by A.C. Fisher Aldag
The phases of the moon:
Dark:
Not visible at all, fully blocked by the shadow of the Earth.
The three nights that the moon is not visible at all is called the Dark of the moon.
Magickal rites center on mysteries, banishings, divination. This is an optimal time for banishing unwanted situations or negative energies.
New:
Thin sliver or crescent, nearly blocked by the shadow of the Earth. Rises and sets with the sun.
May be seen in early morning or late at night.
In January through March in the Northern Hemisphere, the crescent moon appears as a smile. The rest of the year it appears as an archer’s bow, open end facing left. )
Magickal rites include beginning projects, the inception of events, cleansing and purifying.
Waxing Moon:
Half moon shaped like a D or ), left half blocked by the shadow of the Earth. The points aim away from the sunset.
Rises at noon, sets at midnight; most visible in the evening sky.
Magickal rites include working on projects, invoking, continuing events that have already been started.
Full:
Round, not blocked by the Earth’s shadow.
Rises at sundown, sets at sunrise.
Magickal rites include bringing events to fruition, completion of projects. Full moon rites may honor the Goddess. A time to make requests and give thanks for granted boons. Divination is easiest to perform under a full moon.
Considered the most powerful time for spell workings and rituals.
The night before the moon is completely full is called the daughter moon, the night of the moon being totally full is called the mother moon, and the night following is called the crone or elder moon.
Waning Moon:
Half moon shaped like a ( or C, right half blocked by the shadow of the Earth
Rises at midnight, sets at noon; most visible in the morning sky.
Magickal rites include banishing undesirable conditions, ending projects or events.
The average age of the Lunar month is 29.53 days. The word “month” derives from the word moon.
The moon is also called Luna, Chandra or Mona.
The day of the week representing or corresponding to the moon is Monday. Other correspondences with the moon include white, silver, the sephiroth of Yesod on the Cabalistic tree of life, and the Moon card of the Tarot deck which is number 18. Astrological sign is Cancer. The moon is associated with Water and watery elements or signs of the Zodiac. Trees corresponding with the moon are willow, hazel and yew. Plants include moon flowers, night-blooming jasmine, monk’s hood, lady’s mantle, mugwort, iris, lily of the valley.
Scattering moonstones under the full moon captures the Gods’ attention and brings about an answer to prayers.
A blue moon is the second full moon is a calendar month. A black moon is the second new moon in a calendar month.
A ring around the moon can mean rain. In the autumn, if the crescent moon is sharply defined, expect frost. The moon riding unnaturally high in the sky often precludes strange weather
Goddesses associated with the moon include Diana, Artemis, Isis, Danu, Nakomis, Aradia, Hecate, Luna, Chandra, Selena, and Cerridwen. Moon gods include Marama, Aku, Nana, Sin, Mani and Tsukuyomi,
The moon’s place in the Zodiac helps to determine the appropriate times for planting and harvest. The best time for planting are during the moon’s alignment with Zodiac signs which are associated with Water, including Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Above ground crops should be planted during the waxing moon, below-ground crops planted when the moon is on the wane.
Some cultures see various shapes in the craters and valleys on the moon. The image may be of a man, woman, hare, toad or frog, or a grove or trees.
A full moon affects tides, women’s menstrual cycles and can influence emotions.
The best days for fishing are when the moon is between new and full.
Native American names for the full moons:
