Moon Facts
Picture the movement of the moon in terms of a clock whose hands are moving backward. The moon rests on the clock's hour hand, Earth sits at the clock's center, while the sun shines far off in the direction of 12 o'clock. As the moon orbits counterclockwise around Earth, its position relative to the sun and Earth changes, giving us the varied phases of the moon. Each phase of the moon lasts approximately 5 days.
The New Moon:
The first phase in the lunar cycle is new moon. The moon is positioned between the sun and Earth at 12 o'clock. From Earth, the sun and moon appear to be in the same part of the sky and will rise and set together. The side of the moon that receives the sun's light is facing away from Earth, so no moon is visible. On a very clear night, you might be able to make out a faint gray outlined view of the moon. This comes from the light of the sun being refracted from back side of the moon.
One day after new moon, a faint sliver can be seen low on the western horizon at sunset. The moon has moved from new to a waxing crescent phase. As the moon continues in its counterclockwise orbit, the crescent grows larger, or waxes. One week later, the moon reaches its second primary phase, first quarter. Accordingly, the moon has moved one quarter of the way around Earth.
The First Quarter:
At first quarter, the moon sits at 9 o'clock. The sun, Earth, and moon form a right triangle on the left side of the clock. Here only half of the moon's disk is illuminated. At first quarter, the moon rises 6 hours after the sun �?at about noon. It reaches its highest point at sundown and sets around midnight. That means the moon can be seen during daylight hours in the afternoon.
For several days after first quarter, the moon continues to wax but is a waxing gibbous phase instead of a waxing crescent. A gibbous moon is more than a quarter moon but less than a full moon. During this phase, the moon moves from 9 o'clock to 6 o'clock on the dial, and the sun-Earth-moon angle is getting larger �?just like the moon's phase.
The Full Moon:
When the moon reaches its 6 o'clock position, the phase is full. The side of the moon that faces Earth is fully illuminated �?that large circle of light a certain two-year-old child called the moon ball. On the clock, the sun, Earth, and moon form a straight line. From Earth, the sun and moon appear to be at opposite ends of the sky. So as the sun sets, the moon rises. The full moon is now visible all night.
Once it's past full, the moon moves from 6 o'clock to 3 o'clock and the sun-Earth-moon angle begins to shrink. The moon's phase is also getting smaller. It's moving from waning gibbous to its third- or last-quarter phase.
The Last Quarter Moon:
A third-quarter moon sits at 3 o'clock on the phase dial, where the sun-Earth-moon angle is once again 90°, but this time it's on the right side of the clock. From Earth, we see half of the moon's disk illuminated �?the side opposite as the one illuminated at first quarter. A third-quarter moon rises about six hours after the sun sets, reaches its highest point in the southern sky at dawn, and sets at about noon.
As the moon orbits Earth (the inner circle) its position relative to the sun and Earth changes. This causes the lunar phases we see in our sky (the outer circle). In the week after third quarter, the moon moves through its waning crescent phase to it's dark phase.
The Dark Moon:
About 3 to 5 days before the eventual return to new where the cycle begins again, the moon enters a dark phase. The moon sits at about 2:30 on the dial. Here the moon is neither illuminated by the sun (in a crescent phase), nor is it able to reflect the light of the sun providing an outline of it's surface (as in the new moon phase). It is truly dark and seemingly has disappeared from the sky.
Working With The Phases Of The Moon
Each phase of the moon brings with it a special energy for that lunar cycle. Everyone knows the moon affects the tides of the worlds oceans, but because we are mostly liquid ourselves, these phases also affect us. Understanding what these energies bring, help you to connect with and use those energies in your magikal rituals, meditations and even your daily life.
New Moon
Used for personal growth, healing and blessing of new projects or ventures. It's also a good time to cleanse and consecrate new tools and objects you wish to use during rituals, ceremonies or an up coming festival.
Waxing - 1st Quarter -
Between the new and full moon is a period of the Waxing moon. Used for attraction magik, inner love spells, protection for couples and healing energy for couples.
Full Moon
Used to banishing unwanted influences in your life. Creating protection magik and performing divination. Setting up plans and releasing old patterns or issues are all. Full Moon magik can be conjured during the 3 days prior to the rise of the Full Moon, the night of the Full Moon and during the 3 days after.
