so brutally artistic.

Those movies were written and directed by heavy metal singer and horror movie director Rob Zombie. Rob Zombie is directing another movie due for release in 2016, which promises to be another "1000 corpses," entitled simply  '31'. Five people are kidnapped on the days leading up to Halloween and held hostage in a place called Murder World. While trapped, they must play a violent game called 31 where the mission is to survive 12 hours against a gang of evil clowns. 

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Hazel tree patchwork: Part 1

August 5th is known in pagan circles as the start of “Hazel Celtic tree month” or “Hazel Moon,” August 5th to September 1st. This appears to be originated from British Isles Celtic. I’m not sure it pertains to continental Celtic as well. 

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The image above is Mount Shasta in far northern California. This 14,162 foot tall inactive volcano is the location of many mysteries, which ties into the "mystery of the mountain" concept covered here. Some of these old legends--such as connections to UFOs, Atlantis, Lemuria, "inner earth," etc.--are not covered on this blog. You can find much on YouTube about these legends of Mt. Shasta. I believe at the least that the mountain, which stands alone and is not connected to any other mountains, make a perfect antennae to the beyond. This energy may account for all the strange lights seen by people over the many decades.

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One unusual little thing happened here recently. A calico-colored cat belonging to someone, has hung around here for the last few years. It always seems to be out and about, displaying it's casual nature.. "catitude" as some call it. While out in front, I saw a raven swoop down and attack it from the air as the cat was walking across the street. The cat looked surprised and trotted away. When a raven group sets up camp in an area, they drive all other birds and some animals away. They never show aggression against humans that I have ever known. Some years ago, I saw many white feathers swirling in the air out the window one day. Some ravens had attacked a sea gull, as the gulls frequently make their way from the coast to the bay over this area. I have seen them attack hawks on many occasions, with the hawks not seeming especially intimidated.

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An American pioneer of modern Wicca, Margot Adler, passed away this past week. She had produced numerous books and other material on the subject. There's a well-known quote by her that is still relevant I think:

"We are not evil. We don't harm or seduce people. We are not dangerous. We are ordinary people like you. We have families, jobs, hopes, and dreams. We are not a cult. This religion is not a joke. We are not what you think we are from looking at T.V. We are real. We laugh, we cry. We are serious. We have a sense of humor. You don't have to be afraid of us. We don't want to convert you. And please don't try to convert us. Just give us the same right we give you--to live in peace. We are much more similar to you then you think." --Margot Adler

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I had been curious about the significance of what is called the "new moon," when the moon is in it's darkest phase of its cycle. In a post on the Traditional Stregheria Yahoo Group I wrote:

"....during the new moon rite of this past week.. I not only felt nothing, but I felt depressing feelings. I made no connections at all, as I always have. This is the first time I have experienced this. I always make connections, often euphoric ones. I always feel so energized by the Moon, but I must have always taken this energy for granted... as though I though it a focal point like an antenae, and not a true intrinsic energy source. Did I feel sorrow for the absence of the energy source?

I don't like to sound confused or needy... but I am confused. I suspect that I will have part of my answer on the evening of Aug 9th... if everything is as it always has been for me.."

I'm anxious for the "supermoon" on August 10th, to see if all the energy and connections will come back for me. An online search for "new moon depression" seems to show that this wasn't my personal quirk, but something that many experience. Although there is ritual associated with the new moon, I'm not in a big hurry to try to connect with a new moon any time soon.

"New moon/dark moon magick can be used in several different ways.  It can be used to work with the ancestors, divination, destroying a disease, bindings and working with spirits of the underworld. 

You can do "crossroad" magick, in otherwords, if you don't have a crossroads nearby, you can create one on your altar.  However, it it only used if you have reached a crossroads in your life and you need to reach a decision, or for tough decision making purposes in which you may not know what road to take. 

New moons are also used to send negativity back that you feel is being sent your way." --Toni, administer of Traditional Stregheria Yahoo Group.

"I find I am 'strongest' and have the easiest time making connections during the new moon." --Alwaysride from the group
 

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To go off-topic a little, a couple of days ago, I saw where the 2008 movie 'The Wrestler' with Mickey Rourke was on the Independent Film Channel. The movie won a number of awards, including a Academy Awards nomination for best actor and supporting actress (Marisa Tomei). I saw it for the first time a couple of months ago. I was thinking how this movie, in many ways, shows how life really is for most people. You're popular in some circles, neutral in others such as a job, and often treated shabbily during the day with strangers... such as a store clerk immediately reaching out and grabbing your money off the counter before you're even able to count.it. These things happen frequently to most people, and are usually just ignored. The vast majority of people don't like to admit to family and friends that they were treated in this manner by some damn stranger. Anyway, it was a good movie, with highs and lows, and a great ending... in its own way.
 

