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Sept,'04- Oct,'06- Nov,'04- Dec,'04- Jan,'05- Feb,'05- Mar,'05- Apr,'05- May,'05- Jun,'05- July,'05- Aug,'05
September, 2004
Named after septem,
Latin for “seven” (Note: The early Latin calendar was 10 months)
Astrological Sign: Virgo (Virgin, Aug.
23–Sept. 22)
Celestial Highlights for the month of September:
Summary:
During this month, the morning sky is definitely the center of the action.
On the 1st, Venus and Saturn hang out close together one-third of the
way up the eastern sky at 5:30 a.m., with Mercury far below them but getting higher each dawn as this innermost world begins
its best morning showing of the year.
On the 10th, an eye-catching triangle formed by the Moon, Venus, and
Saturn hovers high above an extremely close conjunction of Mercury and Leo's blue star, Regulus.
On the 13th, Mercury meets the crescent Moon.
From the 12th to the 14th, binoculars show Venus very near Cancer's Beehive
star cluster.
Autumn begins with the equinox on the 22nd at 9:30 p.m. PST.
Mercury
Named for the Roman messenger god, who flew
from Olympus on winged heels, this little planet flits back and forth from morning sky to evening sky, several times a year.
Unfortunately, it never strays far from the Sun in our sky, so it's tough to find in the glare. From the northern hemisphere,
the best times to see it, in the morning twilight, is the early part of this month, when it looks like a moderately bright
star low in the southeast shortly before dawn, getting higher each dawn as this innermost world begins its best morning showing
of the year. On the 10th, an extremely close conjunction of Mercury and Leo's blue star, Regulus will occur. On the 13th,
Mercury meets the crescent Moon.
Venus
Venus, the dazzling star in the morning twilight,
outshines all the other stars and planets in the night sky. Venus and Saturn will be in conjunction the 1st of September,
close together one-third of the way up the eastern sky at 5:30 a.m.. On the 10th, an eye-catching triangle formed by the Moon,
Venus, and Saturn hovers high above an extremely close conjunction of Mercury and Leo's blue star, Regulus. Binoculars show
Venus very near Cancer's Beehive star cluster from the 12th to the 14th.
Mars
After
last year's spectacular appearance in the summer and autumn sky, Mars passes behind the Sun in September. It reemerges in
the pre-dawn sky by around Halloween.
Jupiter
The largest planet in our solar system is
a commanding presence in the night sky for much of the year. It looks like an intensely bright cream-colored star, shining
brighter than anything else in the night sky except the Moon and Venus. It will disappear "behind" the Sun in September, but
will still be visible in the evening twilight, during the first week of September. Jupiter then returns to view, before dawn,
by the middle of October.
Saturn
Saturn looks like a golden star in the morning
twilight. It spends the entire year in Gemini, although it flirts with the border to Cancer in the fall before reversing direction
and moving back toward the center of Gemini. Saturn and Venus will be in conjunction the 1st of September, close together
one-third of the way up the eastern sky at 5:30 a.m.. On the 10th, an eye-catching triangle, formed by the Moon, Venus, and
Saturn, hovers high above an extremely close conjunction of Mercury and Leo's blue star, Regulus.
Uranus
Although it's the third-largest planet in
the solar system, it's so far from the Sun that you need binoculars to see it. It spends the year in the constellation Aquarius.
It staged its best appearance in August, but will still be visible in the evening twilight, during the first week of September.
(August 29) to September 11: Old Egyptian New Year – Old
Egyptian festival marking the return to Egypt of Goddess Isis and God Osiris, and the rising Nile River.
Wednesday, September 1: Conjunction of Venus and Saturn.
Beginning
of the Ecclesiastical Year - Orthodox Christian
Thursday, September 2: Moon
enters Taurus
Mercury goes retrograde.
Sunday, September 5: Moon enters Gemini
Monday, September 6: Last Quarter Moon
Krishan Jayanti – Hindu
Tuesday, September 7: Moon
enters Cancer
Wednesday, September 8: Nativity of the Theotokos
Nativity of Mary - Orthodox Christian celebration of birth of the Virgin Mary.
Friday,
September 10: Moon enters Leo
The Moon, Venus, and Saturn form an eye-catching triangle that hovers
high above an extremely close conjunction of Mercury and Leo's blue star, Regulus.
Sunday, September 12: Moon
enters Virgo
Sunday, September 12 - 14: Venus nears Cancer's Beehive
star cluster. Best viewed with binoculars.
Lailat al Miraj - Islam
Old Egyptian festival of Neteru Amen and Hapi. Offerings
were made to secure a good flooding of the Nile River.
Monday, September 13: Mercury meets the crescent Moon.
Tuesday, September 14: New Moon
Moon enters Virgo
Tuesday, September 14 - 17: Iroquois Squash Ceremony - Thanksgiving
for the squash harvest. Iroquois rites also include the secret Little Water Ceremony for preserving the potency of medicine
and Dark Dance for appeasing spirits.
Elevation of the Life Giving Cross - Orthodox Christian
Holy Cross Day - Christian
Wednesday, September 15: Moon
enters Libra
Wednesday, September 15 - 16: Old Egyptian Wag Festival - Honoring
the dead and Neter Osiris . Food was brought to the tombs and shared with the dead.
Boedromion Noumenia - Old Greek festival
honoring all the Gods and Goddesses. Flutes were played, prayers were said, offerings of barley, olive oil, incense, and food
were burned in an offering hearth, and libations of water and wine were made.
Thursday, September 16: Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year
begins at sundown. A time of introspection, abstinence, prayer and penitence. The story of Abraham is read, the ram's horn
is sounded, and special foods are prepared and shared.
