the sun, moon and stars

Alissa claims that the God in Heaven and all of the rituals of the Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – are based on the sun worship of early civilizations, and none more so than Babylonian astrology.

"The Babylonians c. 2300 BC developed the 360 degree circle and our 24 hour day to honor the sun's perceived path in the sky,” says Alissa, “and they also developed the seven day week honoring not only the sun but also the moon and the five visible planets.”

“They also gave us astrology and the belief that the sign of Leo, governed by the sun, is the most powerful sign to be born under,” says Alissa, “but, curiously, the Jews, who had strong Babylonian ties, choose Saturday, Saturn's day, as their sabbath rather than Sunday, the sun's day."

"Maybe that's because the Christians usurped the day just like everything else," laughs Alissa, "or maybe Abraham's children stuck to Saturn, their old sun god."

"It is no coincidence, either, that the dates for both Hanukkah and Christ’s birth were chosen to coincide with ancient Winter Solstice celebrations which predate both religions and have deeper spiritual meanings."

“Just like the Christians managed to convince so many sun-worshippers to celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th - the Roman calendar's Winter Solstice,” says Alissa, “the Jews managed to convince just as many sun-worshippers to celebrate the Jewish Hanukkah at the Winter Solstice.”

“Representing the menorah with oil for one day that miraculously kept light for eight days after the rebuilding of the Temple,” explains Alissa, “the Hanukkah festival of lights takes place at the precise time that the sun's light lengthens."

Read more by Alissa on this issue:

sun worship

sun gods and virgins

inventing sun gods

nightmares and nightlights

harnessing the sun

the universal fear of death

a fishy story

the moon and me

Leonora is 42, a single stay at home mom and when she's not looking for work or dating some guy she busies herself with gardening and astrology.

Savvy gardeners like Leonora know that seeds planted shortly after the new moon in a fertile sign will flourish, and she says it's the same formula with every new enterprise but most particularly romance.

Leonora, like most single moms, would love to meet a nice guy and get married, and she’s turning to the moon in order to sow the seeds of romance at the right time.

"The full moon may look romantic," says Leonora, "but many a romance started when the moon is full or waning will be over before any rings are exchanged or vows made. If it's a fling you want, then the two weeks between a full moon and a new moon is the best time to get out there and do some seducing, but if it's commitment you want then lock yourself up during this period and plan to meet the love of your life during the two weeks between the new moon and the full moon."

"It's the same formula," she says, "if you're already in a relationship. If you want to move in a certain direction with your guy - try something new, pop the question, move in together, try for a baby, refurbish your love nest, whatever - then the best time to do it is during the two weeks when the moon is waxing between the new moon and the full moon."

"Conversely," says Leonora, "you can use the moon's phases to great advantage when ending a relationship."

According to Leonora, your chances of making a clean break and helping your partner cope with relationship loss are far greater if you make the announcement in the two weeks between the full moon and the new moon. A few days after the full moon would be the most appropriate time.

But hold on, that's not all!

Leonora says that you need to know about the sign that the moon is in to make absolutely sure that whatever you have planned is going to be successful.

Leonora says that some signs are fertile, some are not.

She says that the two most fertile elements are Earth and Water, corresponding to the female designated earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn and the water Signs Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio.

"A new moon occurs when the Sun and the Moon are conjunct - together in the same sign - so you don't have to know anything about astrology or use a complicated ephemeris to work out when the most fertile new moons occur," explains Leonora. "Any new moon occurring during the following dates in any year is going to be fertile and therefore is the most favorable new moon to start a new romance or renew passion in your existing relationship."

21 April to 21 May (Taurus)
22 June to 23 July (Cancer)
24 August to 23 September (Virgo)
24 October to 22 November (Scorpio)
23 December to 20 January (Capricorn)
20 February to 20 March (Pisces)

So, if you're wondering why some romances lasted a lot longer than others - or why you fell in love with the person you did, and still love them - Leonora suggests checking out whether you met just after a new moon during any of the above periods.

Conversely, when you want to end a relationship, to get rid of someone from your life forever, Leonora says that the very best time to do it is after the full moon in the barren elements of air and fire, corresponding to the male designated air signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius and the fire signs Leo, Aries and Sagittarius.

22 May to 21 June (Gemini)
24 July to 23 August (Leo)
24 September to 23 October (Libra)
23 November to 22 December (Sagittarius)
21 January to 19 February (Aquarius)
21 March to 20 April (Aries)

So, if you're still hankering after a lost love, Leonora suggests that it's quite possible that the relationship ended at the wrong time - in which case you need to do a closure exercise at the appropriate time. And, if you’re wondering why you're unlucky in love then Leonora suggests that you’ve probably been looking for love not only at the wrong time of the year but also during the wrong phase of the moon - in which case you have nothing to lose by trying her system.

Is it working for her?

Leonora smiles and says she’s waiting for the right moon time to accept a date from a guy who has lots of potential.

When asked whether the moon’s phases can be applied to job hunting, Leonora explains that the moon governs emotions not practicalities.

“Yes, I am more interested in finding a husband than finding a job,” admits Leonora, “but that is only to be expected because despite my leonine name I am actually a Cancerian earth mother ruled by the moon!”