Also, related to the movie, there's a simple quote that rings true I think for just about everyone: "No matter how much that you have changed, you still must answer for what you have done." 

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I have not yet seen the 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' movies. Apparently I'm the only one who thinks that this concept just seems a little strange. A spiritual tradition which was the native culture once, shown yet again in a negative light, and with this..justification that they must be hunted down and murdered? What other religion would that portrayal be acceptable? Wow.. is this overly sensitive or unreasonable!?
 

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It's a well-established fact that early Christian movements, for centuries, combined local pagan holidays and traditions into Christianity in order to make a smooth transition during the mostly forced conversion periods. The amount of such melding over time is pretty substantial, especially in regards to Christimas. It is then quite frustrating when certain overzealous Christian figures somehow try to suggest that these connections are part of some "occult conspiracy." If there are "occult conspiracies," they really have nothing to do with native European pre-Christian spiritual traditions. There is a big difference between eastern occultism and the forced occultism that was a result of Christian inquisitions. One such figure of many, is Doc Marquis. It's not that he's incorrect as far as these pagan connections, but he purposely misleads gullible people as to how this came about.

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The Sanctuary of Straw

A few evenings ago, I found myself in a location which I had never been before. You could live your whole life in a locale, and still find a place that has somehow escaped you. So much so that you need to integrate it into your internal mapping. This location was in an industrial area, mostly between a fairly steep mountain range and the warehouses along the streets. Along that area were once trains that carried goods to and from the manufacturing locations apparently. It may have been active at late as the 1950s. I was very familiar with that old railtrack system, but just not in this location which extended into some heavy wood and brush at the base of the mountain. The tracks were torn out about ten or fifteen years ago, and only a few heavy timbers alongside the trails are a reminder of what was once there.

Oddly, I had always seen one opening from the street where the tracks once crossed, but it was so overgrown that I never bothered with it. It was like a trail to nowhere, with a chain and reflectors in front of it. It was from a different entry point that I discovered this pathway though. At first it was twilight, and I stopped to take a water break in a parking lot. I noticed a trail in the distance, so I took a look. When I reached the opening to the trail behind a large warehouse, it was a sight to behold. Some lights from the industrial park illuminated the trail somewhat. The freshly cut dry grass of the trail seemed to almost glow in the darkness, and disappeared in the distance; into the trees, with the black mountain and the dark blue sky with a thin crescent moon in the backdrop.

As I looked at this almost too-good-to-be-true sight, somehow it occurred to me that my entire life was about "this place." Somehow everything made sense, and it grounded me. For some reason, ironically, I thought about what I have seen in myself and others in life; always searching for "something" along life's path. My mind was so clear that I was easily able to regress many interests and fads that I have had in my life. Some legitimate interests were never really explored, and had long disappeared among related and perhaps immature interests. Even before the information age, things just sort've came and went for a lot of people I think. Ultimately, especially for an obscure endeavor, it takes a person or people to breathe life into something to make it relevant. I think everyone has some regrets, and can think of some silly notions that they once held. Still, even in the maze of one's life--especially their youth--there are a few lost gems that can be brushed off and quickened.

I believe that you cannot force your mind to be this clear, even if you visit a special place. It will happen when it's ready to happen. The conflicts and troubles of the day usually prevent the mind from opening up. However, it does happen; and you should take advantage of it when it does. For some reason, this new sanctuary amid a location of which I was very familiar, somehow opened this door for me. You will know it because time will be compressed, meaning that something from long ago in your life will feel close. Time is suspended, and negativity is kept at bay. In other words, you can see the positive that existed; and the negative isn't allowed to get in the way of bringing it forward for reflection. That's what I experienced. Usually the mind blocks out negative periods in life, and it blocks out the interwoven positive aspects of them as well.

Needless to say, I was able to clearly see some old unique positive aspirations of mine which had long been buried in the darkness of some negative periods. I don't know if this place opened this doorway, and/or if some spirit guide led me there for some knowledge that I needed, or if it was all just mere chance? It is rather odd indeed that some positive endeavor in our lives--much like this pathway I found--can be lost in the dark corners our minds. When I say "dark," I mean the negative experiences that the mind blocks out; but is still in our memory. Not blocked out entirely, not the subconscious mind (although that can happen with trauma), but just enough of a block to repress it and the gems that may be within. It could be bad time periods, or just the common troubles of youth that the mind represses.

