Lunar Magic; A Guide To Harness The Silvery, Illuminating Rays Of The Moon

The silvery rays and ever changing moon has captivated us since the dawn of time. We see this throughout antiquity with symbols, art, and countless myths and legends about the moon across the Earth. To this day it is still a central part to religious and spiritual beliefs and practices. It is a cornerstone to many pagans and witches worship, magic, and witchcraft as well. The powers of the moon are vast and varied across cultures and the earth. They range from being used for healing, love, prosperity, protection, fertility, death, rebirth, and more. In some cultures like in India a full moon for example it is thought to even be the time that ghosts come out to interact with the living. In antiquity some cultures even believed it to cause insanity. In modern times we have come to understand the moon to energetically affect us, the oceans, and the tides. As well as its ability to influence our emotions, psyche, and subconscious. In this guide let the light of this celestial body be illuminated to you. Like how to use its magic, the different phases, and its meanings throughout history.

What Is The Moon?

From lighting up our skies to maintaining a geological record of our solar system’s history, the moon is the Earth’s closest celestial neighbor. Earth’s Moon is the brightest and largest object in our night sky. The Moon makes Earth a more livable planet by moderating Earth’s tilting axis, leading to a relatively stable climate. It also causes tides, creating a rhythm that has guided humans for thousands of years. The origins of the moon are up for debate depending on who ask and where you look in history. If you ask NASA the Moon was likely formed after a Mars-sized body collided with Earth several billion years ago. But, again that is up for debate depending on what you believe and which myths and legends you read about the origins of the moon.

The Meanings Of The Moon In History

Over the centuries, the moon has been interpreted as a deity, and a planet, as well as a timekeeper and calendar. Different cultures have their own historical, cultural and religious relationships to the moon, so depending on where the artwork is presented, its meaning and interpretation will shift. For example in many if not most cultures, regions, and practices the moon will be deeply tied to the feminine energy, feminine aspects and even seen as a goddess. But keep in mind, though this is a very common thing to find among cultures it is not universal. There are cultures and belief systems who view the moon as masculine energy and as a God; like in the Japanese belief system of Shintoism and Ancient Sumer with the moon God Sin.

The moon had sway over just about every facet of our history, including scientific discovery, religion, climate, physiology, psychology and evolution. Its cycles of departure and return helped early humans grasp concepts such as “becoming, birth, vanishing, death, resurrection, renewal, and eternity.” They allowed us to expand our consciousness and our magic. Along with having us look to understand our place on this earth and in the cosmos.

The moon as a time keeper

The Moon has been Earth’s companion since the birth of the Solar System, 4.6 billion years ago. Ancient humans were captivated by the Moon’s cycles as it changed position, shape and vanished from the sky for part of its 28-day cycle. Stone age peoples recorded the phases of the Moon in various ways, as the observation of the Moon gave them a way to count the passage of days and predict the arrival of the seasons. Activities key to the development of human civilization like agriculture and hunting absolutely depended on reliable timekeeping, so all human societies developed ways to determine the length of the year.

Deities Of The Moon

With the moon and other celestial bodies there are certain themes, magic, and energies we have the ability to connect to them with, including deities. Everyone works with and views deity energy a little differently. Whether you view them as archetypes of the human consciousness, representations of the source energy, or as being entities on their own, there are certain deities that help you connect to and honor the illuminating and potent energy of the Moon in your life and magical practices. You can do this by invoking them through prayer, sigils, offerings and correspondences while doing lunar magic and ritual work. You can honor these deities during any of their sacred holidays and festivals or during potent lunar moon phases like the new or full moon phases as well. Let’s take a look at some of them below.

Artemis

Artemis, the Greek goddess of hunting and nature, was born as the daughter of Zeus and Leto. Artemis, was the twin sister of Apollo. Their mother, Leto, faced numerous struggles during her pregnancy, as she was relentlessly pursued by the jealous Hera. Artemis helped her mother give birth to her brother Apollo, earning her reputation as the goddess of childbirth. Artemis would establish herself as the revered goddess of hunting, protector of young girls, and a powerful force in Greek mythology. Associated with various spheres of influence, she protected young girls and women and favored the Trojans in the ancient Greek literature. Depictions of Artemis show her with sacred symbols like the bow and arrow, a quiver, and her sacred animal, the deer. Stories of her wrath, such as the myth of Artemis and Actaeon, highlight her powerful vengeance.

Artemis is widely recognized as the virgin goddess in Greek mythology, embodying chastity and purity. Revered for her unwavering dedication to remaining unmarried and abstaining from romantic relationships, she symbolizes the ideal of a self-sufficient and independent woman. As the goddess of the hunt and nature, Artemis was revered as a role model for young girls and women. Her commitment to virginity set her apart from other deities and granted her a unique status within the Greek pantheon. Worship of Artemis played a significant role in ancient Greek society with numerous temples and rituals dedicated to her.

