December 2024
Start of Summer
Wheel & Cross is proud to publish this monthly Almanac at the start of each month. It was created to observe and understand the cycle of seasons as they occur in the Australian Capital Region, through the lens of European agricultural knowledge and publicly available and openly shared knowledge of the traditional custodians of ‘Capital Country’, the Ngunnawal.
I acknowledge that the Ngambri people also claim custodianship of these lands. Unfortunately, I do not have any knowledge about Ngambri cultural information regarding language, connection to Country or seasonal customs. This means I am not able to share anything relating to Ngambri culture but I am always keen to learn.
I pay my respects to all First Nations Elders, past and present and to all First Nations peoples from around Australia and the Torres Strait Islands who are the proud custodians of this Country we all love.
Contents
Ngunnawal season
Weather and Climate
November weather summary
Long-range forecast
November forecast
Natural emergencies
Star Gazing and Star Lore
Moon phases
Visible planets, meteors and solar movements
Western and First Nations ‘star lore’
Nature and Environment
Useful weeds
Native flora
Native fauna
In Season - seasonal crops, flowers and food
Important Dates
21 December - Summer Solstice
24 December - Christmas Eve
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - Boxing Day
Ngunnawal Season
Sources: Tyronne Bell, Ngunnawal Elder, Thunderstone Cultural Aboriginal Services
The Australian Capital Region is part of the Southern Tablelands. It features a cool temperate climate with warm to hot and dry summers and cold winters with heavy frosts and radiation fog. December marks the second month of the Ngunnawal season of Winyuwangga. Native edible grass, rush and wattle seeds are abundant during Winyuwangga. December is the peak season for Bogong moths and Bogong moth gatherings and ceremonies, see the November edition for more information. The risk of wildfires increases due to rising temperatures and dry weather causing plant life and soils to dry out.
Before colonisation, the Australian Capital Region was less arid and contained less scrubland or open, denuded and degraded grasslands. Firestick management practices (cultural burning) shaped the local landscape for thousands of years, which was dominated by Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) Grassy Woodlands on the higher slopes, now listed as threatened, and Natural Temperate Grasslands on lower alluvial soil plains now listed as endangered. Large swathes of dry sclerophyll forest dominated the region with areas of swampland in the low-lying regions featuring ‘chain-of-ponds’ water bodies draining into rivers with riparian Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) grasslands.
Firestick cultural practices involved close monitoring of the landscape. Cool burns were lit in carefully selected areas during the cooler months, amongst other considerations, which regenerated the land and reduced the occurrence of highly flammable scrublands. These practices were stopped across Australia, including the Australian Capital Region with the onset of colonisation. The region is now dominated by weedy scrubland and degenerated forests and woodlands with high levels of combustible material that build up without regular cool burning. This, in addition to the changing climate, has resulted in increasingly dangerous, larger and hotter fires. Firestick culture has begun to re-emerge, with interest in cultural burns growing in the region.
Weather and Climate
Sources: Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Meteorology, Timeanddate.com, Weather Spark
Weather Summary - November
Spring was much warmer than average across the country and much drier than average in the Australian Capital Region. Soil moisture was well below average in the region as was water storage volume. Streamflows were also lower than average.
The national summary for spring and November will be on the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s website from 2 December: bom.gov.au/climate/current/season/aus/summary.shtml
Max Temp - The average maximum temperature for November this year was 27.9°C, slightly warmer than the long-term average of 24.7°C but below the hottest November on record of 29.4°C in 2009. The highest maximum temperature was recorded on November 25 at 35.3°C, which was 4.6°C under the warmest maximum November temperature on record of 39.9°C on 20 November 2009.
Min Temp - The average minimum temperature for November this year was 11.7°C, warmer than the long-term average of 9.7°C and much warmer than the coldest November on record of 4.4°C in 1956. The lowest minimum temperature for the month was recorded on 2 November at 4.7°C, which was 2.9°C warmer than the coldest-ever temperature of -1.8°C on 28 November 1967.
