A Double Dose of Friday 13th - Are You Scared?

What are your thoughts about Friday 13ths? With today being one, and another next month, are you worried or taking extra precautions? 

I used to be skeptical about suggestions that Friday 13 is an unlucky date. Statistically, nasty things are no more likely to happen then than on any other day. Then I had a series of four Friday 13ths in which disasters struck. The first two involved rushing people to hospital in the middle of storms, then I broke my expensive camera on another, and on Friday 13 May, 2011 something disastrous happened to Blogger and  everyone who used that system, including me, lost posts and found earlier ones had corrupted. 

For several years after that I was extremely cautious when that date appeared on the calendar. However, you'll probably notice the run of bad luck I mentioned was a good 15 years ago. Nothing seriously awful has happened to me on any tradtional day of ill omen since, although I've taken extra care. This year, I've allowed myself to relax a bit. I've booked things to be delivered today, and next month I've arranged my annual boiler service on Friday 13. Let's see if I get my stuff and the engineer doesn't tell me my boiler needs replacing.

I'm not being totally complacent though. I'm wearing a protective amulet and drinking coffee from my favourite lucky mug. Are you doing anything similar?  

Please leave a comment with your thoughts about Friday 13.

The photo is from the 2026 We'Moon datebook.

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/02/friday-13th-lore-luck-and-superstitions.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/08/friday-13-spell-for-luck.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/03/folklore-friday-13-and-flying-penis-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/friday-13-solar-eclipse-death-tower-and.html

Review: We’Moon 2026 Calendar and Datebook

For several years now I've been using the We'Moon calendar and datebook - or diary - to keep track of what I'm doing. I got the 2026 editions recently and I'm already filling it up with events, talks and workshops for the year to come. But the We'Moon datebook is more than just something to scribble appointments in. It has astrological and moonphase information plus articles on topics including herb lore, holy days, tarot and women's spirituality. 

Every year has a different theme, and for 2026 it's Full Circle. Every new year is a chance to return to the beginning of the wheel of the seasons, but the emphasis here is to mark important points in various other esoteric cycles too, including astrology, tarot and the full moon in lunar observations. 

Circles also have other meanings, including our communities, our friends, our family, and the groves and covens we might celebrate with. The We'Moon datebook points out the importance of renewing our connection with those circles, because together we have more strength and support than we do alone. If you are a solitary pagan, the datebook shares rituals, prayers and poetry to help you celebrate the Wheel of the Year in full, and feel part of the We'Moon community.

The  calendar and datebook share the same beautiful art - although much larger on the calendar of course. I always find the pictures inspiring to have on my wall, and I particularly like the ones I'll be seeing throughout 2026

I should perhaps point out that the We'Moon calendar and datebook are published in America, so some of the details on holidays and the like will be a bit different in other countries, but I know many of my readers are based in the USA. Here's the We'Moon website. You can also order from bookshops and pagan suppliers in Europe and the UK. There is a Spanish distributor, which can be contacted by emailing here: natalia@wemoon.ws

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/11/review-wemoon-2025-calendar-and-datebook.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/10/review-wemoon-2024-luminations-diary.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/10/review-wemoon-diary-2022-magical-dark.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/08/pagan-eye-women-artists-and-moon-goddess.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/womens-day-tarot-bessie-coleman-ace-of.html

Review: We’Moon 2025 Calendar and Datebook

Here's the covers of the 2025 We'Moon calendar and datebook. As usual, they are both full of beautiful art and words. The calendar obviously has much larger pictures and is something I love to see on my kitchen wall to inspire me each day. 

The datebook is far more than just a diary. As well as pictures, it has astrological and moonphase information for the coming year plus articles on topics including herb lore, holy days, tarot and women's spirituality. I particularly like the feature on decolonising witchcraft, and the emphasis on diversity.

It says on the We'Moon website: 

"Each year We'Moon weaves threads of intention into this wonderful moon calendar. Every edition has a theme, and currently, our themes are based on one of the eight moon phase cycles. We'Moon 2025: Growing Edge draws inspiration from the ripening glow of the Waxing Gibbous Moon. Here she is, on the cusp of completion, but she has work to do yet—as do we all—navigating toward the glory of fullness. This datebook is an astonishing collection of art and writing that takes you on deep soul journeys to and beyond the Growing Edges of your imagination. Be prepared to weep. Be prepared to rejoice. May the momentum of the Growing Edge bring you joy and light your way on the journeys ahead!"