For some reason the city had the dry grasses and overgrowth cut along this trail, and the ground was very soft to the step, and looked like straw. It was so soft that you could comfortably roll around on it; and in a few parts you could practically sleep on it. Although there was no moonlight or urban cloudlight, the surrounding lights of the area were enough to illuminate the "straw" a bit. As I saw this glow-in-the-dark pathway disappear into the darkness, into the mountain, I felt that I had to explore it. After walking for a short while, the bright lights of a large trucking company parking lot broke through the trees. As its rays lightened the path for a stretch, I could faintly hear a few trucks and noises. My father was a truck driver for many years, and this particular spot reminded me of rural truck stops; as though his spirit was also present. Soon the trail turned dark again. The straw made it easy to see my way.

It's not a great idea to hike in a remote area at night by yourself, but I was so eager to see what was "just around the next bend." The darkness plays tricks on you sometimes. Natural features can appear to be a person or an animal. Sometimes, for brief instants, fear can overcome you. A flashlight is always a must, if for no other reason than to signal to a person that you might encounter. However, this sanctuary of straw was all mine on that night. When I got to a slightly higher elevation, there was a small break in the wood and brush, and I could see some dry grassy hillsides in the opposite direction. Amid the slightly illuminated ash-blonde hills was the freeway and some lights. At night, from this vantage point, nothing looked familiar. Just from that angle, it reminded me of rural parts of California Interstate 5; and from my location, it seemed like a lost highway, just as I was on a lost pathway.

I stopped to soak in this view of a familiar place that the night had made look so different. The dry grassy hills reminded me of the hills around the Concord Pavilion and concerts from years before, when I hanged around with a group of guys who were pretty much only interested in heavy metal music and drinking. I think sometimes people can long for the simplicity of their youth or young adulthood. It also reminded me of the grassy hills around the Shoreline Amphitheatre in the South Bay, and how we used to arrive early and wander into the thick nearby eucalyptus groves to hangout, talk, laugh, and drink. Now those groves are all gone, and police and security make certain that concertgoers park, attend, and leave in a proper manner. I could hear my old friends' voices and laughter as I gazed upon the night view.

Finally, I made it to the earlier mentioned ending point, the street. The tracks had once crossed at this point, only to continue behind another passageway of which I was familiar with. Indeed this stretch of road was also empty at night, and I walked into the wide, well-lighted, empty street for a moment. I had come full circle from one familiar location to another, like connecting the dots by finding out what is between them. Then I headed back to where I had started, with the glowing pathway of straw and the spirits as my guides through the darkness.

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Why Wolves Howl at the Moon

This video was produced by the John Mainer's YouTube channel, who is an Odinic Heathen. I'm not always going to put the originating YouTube or other channels in the future since they're easily accessible on the embedded format here. I think that by merely redistributing someone's work gives them credit, a larger audience, and a way for someone to find their channel.

One aspect of the Odinic tradition, which I think is missing in modern folkish magical traditons, is the issue of evolutionary struggle. Life is struggle. That certainly doesn't mean that it wasn't present in ancient times, but that it has been lost from having been forced underground by Christian societies for so long. The wolf perfectly represents evolutionary struggle.

Wolves are comparable to humans in nature within a historical overview. They, for example, mate for life. They form tight kinships and work together to survive. It's not hard to see how the mythology of the "werewolf" came about; and that ties into both the warrior tradition as well as individual, family, or clan struggle

It's interesting how wolves are a big part of other northern peoples (Amerindians, Siberians, Mongolians) who saw the same spiritual qualities and allegorical connections. However, they did not actually incorporate--as far as I know--wolves into their daily clan life... or actually being part of the family or clan as allies (man and dog).


Wisdom of the Wolf (from ladyalphawolf.tripod.com)


For the Strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the Strength of the Wolf is the Pack

I take offense to the image of wolves as only beastly hunters. Not all wolves are fanged beasts waiting in the woods to devour you. We are civilized, orderly beings with laws and leaders. There are some lessons I have learned from my noble brothers and sisters, the wolves.

 
The Wolf as a symbol of the Wild

The wolf has long symbolized the wilderness in all of us. They roam the lands free of constraints, something that some of us can greatly identify. Wolves are the wild in all of us, and can teach us about the unexplored realms in all of us. Following the wolf, I have found freedom within my heart. The most wonderful feeling in the world is that of running across the plains, the wind ruffling your fur, and a clear moon overhead.

 
The Wolf and the Moon

The wolf and the moon have long been entwined with each other in myth. The wolf sings to the moon, and in return the moon gives the gifts of intuition and spiritual guidance to the wolf. Silver, the color of the moon, is a powerful color, giving this wolf a special connection to Luna.

