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Shortly after sunset, the horns ring out.

These are the Moon Horns, sounding from the Tower on Witches' Hill, the highest point in the city, a signal from the official watchers. It can mean only one thing: New Moon!

The First Crescent has been sighted in the sky, marking the beginning of another month. Across the city, horns ring out in reply, passing along the happy news, washing out from the Tower in concentric circles like ripples from a lake-cast stone.

The Moon Call is broadcast on local radio and television as well. Everyone that can dons their finery and rushes out, facing West, to greet the First Crescent in the sky with the traditional incense, hymns, and libations.

Hail to thee, thou New Moon,

guiding jewel of gentleness;

I am bending to thee my knee,

I am offering thee my love.

Others hasten to light the bonfires in park and backyard where people will gather to welcome the return of She Who Shines by Night and to wish one another Merry Moon.

The sound of drums rises across the city. The parties will continue well into the night.

If you are in a phase of your life where you wish to attract new love, try this Candle Bell Spell two days before the full moon.You will need

pink votive candle

This most special holiday for Chinese all over the world is a “moveable feast,” as it occurs on the second new moon after the shortest day of the year (the winter solstice, December 21) and lasts about two weeks. According to the Western calendar, this means the holiday begins sometime in either late January or early February. Tradition holds that homes must be cleaned from top to bottom in preparation for the festivities. On New Year’s Eve, families get together for a banquet, and at this feast fish is the dish of delight, as the Chinese word for “fish” sounds like yu, or “great plenty.” Red is the color of luck and all children receive red envelopes filled with money and bright, shining moon-like coins. Adults write “spring couplets” on red paper; these are short poems that are hung around the doorway to greet the New Year auspiciously. Oranges are placed around  the house in bowls and plates and blooming plants adorn the home both indoors and out. All generations of the extended Chinese family, from great-grandmother to the tiniest toddler, stay up late playing games, telling stories, and making wishes for the New Year.

It's Autumn and things are slowing down in Nature as am I. I let go of social media this month after a visit home to Ontario, Canada where I let the deep lake water wash over me as I floated, floated, floated. Watched the beavers and the otter play, and the blue heron and loon swim and fly and utter their gorgeous (the loon) and weird (heron) songs.

During my time away I realized that whenever I shared anything on my phone or on the internet it felt like WORK, a huge amount of work. Posting/sharing/chatting/responding to everything and everyone on Facebook Instagram, texts, emails. So I shut it all down. I stopped looking at it (except when sales came thru, of course). I honestly felt like a hollow shell; I had nothing left to give.

So now, I give you this, just this. That's all. It will be enough. I feel myself going back in time to BEFORE; before the internet was on my phone and the incessant, undending chatter took precedence. I have myself back.

I want our time together to be magic, a respite. So mote it be.

In that spirit I share with you my latest painting from the Faerieality Series. May she delight you in sparkly, unseen, magickal, trixsy ways. That is all. Just enjoy.

Sparkly Blessings!
Kathy Crabbe

About Birch Fairy

"Birch Fairy", 6x6 inches, acrylic gouache and collage on paper mounted to board.

"Like many fairies, the birch fairy can open the portals to the subtle realms. The birch is associated with cleansing and freshness, and the goddess Arianrhod is invoked using birch, to attract fertility and aid creativity." (The Fairy Bible by Teresa Moorey)

I've been chewing on this blog post for some time now and have decided to keep it simple. In the spirit of Midsummer I share with you Goddess Vivian, Merlin's teacher and a Summer Solstice Goddess who was originally created in the Underworld entirely from flowers. May her beauty and bounty guide, protect and bless your Summer (or Winter) pleasures.

I'm so happy that i've been guided to paint goddesses once again as I hear Her call, for She is needed.

Sparkly Blessings!
Kathy Crabbe

It’s the Gemini New Moon on June 3 at 3:02 am pacific time.
Breathe gently.
Go within.
Pick a card above.
Scroll down for the reveal.

New Moon in Gemini Reading

The New Moon of December 6-7 (depending on time zone) falls in Sagittarius, the sign of the centaur, the archer who shoots an arrow into the future, in faith that it will land where it was aimed. A New Moon gives us an opportunity to explore the meaning of the sign it falls in, to learn more about how that sign manifests in our lives to trigger change and growth. The chart for the moment of the New Moon tells the story of the challenges and opportunities that will present themselves in the month ahead.