Changxi Goddess

The Changxi Goddess, a prominent figure in Chinese mythology, holds the title of the lunar deity. Often confused with Chang’e, she is Di Jun’s second wife and the mother of the twelve lunar months, including Earth’s Moon. Legends tell of her stealing and devouring a herb of immortality from her husband, Hou Yi, also known as the Excellent Archer. As a result, she found protection under the moon, becoming the lunar goddess we know today. The Changxi Goddess, a prominent figure in Chinese mythology, holds the title of the lunar deity. Often confused with Chang’e, she is Di Jun’s second wife and the mother of the twelve lunar months, including Earth’s Moon. According to ancient Chinese mythology, Di Jun and Changxi are blessed with twelve children, each representing a lunar month. These lunar months are intricately linked to the Earth’s Moon and its phases, symbolizing the ever-changing nature of time and cycles. The legend between her and Hou Yi explain the reason for the separation of the moon and sun as well in Chinese mythology.

Selene

Selene the Greek goddess of the moon is a prominent figure in Greek mythology. As the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, she is revered during the phases of the Full Moon and New Moon. Depicted riding a horse or driving a chariot pulled by white horses, Selene is known for her associations with Zeus, Pan, and the mortal Endymion. Her influence can be seen in various artistic representations, including the famous sculpture in the Parthenon. Additionally, Selene’s worship involves rituals and festivals tied to the moon, emphasizing her connection to magic and sorcery. Her role as the personification of the moon is fascinating, encompassing various intriguing stories and connections with other gods and mortals.

Sin

Sin also called Nanna (or Suen) was a Sumerian/ Mesopotamian god who played a longstanding role in the Mesopotamian religion and mythology. He was the god of the moon, the son of the sky god Enlil and the grain goddess Ninlil.
Sin’s origin myth is a story of his father’s passion and his mother’s sacrificial love. The virgin Ninlil bathes in the sacred river, where she is seen by the “bright eye” of Enlil, who falls in love with her and seduces (or rapes) her. The assembly of the gods then banishes Enlil to the underworld for this transgression. Ninlil, knowing she is pregnant with the “bright seed of Sîn,” follows Enlil to the world of the dead. Once the moon god is born in the underworld, three additional deities are born to his parents, allowing Sin to take his place in the skies to light up the night. To learn more about him you can attend my free class with Divination on him on 6/23 here.

The Moon, Women, And Their Menstrual Cycles

Since, the moon is also commonly associated with the feminine energy of the universe. This means that the moon is often thought to be connected to women and femininity which includes having an effect on their menstrual cycle. For thousands of years, women have noticed their moon cycles (menstruation – the syllable men meaning moon/month) syncing up with the moon’s phases. This is lunar magic at its core. Just as the moon waxes and wanes, so too does the womb. There are even deeper connections to this including linking what moon phase a women menstruates on and their current life phase. We will go deeper into that on an upcoming blogpost though so keep an eye out. Or you can read my study guide from divination academy on the topic here.

Lunar AKA Moon Magic

The moon has been linked to various magical practices throughout history and cultures. One of these is called lunar magic or moon magic. Lunar magic involves using the phases of the moon to cast spells. Each phase of the moon like we will talk about below has it’s own unique energy and properties and using those energies and properties in our spells and rituals is what lunar magic is.

Phases Of The Moon

Some nights, at the time of the Full Moon, we admire its beauty and grandeur. Other nights, when it starts to fade, it becomes thin and inconspicuous, so different from the peak of its fullness and magical glory. The moon seems to grow and then fade over the period of one lunar cycle (one month). This growing, reaching its full potential, and then diminishing is referred to as moon phases. As mentioned before, lunar phases can be used to enhance magical workings by invoking various energies that align with different moon cycles. The ever-changing lunar cycles remind us of the cyclical nature of life itself. The Moon constantly passes through this cycle of growth and decline, and the phases of the Moon are different parts of this never-ending cycle.

Understanding each stage of the Moon cycle can help guide us on our journey of personal growth and development. They can help guide us on what magical spells and workings will aid us the most in our lives as well at the right time.