Rainfall - It rained 4 days in November with a total of 40.6mm, well below the November average of 9.4 days and 77.8mm of rain. The wettest November on record was in 2009 with 138.2mm of rain.
Wind - Westerly winds usually change to easterlies in the afternoon and evening. However, the usual cool change may not occur due to higher than average nighttime temperatures across the country.
Long-Range Forecast
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has released its summer 2024 long-range forecast, which predicts most of the country is likely to be warmer than average with higher-than-average rainfall, especially through December. However, the Australian Capital Region and the Southern Tablelands are expected to experience temperatures within the typical summer range, although nighttime temperatures are expected to be warmer than average.
Sea Surface Temperatures remain warmer than average around the world, including Australia and especially on the east coast of Tasmania. Warm oceans increase the amount of water and energy in our atmosphere, which increases the severity of storms and rainfall events.
Increasing sea temperatures on Australia’s east coast have caused the East Australian Current to extend further south where the Tasman Sea is warming at twice the global average. It is not known how this will specifically impact weather patterns but the Australian Bureau of Meteorology is predicting one of the hottest summers on record, with extreme weather events increasing.
Every two years the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO issue a joint report called State of the Climate. The 2024 report was released last month and the findings indicate that Australia has already:
Warmed by more than 1.51 degrees and experienced more extreme heat events on both land and oceans, longer fire seasons, more intense heavy rainfall and sea level rise… with eight of the nine warmest years on record occurring since 2013. Record low sea ice and record high ocean temperatures… make weather forecasting increasingly difficult to predict. ABC News
December Forecast
The Australian Capital Region is expected to experience above average rainfall throughout December. Daytime temperatures are expected to remain average for the month. However, as with most other areas of Australia, nighttime temperatures will be much warmer than normal, increasing the chance of heatwaves. The bushfire outlook for our region indicates that there is no increased risk forecast for this season but that may change as conditions dry out in January. The risk for flash flooding and severe weather events is increased for December.
Averages for the Australian Capital Region in December are:
Maximum Temperature 27°C
Minimum Temperature 14°C
Rainfall 60.9mm
Winds 10.5km/hr
Although increased December rainfall will mitigate the risk of bushfires in our region, hot weather may dry up the landscape quickly and increase fuel loads from fast-growth conditions. Remain vigilant. The amount of rainfall in December means the risk of flash flooding is high.
Natural Emergencies - Fires, Floods, Heatwaves and Storms
Extreme heat has caused more deaths in Australia than any other natural hazard and has major impacts on nature and the environment. Ensure that plans are in place to survive extreme heat events including redundancies for power outages as extreme heat can impact the electricity grid.
The statutory Bush Fire Danger Period for Rural Fire Districts began on 1 October. Fire Permits are required throughout most of NSW including the Goulburn-Mulwaree, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy Monaro and Yass Valley regions of NSW, and in the Australian Capital Territory. Make sure you understand your fire risk, prepare your homes and properties for the fire season, have a bush fire survival plan and pay attention to Fire Danger Ratings for your area. Visit the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) and ACT Emergency Services Agency (ACT ESA) websites for more information.
Increased storm activity and higher-than-average rainfall inundation events are likely to lead to increased chances of local flooding and storm damage. Prepare your homes for the storm season, prepare flood, and storm survival plans, and pay attention to severe weather warnings. Visit the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) website for more information.
The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience and the National Emergency Management Agency have developed the Australian Warning System to “provide information and warnings during emergencies like bushfire, flood, storm, extreme heat and severe weather.” There are three warning levels:
Advice (Yellow) - An incident has started. There is no immediate danger. Stay up to date in case the situation changes.
Watch and Act (Orange) - There is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family.
Emergency Warning (Red) - An Emergency Warning is the highest level of warning. You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.
The NSW Hazards Near Me app provides access to current information and notifications from emergency services about local emergencies. Be sure to download it and set your ‘Watch Zones’.