September 16 - 17: Old Egyptian festival of Neter Thoth,
God of Knowledge and Wisdom.
Friday, September 17: Moon
enters Scorpio
Friday, September 17 eve - 18 eve: Feast of Old Greek Goddess
Athena - as protector and defender.
Saturday, September 18: Ganesh Chaturthi – Hindu
Saturday,
September 18 eve - 19 eve: Feast of Old Greek Deities Aphrodite and Hermes - Day to honor the divine feminine and divine
masculine in harmony.
 Sunday, September 19: Moon
enters Sagittarius
The 9th Annual “How Berkeley Can You Be?” Grand Parade and
Festival - Always held in downtown and North Berkeley, in September. The Grand Parade starts at 11am, at the corner of
California and University Avenue, and proceeds up University Avenue to Shattuck, turns right on Shattuck to Center Street
and then goes down Center Street two blocks, where it ends at 1pm, in Civic Center Park. The Festival begins at 12:30pm, at
Civic Center Park, (Martin Luther King Park), in between Martin Luther King Way and Milvia, Center and Allston Way, in the
heart of downtown Berkeley. The Festival ends at 5pm. Contact: 510-849-4688 or www.howberkeleycanyoube.com
Sunday, September 19: Old Egyptian Great
Procession of Neter Osiris - The image of Osiris was transported on a bark to the tombs.
Tzom Gedaliah
September 19 eve - 20 eve: Genesia - Old Greek festival in which offerings were made for the dead.
Monday, September 20 eve to 21 eve: Feast of Old Greek Goddess
Artemis - The huntress, destroyer of life. Also celerated as the Roman Goddess Diana and the Slavic Goddess Diwitsa.
Tuesday, September 21: First Quarter Moon
Moon enters Capricorn.
International Day of Peace – A day to demonstrate for peace with
justice throughout the world. Also known as “U.N. International Day of Peace.”
Wednesday, September 22, 9:30pm PST: The Fall (Autumnal)
Equinox begins. There will be equal amounts of day and night. Also called: Mabon, Michaelmas. It is the main Wiccan time of
harvest and a festival of thanksgiving, the beginning of Autumn and preparation for cold weather. It is a time of ritual harvest
offerings, introspection, meditation, chanting and offering ritual thanks, facing the four directions of North, East, South,
and West.
Sun enters sign of Libra.
Wednesday, September 22 - 23: Coya Rayni - Inca festival honoring Moon Goddess Quilla. The focus
is on purging sickness and evil.
Thursday, September 23: Moon enters Aquarius
Friday, September 24: Indigenous Peoples' Day – A day
for celebrating the life-affirming spiritual traditions of indigenous peoples world-wide. Also known as “Native Americans
Day”, “First Nations Day.”
Saturday, September 25: Moon
enters Pisces
PeaceFest – A sacred festival of global peace and harmony, a day
of atunement. Join other musicians, dancers, artists and healers by bringing your instruments to the PeaceFest, in support
of global healing and transformation. Experience and participate in sacred circles and ceremonies, devotional singing, drums
for peace, free form dancing, yoga, and tai chi.
Over the past 25 years The Global Peace Foundation has been gathening
national and international support for an inspired project: the conversion of Alcatraz Island into a Global Peace Center.
The event will be held at Speedway Meadows, located in the very center of Golden Gate Park, in San Francisco. Admission
is free.
PeaceFest 2004 Highlights:
Saturday, September 25: Yom Kippur – Jewish
Sunday, September 26 eve - 27 eve: Demokratia - Old Greek festival celebrating democracy, constitutional government,
and justice under law. Zeus Agoraios, Athena Agoraias, and Themis were honored.
Monday, September 27: Moon
enters Aries
Monday, September 27 eve – October 6 eve: Greater
Eleusinian Mysteries - Old Greek festival recalling Goddess Demeter's search for Her missing daughter Kore. Devotees fasted,
ritually bathed in the sea, processed by torch-light to the temple, and made ritual offerings. They honored Demeter (as Mother
Nature), Goddess Kore (as the harvested grain), and God Dionysos (as the harvested grape) for bringing life, death, and rebirth.
Tuesday, September 28: Full Moon. Also known as Harvest
Moon, the traditional name for the Full Moon in September.
Moon enters Aries.
Beginning of Old Egyptian Akhet/Inundation month
of Menkhet/Paopi, dedicated to Neteru Amen-Ra-Atem and Amenet-Rait-Mut. Priests and priestesses read hymns of thanksgiving
to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses).
September 28 – October 6: Navajo Sing –
A festival in thanksgiving for the harvest. Estsanatlehi/Changing Woman is believed to represent life, and is manifested in
the harvest.
Wednesday, September 29: Michael and All Angels –
Christian. Also known as Mass of the Archangels.
Thursday, September 30: Moon
enters Taurus
Lailat al Bara'ah - Islam
Sukkot begins - Jewish Feast
of Tabernacles which celebrates the harvest and the protection of the people of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness
dwelling in tents.
October, 2006
Named after "octo", Latin
for “eight” (Note: The early Latin calendar was 10 months)
Astrological Sign: Libra (Scales, Sept. 23–Oct.
22)
Celestial Highlights for the month of October:
*** This is the year's worst month for planets! ***
Moon
It will be a challenge to search out the lowest
and hardest to see crescent moon in 18 years. On the 23rd, the one day old moon is so far south that it sets before the sun.
The two-day-old Moon is equally impossible to see. This is lowest, hardest-to-see crescent Moon in 18 years. On October 16,
the waning crescent Moon passes near the planet Saturn.
