Lunar Calendar

Lunar Calendars are based upon the cycles of the moon. This is a difference from the 12 month Solar Calendar system most of us grew up with. Essentially, a lunar calendar follows the "Lunar Month" that begins with each new moon phase. There are 13 lunar cycles in a year (as opposed to twelve solar months) and often, all 13 of these cycles aren't entirely completed within 365 days. This can make your calendaring somewhat tricky... Don't worry... We have included an example from the system we use to fashion our own lunar calendar along with the names we call each moon, because, just as you know "August" as the name of a month in your Solar Calendar, you will also want to know "The Harvestmoon" as a name in your Lunar Calendar. As with all things, you may want to adapt this system or the names included in our calendar for a more personal fit. Feel free... What we have provided is intended to be a guideline, but is most certainly not the "one and only true way" or any other such nonsense.

Please keep in mind that we have followed the pagan tradition which holds that the old year ends with the descent of the solar deity into the underworld on October 31st which then plunges the world above into the darkness of winter. The first moon of our new year, then, is the first new moon appearing after the complete moonphase that contains October 31st.

Is this the only way to structure a lunar calendar? No... not at all. It is just one way, and we have set it out here for you to use as an example when you fashion your own lunar calendar. Again, the names we use, and the place in the eternal Wheel of the Year that we have selected for the beginning of the year are matters of option and choice. If you would prefer to begin your calendar with the first new moon in January and you prefer to name the moons after your favorite flowers, or your family members, or something else... please feel free to do so.

Many different paths from Native American to Celtic, to Egyptian, to Nordic, and Italian use names different from each other for each moonphase. But the differences aren't as striking as the similarities. What one path calls the Snowmoon another may call the Wintermoon, but you don't have to use any more than your own human intuition to know what season will most often hold this particular moonphase... and from there it is easy to determine the name you most closely associate the moon of the season. Simple eh?

If you wish to review a completed lunar calendar for this year, please select the icon image to your left labeled "Lunar Calendar". If you wish to go directly to instructions for creating a lunar calendar of your own using our lunar calendar system, please select the link to your left labeled "Lunar Calendar System". If you wish to learn more about the individual thirteen moons of a lunar calendar, please use the image links to your left.

We can't help but note that some small mention of full moon rituals is in order at this point. They need not be any more elaborate than a simple personal observance, sometimes no more is needed than a brief, silent, meditation.

For your convenience we would like to offer these words... spoken... or whispered... or merely thought... by us here in the Garden of the Midnight Moonchild with every full moon. If you choose to use these (or other similar) words in your Full Moon meditations, please know that you are joined with many others and... you do not walk this path alone.

"See me.
I am your child.
At this, the appointed hour, I stand before you and reach out with my whole heart to the full moon.
Hear my words as they rise among the stars and at night, when my body lies resting, whisper to my spirit.
Teach me secrets yet revealed...
Fill me with your wisdom...
Enfold me in your power...
Keeper of the mysteries of the moon, hear these words and recall the ancient promise that all who seek your presence shall find your blessings.
At this, the appointed hour, I stand before you and reach out with my whole heart to the full moon.
I am your child.
See me."

This is a very cool site offering much to the drop-by visitor as well as a complete and comprehensive instruction on seasonal celebrations from all cultures.

What a fun site! You just gotta check this place out... really.... we mean it!

This is a nice no-nonsense site that provides the basics in lunar correspondences for those who want information at their fingertips. It has long been a favorite of ours, and we hope it will be one of yours too.



If you wish to return to return to the Garden of the Midnight Moonchild Homepage, please select the image icon to your left or the links below.