The Moons Influence

[Denise Morgan (Helping Hand)]

The Moons Influence

An important consideration, some say the most important, when determining the best time for magickal working is the Moon or Lunar Phases. The Lunar Phases are on a 28-day cycle, going from New Moon to Full Moon and back to New Moon again. Some modern practitioners operate strictly according to astronomical calculations, timing their workings to the last second. Some prefer to go by simple observation, which might be more traditional method. But it might be best to use a combination of both, using an astrological calendar for basic idea when things are going on and by simple observation of the Lunar Phases.

WAXING MOON
The Waxing Moon is the period from the New Moon to the Full Moon, which lasts about 11 days. It begins at the first visible crescent and ends when the Moon is Full. This is considered the ideal time for magick geared towards drawing things to you, for increasing of things, and growth of things, the best time to bring things you have been working on into full blossom. Time to do healings, blessings and consecration of tools, except for the Athame.

WANING MOON
The Waning Moon is the period of time from Full Moon to New Moon, which lasts about 11 days. It begins just after the Full Moon until last visible crescent disappears becoming the New Moon. This is the time for study, meditation and decreasing magick, to remove unwanted influences and energies, to break bad habits, to end harmful relationships and to reconcile with the past. It is a time of endings and to bring things to a conclusion. This is the time to consecrate your Athame.

FULL MOON
A 3-day period when 100% of the Moon is appears fully visible. The 3 days are the day before and the day after astronomical full and the day of astronomical full. This is when the Moon is at its full strength, the apex of her power. This is the time of strongest work. It is the perfect time to do spells for fertility or those that will help increase psychic abilities.

NEW/DARK MOON
Some practitioners don’t deal with or even mention the period of the New/Dark Moon. This is when there is no visible sign of the Moon in the sky, which is a 3-day period between the Waning and the Waxing of the Moon. This is when the energies of the Moon are at its weakest, traditionally a time of little to no magickal workings are done. Depending on if you want to work with the New Moon energies or the Dark Moon energies will determine what type of work you would do. If you work with the New Moon energies you will do workings to bring about new things into your life. If you work with the Dark Moon energies should do workings for discovering or rediscovering yourself.

LUNAR ECLIPES
This occurs during the Full Moon and averagely happens twice a year. This occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Moon to go through its monthly cycle within a couple of hours. From the start to the peak is like the Waning Moon, from the peak to the end is like the Waxing Moon, and at the peak is like the New/Dark Moon. The advantage is that during this time you can work with the different phases of the Moon while having the strength of the Full Moon.

BLUE MOON
The current common belief is that a blue moon is the second full moon in a single calendar month. These moons are thought to be particularly lucky and have the double the power of a normal full moon.

BLACK MOON
This is an uncommon occurrence but comes around every ten to thirteen years. It is either when there is a second New/Dark Moon in a calendar month, or a second New/Dark Moon in a Zodiac Sign. This moon is thought to have twice the strength of a normal Dark Moon and is the best for removing that which is unwanted in your life.

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Moon Meanings And Magick Correspondences
~W.T.C.

Full Moons and their Meanings-
In many religions in early times, the moon became a symbol, and even the home of the many gods and goddesses that dwelt in the otherworlds. Today, based on many centuries of practice and understanding of the divine, the pagan religion maintain a strong side with the moon and all her phases. Each phase of the moon has its own individual designation of the triple goddess.
The waxing moon. The growth into a full moon is termed as the Maiden.
The full moon is designated as the Mother because of its fullness, power and it is representative of fertility.
The waxing moon is known as the Crone or wise woman, she is represented as the aged mature being, rich with knowledge and experience.
The Mother.... the Maiden.... the Crone
Not all pagan beliefs see the moon in the same light. There are some who look upon the Moon is a bad omen, or say that no magic will be performed on the dark or waning moon. They are of the opinion that the new Moon is a sign of changes, and even of bad luck. But as the moon has her light and dark side so do we all! To tap into both sides and to achieve a balance, one must embrace all aspects of the goddess or moon phases. Many Goddesses were associated with the moon in ancient beliefs, and for some still are! Diana, Isis and others were most known for the fall or waxing phase of the moon. Cerridwen, Hecate and the Hag were known as symbols of the dark Moon or waning phase of the moon. In some beliefs and traditions the waxing to the full moon was ideal for magical activities, the waning phase was ideal for banishing meditation and divination. The new Moon was not to be used for anything.. a time of rest and reflection. The Moon is a powerful symbol in the sacred tarot also. The moon stands for deceit, occult forces or psychic ability, and can also indicate secrets or hidden facts which are coming forward or overcoming one's own problems by using one's own innate psychic abilities. In astrology, the moon also has a strong impact on the other signs in which one was born. In some societies the stages of the moon are taken into account during planting and harvesting of crops, In our own western society this was so up to perhaps 60 years ago! Perhaps something that we should consider exploring again.
Although we usually know generally speaking what phase the moon is in at any particular time, what we don't always realise is how much we are influenced by the powers of lunar energies and how they affect our lives. In the pagan calendar (which is both Wiccan and Celtic) not only are the eights Sabbats and holy days of worship acknowledged but also with the Wheel of the Seasons and 13 full moon phases, one every 28 1/4 days.