 
Qualities of the Wolf

The qualities of the wolf are many. But most of all there are the qualities of loyalty, love and trust. Wolves are fiercely loyal, protective of those around them. Their pack is everything, family, friends, all are important to the wolf. Wolves are also teachers. They teach the pups so the pack may grow strong. I am proud to say a wolf has been one of my great teachers..


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Supermoon and moon phases: Part 2

Supermoon Returns in May 2012 | Video

From YouTube channel VideoFromSpace

The full Moon will be up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than others during the year. The reason for this phenomenon is that the Moon becomes full on its closest approach to Earth on May 5, 2012, also known as the perigee full Moon.

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I was outside for an extended period last evening, the night after supermoon, and it was probably the same view. Perhaps it was only 12% bigger than usual. It occurred to me that since this happening is 13 1/2 months apart; psychologically, people don't make note of it in nearly the same way as they might with Yule. I think that I will make a note on the right column here, with next year's Supermoon date, which happens to be June 23, 2013. I mean, it would be nice to have a good month to plan for it; which again, is something that someone would not due to the staggered date of occurrence. Also, perhaps the same for the next lunar eclipse, and other solar happenings.

"The supermoon of 2012 is over, but the joys of moongazing are not. Even though Saturday night's lunar showing was the biggest and brightest of the year, the views are nearly as good anytime around the full moon — tonight, for example." --Alan Boyle, 'Your views of the supermoon'

New moon (Wikipedia)

The original meaning of the phrase new moon was the first visible crescent of the Moon, after conjunction with the Sun. This takes place over the western horizon in a brief period between sunset and moonset, and therefore the precise time and even the date of the appearance of the new moon by this definition will be influenced by the geographical location of the observer. The astronomical new moon, sometimes known as the dark moon to avoid confusion, occurs by definition at the moment of conjunction in ecliptic longitude with the Sun, when the Moon is invisible from the Earth. This moment is unique and does not depend on location, and in certain circumstances it coincides with a solar eclipse.

Lunar month (Wikipedia)

In lunar calendars, a lunar month is the time between two identical syzygies (new moons or full moons). The use of the lunar month varies by which culture has utilized the method, the main difference being when the "new" month begins.

Solar eclipse (Wikipedia)

As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun. This can happen only during a new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth. In a total eclipse, the disk of the Sun is fully obscured by the Moon. In partial and annular eclipses only part of the Sun is obscured.

If the Moon were to be in a circular orbit close enough to the Earth and in the same orbital plane, there would be total solar eclipses every single month. However, the Moon's orbit is angled at more than 5 degrees to the earth's orbit around the sun (see ecliptic) so its shadow at new moon often misses the Earth. The very reason why the Earth's orbit is called the ecliptic plane is because the Moon's orbit must cross this in order for an eclipse (both solar as well as lunar) to occur. Also, the Moon's actual orbit is elliptical, often taking it too far away from the Earth so that its apparent size is not large enough to block the Sun totally. So the orbital planes cross each year at a line of nodes resulting in at least two, and up to five, solar eclipses occurring each year; no more than two of which can be total eclipses. Total solar eclipses are nevertheless rare at any particular location because totality exists only along a narrow path on the Earth's surface traced by the Moon's shadow or umbra.

An eclipse is a natural phenomenon. Nevertheless, in ancient times, and in some cultures today, solar eclipses have been attributed to supernatural causes or regarded as bad omens. A total solar eclipse can be frightening to people who are unaware of their astronomical explanation, as the Sun seems to disappear during the day and the sky darkens in a matter of minutes.

As it is dangerous to look directly at the Sun, observers should use special eye protection or indirect viewing techniques. People referred to as eclipse chasers or umbraphiles will travel to remote locations to observe or witness predicted central solar eclipses.

Lunar eclipse (Wikipedia)

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes behind the Earth so that the Earth blocks the Sun's rays from striking the Moon. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Hence, a lunar eclipse can only occur the night of a full moon. The type and length of an eclipse depend upon the Moon's location relative to its orbital nodes. The most recent total lunar eclipse occurred on December 10, 2011. The previous total lunar eclipse occurred on June 15, 2011; The recent eclipse was visible from all of Asia and Australia, seen as rising over Europe and setting over Northwest North America. The last to previous total lunar eclipse occurred on December 21, 2010, at 08:17 UTC.

Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a certain relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on the night side of the Earth. A lunar eclipse lasts for a few hours, whereas a total solar eclipse lasts for only a few minutes at any given place, due to the smaller size of the moon's shadow. Also unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to view without any eye protection or special precautions, as they are no brighter (indeed dimmer) than the full moon itself.

