LUNAR PHASES: Magick and the Moon

BEAUTIFUL, MYSTERIOUS, PRIMORDIAL LUNA

Beautiful, Mysterious, Primordial Luna…

Across the globe and throughout the millennia, tales about Lady Luna are many, ranging from stories of love, to malevolence, to magick!

During the Full Moon in particular, much can happen: from wicked midnight witchery, to the transformation of man into beast, to couples falling in love beneath Her brilliant beams. Stories of the power of our mighty Moon have captivated the imagination of humankind for aeons.

These stories endure, whether they are truth or tale, because the Moon is the embodiment of the Primal Feminine—an ancient, primordial energy (our Witch Consciousness), existing from the dawn of our creation.

THE MOON IN THE MUNDANE

Each phase of the moon holds different energy, and therefor manifests different outcomes. Timing our magick according to lunar phases and invoking the unique nature of each phase is a fundamental practice in the Craft. We abide in these soulful cycles and allow them to direct our energy, actions, magick, and for many Witches, our everyday lives. Planting gardens, signing contracts, leaving relationships, starting new jobs and anything else of importance, can all be planned around lunar phases to ensure favorable results. Living according to lunar phases goes beyond just magick and the Moon. It aligns us with cosmic energy (being a Witch is ALL about living and working with energy!)

Because Luna is the closest celestial body to the Earth, she acts as an amplifier. She filters and directs planetary energies to us, and is the reason for physical manifestations here on Earth. Lunar energy is powerful enough to control the ocean’s tides, so consider how dynamically Her energy can affect tiny creatures such as ourselves: our blood, our hormones, our neurochemicals—every part of us, even our thoughts and moods.

Our primal consciousness is so closely attuned with lunar influence. It always has a hold on us–whether we like it or not, and amplifies that which is already in us. If we are less attuned to cosmic forces, and if we allow our negative emotions and behavior patterns to govern our lives, the Full Moon will amplify that (think about how local police and hospital emergency rooms are super busy during the full Moon). Conversely, if we are ‘conscious’ beings and have dealt with our emotional demons, then a more positive experience in body and mind is what is experienced instead.

MAGICK AND THE MOON

The relationship between lunar phases, magick and the Moon is most easily understood when visualized as a rhythm of waxing and waning energies. As the Moon grows into fullness, so does its power of attraction, magnetism and increase. Put simply, for the purposes of magick, it’s great time to draw things to you. Conversely, as the Moon wanes, its energy transforms into that of detraction, repelling and decrease; with the Waning Moon we are able to release what we wish to be rid of.

The lunar phases encompass more than this simple framework of wax-wane, increase-decrease. Each of the five lunar phases embodies distinct energies that we may tap into to fine-tune our personal or magickal working. And if we wish to work our magick even more deeply, we can incorporate the energies of the astrological zodiac into our lunar workings as well. In fact, you will notice that Luna appears to transit through each sign of the zodiac, She emanates not only the energies specific to Her current lunar phase, but also the energies of each sign.

THE ‘MOODS’ OF THE MOON THROUGH LUNAR PHASES

LUNAR PHASES: Magick and the Moon… Just as the Earth and Sun have their own energies, so does the Moon. Unlike the Sun’s masculine, projective energy, lunar energy is feminine and receptive. Luna’s energy is often felt as magnetic—Her pull on the oceans tides and even on us is very real! Most people can feel it in some way during its most powerful Full phase, even though they may not realize it. Particularly sensitive people such as Empaths and Witches feel it most keenly.

Each of us have our own unique relationship with the Moon. How we individually respond to Her energies is largely dependent upon our personal makeup—our specific biology, the state of our physical and emotional health, and even our astrological natal chart all play roles in how we experience each lunar phase, especially when combined with the astrological sign the Moon is transiting through. Understanding how the distinctive energy of each lunar phase uniquely effects our personal rhythms and magickal energy is an important aspect of working with lunar energy, and even in helping us to navigate our daily lives.

Below are the timing, descriptions and energies of the lunar phases along with the types of magick best suited for each. This handy guide will help you to create and time your spells quite successfully!

To help you determine when each phase occurs, download the following apps. In regard to the Dark and New Moon phases particularly, determine them by lunar light percentage versus the name the apps call them. I explain this below.

• iPhone: The Moon: Calendar Moon Phases
• Android: Lunafaqt

You may also go to moongiant.com for information about when each phase occurs based on your current geographic location. However, note that this site does include lunar light percentages.

1. DARK MOON: Communing With Your Inner Wise Woman–even if you’re a guy!

There is much confusion about the Dark Moon and the New Moon. They are often referred to synonymously, but that is incorrect because each phase embodies distinctively different energies.

Astronomers place the New Moon at the halfway point where the Moon ends waning and begins waxing, however, this is a secular perspective without regard to the distinctly powerful energies of this time period.

The Dark Moon begins the moment the final sliver of the Waning Crescent Moon is leaving the sky, and lasts between 1.5 and 3.5 days depending upon your geographic location. Technically, the Dark Moon begins at approximately 0 percent of light and lasts until the New Moon phase begins, when the Moon’s light increases to approximately 1.5-2%. The use of a lunar app is really important to accurately determine true lunar energies, and therefor, true lunar phases.

For the Witch, the Dark Moon is the most psychically fertile phase of the lunar cycle, as it ushers in stillness. This is a time for restoration, introspection, self-reflection, meditation, contemplation, shadow-work and the unconscious mind. It is a time for solitude and surrender. It is the perfect time for rest and release and to connect with your inner Wise Woman. It’s a great time for working on the 3rd eye chakra and for doing any kind of divination, honing psychic abilities and communing with ancestors.

