Moon Magic
Magick and the Phases of the Moon
There are several schools of thought as to how to define the phases of the moon. The moon waxes and wanes, but ideologies diverge when considering how the waxing and waning of the moon apply to magick. The most prevalent belief is that the moon has a three-phase cycle of the new-waxing moon, the full-moon and the waning-dark moon. These phases relate directly to the maiden, mother and crone goddesses, who reveal themselves within us as we progress through our lives. The other two theories are the two-phase cycle and the four-phase cycle. In the two-phase cycle, the moon is either waxing or waning; it is either growing or diminishing in strength. The four-phase cycle portrays the moon as waxing moon (The Maiden),full moon (The Mother),waning moon (The Crone) and dark moon (again, The Crone).
My magical practices tend to follow the four-phase theory, although this can be almost directly related to the three-phase beliefs. For me, the four-phase cycle seems more defined, allowing me to practice different forms of magick under different phases of the moon. The following information will refer to the waxing moon, the full moon, the waning moon and the dark moon. Don't worry if you follow the other paths, it won't be too difficult to adapt your cycle to spell timing. For three-phase timing the waxing moon and dark moon would be part of the same phase. For the two-phase cycle all building spells and rituals are done during the waxing phase and all banishing spells and rituals are done during the waning phase. Remember, it is intent that matters.
The Waxing Moon
I define the waxing moon as the phase of the moon from the time that the moon first shows her silvery crescent (after the three nights of the dark moon) till the first night of the full moon. This is the time of the month that corresponds to the maiden and is a time for planting, growing, building, developing and strengthening areas in our lives that need attention, as well as physical areas such as a herb garden. The waxing moon drawing the energy into itself, pulling us (and our plants) up toward her silvery glow. The waxing phase is also the most auspicious time of the month to do drawing, binding, and summoning spells, such as prosperity and protection spells.
The Full Moon
The full moon phase, which corresponds to the mother aspect of the goddess, actually covers four and a half days, but since I am usually too lazy to calculate the exact hour when the moon reaches its full stage, I use the three days that surround and include the actual night of the full moon. Even I am able to keep track of the full moon, since its appearance is mentioned on just about every calendar on the market. So, when I practice full moon magick, it is on either the night before, the night of, or the night after the full moon. The full moon is a time for action, a time for harvesting the fruits of our labours and a time for giving thanks to the goddess for our bountiful harvest. If at all possible I hold a ritual on the night of the full moon just to say "thanks and keep up the good work". My personal ritual during the full moon phase also includes trying to get in touch with the "mother" within. Touching the mother within can be an enormous feat and is difficult to say the least. The moon is full with possibilities and hope during this phase. Be sure to take advantage of it.
The Waning Moon
The waning moon is the period time between the three days of the full moon and the three days of the dark moon, the counter balance to the waxing phase. The waning phase is the time for pruning and harvesting growth in our garden, be it physical or spiritual. This phase is the time for banishing those unwanted "things" in our lives, be it the nuisance boy-friend/lover or some bad habit we've developed. The crone shows us the way to the land of the dead during this time of the month. By taking her hand and accepting that some things must die, we are able to grow spiritually.
The Dark Moon
The dark moon is that three day period from the last sliver of moon light to the first maidenly sliver of moon light, the moon hides her face from us during this part of the cycle. I use this period of the month specifically for examining my dark self, my shadow side. Some witches consider this a time of rest from spells and I usually do no spell work at this time, but as you probably know, introspection is not a restful experience. Let the crone lead you in studying your dark side and in understanding that this side of you is necessary in order to have a balance in your life.
The Mathematics of Moon Phase Magick
Okay, it's not the right time of the month to do a drawing spell, so what do you do..? Here's a mathematical trick you can use that allows you to do that spell when needed:
Banishing = negative drawing
Drawing = negative banishing
Example...If you would like to do a prosperity spell and the moon is in its waning phase, you could turn the intent around and weave a spell to banish need/poverty/want.