New Moon: when the moon begins its next cycle; magic includes new beginnings, new opportunities, wiping the slate clean and starting over “anew”, new friendships, new love, cleansing, fertility, any spell work that has to do with careers and businesses as well. I look at this phase as the most potent time to plant seeds of intentions and manifestation that you wish you bloom and grow. To learn much more about this phase you can read my blogpost on the topics here.
Waxing Moon: when the moon grows in size before reaching its fullest; magic involves “growing” things in your life including success, relationships, abundance, healing, love, beauty, money, etc.
Full Moon: to some one of the most powerful moon phases; moon is full size; magic includes love, healing, protection, intuition, dreams, connecting with the gods and ancestors, reaching your “fullest” potential, water magic, and divination. I look at this phase as the most potent time to release things unwanted things and obstacles. It is the time to anchor down into your goals, intentions and manifestations. To learn more about this moon phase and how to align with it specifically you can read my blogpost on the topic here.
Waning Moon: when the moon seems to fade or grow smaller; this lunar magic includes getting rid of or diminishing things like bad habits, illness, addiction, toxic relationships, and also includes releasing, banishing, and cleansing rituals
Dark Moon: The Dark Moon is the few days before a New Moon when the moon seems to be completely gone. I’ve found the dark moon is perfect for shadow work and to recall past lives. If you would like to learn more about shadow work you can purchase my eBook here; https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/2S3QJZ4UPDRG6 you can book me for a 1:1 session as your guide here; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555318986253 and you can watch my free class previously taught on it through Divination below! You can also register for my upcoming 6 week workshop series on Shadow work here;

Lunar Eclipses

So, what about a lunar eclipse? I want to take a moment to talk about them because if you go online especially on social media you will see countless warnings telling you not do any workings during a lunar eclipse including making moon water. They say its a time of bad omens, and a time that is too chaotic to harness and work with. I simply don’t agree with this. This may be because I am a grey witch. I just don’t see why we can’t work with a moon phase that is chaotic. The universe and all that exists within it sprouted from chaos or nothingness. This is common theme in belief systems, cultures, and stories across the Earth and time like in Mesopotamia with the goddess Tiamat. So, wouldn’t working with chaos like the lunar eclipse be a very primal and potent things for us humans to do? I think so. But, it will be up to you and what you decide for your own practices and beliefs.

Triple Goddess

Wiccans, and other pagans particularly neopagans associate the Triple Goddess with the moon’s phases: the maiden (waxing moon), the mother (full moon), and the crone (waning moon). We all go through these phases in our lives (both men and women) corresponding to our physical bodies: youth, adult years, and our elder years. And corresponding with our spiritual bodies: when we begin our journey, the middle of our journey and the end. Keep an eye out for my upcoming blogpost on this topic recapping my previously taught class.

The Moon And Duality

Since, I am a grey witch every single energy I work with I look for the duality in that energy and how I can connect to it. This includes the moon. The moon itself is all about duality as it is celestial body that is all about transformation, transition, and rebirth. With those energies we are pushed into a liminal space that forces us to look at the things, people, and places that have been obstacles holding us back or to be looking at the hope and abundance of all we could possibly bring into our life. This can be a thing of beauty and hope as well as a thing of pain and darkness which forces us into duality.

The Moon And Astrology

In astrology, the moon is a powerful planet that can influence a person’s emotions, personality, and experiences based on its position in their birth chart. The moon’s influence can be wanted or unwanted, depending on its position, aspects, and other elements. The Moon represents the personal self, the feelings and the unconscious. It is a reflection of the true self, represented by the Sun. The Moon also stands for security and instinctual or habitual patterns, as well as the ability to relate to others, and to be nurturing to others. The Moon represents the feminine and nurturing part of oneself in astrology as well. The Moon represents our deepest personal needs, our basic habits and reactions, and our unconscious. Where the Sun acts, the Moon reacts.

The areas the moon is said to represent in astrology are below:

Emotions: How a person reacts to things, what they need to feel safe and happy, and their emotional makeup
Instincts: What’s deep inside a person
Relationships: How a person connects with others, especially their relationship with their mothers or other maternal figures
Sentiments: What makes a person sentimental

In astrology, a moon sign is the position of the moon in the zodiac at the time of a person’s birth and it’s considered a key part of a person’s astrological profile. Below is a brief list of what each moon sign can mean and how it can affect you in your life and magic. To learn more you can watch this class series on Astrology with Divination Academy here.

Common Correspondences For The Moon

First, what is a correspondence? A correspondence is an item or symbol that is meant to connect you to a specific energy thru it’s representation. It is seen also as an item to respect, honor, and venerate that energy as well whether it be a deity, an archetype energy , the zodiac energy the moon is currently in or the celestial body the moon itself; like I will list below for you to use. Remember to follow your intuition and work the correspondences that resonate with you or that are easy for you to get access to.

