Chapter 2
For whereas the mind works in possibilities,
the intuitions work in actualities, and when
you intuitively desire, that is possible to you.
Whereas what you mentally or “consciously” desire
is nine times out of ten impossible; hitch your wagon to a star, or you will just stay where you are.
D. H. Lawrence
Now that you have this information, you can get a better understanding of your own unique psychic gifts. It will help you to understand your abilities and talents if you validate and document them as you go along. If you ignore your intuition and your psychic abilities, they will sulk or won’t “speak” to you at all, making it much harder for you to coax them back out. Get a little notebook and jot down your psychic experiences, and then follow them up with a quick note so you can keep track of how things turned out. Validating the experiences is key; it also helps you figure things out.
For example, for years I would have soft, fuzzy dreams of a baby girl who would crawl through a room where I was sitting. She would babble at me, smile, and then crawl away. I would leap up to chase after her while she giggled at me and crawled even faster. As soon as I’d get close enough to scoop her up, I would wake up from the dream.
When my kids were small, that dream scared me to death. I wrongly assumed, at first, that it meant I was pregnant again (three kids were plenty for my husband and me). Then, after a while, I realized that every time I had this dream, it was simply a way of telling me it was about someone else—that another baby was on its way to a close friend or family member—which took the stress right out of the experience, let me tell you!
At last count, we are up to sixteen nieces and nephews. So over the years she has shown up a lot in my dreams, whether the baby is a boy or girl. Now I know whenever I have this dream that within a week we usually receive some happy news.
Only once has this dream changed on me. That one time in the dream, as I went to scoop her up, instead of waking up I found the baby sitting in front of me, spelling out the name “Elizabeth” in alphabet blocks. Then I woke up, surprised and startled at the new twist on my familiar dream. I stayed quiet about that new information, wrote it down in my dream journal, and waited. Sure enough, a new nephew and then a niece arrived within a year—and my niece’s parents announced, after she was born, that her middle name would be Elizabeth.
Remember, for the most part, that psychic impressions are quiet and subtle. So don’t worry about them. The only time they are loud or full blast is if the message is vitally important or you are in danger. If for some reason you experience this, then pay attention, and be smart and safe. Think of those psychic warnings like signposts on a road. Pay attention and make the appropriate detours, if necessary. Forewarned is forearmed. Be aware and pay attention. Work the exercises that were listed earlier in this chapter, and have fun! Use the journal pages in this book to start a dream journal, and see what you learn. Figure out where your talents lie, and then add this knowledge to the magick you already practice.
In our next chapter, we will discover the psychic tides and energies of the moon. This will provide you with even more opportunities to crank up the volume on your own individual style of magick. Just imagine all of the new ways you’ll be able to think about your Witchcraft and natural magick! Once you start down this intuitive path, it will quite naturally lead you straight to your own inner wisdom. Go ahead, embrace your psychic abilities—and let’s add another wonderful dimension to your natural witchery.
Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to the listening earth
Repeats the story of her birth . . .
Joseph Addison
The Psychic Cycles of the Moon
No other natural object has been more venerated throughout time than our closest companion in the sky, the moon. Moon mythology stretches far back into our history, and every country and culture has its own legends and tales about lunar deities. For Witches, the ever-changing moon symbolizes the Triple Goddess in her aspects of Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Our mystical and mysterious moon has a feminine power that is associated with intuition, magick, and psychic themes.
In ancient times, the moon was important to the people for a number of reasons. First and most obviously, it was a source of light in the night sky. The moon was also a time keeper, as the ancient people counted the moon’s cycles, making the first calendar of sorts. The moon also regulated the ocean’s tides and the migratory movement of the earth’s creatures.
All people are affected by the moon—women in particular, due to the obvious connections between the moon’s phases and their menstrual cycles and fertility. Men also are influenced by the moon, but they need to pay attention to these subtle changes. In years past, this was a much more basic and “earthy” connection, as the moon was utilized in the ancient peoples’ calculations and plans as hunters and gatherers. The men carefully watched the full moons come and go, noting the seasonal changes and the movement of the animals. The knowledge of the most opportune time to plant and to harvest crops, as well as the most favorable time to fish and hunt, was an integral part of their mysteries.