Mercury
Barely visible above the horizon, Mercury
reappears briefly, low in the evening twilight sky. Named for the Roman messenger god, who flew from Olympus on winged heels,
this little planet flits back and forth from morning sky to evening sky, several times a year. Unfortunately, it never strays
far from the Sun in our sky, so it's tough to find in the glare. Mercury meets with Venus on the 20th and 31st -yet
this will be difficult to observe, before making a more visible meeting with Jupiter, from the 25th through the 28th. On October
25, Mercury and Jupiter will make a close approach (as viewed from Earth). Look low after the sun sets. Mercury will be directly
below Jupiter.
Venus
Venus, usually the dazzling star, will be barely
visible in the evening twilight, early in the month, but by month's end, be even more difficult to view as it vanishes into
the Sun's glare.
Mars
Mars is just too close to the Sun to be easily observed this month.
Barely visible in the morning twilight, Mars reaches conjunction with the sun on the 23rd, before slipping behind the Sun.
Jupiter
Jupiter,
in Libra, will continue to be viewed low in the evening twilight through the end of October. The largest planet in our solar
system, will also be visible in the morning twilight. By month's end, Jupiter will be difficult to view as it vanishes into
the Sun's glare, but not before making a meeting with Mercury, from the 25th through the 28th. On October 25, Jupiter and
Mercury will make a close approach (as viewed from Earth). Look low after the sun sets. Jupiter will be directly above Mercury.
Saturn
In
the constellation Leo, is easily visible, but not until 2:30am. Saturn looks like a golden star in the eqstern morning twilight.
On October 16, Saturn passes near the waning crescent Moon.
Uranus
Although it's the third-largest
planet in the solar system, the greenish planet is best viewed with binoculars, under a clear, dark sky. Located in Aquarius,
Uranus is Visible in the evening twilight. For you first-timers, Uranus will be visible (with binoculars) on October 4th,
about one Moon diameter above the waxing Moon.
Orionid Meteor Showers
Stay up for the Orinids on
the 21st! The medium-intensity Orionids is an average shower producing about 20 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower
will peak on the 21st, but some meteors can be seen from October 15 - 29. This is a great year for the Orionids. The new moon
means the darkest possible sky. Those in dark locations will be able to see even the faintest meteors. Best viewing will be
to the east after midnight.
Saturday, September 23 to October 2: Navaratri/Durga Puja
- Hindu festival of Great Goddess Maha Devi as Durga, protector of the powerless. Celebrates Her destruction of evil and restoration
of cosmic order.
Saturday, September 30 to October 7: Navapad Oli - Jain period
of fasting; recitation of holy scripture; and meditation on the principles of right knowledge, right faith, right conduct,
and right penance.
Sunday, October 1: Moon enters Aquarius.
Sunday, October 1 eve to 2 eve: Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement
- Jewish day of fasting, making reparation for harm done, and helping those in need.
Monday, October 2: Mercury enters Scorpio.
Feast of the Guardian Angels - A day to honor one's personal guardian and guide.
Dassehra - Recounts the rescue of Hindu Goddess Sita (avatar of Lakshmi) by God Rama (avatar of Vishnu) from an evil demon.
Tuesday, October 3: Moon enters Pisces.
Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu. Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are
offered; bells are rung and drums beaten.
Tuesday, October 3 eve 6 eve: Thesmophoria - Old Greek festival
commemorating the transformation of Goddess Kore (Queen of the Living) into Persephone (Queen of the Dead), when She eloped
to Elysium with Her partner, God Dionysos/Plouton, accompanied by Goddess Hekate and spirits of the dead.
Wednesday, October 4: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Orunmila, Orisha
of Wise Counsel and Protection.
Christian feast of St. Francis of Assisi, and Animal Blessing Day.
Wednesday, October 4 to 7: Tewa Deer Dance - Celebrating the
cosmic duality of feminine and masculine. The Tewa recognize gender equality and honor both male and female ancestors.
Thursday, October 5: Moon enters Aries.
Friday, October 6: Full Moon (aka Harvest Moon).
Friday, October 6 eve to 14 eve: Sukkot & Shemini Atseret/Feast
of Ingathering & Assembly - Jewish thanksgiving for the fruit harvest. Originally, a dance procession was made to vineyards
and wine was offered to Deity. Also commemorates the years in the wilderness after leaving Egypt.
Saturday, October 7: Moon enters Taurus.
Mindfulness Day - Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that fear and hatred of others results from ignorance of interconnectedness.
Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His
Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana.
Monday, October 9: Moon enters Gemini.
Columbus Day - Commemorates Europeans' colonization of America (1492). A day to mourn Native American victims of conquest
and oppression (past and present), make peace, and celebrate empowerment of Native Americans.
Tuesday, October 10: Mahayana Buddhist festival of Bodhisattva
Tara/Kuan Yin/Kannon - Celebrates Her attainment of Bodhisattvahood. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are aspects of Adi-Buddha -
the masculine and feminine, transcendent and immanent, omniscient and omnipotent, primordial and eternal Absolute.
Wednesday, October 11 eve to 14 eve: Apaturia - Old Greek festival
in which newcomers and children were welcomed into the community.
Thursday, October 12: Moon enters Cancer.
Thursday, October 12 to 16: Zoroastrian celebration of Divine
Spirit Ameretat (Immortality), creator and protector of vegetation.
Friday, October 13: Moon enters Leo.
Final appearance of Our Lady of Fatima, Lady of Oracles and Miracles.
Saturday, October 14 to 28: Old Norse Winter Nights Feast -
The ancestors were remembered and offerings were made to the Deities (particularly the Norns, Freyja, and the Disir) to survive
the season. Toasts of mead, ale, and cider were made in honor of the Deities.
