In Pagan belief systems the Moon's phase is very important in ritual & spell work. In the Judaic religions it is not important. In fact, it would be considered a non-issue. But yet, every scientist (and farmer & fisherman) will tell you that the Moon is very important to us here on Earth.
I'm not going to expound on anything scientific because I know nothing of the science. It was the only class I couldn't ace in school, and I haven't been in school (where science was required) in almost 35 years.
What I'm wanting to discuss is the links we here on Earth have with the Moon. It doesn't matter what geographical area it is on this planet, the Moon has held a fascination with every culture since the dawn of mankind.
We've danced & sang to her, we've worshiped her, we've written about her, and we even finally landed on her!
Ancient cultures were in awe and fear of the eclipses. Today, we still find them a beauty to behold, especially when we actually get to see the entire thing, and it's not on some other side of the planet where we can only watch on YouTube or pictures online after-the-fact.
For those who work in the magickal and employ the energies of the Moon, there are correspondences which correlate to each month's Lunar phases. This is what I want to share today.
Every culture noticed and attributed certain aspects to each month's Dark, New, & Full Moons. What is interesting is that regardless of what geographical area it was, Europe or Australia, these aspects remain constant. So, regardless of being in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere, each culture saw the same aspects that correlated with that month's Moon phases. In the Southern Hemisphere, these aspects would be associated with the opposite month from that of the Northern Hemisphere, for example: April in the NH, and October in the SH. This shows that the season itself also holds a great deal of weight regarding each month's Lunar aspects.
Farmers have used the Moon's phases when planting crops. As a small home-gardener, I have planted seeds by the Moon's phases as well as just planted them whenever. The seeds planted according to the Moon's phases always do much better. They grow bigger, faster, and better veggies than when I don't. It's a little extra work to do it that way, but it's the only way I'll do it now. I highly recommend Gardening by the Moon!
Fishermen know that the best time for a good catch is during the Full Moon phase. The seas are higher as well, so I say, have a great time. I'll stay right here in the middle of the country! I am not an ocean lover. Or fishing either, for that matter. Love to eat fish, but I'll leave the "fishing" part to someone else. :)
There have been poems written about and to the Moon for centuries. Here are 3 from some very famous poets:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From "Ode to the Glory of God" (1712)
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:
Whilst
all the stars that round her burn,
And
all the planets, in their turn,
Confirm
the tidings as they roll,
And
spread the truth from pole to pole.
Joseph Addison
Joseph Addison
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The
Moon(1913)
The
moon has a face like the clock in the hall; She shines on thieves on the garden
wall, On streets and fields and harbour quays, And birdies asleep in the forks
of the trees.
The
squalling cat and the squeaking mouse, The howling dog by the door of the house,
The bat that lies in bed at noon, All love to be out by the light of the moon.
But
all of the things that belong to the day, Cuddle to sleep to be out of her way;
And flowers and children close their eyes Till up in the morning the sun shall
arise.
To
the Moon Greeting to you, gem of the night! Beauty of the skies, gem of the
night! Mother of the stars, gem of the night! Foster-child of the sun, gem of
the night! Majesty of the stars, gem of the night! -Scottish Gaelic,
traditional folk prayer.
Robert Louis Stevenson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Robert Louis Stevenson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nature (1924)
The moon was but a chin of gold
A night or two ago,
And now she turns her perfect face
Upon the world below.
Her forehead is of amplest blond;
Her cheek like beryl stone;
Her eye unto the summer dew
The likest I have known.
Her lips of amber never part;
But what must be the smile
Upon her friend she could bestow
Were such her silver will!
And what a privilege to be
But the remotest star!
For certainly her way might pass
Beside your twinkling door.
Her bonnet is the firmament,
The universe her shoe,
The stars the trinkets at her belt,
Her dimities of blue.
Emily Dickinson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I prefer the old masters to the new wanna-be's. Today's "poets" just don't have the ability to use words or have a grasp of language to express things the way they used to. But that's just my opinion. I'm a poet myself, and I know for a fact, that my works don't hold a candle to the old masters.The moon was but a chin of gold
A night or two ago,
And now she turns her perfect face
Upon the world below.
Her forehead is of amplest blond;
Her cheek like beryl stone;
Her eye unto the summer dew
The likest I have known.
Her lips of amber never part;
But what must be the smile
Upon her friend she could bestow
Were such her silver will!
And what a privilege to be
But the remotest star!
For certainly her way might pass
Beside your twinkling door.
Her bonnet is the firmament,
The universe her shoe,
The stars the trinkets at her belt,
Her dimities of blue.
