Author Archives

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The Powerful Stillness of the Cold Moon

Our final Super Moon of 2025 will be 100% illuminated on December 4 at around 6-6:30pm (EST.) For the most dramatic view, watch just after moonrise, when the Moon appears larger near the horizon—a phenomenon called the “Moon illusion.”

The Old Farmer’s Almanac names for this moon come from centuries of Native American, colonial, and European traditions. December’s full Moon is most commonly called the Cold Moon (Mohawk), reflecting the frigid season. It is also known as the Long Night Moon (Mohican) because it rises during the longest nights of the year, near the winter solstice, and remains above the horizon for an extended period.

Other traditional names that highlight the cold and snow include:

Drift Clearing Moon (Cree)

Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree)

Moon of the Popping Trees (Oglala)

Hoar Frost Moon (Cree)

Snow Moon (Haida, Cherokee)

Winter Maker Moon (Western Abenaki)

Moon When the Deer Shed Their Antlers (Dakota)

Little Spirit Moon (Anishinaabe)

This moon invites stillness, reflection, and release.  We are nearing the end of this calendar year, heading into the Winter season, the solstice is right around the corner as the return of the light, as longer days are now also upon us.  It is powerful time.

It is sometimes impossible to shut off the noise in our lives and sit in stillness. I often think about fresh fallen snow, and how it acts as a buffer to sound.  You can hear the quiet in those moments. This moon is here to remind us the importance of the stillness.

As we enter a busy time, perhaps a stressful time of the holidays, this moon comes to us for a moment of stillness. Reflecting on the past year, reaffirming and also releasing what is keeping the quiet from our minds.  Just as the earth takes a break to prepare for spring, the Cold Moon signals the importance of rest and renewal. This is a time to recharge, nurture the spirit, and align with nature’s rhythm of quiet strength.

Let her be your reminder to move away from things that hold you back, take your joy, and keep things all around you loud. Stand in your own light and move closer into reflection in stillness. As we are near the solstice, let your light return with the sun.

Peace,

Cath

Winter Solstice

https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-winter-winter-solstice

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Seen.

When you are seen.

The “I see you” is a compliment of the highest placement in our human condition.

“Being seen” refers to feeling recognized and valued for your true self, fulfilling a basic human need for connection and belonging. It involves acknowledgment through validation and support, the complete opposite of invisibility or neglect.

Recently I posted a short video of the tree in our front yard. It seems that ever since we moved there, this tree has had an every-other-year burst of just the most beautiful fall color change I have ever seen in a tree. She is a Japanese Maple tree I believe.  Her reds are just gorgeous, and in the summer, she is equally beautiful. I sit on the porch a lot and look at her.  I watch the birds go from limb to limb.  It’s a whole thing.

Under the video a few days later in the comment section, a friend that lives away from me posted a picture of a beautiful red tree she saw where she lives. No words, just the tree photo.  What that meant was, in that moment, she thought of me, my tree, and she saw me.

                                                                         

We have one of those bird cams hanging in our yard.  I cannot tell you the endless joy this has brought.  As one does, I post videos from the footage all the time!  I am absolutely enamored by this!   Sometimes, I even get a touch of guilt that I am seeing these beautiful creatures so up close, like I am ruining all their secrets. One day I opened a social media app and found that I was tagged in a video by another friend, who lives away from me.  I checked and it was a bird related video.  She typed under her tag that she never sees a bird video without thinking of me.  I watched the video, with a tear welling up, because in that moment I was seen. Thought of, and appreciated.

                                                                       

There are plenty of times we feel invisible. We feel that we are not being heard. Which leads to a lot of inner dialogue that can be pretty self-defeating. This is definitely a lonely and isolating moment.

One of the things we must understand is that every single one of us is valuable. We are valuable without any outside validation. We are all worthy.  YOU are worthy.

If you do not feel seen or heard or even understood – do all of those things for yourself!  Know who you are, what you feel, and tell yourself how beautiful and wonderful and worthy you are. Every. Single. Day.  All day if you want.

Each day, look in the mirror, and say your name with authority.  Your full name.  Speak into the universe that you are worthy.  There will be people that speak our name.  Whether it is good or bad, you can create the energy that whenever and wherever you name is spoken, that energy comes back to you in power and positive and beautiful – just like you.

I will give you a key as well.  If in a moment you see something that reminds you of someone, TELL THEM.  Two things happen.  They are seen, and you are completely understood and seen in that moment.

