Seo Wulf-mona

The Wolf-moon Tonight, given that the weather forecast is cloudy and rainy, there is a slim chance that you might be able see the full beauty of the January full moon, also known as the ‘Wolf moon’ or ‘Old moon’. The Northwest of England has several dark sky discovery sites in and around it, theseContinue reading “Seo Wulf-mona”

The Witches’ Seat

(Part of the Unnatural Histories series) In the Old Days, when the world was infinitely vaster and more terrifying, and eldritch beings were thought to fly about their business on the blackest of nights, many precautions were taken to ensure that home and family were protected from such unknown evils. Hearts were crossed, rosary beadsContinue reading “The Witches’ Seat”

The Sky in September

The next few days are very eventful for observers of the sky and its many machinations, to begin with early tomorrow morning (Wed the 18th of September as of writing) a partial eclipse of the moon may be visible from the British Isles. The eclipse will occur from 1.41am to 5.47am with the best time to observeContinue reading “The Sky in September”

The Hebrew Character Moth, and a few notes about moth migration

Appearance The Hebrew Character, Orthosia gothica, is a member of the Noctuidae family and named after the prominent mark on each of its wings which resembles the character ‘nun’ in the Hebrew alphabet or the form of a gothic arch (hence the scientific name gothica). It is a medium sized moth about 3.5cm long withContinue reading “The Hebrew Character Moth, and a few notes about moth migration”

The March, or ‘Worm’ Moon

The March full moon occurs this year on Friday the 14th, here are some facts about the astrological phenomenon of full moons and how often they happen. Syzygy Syzygy is a real scientific term believe it or not and is pronounced “siz-a-gee”, and it’s worth 21 points in Scrabble, it’s an astronomical position that isContinue reading “The March, or ‘Worm’ Moon”

The Poacher’s Moon

A full moon when snow is sitting on the ground is what poachers, keepers and bomber pilots dream of. When there are no leaves on the trees and a bright sky roosting Pheasants are plain to see in the tree canopy, and very easy for poachers to pick off with an air rifle or catapult,Continue reading “The Poacher’s Moon”

“Ring Around The Moon Means Rain Soon”

If you look up to the sky tonight you cannot help but notice a large ring of light around the moon, this is known by meteorologists as a 22º halo, this is because the radius of the halo is always approximately 22 degrees. An old saying has it that a “ring around the moon meansContinue reading ““Ring Around The Moon Means Rain Soon””

The Woodcock Moon

Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola, (scolopax being the genus name and rusticola coming from the latin words rusticus, meaning ‘rural’ and colere ‘to live’,) are arriving by the tens of thousands in the British isles at the moment, by the light of the full moon. The ‘Woodcock moon’ as it is called is traditionally the last fullContinue reading “The Woodcock Moon”