Saturday, October 14 eve to 15 eve: Simchat Torah/Rejoicing
in the Law - Jewish festival celebrating the Torah.
Sunday, October 15: Makahki/Hawaiian New Year. Hawaiians believe
the Akua (Gods and Goddesses) were created by Papa/Mother Earth and Wakea/Father Sky, who themselves were created from the
chaos of Po.
Christian feast of St. Teresa of Avila, mystic who loved Deity passionately.
Monday, October 16: Moon enters Virgo.
The waning crescent Moon passes near the planet Saturn.
Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as 'Ilm - Knowledge.
Tuesday, October 17: Beginning of Old Egyptian Akhet/Inundation
month of Nehebkau/Khoiak, dedicated to Neteru Isis and Osiris. Priests and priestesses made offerings of incense, holy water,
and perfumed oils to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses).
Old Egyptian feast of Neteret Hathor, Goddess of Fate.
Shukaku Matsuri - Shinto rite offering thanks and first fruits of the rice harvest to the Kami.
Wednesday, October 18 to 21: Diwali/Lunar New Year/Festival
of Lights - Hindu festival for Goddess Lakshmi (source of health, fertility, and prosperity) and Her consort, God Vishnu (the
preserver); focus is on peace-making and new beginnings. Hindus' life goals are ethical living, passionate love, prosperity,
and spiritual devotion.
Thursday, October 19: Moon enters Libra.
Thursday, October 19 eve: Laylat al-Qadr/Night of Power - Commemorates
the first revelation of the Qur'an to Muslim Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel in 610 CE. The Prophet Muhammad is the
Father of Islam.
Friday, October 20 eve to 21 eve: Khalkeia - Old Greek festival
honoring Goddess Athena and God Hephaistos for their gifts of crafts and technology.
Friday, October 20: Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make
offerings to Hindu God Shiva. Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten.
Saturday, October 21: New Moon.
Orionid
Meteor Showers - The medium-intensity Orionids is an average shower producing about 20 meteors per hour at their peak. The
shower will peak on the 21st, but some meteors can be seen from October 15 - 29. This is a great year for the Orionids. The
new moon means the darkest possible sky. Those in dark locations will be able to see even the faintest meteors. Best viewing
will be to the east after midnight.
Kali Puja - Hindu festival honoring Great Goddess Maha Devi as Kali - decay, death, and transformation.
Sunday, October 22: Moon enters Scorpio.
Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings and strive to fulfill the Precepts.
Sunday, October 22 eve: Old European feast of the Triple Goddess
(Goddess of the Moon and the Seasons), marking the transformation of the Mother into the Crone.
Sunday, October 22 eve to 23 eve: Feast of Old Greek Goddess
Hekate, who guides all through transitions and crisis.
Monday, October 23: Moon enters Sagittarius.
Sun enters Scorpio.
Mars enters Scorpio.
Monday, October 23 eve to 24 eve: Maimakterion Noumenia - Old
Greek festival honoring all the Gods and Goddesses. Flutes were played, prayers were said, offerings of barley, olive oil,
incense, and food were burned in an offering hearth, and libations of water and wine were made.
Monday, October 23 eve to 26 eve: Eid al-Fitr - Muslim festival
celebrating the end of Ramadan. The Five Pillars of Islam are confession, prayer, alms-giving, fasting, and pilgrimage.
Tuesday, October 24: Venus enters Scorpio.
Feast of Raphael, Angel of Healing.
Yoruba/Santeria feast of Orisha Erinle, Healer of the Sick and Injured.
Wednesday, October 25 eve: Jupiter and Mercury will make a close
approach (as viewed from Earth). Look low after the sun sets. Jupiter will be directly above Mercury.
Wednesday, October 25 eve to 26 eve: Feast of the Charites -
Day to honor the Old Greek Goddesses of beneficence.
Thursday, October 26: Moon enters Capricorn.
Thursday, October 26 eve to 27 eve: Feast of Old Greek Goddess
Aphrodite - Day to honor peace and compassion.
Friday, October 27: Jnan Panchami - Day that Jainas celebrate
knowledge, education, and holy books with recitations, meditation, and worship.
Saturday, October 28: Mercury goes retrograde.
Old Slavic feast of Baba and Dedo, protectors of families and elders.
Saturday, October 28 to November 3: Isia - Old Romano-Egyptian
festival recalling Set (God of Destruction) killing God Osiris, Goddess Isis mourning Him, resurrecting Him, and conceiving
God Horus with Him, and Osiris becoming Lord of Amenta, realm of the dead.
Saturday, October 28 to November 15: Old Egyptian Sokar Festival/Khoiak
Ceremonies. It commemorates Neteret Isis seeking out and finding the scattered remains of Neter Osiris.
Sunday, October 29: Moon enters Aquarius.
Monday, October 30: Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make
offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi. Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten.
Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas
and chanting of mantra.
Tuesday, October 31: Moon enters Pisces.
A day to mourn the women tortured and killed as "witches" because of their independence, wealth, wisdom, or religion.
Tuesday, October 31 eve to November 6 eve: Mid-Autumn/Day of the Dead/Hallowmas - Festival marking the transformation
of life to death - the end of the agricultural year, departure of migrating and hibernating animals, and decay and death of
vegetal and animal life. Observed by remembering departed ancestors and contemplating one's own mortality.
Tuesday, October 31 eve to November 2 eve: Samhain - Old Celtic/Welsh
New Year and feast of Cerridwen (Goddess of Death) and Beli (the Holly King - God of the Waning Sun).