Star Gazing and Star Lore
Sources: Weather Spark, The Lighthouse - Macquarie University, SciTech, Australian Indigenous Astronomy
Lunar Phases
A Blue New will occur on December 31st, though it won’t be visible it is the second new moon to occur in a month, rather than appearing blue as the name suggests. Visit Episode 14 - The Moon and the Wheel of Months to learn more about blue moons.
Sunday, 1st - New Moon
Monday, 9th - First Quarter Moon (waxing) - Rise 1:17pm E, Zenith 7:36pm N
Sunday, 15th - FULL MOON (Strawberry or Hay Moon)* - Rise 8:28pm NE, Zenith 12:05am N, Set 4:53am NW
Monday, 23rd - Last Quarter Moon (waning) - Rise 12:52am E, Zenith 7:00am N
Tuesday 31st - BLUE New Moon
*The names of the full moons provided here generally correspond with names used in old English agricultural calendars and similar American Almanacs, although they have been re-arranged according to their appropriate season in the southern hemisphere. See Full Moon Names for the Southern Hemisphere for more information.
Stars, Planets and Meteors
Stars appear to twinkle as their light comes from active suns in distant solar systems. Planets shine steadily in the night sky rather than twinkle as they reflect the sun’s light.
MERCURY - is lost in the glare of the sun for the first half of the month but will be visible in the western sky an hour or so before dawn in the second half of the month.
VENUS (also known as ‘The Evening Star’) - continues to glow brightly in the western sky until 10pm each night.
MARS - this red-hued planet can be observed shining in the northeast to the right of the Gemini constellation.
JUPITER - the largest planet in our solar system is at its closest approach this month and will be in opposition to the sun on 8 December. This means it will be easily visible and shining brightly throughout December. You should be able to see several of its largest moons through even a modest telescope. It will be rising in the northeastern sky as the sun sets, backdropped by the Taurus constellation.
SATURN - continues to rise in the northwestern sky just after sunset and will set in the northeast close to midnight. It will be positioned next to the waxing gibbous moon on December 8. It is currently tilted towards Earth and its rings and largest moon, Titan, are viewable with a telescope. By March 2025, its thin rings will seem to disappear as its tilt straightens relative to Earth.
METEORS - The Geminids meteor shower is one of the year’s major meteor showers, starting on 19 November and finishing on 24 December, peaking before Christmas on 13 and 14 December with up to 120 meteors per hour. The almost full waxing gibbous moon’s glare will decrease its visibility so the best time to see it is in the early morning of Saturday 14 December during the short interval between the start of dawn and the setting of the Moon. These meteors are unusual as they arise from debris associated with the rocky asteroid Phaeton, rather than from a comet. They appear to emerge close to the star Castor in the Gemini constellation.
Constellations
Gemini
Gemini is a constellation featuring two bright stars that can be seen from the start of summer in December until the end of Autumn in May. It sits above the constellations of Taurus and Orion and below the constellation of Cancer. Gemini features two bright stars known to ancient Greek astrologers as twin brothers Castor and Pollux.
In Greek mythology, Gemini was associated with the myth of Castor and Pollux, the children of Leda and Argonauts both. Pollux was the son of Zeus, who seduced Leda, while Castor was the son of Tyndareus, king of Sparta and Leda's husband. Castor and Pollux were also mythologically associated with St. Elmo's fire in their role as the protectors of sailors. When Castor died, because he was mortal, Pollux begged his father Zeus to give Castor immortality, and he did, by uniting them together in the heavens.