Waning - Last Quarter -
Between the full moon and the dark moon is the period of Waning moon. Used for banishing and rejecting those things that influence us in a negative way. Negative emotions, diseases, ailments, and bad habits can all be let go and special spells for clearing can be performed at this time.
Dark Moon - Void Of Course -
The Dark Moon period occurs 3 days prior to the New Moon. This is the time when you can't see the moon in any phase. Typically no magik is performed during this time. This is the time to give yourself a break, to turn to self and pamper or replenish your own energies. Vision quests and deep meditations are called for at this time to focus on personal matters, questions and answers.
Lunar Eclipse
A Lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes into the Earth's shadow. This type of eclipse does not occur every year. But when it does, it's a wonderful and magikal night. When it does occur it lasts for only a few hours, so you need to plan your rituals well in advance. This one night is perfect for all purposes. Simply plan your spells to coordinate with the passing shadow. When the moon is in full eclipse, treat those few moments as if the moon was in it's Dark phase. Some witches forego magik work all together and use this time to honor the Goddess in a special ritual.
Penumbral
Occurs when the moon passes into the outer shadow of the earth. This type of eclipse is hard to spot unless the moon is 70% into that shadow. These type of eclipses are more common and generally occur at least once a year. When you can see it, the lower part of the moon becomes distorted. During a waning phase for instance, the lower half of the moon will look blurred or smudged. Once again it's a special night. This is the perfect night to honor the magik of the Goddess. No work or casting, just thankfulness and gratitude.
You can find a complete listing of this years Moon Phases too.
The Monthly Full Moon
Each full moon holds a little extra special meaning to those who work with magik. It represents the universe in brilliant glory, wholeness or completeness. A wonderful time to work on your own personal spiritual lessons, growth and enlightenment. But as with each phase of the moon, each cycle of the full moon also contains it's own special energy. Aligning your intentions with these energies can also enhance your magikal work.
Many traditions have their own names for the full moons. The names that follow come from Robert Thomas's Old Farmers Almanac (founded in 1792). Additional traditional Moon Names follow.
January ~ Hunger moon
During this month the wolves once roamed the countryside, thus suggesting the name wolf moon. In cold and temperate climates of the Northern Hemisphere, it was difficult to find food during January, thus the name hunger moon. This is a good time for planning your year from a spiritual perspective. What do you want to accomplish this year. What do you "hunger" for? Set some goals and plan how to achieve them.
February ~ Snow moon
In certain parts of the world, snow is usually the deepest in this month, thus the name snow moon. This is a good time to focus your magik on home, hearth and family.
March ~ Sap or worm moon
Because sap rises in March, this full moon is called the sap moon. The ground softens during this month, and worms begin to burrow out of the ground, thus the name worm moon. This is a good time for healing magik. Think of the sap as the blood running through your veins carrying health and healing.
April ~ Pink moon
Many flowers turn pink and bloom in April, thus the name pink moon. This is a good time for working on potential relationships, or heading off problems in an existing one.
May ~ Flower moon
Because many flowers bloom in May, after the April downpours, May's moon is called the flower moon. This is a good time for working on commitments, both in spirit and love.
June ~ Rose moon
Because strawberries bloom in June, this month's moon is the strawberry moon. Also, the French call this moon la lune rose, which translates into English as "the rose moon." This is a good time for taking stock of the year. It's the mid-way point, so review what you've accomplished and what's left to do. Hopefully you'll find reasons for a celebration and put those strawberries and roses to good use.
July ~ Buck moon
Male deer, or bucks, grow their first antlers during this month, thus the name buck moon. This is a very masculine moon, so it's a good time to work on the physical things in your life. Either physical in body, or things that some physical attention, like fixing the loose handle on the kitchen drawer.
August ~ Sturgeon moon
Because it is sturgeon season in certain parts of the world in August, its moon is called the sturgeon moon. This is the month to give thanks. Not only to the Great Spirit, but to yourself too. So set this moon aside for pampering yourself and your family. Your magikal night can begin with a relaxing meditation and a personal reading for yourself.