Tuesday, October 31 eve to November 2 eve: Old Sumerian fast
recalling the descent of Inanna (Goddess of Life) to the Underworld. Ereshkigal (Goddess of Death and Rebirth) detained Her
until She agreed to have Dumuzi (God of Life and Death) remain there each Winter.
November, 2004
Named after "novem," Latin for "nine" (Note: The early Latin
calendar was 10 months)
Astrological Sign: Scorpio (Scorpion, Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)
Celestial Highlights for the month of November:
Venus
and Jupiter, the night's two brightest "stars," celebrate Jupiter's predawn return with a tight conjunction on the 4th and 5th, above Virgo's brightest star, Spica.
The crescent Moon joins them on
the 9th, occulting Jupiter as seen from parts of North America. The next morning presents a vertical lineup (top to bottom) of Jupiter, Venus, the Moon, and Mars.
Meanwhile, Saturn begins sliding backward
in retrograde motion, visible in the morning twilight.
Mercury is barely visible above the extremely low, slender crescent
Moon and Scorpius's red star, Antares, on the 13th around 5:00pm.
The
erratic Leonid meteor shower is not expected to be visible this year.
October 31 eve to November 2 eve: Old Sumerian fast recalling
the descent of Inanna (Goddess of Life) to the Underworld. Ereshkigal
(Goddess of Death and Rebirth) detained Her until She agreed to have Dumuzi (God of Life and Death) remain there
each Winter.
October 31 eve to November 2 eve: Samhain--Old Celtic/Welsh
New Year and feast of Cerridwen (Goddess of Death) and Beli (the Holly
King - God of the Waning Sun).
October 31 eve to November 6 eve: Mid-Autumn/Day of the Dead/Hallowmas--Festival
marking the transformation of life to death -
the end of the agricultural year, departure of migrating and hibernating animals, and decay and death of vegetal and animal
life. Observed by remembering departed ancestors and contemplating one's own mortality.
Monday, November 1: Moon enters Cancer
All Saints Day - Christian
day for honoring saints, known and unknown. A Holy Day of Obligation in the Roman Catholic Church where saints have special formal status. In general, saints are persons with reputation for
unusual lives of holiness and devotion to God.
Tuesday, November 2: All Souls' Day - Catholic Christian
Day
of the Dead
November 2 eve - 5 eve: Apaturia - Old Greek festival in which newcomers and children were welcomed into the
community.
Wednesday, November 3: Moon enters Leo
Thursday, November 4: Waning Quarter Moon
Venus and Jupiter,
the night's two brightest "stars," celebrate Jupiter's predawn return with a tight conjunction on the 4th and 5th, above Virgo's brightest star, Spica.
Friday, November 5: World Community Day - A day for celebrating
the unity behind diversity and remembering we are all one people, all
children of the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.
Old Egyptian festival of Neteru Amen-Ra-Atem and Amenet-Rait-Mut.
Their images were transported on a bark from Karnak to Luxor.
Saturday, November 6: Moon enters Virgo
Sunday, November 7: Saturn goes retrograde
Monday, November 8: Moon enters Libra
Tuesday, November 9: The crescent Moon joins Venus and Jupiter,
the night's two brightest "stars," near Virgo's brightest star, Spica,
occulting Jupiter. The next morning presents a vertical lineup (top to bottom) of Jupiter, Venus, the Moon, and Mars.
Wednesday, November 10: Moon enters Scorpio
Laylat el qadr
- Islam
Thursday, November 11 eve - 12 eve: Khalkeia - An old Greek
festival honoring Goddess Athena and God Hephaistos for their gifts
of crafts and technology.
November 11 to 17: Old Anglo - Teutonic fast marking Hod (God of Darkness) unintentionally
killing Balder (God of Light), and his true love Nanna (Goddess of
Flowers) dying of a broken heart. The dead were honored.
Friday, November 12: New Moon
Moon enters Sagittarius
Birth
of Baha'u'llah - Baha'i celebration of the birth of their teacher and Messiah. Refrain from work.
Quds Day - Islamic time
of proclaiming solidarity in support of oppressed Muslim people.
Diwali - Sikh
Diwali (Deepawali) - Hindu
Saturday, November 13: Mercury is barely visible above the extremely
low, slender crescent Moon and Scorpius's red star, Antares, around
5:00pm.
November 13 eve - 14 eve: Maimakterion Noumenia - An old Greek festival honoring all the Gods and Goddesses.
Flutes were played, prayers were said, offerings of barley, olive oil,
incense, and food were burned in an offering hearth, and libations of
water and wine were made.
Sunday, November 14: Moon enters Capricorn
Eid ul Fitr ('Id
al-Fitr) - end of Ramadan - Islam. A 3 day Islamic fast marking the close of Ramadan. It is a festival of
thanksgiving to Allah for enjoying the month of Ramadan. It involves
wearing finest clothing, saying prayers, and fostering understanding
with other religions.
Monday, November 15: Nativity Fast begins (through Dec 24) -
Orthodox Christian
Tuesday, November 16 eve - 17 eve: Feast of Old Greek Deities
Aphrodite and Eros - A day to honor love and passion.
Wednesday, November 17: Moon enters Aquarius
November
17 - 18: Leonid Meteor Shower: The near quarter moon will make viewing difficult, if not impossible, in the early evening. Look for this shower radiating from the constellation Leo well after midnight,
when the moon has set.
Thursday, November 18: Waxing Quarter Moon
Fast for an Abundant
World Harvest - A day to fast and commit to action to help prevent deaths from malnourishment world-wide.
Friday, November 19: Moon enters Pisces
Sunday, November 21: Moon enters Aries
Sun enters Sagittarius
Feast
of Christ the King - Christian celebration of the preeminence of Jesus over all earthly authorities.
