New Ivy Moon

This is a curious moon - it rose here in the UK at 1.11am today 1 October, yet in the US, it's what they call a Black Moon (the second new moon in a calendar month) rising on 30 September. We here in the UK and Europe, don't get our Black Moon till 30 October - just before Hallowe'en/Samhain.

So here, on the first day of a new month, I created this, to celebrate the Ivy Moon (Gort, the 11th consonant of the Ogham alphabet); its symbols of fidelity, fertility, healing and protection are why it's traditionally included in a bride's bouquet. Also, it's a persistent plant, thriving where others fail...



Left-hand page


This is the 'busy' side... so many images 'fought' to be included... In the bottom right corner is a page from an old We'Moon diary with the image 'The Power Within' by Alli MacC (2006) and these words:
Release
afraid to move forward
hesitating in indecisiveness
back and forth
                back and forth
back and forth

until one morning
she wrapped herself
in purple silk
put roses in her hair
and shouted, 'YES!'
to the sky

~Tara Maher (2007)~

I confess I'm more likely to wrap myself in purple cashmere, and whisper to the sky, but I identify with the poet's feelings.

Right-hand page


Now, this page is all about the space, and that arresting woman's gaze (another gorgeous Toast model)... The image top right is another We'Moon diary page called 'She Carries the Moon' by Kathryn Trenshaw (1993).

This moonboard took a while to come together, but now it has, its 'rightness' is palpable...

And I must show you this month's image from my Wendy Andrew calendar...


... these words are underneath the calendar section:

She is just too perfect!


6 comments:

  1. I love that painting by Wendy Andrew (and thank you for the link, I had never heard of her before. I love her style and especially all the paintings of hares). And what beautiful blogs you have! And your new home seems like paradise! (I have such a soft spot for English villages...) And the trees around your home, wonderful, especially the magnificent weeping willows (I think?). I´m glad I found my way here.:)
    (Oh, I almost forgot, I also wanted to say how much I love the idea of a Book of Comfort!)

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    1. Thank you so much for this, Hilja, so lovely to see you here :)

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  2. So lovely...

    And new Moon facts, which I didn't know before.

    Like, that The Dark of the Moon, (over here across the Pond), was the second new moon in a calendar month. I have only knows of the term Blue Moon, which refers to second Full Moon, etc. Thank you for the new knowledge!

    And Thank you!!! for the link to the beautiful Wendy Andrew calendar! The Oct. page you have, is wonderful.

    Luna Crone

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    1. I'd not heard of a Black Moon either till I saw it mentioned on Facebook... So much to learn on the internet :) x

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  3. Claire, I love that painting....and the quote which accompanies it...perfect. I'm off to now learn more about Wendy Andrews. :) Thank you!

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  4. Lovely board Claire. Yours always inspire me so much. Hugs my friend.

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