Lunar Correspondences

Traditional Names for the Full Moon

These names come from The Shepherd's Calendar which was

published in the first decade of the 16th century.

 

Aries: Seed Moon

Marks the sowing season

Taurus: Hare Moon

The hare has long been associated with Spring and fertility

Gemini: Dyad Moon

Refers to the Twin aspect of Gemini

Cancer: Mead Moon

The time where the meadows or meads, were harvested for hay

Leo: Wort Moon

Gathering time for many healing herbs for use and drying.

Virgo: Barley Moon

Barley/grain harvest

Libra: Blood Moon

Time when domestic animals were killed for winter provisions

Scorpio: Snow Moon

Usually the time of the first snow

Sagittarius: Oak Moon

Sacred tree that withstands the Winter's havoc, time to gather mistletoe

Capricorn: Wolf Moon

As Winter continues, the wolf would come closer, night still has the greater hold over day

Aquarius: Storm Moon

The return of rains, violent weather bringing in the new season

Pisces: Chaste Moon

The old word for pure reflects the custom of greeting the new year with a clear soul

Understanding the Phases and Energies

We see a lot of emphasis on the sun in today's society (though this has
always been true throughout time), but the moon has always had a special
place in the hearts of Witches. There are 13 lunar months in a year, each
made up of roughly 28 days. In each of these lunar months, the moon goes
through an entire cycle: new moon, waxing, full moon, waning and back to
new moon again. Basically, there are 14 days of waxing, and 14 days of
waning, for the moon is new (dark) and full for a very short period of time.
A good book on astronomy will give you names for the different size
crescents, but what's particularly important to Witches is these 4 periods
in the progression. The waxing moon indicates a period of increase, so you
would preferably want to do spells of increase during this time (prosperity,
healing, etc). The full moon is a very powerful time for magickal workings,
and most are appropriate on this day. The waning moon is a period of
decrease, so this is a good time for banishing. The new moon is good for
scrying, new projects, and exploring the mysteries of the dark. Something
important to note: you work magick when you need to. So for example, if you
really need a prosperity spell, and the moon is waning, then do a banishing
of poverty instead.

Many calendars are available today note the phases of the moon and the exact
times of astrological correspondences and new and full moonıs. In our
tradition, we donıt get all bent out of shape concerning the exact time of
something. If the time is right, it is right. If it needs to be done, then
it will be done.

One belief that has come down in our Family is that there are three nights
for the full moon----these being the three nights where the moon appears
complete to the naked eye. These nights usually correspond to the day
before, day of, and day after the exact time of the full moon.

A note on astrology: I have come to believe that the less you know about it,
the better. It makes you paranoid after a while! It is very helpful for
understanding Zodiac personalities, particularly for Tarot readings, but
when you involve it with ritual too much, itıs just insanity.