Learning how to work with the intuitive energies of the moon today helps us to attune with the rhythm of natural energy within our own lives. In truth, all the cycles of the moon generate their own type of psychic energy and magick, for lunar energies are both feminine and receptive. Make no mistake, whether you are male or female, they do influence your moods, psychic abilities, magick, and your life. This is important to realize, since psychic powers are receptive in nature—and by that I mean you receive the images and impressions. When you work in accord with these lunar tides, you draw in Goddess energy. This lunar power attracts and pulls in; receptive energy is magnetic, as it draws whatever it desires to itself.
The Goddess and the power of the moon are popular topics of discussion among Witches, Pagans, and magick users. However, many folks sort of miss the forest for the trees when it comes to the Goddess, magick, and the moon. So, before you roll your eyes and let out an aggrieved sigh, thinking that I’m going to launch into a basic Wicca 101 topic that you already know … hold on for a second. There is further information to be gained on this subject other than just the typical correspondences of “Maiden: waxing moon; Mother: full moon; and Crone: waning moon.” When was the last time you really paid attention to how the phases of the moon affected both your intuition and your psychic sensitivity?
As the moon is a natural representation for the Goddess, you may want to pause and reconsider all the various moon phases and the psychic energies that they bring into your spellcasting. Both the Goddess and the moon are ever-changing. They have many aspects or faces and myriad lessons to reveal. I suggest you take a walk outside at night and spend some time under the moon’s transforming light. Open up your heart and expand your psychic abilities. Allow your intuition to lead you, and the illumination of the Goddess will shine down on you.
Lady Moon, Lady Moon, where are you roving?
A Children’s Song
Drawing Down the Moon
The act of drawing down the moon is a powerful psychic and magickal experience. By focusing on the light of the full moon, you are actually drawing the Goddess into your own body. Again, realize that lunar energy is intuitive, magnetic, and receptive. This is a force of nature, and tapping into this power is a transformative experience. This type of empowerment needs to be felt, and it’s going to be different for each individual.
I have heard this process explained and intellectualized to death, but the truth is this is a silent ritual. It requires no tools or props other than yourself and the full moon. Learning to draw down the moon is an intuitive and personal experience that marks a significant step of your journey. This is an important part of natural witchery, for now you are beginning to make your magick both intuitive and personal.
No words are needed while you draw down the moon. If you’d like to say a few words in greeting before you get started, go right ahead. Typically I look up, smile at the moon, and say, “Hello, Goddess.” Seems to me that a simple and heartfelt greeting is much more eloquent than fumbling around trying desperately to remember that lengthy, dramatic poem you memorized. The Goddess does not require melodrama. Just be yourself, and follow your own insights. The following steps for the process are straightforward ones, and as we’ve seen, simple is usually the best.
- Step outside and stand under the light of the full moon. Too basic for you? Hmm, you’d be surprised. You have to get outside for this one, folks.
- Ground and center yourself. Imagine that your feet are like the roots of a tree, and sink them down into the earth. Visualize that any stress or anger you may be carrying is draining away to be absorbed back harmlessly into the earth. Now see that the earth is in turn sending you revitalizing energy. Raise up your arms, and stretch out your fingers. Take a nice deep cleansing breath and blow it out slowly.
- Next, you may stand with your hands loosely at your sides, holding your hands palms up. I have seen people dramatically throw their arms out wide and embrace the night sky. Go with whatever position feels more natural to you. If you are concerned that someone (like a curious neighbor) may be watching, then just keep your arms down and stand in a relaxed pose.
- Now open up your chakras. Just as we practiced in the previous chapter, light up those seven energy centers, stretch out your psychic feelings, and open yourself up to the Goddess and her illumination.
- Tip up your face to the light of the moon, and envision pulling some of that luminosity and power down and inside of yourself. Give yourself a few moments, and feel the difference that it makes. For example, if you feel down and self-conscious, you will likely stand taller and be more confident after drawing down the moon. If you feel overwhelmed and stressed out, you’ll notice that your shoulders will relax, and you will feel more at peace when you are finished. You may feel a shivery and tingling connection with other Witches from all over the world. Or you may feel a comforting warmth surrounding you, like an astral hug, telling you that She is looking down on you and smiling. Enjoy the sensations for a while.
- Take a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Now zip your chakras closed with a quick arm motion from your mid-thigh area to over the top of your head. Ground and center again. Relax.