'Supermoon' Alert: Biggest Full Moon of 2012 Occurs This Week (by Space.com Staff; April 30, 2012)

Spectacular 'Supermoon' Wows Skywatchers Around the World (by Tariq Malik, SPACE.com Managing Editor; May 6, 2012)

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Supermoon and moon phases: Part 1

I would have liked to have gotten this entry in several weeks ago, since "Supermoon" was last night. However, I wanted to at least make a reference entry. Supermoon may roughly be only once a year, but full moon phases are roughly once a month; so there are frequent opportunities for observation or celebration. A "Supermoon" is to lunar phases, what Yule is to the eight seasonal Sabbats.

There are astronomical, stargazer, and lunar calendars each year if you check on Yahoo shopping or Amazon.com. The annual dates of the wheel of the year don't change, like the lunar dates. Supermoon is a great opportunity for a celebration or a stargazing night walk, but it won't happen again for 412 days.

From yesterdays San Francisco Chronicle:

Supermoon: The biggest and brightest full moon of the year arrives Saturday night. The event is a "supermoon," the closest full moon of the year. The moon will be about 221,802 miles from Earth, or about 15,300 miles closer than average. That proximity will make the moon appear about 14 percent bigger than it would if the moon were at its farthest distance, said Geoff Chester of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington.

Supermoon (Wikipedia)

A supermoon, is the coincidence of a full moon (or a new moon) with the closest approach the Moon makes to the Earth on its elliptical orbit, or perigee, leading to the technical name for a supermoon of the perigee-syzygy of the Earth-Moon-Sun system. The association of the Moon with both oceanic and crustal tides has led to claims that the supermoon phenomenon may be associated with increased risk of events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. However, the evidence of such a link is widely held to be unconvincing.

Full moon (Wikipedia)

Full moon is a lunar phase that occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. More precisely, a full moon occurs when the geocentric apparent (ecliptic) longitudes of the Sun and Moon differ by 180 degrees; the Moon is then in opposition with the Sun.

Lunar eclipses can only occur at full moon, where the moon's orbit allows it to pass through the Earth's shadow. Lunar eclipses do not occur every month because the moon usually passes above or below the Earth's shadow (which is mostly restricted to the ecliptic plane). Lunar eclipses can occur only when the full moon occurs near the two nodes of the orbit, either the ascending or descending node. This causes eclipses to only occur about every 6 months, and often 2 weeks before or after a solar eclipse at new moon at the opposite node.

As seen from Earth, the hemisphere of the Moon that is facing the Earth (the near side) is almost fully illuminated by the Sun and appears round. Only during a full moon is the opposite hemisphere of the Moon, which is not visible from Earth (the far side), completely unilluminated.

The time interval between similar lunar phases—the synodic month—averages about 29.53 days. Therefore, in those lunar calendars in which each month begins on the new moon, the full moon falls on either the 14th or 15th of the lunar month. Because lunar months have a whole number of days, lunar months may be either 29 or 30 days long.

Moon phase (Wikipedia)

A lunar phase or phase of the moon is the appearance of the illuminated (sunlit) portion of the Moon as seen by an observer, usually on Earth. The lunar phases change cyclically as the Moon orbits the Earth, according to the changing relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. The half of the lunar surface facing the Sun is always sunlit, but the portion of this illuminated hemisphere that is visible to an observer on Earth can vary from about 100% (full moon) to 0% (new moon). The lunar terminator is the boundary between the illuminated and unilluminated hemispheres. Aside from some craters near the lunar poles such as Shoemaker, all parts of the Moon see around 14.77 days of sunlight followed by 14.77 days of "night" (there is no permanently "dark side" of the Moon).

Lunar phase (Wikipedia)

A lunar phase or phase of the moon is the appearance of the illuminated (sunlit) portion of the Moon as seen by an observer, usually on Earth. The lunar phases change cyclically as the Moon orbits the Earth, according to the changing relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. The half of the lunar surface facing the Sun is always sunlit, but the portion of this illuminated hemisphere that is visible to an observer on Earth can vary from about 100% (full moon) to 0% (new moon). The lunar terminator is the boundary between the illuminated and unilluminated hemispheres. Aside from some craters near the lunar poles such as Shoemaker, all parts of the Moon see around 14.77 days of sunlight followed by 14.77 days of "night" (there is no permanently "dark side" of the Moon).

