"A New Moon rises with the Sun, Her waxing half at midday shows, The Full Moon climbs at sunset hour, And waning half, the midnight knows." (The Witches' Almanac) Magical Phases of the Moon The Moon is the most powerful source of energy for doing spells and magic workings, with each phase having its own special potential. New Moon Sun and moon energies are combined in this phase to give great strength to new projects. Banishments at the full and waning moons have most likely manifested by now. During the Sun-Moon conjunction each month (New Moon), the Moon is not visible. In ancient times, the term New Moon referred to the first appearance of the Moon's fine crescent in the West after sunset. This was usually two to three days after the Sun-Moon conjunction. The Fine Crescent of the New Moon occurs shortly after sunset on the first evening. This is the beginning of the Magical lunar month. The time from the New Moon to the First Quarter is a time of rapid growth, when the sap rises powerfully. It is a good time to plant herbs whose leaves and flowers you will wish to harvest, and those you are growing for seed to plant in future seasons. Magical Workings: a good time for the beginning of new projects and enterprises as in Beauty routines—cutting the hair if you wish it to grow: Health—healthy eating and exercise programs, Self-improvement Routines—New Moon Wishing and Affirmations, Job hunting, Love and Romance. First Quarter (Waxing Moon) The First Quarter falls halfway through the waxing phase of the Moon from New to Gibbous to Full. It is a period of expansion and growth, and thus a good time to expand activities and to make any changes needed in your group's structure. This phase, like the Dark of the Moon, is an excellent time to conceive a child. Magical Workings: Spells of healing, Courage, Elemental magick, Friends, Luck, Motivation or building self-confidence in times of trouble. The ancient name of the First Quarter is the White Crescent. This is the lunar phase of the Archangel Michael, whose magical work is to guard and preserve. Michael is strongest when the Moon or Sun is in Scorpio; and is also strong when the Moon is in Cancer and Pisces. The cosmic principle in this phase is Pluto, (regeneration and transformation). There is power for Scrying during this phase. This phase continues to be a time of growth. Anything you can do in the previous Crescent Phase you can do here. This is a good phase in which to apply fertilizer to plants already growing. The most powerful days of this phase are those just before the Full Moon. The moon rises at noon and sets at midnight. Sunset is the prime time for waxing moon magick. Altar devotions and offerings for the elementals in return for a favor work especially well during this moon phase. This is a wonderful time to work with the triple Goddess aspect. Full Moon The rites at the Full Moon are those dedicated to the Moon Goddess Diana the Huntress. There is a powerful influx of lunar energies at this time. This resonates with the strongest power for invocations; psychic energy is at its peak and is a good time for divination and prophecy. The word 'lunatic' is derived from Luna--the Latin word for Moon. It is at this time the solar and lunar forces are opposed to each other, pulling each us in opposite directions. Also, the Full Moon phase of the lunar cycle corresponds to the Element of Fire. There is an inherent contradiction between the fiery nature of this phase and the watery nature of the Moon. This lunar phase is ruled by the Archangel Gabriel, to lead us to victory over the forces of destruction. Magical workings: Spells of healing, Courage, Elemental magick, Friends, Luck, Money Spells, Motivation or building self-confidence. Artistic endeavors, Beauty, health, and fitness, Dreams, Families, Health and healing, Knowledge, Love and romance, Money, Protection, Psychic Endeavors. After the Full Moon... After The Full This is the autumn of the lunar cycle. In the garden, it is the time for raking and burning the rubbish. In this phase, it is good to clear out your files and burn or get rid of all the rubbish you have accumulated. Once the Full Moon is past, the ebb and flow of energies begins to wane. This is the phase to plant herbs whose roots you expect to use. It is an especially good time for pruning and for any kind of harvesting, especially herbs for healing potions. Sprouts for eating should be planted now. The moon rises at sunset and sets at dawn; therefore a midnight working (or when the moon is directly overhead) is best. Magical Workings: Change and decisions, Children, Competition, Families, Health and healing, Legal undertakings, Motivation, Protection, Psychic Endeavors, Self improvement. Last Quarter to the Waning Moon This is the middle of the Waning half of the lunation cycle phase, when the Crescent of the Moon becomes smaller each day. The activities appropriate to the Last Quarter are ones of consolidation and careful use of those principles that you have tried and found true. This is not a time for experimentation or innovation. Leave that for the First Quarter. The Third Quarter is the one most closely connected to the Past while the First Quarter is most closely connected to the Future. If you are reviewing past history, through such things as Recovering Past-Life memories or by researching ancient traditions, the Third Quarter of the cycle is the time to do it! The Archangel Uriel rules this phase. It is the reaping of the harvest and the plowing of the earth and any benefits of magical work you have done previously. The moon rises at midnight and sets at noon. Magical Workings: Addictions, Separations, Breakups, Health and healing, Banishing, Stress, and Protection. Time to let go, Break spells or release bad habits, Endings, and divorce. Dark Moon Most famously known, of course, for chaos magick, and bringing justice to bear. Goddesses here are Kali, the Morrigan, the Calliech, Lilith, and Hecate. It is also a time to move within ourselves, to explore our darkest recesses, to understand our angers and passions, learning to steer them to work for us in a positive way. The time when the Moon is not visible at all is referred to as, "the Dark of the Moon." Although superstitious minds view the Dark of the Moon as unfortunate, but those who walk the Way of the Moon know it is the most important phase of Her monthly journey. The Dark of the Moon is the culmination and climax of the Lunar cycle. The decision whether to regard the astronomical New Moon or the Fine Crescent as the beginning of the month is one which must be made by each individual practitioner of the craft. Your most sacred lunar rites should take place during this period. The Dark of the Moon is referred to the Element of Spirit or the Quintessence Center. The Dark of the Moon ideally lasts for five nights.  The moon rises at 3 AM and sets at mid-afternoon. Meet the Dark Goddess face to face. Magical Workings: Addictions, Change, Divorce, Breakups, Enemies, Justice, Obstacles, Quarrels, Removal, Separation, Stopping stalkers, Time to let go, Releasing Bad Habits, Banishing Negative People and Things, and Dedication to the Dark Goddess. Lunar Eclipses There are two types of lunar eclipse and all Magick is good here: 1. Partial eclipse 2. Penumbral eclipse of the moon Moon Void-of-Course Before the moon enters a new sign (Leo, Virgo, Cancer, etc.), there is a sort of dead space. The moon is 'between the worlds', in a time that is not a time, in a space that is not a space-it is in a celestial void where neither positive or negative energies behave as they normally do. This never lasts the same length of time. For example it could last only for fifteen minutes or for a day and a half!  Avoid doing anything important while the moon is void-of-course. What you do during this period may not work. In hoary astrology, the chart is not considered readable if certain circumstances are present. The chart has to be thrown out, and the question asked at another time. If the moon is void of course on the chart, the entire working should be avoided. *This is a compilation of many different sources.