- Whisper a “thank you” to the Goddess. Return indoors.
- If you’d like, take notes and write down in your journal or Book of Shadows what you experienced. (Also, I’ll let you in on a little secret: the various full moons throughout the year do carry different energies. The harvest moon feels electric and mysterious, while a winter full moon seems wise and silent; a summer full moon has a lazy, mellow quality as compared to the energy and excitement of a spring full moon. Keep track and note what differences you personally experience.)
Okay, so how’d you do? Everyone will experience this gift from the Goddess in their own way. Do not, I repeat, do not think this process to death. Just get out there and experience it. Before we close up this section, here is a little more food for thought. Traditionally, drawing down the moon is performed at the full moon phase. However, try working this exercise at several different lunar phases, like the new crescent just after sunset or the waning moon in the early morning hours, and see what sort of results you achieve then.
Want more information on the other mystical lunar phases? Well, in our next section we will examine the various phases of the moon and what magick and psychic abilities are affected by them. Oh, and there are a few lunar spells in there for you to work as well.
Late yester evening I saw the new moon,
With the old moon in her arm.
Thomas Percy
The Psychic and Magickal Moon Phases
There is a subtle and enchanting rhythm to the mood of each month and the lunar cycles as they roll from one into the other. By working in harmony with these lunar tides, you can easily turn up the volume on your magick, especially when you recognize and work in accord with your intuition and personal psychic abilities.
Now that you have acknowledged your psychic talents, you can embrace the ability to be receptive. For receptive power is not passive, it is magnetic, compelling, and captivating. This type of energy draws intuition, magick, and power straight to you. Receptive lunar power will also boost your inspiration and facilitate the effectiveness of your magick.
How, you may wonder? Because the power of the lunar phases profoundly influences all life on the planet as well as human behavior. Working with and acknowledging the cycles of the moon allows us to arrange our magick in the most opportune way. Just as certain types of magick will coordinate with either the waxing or waning moon, so too will your psychic abilities be affected by the ever-changing lunar tides and energies. The trick here, my friends, is to learn to work with these psychic energies in harmony with nature and your magick.
Listed below are four major lunar phases and the accompanying psychic and magickal information. There is a coordinating psychic spell listed, and the deity aspects of the Maiden, Mother, and Crone are listed as well. May this information shed a little moonlight on the subject for you.
First Quarter
(From the new moon to the waxing half moon.) As the slim crescent moon slowly becomes fuller each night, now is the time to begin new projects, to be creative, to meet new people, and to be outgoing. Your personal psychic energy will be building, and you will notice you are more sympathetic and sensitive to other people’s positive emotions at this time. Awaken your intuition and pay attention, for as the moon grows brighter your dreams and their meanings will become clearer. Here is the ideal time for magick and spells that draw things to you. Pull that affirmative change and bubbling energy straight into your life and reap the benefits. The waxing moon is a time to celebrate growth and potential. As the moon grows larger, your magickal goals will manifest. This moon phase corresponds with the Maiden aspect of the Goddess, such as Athena, Artemis/Diana, and Bast.
Second Quarter
(From the waxing half moon to the full moon.) During this lunar phase, emotions and instinct are heightened. You will notice that precognitive dreams, intuition, and clairvoyance will peak as the full moon gets closer. During this lunar phase, spells will come to fruition swiftly, especially if they are uncomplicated and sincere. The closer you can cast your spells to the actual time of the full moon, the more power and oomph your spells and charms will have. Now, the day of the full moon is actually a time of maximum magickal power. This is an all-purpose lunar phase, so get in there and start casting! The full moon aligns with the Mother aspect of the Goddess; for example, Selene, Luna, Freya, Isis, or Aphrodite.
Third Quarter
(From the second night after the full moon to the waning half moon.) When the moon begins to wane, its light slowly dissipates in the night sky. This is a powerful time of internal energy and an opportunity to quietly look within. Focus on dreams, instincts, and gut hunches. If you are clairaudient, pay particular attention to those internal messages. While the moon wanes, work magick to remove negativity and obstacles that you are facing. During this lunar phase, work magick to carefully dissolve problems, push away troubles, and remove negativity in the best way possible for all those concerned. As the moon wanes, so too will the situation or problem. The third-quarter moon corresponds to the Crone aspect of the Goddess, such as Cerridwen, Hecate, or Nepthys.
