UPDATE (Oct. 11, 2021): Jim Maynard didn't release a 2021 PDF version of the Celestial Influences calendar, as we originally hoped, but I'm so happy he is enjoying his retirement. I had thought someone would have purchased the rights to reprint, but alas. I'm updating this post with alternatives that have worked for me as a replacement to his calendar. UPDATE (May 14, 2020): I just heard from Jim Maynard that the lower calendar pages have been made available as downloadable PDFs for both Eastern and Pacific Times for the remainder of 2020. I’ve been using Jim Maynard's Celestial Influences calendars for years and he’s retiring after 46 years of making this amazing calendar. Quicksilver Productions (what he publishes under) says that they are trying to find a publisher to take over the calendar for 2021! I really hope they can find someone who can do as good a job as they have. When I first found out that there wasn't going to be a 2020 release, I went in search of another astro calendar. I thought this would be easy, but as it turns out, it wasn't because Maynard's calendar was an extraordinary and reliable resource. After some time and research, I have purchased & used a few astrology-specific planners and moon calendars. Here are my thoughts on them, and in order of preference. (This post has been updated to add my 2021 reflections.) 1. Llewellyn's Daily Planetary Guide: (UPDATE 10/11/21: This is still my top pick.) If I had to pick just one of these astro calendars to buy, it would be this datebook. It isn’t ideal, it's 4/5 stars for me, but it is complete with all the planetary aspects and ingress times that a professional astrologer needs. (It has all of the planetary aspects listed in the weekly section in both EST and PST.) I like that it lists the sign with the aspects too. It’s very helpful when I can’t remember which sign a planet is in, particularly the fast moving ones. The ephemeris in the back even includes the asteroid goddesses and Chiron. Love that! I also like that it includes a blank horoscope chart in the back.
It also includes info on the Cazimi Moon times, Mercury retrograde shadow/storm notes, and opportunity periods related to void-of-course moons, (opportunity times are boxed, which is visually helpful.) However, the whole planner has a rather dull aesthetic on low quality paper and it doesn’t have a month-at-a-glance calendar, which I like in other datebooks (I do have the Astrocal Moon wall calendar (PST) nearby, which works for me). It’s inexpensive at $13, and it shows! If they upgraded the paper quality and design, and added a metal spiral binding, I would pay more for it. It has so much potential to be the best astro calendar/planner if Llewellyn stepped it up just a little. It is still a great astrology guide for the beginner and professional astrologer alike! It includes all the information one needs. There are weekly forecasts for the year, articles reflecting major cosmic events and how to find your opportunity days. There's an in-depth introduction about the building blocks of astrology with info on planets, signs, houses, etc. It also has charts for retrograde planets and planetary phenomena for the year, and a page with the list of New & Full Moons, as well as eclipses. Even though it's not the prettiest datebook out there, its simple design could be seen as minimalist and practical. It has all the information I need listed for Pacific time, which is more important to me than I realized. For reference, it’s about the same size as the We’Moon and Celestial Influences planners (5.5" x 8").
31 Comments
I'm excited to be presenting again at the NW Tarot Symposium 2020. This time on the Lenormand's Grand Tableau, the queen of the Lenormand layouts. The class, Keep it Simple Sibyl, K.I.S.S. Tips & Tricks to Flow through the Grand Tableau, is Sunday March 9th at 9:00am. I will also have a vending table at the Vendor's Bazaar where I'll be selling my decks all weekend. Looking forward to year 6!!
In my Instagram post, I shared a collage piece for a card from my upcoming Magical Child Oracle. This card will be called Guiding Light. It's not quite finished, but I wanted to share it as it has that December Cold Moon vibe. I still have to put the antennae on the moth, but as you can see, she has an attraction to the moon's light. It's moth moon magic!
I'll be posting more photos from the Magical Child Oracle soon. I ordered some sample cards from a printer because I want to see how these collages translate to card form. May you have a peaceful Full Moon evening.
|
|