Emily Dickinson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Moon Pictures
Here are a few pictures I've taken of the Moon (all in KY):
Here are a couple of pictures of the Moon taken from sources on the internet:
So, now how about some real information! Following are the Lunar Correspondence Tables from my book A Witch's Craft: Volume 2 A Witch's Book of Correspondences.
Monthly Lunar Correspondences
January:
Names:
|
Chaste Moon, Cold
Moon, Disting Moon, Moon of Little Winter, Quiet Moon, Snow Moon, Wolf Moon
|
Deities:
|
Ch’ang-O, Freyja,
Hera, Inanna, Saraswati
|
Nature Spirits:
|
Brownies, Gnomes
|
Element:
|
Air
|
Herbs:
|
Cones, Holy
Thistle, Marjoram, Nuts & Seeds
|
Trees:
|
Birch, Hazel
|
Flowers:
|
Crocus, Snowdrop
|
Scents:
|
Mimosa, Musk
|
Stones:
|
Chrysoprase,
Garnet, Hematite, Onyx, Jet
|
Colors:
|
Black, Blue-Violet,
Bright White, Silver
|
Animals:
|
Coyote, Fox
|
Birds:
|
Blue Jay, Pheasant
|
Energy:
|
Adventurous,
Ambition, Awareness, Beauty, Beginning & conceiving; Business, Career, Conserving
energy; Energy below the surface, Organization, Political matters, Potential,
Protection, Recognition, Reputation, Reversing spells, Sluggish, Spirituality
|
February:
Names:
|
Big Winter Moon,
Horning Moon , Hunger Moon, Ice Moon, Quickening Moon, Red & Cleansing
Moon, Solmonath Moon, Storm Moon, Wild Moon
|
Deities:
|
Aphrodite, Brigid,
Demeter, Diana, Juno, Kuan Yin, Mars, Persephone
|
Nature Spirits:
|
House faeries
|
Element:
|
Fire
|
Herbs:
|
Balm of Gilead,
Hyssop, Myrrh, Sage, Spikenard
|
Trees:
|
Cedar, Laurel,
Myrtle, Rowan
|
Flowers:
|
Primrose
|
Scents:
|
Heliotrope,
Wisteria
|
Stones:
|
Amethyst, Jasper,
Rock crystal, Rose quartz
|
Colors:
|
Light Blue, Violet
|
Animals:
|
Otter, Unicorn
|
Birds:
|
Chickadee, Eagle
|
Energy:
|
Bad habits broken,
Creative expressiveness, Energy working to the surface, Forgiveness, Freedom,
Friendships, Future plans, Growth, Healing, Problem solving, Purification,
Responsibility, Science
|
March:
Names:
|
Crow Moon,
Hrethmonath, Lenting Moon, Lentzinmanoth, Moon of the Snowblind, Moon of
Winds, Plow Moon, Sap Moon, Seed Moon, Storm Moon, Worm Moon
|
Deities:
|
Artemis, Astarte,
Athena, Black Isis, Cybele, Luna, Minerva
|
Nature Spirits:
|
Air & Water
spirits, Mer-people
|
Element:
|
Water
|
Herbs:
|
Apple Blossom,
Broom, High John root, Irish Moss, Pennyroyal, Wood Betony, Yellow Dock
|
Trees:
|
Alder, Dogwood,
Honeysuckle
|
Flowers:
|
Daffodil, Jonquil,
Violet
|
Scents:
|
Apple Blossom,
Honeysuckle
|
Stones:
|
Aquamarine,
Bloodstone
|
Colors:
|
Pale Green,
Red-Violet, Yellow
|
Animals:
|
Boar, Cougar,
Hedgehog
|
Birds:
|
Sea Crow, Sea Eagle
|
Energy:
|
Balance,
Beginnings, Dream work, Energy breaks into the open, Exploring, Growing,
Inner development, Karma, Prospering, Truth seeking
|
April:
Names:
|
Budding Trees Moon,
Eastermonath, Green Grass Moon, Growing Moon, Hare Moon, Ostarmanoth, Pink
Moon, Planter’s Moon, Seed Moon, Wind Moon
|
Deities:
|
Anahita, Bast,
Ceres, Cernunnos, Hathor, Herne, Ishtar, Kali, Tawaret, Venus
|
Nature Spirits:
|
Plant faeries
|