Drawing
Banishing
prosperity
need/want
generosity
greed
a thin body
lose weight
relaxation
fatigue
sleep
insomnia
happiness
the blues
love
loneliness
There are several schools of thought as to how to define the phases of the moon. The moon waxes and wanes, but ideologies diverge when considering how the waxing and waning of the moon apply to magick. The most prevalent belief is that the moon has a three-phase cycle of the new-waxing moon, the full-moon and the waning-dark moon. These phases relate directly to the maiden, mother and crone goddesses, who reveal themselves within us as we progress through our lives. The other two theories are the two-phase cycle and the four-phase cycle. In the two-phase cycle, the moon is either waxing or waning; it is either growing or diminishing in strength. The four-phase cycle portrays the moon as waxing moon (The Maiden),full moon (The Mother),waning moon (The Crone) and dark moon (again, The Crone).
My magical practices tend to follow the four-phase theory, although this can be almost directly related to the three-phase beliefs. For me, the four-phase cycle seems more defined, allowing me to practice different forms of magick under different phases of the moon. The following information will refer to the waxing moon, the full moon, the waning moon and the dark moon. Don't worry if you follow the other paths, it won't be too difficult to adapt your cycle to spell timing. For three-phase timing the waxing moon and dark moon would be part of the same phase. For the two-phase cycle all building spells and rituals are done during the waxing phase and all banishing spells and rituals are done during the waning phase. Remember, it is intent that matters.
The Waxing Moon
I define the waxing moon as the phase of the moon from the time that the moon first shows her silvery crescent (after the three nights of the dark moon) till the first night of the full moon. This is the time of the month that corresponds to the maiden and is a time for planting, growing, building, developing and strengthening areas in our lives that need attention, as well as physical areas such as a herb garden. The waxing moon drawing the energy into itself, pulling us (and our plants) up toward her silvery glow. The waxing phase is also the most auspicious time of the month to do drawing, binding, and summoning spells, such as prosperity and protection spells.
The Full Moon
The full moon phase, which corresponds to the mother aspect of the goddess, actually covers four and a half days, but since I am usually too lazy to calculate the exact hour when the moon reaches its full stage, I use the three days that surround and include the actual night of the full moon. Even I am able to keep track of the full moon, since its appearance is mentioned on just about every calendar on the market. So, when I practice full moon magick, it is on either the night before, the night of, or the night after the full moon. The full moon is a time for action, a time for harvesting the fruits of our labours and a time for giving thanks to the goddess for our bountiful harvest. If at all possible I hold a ritual on the night of the full moon just to say "thanks and keep up the good work". My personal ritual during the full moon phase also includes trying to get in touch with the "mother" within. Touching the mother within can be an enormous feat and is difficult to say the least. The moon is full with possibilities and hope during this phase. Be sure to take advantage of it.
The Waning Moon
The waning moon is the period time between the three days of the full moon and the three days of the dark moon, the counter balance to the waxing phase. The waning phase is the time for pruning and harvesting growth in our garden, be it physical or spiritual. This phase is the time for banishing those unwanted "things" in our lives, be it the nuisance boy-friend/lover or some bad habit we've developed. The crone shows us the way to the land of the dead during this time of the month. By taking her hand and accepting that some things must die, we are able to grow spiritually.
The Dark Moon
The dark moon is that three day period from the last sliver of moon light to the first maidenly sliver of moon light, the moon hides her face from us during this part of the cycle. I use this period of the month specifically for examining my dark self, my shadow side. Some witches consider this a time of rest from spells and I usually do no spell work at this time, but as you probably know, introspection is not a restful experience. Let the crone lead you in studying your dark side and in understanding that this side of you is necessary in order to have a balance in your life.
The Mathematics of Moon Phase Magick
Okay, it's not the right time of the month to do a drawing spell, so what do you do..? Here's a mathematical trick you can use that allows you to do that spell when needed:
Banishing = negative drawing
Drawing = negative banishing
Example...If you would like to do a prosperity spell and the moon is in its waning phase, you could turn the intent around and weave a spell to banish need/poverty/want.
Drawing
Banishing
prosperity
need/want
generosity
greed
a thin body
lose weight
relaxation
fatigue
sleep
insomnia
happiness
the blues
love
loneliness