Moon Phases 101

By Tomruen, via Wikimedia Commons

Working with the phases of the moon can greatly strengthen your magical workings.  Knowing what type of work goes with which moon phase can be a little tricky when you're starting out, but once you get the hang of it, it will become second nature.  With a little tweaking, you can fit your magic to whatever moon phase is currently happening.  More on that at the end, though!

New Moon: The term "new moon" indicates the first three days that the moon becomes visible after the dark moon. The phase is a strong time for meditation work, for working on forgiveness, healing, initiations or consecrations, romance, self-improvement and personal growth.  If you are planning a project that will take an extended time to complete, the new moon is a great time to begin it.
Goddess to work with during the new moon include (but are not limited to): Artemis, Athena, Brigid, Clotho, Isis, Juno, Laksmi, the Maiden, Mary and Selene.
Gods include: Apollo and Osiris.

Waxing Moon: The waxing phase of the moon is from the dark of the moon to the full moon.  In other words, the moon is "growing" larger, and it's appropriate for magical works for growth and enhancement.  Work on any type of new beginnings in your life (alternately think of this as "attraction" magic), whether it's a new job, a new love or new friends.  Things that need to be "grown"  or increased can be worked on as well: prosperity, good health, increasing psychic talents, fertility, courage, passion, ideas.  This phases is also good for planting seeds or transplanting plants.  Traditionally, this is the moon phase under which you should harvest your magical herbs.
Goddesses to work with during the waxing moon include (but are not limited to): Artemis, Diana, Epona, the Maiden, Neith.

Full Moon: The phase when the moon's power is the strongest.  Any magic will benefit from being done in this phase.  The best types of workings to be done include divination, dream work,  working on goals or ideas,  protection, empowerment and hex removal.
Goddesses to work with during the full moon include (but are not limited to): Arianrhod, Artemis, Astarte, Danu, Diana, Freya, Isis, Juno, Selene, Yemaya.
Gods to work with include: Jupiter, Odin, Osiris and Thor.

Waning Moon: The waning moon lasts from the full moon to the dark moon.  While the moon is "shrinking" work on things you'd like to shrink, remove, end or transform.  Work on breaking bad habits, ending bad relationships, banishments, ending injustices or reducing weight.  It's also a good time for easing aches and pains or transforming chronic illnesses.
Goddesses to work with during the waning moon include (but are not limited to): Annis, Astarte, the Cailleach,  Hecate, Inanna, and Lilith.
Gods include: Tammus.

Dark Moon: When the moon is not visible many magical practitioners choose to take a rest from magic.  This time can be used as a time for relaxation.  Some use it as a time for meditation or divination.  Some traditions use the dark moon as a time for casting hexes or jinxes.
Goddesses to work with include: the Crone, Hecate and Lilith.

Blue Moon: A blue moon is the second moon happening within one month.  Blue moons are a powerful time to practice divination, work on protection or perform wish magic.  It's also a powerful time for fertility related magic.

At some point, you may find yourself in need of working on a specific type of magic but don't want to have to wait for the appropriate moon phase.  The trick for this is simply to twist the idea of what you are working on.  Example: It's the Waxing moon, but you feel a strong urge to work on loosing weight.  Instead of waiting for the waning moon, simply change the goal you are working on to "increasing my intake of healthy, lower calorie foods".  Example 2: It's the phase of the waning moon when you realize you really need to disentangle yourself from a friend who is an energy suck and only brings you negative energy.  Instead of working on exiting that friendship, change your intent into growing your self-sufficiency or growing your circle of strong, positive friends.  It can also be very beneficial to work the waxing, waning and full moons towards your goal in this way.




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