Black Moon

A black moon is the name given to a second moon that occurs within a single calendar month.

This month sees such a rare occurrence. The year kicked off with a New Moon on 1 January, symbolising a fresh start at the beginning of the year. The second New Moon follows on 30 January.   

Year of the Horse

Welcome in the Chinese New Year on 31 January, the Year of the Horse. 

The main celebrations in London's Chinatown take place on Sunday 2 February, with a parade, food stalls and live performances, including the traditional lion dance. 

Kung Hei Fat Choi! (Happy New Year) 

Happy Halloween

Global Oneness Day

Global Oneness Day is on 24 October. 

This annual event was created to recognise and celebrate the fundamental interconnection between all people and all of life. 

Global Oneness Day brings together dozens of passionate speakers to share their inspirations and insight with others on the subject of collective consciousness.

http://www.globaloneness2013.org/

Peace One Day

Peace One Day was established by Jeremy Gilley, and takes place on 21 September. Millions of people will celebrate the day around the world. 
peaceoneday.org/

St Swithin's Day

According to British folklore, the weather on St Swithin's Day - 15 July -  is an indicator of the weather pattern for the next 40 days. 

"St Swithin's Day if it dost rain, for forty days it will remain.

"St Swithin's Day if it be fair, for forty days 'twill rain no mair."

Swithin (sometimes spelt Swithun) was a Saxon Bishop of Winchester and legend has it that as he lay on his deathbed, he asked to be buried outdoors, at one with nature. For nine years, his wishes were followed, but then, in 971, the monks of Winchester decided to build the saint a shrine inside the cathedral. Heavy rain storms on 15 July hindered attempts to remove his remains indoors, and this was taken to be a sign of St Swithin’s displeasure at the move.

Summer Solstice at Stonehenge

This ancient stone circle was built as a place of worship, and the Summer Solstice has been celebrated at the site since prehistoric times.

Further details about arrangements for the solstice can be found on the English Heritage website. 

Sunrise on the summer solstice is at 4.25am. Stonehenge closes at 8am that morning.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/summer-solstice/

Annular Solar Eclipse

The annular solar eclipse of May 10 will be visible in certain parts of Australia and the islands of the Southern Pacific Ocean.

For all those outside these areas, it is possible to  watch the solar eclipse live on Space.com, via the online Slooh Space Camera, beginning at 5:30 p.m. EDT.

Earth Day

Millions of people around the world will take part in the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day on April 22.

This year’s theme is The Face of Climate Change. Participants can add their own photo to a mosaic of images of people, animals, and places directly affected by climate change. An interactive display of these images will be shown at events around the world, and will also be available to view online.

Follow the campaign on social media using the hashtag #faceofclimate

http://www.earthday.org/2013/index.php

 

EU ban on animal testing for cosmetics

The European Union is banning the sale of new cosmetic products containing ingredients tested on animals. The European Commission has ordered the ban to take effect immediately, in a move which has been welcomed by animal rights groups.

The ban on cosmetics containing animal-tested ingredients was first agreed some years ago, but originally left loopholes for certain tests to continue.

Interntational Women's Day

International Women's Day is on Friday 8 March - celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, International Women's Day is a national holiday.

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Pancake Day

Pancake Day is a chance to use up foods that aren't allowed in Lent, (a period of abstinence) such as butter and eggs, which are among the ingredients of pancakes.

It is also known as Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent, a Christian festival leading up to Easter Sunday.

Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies from year to year, this year it is Tuesday 12 February.

The word Shrove comes from the old verb "shrive" meaning to confess. In the Middle Ages, people used to confess their sins and obtain forgiveness on Shrove Tuesday.

Wear Red Day

	National Wear Red Day raises awareness about heart disease. Today kicks off February’s Heart Health Awareness Month, a reminder that both women and men need to be aware of the dangers of heart disease. www.Heart.org.

Chinese New year

Chinese New Year will be the Year of the Snake, ushering out the Year of the Dragon. The New Year for 2013 falls on 10 February. Also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, it falls at the time of the first new moon of the year.  
 

Love Your Local Library

 National Libraries Day will be celebrated in schools, colleges, universities, workplaces and public libraries across the UK on Saturday 9 February.

 You can join in the discussion about the future of libraries by tweeting using the hashtag #NLD13 or by contributing to the National Libraries Day Community forum.

http://www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/


 

21 December 2012 Maya you all live long and prosper

Geminid Meteor Shower

The Geminids generally make for the biggest and best meteor shower of the year, and this year the absence of moon at the peak of the display on 12/13 December, should help with viewing conditions.

http://www.meteorwatch.org/

Festival of Chocolate

How much do you know about chocolate? Test out your knowledge here:

http://www.festivalchocolate.co.uk/chocquiz/

The Chocolate Festival will be held at London's Southbank Centre Square, from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 December. Make your own chocolate creations at a free workshop, try a bowl of Southern chocolate chili, or find out how cocoa butter is used in beauty products. Free admission, open from 11am-8pm Friday and Saturday, 11am-6pm Sunday.

Bonfire Night

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was a memorable failure. The plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament, along with King James I, was foiled when Guy Fawkes was caught red-handed in the cellar with several barrels of gunpowder, and sentenced to death.

Although he was only one of the conspirators involved, he had the misfortune to become the fall guy, and the anniversary of his arrest is still celebrated on 5 November, known as Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night, and commemorated in the rhyme:
 

“Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot:

I see no reason why the Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot...”

The tradition of burning a straw effigy or "Guy" on top of a bonfire is still going strong.  

Firework displays are held on 5 November and the closest weekend to that date, which this year falls on 3-4 November. 

Chocolate Week

Chocolate Week runs from 7-14 October

How to spot good chocolate? Some tips: 

Ideally chocolate should contain a minimum cocoa content of 60%+ for dark and 30%+ for milk.

 It should be evenly coloured with no cracks or air pockets, streaks or sugar bloom.

The chocolate should smell good as you unwrap it with a complex fragrance. It should be sweetly fragrant but not overpowering.

It should feel silky and not sticky and should just begin to yield to the warmth of your finger.

The texture should be smooth and buttery, gently dissolving into a creamy liquid filling the mouth with its complexity of flavours.

Essentially chocolate is going to be bittersweet, fruity and spicy with a good balance of acidity and should be subtle rather than overpowering.

A should have a clean aftertaste and no residue; and certainly not be overpoweringly sweet.

Guidelines from food writer Sara Jayne Stanes author of 'Chocolate – the Definitive Guide' and  Chairman of the Academy of Chocolate.

http://www.chocolateweek.co.uk/