'Supermoon' Alert: Biggest Full Moon of 2012 Occurs This Week (Space.com; Tariq Malik; 5-6-12)

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The Moon (History Channel documentary)

The Universe - The moon - History Channel (45 min)

[From YouTube user waldopulanco]

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There's no way to overstate the importance of the moon to the earth; not to mention our ancestors, their way of life, and their spirituality.

From the documentary:

For 15,000 years at least, man revered the moon as a source of light, as a navigational guide, as a reference in agricultural pursuits; and most of all, as a convenient time-keeper.

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Guido von List: Part 11

Vienna, Austria: Birthplace of Guido von List

The Algiz rune

"The Life Rune"

I decided that I had to add this Listian rune because there are some definite ancient Camun ties to it. Although the runes have an ancient Cisalpine origin, this particular rune is genuinely ancient Norse in origin. One question, which I have developed over this period of time, is whether or not List's runes were actually found on lower Austrian artifacts or present in any ruins there?

I had a funny synchronistic experience today. It happened as I drove my mother to an errand. I was reading the book in the car while she was inside shopping. When she returned to the car, I was energized having just read about the Algiz rune; and in particular, of one of it's alternate names "mon." The Camunian town and comune of Monno was originally named "Mòn" in the Camunian dialect. As we drove off, she said something like "I'm going to use these "Vienna sausages" for something I'm going to make for dinner tonight." Vienna? {{BINGO}} Vienna is the birthplace of Guido von List! A classic synchronistic connection. She doesn't even know who Guido von List is.

People and animals unwittingly play out this symbolism for others. Two weeks ago today, I brought up a subject out of the blue; and one of the people who was present was startled. "Oh, it's amazing that you brought that up!" he exclaimed, and he went onto a tangent about something which was important to him. That, however, is probably more of a mild psychic connection than a synchronistic one. About a week ago, while hiking, I was thinking about some of these subjects and I saw three ravens fly by. These ravens were playing out a synchronistic symbol for me. It wasn't synchronistic for them. Just me. That seems to be how it works. A living symbol is just going about its own journey; and any symbolic meaning is an entirely separate concept. "Three ravens," or any three birds, is a very ancient symbol in European paganism. It's present in one of the crests of a family of which I descend as well. List offers a mixed scientific-mystical explanation to this. It's a natural condition of this planet, although it has no hard science to back it up.

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The website Thora Design quickly sums up the Raido rune with the following description:

Algiz represents protection according to tradition. On another level, it represents divine inspiration and aspirations. What do the two have in common? The Valkryies are that common element. Valkryries were the warrioress, amazon-like daughters of Odin. They were the choosers of the dead on battlefields and lead the dead to the afterlife. They protected the souls of those who died, as well as those who were meant to remain alive. The tie to divine aspirations come from the fact that in some Germanic customs, it was believed that a Valkryrie was actually part of a persons higher consciousness, the "god-like" part of our own being. These all being the case, Algiz represents both protection and the divine consciousness withing each of us.

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Algiz rune Wikipedia page:

The Algiz is part of the ancient Nordic and Anglo-Saxon runic alphabet, often equated to the modern day z, however was traditionally pronounced yr. The letter has come to symbolize many neo-pagan religions and is often worn as a pendant. When casting rune stones it is most commonly determined to represent refusal to move on, or one's family and heritage.

*Algiz, sometimes *Elhaz, is the reconstructed Proto-Germanic name for the ᛉ rune, representing the Proto-Germanic terminal -z (from PIE word-final *-s). The reconstructed word *algiz (meaning "elk") is based on the name of the Anglo-Saxon eolh ("elk") which is of the same shape but represented a different sound. Like much of the Proto-Germanic language, it is not attested in any known text.

Like the Ing-rune, *Algiz differs from the other runes because it was not named acrophonically, since the sound it represents is a suffix. The Proto-Germanic terminal z (continuing Proto-Indo-European terminal s) became obsolete, and the rune is usually transcribed as ʀ for Proto-Norse and Old Norse. The sound eventually became the terminal -r in Old Norse, but its continuation in the yr-rune (see below) shows that there was still a phonemic difference between -r and -ʀ in Old East Norse (the Swedish and Danish dialect of Old Norse) in the 11th century.

Name	Proto-Germanic	Old English	Old Norse
	*Algiz	Eolh	Yr
	"elk"		"yew"
Shape	Elder Futhark	Futhorc	Younger Futhark
Unicode	ᛉ U+16C9		ᛦ U+16E6	ᛧ U+16E7
Transliteration	z	x	ʀ
Transcription	z	x	ʀ
IPA	[z]	[ks]	[ɻ], [r]
Position in rune-row	15		16

Elder Futhark

In the Elder Futhark, the reconstructed name *Algiz is given to the rune. *Algiz represents the sound of the letter "Z" in the Elder Futhark. In the 8th century, the Elder Futhark began to be replaced by the Younger Futhark in Scandinavia.

