| Moon Phases |
| To witches, the moon symbolises the Goddess, and has a powerful effect on all magickal workings. Esbats are usually celebrated on the first day of each full moon to honour the Goddess in the height of Her power. Each moon phase has its own specific powers. |
| Full Moon The full moon occurs when the sun and moon are exactly opposite. They symbolise the Goddess in Her mother aspect and are the best time to do spells that involve healing, strength, psychic ability and fertility. It is thought that the powers ofthe full moon come into effect three days before the the moon is visibly full and stay three days after. At this time full moon water can be made by leaving a jar of pure water in the light of the full moon the whole time it is out, asking the Goddess to bless it so it can be used in any rituals that need water. Some years there is one month that has two full moons, the second of which is called a blue moon, see below for more details. The other full moons have names depending on which month they fall under:- |
| Waning Moon The best time to perform banishing and reversing spells, as this is the time of 'pulling power'. The moon decreases in size, and is linked with the Goddess in Her crone aspect of the Triple Goddess. |
| New Moon Also called the 'dark of the moon', as the moon is invisible. Some choose to perform no magick at this time, considering the new moon to be a time of rest, others hold that the new moon is a good time to perform banshing spells. Traditionally a time of meditaion and relaxation. Some say the powers of the new moon, like the full moon,take effect three days before the moon disappears and stay three days after. Sometimes associated with the Goddess, Present and Unseen. New moon can be made by leaving a jar of pure water containing a piece of onyx under thenew moon sky for 3 days. The water can then be used in spells and rituals involving banishment and renewal. |
| Waxing Moon The moon increases in size, and symbolises the Goddess in Her Maiden aspect. This is the time of 'pushing power', a time of growth and development, so best results will come from spells of gain, such as love, luck and money. |
| January - Wolf Moon - Moon of Beginnings - Aquarius February - Ice Moon - Moon of vision - Pisces March - Storm Moon - Moon of Waters - Aries April - Seed/Chaste Moon - Moon of Utility - Taurus May - Hare Moon - Moon of Balance - Gemini June - Mead/Dyad Moon - Moon of Restraint - Cancer July - Hay/Blessing Moon - Moon of Strength - Leo August - Corn/Wort Moon - Moon of Polarity - Virgo September - Harvest Moon - Moon of Wisdom - Libra October - Blood Moon - Moon of Celebration - Scorpio November - Snow Moon - Moon of Resilience - Sagittarius December - Cold Moon - Moon of Home - Capricorn |
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| More Detailed Moon Phases |
| New Moon |
| Cresent Moon |
| Waxing Moon |
| Gibbous Moon |
| Full Moon |
| Disemminating Moon |
| Waning Moon |
| Waning Cresent Moon |
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| Drawing Down of the Moon |
| This ritual is most commonly practised in covens, but it is just as effective if done alone. The Drawing Down of the Moon involves becoming the Goddess, opening yourself to Her powers under the rays of the full moon. |
| Solitary Ritual This is best performed under the moon with a feminine tool such as a chalice. If you don't have a tool or don't want to use one, create an energy ball of silver white and hold it between your hands. This can be performed by male witches, though many choose not to as they generally find it more difficult. Cast a circle in the normal way, call the quarters and invoke the Goddess by saying Blessed Lady moon, mother of all life, I invite your presence in my circle on this Esbat night. I stand here in Your light,Your love, to worship in the old way and spin your moon magick. I invoke your creative powers, that this rite shall be sucessful. Hear me, Great Mother, hold me in Your silver light. You may want to variate these words depending on the time of year. Feel the moons rays pouring thorugh you and connect with the Goddess. Light a candle (usually silver) to honour the Goddess and some incense (sandalwood is most popular, but any is acceptable). Next welcome the God by saying Lord of the night, join me now in my circle. Your Lady rides high in the starry sky and shall soon be in and of me. I welcome you to join me in my rites, so mote it be. Feel your connection with the God. Light a candle in His honour (gold or warm yellow) and incense such as eucalyptus. Next, face the moon and hold your tool, saying Blessed Mother Goddess, Your silvery light washes over me. Enter now this [tool] as I prepare to draw down the moon into myself, making her one with me, letting her energy fill me. This part will take practise. Pull the moons energy into your tool, visualise it glowing with pure Goddess energy. When you are ready, bring the empowered tool to your heart and let the cold, cleansing energy flow into you. Chant I draw the moon into me. I am divinity incarnate. I am the Goddess as She is me. When the moon has filled you completely, you feel the entire world spread out before you, the tides moving as part of you and life humming around you. Say I am the Goddess, fertile and powerful. Let all positive and pleasurable acts commence, for these are my sacred rites,my gifts to my children. Let laughter ring from dark hillsides.Let all hearts be light and all earhtly cares foresworn. Let magick be afoot, for this is my will. Feel the Goddess within you, listen to anything she may want to teach you. Do any magick you wish -traditionally practised is earth healing and balancing imbalances. When you are finished, send the energy back into the tool, visualising its glow returning, then hold it up to the moon, sending the energy streaming back. If you wish, perform the ceromony of Cakes and Ale. Thank the Goddess and God, the elements and release the circle. |
| Full Moons - 2003 January 18th February 16th March 18th April 16th May 15th June 14th July 13th August 11th September 10th October 10th November 8th December 8th |
| Blue Moon Because of the fact that the Moon takes an average of 29.5 days (Not 28 days as most people think) to orbit the earth we can have either 12 or 13 full moons in a year.In the case where we have a 13th full moon in a year (2 full moons in one month) the second full moon in the same month is called a "Blue Moon". The blue Moon is the moon of completeness. Many consider the Blue Moon to be goal moon where you set specific goals for yourself. |
| Special Moon Phases |
| Black Moon A Black Moon occurs when there are two dark cycles of the moon in any given calendar month. It is believed that the second dark moon of a time of great power within the spiritual world and any magick worked during this time is especially powerful. Next Black Moon -- 31st May 2003 |
| Blue Moons Dates 31st July 2004 30th June 2007 31st December 2009 31st August 2012 31st July 2015 31st January 2018 31st March 2018 31st October 2020 31st August 2023 31st May 2026 31st December 2028 |
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| Current Moon Phase |