Wolf Moon

Porte Ponderings:

The first Full mOOn of 2023, the Wolf Moon rose up on the Epiphany (6th of January, the celebration of the baptism of Jesus)

Full moons with all of their wonder, tales and tides. Tales of creatures only appearing on full moons, or only seen during a full moon. Tides at their highest and majical happenings. Seasons changing and wolves howling. Full moons mark the passage of time.

Art imitates life was seen as being so true this week as on the Epiphany in Tarpon Springs, Florida, young Greek Orthodox men gather to dive into the waters to retreive a sacred cross for blessings for the next year. In Nora Roberts trilogy Dragon Heart Legacy, young people dive into the waters to retrieve a sacred sword and become the leader (taoiseich). I’m certain these parallels were drawn on by the author as age old mythology relies on the finding of a sacred object in the waters.

Mistakes are the portals of discovery.
~ James Joyce (Irish – Novelist / February 2, 1882 – January 13, 1941 )

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

February 2nd has a strange range of Celebrations. The first is to celebrate World Wetlands Day. Wetlands are the filters of the world. Composed of marshes, ponds, lakes, fens, rivers, floodplains, and swamps. Life thrives there before water leaves streams and rivers to go to larger bodies of water. These shallow bodies of flooded lands play an important role in sustaining life on earth.

Originating in Germany and still celebrated in North America the most associated holiday with February 2nd is Ground Hog Day. We all gather around to see if our favorite ground hog sees his shadow. If he see’s his shadow spring will arrive in 6 weeks. If he doesn’t see his shadow we’ll have an early spring (in about 6 weeks). Then of course there’s my Father’s favorite movie, Ground Hog Day, where Phil, played by Bill Murray wakes up everyday to find he is locked in a loop and must correct his misteak to move forward.

I find it a little strange that Christians celebrate Ground Hog Day on the same day as Candlemas. Celebrated as a National Holiday in Liechtenstein ,Candlemas is the day that is celebrated for the presentation of the Infant Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem. At 40 days after the birth of the Savior, Mary is done her time of purification. Traditionally this is the day that the Manger scenes are put away. Let the light in and light all the candles in your house today.