The Dark Moon is the juiciest, ‘Witchiest’ time of the month because it unveils communication between deep consciousness and the Divine.

Do Dark Moon Magick for:

• Shadow work
• Creating a deeper connection to Source
• Self-healing: physical, mental and emotional conditions
• Increasing psychic development and ability
• Divination
• Ancestor veneration & magick

 

2. NEW MOON: The Spark of Creation & New Beginnings

Upon the New Moon, the Dark Moon transitions away, and we now see the very first sliver of silver in the sky. The New Moon phase offers us but a tiny window in which to work Her magick, lasting only a day. The New Moon phase begins when the Dark Moon has reached approximately 1.5-2% illumination, and lasts until it reaches approximately 2.9%.

More powerful than the Waxing and Waning Moons, the New Moon is a time for heightened creativity and new growth. New ideas are sparked and new intentions are birthed. The New Moon is a time for looking forward and for planning all that you wish to manifest. Now is the time for visualizing your goals as having already manifested. During this short time, the Moon’s energy is channeled for renewing and refreshing. It is a potent phase for important long-term spells and for seeding intentions.

• Do New Moon Magick for:
  -Spells where you need to cleanse and start fresh
  -Starting a new job or relationship
  -Binding when it involves starting over; for example, to bind your past so that it does not affect your present or future
  -Fertility spells
  -New ventures
  -Love and romance
  -Health
  -Job hunting
  -Justice

What new ideas or sparks of inspiration would you like to birth this month or this year with the help of the New Moon?

*Note: The New Moon quickly transitions into the waxing phase, so be sure to do any New Moon work within the specified percentages of illumination

 

3. WAXING MOON: The Energy of Increase and Attraction

The New Moon begins to swell and continues to increase for fourteen days until fullness is reached. This is a time to attract and to bring things to you; it is a Moon for manifesting your desires. As Luna is blossoming, so is your goal!

• Do Waxing Moon Magick for:
  -Bringing things to you
  -Attracting your desires and wishes
  -Increase in general
  -Starting new things
  -Prosperity spells
  -Luck spells
  -Attracting money and success
  -Attracting love and happiness
  -Finding objects, people, or pets
  -Any constructive magick: such as love, wealth, success, courage, friendship, luck and health

What new situation or thing do you want to increase or manifest with the help of the Waxing Moon?

*Note: Casting early during the waxing phase allows more time for the energy to build until the Full Moon. Also note, ‘big’ spells and intentions may take many lunar cycles in which to manifest—months and even years, depending upon how close in the mundane you are to your goal.

 

4. FULL MOON: The Energy of Fruition, Sovereignty and Fullness

Bright and powerful with the Sun shining upon Her, Luna’s Full Moon energy is the most potent of all the lunar phases. Magick during this time is super-charged and appropriate for any aim, regardless of the goal, unlike other lunar phases. It also marks a time of completion, where you may see other spells begin to manifest.

• Do Full Moon Magick for:
  -Increase or decrease
  -Any spell that requires a large amount of energy and power
  -Binding
  -General protection and creating wards
  -Prophecy and divination rituals
  -All types of healing
  -Attaining employment
  -Acquiring knowledge
  -Finding love
  -Legal matters
  -Interpreting your dreams, especially prophetic ones
  -Receiving money
  -Personal sovereignty and success

For what would you use the Full Moon’s limitless energy?

*Note: While casting on the day of is optimal, the window in which to perform Full Moon Magick is the largest of all lunar phases: two days before, the day of, and two days after.

 

5. WANING MOON: The Energy of Release

The Waning Moon has begun transitioning from Full to New, and like the Waxing Moon, lasts for almost half of the entire lunar cycle. It is a time for release, warding, decrease and banishing. This is a perfect time to remove negative habits, individuals and situations that no longer serve you. The Waning Moon is also the time to hone your psychic development.

• Do Waning Moon Magick for:
  -Ridding of something or someone
  -Breaking bad habits
  -Ending a relationship of any kind
  -Ending a phase in your life
  -Ridding illness and addictions
  -Removing any unwanted energy that is lingering, including putting a soul to rest
  -Cleansing spells & rituals, smudging, etc.
  -Binding harmful or negative energies
  -Banishing negative and destructive thought, emotional and behavioral patterns

What do you need to release from your life and consciousness? What has been released that you are grieving for? Have you accepted that which is?

*Note: Casting early during the waning phase allows more time for energy to build until the Dark Moon.

About Fiona

Fiona Duncan is the Creatrix of The Magickal Path School of Witchcraft, Conscious Spirituality & Personal Transformation. She holds a Master of Art in Teaching, a Master of Science in Education, and is New York State certified in both Art and Special Education to teach grades K-12. She is a retired NY State public school teacher and college Graphic Design Instructor & Department Chair. Her professional strengths are Student Relations, Teaching, and Curriculum Development.

In her spiritual and magickal life, Fiona is a seasoned Practical Magician, Reiki Master and is a practicing Eclectic Witch of 30+ years. She is not the type to be drawn to witchy ‘woo’, but rather, she practices and teaches Magick and Witchcraft as an empowering spiritual path that is both ‘Art’ and ‘Science’ in equal measure.

Fiona’s favorite thing in the world is teaching and coaching new and intermediate Witches in her WAY OF THE WITCH: Witchcraft 101 A Comprehensive ‘Year and a Day’ Course & Coaching Program in the Spiritual, Magickal and Esoteric Practices of Eclectic Witchcraft, available in monthly 1-1 coaching, independent stu