The New Moon
The New Moon actually rises at sunrise. When we are in a New Moon phase it appears to be completely dark as if there was no Moon at all. This phase begins the Waxing Moon part of the lunar cycle. Many believe that this is the best time to cleans and bless magickal/ritual tools. Others tend not to start any magickal work until the waxing crescent is in sight. The New Moon phase is a time for healing others and self, blessing home, crafts, jobs, and personal gain or growth.
The Waxing Moon
At this stage, She is growing into a Full Moon. She'll have that lighter colored crescent on the right side of the moon. This is the best time of drawing something to you. Example: Money Spell~ you want to draw the money to you, not away from you. This is also a great time for spells to bless projects, growth, fertility and jobs.
The Waning Moon
During this phase, She was just a Full Moon, so She will now be getting smaller. You should see a darker colored crescent on the right side of the Moon. During the Waning Moon, is the best time to do banishing spells. Example: Spell For Sending Trouble Away. We can also use this time to push away negative energies, health issues, and troubled thoughts. This is a great time to bless a house or personal space.
The Full Moon
The Full Moon appears to be totally light, and seems to be a perfect circle in the sky. Most people will agree that the Full Moon is also part of the Waxing Moon phase. After the Full Moon is complete, the Waning Moon phase begins all over again. You'll find that that quite allot will perform their magickal workings/rituals 3 days prior and after the actual Full Moon.
( I am one of those people! ) Others believe that that certain rituals and spells cannot start until the actual hour of the Full Moon rising. Any spells may be cast during this time.
According to NASA the moon goes around the Earth on average in 27 days, 7 hours and 43 minutes. The sun always illuminates the half of the moon facing the sun ( except during lunar eclipses, when the moon passes thru the earth's shadow). When the sun and the moon are on opposite sides of the Earth, the Moon appears "full". 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 decreases (wanes) to the next moon.
The edge of the the shadow is always curved, being an oblique view of a circle, giving the moon it's 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 always point upward in the sky. Next time you are looking at pictures of moons, notice which way the horns point...so many pictures depict an impossible moon with the ends facing down.
There is strong evidence and studies proving that the moon does affect numerous things, such as ocean tides, plant development, and human and animal behaviors. Many also believe ( as do I ) that the moon is very much involved in helping one tune in to psychic energies, as well as assisting with magickal workings.
Blood of the Moon: Many people have asked me about this so here is where I will define it. This is how a witch describes a her menstrual cycle. Watch out if the cycle occurs during the full moon!!!! The witch is way more powerful at that time of the month if she knows what she is doing. So many have just decided that this "time" was a curse, when really it was a blessing, if one knew what to do with it.
This came from neworleansmistic.com
The New Moon always rises at sunrise, And the First Quarter at noon, The Full Moon always rises at sunset, And the last Quarter at midnight.
English Medieval Moon Names
January: Wolf Moon
February: Storm Moon
March: Chaste Moon
April: Seed Moon
May: Hare Moon
June: Dyan Moon
July: Mead Moon
August: Corn Moon
September: Barley Moon
October: Blood Moon
November: Snow Moon
December: Oak Moon
Neo-Pagan Moon Names
January: Ice Moon
February: Snow Moon
March: Death Moon
April: Awakening Moon
May: Grass Moon/Flower Moon
June: Planting Moon/ Strong Sun Moon
July: Rose Moon
August: Lightning Moon
September: Harvest Moon
October: Blood Moon
November: Tree Moon
December: Long Night Moon
For Current Moon Phases Click:
Should look like the picture above and tell you if it's waxing or waning etc.
and give you the exact percentage of the current phase.
This will help you in all your spell work.
Lunar Scrying With Water
The full moon has long been considered a symbol of wisdom and intuition. We feel its connection every month, when it lights the night sky. Many of us feel more energetic and alert during the full phase of the moon. This is partly because our bodies and mind are intricately connected to the lunar cycles. Like our selves, water is also linked to the changing face of the moon -- just ask anyone who lives on the coast about the phenomenon of "lunar tide"!
>Using a reflective surface as a tool for scrying is hardly new -- the ancient Romans did it in their religious rituals, and the Egyptian "Book of the Dead" contains references to Hathor's magic mirror, used to see the future. Pre-Christian Celtic seers were believed to have visions when they looked upon dark stones such as beryl or other crystals, according to Pliny.
>Even in the 1500s, Nostradamus made notes about staring into a bowl of water by candlelight to gain inspiration.
This divination is one of the simplest. It's best to do it outside if at all possible, because, after all, you are relying on the moon to illuminate the water for you! If you can't perform this ritual on the night of the full moon, the night immediately before or immediately after is just as acceptable.
In addition to a clear sky and a full moon, you'll need the following items: A table or some sort of flat work space, dark bowl a pitcher containing enough water to fill the bowl, a journal or notepad to write in, as well as a pen. Optional: your favorite meditative music
If your tradition normally requires you to cast a circle, do so now. If you'd like to play some music, go ahead and start your cd player. Sit or stand comfortably at your workspace. Begin by closing your eyes, and attuning your mind to the energy around you. Feel the soft earth under your feet. Hear the rustling of the wind in the trees. Breathe in the scent of grass and earth that lingers in the air. Raise your arms out to your sides, palms facing up, and feel the energy of the moon above you.
Take some time to gather that energy. It's a pull, a palpable sensation that we can feel, if we just take the time to look for it. Feel that silvery power above you, and recognize your connection to it, and to the Divine.
When you are ready to begin scrying, open your eyes. Notice the night all around you. You may feel an unusual sense of clarity and alertness - don't be alarmed, it's just that lunar energy at work. Raise the pitcher in one hand, holding it over the bowl. As you do, visualize wisdom and guidance within the water. As you pour the water into the bowl, from the pitcher, see the energy of the moon charging that water. Recognize that this water can show you the mysteries of the moon.
When the bowl is full, position yourself so that you can see the moon's light reflected directly into the water. Stare into the water, looking for patterns, symbols or pictures. You may see images moving, or perhaps even words forming. You may have thoughts pop spontaneously into your head, that seem to have nothing at all to do with anything. Use your journal, and write everything down. Spend as much time as you like gazing into the water -- it may be just a few minutes, or even an hour. Stop when you begin to feel restless, or if you're getting distracted by mundane things ("Hm, did I feed the cat?").
When you are finished gazing into the water, make sure you have recorded everything you saw, thought and felt during your scrying session. Messages often come to us from other realms and yet we frequently don't recognize them. If a bit of information doesn't make sense, don't worry -- sit on it for a few days and let your unconscious mind process it. Chances are, it will make sense eventually. It's also possible that you could receive a message that's meant for someone else -- if something doesn't seem to apply to you, think about your circle of friends, and who it might be meant for.
Afterwards, you can leave your water out overnight to charge it even more, or you can pour it away into your garden as an offering.
** Note: If you live near a natural body of water such as a pond or lake, you can perform water scrying with these larger "bowls" instead!
Lady LavenStar Raene
~ Of Laven's Lair ~
"The Psychic Witch"