I should probably mention that the We'Moon calendar and datebook are published in America, so some of the details on holidays and the like will be a bit different in other countries, but I know quite a few of my readers are based in the USA. If you buy a copy from the We'Moon website and use the discount code BadWitch25 you will get 15 per cent off.

You can also order from bookshops in the UK but without discount as far as I know. I will add specfic shops in England to this post as I learn about them.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/10/review-wemoon-2024-luminations-diary.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/10/review-wemoon-diary-2022-magical-dark.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/08/pagan-eye-women-artists-and-moon-goddess.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/womens-day-tarot-bessie-coleman-ace-of.html

Pagan Eye: My Gift of the Museum of Witchcraft Calendar

One of the lovely gifts I was given for Yule was a copy of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic Calendar. You can see it in the photo I took.

I do like to have a paper calendar on the kitchen wall even in this digital age. This one has great pictures from the museum but also shows the dates of new moons and full moons, Pagan festivals and public holidays. Brilliant!  

It's making me look forward to starting the new year in a magical way. 

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it - a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture. 

If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog.

Links and previous related posts
https://museumofwitchcraftandmagic.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/10/pagan-eye-gift-of-rowan-cross.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/01/pagan-eye-museum-of-witchcraft-in-london.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/12/yule-gifts-beautiful-books-for-magical.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/08/boscastle-and-museum-of-witchcraft_3235.html

Review: We'Moon 2024 Luminations Diary & Calendar

I'm delighted to have been given a copy of the 2024 We'Moon Datebook, which is a moon calendar and a collection of art and writing by creative women from around the world. I was also give the We'Moon wall calender, which is also lovely and useful.

The gift was perfect timing as I'm already scheduling things to do in 2024. I much prefer to have a diary that's beautiful rather than purely functional - and this is both. There's oodles of space for writing in but also an astrology guide and moon phase planner, plus poetry, prose and inspiring artwork.

This is what it says on the publisher Mother Tongue Ink's website: 

"Each year We'Moon weaves threads of intention into this wonderful moon calendar. Each edition has a theme, and currently, our themes are based on one of the eight moon phase cycles. We’Moon 2024: Luminations invokes the Waxing Half Moon: She dwells in the creative balance of equal Shadow and Light, and takes us along the mysterious edge where obstacles meet invention, and visions spark magic. This datebook is a stunning weave of art and writing from women offering radiant wisdom, passionate earth-devotion, love miracles, and inventive joy."

The diary is in a week-at-a-glance format, which I like, and offers a moon phase planner with moon signs and daily astrological info. I should mention that this is an American publication so the astrological data is in Pacific Standard Time. I live in England, so it isn't perfect for me, but I can convert it and I think quite a few who read my blog are US-based. What I really enjoy about this diary is looking through the 100-plus images of feminist art and over 100 writings by amazing poets and storytellers. These works are all by women from many different countries.

I mentioned I have the wall calendar as well as the dairy, which is a bonus. I enjoy having a magical calendar on my kitchen wall - mostly because it gives something to look at while I'm waiting for my cats to finish eating. I have to be there as they both need different food due to allergies. If I leave them on their own they'll steal from each other's bowls!

If you are interested in ordering the 2024 We'Moon Datebook from the publisher, you'll get 15 per cent discount if you quote the code: Badwitch24. Here's the link: https://wemoon.ws/

For those in England, you can order from the US store but you can also buy copies from English shops that sell pagan and esoteric books including Cowley Club in Sussex.

Review: We'Moon Diary 2022 - The Magical Dark

Sometimes beautiful gifts turn up from the Goddess at exactly the right time. I really needed a diary for 2022 as I've got events to put in it already, but before I bought an ordinary one in a high street shop, I got given the We'Moon 2022 diary. I really like it. 

This year's theme is "The Magical Dark" and the description on the We'Moon website explains that this embodies the darkest phase of the moon cycle: the New Moon:

"Here dwell the dream seeds, the letting go, the gearing up to begin again. Woven through the pages are shadows longing for our attention. Follow sparks of encouragement as we travel through moonless dark—and lo! the magical terrain reveals Her mysterious gifts."