From Wikipedia
Even before the ancient Greeks, early Babylonian astronomers believed the two bright stars were warriors and twin brothers called Meshlamtaea (the One who has arisen from the underworld) and Lugalirra (the Mighty King). The constellation was called Mulmastabagalagal (the Great Twins). These warrior twins guarded the summer entrance to the underworld near the Crab constellation (there was also another entrance connected to the winter solstice). This entrance was used by ancestral spirits when they returned to earth to visit their family homes during the great ancestral festival celebrated on the 5th month of the Babylonian calendar. The entrance was also used by the souls of newborn babies entering the human world. The Twins guarded this entrance:
to prevent the ingress of evil demons, which are sometimes said to bring plague and disease to mankind
Source: Babylonian Star-lore (2014) by Gavin White, excerpt from skyscript.co.uk
The names of the twins can also be understood as titles of Nergal, the Babylonian god and king of the Underworld, who brought plague and pestilence during the summer months, especially around the time of the summer solstice.
According to Duane Hacher (2017), in his article Kindred skies: ancient Greeks and Aboriginal Australians saw constellations in common, these stars are also viewed as brothers by many of Australia’s First Peoples. The Wergaia of western Victoria call these brothers the hunters Yuree (the fan-tailed cockatoo) and Wanjel (the long-necked tortoise), who pursue and kill Purra, the kangaroo. While in eastern Tasmania, the Mara people view the constellation Gemini as two ancestral men who walked along the Milky Way road and created fire.
In December, Gemini will rise low on the horizon from the northeast around 1 pm and continue westward before setting in the northwest as the day breaks at 6 am. From January to March, it will begin rising in the north-east as night falls at around 10 pm before setting in the north-west around 4 pm. In April, it will rise in the north around 8 pm and set around midnight.
Other Constellations/ Star formations
Andromeda Galaxy - December is the final month to clearly see the Andromeda galaxy. It is the most distant object we can view with the naked eye, as long as you have a very dark sky and a clear view of the northern horizon.
Southern Cross - Appears very low in the southern sky.
Milky Way - Setting lower in the western sky. The bright centre of the galaxy will dip below the horizon for summer. Information about the Milk Way and First Nations ‘Dark Emu’ can be found in September’s issue.
Taurus, Orion and the Pleiades - More information in October’s issue.
Scorpius - More information in November’s issue.
Nature and the Environment
Most of the information provided about native seasonal flora and fauna is relevant to the cool climate region in Australia’s south, particularly the Australian Capital Region, and can be found in the book, ‘Ngunnawal Plant Use: A Traditional Aboriginal Plant Use Guide for the ACT region,’ and the ‘Ngunnawal Seasonal Calendar’ by Ngunawal Elder and traditional custodian, Tyronne Bell from Thunderstone Aboriginal Cultural Services.
Useful Weeds (Food/Medicine)
Common or Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) - Common or Great Mullein is also known as candlewick plant, witch’s candle, hag’s taper, velvet plant, blanket leaf, Aaron’s rod, Jacob’s staff, and old man’s flannel. It is native to Europe, northern Africa and Asia and has naturalised throughout Australia. It is bi-annual, producing low-growing florets of soft, furry leaves in its first year, before sending up a tall single or sometimes multi-branching spire that produces bright yellow flowers through summer. These flower spires can be seen throughout the region, especially along roadsides and on degenerated land, as they thrive in poor and disturbed soils. They bear prolific seeds that can remain viable for many years.
The stems and their seed pods dry out through autumn and winter. Records from ancient Roman sources indicated that these dry stems were harvested and dipped in grease by Roman soldiers to make torches or in tallow or beeswax to make tapers or candles for light and ritual use. Mullein was associated with witches from ancient Greek records through to the European Middle Ages though they were also believed to ward against curses and evil spirits.
Mullein also has a long history of medicinal use. Mullein flower infused in oil is used to treat ear aches and chilblains. The soft leaves can be used as toilet paper or burnt to produce smoke that treats croupy, asthmatic, dry and inflamed coughs. It reduces respiratory inflammation and stimulates expectoration. Its leaves can also be made into a tea that has a demulcent and soothing effect on soft tissues, as long as it’s filtered to remove any potentially irritating hairs. It is particularly effective for soothing respiratory and urinary inflammation from various respiratory illnesses and urinary tract infections.