September ~ Corn moon
Native Americans began to harvest their crops during this month every year (this full moon occurs late in August and is called the harvest moon). If the full moon occurs earlier in September, it is called the corn moon because the corn crop is ready for picking at that time. A good time clean and clear up the issues of life. A ritual for healing old wounds, emotional and physical, forgiving transgressors and yourself. A "letting go" time.
Your harvesting the abundance of your soul and your growth, so get rid of that old stuff and make room for the new enlightened you!
October ~ Hunter's moon
The hunting season begins in October, thus the name hunter's moon. This is a good time to align yourself with nature and conducting magikal rituals concerning animal issues, such as finding your personal animal guide, totem or relating to your birth totem.
November ~ Beaver moon
Beaver traps were once set in this month to catch enough beaver to make warm clothing for the upcoming winter. A wonderful time for setting protection and protecting yourself from those 'cold' winds that try to interfere with your personal spiritual evolution.
December ~ Cold moon
The approach of cold weather in the Northern Hemisphere gives this month's full moon its name. Once again a wonderful moon for turning your attention to home, especially ritual space.
Additional Full Moon Names
Deborean
January - Wolf Moon
February - Snow Moon
March - Worm Moon
April - Rain Moon
May - Flower Moon
June - Strawberry Moon
July - Deer Moon
August - Fish Moon
September - Fruit Moon
October - Harvest Moon
November - Hunter's Moon
December - Cold Moon Wiccan
January - Cold Moon
February - Quickening Moon
March - Storm Moon
April - Wind Moon
May - Flower Moon
June - Sun Moon
July - Blessing Moon
August - Corn Moon
September - Harvest Moon
October - Blood Moon
November - Mourning Moon
December - Long Nights Moon
The Blue Moon
A "Blue Moon" occurs when two full moons happen in one calendar month. Since the phase period of the moon is 29.5 days, you usually only have one full moon each month. But each month it's a little earlier than the previous month. About every 2.5 years, you get two full moons in the same calendar month, and the second one is called the "blue moon". There is no physical difference in appearance, the second full moon looks like a regular full moon: circular and white with gray patches.
According to folklorists, the term "Blue Moon" is at least 400 years old. The earliest known references to a blue moon were intended as examples of improbable events or something that could never happen. As time passed the expression evolved to mean something that rarely or never happened. Hence the expression "Once in a Blue Moon" which is still popular today.
In the pagan community, the origins of the meaning of a Blue Moon vary. And the legend or origin of these meanings cannot be substantiated. However, some believe the second full moon holds the knowledge of the Goddess and is therefore contains 3-fold the energy.
In other traditions the phases of the moon represent the transition of knowledge within the Goddess. The quarter moons representing the maiden Goddess, the New Moon the Mother Goddess, the Full Moon the Grand Mother Goddess and the Blue Moon the transition of the Grand Mother or Crone to Divine level of existence.
Another view is that the Blue Moon represents a time of heightened or clearer communication between our physical being and the Great Grand Mother Goddess or the Crone Goddess.
Gardening By Moon Sign
Placement of the moon in the heavens through astrology is not the same as it's physical placement through astronomy. In earlier times, farmers used a solar, lunar and astrological calendar to ensure the proper planting period for their gardens and fields. Here in the U.S. Benjamin Franklin published the first horoscopes in his Philadelphia daily, which included a monthly entry concerning gardening.
Planting
The water signs are the best for planting. When the moon is in Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces are the best times. But Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn can be follow-up alternatives.
Weeding and Plowing
When the moon moves into Aries, Gemini, Leo Sagittarius and Aquarius, remove weeds and inspect your plants for pests.
Transplanting and Grafting
Transplanting and Grafting are best done when the moon enters Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
Pruning
Pruning is best done during Aries, Leo or Sagittarius. Try to schedule your pruning during a waxing moon to encourage growth.
Keep it clean and mended
Clean out your shed during a Virgo moon to help the work move along smoothly. Mend fences, gardening stakes and beds during a Capricorn moon. Ect.
Avoid making decisions when the moon is in Libra.
When The Moon Rises
Moon rises occur about 50 minutes later each day than the day before. Moon rises can occur at night as well as during the day.
But the best way to put it into memory is a good ole time folk tale:
The new Moon always rises at sunrise
And the first quarter at noon.
The full Moon always rises at sunset
And the last quarter at midnight.
....
~Humanity Healing |
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