It's much more than just a diary as it also has astrological data, details about moon phases, notation of when the sun changes signs, astrological predictions, information about the solstices, equinoxes and other festival dates, articles on a huge range of esoteric subjects plus artwork and creative writing by poets and storytellers. Oh and as well as a week-at-a-glance planner, it has a moon phase calender at the back.

We'Moon is a feminist pagan enterprise, with the emphasis on diversity and inclusivity. These words from it offer more explanation: "We'Moon is a sacred space in which to explore and celebrate the diversity of she-ness on Earth."

This is the second year I've had a We'Moon diary and I doubt it will be the last.

You can view We’Moon 2022: Gaia Rhythms for Womyn: The Magical Dark on Amazon and buy copies from shops that sell pagan and esoteric books including Cowley Club, or order it via We'Moon's website: https://wemoon.ws/collections/moon-phase-calendar/products/wemoon-date-book. 

(Please note I earn commission from some links)

Review: We'Moon 2021 Gaia Rhythms Diary and Calendar

I much prefer a real paper diary and calendar to using my phone to keep track of what I'm supposed to be doing when. But I want more than a plain book with dates and lines. I want to know the moon phases, I want astrological info and reminders of pagan festivals. I also want to be inspired each week with words and pictures that resonate with me.

For 2021 I've got the We'Moon 2021: Gaia Rhythms for Womyn datebook and calendar. They both have beautiful artwork, loads of useful information and inspirational writing. There's also plenty of space of me to scribble in the diary. The calendar is based on the phases of the Moon and has astrological details, which I find particularly useful for planning my magic.

The cover picture on both is The World, from the new We'Moon Tarot - which I really want to try out - and shows a woman cradling the Earth while the Moon flows through its phases behind her. The artwork inside is equally lovely, showing nature, animals, Goddesses and women from many walks of life.

As it is the 40th anniversary of the diary, I thought it was about time I got one. I usually try to find a different calendar and diary with a pagan theme each year. In past I've had the Astro Moon Diary, the Llewellyn Witches Datebook, the Earth Pathways Diary and the Angel Diary as well as the Luna Moon Hare calendar, among others. I'm often torn between returning to an old favourite and buying a different one, but this year I'm sure I'll love turning the pages each week with my We'Moon datebook and seeing what each month will show me on my wall too.

You can view the We'Moon datebook on Amazon as well as the calendar.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/12/witchy-gifts-dairies-year-books-every.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/10/question-what-diary-will-you-pick-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/11/pagan-witchcraft-and-moon-calendars-for.html

Witchy Gifts: Dairies, Year Books & Every Day Magic

Every year since I started my blog I've written about a pagan diary being the perfect gift for pretty much any witch at Yule. This year, it's a bit different. Sure, diaries are still great presents, but I'd also recommend other kinds of year books, journals and almanacs.

In particular, I'm going to give a great big plug for the Moon Books' community book I edited - Every Day Magic - A Pagan Book of Days. I know I'm biased, but I really do think it is a wonderful book - I was absolutely bowled over by the entries I received from around 50 contributors, offering a different thing to do or celebrate every day of the year.

If you want to have a browse through the book, then go to Every Day Magic on Amazon and use the "Look Inside" facility to see what's it's like. You can, of course, order it via Amazon too, or you can order it via publisher Moon Books' website: http://www.moon-books.net/books/pagan-portals-pagan-book-days

Both The Atlantis Bookshop and Treadwell's Bookshop in London had copies last time I was at the shops. Picking one up there is probably best if you are already in London and want to make sure you have the book in your hands in time for Yule - but do phone or email in advance to reserve a copy just to make sure.

The Atlantis Bookshop is at 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Tel: 020 7405 2120. Email: atlantis@theatlantisbookshop.com

Treadwell's Bookshop is 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Tel: 020 7419 8507. Email: info@treadwells-london.com

Both shops are near the British Museum.

The photo at the top shows Every Day Magic with diaries and year books on the counter at The Atlantis Bookshop.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/11/every-day-magic-start-of-winter.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/11/pagan-eye-me-at-atlantis-bookshop-with.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/12/colette-clairvoyants-book-review-of.html

Events: Not Long to the Launch of Every Day Magic

In exactly a month's time - November 24 - Every Day Magic - A Pagan Book of Days will be officially launched, and I'm eagerly counting down the days.