Pres. of the Theotokos
in the Temple (Orthodox)
Tuesday, November 23: Moon enters Taurus
Wednesday, November 24: Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom - Sikh time
of remembering the execution of Teg Bahadur by the Moghul Emperor in
India.
Thursday, November 25: Thanksgiving - Interfaith. A day to give
thanks for the abundance of our land and for our food, clothes, shelter,
and health. A celebration of the created earth. Celebrated in the USA.
Friday, November 26: Full Moon.
Traditional Names for November's Full Moon: Frosty Moon, Beaver Moon.
Moon enters Gemini.
Day of Covenant - Baha'i celebration
of the covenant given in the last will and testament of Baha'u'llah.
Guru Nanak Dev birthday - Sikh honoring of the birth
of the first Sikh teacher who lived from 1469 -1539 c.e. Sacred readings,
prayers, hymns, meals together.
Saturday, November 27: Beginning of Old Egyptian Akhet/Inundation
month of Nehebkau/Khoiak, dedicated to Neteru Isis and Osiris. Priests
and priestesses made offerings of incense, holy water, and perfumed oils to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses).
Old Egyptian
feast of Neteret Hathor, Goddess of Fate.
Sunday, November 28: Moon enters Cancer
Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha
- Baha'i celebration of the rising of the spirit of Abdu'l-Baha to the heavenly dwelling.
November 28 - December 24: Advent - Christian (First Sunday)
A time of preparation for observing the birth of Jesus Christ. Advent
begins on the Sunday nearest November 30 and is the beginning of the Christian worship year. Advent is observed with the lighting of advent candles, display of wreaths, and special ceremonies. Advent
also anticipates the coming again to earth of Jesus Christ. The season
continues through December 24.
November 30: Mercury goes retrograde
St. Andrew's Day
December, 2004
Named after "decem", Latin for “ten” (Note: The early
Latin calendar was 10 months).
Astrological Sign: Sagittarius (Archer, Hunter, Huntress, Nov. 22–Dec.
21)
Celestial Highlights for the month of December:
Mercury will be visible in the evening twilight, from December
1 - 4, and in the morning twilight, from December 16 - 31.
Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be visible in the morning
twilight, from December 16 - 31.
On the predawn morning stage, Venus ventures close to Mars from the 5th to the 7th and
close to Mercury starting on the 26th in a leisurely three-week conjunction that becomes extraordinarily compact in January.
The event caps Mercury's period of fairly good visibility that began in midmonth.
Saturn rises by 7:00 p.m. in midmonth,
becoming brighter and telescopically larger as it heads for its mid-January opposition (closest approach to Earth).
Uranus,
visible with binoculars in the evening twilight, from December 1 - 4.
Winter, and the longest night of 2004, arrives with
the solstice on the 21st at 4:42 a.m. PST, even though the year's earliest sunset occurs two weeks earlier.
Tuesday, December
21, 4:42am PST, Sun enters sign of Capricorn (the Goat).
Geminid Meteor Showers - December 7 eve - 15 eve (peaks Tuesday,
December 14). The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation of Gemini. Ideal moonless conditions prevail
for the reliable one-a-minute, all-night Geminid meteors on the night of the 13th -14th.
Ursid Meteor Showers - December
17 eve - 24 eve (peaks Wednesday, December 22.
Saturday, December 4: Moon enters Virgo.
Sunday, December 5: Sundays of Advent continue - Christian
Tuesday, December 7 eve - 15 eve: Geminid Meteor
Showers (peak Tuesday evening, December 14th).
Wednesday, December 8: Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) - Buddhist
celebration of the time when Prince Gautama took his place under the Bodhi tree, vowing to remain there until he attained
supreme enlightenment.
Immaculate Conception
of Blessed Virgin Mary - Roman Catholic (Christian) day of celebrating
the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin all of her life. A day of obligation and required church attendance.
Hanukkah begins at sundown.
December 8 - 15: Hanukkah - Jewish
Festival of Lights. It commemorates the Maccabean recapture and rededication of the Jerusalem Temple in 165-164 b.c.e. Special
readings and praise songs focus on liberty and freedom. The eight candle Menorah is lighted. December 8 - 26: Old Egyptian Sokar Festival/Khoiak Ceremonies. It commemorates
Neteret Isis seeking out and finding the scattered remains of Neter Osiris.
Saturday, December 11: Moon enters Sagittarius.
Sunday, December 12: New Moon.
Sundays of Advent
continue - Christian.
Advent Fast begins - Orthodox Christian.
Feast day - Our Lady of
Guadalupe - Catholic Christian.
Virgin of Guadalupe. Also called: "Feast day", "Our Lady of Guadalupe" 'First Appearance
of Our Lady of Guadalupe", "Mother of God" and "Mother of the Oppressed" - Catholic Christian. Honoring of a legendary
appearance of the Virgin Mary, at the former shrine of Aztec Moon Goddess Coatlicue (Mexico 1531).
Monday, December 13 - 15: Geminids Meteor Shower. This
will be a great year for the Geminids. The moon will be totally
absent after sunset so even the faintest meteors can be seen. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation
of Gemini. Look to the East after midnight.
December 13: Feast of
the Light-bringer--honoring Goddess as Juno Lucina (Old Roman) and Lucia
(Old Swedish). Both merged with the Christian feast of St. Lucia.
December 13 eve - 14 eve: Poseideon Noumenia
- Old Greek festival honoring all the Gods and Goddesses. Flutes were played, prayers were said, offerings of barley,
olive oil, incense, and food were burned in an offering hearth, and
libations of water and wine were made.