Although Mullein is one of the safest medicinal herbs, it still might interact with medicines or may cause allergic reactions. Consult a trusted healthcare specialist before use. If you collect flowers and leaves yourself, avoid roadsides or industrial areas, as the plant can absorb heavy metals and other pollutants. While Great Mullein is common across our region, so is the twiggy or wand mullein (Verbascum virgatum), which does not have a history of medicinal use. Several Verbascum species and cultivars are commonly used in gardens and landscaping.
Flora
Hickory Wattle (Acacia implexa) - small tree, that bears pale yellow-cream coloured flowers at the start of summer with edible wattle seeds in late summer. The bark can be used to make string, rope, fish poison, and medicine. Its timber can be used to make tools such as boomerangs and digging sticks.
Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) - Black Wattle (Nummerak in Ngunnawal) has highly-scented cream-coloured flowers that bloom in the Australian Capital Region from November until the end of December. The sap or gum is edible and can also be used to make a sealant for waterproof containers by mixing it with ash. The bark was notched in Autumn by Ngunnawal people to ensure a continuous supply of gum (sap). The bark can be used to make rope and string and can also be infused in hot water as medicine for indigestion.
Black Kurrajong - The Kurrajong is a large tree bearing cream to pinky flowers from October to January. It is an important tree for the Ngunnawal people and is widely used as a source of food, fibre and water. Water is obtained from the tree roots. Young shoots can be roasted and eaten. Seeds from seed pods in late summer can be eaten raw or roasted. Jelly-like sap can be eaten. Bark can be made into string and rope for use in nets, fishing lines and dilly bags.
Cauliflower Bush (Cassinia longifolia) - The Cauliflower Bush flowers from late November to the end of summer. The shrub was important for the Ngunnawal people as its leaves were used in smoking ceremonies to cleanse ceremonial grounds and people of spirits or bad energy. Its sticky leaves were used as a bandaid and could also be eaten.
Cherry Ballart (Exocarpos cupressiformis) - The Cherry Ballart (Mummadya in Ngunnawal) is a cyprus-like tree that produces a sweet fruit that turns red when ripe, around Christmas time. The timber was used to make clubs and digging sticks while the sap was used as medicine for snake bites.
Mint Bush (Prostanthera lasianthos) - Mint Bush is also called Victorian Christmas Bush as it blooms with masses of white to pink flowers during Summer. It can grow from a 2m shrub to a 10m small tree. The leaves smell like camphor when crushed and can be used to relieve colds and chest infections.
Native Raspberry (Rubus parvifolia) - Native Raspberry often grows in areas populated by the introduced blackberry. It can be distinguished from the blackberry by its bright pink flowers, delicate lime-coloured leaves, and small red berries that ripen in December before the blackberries begin to ripen. Its sweet berries are edible.
Crimson Bottlebrushes (Callistemon citrinus) start producing bright red flowers in December and NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum), which produced masses of white flowers in October, now bear sprays of brilliant red foliage in time for Christmas.
Fauna
December is peak Bogong Moth season. See November’s post for more information.
Christmas Beetles (Anoplognathus spp.) - According to the Australian Museum, “there are more than 36 species of Christmas Beetles (family Scarabaeidae) with all but one unique (endemic) to Australia and 21 species found in New South Wales.” Christmas Beetles were once a ubiquitous sight across Australia, emerging from the soil close to the Christmas season. These often beautifully iridescent beetles, ranging from brown to bright jewel-like greens, have become increasingly hard to find, disappearing completely from some regions due to the destruction of grassy woodland habitats for housing development.
The adults generally feed on eucalyptus leaves. They prefer open woodland to forest and thrive in pastures wherever trees have been left in place. In farmland they can form dense masses on the remaining eucalypts, chomping through leaves, sometimes killing their hosts. In contrast to the adults, the larvae (grubs) feed on roots, usually of grasses. Some species are economically important pests of eucalytpus plantations while others are implicated in dieback – the decline of mature trees in landscapes like those in NSW’s New England Tableland.