Every Day Magic contains contributions from nearly 50 pagan authors and practitioners from many different traditions across the world, including Atlantis' Geraldine Beskin, best-selling pagan authors Ellen Evert Hopman, Melusine Draco, Harmonia Saille, Rachel Patterson, Caroline Wise, Elen Sentier and other Moon Books writers.

Here is the description from publisher Moon Books' website:

Every Day Magic - A Pagan Book of Days contains 366 spells, rituals, meditations, Pagan prayers, divinatory techniques, poems to read and recipes and craft projects to try out, along with the details of festivals that take place throughout the year. All the activities are intended to be easy to follow so you can pick up the book, open it to a day and find something you can do. There are festivals from the ancient world and modern Pagan celebrations as well.

As well as coming up with the idea for Every Day Magic, I edited and contributed to it - and I have to say I am really proud of it. However, as it is a community book I will not be receiving royalties - I asked for any money raised from it to be used to help bring more pagan writers' works into publication.

However, although the book isn't due to be officially launched until November 24, you will be able to see and buy early copies of the book at a launch party on Saturday afternoon, November 4, at The Atlantis Bookshop in central London. There will be a cream tea and I will do some readings from the book.

The Atlantis Bookshop is at 49A Museum St, London WC1A 1LY and the party runs from 4pm to 7pm. The launch event will be free to attend, but you will need to reserve a place in advance. Tel: 020 7405 2120 or pop into the shop to book your place - and possibly even sneak a very early view of the book if you ask nicely. The shop website is http://www.theatlantisbookshop.com/

To promote the book on November 24, I've set up a Thunderclap campaign. It would be great if you could join in. It cost's nothing at all to do this - all you need to do is click on this link and offer to share the promotion on your Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr account. If you do that, Thunderclap will share a one-off post about Every Day Magic - A Pagan Book of Days when the book officially launches.

Here is the Thunderclap link in full: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/61034-every-day-magic

You can also view Every Day Magic - A Pagan Book of Days on Amazon - but you are likely to get your copy earlier - before the publication date - if you order it from The Atlantis Bookshop by calling 020 7405 2120.

Superstitions: What Are You Doing on Friday 13?

It is a Friday 13, at a waning moon, close to Halloween. What could possibly go wrong today?

Well, statistically, nothing more than usual.

However, I have had so many disastrous Friday 13s - from medical emergencies to expensive equipment failures and, one Friday 13, my blog post about the day going missing - that I get wary around this date. In fact, I'm going to be pinning a rowan cross to my front door to ward off trouble.

But what are your thoughts on the matter?

Do you take magical or mundane precautions to avoid mishaps or do you carry on as usual?

What are you going to be doing today - and will you be taking risks, or avoiding them?

Do leave a comment.

Question: What Diary Will You Pick for 2017

If you buy a special witchcraft or pagan diary - do you have a favourite?

I always find it is a bit difficult to choose, because there are so many great diaries to choose from and I like to ring the changes. For 2017, I decided to go for the Llewellyn Witches Datebook, but this year I am currently using the Astro Moon Diary, last year I went for the Earth Pathways Diary and in 2014 I used the Angel Diary.

The picture at the top shows a selection of the diaries, calendars and year books at The Atlantis Bookshop in Museum Street, Central London, where I bought my Llewellyn Witches Datebook 2017 on Saturday. I prefer to browse the diaries and have a look inside before choosing, rather than just ordering over the internet.

But, my question to you is - what diary will you pick for 2017?

Leap Year Day Work, Sheep, Folklore and Superstition

If you are someone who hates having to go to work on a Monday morning, the fact that this Monday morning is Leap Year Day must surely make it worse. For those on a regular monthly salary, working a 29-day February brings in just the same paycheck as a normal 28-day one.

Not fair, is it? In fact, some people have called for Leap Year Days to be made bank holidays - which I am all in favour of.

If you are wondering why there is a photo of sheep at the top of this post, it is because in Scotland shepherds consider leap years to be unlucky. A Scottish saying is: "Leap year was ne’er a good sheep year."