Gothic Futhark

In the Gothic alphabet, the Gothic letter , called Ezec, is identified with the rune. Like the Elder Futhark, the sound value of the term was that of "Z" but the name of the rune is of uncertain meaning.^[1]

Anglo-Saxon futhorc

Recorded in the Anglo-Saxon rune poem, the shape of the rune appears in the Anglo-Saxon futhorc alphabet, as ᛉ Eolh. However, instead of representing the sounds of the letter "Z" as in the Elder Futhark and Gothic Futhark, it here represents the sound of the letter "X".^[1]

     Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem                      Modern English translation[2]

Eolh-secg eard hæfþ oftust on fenne     The Elk-sedge usually lives in the fen,

wexeð on wature, wundaþ grimme    growing in the water. It wounds severely,

blode breneð beorna gehwylcne                 staining with blood any man

ðe him ænigne onfeng gedeþ.                      who makes a grab at it.

The varying forms of the rune in the Elder futhark during the centuries

Younger Futhark

Main article: Yr rune

As the Younger Futhark gradually began to replace the Elder Futhark, the shape of the *Algiz rune appears again as Yr ᛦ "yew". The shape is also continued in another character in the Younger Futhark; Maðr ᛘ ("man"), replacing the Elder Futhark ᛗ rune *Mannaz.

Modern usage

Guido von List and influence

The Madr and Yr runes in Guido von List's Armanen Futharkh were very loosely based on the Younger Futhark. List's runes were later adopted and modified by Karl Maria Wiligut who was responsible for their adoptions by the NSDAP and subsequently used widely on insignia and literature during the Third Reich, notably in SS-obituaries.

Based on this association, the rune is still used by various neo-Nazi or white nationalist groups including the National Alliance.^[3]

Germanic Neopaganism

Various forms of the *Algiz rune are commonly used by various Germanic Neopagan groups as a symbol of their religion.

See also

• Elder Futhark
• Younger Futhark

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} Dobbie (1942).
2. ^ Page (1999:71).
3. ^ From the official National Alliance website: "The Life Rune signifies life, creation, birth, rebirth, and renewal. It expresses in a single symbol the raison d’etre of the National Alliance and of the movement of Aryan renewal." The symbol is used throughout the website. "The Life Rune: an ancient symbol used by the National Alliance". Natall.com.

References

• Dobbie, Elliott Van Kirk (1942). 
• The Anglo-Saxon Minor Poems. Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-231-08770-5.
• Page, R. I. (1999). An Introduction to English Runes. Boydell Press, page 71. ISBN 0-85115-946-X.

Runes	See also: Epigraphy · Runestones · Rune Poems · Runology · Runic magic																													v · d · e
Elder Futhark:	ᚠ	ᚢ	ᚦ	ᚨ	ᚱ	ᚲ	ᚷ	ᚹ	ᚺ	ᚾ	ᛁ	ᛃ		ᛇ	ᛈ	ᛉ	ᛊ	ᛏ	ᛒ	ᛖ	ᛗ	ᛚ	ᛜ	ᛞ	ᛟ
Old English Futhorc:	ᚠ	ᚢ	ᚦ	ᚩ o	ᚱ	ᚳ c	ᚷ ȝ	ᚹ	ᚻ	ᚾ	ᛁ	ᛄ		ᛇ eo	ᛈ	ᛉ x	ᛋ	ᛏ	ᛒ	ᛖ	ᛗ	ᛚ	ᛝ	ᛞ	ᛟ œ		ᚪ a	ᚫ æ	ᚣ y	ᛠ ea
Younger Futhark:	ᚠ	ᚢ	ᚦ	ᚬ ą	ᚱ	ᚴ			ᚼ	ᚾ	ᛁ		ᛅ a				ᛋ	ᛏ	ᛒ		ᛘ	ᛚ				ᛦ ʀ
Transliteration:	f	u	þ	a	r	k	g	w	h	n	i	j		ï	p	z	s	t	b	e	m	l	ŋ	d	o

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Guido von List's "Algiz rune" (he used different names):

man, mon, moon (ma = to mother, to increase; empty or dead).