Australian Museum (2023), Where have all the Christmas Beetles gone?
Christmas Beetles are often mistaken for scarab beetles, especially the invasive Argentinian Lawn Scarab, which began swarming across the region in the last week of November. Christmas Beetles are bigger than scarab beetles and have chunkier back legs.
If you think you’ve seen a Christmas Beetle or would like to identify one, the Australian Museum has developed a Xmas Beetles ID app that you can download from iOS App and Google Play stores.
The University of Sydney is asking the general public to take pictures of Christmas beetles and upload them to citizen scientist app inaturalist. The video (4:07 mins) below explains more about Christmas beetles and the Christmas Beetle Project.
In Season - Agricultural Year
Grain Harvest
Source: Grainwise.com.au
Southern region winter grain crops will continue to be harvested until January including: Barley, Canola, Cereal rye, Chickpeas, Faba beans, Field peas, Lentils, Lupins, Oats, Safflower, Triticale, Vetch, Wheat (according to type and weather).
Flowers
Sources: Meadow and Widler Farm, What Cut Flower is That
Flowers finishing this month: Andromeda (Pieris spp.), Anemone (Anemone spp.), Bearded Iris (Iris germanica), Blushing Bride (Surruria florida), Button Bush (Berzelia lanuginosa), Candytuft (Iberis semervirens), Chincherinchee/Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum spp.), Daphne (Daphne odora), Erica/Heath (Erica spp.), Featherheads (Phylica spp.), French Lavender (Lavender dentata), Freesia (Freesia hypbrids), Lilac (Syringa vulgaris), Pincushions (Scabiosa caucasica), Poppies (Papaver spp.), Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus), Snowball Tree/Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus), Sweetpea (Lathyrus odorata)
Flowers starting this month: Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), Bells of Ireland (Molucella laevis), Blazing Star (Liatris spicata), Bouvardia (Bouvardia spp.), Cock’s Comb (Celosia spp.), Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus spp.), Dahlias (Dahlia hybrids), Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), Gladioli (Gladiolus hybrids), Sea Holly (Eryngium spp.), Hollyhocks (Alcea and Alcathaea spp.), Lillies (Lily hybrids), Lisianthus (Eustoma spp.), Marigold (Tegetes erecta), Sunflower (Helianthus annus), Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)
Continuing to flower: Agapanthus (Agapanthus spp.), Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila paniculata), Canterbury Bells (Campanula medium), Carnation (Dianthus spp.), Cornflower (Centaurea spp.), Delphinium/Larkspur (Delphinium elatum), English Lavender (Lavender augustifolia), Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.), Lupins (Lupinus spp.), Peony (Paeonia spp), Peruvian Lily (Alstromeria aurantiaca), Roses (Rosa spp.), Smokebush (Cotinus spp.), Statice (Limonium spp.), Stocks (Matthiola incana)
Kitchen Garden
Source: Food Tree
Herbs - Basil, bay, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme
Vegetables - Capsicum, chilli, cucumber, celery, kale, lettuce (cos, iceberg), onion (brown, red and white) pak choy, pumpkin (butternut), salad greens, spinach, silverbeet, sweet corn, zucchini
Fruit - Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, red and black currents, cherries (peak season), nectarines (peak in January and February), peaches (peak in January and February), plums, grapes (white, red and black), oranges (Navel and Valencia), limes, melons (rockmelon, watermelon, honeydew)
Reading and enjoying your Yuletide articles very much! If I missed an article about
Santa, reindeer and their ties to the fly agaric mushroom please let me know. I wrote something about it in 2009:
https://feriabookofdays.blogspot.com/2009/12/at-midnight-of-year-night-riders-fly.html
Warning!!! This article is safe to read but the "here" link on the bottom no longer is - DO NOT CLICK IT
I'm not alone (didn't just make it up) and can give other sources if you like.
Thank you and enjoy!
As always, a fascinating collection of information! Thank you.