In Italy, leap years are considered back luck in general. Italians say: "anno bisesto, anno funesto", which translates as "leap year, doom year." I've never noticed leap years to be particularly unlucky myself, but maybe that's because I'm not Scottish, Italian or a shepherdess.

Of course the most famous folklore about Leap Year Day is that women are allowed to propose marriage then. Maybe that tradition still helps very shy women pluck up courage to pop the question, but to be honest it doesn't seem that important now. I guess it was more of a big deal in Victorian times - although Steve Roud is of the opinion it is more of a myth than a genuine old custom of the English year.

If you are going to give it a go apparently you should wear a red petticoat or trousers when you ask, and if a man says no they are supposed to take you shopping for clothes to make up for it. Fine gloves and silk frocks were the favourite consolation prizes in times of yore, according to folklore.

Links and previous related posts
Wear Red for Leap Year Day
The English Year
http://www.timeanddate.com/date/leap-day-february-29.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/12177017/Leap-Year-2016-Why-does-February-have-29-days-every-four-years.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/04/pagan-eye-easter-at-seven-sisters-sheep.html

Review: Hay House Basics Numerology

The latest in the Hay House Basics series is Numerology: Discover Your Future, Life Purpose and Destiny from Your Birth Date and Nameby Michelle Buchanan. Hay House Basics is a range of reasonably priced books teaching mind, body, spirit subjects in a clear and concise way so that anyone can understand them. I reckoned I would need a book as easy as that when it came to a form of divination using numbers.

I was always better at arts subjects than maths when I was at school, which is probably one of the reasons I'd never tried numerology before. However, the only numeracy skill you need in numerology is being able to add up - and you can even use a calculator for that if you want to.

Essentially, what you do with any group of numbers, such as your date of birth or your house number or the numeric value of the letters in your name, is add all the digits together and continue doing this until you get a single number. So, 3421 would be 3+4+2+1=10. Then 1+0=1. You then look up what that number means. Number 1 is about individuality, innovation and independence, by the way.

Hay House Basics Numerology states: "Numerology is the study of the relationships that numbers and letters have with our personality and life events... Numerology is so much more than predicting the future..."

As the publisher, Hay House, explains on its website, the book tells you how to work out your numbers and read a chart. It also explores the many ways numerology can help you, including:

• Your seven personality numbers - including your life path, destiny, soul and birth day numbers - and what they all mean
• Working with your karmic lesson numbers for growth and self-development
• Using your forecasting numbers to look at the year ahead and the energies it holds for you
• How to interpret other numbers you encounter in daily life

Obviously, everyone's numbers change every day and every month as the date moves on. Big changes happen each year. Things go in cycles, and these can be followed with numerology. We each have our own personal cycles throughout our life, but the world around us follows cycles too as the years turn.

With a new year approaching, this is a very good time to start learning to use numerology to work out not only what 2016 has in store, but also how to make the most out of it.

Numerology: Discover Your Future, Life Purpose and Destiny from Your Birth Date and Name (Hay House Basics)can be ordered from Amazon.


To find out more, Hay House's website for the series is: http://www.hayhousebasics.com/. At the site you can find free downloads to go with each Basics book. This includes a free audio track.

Links
Numerology: Discover Your Future, Life Purpose and Destiny from Your Birth Date and Name (Hay House Basics)
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/02/review-hay-house-basics-crystals.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/01/review-angels-lead-new-series-of-basics.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/review-hay-house-basics-mindfulness.html

Winter Solstice Countdown to Yule Advent Calendar

Is it too early to start thinking of Yule?

This year's Country Wisdom and Folklore 'Winter Solstice Tree' Countdown to Yule Advent Calendaris now available.

I've had them in the past and really like them, especially as they count down to Yule or Midwinter rather than Christmas.

The information about it says:

Reclaim the Midwinter Festival - everyone loves opening an advent calendar, but this is one with a difference - it counts down to the Winter Solstice!
Each window contains a full colour image depicting seasonal and festive scenes plus an interesting snippet of winter folklore.
Created with love and imagination in Shropshire, England, A4 sized and printed on 100% recycled, post-consumer waste
Please note: in 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere the Winter Solstice occurs at 4.48 am on 22nd December.