Fourth Quarter
(From the waning half moon until the dark of the moon.) This is the dark time of the moon. You may find that your psychic talents take a little vacation during the dark phases of the moon, or, on the other hand, they may come roaring to life with an all-out bombardment on your senses. Personally, I have found that abilities such as empathy and psychometry are more pronounced at this time. Why, you may wonder? Well, I have found that this type of psychic ability forces you to look within and to be still as the information comes to you—what better time than in the waning moon, when your powers are focused internally? Magickally, now is the occasion to tackle serious issues, such as extreme protection magick, bindings, or banishings, and keeping away criminals, prowlers, or stalkers. Casting your spells in the final days of the moon’s cycle (when the moon is not visible at all) will increase the force behind your banishing and protective magick. This phase of the moon is often linked to the darker aspects of the Goddess, when she is a spiritual warrior; again, Hecate is a good one to work with in this phase, but you can also call on Sekhmet, the Morrigan, or even Kali, if you are really feeling brave.
Psychic Spells for the Four Moon Phases
Supplies
- A white tealight candle
- A clear candleholder cup
- A small magnet (to represent the moon’s magnetism and “pull” in your life)
- A lighter or matches
- A safe, flat surface to set up on
Directions
Set the candle inside the candleholder, and place the magnet in front of it. If you choose, you can jazz up these spells with silver glitter sprinkled on your work surface. Or how about a silver or white altar cloth, or fresh white flowers tucked in a vase? Try fragrant flowers such as white roses, lilies, freesia, or daisies.
Once you have things arranged to your liking, take a moment to ground and center. Visualize all the fresh energies that the moon in her various phases provides. When you are ready, light the candle and repeat the spell corresponding to the moon phase you are in three times. Allow the candle to burn out in a safe place when you are finished. Please note: tealights take about four hours to burn.
First Quarter Moon Spell
This lunar spell encourages fresh starts and helps you to sense the magnetic and feminine powers of the moon. At this time, your psychic abilities will begin to burgeon out and your empathy will increase.
Increase my sensitivity during this first lunar phase
Bringing fresh starts and inspired magick into all my days
Lunar powers are magnetic, they do pull in positive change
May the Maiden goddess hear my call and bless me in many ways.
Second Quarter Moon Spell
This lunar spell calls for you to ride the psychic wave with the increasing lunar energies and light of the moon as it grows fuller each night. This is a good “opening spell” to use in a ritual throughout this waxing lunar phase.
As the moon rolls through its second phase, magick will surely grow.
The gifts of sight, dreams, and intuition now begin to flow.
Bless my spells with extra power, may I use my gifts wisely,
While the Mother’s moon waxes full, shining love straight down on me.
Third Quarter Moon Spell
The following lunar spell works in harmony with the waning moon. This is the point in time where you work magick to remove obstacles and problems. This is the time of the clairaudient’s greatest powers, so focus those psychic abilities internally and listen carefully for messages and wisdom. The magick is inside you. Be still, and let it unfold.
As the moon starts to wane, the third lunar cycle begins,
So look quietly within, reflect, and soul-search again.
Work to remove problems now, spells I’ll carefully weave,
As the moon grows smaller, so too will my troubles leave.
Fourth Quarter Moon Spell
Finally, here is a spell for the final phase of the moon. This is the Crone’s moon, and at this time your psychic gifts may be at their strongest. As the energy turns to a hushed, waiting mode, it doesn’t mean it’s gone, just that it is extremely focused and internal. So if you aren’t paying attention, you may not pick up on those psychic impressions. If this is a problem for you, ask the wise old Crone for her assistance. As far as magick is concerned, this is the time to deal with those more serious issues. Check out the final line of this spell and adjust as necessary for your purposes; for example, the word “protection” can be easily switched to “banishing.”
The Crone’s moon grows smaller at the passing of each eve.
For this magick to work, in myself I must believe.
Charms performed now require a wisdom most sublime
The protection spell is now cast, sealed up with a rhyme.
That orbed maiden with white fire laden
whom mortals call the moon.
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Enchanting Lunar Eclipses
If there is ever an opportunity to cash in on a phenomenal period of natural psychic and magickal power, it is during a lunar eclipse. These celestial events offer us a wonderful chance to work very powerful intuitive magick. Over the years, I have noticed that on the day of a lunar eclipse my psychic abilities get turned up to full volume. And I have also discovered that any type of moon magick is especially potent if performed during the lunar eclipse.
