The Moon has been an object of mystery and magick and has been a part of myths and folk traditions in virtually every civilization since time began and even before... Many legends and superstitions have been created through the ages. We already know through current science that the Moon definitely affects our beloved Earth through gravitation pull of the waves and tides of the oceans, the growing of crops, and other physical planetary reactions. Many farmers still use the Moon's cycles and the paths of the stars to sow and harvest. So why would it not stand to reason that it also affects human beings and animals. The words "lunatic" and "lunacy", both referring to some form of madness, derived from the phases of the Moon itself. It was thought that the Moon's phases affected their behavior. And it most likely did then and does still today.
Doctors, Nurses, X-Ray Technologists, Police Officers, Fire Workers, and others who work in the Emergency Room know for a fact that there are more accidents, stabbings, shootings, and other wild behaviors on the night of the Full Moon. This is a well known fact amongst the medical community and Emeergency personnel across this country and beyond.
The Moon is also an object of beauty and mystery, and is most often thought of as a feminine object. The Moon is used as a means of transference of Divine Energy in Wicca or Witchcraft, through the Great Goddess. There are a great many Goddesses who are aligned with the Moon. There are however some civilizations who thought of the Moon as a more masculine energy and therefore attributed several Gods as being in charge of the Moon.
Each month's Moon has been given several different names from several different cultures. I have listed some of them below. Each month's Moon has been given a particular name according to the geographic location, and the current attributes of the Earth's cycle or other influences. Starhawk's suggestion for renaming the Moons to suit your current climate/area/culture of your environment is one I like a lot. She renames the Moons for the San Francisco Bay area in her book, "Truth or Dare", copyright 1987, page 243. Here are her suggestions for the Bay area, starting with the Moon closest to Witch's New Year on Hallowe'en...
Ancestor MoonSome other, more traditional Moon names for each month, according to several different cultures and folk lore are as follows...
Storm Moon, Snow Moon, Wolf Moon, Ice Moon, Horning Moon, Wild Moon, Seed Moon, Hunger Moon,
Quickening Moon, Red & Cleansing Moon, Big Winter Moon
Chaste-Virgin Moon, Chaste Moon, Raven Moon, Budding Moon, Seed Moon, Moon of Winds, Crow Moon,
Quickening Moon, Storm Moon, Sap Moon, Plow Moon, Worm Moon, Lenting Moon, Moon of the Snowblind
Seed Moon, Egg Moon, Leaf Moon, Growing Moon, Wind Moon, Grass Moon, Hare Moon, Meadow Moon,
Seed or Planting Moon, Planter's Moon, Pink Moon, Budding Trees Moon, Green Grass Moon
Goddess Moon, Hare Moon, Planting Moon, Blossom Moon, Merry Moon, Bright Moon, Flower Moon,
Dyad Moon, Frogs Return Moon, Moon When the Ponies Shed
Dyad Moon, Flower Moon, Strawberry Moon, Moon of Horses, Rose Moon, Lovers' Moon, Honey Moon,
Strong Sun Moon, Rose Moon, Mead Moon, Moon of Making Fat
Meade/Ale Moon, Honey Moon, Storm Moon, Oak Moon, Hay Moon, Wort Moon, Horn Moon,
Moon of Claiming, Moon of Blood, Blessing Moon, Buck Moon, Fallow Moon, Thunder Moon
Wort Moon, Ripe Moon, Blackberry Moon, Corn Moon, Dispute Moon, Barley Moon, Harvest Moon,
Piscary Moon, Thunder Moon, Moon When the Cherries Turn Black
Barley/Wine Moon, Barley Moon, Cherry Moon, Corn Moon, Grain Moon, Fruit Moon, Harvest Moon,
Wine Moon, Sturgeon Moon, Singing Moon, Moon When the Deer Paw the Earth
Blood/Wine Moon, Wine Moon, Dying Grass Moon, Vine/Thistle Moon, Shedding Moon, Harvest Moon,
Hunter's Moon, Ten Colds Moon, Falling Leaf Moon, Moon of the Changing Season
Snow Moon, Blood Moon, Hunting Moon, Apple/Pear Moon, Dark Moon, Frosty Moon, Fog Moon,
Larder Moon, Mourning Moon, Beaver Moon, Moon of Storms, Mad Moon, Moon When Deer Shed Antlers
Oak Moon, Snow Moon, Frost Moon, Blood Moon, Cold Moon, Wolf Moon, Long Nights' Moon,
Moon before Yule, Moon of Long Nights, Big Winter Moon, Moon of Popping Trees
According to most traditions in the United States, the Harvest Moon is observed as being the closest Full Moon to Mabon, (the Autumnal Equinox), or the Full Moon in September.