You can also get a 2016 Country Wisdom and Folklore Diary.

The advent calenders and diary are published by Talking Tree Books.

Here are links to my reviews of previous Country Wisdom and Folklore advent calenders:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/11/shopping-yule-advent-calender-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/11/shopping-yule-advent-calendar-with.html

Competition: Win an Astro Moon Diary or Planner

Fancy winning a lovely diary for 2016?

Astrocal is running a competition with prizes of Astro Moon Diaries and Lunar Pocket Planners. To find out what the diary and planner are like, you can read my review.

A common question witches get asked is, "Why follow the Moon?" There are, of course, many different answers to this question, so Astrocal thought it would be interesting and useful to create an eBook that illustrates a range of people's various experiences. The competition is asking just that question.

Astrocal is looking for personal thoughts and reflections, beliefs and observations. What attracts you to the Moon? Is your mood affected by the Moon? Do you garden by the Moon? What have you concluded? Do you honour the Moon's cycle? What do you include in your ceremony? You can answer with pictures, photographs, ideas, tales, poems and stories.

Every chosen submission wins a Lunar Pocket Planner and each month one chosen entry wins an Astro Moon Diary.

Here's how to enter:
Email your entry astrology@astrocal.co.uk
Facebook: post direct to Astrocal's page using the hashtag #MoonCompetition
Twitter: tweet your entry use #MoonCompetition and tag @Astrocal
You can find out more and enter the competition: http://www.astrocal.co.uk/MoonCompetition/

The competition is open until the end of January 2016. Astrocal says winners will be chosen and sent prizes at the end of each month.

By entering you give Astrocal permission to use your entry in the eBook

Links and previous related posts
http://www.astrocal.co.uk/MoonCompetition/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/09/astro-moon-diary-calendar-and-planner.html

Astro Moon Diary, Calendar and Planner 2016

It might only be September, but I've already needed to put things in my diary for 2016. I've got the new Astro Moon Diary, by Astrocal. I've chosen the Moon Diary several times in the seven years since it was first published and it has got better and better.

For a witch who likes to make the most of the power of the sun, moon, stars and planets, it is very useful. As well as astrological predictions for what the year ahead has in store and what you can see if you look up into the sky at night, it shows how you can use astrological timings to make your magic most effective, starting - as you might expect - with the moon.

The 2016 Astro Moon Diary suggests using the specific energy of each new moon to empower your wishes and intents. Throughout the diary there are explanations of what each month's moon represents as well as space to write down your wishes at the appropriate time. It gives you all the information you need in a clear and easy to read way

The diary is full of astrological data - all clearly explained in terms of what the symbols mean. This is ideal for witches who like to use lunar, solar and astrological correspondences in their spellwork, but who aren't necessarily astrologers themselves. Oh and the diary also has very pretty colour artwork depicting the changing seasons, with text covering how the solar power of the changing seasons can be harnessed and celebrated.

Astrocal also produces a calendar, which offers much of the the same information as the Astro Moon Diary, but with more emphasis on the beautiful artwork. It is called the Seasons and Cycles Calendar 2016 and would be ideal to hang in your kitchen, living room or wherever else you make magic. For those who want a pocket-sized diary, there is a mini Seasons and Cycles Lunar Pocket Planner.

You can find out more at http://www.astrocal.co.uk/.

Gifts: Astro Moon Diary 2015 and Seasons Calendar

At Witchfest last month I spent a bit of time chatting to the lovely people who create the Astro Moon Diary and looking at their diary and calendar for 2015.

I’ve always liked the Astro Moon Diary and it seems to get better and better each year. The new one is really lovely with colour artwork and loads of information about astrology, astronomy and pagan seasonal festivals.

As well as being packed with lunar and astrological information for the year, inspiring images and things like seasonal recipes, the Astro Moon Diary 2015 is slightly smaller in size than previous editions, which makes it much easier to fit in a pocket or bag. I think that's very practical.

Another thing pagans will like is that the diary starts from the Winter Solstice rather than starting on January 1. It runs right through to December 31, 2015, giving you a few useful extra days of diary to write in.

Tina Smale, one of the partners in the small UK-run pagan business Astrocal, told me that they really try to make the diary better and better each year. It is intended to be suitable for those just interested in the Moon and her cycle as well as professional astrologers.