Today, may you feel seen, worthy, and valuable. Because all of that is truth.

Peace,

Cathy

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Our Reflective November Moon

The November full moon, called the Beaver Moon, marks when beavers prepare for winter and is significant for trappers harvesting pelts. It symbolizes preparation, patience, and letting go of the past, also known as the Mourning Moon, being the last full moon before the winter solstice. Other names, like Frost Moon, highlight the arrival of cold weather.

This moon will give us light on Wednesday November 5.  I have noticed though, the moon right now in my hemisphere for the last few days has been very bright, with yesterday appearing to be completely full.

Indigenous Tribes used the full moons to track seasons and time, with the November moon being a significant marker for the coming winter.

Recently we worked on clearing out our summer garden, turning over some dirt, adding different forms of natural mulch from seasonal porch plants, and enjoying the last of the summer harvest.

We do this around our homes every year.  Cleaning up, reorganizing, sorting out warmer weather clothes for the cold weather things. Then the time changes and it gets darker, and more still earlier.

We begin to look forward to the Yuletide season.  Decorating, planning, and preparing as the Winter Solstice nears.

This November moon is the most perfect time to reflect on our own life, and what no longer serves, what needs to adjust, and what we can let go of.  Just like that old wool sweater we pull out of the box or tote, that we really haven’t worn for a few seasons, yet takes up all the room – do we really need that sweater? 

Use this time to rest, balance, restore, and renew as you see this beautiful super moon.  Recognize the accomplishments of the Summer and Fall and applaud your planning as we head toward the Winter, a much quieter and more reflective season.

She also can represent a time of growth.  Under the surface of our earth, there is growth happening all through this cold weather season. Those first buds we see in the spring are proof of that.

This is the perfect time as we reflect, to know that we are always growing, evolving and changing.

When you see her, the bright and beautiful November moon, remember the beavers as they prep for the winter.  Let go, refresh, renew, and grow.

Peace,

Cath

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We are Gatherers

Sometimes you see something online that you were reaching for, but could not find those words, so you gather it. I hope this finds you today as well.

We are gatherers,

the ones who pick up sticks and stones

the old wasp’s nests fallen by the

door of the barn,

walnuts with holes that look like

eyes of owls,

bits of shells not whole but lovely

in their brokenness,

we are the ones who bring home

empty eggs of birds

and place them on a small glass shelf

to keep for what? How long?

It matters not. What matters

is the gathering,

the pockets filled with remnants

of a day evaporated, the traces of

certain memory, a lingering smell,

a smile that came with the shell.”

~ Nina Bagley

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October gives to us the Harvest Moon.

The idea that who you are, and who you know yourself to be, is determined by anything or anyone other than YOU, is a great lie. You are your own. YOU determine.

Our October 2025 full moon is the Harvest Moon, occurring on the night of October 6th and reaching its peak at 11:48 p.m. (EST) It is also a supermoon and will appear larger and brighter than usual due to its proximity to Earth.

This moon is my favorite, and I watch for her each year.

Although October’s full moon is often called the Hunter’s Moon, the moon closest to the autumn equinox is the “Harvest Moon”. This year’s Harvest Moon happens to fall in October.

For farmers, the October full moon was the time to harvest the last crops and store them for winter. In many ancient civilizations, this time of the year also marked the end of the agricultural cycle, with festivals and rituals aimed at celebrating the earth’s bounty before the cold season arrived.

We mark Autumn with so many joyous things. There are pumpkin festivals, apple festivals, fall fests, October Fest, and so many other celebrations.

Just as ancient hunters prepared for winter, this full moon is a call to complete your “internal harvest”. This means reflecting on your accomplishments, acting on goals, and gathering the necessary energy and resources for future endeavors.

Lately I have been spending time reflecting. This is not always easy. There were times in my life when I worked so very hard to fit myself into what others would want me to be. I would say and do things that I believed would bring me acceptance and validation. Because I began to come into my own and break out of those molds that I allowed others to place me in, I also lost those people from my life. Sometimes I do not blame them, because I did that. I formed myself into what I believed they wanted me to be, but it was not me.

I watched a leaf fall from the tree in my front yard a few days ago. Just one. Silent, floating down until it softly hit the ground. I looked up and saw all the other leaves that were yet to fall. That leaf can grow a whole other tree. Strong and tall. It fell alone. What can grow from that will be beautiful, tall, and strong in its own way, adorned with beautiful leaves, not one the same.