Tuesday, December 14 eve: Geminid Meteor Showers peak.
The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation of Gemini. Look to the East after midnight. Ideal moonless
conditions prevail for the reliable one-a-minute, all-night Geminid meteors on the night of the 13th -14th.
Wednesday, December 15 eve - 16 eve: Feast of Old Greek
Goddess Athena - as protector and defender.
Thursday, December 16 eve - 17 eve: Feast of Old
Greek Deities Aphrodite and
Hermes. A day to honor the divine feminine and divine masculine in harmony.
Friday, December 17: Mercury goes retrograde.
December 17 eve - 24 eve: Ursid Meteor Showers (peak on the
22nd).
December 17 - 23: Saturnalia/Opalia - Old Roman festival honoring God Saturn (the weak Sun) and Goddess
Ops (the fallow Earth). Celebrated with gift-giving, revelry, and abolishment of all class distinctions.
Saturday, December 18: Moon enters Pisces.
Sunday, December 19: Mercury retrograde ends 10:28pm,
PST.
Last Sunday of Advent - Christian.
Monday, December 20 eve - 21 eve: Feast of God Poseidon,
Goddess Amphritrite, and all Old Greek Gods and Goddesses of the seas.
Tuesday, December 21, 4:42am PST: Winter Solstice. Winter begins
(in the northern hemisphere). The Sun is at its lowest point in the sky and it will be the shortest day of the year.
Sun enters sign of Capricorn (the Goat).
Winter Solstice (Wicca) . Also called: Christmas, Yule (Christian), Jul,
, solar/secular New Year, Saturnalia. This is a time to celebrate the birth of the new Solar year and the beginning of Winter
in the northern hemisphere. The ancient pagan custom began the day with a sunrise ritual, with the ringing of bells or chimes,
then visits with friends and family to exchange warm greetings and gifts. It is a joyous, colorful festival accented with
singing, feasting, evergreen wreaths, candles, Yule trees, mistletoe, holly, and burning Yule logs. A celebration of the darkness
with dancing near the hearth fire.
Christmas - A season of the Christian year following Advent and preceding Epiphany.
Yule
- Christian.
St Thomas the Apostle - Christian.
December 21 - 22: Old European Festival of Evergreen Trees.
Merged into International
Arbor Day. Celebrated by planting trees and hanging wreaths (symbols of eternal life).
December
21 - 25: Old Egyptian festival of Goddess Isis, the Magna Mater (Mother of God and Mother of All) giving birth to God
Horus.
December 21 - January 9: Hopi and Zuni Soyala New Year Festival of purification and renewal. Homes are
cleaned, fires doused, and personal restraint is observed.
Wednesday,
December 22: Ursid Meteor Showers peak.
Friday, December 24: Christmas Eve - Christian celebration
of the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem for the birth
of Jesus. It is observed with worship, candle lighting, manger scenes
and festive meals.
Saturday, December 25: Christmas Day (Nativity of Jesus)
- Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Observed
by prayers, exchanging of gifts, and family parties.
Feast Day of the Nativity - Orthodox Christian.
December 25
eve - January 5 eve: Yule - Old Anglo-Teutonic festival honoring Freyr and Freyja (Deities of Fertility) and the
new-born Balder (God of Light), son of Frigg and Odin. Celebrated with evergreens, fires, and feasting.
Sunday, December 26: Full Moon. Traditional
and unique names for the full moon in December: Before Yule Moon, Long Night Moon.
Moon enters Cancer.
Zarathosht
Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra) - Zoroastrian
Death of Prophet Zarathushtra (Zarathosht Diso) (Fasali) - Zoroastrian
Saint Stephen's Day - Christian remembrance of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
December 26 - January
1: Kwanzaa - Interfaith. An African American and Pan-African
holiday celebrating family, community and culture, Kwanzaa is observed
in many religious communities. Seven life virtues are presented.
Monday, December 27: St John, Apostle & Evangelist
- Christian
Beginning of Old Egyptian Proyet/Emergence month of Shefbedet/Tobi. Priests and priestesses read hymns of praise to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses).
December 27 eve - January eve: Rustic Dionysia -
Old Greek festival honoring God Dionysos as patron of drama, poetry, music, and inspiration.
Tuesday, December 28: Holy Innocents - Anglican Christian
day of solemn memory of male children killed by King Herod in
the attempt to destroy Jesus.
Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, Joseph - Catholic Christian celebration of the love between
the family of Jesus.
Friday, December 31: Feast of Father Time, who ultimately
overcomes us all.
December 31 eve to January 1 eve: Old Greek festival in which offerings were made to the Wind
Gods of the eight directions.
January, 2005
(named after Janus, the god of doors and gates)
Astrological
Sign: Capricorn (Goat, Dec. 22–Jan. 20)
Celestial Highlights for the month of January:
Venus
and Mercury, gather as bright planets in the predawn east and are very close together, 30 to 45 minutes before dawn, in an
exceptionally long-lived conjunction best seen during the first half of the month. Hovering just above them is Mars, not quite
as bright as nearby Antares, in Scorpius. Mars quickly moves into Ophiuchus for the rest of the month.
Monday, January
1 – 5: Quadrantids Meteor Shower peak Tuesday, January 4, radiant in constellation of Bootes (The closest bright star
is Gamma Bootes). They're called the Quadrantids because they were originally found in a now defunct constellation "Quadrans
Muralis". Look to the Northeast 4:00am to 6:00am. The bright Moon will be above the horizon almost the entire night, so this
is not the best year to view the Quadrantids. Under ideal conditions it’s possible to see 120 meteors an hour.
