Start Howling! New Moon Rising

Start Howling!

Start Howling!! New Moon Rising!

  
4^th Jan 2011 signifies the beginning and first phase of the January Full Wolf Moon which will reach its moment of glory 19 January 2011.
Also on January 4^th the Moon also passes in front of a portion of the Sun creating a partial eclipse, one of four throughout the year but the only one visible from Europe, Africa and E Asia, and from London at 07:47.

The convenient darkness of the New Moon makes this an ideal time to view the Quadrantid Meteor Shower on 3/4^th January which with up to 90 meteors/hour will be the best and brightest shower of the New Year. So don’t forget to go check it out! It originates from a region of space between constellations Bootes and Antares and was once a constellation itself known as “Quadrans Muralis” from which stems its present name.
The beginning of the New Year is also a great time to view Venus in the dawn sky where it can be seen shining brighter than the sun. NB Stars twinkle, planets don’t. So out with those dusty little back garden telescopes!
And for the late riser...Jan 3 Jupiter, that big gassy planet can be seen in the South Western skies through that same dusty old telescope or a pair of binoculars. It’s the brightest “star” in the sky so no excuses!
For the dog lovers and wolfie types amongst us Sirius The Dog Star can be seen burning low in the SE sky in the constellation Canis Major The Great Dog and larger of Orion’s two hunting dogs.

Winter Solstice Total Lunar Eclipse

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSES

 
This is the first time in nearly 400 years a Total Lunar Eclipse has taken place in conjunction with the Winter Solstice. The last time was December 21st 1638 and such an event will not be repeated again until December 21st  2094. The official astronomical date for the Winter Solstice is December 22nd

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A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves through the Earth’s shadow, an event which only occurs when the Moon is full. During a Total Lunar Eclipse the Earth and the Moon are arrayed almost exactly in line, with the Moon and the Sun on opposite sides of the Earth.  The last one occurred in February 2008. This Winter Solstice Eclipse, known as “Selenelion” or the “Horizontal Eclipse” – when the Sun and the eclipsed Moon can be seen simultaneously, showing above the horizon at opposite points in the sky, is a once in a lifetime experience.

DECEMBER 21ST 2010 TOTAL ECLIPSE

The Full Moon began moving into the Earth’s shadow about 06:32 GMT. The Total Eclipse got underway about 07:40 GMT and reached maximum at 08:17 GMT, lasting a total of 73 minutes, ending 08:53 GMT. The best views in UK were from the Northern skies, the Southern skies being totally obscured by heavy cloud cover.  Also during totality the Moon moves through the Northern of the Earth’s shadow or “Umbra” so the Southern half was much darker.

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MOON OF RED-FIRE

     
How bright a Total Lunar Eclipse proves to be is dependant on atmospheric conditions on Earth, as all the light that falls on the Moon has to first pass through Earth’s atmosphere. During this Winter Solstice this Total Lunar Eclipse the Moon turned a deep coppery red, in shades akin to Mars, and was much darker than normal.

Seen from the Moon, when the eclipse is underway the rim of planet Earth would appear to be on fire. This is the result of seeing every single sunrise and every single sunset in the world all at the same time. This creates an incredibly powerful light which filters through to the very centre of the Earth’s dark umbra, lighting it up with a copper-red glow. Consequently the Moon is transformed into a world of glowing ember red, sending colours the shade of fire dancing across the fallen snow of Earth.

Winter Solstice 2010

WINTER SOLSTICE SUN

Winter Solstice also known as “Yule” falls on the shortest day of the year and means “Stand-Still Sun.” It is one of the world’s oldest winter celebrations and the one on to which Christmas was attached around 1,600 years ago.

SOLSTICE CELEBRATIONS

Predating probably even the solstice was the “Mediaeval Winter Festival of Apple Wassailing.” Involving the blessing of apples, songs, dancing and decorations…and a drink of cider to ensure their fertility, this festival was linked to nature’s themes of rebirth and fertility.
 
Druids gave Mistletoe, winter fruit cut from the sacred Oak Tree. This was a symbol of life during the cold, dark winter months. Traditionally the Yule Log, on the first day of Solstice was, for 12 hours through the night, burned to banish evil spirits and symbolise hope, and their belief in the return of the Sun. A belief also incorporated into Christmas celebrations as “The Birth of the Son.”

Ancient hunters revered and worshipped the Sun. Norsemen viewed the Sun as a wheel changing the seasons. It is likely the word “Yule” was derived from the word “wheel” (houle). At Mid-Winter Norsemen shared stories around roaring bonfires and drank sweet ale.

SOLAR OBSERVATORIES

“Stonehenge” is the perfect marker for both  Summer and Winter Solstices. “Newgrange” in Ireland which is 5,000 years older than the Egyptian Pyramids is an ancient round structure designed by it’s builders to receive a shaft of sunlight at Winter Solstice dawn, deep into its Central Chamber. “Maeshowe” on the Orkney Islands North of Scotland operates similarly, receiving a beam of the setting Winter Solstice Sun.

Many Mediaeval Cathedral Churches were also built to be Solar Observatories and astronomers used them to predict the dates for Easter. Consequently they were also built into cathedrals and churches throughout Europe. they received a stream of sunlight through a hole in the roof to trace a path on the floor known as the “Meridian Line.”

