Full Moons
moon phase infoA woman walks alone in the woods at night. She has no implements to light her way on her journey, but then none are needed. She follows the trail until she comes out into a brightly lit clearing. She glances around herself in appreciation of the solitude that the night has given her. Here she can be herself, and do whatever is needed. The only witness to her rite is the thing that has also lighted her way. She looks above her and raises her arms to embrace the Mother, and feels herself embraced in return.
For all of human history there has been a real fascination with the moon. Back before there were scientific advances that proved that the moon caused the movement of the tides, before our modern understanding of what the moon is, Her power was felt and revered. But, as with all things that are unexplained, there was also fear. The moon affects so much of life. It has been proven that during a Full Moon, violence increases. Policemen will tell you that crimes increase dramatically at the time of the Full Moon. When you take into account that most of the human body is made up of water, this makes sense. The New Moon has also proven to be a time of irrational behavior. Suicide is most prevalent at these times. There are also more Earthquakes at the time of the New and Full Moons.
Those are some of the negative aspects, but there are many positive ones also. Larger catches of fish are caught at the Full Moon. The energies used in Magick are also much stronger at the Full Moons. This fact is used by modern day Pagans, Ceremonial Magicians, and the Wiccan groups. Unique energies can be tapped by humans through ritual, at different times in the Moon's cycles. Spells for banishing, decreasing, or removing problems take place from after the Full Moon until the New Moon. Spells for increase, growth, and gain take place from after the New Moon until the Full Moon.
There are thirteen Full Moons in most years. This accounts for why the oldest calendars found contained 13 monthes. Ancient peoples reckoned their monthes by the Full Moons. Each of these monthes are directly connected with a different type of seasonal energy flow. Many cultures around the world named their Full Moons. Listed below are the names I use for the Full Moons, as well as, what energies are best tapped during these times.
October: Blood Moon
Releasing, remembering; communion with the dead. Prophecy. Releasing old negative memories and emotions.November: Hunter's Moon
Taking root; preparing. Transformation. Strengthening communication with the God or Goddess who seems closest to you.December: Dark Moon
Enduring, dying, being reborn; Earth tides turning. Darkness. Personal alchemy. Spiritual paths. Reaching out to friends and family, the lonely and the needy.January: Wolf Moon
Sluggish, below the surface; beginning and conceiving. Protection, reversing spells. conserving energy by working on personal problems that involve no one else. Getting your various bodies to work smoothly together for the same goals.February: Snow Moon
Energy working toward the surface; purification, growth, healing. Loving the self. Accepting responsibility for past errors, forgiving yourself, and making future plans.March: Storm Moon
Energy breaking into the open; growing, prospering, exploring. New beginnings; balance of Light and Dark. Breaking illusions. Seeing the truth in your life however much it may hurt.April: Hare Moon
Energy into creating and producing; returning balance to the nerves. Change, self-confidence, self-reliance, taking advatage of opportunities. Working on temper, emotional flare-ups and selfishness.May: Planters Moon
Full creating energy; propagation. Intuition, contact with faeries and other supernatural beings. Strengthen connection with supernatural protectors and beings around you. Power flowing from the Woodland Gods and trees.June: Flower Moon
Full but restful energy; protecting, strengthening, and preventing. A time of Light; Earth tides are turning. Decision-making, taking responsibility for present happenings. Working on inconsistencies. Strengthen and reward yourself for your positive traits.July: Humid Moon
Relaxed energy; preparing; succeeding. Dream-work, divination, and meditation on goals and plans, especially spiritual ones.August: Green Corn Moon
Energy into harvesing; gathering, appreciating. Vitality, health. Friendships.September: Harvest Moon
Resting after labor; balance of Light and Dark. Organizing. Cleaning and straightening up physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter.The second Full Moon in any month of the year is called: The Blue Moon
Letting go; inner cleansing. Karma and reincarnation. Justice and balance. Inner harmony. By many, this moon is regarded as a Bonus Moon.
2015 has a Blue Moon. This falls on July 31, 2015.There is one more thing I want to talk about. List Moons. (Or Wishing Moons, if you prefer.)
These moons occur every 3rd Full Moon. These moons are used for making lists of aspirations, hopes, and wishes that should begin to manifest before the next Wishing Moon. These moons fall nearest to the four major Sabbats of Samhain, Imbolg, Beltaine, and Lughnasadh.
For this ritual, write out a list of the things you want most to begin happening in your life within the next 3 monthes. Place a single drop of Sandalwood, Dogwood, Jasmine, Willow or Camphor oil on the paper. After the oil is added, I take the list outside and show it to the Mother. After this, I place the list in a special box; set aside solely for this purpose. (You can also place this list in your Book of Shadows, if you prefer.) I follow Edain McCoy's example and recite:If wishes were horses; then beggars would ride,
O'er land, sea, and air; on the wings of their pride.
With n'er a doubt and n'er a dare,
Never lose sight of the dreams in my care.The Wishing Moons for 2015, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
September 28, 2015
December 25, 2015
March 23, 2016
June 20, 2016
September 16, 2016
December 14, 2016
March 12, 2017
June 9, 2017
September 6, 2017
December 3, 2017