I think of those that left relationship with me. I am sad about it. I miss the laughter and time shared. The beauty in this sadness is I do not have to miss ME.

Watch our Harvest moon on Oct. 6. Take this time to see the harvest in your own life, and know she is there, high in the sky to light your way – even in the dark places.

Peace,

Cath

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September Moon, our Light.

The Corn Moon will lead our night skies on Sunday, September 7, 2025, reaching its full brightness at 2:00 p.m. EST, although it will be below the horizon at that moment. You can enjoy her full brilliance during the evenings of both Saturday and Sunday.

The October Harvest Moon is among my favorite cycles. September’s “Corn Moon” leads us there.

Indigenous American tribes, such as the Algonquin, Ojibwe, and Western Abenaki, named the September full moon after the corn harvest.

The moon always serves us as a powerful symbol of the conclusion of one cycle and the initiation of another, encouraging individuals to release the old in order to welcome fresh energy and foster growth. September’s moon is no different. 

We freshen up our homes with the colors of Fall around this time. There is a newness in the air at Summer’s edge, as well as a warmth of preparation.

Normalize the state of just being. Embrace the changes, notice how the earth prepares. Listen. 

Watch for her our September Moon, as she shines brightly so we can see, even in the dark.

Peace,

Cath

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Our August Moon

The “Sturgeon Moon,” a full moon in August, is named by Native American tribes for the sturgeon fish, abundant during this time in the Great Lakes. It is also called the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon, highlighting the fish’s importance as a food source. In 2025, the full Sturgeon Moon will occur on August 9.

The sturgeon, known for its impressive longevity, symbolizes resilience and the capacity to overcome obstacles.  This moon’s name connects us to the wisdom and knowledge passed down through generations, this moon asks us to connect with our intuition and inner knowing. Things that never deceive. 

The Sturgeon Moon can be a time to reflect on our current path, see areas that need cleansing or clarity, and prepare for upcoming changes. 

We have a small backyard garden. This year in my area, we have experienced more hot temperatures than usual, in early summer.  These temperatures posed a definite struggle with the ripening of our tomatoes.  One thing that a tomato gardener knows is as you go through the season, when you see spots or other signs of possible disease on the leaves, you begin to prune and trim those to put a stop to further problems, and to allow the nutrients in the soil to focus the growth. After going through this process of trimming and pruning several times, even despite the extra normal heat, the tomatoes began to flourish.  Now we have so many – all at once! It is time now for us to preserve that, so we can take these into the winter months, after this growing season.

This August moon reminds us, what is true about the sturgeon fish.  Sturgeons are considered living fossils, having existed since the time of the dinosaurs. Despite whatever this ancient line faced, they are out here thriving. We can be reminded that despite anything, we too can light our own paths with strength, stripping away what does not serve us, or block our path from light.

This moon speaks to us that we are our own.  YOU are your own. Let this beautiful moon speak to you as you see her light the night sky.  Asking the question what serves, what aids in your growth and what does not. Drawing from ancestral wisdom as the Sturgeon in our resilience.

Peace,

Cath

Growth comes and guides from ancient wisdom

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A Gift

Watering and weeding in my little garden I came across a pinecone. Just randomly there. We have no pine trees close enough to have it had fallen there. In fact, there are no trees at all in the back area of the house. I just stared at it, but I didn’t pick it up. My very first initial thought was “well that must have been a gift.”  Then I moved on.

I am writing this on a Wednesday, and this happened on Monday. Suddenly that pinecone came to mind. I thought to myself, what a peculiar thing for me to think, that it was a “gift.” I thought this without hesitation, or any further thought, and like this type of thing was such a common occurrence, that it did not warrant any further action from me. When I looked at the pinecone, I even remember thinking “well thanks for this.”  Now as I sit here, thanks to whom exactly? A gift from whom? Why am I even thinking of this at all? It is interesting when you begin to notice, really notice, things like this become regular. it gets more soft, and things like a dandelion opening become easy to see, and understand. Nature just becomes your trusted friend. It becomes easy.

Nature is going to do things for us, whether we notice those things or not. Nature is not out here imposing a will upon us. Nature just completes its tasks, moving along the wheel, and we can work with her or move through our lives without noticing. Nothing she does isn’t happening though, just because we are not allowing ourselves to be aware.

I began to investigate the significance of a pinecone.

I used to believe that pinecones were seeds. However, pinecones are not seeds themselves; they are the protective structures that house pine seeds. Once the seeds mature and the conditions become favorable—typically following a dry spell or heat—the cone will open up and release the seeds.