Why? Well, during the eclipse, the moon appears to go through all of its phases in a few hours—so you can literally tap into each phase of the moon in a brief period of time. As you watch the moon roll through that lunar eclipse, you are experiencing one of nature’s most incredible shows. It is easy to imagine how in ancient times an eclipse filled people with awe. Seeing the moon change in front of your very eyes surely had to be the work of the gods. Actually, a friend of mine once described the lunar eclipse to her young daughters as a time when the Goddess slowly pulls her burgundy cape across the moon, which I think is a wonderful visualization.
Technically, an eclipse occurs when one celestial object passes into the shadow cast by another—as with an eclipse of the moon, when the moon falls under Earth’s shadow. If this occurs during a full moon, where the moon will travel through Earth’s shadow, it is called a lunar eclipse.
Much to my surprise, the term solar eclipse is a misnomer; an occultation is the correct term for a solar eclipse. The term occult, in fact, means “hidden.” And according to astronomical terminology, an occultation is defined as an event that occurs when one heavenly body passes in front of and hides or blocks another. For example, in a classic solar eclipse, the moon is at its new phase, and it passes in front of and blocks, or “occults,” the sun—as seen from Earth. The moon casts a shadow on Earth, and, depending on the viewer’s location, if they are under the path of the shadow, they see the event as a total solar eclipse.
Okay, so you probably remember your earth science classes from middle school, and you are all set to tell me how you already understand the mechanics of an eclipse. But as I researched this lunar section of the book, a few lunar terms kept popping up, and after consideration I decided that they are important words to add to any Witch’s vocabulary—especially as you are studying lunar magick. For example, do you know what earthshine is? I had noticed this during waxing and waning crescent moons for years, but I never knew it had a technical term.
Also, did you know there are four different types of lunar eclipses? Ever wonder what they are? Well, you’ll find them right here in the following list of terms. Read over these terms and add some new information to your magickal studies. I’ve yet to meet a Witch or magickal practitioner who wasn’t always on the lookout for something new to learn!
Terms & Types of Lunar Eclipses
Apogee—When the moon is at its farthest point from Earth: 252,700 miles away.
Blue Moon—The second full moon that occurs within one calendar month.
Earthshine—The dark, smoky portion of the moon that you can see shining alongside a brilliant crescent. Described as seeing “the old moon within the new moon’s arms.”
Harvest Moon—The full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox. Typically these occur in September; however, one out of three harvest moons do fall in the month of October.
Lunation—One lunar cycle phase.
Occultation—An astronomical event that happens when one celestial body passes in front of another, making an object partially or fully hidden in the sky, such as a solar “eclipse.”
Partial Lunar Eclipse—When only part of the moon enters the umbra (the umbra being the darker inner section of Earth’s shadow).
Penumbra—The outer part of Earth’s shadow where sunlight is not completely blocked during an eclipse. It only dims the moon slightly.
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse—This occurs when the moon only passes through Earth’s outer section of the shadow, the penumbra.
Perigee—When the moon is the closest distance to Earth, at 221,550 miles. If the perigee falls on a full moon phase, the moon will look slightly larger than normal.
Total Lunar Eclipse—This occurs when the moon goes entirely into Earth’s darkest, most inner part of the shadow, the umbra.
Total Penumbral Eclipse—A rare type of lunar eclipse where the eclipse stays only within the penumbra section of Earth’s shadow, but the sections of the moon closest to the umbra will look a bit darker than the rest of the moon.
Totality—The phase of an eclipse when it is total.
Umbra—This is the region of the complete, darkest shadow created by Earth in an eclipse. In lunar eclipses it has a reddish hue.
Zenith—The point in the sky directly above the viewer. Also the highest point of the moon’s—or the sun’s—arc across the sky.
With hue like that when some great painter dips
His pencil in the gloom of earthquake and eclipse.
Percy Bysshe Shelley
The Colors and Magicks
of a Lunar Eclipse
While the moon doesn’t completely disappear during a lunar eclipse, it does change color—sometimes dramatically. As the moon passes through the umbra, the color effect will depend on the amount of refracted light and the number of clouds in the atmosphere blocking that light. This causes the moon to have a reddish hue that can vary widely from one eclipse to another. And there is a way to rate the color of a lunar eclipse.