Element:
|
Air
|
Herbs:
|
Basil, Chives,
Dandelion, Dill, Dogwood, Dragon’s Blood, Fennel, Geranium, Milkweed, Thistle
|
Trees:
|
Bay, Forsythia,
Hazel, Lilac, Pine, Willow
|
Flowers:
|
Daisy, Sweetpea
|
Scents:
|
Bay, Bergamot,
Patchouli, Pine
|
Stones:
|
Angelite, Garnet,
Quartz, Ruby, Sard, Selenite
|
Colors:
|
Blue, Crimson, Gold
|
Animals:
|
Bear, Wolf
|
Birds:
|
Hawk, Magpie
|
Energy:
|
Authority, Balance,
Beginnings, Change, Leadership, Opportunities, Overcome obstacles, Personal
skill development, Re-birth, Self-evaluation, Self-reliance, Temper control,
Willpower
|
May:
Names:
|
Bright Moon, Dyad
Moon, Flower Moon, Frogs Return Moon, Hare Moon, Merry Moon, Moon When the
Ponies Shed, Planting Moon, Sproutkale, Thrimilcmonath, Winnemanoth
|
Deities:
|
Aphrodite, Artemis,
Bast, Cernunnos, Diana, Flora, Horned God, Kali, Maia, Pan, Priapus, Venus
|
Nature Spirits:
|
Elves, Faeries
|
Element:
|
Fire
|
Herbs:
|
Cinnamon, Dittany
of Crete, Elder, Mint family, Mugwort, Rose, Thyme, Yarrow
|
Trees:
|
Hawthorn, Rowan
|
Flowers:
|
Broom, Foxglove,
Lily of the Valley, Rose
|
Scents:
|
Rose, Sandalwood
|
Stones:
|
Amber, Apache Tear,
Carnelian, Emerald, Garnet, Malachite, Ruby
|
Colors:
|
Brown, Green,
Orange, Pink, Red, Yellow
|
Animals:
|
Cats, Leopard, Lynx
|
Birds:
|
Dove, Swallow, Swan
|
Energy:
|
Abundance, Creative
energy, Faerie & spirit contact, Intuition, Love, Material gains, Money,
Propagation, Real estate dealings, Tenacity
|
June:
Names:
|
Aerra Litha,
Brachmanoth, Honey Moon, Lovers’ Moon, Mead Moon, Moon of Horses, Moon of
Making Fat, Rose Moon, Strawberry Moon, Strong Sun Moon
|
Deities:
|
Aine of Knockaine,
Bendis, Cerridwen, Green Man, Ishtar, Isis, Neith, Persephone
|
Nature Spirits:
|
Sylphs, Zephyrs
|
Element:
|
Earth
|
Herbs:
|
Dog Grass,
Meadowsweet, Mosses, Mugwort, Parsley, Skullcap, Tansy, Vervain
|
Trees:
|
Maple, Oak
|
Flowers:
|
Lavender, Orchid,
yarrow
|
Scents:
|
Lavender, Lily of
the Valley
|
Stones:
|
Agate, Alexandrite,
Fluorite, Topaz
|
Colors:
|
Gold, Golden-Green,
Orange, Yellow
|
Animals:
|
Butterfly, Frog,
Monkey, Toad
|
Birds:
|
Peacock, Wren
|
Energy:
|
Balance, Change of
residence, Communication, Decision making, Education, Family relations, Full
but restful energy, Positive transformation, Prevention, Protection, Public
relationships, Responsibility, Strengthen, Tides turning, Time of light,
Travel, Writing
|
July:
Names:
|
Blessing Moon, Buck
Moon, Fallow Moon, Hay Moon, Hewimanoth, Maedmonat, Meadow Moon, Moon of
Blood, Moon of Claiming, Thunder Moon, Wort Moon
|
Deities:
|
Athena, Cerridwen,
Hel, Holda, Juno, Khepera, Lugh, Nephthys, Venus
|
Nature Spirits:
|
Harvest faeries,
Hobgoblins
|
Element:
|
Water
|
Herbs:
|
Agrimony,
Honeysuckle, Hyssop, Lemon Balm, Mugwort
|
Trees:
|
Acacia, Ash, Oak
|
Flowers:
|
Jasmine, Lotus,
Water Lily
|
Scents:
|
Frankincense, Orris
|
Stones:
|
Moonstone, Opal,
Pearl, White Agate
|
Colors:
|
Blue-Grey, Green,
Silver
|
Animals:
|
Crab, Dolphin,
Turtle, Whale
|
Birds:
|
Ibis, Starling,
Swallow
|
Energy:
|
Childbirth,