A Blue Moon occurs when there are two Full Moons within one calendar month. The next Blue Moon will occur on January 31, 1999, and there will be another in March. This is quite unusual to have two Blue Moons so close together.
Next 2 Blue Moons:
Jan. 1, 1999 - Jan. 31, 1999
March 2, 1999 - March 31, 1999
As I am sure you are aware, the Moon has several different phases that it cycles through monthly. When I started to learn how to find the Moon and where the Moon is (in the sky) at any given time, I used this little rhyme. It helped me a lot... I got it from Elizabeth Pepper's Witches' Almanac:
The slim silvery crescent appears soon after the Dark of the Moon and is called quite obviously, the New Moon. Then it Waxes or grows larger, to the first quarter, which appears in the sky as a half-Moon. The quarter refers to the sequence of the four phases. As the Moon Waxes, its "horns" point Eastward until it reaches Fullness... and then the Waning Moon decreases in size while its "horns" point toward the West, until it is no longer visible to us.
As it grows from New to Full, it forms an image of the letter D. It also forms what is called by some "Diana's Bow". And on the opposite end, it forms the letter C and is called by some "Hecate's Sickle". The sickle is an ancient image which relates to death and dying.
Before I start this section, let me first clarify the fact that it is not required or necessary to perform any magick or cast any spells during the Moon's phases. If you wish, you may simply use this as a time to declare your devotion the Lord and Lady in whatever way suits you best. Pray... meditate... scry by gazing at the Moon... sit quietly and allow Them to cleanse and purify you...
There are several schools of thought as to how many phases of the Moon there really are and how they affect us (and it can be quite confusing at first). Some say there are only two phases, while others say there are three, and still others who see it as having four phases. The following is my personal belief system and a lot of other Witches and Pagans agree with me on this understanding of the Lady Moon and Her phases.
The Lunar phase is of utmost importance in determining the best time for what type of magick. There are basically two Lunar phases: the Waxing Moon is an ideal time for positive magick, motivation, courage, luck, and friends; whereas the Waning Moon is an ideal time for banishing/negative magick, study, introspection, and meditation. In between the two larger phases of Waxing and Waning, you have the Dark Moon, which is the time of greatest power for banishing and negative magick; and the Full Moon, the time of greatest power for positive magick. Most Wiccans, Witches, Pagans, Neo-Pagans, Magicians, and other Magick Users work around these Lunar phases. There are some who break these phases down even further, but this is quite an advanced practice. In my opinion, it is best to start with the information I have included here instead of trying to learn too much at once. It will all come to you in time...
The Crone can and will show us the way to the Summerland (Wiccan equivalent to Heaven or Purgatory) during this time of the month, if necessary. I am not speaking of this in a physical sense, but rather a spiritual one. By listening to Her and accepting that some things must die, then we are able to grow spiritually and emotionally.
Use this period of the month specifically for studying the darker aspects of yourself, your shadow self, if you will. Many Witches consider this a time to rest and not perform any magick or cast any spells, a time for introspection. Unfortunately, introspection is not always a restful experience. Just remember to allow the Crone to lead you in examining your dark side... it is important to understand that this side of you is necessary in order to have a balanced life.
Magickally speaking, this is a time for new beginnings, starting new projects, which should reach completion at the Full Moon. If you want your hair to grow thicker, faster and fuller, cut it during this phase.
The Moon is said to be "Void of Course" when it has moved out of its last major aspect with another planet before moving into another astrological sign (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, etc... ) This happens quite often and you should watch the calendar and be sure that you are aware when the Moon is Void of Course (it says "V/C" on the calendar). It usually doesn't last more than a few hours, but it sometimes lasts for a full day or even two. Magickal (and Mundane) energies are very chaotic when the Moon is Void of Course. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you NOT start any magick, cast any spells, perform a ritual of any kind, buy a major investment (for example, a computer, a car, or a house), or make a major decision of any kind!
So remember, whenever the Moon is Void of Course - DON'T do any major magick work... DON'T start any new magick work... DON'T complete any magick work... DON'T buy anything major... DON'T even make any major decisions... Astrological studies have shown that things begun or spells cast during this time tend to be rather difficult and rarely come to fruition, and sometimes they even backfire! When they do manifest, they almost never pan out as expected.
I have been overwhelmed with e-mail lately and a lot of it is of a nature that I am not able to handle at this point in my current life. Many people have written asking me to become their Wicca Teacher or Mentor and I am unable to comply right now. I am Disabled from a serious back injury and just sitting here writing/answering e-mail causes a large increase in pain, so I usually simply cannot do it. Otherwise, my plate is about as full as it can get. I'm sorry, but don't write asking me to do this for you, but please continue to and write with your questions, comments, and suggestions...