This scale was devised by a celebrated French astronomer named André-Louis Danjon (1890–1967). He recorded the brightness measurements using this method, which came to be called the “Danjon Scale,” for over twenty-five years. In 1958, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society. Here is the color rating scale:
0 Very dark eclipse: The moon looks almost invisible
1 Dark eclipse: grey or brownish color, difficult to see
2 Deep red, burgundy, or rust-colored eclipse, with a very dark central part in the umbra and the outer rim of the umbra relatively bright
3 Brick-red eclipse, typically with a bright or yellow rim to the umbra
4 Very bright copper or orange-colored eclipse, with a bluish, very bright
umbral rim
Magickal Correspondences for the
Colors of a Lunar Eclipse
I thought it would be interesting to add the traditional color magick correspondences to this color scale to see what I came up with, and the results were fascinating, to say the least. Keep in mind that it’s going to be tough to predict the color of the lunar eclipse. You are going to have to live on the edge and be spontaneous once you see what sort of color you are going to experience. I suggest waiting until the eclipse hits its peak or totality, then you can go from there.
0 During a deep and dark-toned lunar eclipse, work spells and charms for protections, banishings, and bindings.
1 For this rating, with that dark grey or brown color, try working glamouries or spells for neutrality or invisibility, or to make your actions go unnoticed.
2 The dark red hue corresponds with the Mother aspect of the Goddess, as well as healing, love, and protection magick.
3 An eclipse that rates a 3 on the scale, with a red moon and bright yellow rim, may be a perfect complement to transformation spells or magick that increases your psychic knowledge and reception.
4 Finally, an orange-looking eclipse could be worked for magick that
increases your personal power and for success.
Also, don’t forget to experiment with this color list and see what you come up with. Use your intuition and work with the color associations of your own tradition. The most powerful magick is individual and custom-made to suit your needs.
Lunar Eclipse Ritual to
Increase Psychic Talents
On average, there are two lunar eclipses during the year, so you will have a few chances during the year to experiment with this ritual. How do you find out exactly when and in what location viewing will be the best? Hit the Internet. Some of the better sites I have found for eclipse information are listed in this book’s bibliography. While this spell is to increase your psychic abilities, you have other options for magick during a lunar eclipse as well. Eclipse magick may also be utilized for transformation, protection, prosperity, or healing, but don’t stop there. Use your imagination and decide for yourself. Personally, I like to save eclipse magick for important or “big guns” type of work. And personal transformation seems to fall into that category, as far as I’m concerned.
Note: As the lunar eclipse will take a few hours to work its way through its cycle, keep in mind that this ritual will take a few hours of your time. Plan ahead and make yourself comfortable during this ritual. Remember the ritual will last as long as the eclipse does, so you’re going to be there a while.
Consider dragging a sleeping bag to the backyard or sitting in a lawn chair on your porch—whatever works. In a pinch, during a very cold winter eclipse I once stayed inside and lay across my bed watching the moon change through the bedroom windows. My children were very young at the time, so I let them stay up for a while and watch the eclipse with me. Yup, you guessed it, the Witch and her young brood all attired in their flannel pajamas. It was very cosmopolitan and chic. Once the kids all dropped off to sleep, I bundled them back to bed and then took notes on my experiences during the rest of the event and meditated.
To work the following lunar eclipse ritual, set up your supplies an hour or so ahead of the event, and then while the moon is covered with that dusky-looking shadow, you can work the following ritual for personal transformation and to increase your psychic abilities. You will notice a difference in your perception levels during this ritual, so be prepared to note your experiences in your journal. (Oh—and flannel PJs are strictly
optional!)
Supplies
- One white taper candle (for the full moon)
- One burgundy taper candle (to represent the shadow falling across the moon)
- Two candlestick holders
- Matches or a lighter
- A safe, flat surface to set up on
- Your Book of Shadows or journal to take notes in
- Pencil or pen
Directions
Light the two tapers—first the white, then the burgundy. Sit and meditate for a moment or two on the changes you’d like to bring about. Repeat the following charm just as the eclipse begins. Then once the spell is spoken, go and find yourself a good, comfortable spot to watch one of nature’s finest shows.