Divination, Domesticity, Dream-work, Fertility, Home matters, Meditation on
goals & plans, Mothers, Preparing, Relaxed energy, Succeeding
|
August:
Names:
|
Barley Moon, Corn Moon,
Dispute Moon, Harvest Moon, Moon When Cherries Turn Black, Weodmonath
|
Deities:
|
Diana, Ganesha,
Hathor, Hecate, Mars, Nemesis, Thoth, Vulcan
|
Nature Spirits:
|
Dryads
|
Element:
|
Fire
|
Herbs:
|
Angelica, Basil,
Bay, Chamomile, Fennel, Orange, Rosemary, Rue, St. John’s Wort
|
Trees:
|
Alder, Cedar, Hazel
|
Flowers:
|
Marigold, Sunflower
|
Scents:
|
Frankincense,
Heliotrope
|
Stones:
|
Carnelian,
Cat’s/Tiger’s Eye, Fire Agate, Garnet, Jasper, Red Agate
|
Colors:
|
Gold, Orange, Red,
Yellow
|
Animals:
|
Dragon, Lion, Phoenix,
Sphinx
|
Birds:
|
Crane, Eagle,
Falcon
|
Energy:
|
Authority,
Appreciating, Courage, Entertainment, Finding your “voice”, Friendships,
Gathering, Harvesting energy; Health, Love, Pleasures, Power, Vitality
|
September:
Names:
|
Haligmonath,
Harvest Moon, Moon When Deer Paw the Earth, Singing Moon, Sturgeon Moon, Wine
Moon, Witumanoth
|
Deities:
|
Brigid, Ceres,
Ch’ang-O, Demeter, Freyja, Isis, Depths , Vesta
|
Nature Spirits:
|
Trooping Faeries
|
Element:
|
Earth
|
Herbs:
|
Copal, Fennel, Rye,
Skullcap, Valerian, Wheat, Witch Hazel
|
Trees:
|
Bay, Hawthorne,
Hazel, Larch
|
Flowers:
|
Lily, Narcissus
|
Scents:
|
Bergamot, Gardenia,
Mastic, Storax
|
Stones:
|
Bloodstone,
Chrysolite, Citrine, Olivine, Peridot, Sapphire
|
Colors:
|
Browns, Dk. Blue,
Earth-tones, Greens, Yellow, Yellow-Green
|
Animals:
|
Jackal, Snake
|
Birds:
|
Ibis, Sparrow
|
Energy:
|
Balance of Light
& Dark, Cleaning & straightening mentally, physically &
spiritually, Dietary matters, Employment, Health, Intellectual pursuits,
Prosperity, Psychism, Rest, Spirituality, Success, Work environment
|
October:
Names:
|
Blood Moon, Falling
Leaf Moon, Harvest Moon, Moon of the
Changing Season, Shedding Moon, Ten Colds Moon, Winterfelleth, Windermanoth
|
Deities:
|
Apollo, Astarte,
Belili, Cernunnos, Demeter, Hathor, Herne, Horned God, Ishtar, Kore, Lakshmi,
Mercury
|
Nature Spirits:
|
Frost Faeries,
Plant Faeries
|
Element:
|
Air
|
Herbs:
|
Angelica, Apple
Blossom, Burdock, Catnip, Mint family, Pennyroyal, Sweet Annie, Thyme, Uva
Ursi
|
Trees:
|
Acacia, Apple,
Cypress, Yew
|
Flowers:
|
Calendula, Cosmos,
Marigold
|
Scents:
|
Apple Blossom,
Cherry, Strawberry
|
Stones:
|
Amethyst, Beryl,
Obsidian, Opal, Tourmaline, Turquoise
|
Colors:
|
Black, Dark
Blue-Green, Purples
|
Animals:
|
Elephant, Jackal,
Ram, Scorpion, Stag
|
Birds:
|
Crow, Heron, Robin
|
Energy:
|
Artistic works,
Balance, Creativity, Harmony, Inner cleansing, Justice, Karma, Legal matters,
Mental stimulation, Partnerships, Reincarnation, Uncover mysteries or secrets
|
November:
Names:
|
Beaver Moon,
Blotmonath, Dark Moon, Fog Moon, Herbistmanoth, Mad Moon, Moon of Storms,
Moon When Deer Shed Antlers, Mourning Moon, Snow Moon
|
Deities:
|
Astarte, Bast,
Black Isis, Hecate, Kali, Lakshmi, Mawu, Nicnevin, Osiris, Saraswati
|
Nature Spirits:
|
Subterranean
Faeries
|
Element:
|
Water
|
Herbs:
|
Betony, Blessed