How To Connect To And Work With the Moon

When working with the moon there are certain spells and rituals that will help connect you to this celestial body in the most effective way. Remember these are just some of the many ideas, follow your intuition and the energy of the phase the is currently in. You can find more ways to connect to the moon and more information on many of these forms of magic on my Pinterest page here and my Facebook here. Also keep in mind this list can be expanded so much further when you take into account the current zodiac sign the moon is in. To get more ideas based on that you can look through my blog for many different posts. This list is just some of the basic ways you can start doing lunar magic and working with the moon.

Moon Gazing

Many people don’t know where to start with lunar magic and working with the moon. I often hear they are overwhelmed by the different phases and their energies. My first suggestion is to go outside at night and identify the moon’s phase. Do this time and time again until you instinctively know what phase the moon is in. If you can’t see the moon or can’t get outside, you can also use a moon phase app on your phone (most are free to download). Or simply google it. One of my favorite things still this day to do with the moon is to sit in the silence under its rays and mindfully gaze at it. It has been said throughout cultures and history doing this practice called moon gazing connects you to the moon itself and allows you to take in the magical energies. This would be the first place I would start to help you understand how the energy of the moon affects you as if shifts through its cycle. Doing this will help your body and yourself become much more aware of how the moon affects you in each phase and how to harness its magic.

Make Moon Water

Another great way to connect to the moon is by collecting moon water! This practice is really honestly a staple when it comes to working with them moon. It’s fairly easy to do, and doesn’t require many tools in all reality all you needs is vessel preferably glass to hold water in. It’s a potent and powerful tool to add to your practice and your altar for many different purposes like spells, rituals, and offerings.

So, what is it? Moon water is simply water that has been exposed to the moonlight and charged with a Magical intention. The water will now embody the properties and energy of that moon phase and the astrological sign it was in so we can use it whenever we need it in our craft. This charged water becomes a tangible connection for you to have to the moon! You can use it on your altar, in spell workings, to connect to the archetype energy of the moon, and as an offering to a deity/ element/ or the moon itself. Moon water is highly beneficial for both your life and your witchy practice. To learn more about his practice and how to make moon water read about it here in my previous blogpost.

Attend a Moon Ceremony on the new and/or full moon

Another way you can connect with and work with the moon is by attending ceremonies, rituals, or meditations to honor the new and full moon. Though working with all the phases of the moon is ideal sometimes life can overwhelming or we simply don’t have the time to connect to each lunar phase that month. It’s alright to pick and chose which phases you can work with that lunar cycle and I would recommend for potency, meaning, and simplicity to work with the new and full moon. To make those a priority to observe. This should be really easy for you to do thankfully! If you go on google or Facebook you will find countless events even online for each new moon and full moon every month that you can attend live or watch replays of later. Plus I not only write about them I also host one you can attend too! You can always come and join me with Divination Academy where I host them for free here! This is one of the first things I recommend to my students on a magical path. Make it a point for one calendar year to observe and connect to every new and full moon and watch your life, emotions, and magic grow like never before.

Perform Simple Spells

Next, start with a simple moon ritual or spell. For example you could perform a cleansing bath on the waning or new moon. Add a few herbs to the water that correspond to the moon or crystals and use it to connect to the moon, your emotions, and for cleansing. On the Full Moon, perform a simple candle spell for protection or abundance. Lunar magic really isn’t that hard once you start to align with the phases of the moon and the energy of that phase. So, whenever you need to perform a spell, stop and take time to think about the moon phase it corresponds with and than cast your spell during that phase. It not only leads to more potent and wanted results but, also helps align you with the energy and ever changing phases of the moon.

Keep a moon journal

While your learning a new magic and even after as you continue to work with it. It always is a good idea to keep a journal of yours studies and experiences while working with that type of magic. Write about how each moon phase makes you feel and how it affects the people around you. Record any moon rituals or spells you do and the outcomes. Also, take note of any unusual dreams during certain moon phases or if you notice any increased paranormal activity. Another way you can journal with the moon phases is each new moon make sure to journal and reflect about the things you want manifested and bring into your life. While on the full moon you use that phase to journal about the things you need to release and reflect from your past or now to allow yourself to bring the things you want into your life.

Other Ideas to connect to the moon

Wrap Up

However you choose to connect to the moon just remember these few things, Check the sign the moon is in and tailor your rituals, spells, and manifestations to align with that energy along with the phase the moon is currently in. Remember your spells and rituals can be as simple and as complex as you would like them to be. But, no matter what aligning with the ever changing phases of the moon in you life and magic will bring about profound and potent growth, transformation and healing for you. By connecting you to the cyclical energy of nature and the cosmos around you with it’s illuminating rays.

To expand your knowledge even further or if you learn better through listening instead of reading; you can watch my free class with Divination Academy on youtube below!

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