As the Goddess pulls her soft cloak across the face of the moon,
I light a dark and white candle to bring transformation soon.
As the eclipse shows all the lunar phases so bright,
May my psychic talents be seen in a whole new light.
As the eclipse finishes, close up your spell with this line:
By the powers of the moon, earth, and sun,
So mote it be, and let it harm none.
Allow the eclipse spell candles to burn in a safe place until they go out on their own.
Let the air strike our tune,
Whilst we show reverence to yond peeping moon.
Thomas Middleton
Bewitching Blue Moons
In modern folklore, a blue moon is defined as the second full moon to fall within one calendar month. Why is it called a blue moon, you may wonder? This popular title started in the early 1900s and appears to have originated from the phrase “once in a blue moon”—meaning the event was rare. So has the moon ever actually appeared blue? Yes, after a major volcanic eruption. When the volcanic ash rose up into the atmosphere, the ash clouds made the moon appear a blueish color.
Blue moons occur once every thirty-two to thirty-three months, on average. And in 1999 there were double blue moons. Since that year’s February had only 28 days and the lunar cycles were favorable, both January and March had two full moons each. If you missed out on this event, you can catch the double blue moons again; they happen approximately every nineteen solar years. Look for double blue moons to make their appearance in the year 2018 and in 2037; again, these events will occur in January and March.
For Witches today, the blue moon is a time of incredible magick and mystery. On the night of a blue moon, the magickal energy is powerful and extremely long-lasting, as spells cast on the night of a blue moon are said to hold until the next blue moon.
How’s that for an enduring spell? I can just imagine you rubbing your hands together and gleefully plotting! The night of a blue moon is a fantastic time to work for love, protection, wisdom, or to try your hand at divination. A classic lunar goddess to work with is Selene. This Greco-Roman full moon goddess is one of my favorite deities. Selene is especially generous to Witches and is known and well loved for her speedy and practical magickal solutions. One of my favorite lunar spells I wrote years ago is to increase intuition and to gain the wisdom to use this new information intelligently. It works out beautifully when you call on Selene and combine it with the energies of a blue moon. Try it out for yourself.
A Blue Moon Spell for Wisdom and Intuition
Supplies
- One blue candle (your choice as to the size or style: taper or votive)
- One white candle (again, your choice as to the style and size)
- Two coordinating candleholders
- A small representation of each of the four elements; try a crystal for earth, a seashell for water, a feather for air, a lava rock for fire (or the flames from the spell candles will work nicely too)
- A fresh white flower in a bud vase (for Selene—try a white rose, lily, or carnation, or try bluebells, which are one of Selene’s favorites)
- A lighter or matches
- A safe, flat surface to set up on
Directions
Arrange the items as you prefer. Light the blue candle to represent the blue moon and then the white candle for the moon goddess Selene. Make sure to keep the flower back from the candle flames. Ground and center yourself, and then draw down the moon. Afterwards, tip up your face to the light of the blue moon and make your request for wisdom and protection:
On this night of Selene’s magickal blue moon,
Lady, hear my request and grant me a boon.
Bless me with intuition and wisdom both day and night.
Work your loving magick in each aspect of my life.
Close up the spell with:
I thank the goddess Selene for her time and care,
As this blue moon gently hovers in the night air.
Ground and center yourself again. Allow the candles to burn until they go out on their own. Tidy up your workspace when the candles are finished. Keep the flower in the vase someplace where you will enjoy it—until it begins to fade, then dispose of the flower neatly by giving it back to nature. Add it to a compost pile or bury it in your garden.
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your door.
Familiar Saying
That Magickal Moon
I hope that you will enjoy experimenting with and trying out all of this chapter’s various spells, charms, and rituals. Get out there under the nighttime sky and discover all of the lunar phases. Work magick under a blue moon and during a dramatic lunar eclipse. Keep in mind that the moon is an icon for magick, the divine feminine, and our intuition. I expect that you have learned a few new tricks and been reinspired to work magick with the psychic tides and enchanting energies of the moon. It’s a perfect way to revitalize your witchery.
The psychic energy of the moon still holds sway over us, and it is an undeniable magickal force in our lives. The ever-changing moon is both a companion and a guide. Its radiance brings an incredible amount of illumination to our magickal journey. So tip up your face to its silver light and walk with confidence and wisdom while traveling along your own spiritual path.