Imogen thank you for this lovely post, I have been reading it over a late breakfast. I am originally from Cornwall and never knew about the well of the little people, I will seek it out the next time I am there.
Love your 3 haiku to Blackthorn, they describe her so beauty and presence so deliciously.💚
One thing that interests me about naming moons is that the old tradition ( at least I know it as old!) of naming moons seems to be largely forgotten, that is to say that a moon is not named by the calendar month but rather by when it falls in relation to the winter solstice.
Meaning that the first full moon after the winter solstice is the start of the naming of the moon cycle and this may fall in either December or January, thus each moon name has 2 months it may be in.
I call this current full moon, birthing moon ( which can be March or April) and very much associated with the budding and flowering of Blackthorn.
From my recent recollection the moon has been mostly in March and Blackthorn has been in flower because it has been warmer and sunnier and this year Blackthorn is flowering in April because of the cold weather. Maybe coincidence or maybe the moon knows a thing or two?😊
Thank you Nikki for your kind words, and I feel honoured to have accompanied your breakfast! It was so interesting to hear you explain about naming moons in relation to the winter solstice and how that affects the conditions around each one year on year. I have read this myself from time to time, especially when the Wolf Moon is mentioned as sometimes being in December and sometimes January. But although I’m sure you’re right that it’s an old system, I don’t think it tallies with the North American names that were so thoroughly popularised by the Old Farmers’ Almanac and that’s why it’s less frequently cited. That, and the fact that a lot of people seem to like things neat and structured and perhaps find it hard to cope with wayward moons shifting all over the place 😂
A lovely read, thank you. Here in Wales there’s a town nearby called Cwmbran, which translates as crow valley. There are indeed a lot of crows, rooks, jackdaws and ravens around here. Jackdaws will often flock with crows and it’s easy to tell the difference in flight - just remember, crow slow and jack flap and you’ll see what I mean.
Thank you Tracy, and that’s interesting in so many ways! I’m always fascinated to hear of instances when an old name is borne out by what we can still witness with our own eyes today. How many generations of corvids must have raised their families close to Cwmbran? And I shall have to be more observant as to whether the crows and jackdaws fly together here. I’ve definitely noticed more jackdaws in general in recent years.
Dear Mary, that is so lovely to hear - thank you x It may sound fanciful to say that the black horse came to us and indicated that we should follow but it truly did. And that group of fairy horses, some standing, some sitting under the thorn tree (or was it an elder?) turned to look at us as we arrived, without moving. They are usually so shy and wild up there, it was extraordinary X
Imogen thank you for this lovely post, I have been reading it over a late breakfast. I am originally from Cornwall and never knew about the well of the little people, I will seek it out the next time I am there.
Love your 3 haiku to Blackthorn, they describe her so beauty and presence so deliciously.💚
One thing that interests me about naming moons is that the old tradition ( at least I know it as old!) of naming moons seems to be largely forgotten, that is to say that a moon is not named by the calendar month but rather by when it falls in relation to the winter solstice.
Meaning that the first full moon after the winter solstice is the start of the naming of the moon cycle and this may fall in either December or January, thus each moon name has 2 months it may be in.
I call this current full moon, birthing moon ( which can be March or April) and very much associated with the budding and flowering of Blackthorn.
From my recent recollection the moon has been mostly in March and Blackthorn has been in flower because it has been warmer and sunnier and this year Blackthorn is flowering in April because of the cold weather. Maybe coincidence or maybe the moon knows a thing or two?😊
🌛🌕🌜
Thank you Nikki for your kind words, and I feel honoured to have accompanied your breakfast! It was so interesting to hear you explain about naming moons in relation to the winter solstice and how that affects the conditions around each one year on year. I have read this myself from time to time, especially when the Wolf Moon is mentioned as sometimes being in December and sometimes January. But although I’m sure you’re right that it’s an old system, I don’t think it tallies with the North American names that were so thoroughly popularised by the Old Farmers’ Almanac and that’s why it’s less frequently cited. That, and the fact that a lot of people seem to like things neat and structured and perhaps find it hard to cope with wayward moons shifting all over the place 😂
Imogen, I hadn’t thought of that, it sounds like a very good reason!😆 After all it’s still the same moon whatever we call it!😂
A lovely read, thank you. Here in Wales there’s a town nearby called Cwmbran, which translates as crow valley. There are indeed a lot of crows, rooks, jackdaws and ravens around here. Jackdaws will often flock with crows and it’s easy to tell the difference in flight - just remember, crow slow and jack flap and you’ll see what I mean.
Thank you Tracy, and that’s interesting in so many ways! I’m always fascinated to hear of instances when an old name is borne out by what we can still witness with our own eyes today. How many generations of corvids must have raised their families close to Cwmbran? And I shall have to be more observant as to whether the crows and jackdaws fly together here. I’ve definitely noticed more jackdaws in general in recent years.
What joyous words ...you transport me to each place ....I was held in wonderment about the horses. And the well with tree spirits
It is a work to re read in slow time again to drink in the words as they land upon my heart
Thank you so much Xx
Dear Mary, that is so lovely to hear - thank you x It may sound fanciful to say that the black horse came to us and indicated that we should follow but it truly did. And that group of fairy horses, some standing, some sitting under the thorn tree (or was it an elder?) turned to look at us as we arrived, without moving. They are usually so shy and wild up there, it was extraordinary X