Solar Animal Symbolism

Fire Sign Animals

Solar animal symbolism deals with creatures that harmonise with the Sun - also known as Fire Sign animals.
Fire animals can light up your life and provide the kick start to fire whatever you need to set in motion.

• Blaze a trail
• Sparkle with confidence
• Illuminate on your path
• Be a beacon in leadership

• Spark of inspiration
• Stoke the flames of passion.
• Outshine the competition

Fire symbols and meanings allow you to metaphorically hold and discover the power and passion of the gods. the Sun-fired waves of thought assert themselves blazing within the burning fire of our collective consciousness  filling our minds awe-inspiring concepts of:

• Energy
• Power
• Passion
• Action

• Sexuality
• Creativity
• Authority
• Consumption
• The Untamed

These are just a few of the influential images that burn through our symbolic armoury.

From ancient times to present times, there is no denying fire symbols and their connotations have the power to bring heat and passion to our hearts, provoke our bodies into action, lend speed to the working of our minds, and lift our spirits in a blaze of solar fire!

Exploring Sun Symbolism

 

The Sun Symbol

The Sun Symbol is found in every society in history. Envisioned by many as a celestial influence the sun is universally seen adorning innumerable works of art and inscriptions.

The culture of the Ancient Chinese acknowledged the sun as the Great Male Principle – the definitive Yang. It was also said to represent the sun as a cosmic eye keeping close watch over its realm through the daylight hours.
 
In alchemy, the sun is known as sol, symbolic of intelligence or understanding. Gold is considered the substance of the sun.

Other materials recognized as sun symbols are:

• · Bronze
• · Gold
• · Diamond
• · Ruby
• · Topaz

In astrology the sun represents the side of us that shines out freely and uninhibited to our friends, family, co-workers, etc. Where it is situated when we are born has direct impact on our personal characteristics.

   

Sun symbolism includes:

• . Life
• · Power
• · Strength
• · Energy
• · Force
• · Clarity
• · Self

 Mythology

In ancient Egypt the sun is associated with the Horus, Ra and Osiris. Horus represents the rising sun, Osiris the setting sun, and Ra represents the sun’s highest point.
Greek mythology links the sun with observing or visualization as the sun is said to be the eye of Zeus. Hindu mythology views the sun is the eye of Varuna, and is also considered the “celestial invigorator.”

The sun is linked with male energy in most cultures. However, the Celts associate it within the sun’s rays with feminine energy, as do also, Ancient Africans, Japanese, Germanic, and a number of Native American tribes.

Solar Animals

Animals are also viewed as symbols of the sun. Eagle represents the rising sun in all its blazing glory and supremacy over the cities of man. The magnificent Tiger is the sun when it’s setting in the evening skies.

 

Other solar animals considered to be sun symbols are:

• · Hawk
• · Lion
• · Salamander
• · Horse
• · Phoenix
• · Eagle
• · Lion
• · Dragon

Zia Pueblo Sun Symbol

       

 

This image, The Zia, is an ancient Zia Pueblo sun symbol. “Zia” meaning sun. The Zia are an indigenous tribe based at Zia Pueblo, an Indian reservation in the state of New Mexico, US... The Zia are known for their pottery and use of the Sun symbol.                                                
Zia is an Arabic name meaning Light. Light emitted from objects such as the Sun and the Stars rather than the reflected light of the Moon. It is named Noor.

The Sun Symbol

The Zia Indian sun symbol represents the earth’s four directions, the four seasons, the four periods of each day and the four seasons of life and also mans four sacred duties: to cultivate a strong body, a clear mind, a pure spirit, and to uphold the welfare of his people. This ancient symbol is found on pottery, art, and other Zia Pueblo artefacts.
Consisting of a red circle with groups of rays pointing in four directions, it is painted on ceremonial vases, drawn on the ground around campfires, and used to introduce newborn children to the Sun along with other sacred rituals.
The number four is considered sacred by the Zia Indians, and can be seen repeatedly in the four points radiating from the crimson circle. It’s outreaching lines which extend in the four directions of the compass, give the symbol sacred meaning to the Zia. The sacred number four symbolizes the Circle of Life: four winds, four seasons, four directions, and four sacred obligations. The circle binds the four elements of four together

The Zia Sun Symbol is the sole symbol featured on the Flag of the State of New Mexico. The red sun honours the Indian Nations, on a yellow field (yellow was the royal colour of the Spanish crown carried by the conquistador Coronado in 1540, the date of his entrance into New Mexico, at Zuni and the first recorded European contact with North American Indian people)

The new state flag was designed by Dr. Harry Mera of Santa Fe, New Mexico, an archaeologist familiar with the Zia sun symbol found at Zia Pueblo on a 19th century pot.
The salutation, “I salute the flag of the State of New Mexico and the Zia symbol of perfect friendship among united cultures," was many years ago commonly recited in New Mexico public schools after the United States pledge of allegiance.
It is the firm belief of Zia Wolf-Sun that as we cross cultures and nations in our virtual worlds, that this “Zia symbol of perfect friendship” be a reminder to us all, of of our obligations to respect and treat in the right way everyone we should meet in course of our virtual travels. Let it be so!!