Oh the moon. Probably the most popular celestial body. (unlike the sun, which can’t catch a damn break). She controls the seas, protects us from asteroids, and illuminates the nights. What would we do without the moon?
For witches in almost every domain of practice, the moon is a sacred body and we do our best to honor her. So the phases of the moon are a big deal. But for little beginner witchlings, like myself, diving into the use and worship of the moon is daunting. There’s just so MUCH.
So where do you even begin?
The easiest thing to understand about the moon is the phases.
You know what the moon phases are. We’ve all grown up watching the moon transition like clockwork; waxing, full, waning, new. We’ve all stayed up late on summer nights and seen the full moon illuminate the landscape.
So breaking down the moon phases is an easy enough task.
New moons are when the moon is turned away from us (you all know your science class lectures about how the moon reflects the sun, blah, blah, blah.)
Waxing is the moon growing from new into full.
Full moon is self-explanatory.
Waning is the moon transition from full to new.
In witchcraft, we attribute the moon phases to not only the 3, but to certain times.
The major phases of the moon coincide with the Maiden, Mother, Crone. In witchcraft, this woman/women are the representation of the witch and the witch’s journey. Waxing crescent is the Maiden, Full is Mother, and Waning crescent is the Crone.
The phases of the moon coincide with timing as well.
The new moon is used as a time for beginning spells revolving around new projects, as well as focusing on the self and recouping your own strength and energy.
The waxing moon is for attraction spells, usually money or love spells. The waxing moon is used for attraction because the moon itself is getting bigger and bigger and more. Therefore, attracting.
The full moon is the prime time for witches. Not only does each full coincide with something pertaining to the month it occurs in (Corn moon for August, e.g.) but the full moon itself is a revered as being as much of a power source as the sun. Full moons can be used for charging decks and crystals (especially those sensitive to extended sunlight), as well as making moon water, an energy charged water used for most everything in witchcraft from light cleansings, to even making tea or bath water. The Full moon is used for so much in the craft, including cleansing yourself and restoring your own energy. (moonbathing anyone? You know, instead of sunbathing?)
The waning moon is used for banishing. It’s the opposite of the waxing moon. As the moon shrinks, it is losing. Therefore, banishing.
No matter what the moon is doing, you can always sit and meditate under her light. The moon is as steady as the sun and is a great place to jump into witchcraft if you’re already lost.
And the best part about the moon and her energy? You don’t even need an actual spell to just sit and appreciate her beauty and energy. You can just sit and relax, meditate, and enjoy the gentle, loving light.