A fifteenth I tell, which Folk-rast the dwarf

     sang before the Doors of Day

to the Ases [Aesir] for strength, to the Elves for might,

     to myself to clear my mind

In another sense, as in that of the well-known folktale, "the Man in the Moon" reveals himself in the fifteenth rune as a sanctified sign of the propagation of the human race. The primal word "ma" is the hallmark of feminine generation--"mothering"--just as the primal word "fa" is that of the masculine. Therefore, we have here "ma-ter" (mother) just as there we have "fa-ter" (father). The moon mythico-mystically serves as the magical ring Draupnir (Dripper), from which every ninth night an equally heavy ring drips (separates itself), and which was burned with Baldr; that is, Nanna, the mother of his children, was burned at the same time as Baldr.

According to mythico-mystical rules, however, nights always mean months, and so the "nine nights" mentioned above indicate the time of pregnancy. While the concepts of man, maiden, mother, husband, [Gemahl], wife [Gemählin], marriage, menstruation, etc., etc. are rooted in the primal word "ma" (just like the concept "moon," with which they are all internally connected conceptually), they nevertheless symbolize individual concepts reconnected into an apparent unity according to the principle of the multiune-multifidic multiplicity.

So too is the conceptual word for this unity rooted in the primal word "ma" and expressed "man-ask" or "men-isk," that is: man [Mensch]. Therefore--as a concept of unification--the word "man" is only of one gender (masculine), while the derogatory concept belongs to the third stage as a neuter, to which we will return later. The fifteenth rune encompasses both the exoteric and the esoteric concept of the high mystery of humanity and reaches its zenith in the warning: "Be a man!"

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Again, the old name for the town and comune of Monno is "Mòn." Therefore, there is a definite tie-in here. Linguistically, if nothing else. As to whether that origin is Euganeian (ancient Alpine), Gaulish, or Germanic; we just don't know. On the Moon Wikipedia webpage, under "Name and etymology," it states the following:

The English proper name for Earth's natural satellite is "the Moon".^[7][8] The noun moon derives from moone (around 1380), which developed from mone (1135), which derives from Old English mōna (dating from before 725), which, like all Germanic language cognates, ultimately stems from Proto-Germanic *mǣnōn.^[9]

The principal modern English adjective pertaining to the Moon is lunar, derived from the Latin Luna. Another less common adjective is selenic, derived from the Ancient Greek Selene (Σελήνη), from which the prefix "seleno-" (as in selenography) is derived.^[10]

1.  N/A
2.  NA
3.  N/A
4.  N/A
5.  N/A
6.  N/A
7. ^ "Naming Astronomical Objects: Spelling of Names". International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
8. ^ "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature: Planetary Nomenclature FAQ". USGS Astrogeology Research Program. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
9. ^ Barnhart, Robert K. (1995). The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology. USA: Harper Collins. p. 487. ISBN 0-06-270084-7.
10. ^ "Oxford English Dictionary: lunar, a. and n.". Oxford English Dictionary: Second Edition 1989. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 23 March 2010.

According to Merriam-Webster.com, under the definition of Moon, it states the following of the origin of the word "moon":

Middle English mone, from Old English mōna; akin to Old High German māno moon, Latin mensis month, Greek mēn month, mēnē moon

First Known Use: before 12th century

I'm not sure if it's a certainty that the most basic root word(s) for moon has a Germanic origin, since it was present in Latin and Greek. The 12th century period is for "moon," but other words starting with an "m" may go back deep into the ancient world.

According to 20000-Names.com, "Monday" is an English name derived from the week day name, composed of the Old English elements mona "moon" and dæg "day," hence "moon day."

According to the book 'Creed of Iron' (McVan; 1997): The name "moon" means "the measurer" or one who metes out time with her phases and movements. The word "mon-th" in its origin means "a measurement of the moon."

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According to 'Creed of Iron', the Algiz run is described as the following:

ELHAZ - elk

(z) Life, protection, connection between gods and men.

* Black tourmaline

Also known as algiz, it is symbolic of a spread hand or an elk's antlers, both being signs of active defense. A rune of protection and of purifying, it is associated with a swan or valkyrie and with striving towards one's potential. Elhaz is the life symbol and was often carved into spears for protection and victory.

[Also, it symbolizes the top chakra: The crown of the head, governing consciousness and higher self.]

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One more time

Just as I was finishing this post, just a few minutes ago, my mother called. After a brief discussion about her plans for Sunday, she said something like "have you seen the moon tonight? It's so bright!" {{BINGO}} In addition to the connection to the moon (List: "mon"), the Algiz rune stands for "mother" (List: "ma") The moon administers time for the earth, like "mothering"; as she just administered time for me as to what time to pick her up tomorrow and to remind me to turn back my clock one hour for daylight savings. She was definitely my synchronistic connection for the day.

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