Green Witch Apothecary

02/26/2026

It’s happening — and you only have a few days to catch it. 🌌✨
On February 28, the sky will host a rare planetary parade, with Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all above the horizon during the same evening.

They won’t form a perfect straight line, but they’ll stretch across the sky in a wide arc after sunset. The brightest ones — Venus, Jupiter, and Mars will shine clearly to the naked eye. Saturn and Mercury may be a bit lower and trickier, while Uranus and Neptune will need binoculars or a small telescope.

All you need is a clear view of the horizon and a dark spot away from city lights. Step outside shortly after sunset, give your eyes time to adjust, and look up.

Moments like this don’t come often. The next time we see this many planets sharing the sky in one evening, it’ll be more than a decade from now.

One solar system. One sky. One unforgettable night. 🌠

02/17/2026

The Lunar New Year starts today, February 17, and ushers in the Year of the Horse! More specifically, it’s the year of the Fire Horse, which only happens every 60 years! 🔥🐴

The Chinese calendar, which underpins the Lunar New Year, is a lunisolar calendar based on astronomical observations of the Sun’s position in the sky, and also the Moon’s phases. The Chinese lunisolar calendar shares some similarities with the Hebrew calendar, which is also lunisolar, and has influenced other East Asian calendars, such as those of Korea and Vietnam.

Because the Chinese calendar defines the lunar month containing the winter solstice as the 11th month, the Lunar New Year usually falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. This means that the first day of the Lunar New Year can occur anytime between January 21 and February 20.

(Note: Due to the difference in time zones, the new Moon may technically occur one calendar day earlier or later in the United States)

As with many winter solstice celebrations, the symbolic darkness of night is banished by the light of fireworks, lanterns, and candles. Man-made paper lanterns are hung by the hundreds in public areas, bringing good luck to the new year.

See what the Year of the Horse means for YOU and your zodiac sign at Almanac.com/content/chinese-new-year-chinese-zodiac

02/12/2026

Mark your calendars: March 3 is the night of the Red Moon!

Look up! A breathtaking Total Lunar Eclipse is set to transform our bright white moon into a glowing copper “Blood Moon” for nearly a full hour.

For 58 minutes of totality, the Moon will shine in a ghostly red hue. Why? During totality, the only sunlight reaching the Moon passes through Earth’s atmosphere first—scattering blue light and leaving behind rich red tones. It’s as if every sunrise and sunset on Earth is lighting up the Moon all at once. 🌅🌍

📅 Date: March 3
🌑 Event: Total Lunar Eclipse
⏳ Totality: 58 Minutes
🌎 Best Views: The Americas, the Pacific, East Asia, and Australia

Charge your cameras, grab a blanket, and find a clear view of the sky—this is one you won’t want to miss! 🌙✨

02/12/2026

🌞🔥 Ring of Fire Eclipse — February 17 🔥🌞

On February 17, a rare “Ring of Fire” annular solar eclipse will light up the skies — but it won’t be visible from North America.

This stunning celestial event will take place over Antarctica and the surrounding southern oceans, where the moon will pass in front of the sun without completely covering it, leaving a glowing ring of sunlight around the edges. 🌑✨

While we won’t see the full effect here, it’s still an incredible reminder of the dynamic, ever-changing sky above us. 🌍☀️

📅 Date: February 17
🌎 Best viewing: Antarctica & southern oceans

02/06/2026

🌌 Aurora Alert! The Northern Lights might dancing across the skies on February 5 - 6.
✨ Visible in northern regions but even in some mid-latitudes!
✨ Find a dark, clear spot away from city lights for the best view.
Nature’s putting on one of its rarest cosmic shows!

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

We are officially halfway through

02/02/2026

What is Imbolc and Who is Brigid?
by Peach Ingridsdotter

Imbolc is The Beginning of the End… of Winter.

Imbolc - like all sabbats on the Wheel of the Year - celebrates our terrestrial relationship to the sun, the element of fire, and our position in the annual cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This quiet, cross-quarter holiday takes place at the midway point between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox (Ostara). It has long been recognized as the beginning of the end of winter, marked by the first perceptible elongation of daylight.

Imbolc is the time of year our agrarian ancestors would be seeing the first signs of new life, signaling that the barrenness of winter and the dependance on what’s been stored away is nearly over. It is a time of awakening, of the first, deep rustlings of rebirth, and the soft light that bends around the planet before the sun climbs over the horizon into view.

The etymology of the word Imbolc is debated, but the most common explanation is that it comes from a similar Old Irish word meaning “in the belly” which most likely refers to the pregnancy of ewes this time of year, as the promise of new life is a major theme of Imbolc. For ancient peoples, the first full udders of the year meant the first fresh food in months! It’s the time of the year associated with gestation and birth, and the time to honor the fertility goddess Brigid in her Maiden form.

Imbolc is traditionally the great festival and honoring of Brigid (Brighid, Bride, Brigit), so loved as a pagan Goddess that her worship was woven into the Christian church as St Bridget. She is a Goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft. She is a Goddess of Fire, of the Sun and of the Hearth. She brings fertility to the land and its people and is closely connected to midwives and new-born babies. She is the Triple Goddess, but at Imbolc she is in her Maiden aspect.

Imbolc Symbols
Colors: White, Red, Pink, Black
Foods: Baked goods, winter vegetables, seeds, dried fruit, butter, milk, cheese, lamb
Stones: Amethyst, bloodstone, garnet, onyx, ruby, turquoise
Symbols: candles, cauldron, chalice, cow, sheep, swan
Flowers & Plants: Snowdrops, angelica, basil, bay laurel, celandine
Deities: Brighid (Bride), Aphrodite, Eros, Hestia

02/02/2026

The Chinese calendar and Lunar New Year

The Chinese Zodiac features a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal in a fixed order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig, with elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) adding further complexity. For example, 2024 was the Wood Dragon, 2025 is the Wood Snake, and 2026 will be the Fire Horse, repeating these animals every 12 years.

In China, the familiar Gregorian calendar is used for day-to-day life. But Chinese calendar dates continue to be used to mark traditional holidays such as the new year and the fall moon festival. And then Chinese astrology uses the lunar calendar to determine favorable dates for weddings and other special events.

In other words, the Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, a combination of solar and lunar calendars. Also, there are several different symbolic cycles within the calendar, used in Chinese astrology. The Chinese calendar is an intricate and complex measure of time.

The Chinese calendar is based on a lunar cycle

01/30/2026

February’s full moon arrives on the first day of the month, bringing a bright glow to the winter sky. Known traditionally as the Snow Moon, this name comes from the heavy snowfalls that typically blanket the land during this time.

Ancient cultures also called it the Hunger Moon or Bone Moon because hunting and gathering became difficult in the deep cold.

Astrologically, this moon sits in the sign of Leo. While winter feels slow, Leo energy brings a spark of fire. This creates a moment for self-expression and personal pride. It encourages individuals to embrace their inner strength and let their unique light shine, even when the world feels dark.

This is a time to release old doubts and reclaim your voice. Instead of hiding, look for ways to celebrate your authentic self. Use this evening to reflect on your goals and find the courage to move forward with heart.