Moon Phases
Moon Phases
I am the Moon. I shine through the night
In radiant, splendorous, silvery light
I rule the gardens and I rule the tides
I rule emotions and thoughts held inside
Mine is the World of Spirit, and deep
Within all My glory its secrets I keep
But I give direction and I lead the way
Exposing it all while sleeping, you lay
For as you rest, My teaching begins
Consistent and constant without any end
So nod off to sleep; rest long and well
As I weave the threads of My magic spell
-Dorothy Morrison (Taken from Llewellyn's 2001 Witches' Datebook)
Each month has a Full Moon and each has a name. Full Moon energy is used for banishing unwanted influences in your life, protection magick and divination.
January - Wolf Moon
February - Storm Moon
March - Chaste Moon
April - Seed Moon
May - Hare Moon
June - Dyad Moon
July - Mead Moon
August - Wyrt Moon
September - Barley Moon
October - Blood Moon
November - Snow Moon
December - Oak Moon
If during a month there happens to be two Full Moons due to the moon's 28-day cycle, then the second Full Moon is called a Blue Moon.
The next full moon will be on:
Wednesday, July 24th, 2002.
Phases of the Moon
There are five phases that the moon goes through every 28 days. These cycles are, New, Waxing, Full and Waning and Dark. The moon, along with its phases and energies and symbols, possess a strong influence over all rites of magick in witchcraft. If certain spells are done during certain phases of the moon, then the spell would take on the energies of the moon and help with the outcome of your spell. So the following are the phases of the moon and and what types of spells are good to do during these times.
**Picture courtesy of Cooper Moon
New
The new moon is a time for healing and growth. This is a great time for new projects and ideas. It appears as a crescent moon.
Waxing
This is when the moon is growing from the crescent moon to the full moon, this phase lasts for 14 days and is symbolic of all new things. New beginnings in love, work, school, health and ideas. The waxing moon corresponds to the Maiden (also warrior and virgin) aspect of the Triple Goddess, and is the proper time for performing rituals in honour of her. It is also the appropriate time to perform spells and rituals involving all forms of growth, strengthening, and the increasing of things such as love, good luck, money, health, etc.
Full
This phase lasts for 6 days, 3 days before the actual full moon and 3 days after. The energy of a full moon increases a witch's psychic powers, so therefore the full moon is said to be the most favourable time of all to perform divinations as well as spells and rituals that can increase psychic abilities.
The full moon corresponds to the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess, making it a very powerful phase for working with all forms of fertility magick. Full moons also enhance the power of spells that involve sensuality, creativy and nurturing.
Waning
This is when the moon is shrinking from full to new, this phase lasts for 14 days. The waxing moon corresponds to the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess and is the proper lunar phase in which to honour her. This is also the correct time to reverse spells, decrease, banish and destroy things such as diseases, addictions and bad luck.
Crone honouring rites are traditionally performed at this time as this is the time of the month when the powers are at their greatest. The Crone represents maturity of wisdom, spiritual peace, a time of endings that are leading to new beginnings and death that brings forth new life.
Dark
The Dark Moon occurs three days before the New moon. It is not visible in the sky, hence its name. Traditionally, no magick is performed at this time.