Moon Phases and Meaning
Current Moon Phase
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Magic, Moon Phases and Meaning
The phases of the moon are caused by the relative positions of the earth, sun, and moon. The moon goes around the earth, on average, in 27 days 7 hours 43 minutes.
The edge of the shadow (the terminator) is curved, being an oblique view of a circle, giving the moon its familiar crescent shape. Because the “horns” of the moon at the ends of the crescent are always facing away from the setting or rising sun, they tend to point upward in the sky.
The sun always illuminates the half of the moon facing the sun (except during lunar eclipses, when the moon passes through the earth’s shadow). When the sun and moon are on opposite sides of the earth, the moon appears “full” to us, a bright, round disk. When the moon is between the earth and the sun, it appears dark, a “new” moon. In between, the moon’s illuminated surface appears to grow (wax) to full, then decrease (wane) to the next new moon.
Depending on your magical intention, you should aim to work with the cycles of the moon to receive the most effective results. The three major aspects of the moon are the Waxing (or New), Full and Waning.
The New Moon
The Moon is waxing and growing. This marks the phase of the moon when the light is not visible from Earth, because the side of the moon that is being lit by the sun is not facing us. This should be a time to plan spells that introduce new beginnings and projects. A new career, house move, job, relationship, any new venture in life.
Waning Moon
The casting out of the old ways, banishing old habits, the removal of troubles and worries. A waning gibbous moon comes halfway between a full moon and a half moon, and a waxing gibbous moon lies between a half moon and a full moon.
A half moon looks like half a circle. It is sometimes called a quarter moon as this Moon has completed one quarter of an orbit around the Earth from either the new position (First Quarter) or the full (Last Quarter) and one quarter of the moon’s surface is visible from Earth.
Full Moon
This is a time when the Moon is at its most powerful, and the magic most potent. Performing any positive spell at this time will achieve good results. This is the ideal time for healing, guidance, and completion spells.
The full moon is referred to by a different name, depending on when it appears. For example, the “Harvest moon” is the full moon that appears nearest to the Autumn Equinox, which occurs in late September or early October.
Other names given to the full moon include:
January: Wolf Moon, Moon After Yule, or Old Moon
February: Ice Moon, Snow Moon or Hunger Moon
March: Storm Moon, Sap Moon, Crow Moon, or Lenten Moon
April: Growing Moon, Grass Moon or Egg Moon
May: Hare Moon, Milk Moon or Planting Moon
June: Mead Moon, Rose Moon, Flower Moon, or Strawberry Moon
July: Thunder Moon or Hay Moon
August: Grain Moon, Green Corn Moon, or simply Corn Moon
September: Fruit Moon or Harvest Moon
October: Harvest Moon, Blood Moon or Hunter’s Moon
November: Hunter’s Moon, Beaver Moon, Frosty Moon, or Snow Moon
December: Cold Moon, Moon Before Yule or Long Night Moon
A second full moon occurring in any month is called a Blue Moon.
Craft Focusing of Moon Energies
New moon. In this aspect, the moon is in the beginning or building of energy phase. The moon here is in the maiden phase.
Full Moon.Moon energies are most powerful. Power focus of energies and intent.
Waning moon.Focus is on riding of negativity's and wisdom. The moon here is in the wise, crone phase.
Dark of the moon. Caution is advised when working in this phase of the moon. The moons strength is diminished for positive working's. During this phase it is most powerfully focused by facing inwards.
Moon Energies in Zodiac Houses
Moon in Capricorn:
When the moon is in Capricorn you will see the need for structure, discipline, and all those other mundanities which help our lives run more smoothly.(i'm writing this so I get to put mine first!!!!)
Moon in Aquarius:
A time when unique and individual activities are favoured, but ones that favour all, rather than selfish, pursuits are best undertaken during this time.
Moon in Pisces:
Reorganise yourself, move within and start making plans for the future.
Moon in Aries:
Start things during this period which need last a short period. Anything undertaken while the moon is in Aries will be strong , but brief. (this makes sense to me Mars, or Aries used to be God of spring, but this coincided with the time of year that due to good weather they went to war, hence he became the god of war, as people appealed to him for good fortune in battle because he was the god current at this time of year. War couldn't be fought when the weather was too bad, so boughs of it would be fought in the good weather, I can see why casting here would be so)
Moon in Taurus:
If you cast a spell while the moon is in Taurus it will outlast any other cast at any other time. So be cautious, once on this path things are very difficult to alter.
Moon in Gemini:
A very inconsistent period. Projects during this time are not stable, and can be too easily influenced by exterior forces.
Moon in Cancer:
This is very nurturing time where anything which concerns emotional ties between people is highly favoured.
Moon in Leo:
This is a period of drama and overt exhibitionism. While the moon is in Leo , recreation and drama are highly favoured.(lol, yep i'm married to a Leo, I can see that one!!)
Moon in Virgo:
Details are strengthened, so long as there is advice from superiors. This is not a great time for independent though.
Moon in Libra:
Self -awareness, self examination, and interaction with others are all favourable during this period, but this is not a good time for spontaneity, so plan ahead.
Moon in Scorpio:
A time of great psychic power, or at least it makes you more aware of these attributes. A time to finalise any inauspicious connections.
Moon in Sagittarius:
A time when your imagination will soar, as will your creativity. A very positive time.
Excerted from: "Witchcraft Magazine"; issue #8