Astrocal also has a brand new wall calendar out for 2015. Called the Seasons and Cycles Calendar, it celebrates nature’s seasonal cycle and the eight fire festivals.

The calendar has gorgeous colourful illustrations which I love. Each picture shows seasonal landscape with the plants, flowers and fruit that you might see that month. To the left of each picture is an oak tree portrayed in its natural cycle from bare branches to buds then green leaves, which turn gold in the autumn and return to bare branches over a snowy landscape for winter.

This calendar is designed to take you on a journey through the seasons of the year showing the Moon's daily phase, eclipses, fire festivals and when to look out for meteor showers and planets in the night sky. I've got a copy for my own wall and know it will inspire me throughout the year ahead.

One of the other products that Astrocal sells is a silver moon phase poster. It is intended to help you keep in tune with the Moon's phase at a glance.

It shows all the Moon's phases for 2015 and includes the times for each full and new Moon and highlights the beauty of the Moon's cycle as she waxes and wanes throughout each month. At the bottom of the poster, is a lovely illustration of the Cove at Avebury.

As well as being suitable for anyone interested in the Moon's cycle, it is an ideal thing to give as a low-cost gift for Yule.

For more details about Astrocal and the products, visit http://www.astrocal.co.uk/

Links and previous related posts
http://www.astrocal.co.uk/
Moon Diary 2015
Seasons and Cycles Moon Calendar 2015
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/11/witchfest-2014-short-review-of.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/11/starting-new-diary-for-2011.html

Review: The Earth Pathways Diary 2015

My diary seems to fill up so far in advance these days that I find myself buying my diary for the following year earlier and earlier. Mind you, having lots to look forward to is great. The problem is choosing which diary to buy as I have many favourites - including Llewellyns Witches Datebookand the Country Wisdom and Folklore Diary.

The one I've gone for this time is another of my favourites - the Earth Pathways 2015.

It's a diary that makes you feel good just looking through it and has lots of colour artwork, inspirational text, information about astrology and moon phases, pagan festivals and crafts to try throughout the season.

The Earth Pathways Diary 2015 also has a month-to-page desk calendar for the year and a notes at the back so it is very useful. The diary is produced every year by a co-operative of friends in the UK, which is part of a thriving community of artists, writers, environmentalists and those following an earth-based spirituality. That means you know that not only are you buying a beautiful diary, you are also supporting an ethical enterprise.

I picked up my copy at The Atlantis Bookshop, in London, but you can also order copies directly from Earth Pathways or via Amazon.

What Are You Doing For Earth Hour?

Tonight is Earth Hour, where people all over the world turn off the lights for an hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm to save energy and help save the planet.

Are you taking part? If so, what will you be doing in the dark?

Links:

http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/

http://www.paganfrontiers.com/

Shop: Goddess Loves, Hugs and Hares Calendar 2014

If you haven't yet got a calendar for 2014 - or you are looking for a nice Yule present for a pagan friend, have a look at this lovely one by Wendy Andrew. Wendy is the author and artist behind Luna Moon Hare: A Magical Journey with the Goddess,which I wrote about some time ago. I saw her new calendar on her stall when I was at Witchfest a couple of weeks ago and I've been meaning to mention it on my blog ever since.

The calender is called Goddess Love, Hugs and Hares Calendar 2014 and the artwork is, as you might expect, beautiful - with seasonal images of the Goddess and hares.

On her website, Painting Dreams, Wendy says: "We are going though some challenging times of change which can make us feel unsettled and vulnerable. During these times I find myself being guided to paint images of love...nurturing...and caring. Mother Goddess holding and protecting...offering a joyous bright way ahead! And of course dear Luna Moon Hare makes her appearance often as we turn the pages of the year!"

You can order the calendar from Painting Dreams or via Amazon

Links and previous related posts
http://www.paintingdreams.co.uk/image.php?name=2014-calendar
Goddess Love, Hugs and Hares Calendar 2014
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/08/review-my-angel-diary-2014-by-jenny.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/11/shopping-yule-advent-calender-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/11/witchfest-not-as-naughty-as-photo-ban.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/11/witchfest-international-2008.html
Luna Moon Hare: A Magical Journey with the Goddess