When conditions are favorable.

As the pinecone releases its seeds at the appropriate time, and when everything is agreeable for such an event, depending on the species, it takes 20-30 years for that tree to reach maturity. To reach a point where it can send out pinecones to start this whole circle again – 20-30 years. Although there are species out there that fast grow and can even grow 12 feet in less than a year, they may not be completely mature. These trees look it, but at the roots they are not ready. Time, patience, and the balance of nature will dictate when the seeds fall.

In some traditions, pinecones are seen as a symbol of intuition, spiritual insight, and higher consciousness. Because of the protective structure of the pinecone for its seeds, the seeds can survive even the harshest of conditions.

I saw a random pinecone in my garden, I stared at it, I did not move it, and thought “well, it must be a gift.” 

Turns out, it was. Staying in one place mentally and sometimes even physically we find protection and a sense of safety in.

When conditions are favorable, we can come out of what we find as protection, to what can really be growth. Wisdom. Immeasurable hope. It takes a while, but nature has plenty of time. She is still at the wheel, whether we see her or not.

I am not going to move that pinecone. It came a long way to teach me things. I think I will allow it to do that.

Peace to you,

Cath

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July and her Moon

The Thunder Moon or Buck Moon, as it’s called, the first full moon of the astronomical summer, is our gift as July’s Moon. (July 10-25)

Recognized as a notable point in the natural cycle of the year. July’s full moon is called the Thunder Moon because of its timing with frequent summer thunderstorms.

It’s also known as the Buck Moon, because of its alignment with the growth spurts of male deer whose antlers are in full velvet.

This moon can bring us growth, strength, and powerful transformation.

So much around us is really heavy right now. We feel it. We see it. Our hearts are breaking with each day. We look for answers, none are really there, and the heartache continues.

Several years ago, I began to live in such a way as to notice and appreciate the more natural and real “calendar” and embrace our seasons, because everything revolves around our trips circling the sun. I don’t get it exactly right, because I’m not at all a fan of Winter. My all-time favorite is Fall with its meaning and moons being so beautiful. I still work to notice a lot in the midst though.

To notice, honor, and respect our Earth as it turns can be transformative.

Look for this moon this week, and notice the effects on nature around us, and on yourself – as you reflect on your own strengths, growth, and daily transformation. 💕

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The “Strawberry Moon.”

“You could smell ripe strawberries before you saw them, the fragrance mingling with the smell of sun on damp ground. It was the smell of June, the last day of school, when we were set free, and the Strawberry Moon, ode’mini-giizis.”

― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants

The full moon that takes place in June is known as the “Strawberry Moon.” This name originates from the Algonquin tribes of North America, who would harvest wild strawberries during this period.  In 2025, the Strawberry Moon will come to us on June 11.

The Strawberry Moon invites us to concentrate on the abundance present in our lives, both in material and spiritual aspects. This is a moment to celebrate the rewards of our hard work and to acknowledge the generosity of the earth.

The deep bond with nature, especially during the summer solstice, (Fri, Jun 20, 2025) makes the Strawberry Moon an ideal opportunity to engage with the natural world and tap into its energy.

During this Full Strawberry Moon, you might experience an increased sense of responsibility and productivity regarding your goals, aspirations, and overall life journey. The surge of Capricorn energy will assist you in remaining grounded and focused, enabling you to take practical steps toward realizing your objectives.

Do I ever understand that.  We planted our garden this year, and I have been extremely impatient.  Bordering on obsession. I read up on gardening, watch videos, pretty sure I need to rip it all out and start again – on and on. I have been gardening in one way or another for over 30 years. I ask myself everyday what is wrong with me? I don’t really want that answer on the whole, just about my garden.

 I had been following an account on a social media platform for years.  She had the most beautiful garden.  It was planned to perfection.  She has archways, and nooks, and a place to sit right in the middle.  I watched her so intently over our cold long winter, and I kind of think that is the problem.  Because I came to find out what she was presenting was not her.  She had a Company come in and plant her garden.  She had people come on the daily to maintain it. She only picked what was photogenic. All of it was real, but none of it was her. When she confessed to this all I could do was laugh.  I was comparing myself to her, and it was stealing from me the simple joy of one red strawberry that I watched grow.  It occurred to be that Strawberries are considered a symbol of abundance and prosperity associated with peace, tranquility, and harmony.

Let this Moon show you all that you have, teach you the abundance of this life as she shines. 

Peace.

Cath