The Full Moon on December 15th will feature a rare event—a "major lunar standstill." This occurs once every 18.6 years, with the Moon rising and setting at its extreme northerly points on the horizon. It's a fascinating phenomenon, with the Moon reaching a height on the eastern horizon higher than the Sun ever can.
There are also three meteor showers to look out for! The Geminid Meteor Shower is linked to Finnbenach, the Connacht Bull, whose battle with the Ulster Bull is said to have sparked these celestial events. The Ursids Meteor Shower, connected to the northern Dragon Draco, shines around the Winter Solstice, with sparks coming from its belly. Finally, the Sigma Hydrids Meteor Shower, peaking on December 13–14, is named after the constellation Hydra (Crom).
On the 22nd of December the true midnight Geimhreadh event occurs at 00:23, looking due south. This marks the heart of winter, the longest night and shortest day, after which the days begin to lengthen. Prominent stars like Orion (Dagda in Irish mythology) dominate the sky, with Betelgeuse (the giant's shoulder) and Saiph (the sword of the giant) forming a near-perfect vertical line. The Shoe-Buckle Cluster (M35), visible to the naked eye, is seen as a portal. Dagda, the Irish "good god" and chief of the Tuatha Dé Danann, is linked to the great hunter Orion, symbolizing the wild boars represented by Gemini and Taurus in the Milky Way. While we’re not hosting a public Winter Solstice event this year, this celestial alignment of stars offers a powerful moment to reflect on the cycle of the seasons and our connection to the cosmos.
Want to learn more about these celestial events and be part of the magic? Read the full newsletter for all the details here
There are also three meteor showers to look out for! The Geminid Meteor Shower is linked to Finnbenach, the Connacht Bull, whose battle with the Ulster Bull is said to have sparked these celestial events. The Ursids Meteor Shower, connected to the northern Dragon Draco, shines around the Winter Solstice, with sparks coming from its belly. Finally, the Sigma Hydrids Meteor Shower, peaking on December 13–14, is named after the constellation Hydra (Crom).
On the 22nd of December the true midnight Geimhreadh event occurs at 00:23, looking due south. This marks the heart of winter, the longest night and shortest day, after which the days begin to lengthen. Prominent stars like Orion (Dagda in Irish mythology) dominate the sky, with Betelgeuse (the giant's shoulder) and Saiph (the sword of the giant) forming a near-perfect vertical line. The Shoe-Buckle Cluster (M35), visible to the naked eye, is seen as a portal. Dagda, the Irish "good god" and chief of the Tuatha Dé Danann, is linked to the great hunter Orion, symbolizing the wild boars represented by Gemini and Taurus in the Milky Way. While we’re not hosting a public Winter Solstice event this year, this celestial alignment of stars offers a powerful moment to reflect on the cycle of the seasons and our connection to the cosmos.
Want to learn more about these celestial events and be part of the magic? Read the full newsletter for all the details here
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