Moon Phases
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Waxing Crescent
This is what I call the New Moon. Let the light shine on the money. Ask the Moon to follow you with energy, food, money, clothes, and warmth. Put the money in the window frame until you’re in dire need of money. The nest new year, you’ll see that the money is still there, and you’ve had enough of what you asked for all along.
First Quarter
Wishes for growth
Waxing Gibbous
Strengthens the properties of plants
Full Moon
The full moon is when we can see an entire face of the moon. When it is more elliptical than round. Many Pagans include the day before and the day after the actual full moon in the concept of a ‘Full Moon’. Some say you may perform Full Moon magic three days prior to and after the actual full moon. Others believe rituals must be started or in process during the actual hour of the full moon.
The moon’s energy is at its peak. This is the best time for consecrating tools, charging objects, working to bring something to you, and for raising energy for the Earth or other forms of healing.
Any spell can be cast during the Full Moon, but it’s a particularly good time to do rituals focused on personal growth, spiritual development, developing your magical skills, increasing your intuitive awareness, protection, divination, and healing. Any working that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healing for serious conditions, can be done now. Also workings for love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money and dreams.
As for practical examples, you can connect with your deity/deities, such as Drawing Down the Moon. You can charge Moon Water (this can later be used to water plants, make offerings, or to do spell work) other items, or tools. You can make a moon braid etc.
Full Moons of old had their own name. Some Pagans have chosen to revive this tradition. A list of Full Moon names and correspondences can be found under Esbats.
During the year, one month will have two full moons. This second full moon is called a Blue Moon.
Waning Gibbous
Harvest roots and branches
Third Quarter
Waning Crescent
Dark Moon
The Dark Moon (or New Moon) is when the moon is completely dark. This is when the sun, moon, and Earth line up, and the moon appears to have gone away.
This is first and foremost a time for rest and stillness. It’s a time of inner contemplation, meditation, and an honest look at what you need to do to improve your life in general and yourself in particular. Review the events of the last month and figure out if anything should have been done differently. Let go of anything you no longer want or need. Work, relationships, health and habits. Plan for the next lunar cycle. What needs to be started? What needs to be planted or harvested?
It’s a time for silence. Try to go through your day making as little noise as possible. No TV, Internet, or stereo. You can read or write in your journal – just quietly. You may be surprised at the insights you can gain if you shut up and listen.
Spend some time alone. Rest and get ready for the next round. Clean your house and your ritual space. Perform some form of divination, especially if you want some insight into what you should be working on during the next cycle.
Some pagans mean that no work at all should be done during the dark moon. I believe we would do better if we all accept that both ourselves and life have a dark side. You have to know it to control it. But, as we all need some downtime to be able to function. This four-day period is a natural time to take some time off.
This is a time for ridding oneself of bad habits, for getting to know, and understand your dark side. It’s also a good time for achieving justice, and for banishings and binding spells. When it comes to herbs, this is a good time to harvest roots. Especially roots like Mandrake.
Special Occasions
New years new
On the first new Moon after the winter solstice, you should start the projects you want to work on during the year. You can also wish for things and insure yourself against bad finances. The rituals are performed between dark and new Moon.
Lunar eclipse
‘What-I-want-to-do-during-the-year’ ritual. Bring what you want to do and walk in the darkness until the Moon has perceived your magic.
Moon Magic
For those who use that kind of magic, menstrual blood from Mondays with a new Moon is collected and dried for later use.