Thistle, Borage, Cinquefoil, Fennel, Grains of Paradise, Verbena
|
Trees:
|
Alder, Cypress,
Hazel
|
Flowers:
|
Blooming Cacti,
Chrysanthemum
|
Scents:
|
Cedar, Cherry
Blossoms, Hyacinth, Lemon, Narcissus, Peppermint
|
Stones:
|
Hyacinth, Lapis
Lazuli, Topaz, Turquoise
|
Colors:
|
Blues, Grey,
Sea-Green
|
Animals:
|
Crocodile, Jackal,
Scorpion, Unicorn
|
Birds:
|
Goose, Owl, Sparrow
|
Energy:
|
Communication with
your Deity, Death, Focus, Passion, Preparing, Secrets, Sex matters, Take
root, Transformations
|
December:
Names:
|
Aerra Geola, Cold
Moon, Heilagmanoth, Long Night’s Moon, Moon of Long Nights, Oak Moon,
Wintermonat, Wolf Moon
|
Deities:
|
Athena, Fates,
Hades, Hathor, Hecate, Ixchel, Minerva, Neith, Norns, Osiris, Persephone
|
Nature Spirits:
|
Snow Faeries, Storm
Faeries, Winter Tree Faeries
|
Element:
|
Fire
|
Herbs:
|
Bay, Berries,
Cedar, Chamomile, Cinnamon, English Ivy, Evergreen, Fir, Frankincense, Holly,
Mistletoe, Myrrh, Pine, Sage
|
Trees:
|
Fir, Holly, Pine
|
Flowers:
|
Christmas Cactus,
Holly, Poinsettia
|
Scents:
|
Cedar, Cinnamon,
Frankincense, Ginger, Lilac, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Patchouli, Pine, Rose Geranium,
Rosemary, Saffron, Violet, Wintergreen,
|
Stones:
|
Bloodstone, Cat’s
Eye, Garnet, Jacinth, Obsidian, Peridot, Ruby, Serpentine
|
Colors:
|
Black, Blood Red, Gold,
Green, Red, Silver, White
|
Animals:
|
Bear, Deer, Horse,
Mouse
|
Birds:
|
Robin, Rook, Snowy
Owl
|
Energy:
|
Alchemy, Darkness,
Endure, Death & Re-birth, Higher education, Publications, Reaching out to
others, Religion, Spiritual path, Travel, Truth
|
“Blue Moon”:
Names:
|
Ancestor Moon, Blue
Moon, Hunter’s Moon, Hunting Moon, Moon of the Dead
|
Deities:
|
Cailleach,
Cerridwen, Circe, Cybele, Freyja, Hel, Holda, Horned God, Nephthys
|
Nature Spirits:
|
Banshees &
others who carry messages between the mundane & the Otherworld
|
Element:
|
Fire
|
Herbs:
|
Ginger, Hops,
Hyssop, Mugwort, Nutmeg, Star Anise, Wormwood
|
Trees:
|
Cypress, Elder,
Pine, Yew
|
Flowers:
|
Chrysanthemum,
Dahlia, White Lily
|
Scents:
|
Dragon’s Blood,
Lilac, Pine, Rosemary, Wisteria
|
Stones:
|
Apache Tear, Obsidian,
Onyx
|
Colors:
|
Black, Purple,
White
|
Animals:
|
Bat, Dog, Snake,
Sow, Wolf
|
Birds:
|
Falcon, Owl, Raven
|
Energy:
|
Communion with the
dead, Liberation, Memory, Negative thoughts & emotions released
|
“Black Moon”:
Names:
|
Black Moon,
Finder’s Moon, Secret Moon, Spinner’s Moon
|
Deities:
|
Baba Yaga, Bean
Sidhe, Devil, Hecate, the Morrigan, Pan, Satan
|
Nature Spirits:
|
Djinn, Dragons,
Werewolves, Vampyres
|
Element:
|
Earth
|
Herbs:
|
“Baneful” Herbs;
Belladonna, Datura, Henbane, Nightshade, Wolf’s Bane
|
Trees:
|
Coffee
|
Flowers:
|
Black Iris, Black
Rose
|
Scents:
|
Coffee
|
Stones:
|
Black Jasper, Jet,
Obsidian
|
Colors:
|
Black, Dark Blue,
Dark Purple
|
Animals:
|
Nocturnal animals;
Bat, Opossum
|
Birds:
|
Crow, Owl, Raven
|
Energy:
|
Extremely powerful
time for any magick workings, especially any negative intent
Banishing,
Beginnings, Binding, Exorcisms, Hexing, Negative magick, Revenge, Vengeance
|
No comments:
Post a Comment