Wolf Moon   

    There are 2 reasons the moon in January is named for the wolf. For one thing, it occurs during the time of year when the predator's food supply is at it's lowest, and brings the wolves into the villages in search of food. The other reason deals with family and together-ness. Wolves live in packs, and like humans, they keep the same families for life. They depend on their families not only for love, wisdom and moral support, they depend on their families for their lives. Wolves which do not have families, usually just pine away and cease to exist.

    As the Wolf Moon, rises in the sky, remember the lesson from the predator of the same name. Spend quality time with your family. Remember that you are who you are because of your family, because of what they've given you. Thank them, and show your love and appreciation. Give your support when needed. Don't forget that the Gods are family, too. A few words of thanks in Their direction will go far in the coming year

Things to Do for the Wolf Moon:

• Wear shades of burgundy or rose as symbol of family love and togetherness.
• Decorate the altar with photos of family and friends, mementos of special occasions.  Place apples on your altar as well.
• Use rose-colored or burgundy candles and burn Full Moon incense, or burn pine incense.
• Asperge the Circle with a pine branch to symbolize eternal life and growth.
• Serve sugar cookies and apple juice for libation.
• Spend some time in Circle working on family issues.  To mend a rift with a family member or friend, for example, visualize a pink heart.  Remove the lower right hand quarter in your mind's eye.  Holding the image, superimpose the heart on a visualization of the person in question.  Then chant:
                      Remove all doubt - remove this rift
                      Open this heart that's been adrift
                      Open now and let me in
                      And let us never part again.
• This is a good time to secure an already goof family relationship.  But how? Try making a family apple wreath.
  Start by blessing the apples on your altar (you'll need about six) by saying:
                      Apples of love, plucked from the tree
                      Secure our family harmony
                      Bind it fast and make it true
                      Do it now what I ask of you.
  Then slice the apples crosswise to reveal the core and seed the pentagrams.  Place the slices on a cookie sheet, sprinkle them generously with cinnamon, and place in a preheated 150° oven for 2 hours. While the slices are baking, cut the hook from a wire coat hanger and fashion a circle from it.  When the slices are cool, string them onto the wire and secure the ends by twisting them together.  Add a bow if desired.  Hang the finished wreath in a prominent place in your home.