Monday,
January 3: Earth at Perihelian (shortest orbital distance between Earth and the Sun, 0.983 Astronomical Units).
Jupiter,
in the constellation Virgo, starts rising before midnight.
Saturn in opposition (closest approach) Thursday, January 13,
is at its biggest and brightest. Visible in the constellation Gemini, it will be high overhead at midnight.
Saturday, January 1: The Solemnity of Mary - Western
Christian Religious Festival
Sunday, January 2: Epiphany - Western Christian Religious
Festival
Monday, January 3: Last Quarter Moon
Tuesday, January 4: Moon occults Jupiter
Thursday, January 6: Epiphany (traditional) - Western Christian
Religious Festival .
Theophany. Orthodox Religious Festival
Sunday, January 9: Venus enters Capricorn
Mercury enters
Capricorn
The Baptism of the Lord - Western Christian Religious Festival
Monday, January 10: New Moon
Tuesday, January 11: Vesta enters Aries
Thursday, January 13: Saturn in opposition (closest approach),
is at its biggest and brightest. Visible in the constellation Gemini, it will be high overhead at midnight.
Sunday, January 16: Second Quarter Moon.
Sunday, January 16 - 17: An unusually large sunspot, roughly
to the size of Jupiter, has just appeared on the Sun and can be easily seen, indirectly, by using a pair
of binoculars. BUT DO NOT LOOK THROUGH THE BINOCULARS. Cover one of
the lenses with its lens cap and point the binoculars towards the Sun
while focusing its image on a sheet of white paper on the ground.
Also, an unusually large ejection of solar plasma obsrved from
the same sunspot just may trigger auroral activity (the Northern Lights) over the next day or two, in moderate latitudes.
Wednesday, January 19: Sun enters Aquarius
| Seashore Labyrinth, IJmuiden, Netherlands |
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| Photo by Selma Sevenhuijsen |
Sunday, January 23: Worldwide Circle of Labyrinths
- A worldwide commemoration for the victims and the survivors of the 2004 Tsunami. You are invited to make a temporary labyrinth,
or walk an existing labyrinth, near a place of water: the ocean, a lake, a pond, a glacier or snowfield, or a river or
stream, and to dedicate it to the well-being of all people that are struck by this disaster. And ask for the restoration of the healing power of water. All over the globe the sea has always been a
source of life for the world population. It has not only brought disaster to mankind but has also been a source of food, light,
solace, pleasure and hope. Always and everywhere water has been used as a source for the blessing of life. For more information:
www.waterlabyrinths.com
Septuagesima - Western Christian Religious Festival
Tuesday, January 25: Full Moon. Traditional and Unique
Names for the Full Moon in January: Old Moon, Moon after Yule.
Tu B'Shevat - Hebrew Festival
Saturday, January 29: Mercury enters Aquarius
Sunday, January 30: Sexagesima - Western Christian
Religious Festival
Monday, January 31: Moon occults Jupiter
February, 2005
Named after Februalia, a time period when sacrifices were
made to atone for sins.
Astrological Sign: Aquarius (Water Bearer, Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)
Celestial Highlights for the month of February:
Venus
and Mercury, last month's predawn performers, are now too close to the Sun to be seen.
Mars, in Sagittarius all month,
is still not very bright as it climbs higher in predawn twilight.
Brilliant Jupiter is up in the east by 10:00 p.m. and
out all night thereafter.
Saturn is February's highlight world, nicely up in the northeast at nightfall and high overhead
at 10:00 p.m., almost directly above blue-white Sirius, the only star
that outshines the ringed world.
The Moon hovers close to greenish Uranus on the 9th (binoculars needed), near Saturn
on the 19th, and alongside Jupiter on the 26th.
The year's brightest
concentration of stars - centered on Orion - now hovers prominently high at nightfall.
Tuesday, February 1: Last quarter Moon.
Jupiter goes retrograde.
Oimelc / Brigid / Imbolic (Northern Hemisphere) - Pagan/Celtic.
Tuesday, February 1 - 14: Old Greek festival of God Dionysos,
in which vines were pruned and sprinkled with wine, accompanied by
ritual singing and dancing - Pagan.
Tuesday, February 1 - 28: February dedicated to Old Roman God-Goddess
Februus-Februa, purifier and protector of the home. Homes were cleaned
and blessed, offerings of reparation were given, and peace was made.
Wednesday, February 2: Venus enters Aquarius.
Candlemas - Christian.
Yoruba/Santeria feast of Oya, Orisha of death and rebirth. Yorubas/Santeros
believe the Orishas are emanations and messengers of the one Deity,
Olodumare - African.
Presentation of Christ in the Temple - Orthodox Religious Festival
Groundhog Day - According to legend, if the groundhog sees its shadow,
you should expect 6 more weeks of winter, and if it doesn't, winter
is over and you should expect milder conditions. Years ago, there was a German legend that referred to a bear or badger foretelling the weather on February 1st. While the German legend seems to be the origin of our Groundhog
Day, no one knows how the animal was changed from a bear or badger
to a groundhog.
Wednesday, February 2 - 8: Carnival/Meat Fare - Christian
time of feasting, dancing, and revelry. Ends on Shrove Tuesday/Mardi
Gras, final day before Lent.
Thursday, February 3: Moon enters Sagittarius.
Thursday, February 3 - 4: Setsubun-Sai (Bean Scattering
Festival) - Shinto rite in which good fortune is invoked and evil exorcised.
Wednesday, February 5: Moon enters Capricorn.
Mindfulness Day - Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that you, and all
that is, are in the process of transformation.
Wednesday, February 5 - 6: Feast of Old Egyptian Goddess
Isis, the Healer,
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